Hey everyone. I'll add A/N as I go along as there are some things I want to say about certain parts. But for now, sorry the chapters are varied lengths, it's just the way I write, and this is my first attempt at Merlin/Arthur, so sorry if it's crappy. Anyway, hope it's not too bad, enjoy. :)

Arthur couldn't deny it. He had a great life. His father was rich, therefore so was he. His education was brilliant and he was either topping or nearly topping all of his classes. Most of all, he had the best friends he could possibly ask for. If he had to throw any one of them away he knew it would be the money, he knew it didn't matter if he was rich because with the education he had, his prospects in life and the people he surrounded himself with, everything would be ok. One thing he would possibly change though? Without a doubt he would bring his mother back. She had died when he was young and sadly hadn't got a chance to get to know her. Uther had often told him stories about her though, like when they met, how she had helped Uther with money issues and eventually had gotten married and decided to bring a child into the world...the following stories Arthur begged not to be told, he didn't think he could ever picture his parents in any positions he had himself been in. A few years later, they had nearly split up when Uther had an affair and got an employee pregnant. But they fought through it and eventually raised the child as their own- the mother was a heartless bitch and wanted nothing to do with the kid, Uther had put it. So now? Now he had a workaholic dad (not that he minded, because spending too much time together usually ended in arguments), a loving sister, Morgana, and the best friends; Gwen, Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival, Leon, Elyan and Merlin.

Believe it or not, Arthur didn't have a girlfriend. He was nearly 6 foot, had golden sandy hair, muscles just the right size (not so small you could hardly see them, but also not so big his head looked too small), beautiful clear blue eyes, and a jawline that looked like it could cut you if you caught it at the wrong angle. No. He and Gwen had dated a few years back for almost 22 months, but had ended it after they realised they were just too close as friends; it was weird. For the past 7 months, Arthur had been single; he could have had the pick of any girl in the college if he'd wanted, but he never left the safety of his group- though he was popular , he only ever stayed with his friends, things might get complicated if he branched out. Lately though, Arthur was beginning to question himself, he would sometimes catch sight of Gwaine changing after football and think things he was pretty sure he shouldn't be thinking about a guy. Giving Percival's muscles a squeeze after the gym sometimes lasted too long recently and he wondered if anyone noticed the red complexion he had when he had finally let go. But the one person that was making him feel even more odd? His best friend Merlin.

He and Merlin had been friends since they were both around 7. His mother, Hunith, had become a cook at their family home and so she and Merlin had moved into the servants quarters (except Arthur hated calling them that). After a few years, Hunith was moved up to head chef, and eventually head caretaker of the household. When Arthur and Merlin had been 13, Uther had given her the opportunity to go to university and learn to become a businesswoman herself. She had done so and now takes care of Uther's business, including his accounts, his paperwork and phonecalls. The small family had moved out to a house only 5 minutes walk away and the boys could never be separated, they had grown up best friends and Arthur always planned on keeping it that way. Except now things were getting weird. Merlin had never had a girlfriend, but that was because he was shy and a little geeky, and he didn't exactly come across as...gay. NO. I've got to get these thoughts out of my head. Merlin is your best friend, nothing more. Don't ruin it you clotpole.

'What are you smiling at?' Percy's voice rang out next to his ear and made him jump. He didn't realise he was smiling at himself for using Merlin's word.

'Oh, nothing. I was just thinking something and clotpole came into my head, then I thought of how angry Merlin would be at me for using his word.' He nudged Merlin in the shoulder when he said this, a playful act, yet one that sent tingles up his hand and arm.

'Yeah. That's my word.'

'Actually, it's Shakespeares...it was one of his insults that he...'

'Shutup Gwen! Miss I'm a genius on Shakespeare.' Elyan always teased Gwen, he was allowed to, they were brother and sister. And at this, Gwen decided to hit him around the head with her folders, and just for good measure, threw a copy of Henry V at his back.

Everyone laughed then moved off to their final lesson of the day. It was half term starting that night, and they had a lot planned.

