I don't own Merlin. It belongs to the BBC
I know its been a while but I have a few more stories to come I haven't stopped. This is my first crime story and I couldn't have done it without my great friend Forevercullen who co wrote it with me.
This will have 14 chapters a chapter every two days.
Warnings: AU, violence and crime, malexmale.
Summary: Arthur Pendragon goes undercover at a law firm to catch the man behind all the killings and is shocked and surprised and can only hope that the partner of the law firm doesn't blow his cover when the partner is no other than his ex. Merlin Emrys.
I apologise in advance for any mistakes I may have made
"You better have a damn good reason for calling me Valiant; I told you that you wait for me to call you." Merlin and Arthur heard Cenred say.
"You don't order me around; I'm not your yes boy." Valiant hissed
"It is me that is keeping your arse out of jail when you fuck up, did you get what you needed for the explosive?"
"I did, though it got a little messy let's just say someone won't be going back to his family." Valiant laughed.
Cenred sighed. "As long as it isn't traced back to you that isn't going to be a problem, no more killing people for the fun of it I mean it Valiant, you just killed an old man for doing his job, fuck up again and take matters into your own hands I will kill you for just doing your job." Cenred snapped.
Arthur and Merlin heard the line go dead and Arthur looked up to see Merlin staring at his phone. "You okay?" he asked the brunet.
Merlin shook his head. "I just can't seem to get away." Merlin muttered before moving towards the door.
"Merlin wait, don't leave your own office I swear I didn't know it was yours, Cenred asked me if he could use the phone in my office and I had to get in somewhere to listen to the conversation and quickly, I just walked into the closest office I wasn't even looking at the name on the door when I walked in here. I will go. I'm sorry." and with that Arthur left the office.
Sighing Arthur called his father informing him on what he knew before heading to see Gaius. Knocking on the old man's door he stood and waited to be called in.
"Enter." Gaius called out as he looked over the case file in front of him.
Arthur walked in and sat down opposite Gaius. "Cenred asked me if he could use my office to make a call and I let him, said his phone was playing up."
"That's nothing new my boy; Cenred has been saying that since he got his own office." Gaius replied closing the file and looking up at Arthur.
"He made a call to Valiant I went into a room to listen to the conversation not realising it was Merlin's office I walked into and he walked in and heard everything, he wasn't happy that I have had to put cameras and mics in all the offices including his, what I have heard has confirmed they are working together but we need more than one conversation on the phone, you understand Gaius?"
"Of course Arthur, was that all?" Gaius wondered.
"No. You know me and Merlin have a history and it was a fantastic one that ended badly. But the Merlin I know was sweet, help anyone, never said a wrong word to anybody. How I have seen him since I got here a few days ago it is like he took lessons off my father. What happened to him?"
Gaius sighed. "It's not my story to tell and I don't know very much of it. Merlin is very tight lipped about his past. But what I do know is that things got bad, very bad at his last firm, so bad that I'm afraid the Merlin we all knew and loved was destroyed in order to survive."
"Bad? Gaius how bad? You need to tell me all you know."
Gaius slowly stood up and walked over to the window. "What I know is that Merlin's last boss was arrested and Merlin had been seen in a relationship with the arresting officer, I know that his co-workers didn't treat him with respect in fact they out right bullied him but no one would side with Merlin. I know that it got worse after said officer dumped Merlin proving that he was in fact using him. I know that it got so bad that Merlin started to drink the day and night way, I know that Merlin is broken and scared but at the same time he is angry and that anger is what shows. Merlin has no real friends outside or inside of this office, sure he is friendly with a select few but once work is over that's it."
"Oh god. Gaius that was me. I only dumped Merlin because I thought it would make it easier on him at work, he told me about the bullying one night cried as I held him after falling asleep in my arms I stayed up all night thinking, knowing that the bullying was because he was going out with the officer who arrested his boss so knew that if I dumped him and it was known that I did then they would back off and leave him alone. I did it to protect him if I knew it would have gotten worse I never would have dumped him, broke me to do it."
"You didn't think very hard though did you? As you said it all started because you were the officer that arrested their boss. What did you think would happen? That they would forgive and forget?" Gaius growled turning to face the other man. "I found Merlin drunk out of his mind with a bottle of sleeping pills yelling that he was all alone in the world. I know that once Merlin goes home he drinks himself to sleep even though he says he doesn't. I know he does. Did you really think what would happen to Merlin after you broke his heart?"
