Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the BBC show Merlin, the characters, plots, or actors/actresses.

Merlin stepped onto the underground, on time for once, and looked around for a seat. His shoulders slumped slightly when he realized that, despite being on time, the car was just as full as ever and he was forced to stand. Shrugging, Merlin rummaged in his messenger bag for his textbook to study during the ride. After a couple minutes, he heard the doors start to close and moved to the side so he wouldn't accidentally get caught when they did. He'd just gotten resettled with his book when a burst of air flipped a few pages and he looked up to see someone lean against the bars and sigh. Merlin smiled to himself, thinking, he made it just in time.

He didn't realize he had spoken until the guy looked round. Then he realized what he'd said and hurriedly continued, trying not to make it awkward. The guy opposite him was handsome with his short blond hair mussed from the wind and gorgeous blue eyes that were now staring directly at him with a hint of confusion in them. He was fit, too, and wearing a suit that made Merlin wonder what he looked like in casual clothing. He'd love to find out, but now it was getting uncomfortable, and, oh, crap, if he kept talking, he was sure to babble and the guy wasn't saying anything so maybe it was better if he just returned to his studying…and now even his thoughts were rambling on, great. Merlin turned back to his book, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Arthur swore under his breath, running through the station to try to make it to the train before the doors closed on him. Featuring prominently in his swearing was his younger sister, Morgana. He loved her, he really did, but she drove him absolutely crazy sometimes. Why she felt the need to come over last night instead of calling to whine about being dumped again was beyond him. All he knew was that he'd slept through his alarm, which was why he was now dodging and bumping people as he ran, leaving them yelling and swearing behind him. He honestly didn't care who Morgana dated, as long as it wasn't one of his friends because that would be just too awkward.

The train was just up ahead. Arthur managed to slip through the train doors before they slammed shut and breathed a sigh of relief.

"You made it just in time."

Arthur looked around to find a dark-haired man about the same age as him- so about mid-twenties -standing on the opposite side of the doors from him, looking at him.

"I've had to jump through the doors more than once so I can sympathize," the other man continued, then abruptly turned back to flip through the pages of his book. Arthur just stared at him.

Nobody talked to each other on the underground, it's kind of an unspoken rule that nobody wants to know anybody's business, but this guy…Arthur studied him. Most people just stare out the windows or sleep, but he was looking at a book, flipping through the pages. He was handsome, but quieter about it. Maybe he wasn't aware that he was so he didn't try to flaunt it as others did. Arthur wasn't quite sure what that meant but it sounded right so he went with it. The guy had short black hair that looked like he'd run his fingers through it almost continually and it covered his eyes so Arthur couldn't see what color they were. He had pale skin, like he didn't spend much time in the sun, but his cheekbones stuck out, making him seem even more handsome to Arthur. He was thinner than Arthur, wearing jeans and a hoodie and had a messenger bag to go along with the book-nerd look.

"My sister made me late, usually I'm on the train by now," Arthur suddenly answered him.

The guy looked up, surprised. "What did she do to make you late?"

Arthur shrugged. "Her latest beau. Honestly, my sister cannot keep a boyfriend to save her life and then she expects me to fix it. Just like always." He stuck his hand out. "I'm Arthur, by the way. Arthur Pendragon."

Merlin studied him, wondering why he was suddenly being so friendly after completely ignoring him just a moment ago and why he said his name like Merlin should know it, but decided there was no harm in introducing himself. He stuck a finger in his book to mark his page and shook Arthur's hand. "Merlin Emrys."

"That's an interesting name."

Merlin shrugged. "Yeah, well, Mum was a fan of the whole Arthurian legend thing so that's what I grew up with. Doesn't bother me anymore; in fact, it's a big help in my classes."

"Oh, cool. So, what are you reading?" Arthur inquired.

"Not reading; studying."

Arthur blinked. "Okay, what are you studying, then?" How was it that Merlin didn't immediately know his whole history like everyone else did who learned his last name? It intrigued him; he wanted to know more about him.

