Title: - Camelot's Guardian Angel.
Genre: - modern rock star AU
Summary: - Camelot is a band and Arthur is the lead singer. Merlin is their stage hand and hopelessly in love with the blonde.
Pairings: - Merlin/Arthur (eventually), Percival/Elena, Gwen/Lancelot
Merlin stood up to the microphone in front of the crowd, who were cheering and chanting all manner of things. Every face was looking at him in anticipation, and he felt just a little bit nervous.
"Ladies and gentlemen I'd like to announce the band to the stage to play a set for all you lovely people. Everyone put your hands together for the best punk band around; CAMELOT!" he spoke clearly and couldn't keep the smile from his face as the guys trooped onto the stage behind him to the screams of their army of fans. Merlin jogged off stage and took his place just behind the curtains, ready to watch his favourite people play their hearts out as they always did. Merlin looked them all over as they set up and got their instruments and microphones ready; they all looked great dressed up in their punk gear. It was one of the perks of being the band's backstage coordinator/groupie/stage hand.
Lancelot was wearing a black t-shirt and skinny purple jeans with yellow converses and had a ring through his eyebrow and lip as opposed to the usual studs he wore. Gwaine was kitted out in head-to-toe leather and a worn pair of army boots, and various scarves and ribbons tied about his wrists. Leon was wearing a pair of black and white striped jeans, studded and buckled boots up to his knees and a grey open-necked knitted jumper. Elyan, as was his tradition, wore red; this time it was a shirt covered with little dark blue stars and a pair of washed out jeans. As the drummer he didn't worry too much about the clothes he wore, the fans seemed to like his fashion anyway. Percival, as the 'kooky' member of the band, played up to it with his clothes choices; choosing a pair of dark denim dungarees that were rolled up to reveal stripy socks and shin-height doctor martens in red, with a long sleeved black t-shirt underneath the denim.
But the most important member of the band, their wonderful lead singer, was Arthur pendragon. Well, he was the most important of them in Merlin's point of view anyway, but that was for shallow and pathetic-crush reasons. Arthur was wearing a dark green t-shirt with a purple dragon emblazoned on the front and dark blue jeans, with knee-high Dr Martens laced right to the top with red ribbon. Merlin himself had laced the ribbon through the stiff leather an hour ago. His hair was all spiked up and had stripes of blue sprayed into it, a couple silver rings sparkled in Arthur's earlobe and his tongue bar glinted in the stage lights as he shouted a greeting to his fans. He also had a red bandana tied around his head. Merlin had it very bad for the lead singer. Gods, he was besotted with him, and it was so pathetic and unrequited that it made Merlin's heart ache.
Merlin pulled his hood up and relaxed back into his seat, letting the sounds of Camelot's guitar rhythms and the boys' beautiful voices wash over him. He couldn't keep his eyes off Arthur with every move he made, from a kick or stomp of his foot to a wiggle of his ass. Then Merlin felt two cold hands slip down over his forehead and cover his blue eyes completely. He felt the other person lean in close next to his ear and whisper:
"Guess who?"
"Will! I was wondering where you got to." Merlin whispered back, spinning around in the chair and ending up with a lapful of his friend as he almost tripped over Merlin's bony ankles. He landed with a quiet sound, and Merlin felt the wind knocked out of him. He smiled at Will as he set himself more comfortably across Merlin's legs.
"Sorry, love; I got caught up untangling a bitch of a wire in one of their storage trunks. Took me ages to get the thing straightened out." Will explained still in whispers, pushing Merlin's hood down and ruffling his dark hair playfully.
"Oh right. I was just announcing them and now I'm back to watching them perform." Merlin supplied, holding Will's hips to keep him steady as he slowly spun the chair back to face the band.
"Watching a certain band member in particular? A certain blonde haired pretty-faced prince of punk with an ass that won't quit?" Will asked, and though whispering Merlin could still pick up the sassy tone. He nodded and blushed as Will just chuckled and kissed him on the forehead.
"Merlin, darling, when will you get over your little crush on our leading man? I know he's lovely to look at, and probably a dream in the sack, I just don't want you to get hurt." Will whispered hugging Merlin close and smiling sympathetically against his cheekbone.
