A/N I do not own Merlin or any songs used in this story or claim to own them all rights go to their respectable owners.
The crowd was silent. But that was to be expected as who was going to cheer for a band that was going to play instead of one direction?! Camelot wasn't even meant to be preforming tonight but since the all famous band couldn't be 'bothered' to play at the only concert at the UK this year. So with an open space and no-one to fill in the managers got desperate and asked if anyone could play a few songs at such short notice, and Arthur being the prat he was suggested Camelot. He himself was the lead guitarist with Leon on the bass and Gwain at the drums, lance was their rodey. Merlin was the singer and also happened to get nervous in front of large crowds. Great right? Arthur practically had to drag merlin onto the stage. Camelot only ever did covers not originals so some of the songs merlin had to sing were about boyfriends but that was okay as merlin was gay and allot of them were true to his situation. Gwain started the song with a few beats as Arthur and Leon started on the guitars. Merlin knew he had to start singing soon so he closed his eyes and tried to forget about the crowd.
"Well, I had me a boy, turned him into a man
I showed him all the things that he didn't understand
Whoa, and then I let him go"
His voice was wary and quiet and the crowd started to scoff but none booed quite yet.
" Now, there's one in California who's been cursing my name
'Cause I found me a better lover in the UK
Hey, hey, until I made my getaway"
By this point his voice was almost normal but he still couldn't win over the crowd. Arthur smirked knowingly, once the song picked up a bit merlin would be in his element.
"One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
'Cause I'm the best baby that they never gotta keep
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
They always wanna come, but they never wanna leave
Ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all
They won't let go
Ex's and oh's"
The crowd had started to scream loudly for Camelot, those who scoffed at merlin at the beginning were regretting it.
"I had a summer lover down in New Orleans
Kept him warm in the winter, left him frozen in the spring
My, my, how the seasons go by
I get high, and I love to get low
So the hearts keep breaking, and the heads just roll
You know that's how the story goes
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
'Cause I'm the best baby that they never gotta keep
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
They always wanna come, but they never wanna leave
Ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all
They won't let go
My ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all
They won't let go
Ex's and oh's
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
Climbing over mountains and a-sailing over seas
One, two, three, they gonna run back to me
They always wanna come, but they never wanna leave
My ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all
They won't let go
Ex's and the oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me to make 'em all
They won't let go
Ex's and oh's"
Merlin finished and took a bow a little breathless. Gwain got up and walked up to the mic "weren't expecting that were you! How about another eh mate?" he asked merlin, who looked a little unsure. " I dunno Gwain…" he was interrupted by the crowd shouting 'Encore! Encore!' "okay! Okay, I'll do it" merlin replied. Gwain had the perfect song and leaned over to whisper it to merlin who nodded in agreement then shouted of lance who doubled as the pianist.
" Once I was seven years old my mama told me
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old
It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure
Once I was eleven years old my daddy told me
Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely
Once I was eleven years old
I always had that dream like my daddy before me
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
Something about that glory, just always seemed to bore me
Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
Once I was 20 years old, my story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once I was 20 years old
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major
I got my boys with me at least those in favor
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
Once I was 20 years old, my story got told
I was writing about everything, I saw before me
Once I was 20 years old
Soon we'll be 30 years old, our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming
Soon we'll be 30 years old
I'm still learning about life
My woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs
And I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me
Some are still out seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind
My brother I'm still sorry
Soon I'll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month
Soon I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be 60 years old
Soon I'll be 60 years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be 60 years old
Once I was seven years old, my mama told me
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old
Once I was seven years old"
"thank you! We have been Camelot!" Arthur shouted down his mic. The band then went back stage to be congratulated on their performance. Merlin heard chanting of his name so he went back on stage for a second bow,
Then he woke up