"It broke my heart as well Gaius I was only thinking of one thing when I stayed awake all night that night, Merlin. If someone is bullying you because they don't like a certain someone in your life I thought as I am that someone and I remove myself they won't bully him as I am no long in his life, and you don't think I drank as well? I was lucky to get this job to go undercover I got suspended for months as I was turning up for working stinking of alcohol."
"My boy I understand that but you must realise what you handled this all wrong. Please son just think for a moment place yourself in Merlin's shoes or the shoes of his co-workers? What would you think if it was you?" Gaius asked sitting back down.
Arthur sighed. "I would be the same, Gaius what have I done?" he asked as he buried his face in his hands before running his fingers through his hair.
"You handled a bad situation with a poorly thought out choice. Now that you realize your mistake I do hope you're going to do something about this?"
"Yes. But how well you know Merlin and as you know how he has been since then I will need your help. Will you help?"
"Do you plan on making another foolish mistake and destroy him again? Because I don't think he will live through it this time round."
"No of course not. I want to do it right this time and to do that I need your help."
Just then Gaius' door opened and a man popped his head in. "You alright Gaius? Is gorgeous in his office."
Gaius laughed. "Yes he is Gwaine."
The man Gwaine smiled in thanks before leaving.
Arthur looked from the closed door to Gaius. "Who was he referring to?"
"As I said there are only a select few Merlin has allowed into his inner circle." Gaius replied.
Arthur looked sad and dropped his head. "Merlin has moved on. He deserves it I know he does." Arthur looked up. "Gaius is he happy with that man? If he is I will back off and leave Merlin alone."
"I thought we agreed no more foolish thought out plans. Gwaine is only a friend Arthur. Merlin hasn't let anyone get that close since you."
"Foolish thought out plans, if Merlin is happy with this other man then stepping aside and not interfering and letting him be happy is not fooli- they are not together?"
"So you did hear me then?" Gaius laughed. "No my boy, Merlin is single."
"Can you help me change that Gaius?"
"Arthur that is not up to me, it's up to Merlin. You need to prove to him everything you failed at while you were together. You need to allow Merlin to come to you and to not push too hard. Can you do that Arthur?"
"With help I know I can, you know me Gaius when it comes to relationships and romance I am as good as my father, please can you help me?"
"I will, but you must know that it won't be easy that it will take time. You need to prove that wanting him has nothing to do with your case."
"I will. Thank you Gaius."
Later that night Merlin let himself into his one bedroom apartment and slowly removed his suit jacket before walking over to his fridge and pulling about a bottle of wine, pulling out the cork Merlin headed to his bedroom slowly finishing off the half of the bottle from the night before, Merlin had cut down in some ways but the pain was still to fresh and seeing Arthur day after day Merlin needed something to take the edge off, he needed the drink now more than ever.
Sitting down on his bed Merlin allowed the pain to take over, to wash over him while he nursed his bottle of wine, he could feel the tears running down his face with every sip and he knew that his tears had nothing to do with the suffering he was forced to put up with and everything to do with the man he loved, the man that turned his back on him.
Merlin had pictured him and Arthur old and grey living in a small cottage in the country where their children and grandchildren would come and visit, Merlin thought a lot about that back then, he even planned on asking Arthur to marry him. But Merlin stopped picturing his happy ever after with Arthur the moment he felt his heart shatter.
Finishing the last of the wine Merlin walked into his bathroom and let the hot water wash everything away before heading to bed, but even though Merlin had given up hope, had stopped picturing his golden years he couldn't help but dream about them night after night and not once did the grey haired man who sat next to Merlin in the porch change, it was always Arthur and Merlin knew it would always be Arthur.
"I am taking you off this case."
Arthur stared at his father. "What? You can't do this."
"I think you will find I can, this Merlin knows who you are it is too risky he could drop you in it he could blow this case."
"He won't."
"You do not know that for sure, you pissed him off and hurt him big time Arthur he is still hurting. Foolish boy."
"Father please I trust Merlin I know he won't do that yes he is angry with me but he wouldn't do something stupid like blowing the case just because of that reason."
Uther stood up and placed his hands on the desk and leaned forwards. "For the sake of your job, your career you better hope so. Get yourself home."
When Arthur left Uther sat down and picked up his phone. "Lancelot are you still trailing Cenred?"
"Yes sir."
"Where is he tomorrow?"
"In court."