"It's…thanks Will. It's not like I think anything could ever happen with him…and I know he's way out of my league and everything. I just can't stop wanting him. It's terrible for me. But I just can't get him out of my head." Merlin whimpered as Will lifted himself off of Merlin's thighs and stood behind him stroking his hair absently as he watched the boys thrash and jump and scream the climax of one of their songs, the fans in the crowd going wild.
"I'm sorry, Merlin. For what it's worth I'm a firm supporter of you and Arthur being together forever. And if something happens between you and he hurts you, he will need to fear for his life." Will mimed stabbing Arthur in the stomach with a sword and swiping it across his neck as well. Merlin didn't think for one minute that Will was joking about that.
"We've got to go get their half-time drinks set up. Come and help me when you've got your fill of Arthur-watching for the day, alright?" Will replied in a soft voice, squeezing Merlin's shoulder lightly.
Merlin tilted his head back and stared up at Will trying to convey all the adoration and respect he had for him, the other boy leaned down and pecked him on the lips once before disappearing off stage.
Merlin took one last look at his crush, as he fell to his knees playing a difficult riff on his guitar; head bent low and back arched creating a gorgeous angle of his body. With a longing sigh Merlin stood up and followed after Will, knowing he couldn't stare at the blonde forever.
He walked over to Will and span him around, hugging him tightly.
"You're the best, thanks. Your support is really appreciated. Even if I'm being the stupidest idiot in the world." Merlin said in a quiet voice. Will stroked his back and kissed his cheek.
"Aw kiddo, you're welcome. I'm always here for you." Will replied as they separated. Merlin grinned at him and moved to the counter to arrange the cups for the boys' tea and coffee when they were done with their set.
Will bumped his shoulder into Merlin's and added:
"And besides, you aren't stupid, you just fell in love. Can't be helped sometimes. You remember me and that professor at school? I fell so hard for her and then she left to study in Africa?" Merlin patted him on the shoulder as they recalled the way Will had fawned over her and done everything in his power to get in good favour. This was the moment the guys trooped in and collapsed onto the sofa, breathing heavily.
As Will and Merlin busied themselves with kettles and milk and teabags the boys talked and laughed and went over mistakes and good things from the gig so far.
"It's going great; the fans are loving it, man. Arthur, good choice with the guitar riff." Gwaine complimented, patting Arthur on the knee.
"Thanks, Gwaine. I wasn't sure, but then the dropping to my knees thing just came to mind." Arthur replied, looking askance at Lancelot and blushing lightly.
"Is that a normal instinct for you? Dropping to your knees?" Will asked absentmindedly from the counter, elbowing Merlin most unhelpfully in the ribs. Arthur flushed darker red and shook his head. The other guys in the band laughed, Percival full on throwing his head back.
"Shut up, Will. I'm too exhausted to think of a good comeback." Arthur spat with little anger, Merlin flushed pink and placed the blonde's tea in front of him. Merlin leaned in close to Arthur's ear and said:
"Don't listen to Will; he's just jealous you won't get on your knees for him." The room erupted into laughter again, and Will gave Merlin a look, but there wasn't much meaning behind it.
"Cheers mate." Arthur murmured, grinning at Merlin, making his knees just a little weak. He nodded to the Arthur and seated himself cross-legged on the floor next to wear Lancelot was sitting.
"Don't worry Blondie, as good as your oral skills might be, you aren't my type; I prefer a girl with less between her legs." Will quipped back, motioning a curved female body with both hands.
"That's not quite true, captain hetero." Merlin muttered, winking at Will as he sipped at his strong tea.
"Hey Percival, did you get the chocolate spread we asked for when you popped out to the shops?" Leon said suddenly out of nowhere. Percival looked at him and jumped up and ran to the Sainsbury's bag he'd left by the counter. He came back with a big jar of nutella and opened it and just took a long sniff.
"Yes, I love you man. Good call Leon. This is the perfect between-sets snack." Arthur exclaimed, grinning like a child and making grabby hands at the jar.
