Howdy... Again :)

So, I thought, while living and all... that I'd start a Fanfiction based on many aspects... Mainly my life :P Because I'm that cool... But I'll include songs as well, for titles. So I disclaim owning them, and Merlin, unfortunately. Again, lots of 'One Day' in this :P

The Story Of Us

Chapter 2 – I'm Yours

Friday 12th September 2003

Merlin was just, you know, casually lying on the grass in the field by the school with his eyes closed, letting the damp, humid air of September breeze past him. The place where Merlin got his education was one of those places were one feels their ignorance and foolishness. He'd say think of a modern setting for Hogwarts, but then castles and wizards and Harry Potter would spring to mind. Oh no. It wasn't that at all. It was... okay; think of a modern Pemberley, Chatsworth House... No wait; that was Arthur's house. Arthur lived at Chatsworth House. Now that the blonde was caught in Merlin's thoughts... there was no escape.

Merlin groaned in what was almost fury, it was endearing but slightly painful now to have the blonde so easily make him light-headed and think about him all the time. No matter what Merlin was doing, whether it was feeding his talking gecko, Kilgharrah, or just lazing round in a vast field filled with wildflowers and horses... Arthur also managed to surprise Merlin with his mental presence. What was wrong with him? Surly having Arthur occupy so much of his mind was unhealthy to some sort of extent? Or was Merlin what an author called 'obsessed'? Merlin didn't like the thought of being obsessed... made him sound like he couldn't control himself or like a spoilt child maybe... but what else would he call it? It was like Merlin couldn't breathe without having Arthur nearby or in his thoughts, and to be quite honest, having that much dependability on one person, especially Arthur, who was wild and such a bloody prat sometimes, scared him to his core like frost gradually covers a grass blade.

As much as he loved Arthur, he wasn't the most reliable person... And what Merlin thought he meant by this is that, although you could count on Arthur in a fight (he's beaten several people up for Merlin, though he didn't ask him to do this, and it made the sediment all the sweeter when Arthur said that the only person who could tease Merlin was in fact himself) but... Arthur could be silly sometimes: maybe drinking a bit too much at parties, accidentally flirting, or saying the wrong thing. In his defence, Arthur had got more sensitive recently, but there was still that air of Arthur reluctant to discuss... 'heart topics'.

So, casually lying on the grass after school on a Friday with his eyes closed, letting the damp, humid air of September breeze past him, he was most surprised to find that a shadow, steadfast in blocking the passionate sun, had found its way in front of him.

Who was it? Merlin thought of peeking open an eye to view his intruder upon his peace but... he already knew who it was.

'Content with being alone, Em?'

Arthur.

Arthur's slightly raspy voice echoed in the wind, silently so.

Merlin opened his right eye to look at Arthur with a slight smile on his face, prepared to make a most witty remark about maybe Arthur's own need to have a girlfriend he doesn't love... Merlin was stunned with chemical reactions and his heart decided it wanted to stop and stare at Arthur. The sun was casting a slight shadow on Arthur, so his hair seemed to be darker than it was and the angle Merlin was lying at made it seem he was wearing a halo almost, the golden rays shining around Arthur, encompassing him in an ethereal light, companied by his eyes that also seemed to be glowing... Merlin realised he was breathing at a most silly pace, as if he had been running.

Arthur just smiled at Merlin, sitting down next to him, putting his shoulder bag to the side and sliding his right arm to the side, leaning on his elbow so he was looking down on Merlin from above.

Of course, the sudden close quarters made Merlin want to lean away, put his body was resistant to such panicking.

'What are you doing here?' Merlin hoped he didn't sound accusing.

Arthur just smiled as if he thought of a joke from earlier.

'Well, I couldn't leave you alone could I? Besides, Vivian's going to her dad's house this weekend, so I thought I'd find the next best thing.'

The comment, despite its jesting and possibly fond nature, stung as if scissors were trying to crave a tear within Merlin's heart. So did that mean Arthur wouldn't be here otherwise?

'I was relaxing before you got here.' Was Merlin snapping? Arthur just looked indifferent.

'May I join you then? Or would you have me leave?' Arthur was making no attempt or movement about getting up.

Merlin peered at him through his eyes and tried to hate him.

'I suppose you could stay.' Merlin realised that the hands behind his head were tense.

So, with a smug-arse smirk and Merlin wanting to punch his perfect face, then to probably nurse him and apologise profusely, Arthur kept looking at Merlin, but now his face were slightly... pouting? As he realised something.

'Your cheekbones are kicking right off' and he made to put his hand on one of them, but stopped, as if thinking that was too much.

'Are they?'

'Oh Yeah'

'You liking them?' Was that flirting? Were they flirting?

Arthur paused now, and his bottom lip quivered a bit as if trying to hold some laughter.

'Yes'

What do you say to that? Thank you? I like yours too? Shut up? Blush?

Merlin tried to think of a time when he wasn't at Arthur's mercy, and actually found he was quite irritated when he couldn't. What was it about Arthur that made him want to right-hook him and then kiss the bruise?

Merlin was melting, and he wasn't sure whether it was because of the sun or because Arthur was almost pressing into his side... he went for the first one, meant he didn't have to think about it.

Merlin felt like he had went right through the cracks, and try as he might to get back, Arthur was always there with a surprising remark or smug statement.