"You let me know when he leaves for court and ring me when he leaves the courthouse and this conversation doesn't get back to Arthur."
"Yes sir."
The next morning at just gone ten Lancelot text Uther to let him know that Cenred was on his way to court, picking up his keys Uther left the station.
When Uther pulled up he made his way inside and kept a look out making sure not to be seen by Arthur, once he stepped out of the lift he made his way along the corridor looking at the plaques on the door until he came to the one he was looking for. 'Merlin Emrys', straightening his tie, Uther knocked and waited.
"This better be important." Merlin growled.
"Would I really be here if it wasn't?"
"Great, just what I need. Can you make this quick I do have an important case and am due in court tomorrow." Merlin sighed closing his case file.
"I know that." Uther answered as he walked in and sat down facing the young man in front of him. "My you have changed a lot. But then again heartbreak will do that."
"So will being forced out of your job because no one wanted to admit to bullying. What is it you want Uther? After all you're not here just to check up on little old me because face it Uther you never liked me." Merlin snapped leaning back in his chair.
There was a time when Uther scared him, where Uther could intimidate him but this was Merlin's turf and he was a whole new man, one that didn't take shit and let himself be intimidated by anyone.
"I know I have never liked you, Arthur broke your heart boy and heartbreak does things to people, it affects them in different ways. I have my case to think about."
Arthur was on his way to his office when he was stopped by Gaius. "Something wrong?"
"Your father is here Arthur and guess whose office he is in."
"Bollocks." he said shoving Gaius the file he had before running to Merlin's office. He couldn't believe his father would do this!
"And I have mine so unless you're going to start paying me you can leave so I can get back to my work. You can check if want I'm sure Arthur will let you use his computer." Merlin growled.
Just then the door banged open making both of the men in the office jump. "Father what are you doing here? I told you to leave Merlin alone."
"You do what I tell you not the other way around."
"No father. This time you do what I tell you, you need Cenred, you need him watching and the only one who can do that is me as he hasn't seen me so if you want him and Valiant as much as you say you do you stay away from Merlin, you do not bother him call him text email come here or see him, you leave him alone."
"Or what?"
Arthur looked from Merlin to his father. "I will resign."
"You wouldn't, you love your job too much."
"I do, but I love this man more."
"You won't be a policeman again."
"I can be a lawyer. So what's it to be father?"
Uther looked from Merlin to Arthur. "I will see you in my office tonight." he said and made his way to Merlin's office door. Arthur's words stopping him.
"No father you will see me when I have something to report."
Giving them both a look Uther pulled the door open and walked out of it, slamming it shut behind him.
Arthur turned to Merlin. "I'm sorry." he said. "I will leave you to your case."
"I can handle your father, you're lucky he didn't fire you after all you're a shit lawyer." Merlin slowly let a smile form on his lips. "I don't think I've ever seen that before."
"Seen what?"
"You. Never thought I would see you going toe to toe with that man. Hell you just ignored him when he questioned what we used to have." Merlin answered.
"We still could Merlin sweetheart; you showing me that gorgeous smile of yours I missed so much has given me more hope than I never thought possible." Arthur smiled. "I will leave you to your work." and with that he left Merlin alone.
Merlin had to work hard not to let the tears fall at word 'sweetheart' it always made his heart flutter when Arthur called him that and it still does even after all this time apart. Merlin wanted to let himself hope, wanted to believe in Arthur again and even though in his heart he could feel himself starting to, his soul just couldn't give in to hope not without proof, not without knowing if it was just the case or if everything Arthur said to his father was real, was true.
He had to know what or if Arthur was playing a game, he had to know if he was betting his heart again.
Arthur went to the lifts and pressed the button, stepping in once the lift doors had opened, stepping in he pressed the button to take him to the first floor and looked up as the doors were closing to see Merlin leave his office and walk towards him not breaking eye contact until the doors closed completely, only then did Arthur sag against the lift walls, unbuttoning the four top buttons of his shirt he looked at tattoo he had over his heart. 'Merlin.'
He knew after he had finished with Merlin he still wanted the brunet close to his heart so got his name, knowing he would always be there, he may no longer have Merlin's heart but he thought it only right to have the name of the man across his chest who still had his.
He buttoned his shirt up and took out his phone, his father came here to have a go at and push Merlin, only doing so when he knew that Cenred was away in court, he wanted to know who told his father this.
What do you think?
Chapter three up in two days
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