"I'll grab some spoons. Don't use your fingers Perce, that's gross!" Lancelot said standing up and moving to the drawers to grab a handful of spoons. Fifteen minutes later and half the jar was gone, and all the boys were sitting chilled out with a spoon full of chocolates spread in their mouth, making vague sounds of pleasure at the taste.
Then Will looked at his watch and rallied the boys up to get them ready for their next set. They all ran their hands through their hair, smoothed down their clothes and looked in the long mirror on the wall. Merlin sighed at his eternal sexual frustration as Arthur preened and pouted and turned around to look how his ass looked in the mirror. They all disappeared with Will ahead of them ready to announce them back on stage.
Will looked into the front row and saw Elena and Gwen there, cheering so loud for Percival and Lancelot that all the girls surrounding them were starting to look angry and as if their ears were hurting. Will winked at them and they screamed just as loud for him.
"Scream your loudest everyone, the boys of Camelot are back!" Will said voice loud and clear, Merlin watched jealously from the side of the stage, he was always so great at shouting to the crowd, and he never got nervous, which was unfair in every way.
Will strolled back to Merlin and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, smiling sweetly.
"Do you think the 'dropping to your knees' comment was a bit too much, love? It conjured up some nice images for you, I'm sure." Will asked in a lecherous voice, licking his lips and chuckling as Merlin flushed pink.
"You're not very subtle are you? Between that and him licking chocolate spread off his spoon I nearly died. Did you see Gwen and Elena out there? They said they were going to come." Merlin said, dropping his head into his hands as Will took his elbow and dragged him to the sofa to drink another strong cup of tea.
As the second set came to an end the boys trudged back into the room, a lot more exhausted than they were before and with Elena and Gwen in tow.
"Hi Merlin, Will, how are you guys? Wasn't the show great?" Gwen said, pecking both of them on the cheek and grinning and then she settled herself in Lancelot's lap. Elena was snuggled up to Percival's side feeding him spoonfuls of nutella. Merlin was insanely jealous of all the couples and their cuteness, so he busied himself with making tea. The surprising thing was Arthur joining him and helping him out, while Elyan, Leon and Gwaine went into a tirade about what they would do in the next show.
"Are you alright? You seem a bit down tonight, Arthur." Merlin said, handing the milk bottle to the blonde and resting against the counter. Arthur looked sideways at him and rubbed a hand over his face.
"It's nothing really. I just had a fight with my dad earlier about not 'having a proper career' and he was taking his frustrations out on me because my sister moved out to live with her boyfriend." Arthur murmured, sighing heavily and taking a sip of his tea.
"I'm sorry about that. Are you thinking of giving up singing?" Merlin asked carefully, staring into Arthur's tired face trying not to think about how beautiful the blonde looked even when he was exhausted.
"Nah, I'd never give it up. I enjoy it too much. My dad just wants me to get a job in his factory creating car parts or something. So not interested." The blonde lifted himself up onto the counter and yawned and stretched.
"I wouldn't want you to give up, not with a talent like yours. A lot of people would miss you if you quit." Merlin replied, as he blushed just a little and tried not to look the other boy in the eye. The undertone being 'I'd miss you. I love you. Don't leave me.'
"Thanks, man. That means a lot." Arthur simply said in a soft voice, grinning at Merlin and patting him on the shoulder.
"Well, Guys and girls, I'm heading off home to get some sleep. Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do." Arthur announced to the room, waving a hand and heading towards the door. Merlin grabbed the blonde's hoodie from where he'd ditched it when he'd arrived.
"Don't forget this. It's really cold out there." Merlin said, rushing after Arthur with the garment. The other boy nodded and pulled the hoodie on.
"See ya, kid. Oh, and thanks for noticing that I was down. The guys are a bit clueless to emotions, but you aren't. I'm glad someone's looking out for me. Like a guardian angel." Arthur said, grinning sweetly at him and stepping out into the cold.
Merlin closed the door behind him and leant against it. He was heaps more in love with Arthur than he was before. They had talked, and he hadn't said anything embarrassing or stupid to the gorgeous blonde, and he'd trusted Merlin with his feelings about his father and his sister. It was a small victory, but Merlin still felt elated about it.