Merlin smiled at the altered question. "Romantics. I have a test this afternoon." He laughed fully at Arthur's utter confusion. "Authors, usually poets, writing during the Romantic period in British literature."

Comprehension dawned. "So you're an English student at university?" Arthur asked.

Merlin nodded. "Going for my master's, actually."

"Cool. I would impress you with my knowledge, but I really have no idea who any of those authors would be, let alone what the Romantic period is," Arthur said sheepishly.

"No problem. Not many people do." Merlin didn't explain any further but waited to see if Arthur was going to want to continue talking. It's not like he didn't know this stuff by now but it helped to refresh his memory before class. But he kind of wanted to keep talking with Arthur.

Arthur shuffled his feet, wondering what to say next. It was obvious that that topic had been exhausted and he honestly didn't know if he wanted to keep talking or just stare. Merlin solved that problem. "Does your sister live with you? Is that why she made you late?"

Arthur laughed. "No. Thankfully, Morgana's got her own place. She just got dumped last night and decided I had to know every single freaking detail of their entire relationship and then make her feel better even though I really don't care and she knows it. Do you have siblings?"

Merlin shook his head, amused at the description of Morgana. "Only child."

Arthur informed him, "Consider yourself lucky. Siblings are a pain in the ass, trust me."

Merlin smiled. "She can't be that bad. I'm sure you get along some-"

Arthur sighed as his mobile phone rang, interrupting Merlin. "Sorry, but I have to take this."

"It's no problem," Merlin replied. "I should get back to studying, anyway."

Oddly enough, Arthur thought Merlin sounded slightly disappointed as he pulled out his mobile. He sighed as he recognized the name flashing on the screen. "Morgana, I'm on the tube, do you really need to talk right now?...Yes, I understand, but can't you…No…No…I said, no, Morgana and I meant it…Look, I can't do this now…Father's expecting me for the… You'll be fine, it's not the end of the…really...Why don't you call Gwen and see if she…Great… Let's all have dinner tonight, say, six…Text me which restaurant… I'll meet you guys there...No, I'm not paying. You are perfectly capable of paying for your own…yes…I'll see you tonight…Fine…Bye." He hung up, thoroughly annoyed. "I hate my life," he muttered, glancing over at Merlin when he laughed softly.

Merlin said, "Sounds like you have a fun evening planned."

Arthur sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot today. "At least Gwen will be along to help distract her. She's Morgana's closest friend."

The conductor spoke up then, effectively silencing them, announcing the next stop. Merlin closed his book and shoved it in his bag. It was too bad that his stop had arrived. He'd been enjoying talking to Arthur, despite his friends' warnings not to talk to people on the underground. Seriously, Merlin thought, not everyone was a creep and besides, how would he make friends if he never talked to anybody?

Arthur frowned. "This is your stop?"

Merlin looked up through his lashes and Arthur's heart skipped a beat. His eyes were a beautiful deep blue, he realized, distracting him for a moment and he missed most of what Merlin said.

"…catch a taxi from here."

Arthur mentally shook his head. "Oh, okay." The train slid to a stop in the station and the doors opened with a burst of compressed air. As Merlin stepped out, Arthur called out, "Good luck on your test!"

Merlin turned around and smiled at him. Arthur's heart skipped a beat again. "Thanks, and good luck with your sister!"

Arthur smiled back as the doors closed and the train started up again. Today was turning out better than he'd thought it would, despite the fact that it was a Monday.

Author's Note: This is my first Merlin fanfic, and I actually got the idea from a picture that popped up on facebook. Bear with me because it starts a little slow, but it is already finished (because I don't post stories until they're fully written in Microsoft Word) but I'm only uploading a chapter at a time. It's going to be several chapters, not sure how many. I 'm still breaking the rest of it down. Also, I don't know how often to put a chapter up, so let me know what a normal time to do so is. Thanks!