1
He needed a flat share. There was no way around it. It was pretty hard work trying to keep 221B when he was never at work; it was just too hard to focus on Mrs Jackson's bunions when his mind kept replaying the scene of his best friend tumbling down from the top of Saint Barts. He'd put an ad in the paper three weeks ago but no one had replied. Guess no one wanted to live in the household of a fake genius with the live-in PA he duped.
Grabbing his empty cup from the coffee table he wondered into the kitchen to get a head start on his chores. Mrs Hudson had gone to her sisters for a few weeks and as a result the flat had been getting a bit grimy, even with her insisting that she wasn't his housekeeper. Filling the sink with hot water he piled in cutlery and cups first, scrubbing them clean with perhaps more force than needed. Pulling them from the soapy water he rinsed them under the tap before placing them in a wire drying rack. His hands found the Edge of the bench. Still soaking wet he gripped it until his knuckles turned white. He let his head fall till his chin hit his chest. He stood like that for god knows how long. Time was irrelevant at that moment. All his focus was on his breathing. Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.
When we was finally jerked back to reality it was dark and his phone was vibrating against his leg. He slowly pried his stiff fingers from where they were still gripping the marble, stretching them before fishing his phone from his front pocket.
From: Unknown Number
Hi, I read your ad about the flat and I was wondering if the offer was still standing. If it is I would love to come down and (hopefully) accept the offer.
He stood staring at the phone for a few seconds trying to figure out what just happened. It was no sooner was he wondering who the message was from that his phone vibrated again, the image of a closed envelope flashed across his screen.
From: Unknown Number
The names Merlin by the way.
It had been three days since John had text Merlin back telling him the offer was still open and would be happy to meet up and give him a tour. Three days since they had organized a time to meet up at 221B. And he was late. 10 minutes late to be precise. He sat in the living room, foot tapping against the carpet floor. On the coffee table sat two Luke warm glasses of tea and a sugar pot filled to the brim. He pushed himself up off the sofa and gathered the tea supplies, carrying them to the kitchen. He tipped out the cool brown liquid down the sink and filled the kettle, settling it on the cook top to boil. He leaned against the counter top as he waited to make two new cups of tea when the sound of heavy footsteps blundering upstairs filled the room.
"sorry I'm late I was-" a deep voice sounded out as a skinny form with a mop of dark hair rushed into the living room.
"kitchen" John called out as he grabbed a tea towel and grabbed the kettle filled with now boiling water. As he turned back to the living room the mop of dark hair had become a face and was now standing in the arch way. His eyes where a piercing blue and his ears where absolutely ridiculous. He wore an tattered blue Hoodie and red scarf. His hair was pushed up at an awkward angle on one side and his lips where curled up in a shy smile. John raised the kettle slightly "tea?"
"oh yes. Thank you" he poured two cups of hot water, placed a tea bag in each.
"take a seat. Milk?" he gestured vaguely to the living area before turning to the fridge, leaving an awkward looking visitor in limbo between the two rooms.
"um yeah and no, thank you" John poured a small amount of milk in his cup as Merlin wandered around looking for a seat. He eventually choose the seat next to the fireplace facing the kitchen. Unease filled John's stomach.
"not there!" he screamed before Merlin could even connect with the cushions. Merlin simply looked at him with a curious eyes. It was then John realized how crazy he must look screaming with a pint of milk in his hand "sorry, just...not there" to Merlin's merit he didn't question it, simply walked over the long couch pointing at the seat, not sitting until John gave a small nod. With cheeks flaming he turned back to the tea, putting the milk away and placing both steaming cups on the tea tray along with the sugar dish. He took a second to collect himself before picking up the tray and carrying it to the living room. He placed it on the coffee table before sitting down and passing Merlin his cup. And offering him the sugar dish. Long fingers reached out and grasped two sugar cubes with a small smile, stirring them into his tea with the tea bag. John picked up his own glass taking a sip before turning to the dark haired man.
"so your Merlin then" he started off, placing his cup on the table.
"Yeah that's me"
"no last name?" Merlin's face fell slightly as he turned back to his tea
"Was never given one. Some people call me Emrys. But that hasn't been for a long time" his voiced hitched slightly at the end, almost un-noticeable. He took a long sip of tea.
"well Merlin, it's nice to meet you" John offered his hand Merlin fumbled with his cup, placing it on the table and taking John's hand with a wide grin "So, why are you looking for a flat share then?"
"I've been on my own too long" his let his eyes drift towards to the window "time for a change"