The rest of the evening was spent in relative happiness, chatting with the band, eating more nutella and eventually some pizza when Percival and Leon got hungry and complained enough to persuade the others to order some.
When all the guys from the band returned home, Merlin and Will caught the bus home to their houses, where they lived next door to each other with their families. the dark haired boy spend a good half an hour explaining to his mum Hunith about how great the gig was and how wonderful Arthur looked and how well the other guys played.
Over the next few weeks Camelot had various gigs and shows and appearances around the town of Ealdor where Will and Merlin lived. Arthur just seemed to get more and more beautiful every time Merlin saw him. The guys' talent was also increasing, with Percival and Gwaine learning new guitar riffs that seemed impossible for Merlin or Will to keep up with. Lancelot had started teaching Merlin how to play his bass guitar and that seemed hard enough to understand.
Arthur was becoming more confident and sure of himself as the weeks went by, becoming fuelled by the fans and their adoration for him and the band. It was well known that Arthur was very popular with the fans; they shared Merlin's love, or at least his lust, for the blonde front man. Arthur was often seen with a group of girls gathered around him whispering sweet nothings into his ear. More likely smutty nothings, but it wasn't Merlin's place to say what Arthur did and who he should or shouldn't take to his bed.
The other boys in the band enjoyed all of the attention from the fans, but they'd never go as far as Arthur did to sleep with them and even date them if they were nice enough girls and guys. Lancelot and Percival had their girlfriends anyway. Gwaine and Elyan liked being young free and single guys, and they always said if they were to date people, they wouldn't be fans.
The boys were in London at that time, doing a gig for a charity and they had been on stage for and hour and a half. There were a lot of loud screaming fans, and the boys were just a little bit intimidated by this. They knew their fans could get a bit crazed at times, but this was just too much.
As the gig came to an end and Arthur rocked out their final notes on the guitar and sang his lungs out, Merlin watched from the edge of the stage, a huge grin on his face. That was the moment it all started to go wrong. A girl managed to push her way past the security at the front of the stage and ran at Arthur. While the security guards were distracted, a lot of other fans got up on stage and joined the first girl. Arthur blanched and tried to run, but it was too late.
The girls were wild and they knew what they wanted; a chance to kiss and touch and come into contact with all the guys of Camelot. They ran at the boys, knocking over microphone stands and jumping on the guys. Arthur looked across at Gwaine who looked horrified by what was happening. Security were busy keeping the rest of the fans at bay, so Merlin realised he and Will had to do something. They both ran out onto the stage shouting and trying to pull the girls away from the band members. Will managed to get a couple away from Lancelot, and Elyan helped out shouting and trying to help his other friends.
In the kerfuffle Merlin felt claustrophobic and nervous, but he battled against the crowds of girls from hurting Arthur and the others. However he wasn't really strong enough and he was pushed and elbowed and shoved away. With a firm elbow to his chest he stumbled backwards and tripped over a light stand, toppling backwards off the stage and crumpling on the floor with a sickening crack of broken bones. His leg was most definitely broken from the fall.
His head came into hard contact with the concrete floor or something equally hard, that was when the world blacked out. As more security came running up onto the stage and dragged the offending girls away, Will looked around for Merlin and saw him as he fell backwards. He charged across the stage and jumped off, reaching for his friend's unmoving body. He pulled his hoodie off and tucked it under Merlin's bleeding head.
"Will? What happened? Oh god, Merlin! I'll call an ambulance" Lancelot shouted from the stage, seeing his wounded friend and feeling tears come to his eyes. Will hugged Merlin to his chest and kissed him on the forehead, crying openly at what had happened.
Next thing Will knew Arthur had leapt off the stage and with Leon's help carried Merlin through to the backstage area, laying him to rest on a sofa. Will cleaned off the wound on his head and cursed all the crazy fans. Arthur and the other guys paced and looked fraught and exhausted. They couldn't believe that people were supposed to be their fans would do that, to treat them so terribly and disrespect their privacy so much. And all of that behaviour had injured their friend.
There will be more chapters.
Nutella and the boys of Camelot all dressed up in rock gear. And a teensy bit of angst/hurt for our favourite warlock.