Merlin and Arthur's POV starting six mouths previous
Merlin had had a set of brutal set nightshifts, he loved his job, and it was a dream come true, but Friday and Saturday night shifts in Accident and Emergency could be awful. So even with one quiet night out of five he was knackered by the time Monday morning came round, but at least he had a three of days off now, although he did need to catch up with his studying, and finish writing up some research. He headed straight for the canteen to get himself a coffee before heading to bed. There was a very long queue and after waiting for a bit he changed his mind and decided to head out of the hospital to a small café he knew, the coffee was better there anyway.
Walking in to the small but friendly shop Merlin ordered and paid for his coffee and also ordered a bacon sandwich which would save him getting anything else before hitting the sack. Then he went to sit down and savour his purchases before heading home. At least now the coffee was not black and strong like so many had been recently. The last thing he needed was to be kept awake all morning, just long enough to eat. Walk home and fall into bed. The slender man turned and started to walk to a table, more asleep than awake. He blamed that for what happened next, he walked straight into a muscular chest and his cappuccino went all over the other man's shirt.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" Merlin stammered. He grabbed a jug of water from a table and poured to over the area doing his best to protect the rest of the man's clothes with the napkins he had also grabbed.
"What the hell are you doing you idiot!" came the irate voice
"The coffee is boiling hot, so I'm stopping it burning you. Don't be such a prat!" Merlin explained, knowing his face and ears were now bright red.
A hand snatched the napkins of him and started to pull the shirt away from his chest. Merlin turned to the young woman behind the counter "Sefa can we go into you wash room and get cold water on this?"
"Of course Merlin, go ahead"
With that Merlin grabbed the man and pulled him to a door saying 'Staff Only" once in he immediately noticed the shower in the corner "Strip and get in there, tepid water"
"Who are you to tell me what to do!" an angry voice said "Do you know who I am!"
"I don't care who you are at the moment, I am doctor who doesn't want you suffering burns" came the sharp reply. With that Merlin looked at the man for the first time.
He was gorgeous, just Merlin's type if it wasn't for the scowl that marred his features. "Look I am sorry and I will cover the cost of your ruined clothing, but I really don't want you to suffer from lasting damage because of me."
With that there was a knock on the door and Sefa's voice asked "Do you need anything in there? I have some towels"
That seemed to break the impasse as the blonde stripped and got into the shower. Merlin averted his eyes, after checking that the burns were not too serious, he didn't want to be seen to be watching the other man. "I will go and buy you some temporary clothes, until I can get a proper replacement. Just keep under the water until I get back"
With that Merlin ran out, shouted to Sefa where he was going and went over the street where a small clothes shop was situated. It was more expensive than he was used to but didn't dare go further. Grabbing a pair of track bottoms and a tea shirt he went back to the café and handed the clothes to the blonde "This will keep you decent until we can sort something else out"
They were snatched from his hand, Merlin swallowed and asked "Can I check your chest, make sure you are ok?"
"I'm fine no thanks to you" the blonde snarled back
"I'd rather check for myself" Merlin stepped forward automatically putting on the bedside manner he used in his job. The man had put a towel round his waist and allowed Merlin to check. "Thank goodness, it might sting for a bit but you have suffered no lasting damage" then realising he didn't even know the other man's name he held out his hand "Merlin Emrys by the way and you are..?
"Arthur Pendragon" came the reply as the man quickly dressed, then he took the offered hand and shook it, without thinking as if it was something he did all the time. But he was still scowling. "So Merlin are you always so clumsy?"
"I might have walked into you, but some of it must have been your fault, I mean you also walked into me, and I did say sorry." Merlin protested, then seeing the other man was still angry Merlin decided to try to be peacemaker "Look can I get us both a drink and we can sort out how much I owe you…for a new shirt and a suit clean. I am really bushed I have had a hell of a few days, and am running on adrenaline and need to sit down" with that Merlin walked out to the café and sat down.
"It's not my fault you have been out on the razzle all weekend." Arthur snapped as he stood over the raven haired man.
"I haven't you pratt! I have worked five ten hour night shifts and I only had a break on two of them! And that's an underestimate, as I finished late on several of them." Merlin snapped back, his tiredness getting the upper hand.
Arthur looked at the younger man in disbelief "Then get a better job if that's true you idiot!"