XX

'I cannot believe I have to do this stupid essay over the holidays! I have nothing about Ancient Greece at home!' Arthur was nearly red with frustration when the group met up outside the school gates, he and Merlin had been assigned an essay in history to complete over the holidays.

'Yeah, shock horror, you may have to go to the library. Don't worry, I've got plenty of books at home. But I still don't understand why he's given us this essay, Greek Myths have nothing to do with what we're studying at the moment.' Merlin was a little flustered but didn't seem too bothered, this made Arthur smile. Such a little geek.

'Well I want to get it done before next week, so I can have at least a bit of a holiday. Wanna get it started tonight?' Arthur held up his keys to indicate to Merlin to come and help him, he wore a cheesy pleading grin on his face. When he saw the look in Merlin's eye he knew he'd gotten what he wanted.

'Yeah, may as well. We can stop by my place to get the books too.'

'Well, good luck with that, meanwhile, I'm going out tonight, and tomorrow, and Sunday, whilst you two losers write essays like goody-two-shoes.' Percy sniggered. Even though he was a good guy, he wasn't exactly one for work, and often had detentions for not completing assignments.

'Ok, well, let us know if anything changes or if you want to get together. Good luck.' Gwen gave both boys a peck on the cheek and pushed Elyan off in the direction of their car.

The other boys followed, all waving and blowing kisses; Arthur should really question what he classed as good friends, because these were idiots.

'We better wait for Morgana, she'll be furious if we leave without her.' Merlin was leant against Arthur's car, his arms crossed.

'No, she only had half a day today, she left at dinner. Look...' He showed Merlin a text from Morgana at 12:06;

Finished lessons for today, gone home to relax. See you later dork. Love Morg. Xx

'Ok. Bloody hell, it's already quarter past 4, how is it we always leave school nearly 45 minutes after it finishes? Percy's right, we are losers.'

'Just get in the car Clotpole.'

'Oi!' The two boys jumped in the car and drove off.

Arthur had been working hard recently, and he was ready for a break. He just hoped nothing else came up to ruin it.

XX

To say it was nearly Autumn, the day was warm, the sky was blue and pretty much all the leaves were still green. Arthur had his music blasting out and both he and Merlin were singing (more like screeching) along; currently is was John Farnham You're the Voice.

He turned and looked at Merlin, he couldn't help but think how good looking the young man was. It was strange, they were both 18 but Merlin looked a little younger somehow, maybe more like 16 or 17 at a push. His eyelashes curled, they were the same black as his hair, which was usually an organized mess, his eyes were bluer than Arthurs, resembling sapphires. His cheekbones stood out and brought your eyes straight down to his lips. And wow his lips. They looked like those in animated movies, heart shaped, full and a lovely pink colour. Quickly turning away, he swallowed and tried to push all thoughts out of his mind.

The lights up ahead were green and he accelerated a little to make sure he would make it to them before they changed. Not that he was in a rush to get home or anything. Moving towards the crossroads, he turned to look once again at his friend in the passenger seat but what he saw made his eyes widen. A large van heading straight towards them, having clearly gone through red lights, and not looking like it was about to stop. Arthur tried to register what was happening but it was too late, he'd frozen. He saw the acknowledgement on Merlin's face and watched him turn his head to look out of his own window. His passenger saw the van's front grill come crashing into the left hand side of the car just seconds later.

'ARTHUR!'

'MERLIN!' They both yelled together. Arthur had no more time to react. The van crashed into Merlin's side of the car, the terrifying crunch of metal and the screech of tyres. He was suddenly aware of his world turning upside down- literally- as the car began to flip and spin. His body crashed into the car around him before coming to a stop. Arthur figured they were on their side, with him being in the air, Merlin's door lying flat against the ground. He blinked,something ran into his eyes, blood. Nothing felt right, his entire body ached and hurt, even moving one finger spread agony up his arm and through his torso.

Darkness was beginning to creep into his vision. He could hear people shouting, he could hear the thud of his heartbeat, but the thing he wanted to hear most, the voice of his best friend, was not there. He succumbed to unconsciousness.