Merlin was sick of Arthur`s shit. Every day, he would wake up and think maybe today he`ll leave me alone. Maybe today he`ll just fuck off. He never did, of course. Arthur Pendragon wasn`t the type to give up his toys. Even if his toys were 17 year old classmates who just wanted to sink into the background.
It hadn`t always been like this between them. Merlin used to sit next to Arthur in biology. They had been nice to each other. Merlin helped him with his homework and Arthur would smile at him in the corridor if they passed each other. That changed when they turned 15. A teacher had placed work sheet between them one day and as they both reached over to take one, their hands brushed against each other. It was slow, almost deliberate. Arthur looked him in the eye with something Merlin could not understand.
Arthur then stood up and walked out.
He didn`t come back for three days. Merlin couldn`t understand what had happened. So they had touched each other. Big deal. That didn`t explain Arthur`s reaction. When the blond boy finally returned, he didn`t sit next to Merlin. He didn`t speak to Merlin. He didn`t look at Merlin. That was the end of that. Until Gwaine, that is.
One Year Previous
Merlin didn`t normally go to parties. But it was Freya`s birthday and she insisted. Her parents were away for the weekend and she wanted to throw a huge 16th party in her very large house. Freya`s father worked for Pendragon ltd, Arthur`s father`s company. They were wealthy enough to afford the Palace, as Merlin called it. An orphan living with his Uncle Gaius, a doctor, Merlin`s two bedroom apartment was like a cardboard box in comparison to Freya`s house. And although she hated to huge, empty feeling that came along with so much so much space; it came in handy when she wanted to invite her whole year to a party.
A few beers and a shot into the night, Merlin was starting to enjoy himself. He let down his guard, danced with Freya, joked around with his best friend Will. Eventually some pretty blond girl dragged Will away and Merlin was left standing awkwardly. Then he saw him.
Swaggering into the room liker he owned it, Guinevere Angel on his arm, was a perfect specimen of a man. Muscular, long dark hair, just a hint of stubble. The alcohol made Merlin feel light-headed. Gwen was Arthur`s girlfriend, what was she doing with that guy?
"Merlin!" she called. Gwen had always liked Merlin, for some weird reason. She was popular beautiful, loved by all; the unofficial "queen" of Camelot. Yet she always found time to be nice to him, which was a blessing on the bad days. Sometimes Freya and Will couldn't be there for him and he needed a warm smile. "This is my cousin Gwaine. He's staying for the weekend." Merlin snapped back to reality. Oh god, he's... he's... he's looking at me.
And he was. Staring right at Merlin with a smile that could melt ice. Oh god. Stay calm. Stay calm.
"Hi there, Merlin," said Gwaine. His voice was deep, velvety. Scottish. Oh god, Merlin. Stop being such a girl."I've heard a lot about you."
"I um, well... um, hi." Merlin winced at his pathetic stuttering. Gwaine's smile just seemed to widen. Merlin's whole body was buzzing.
"Well, I'm going to go find Arthur." Gwen seemed oblivious to the electricity between the two boys. "Try to be nice, Gwaine." With a wink, she walked away. Merlin felt like she had just punctured his lifeboat.
"So Merlin," said Gwaine moving closer to him, "this is a nice house isn't it?" Merlin could feel himself going weak at the knees. All he could do was nod. Gwaine came closer and closer, until finally he was right up against his ear and whispered something that made Merlin's heart beat out of his chest.
"Do you want to give me a tour of the bedrooms?"