Merlin decided to go for a not-to-suggestive-but-still-appreciating comment:

Merlin smiled.

Then at this, Arthur decided to go for a most adoring and endearing beam of radiate teeth, his eyes sparkling, his lips plump with happiness... and Merlin knew that no matter what: he'd always be Arthur's.

It was now that he thought of something he saw in a film, or was it a book? And he wondered if he should kiss Arthur now? Or at least say something? Something heartfelt? Or would that be dangerous? Merlin stopped the thoughts instantly; Arthur would probably hit him then runaway. Why did Merlin always have to hesitant?

Then Merlin surprised himself with something very strange.

'How do you feel about Vivian?' Broken glass 'Because... whenever you talk about her, you always seem as if it annoys you, and you only kiss her in public... You've never mentioned... experimenting...'

Arthur pouted.

He held the look one would think linked to cogs ticking in a clock.

Merlin bit his lip. Had that been too far?

'Well... you're perfectly right in saying I don't like her.'

'Then why are you dating her?' Merlin hoped he didn't sound desperate.

'She's from a good family, my father approves of her, and she's attractive... most of the time.'

The air was cold now and the sun was losing its heat.

'So you're only going out with because of... public thinking reasons?' Merlin did hope with the passion of a thousand suns that Arthur didn't love Vivian.

Please say Yes, Please say Yes, Please say Yes.

'Yes'...

But Arthur looked somewhat output, he seemed vulnerable now, as if he was hiding something, and Merlin wanted, no, needed to know what was hurting his Arthur.

'Arty? What's wrong?'

'Nothing, I was just confirming to myself that, yes, my life isn't my own.'

Arthur turned his head, and looked to the daisies springing from the grass.

A deep somewhat sudden melancholy swept over their young bodies as clouds paint over the sun. There was something deeper bothering Arthur and Merlin felt his heartstrings become so sore with the knowledge.

'Your life is your own, Arthur' He turned his head back to Merlin and his eyes were glazed with tears almost, the outside slightly blood shot and Arthur's lips moped into a frown... as if he was silently asking Merlin to prove this to him.

'What else can I do, Em?'

Merlin... was torn between the pain of seeing Arthur so abruptly distraught and red rage at the fact probably Uther had planted a life into Arthur that wasn't his own, one that he wasn't comfortable with and one that was causing him such displeasure and sadness.

'You, Arthur, and only you carve the path that you want in this world. No matter what anyone says, you are the person who controls your life. Who cares what anyone else thinks? You are the greatest person I know, and I have faith in you that you'll choose the right path.'

'How can you be so sure?'

Pause.

'Because I believe in you Arthur and despite your arrogance and your stupid sense of emotion, or lack of sometimes... you are also kind, courageous, and gentle and just. And I know this may sound strange but-'

Merlin was filled with such warmth now, and he couldn't stop himself.

-you are magnificent and you deserve happiness Arthur.'

Arthur looked between perplexed and touched.

'If there is one person who... who deserves someone to love, and to be loved in return, that person is you Arthur. And... whatever happens, in life, whether you change the world or the small part around you, I know things change but... you'll always have me. I'll follow you wherever you go' And Merlin dearly meant it with all his heart.

'Really, Em?' Arthur's voice was somewhat horse in the soft sunlight that was just now starting to break through.

'Really Really' He whispered. Merlin smiled sweetly then, one of his gentle goofy grins, and... if it was possible to actually runaway with someone's heart, Arthur would be Merlin's thief.

The atmosphere was thick now, and filled with a caring tension, caressed by concern and heartfelt words. Merlin felt as if he could say so much more, so much more. But for some reason he felt choked now, as if liquid love was drowning his words.

And yet he managed one sentence:

'I'll always be here for you, and I'll always be by your side. Em and Arty. Arty and Em. That's us.'

Arthur's eyes were filled with such emotions, a want to drop the topic but a need to hear these words from Merlin. The feelings ran deep for both of them and the air was so heavy upon them now.

Merlin felt the need to continue however:

'I know your father says-'

And with that simple mention the moment was broken and Arthur slide down his arm so he was facing the sky and parallel with Merlin, breaking their eye contact, breaking the moment more. And during this sudden motion Arthur said one thing and their speech was stopped.

'-that's enough, Merlin.'

Merlin felt as if Arthur had ripped his way into his chest and was pulling at his heart, blood oozing out, and the worst part was Arthur looked like he knew it to. With that said, and Arthur's rejection weighing down upon them like layers of water... Merlin went to looking at the sky again... and found that it was the same blue as Arthur's eyes.

Was that too far? Had he hurt Arthur by going too personal? He knew Arthur cared deeply about Uther's opinion of him and he wondered if he had crossed the line by mentioning his father. But what hurt the most was that Merlin had the sinking feeling of cold regret that he had caused Arthur more pain, that he had pushed him away somehow.

But these unnerving thoughts were stopped when Arthur tenderly reached for one of Merlin's fingers, Merlin not realising when he had moved his hands from behind his head. Merlin looked to Arthur with wounded hope after flinching slightly from the contact of calloused fingertips.

Arthur swallowed.

'Thank you... Em.'

And just like that, Merlin decided that any and all heartbreaks Arthur dealt Merlin, it was worth these small moments.

They resumed watching the sky, comfortable in their silence.