Sefa had bought the couple two drinks and placed them on the table "He isn't an idiot, he's just very tired. Merlin is a doctor in Casualty! And I saw what happened, it was an accident, at least he sorted you out and got you dry clothes. The least you could say is sorry"
Merlin looked at his favourite barista "Sefa! Mr Pendragon doesn't need more excuses, but thanks for the coffee"
"You have your bacon sarnie coming, Dad is just cooking you a fresh one" Sefa smiled then looking at Arthur she added "He's doing one for you as well, but why when you are so rude I don't know"
Arthur nodded "Thank you but I have to get to work, I am late already thanks to all this"
Merlin grinned up at the young woman "He'll eat it"
Arthur looked at the doctor properly for the first time, the other man looked totally shattered, not to mention very good looking, his smile lit up his face even if it was clear he really was dead on his feet. "I've just said I'm late for work"
"Well if you're late you just as well be a bit later, I will give you a doctor's note for your boss, the least I could do"
Arthur found himself grinning back "Not much good when I'm the boss"
"Well if you're the boss no problem, please sit down my neck is aching looking up at you" Merlin said as he took a mouthful of his drink "I needed that!"
Arthur sat down opposite the doctor "Look did you mean that? About your hours I mean"
"Yeah, joys of working A&E in a big city and over the weekend" Merlin said "But never mind a few days off now"
"So I should hope so, you can't be a lot of good as tired as you are" Arthur sounded sympathetic even if want he said wasn't very tactful.
"Look mate I'm used to it, I can still do my job!" Merlin said irritation creeping in "You really are a prat aren't you?"
Arthur glared at the raven haired man and stood up leaving his drink "You can't keep calling me names! I don't think you realise who I am!" he snarled, after all he was trying to be nice.
"Actually I can call you what I like, I'm not at work now!" Merlin said his patience snapping "I don't care who you are"
"What even though my company major donator to your hospital? Oh I think you will find it does matter!" Arthur smirked.
"So that allows you to be a clotpole does it? Look I have apologised already and helped make sure you were ok, I will not grovel as well"
By the time Merlin had finished speaking Arthur had turned and walked away. Merlin shouted after him "How am I going to settle up with you for your dry cleaning"
"I'll get the bill to you" Arthur shouted back without looking, he was to angry do more. Arthur was a proud man and unused to anyone being less than civil to him. He had to get to work and he would be at least an hour late, in fact nearer two by the time he had gone back home and changed. He couldn't possibly go in looking like this!
Merlin was on shift a week later when Freya, one of the A&E nurses came up to him. They had become quite friendly since Merlin had started work in the department. She was a very good friend and one of the few in the hospital who knew he was gay. It wasn't that he hid it, he was out and proud, but he saw no reason to advertise it. He felt strongly that he shouldn't need to. After all people didn't tell you they were straight and he wasn't dating, he didn't have the time. He was studying hard for his next set of exams as well as working full time. Freya had only found out when he found her crying one day. She was worried about her brother who was being bullied in college after coming out. He sympathised with her and offer to speak to her brother.
"Merlin, there was a man at reception asking for you, I think it was the bloke who you had trouble with in the café the other day" Freya gave a small grin. She had listened to Merlin rant about the man when she saw him after he had returned to work. "I told him you were busy and he didn't want to wait so he gave me this" she handed Merlin an envelope.
Merlin took it and put it in his pocket "A bill for his dry cleaning" he explained
"You shouldn't pay it, from what you say it was partly his fault" Freya sounded annoyed knowing her friend was often to kind for his own good.
"Nah, I'll pay, not worth the hassle and I did offer" Merlin said
It wasn't until Merlin got back to the house he shared with three other doctors at the other end of the hospital site, that he remembered the envelope. Deciding to write of a cheque straight away before getting his supper. Merlin could then he would post it in reception on his way to work in the morning, Merlin tore open the envelope and took out the paper, hoping as he did that the bill wasn't too high. He unfolded it and read the neat handwriting in surprise.
Dear Dr Emrys,
Following our altercation the other morning I realised that the accident was just that, and the blame was equally mine. You did at least make sure I was unharmed by the hot liquid. The suit suffered no long term damage and I will not be sending you a bill. Rather I would be obliged if you would allow me to replace your coffee one day. Please let me know when you will be able to join me in the café and I will arrange to meet you.
Yours
This was followed by a phone number. Merlin read it twice to make sure there was no mistake, before smiling to himself. He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a frozen meal and put it in the microwave. As he ate his food he reread the letter. Then deciding he would at least reply, after all although the man was an arrogant Pratt, he was at least good on the eye, he got out his phone and rang the number. All he got was an answer phone so he left a message saying he would be at the café the next afternoon after his shift finished at five, but if this wasn't suitable to let him know.
