I can guarantee updates won't be this quick all the time, but I was struck by inspiration and really had to write this out.
So, thank you so much for the reviews, favs, and alerts last chapter. You guys are amazing and I am glad you are liking this.
Anyway, thanks for reading, leave me a comment if you can,and I don't own these characters.
Bye
"He sounds like a prick to me," Gwaine commented later that day-after Merlin explained his run in with McPrathead-leaning against the concrete wall outside the building, puffing on a cigarette. "You want me to knock his lights out for you?"
"No," Merlin responded with a smile, sitting on the top step of the emergency exit everyone used to take cigarette breaks, picking at the sandwich he had bought from the vending machine. "I thought you quit."
"What this? Last one I swear." Gwaine waved the cigarette in the air before taking another puff. He always promised it was his last one, but Merlin had a feeling Gwaine's 'last one' would be on his deathbed.
"I doubt I'll ever see him again," Merlin stated with a shrug, offering Gwaine the rest of his sandwich. The shaggy haired man flicked his cigarette onto the ground, blew out one last puff of smoke, and took the sandwich.
"He still shouldn't have said that," Gwaine muttered around a mouthful of ham and rye. "You're too nice for your own good, Mer. If he had said that to me I would've punched him."
"Like the bouncer at Camelot?"
"Hey, the bastard was asking for it."
"He was doing his job, Gwaine."
"Still doesn't mean he didn't deserve it."
It had been their-Merlin couldn't call it a date exactly (with Gwaine they were more 'outings that usually ended in sex' than actual dates)- eighth outing. Gwaine had heard about a new dance club opening in the city and dragged Merlin to it. He had had too much alcohol, was getting rowdy, and the bouncer had been called over to show him out. Gwaine took it as a personal challenge and began swinging, managing to hit the bigger man twice before he was forced out. That was the same night Merlin decided he'd much rather be Gwaine's friend than lover.
"Merlin," Gwen said suddenly, ducking her head outside, "your mother is on the phone."
"I told her to call my mobile," he stated pushing himself to his feet, brushing his backside off. He walked inside, very much aware of Gwaine several steps behind him, and moved towards Lancelot's office. He was the mailroom supervisor, was probably the most laidback boss Merlin had ever had, and handed the cordless phone over the moment Merlin stepped into the room.
"Mum?"
"Why aren't you answering your mobile?" his mother asked curiously, sounding slightly worried. "I know you asked me to call it, and I did, but it kept going to voicemail. Did you lose it again? Are you behind on the payments? Do I need to ask Gaius to lend you some money? Do you need some money?" That was the reason Merlin didn't want to live with his mother; she worried way, way, way too much.
"Mum, I'm fine," Merlin assured his mother, moving away from Gwaine when he tried to listen in. "My battery probably died." He pulled his mobile from his pocket, shocked to see that his battery, had in fact, died. "Everything's fine."
"Good because I read about a woman who tried to get a hold of her son all day and later realized the accident she saw on the news involved her son and he had died." She then broke out into a long-winded explanation about the story. Sometimes Merlin really saw the family resemblance between his mother and Gaius
"Is something the matter?" the dark-haired boy interrupted, cutting his mother off mid-word, trying to keep the impatience out of his voice. He loved his mother, would die for her in a heartbeat, but sometimes her worrying grated on his nerves.
"Oh, yes, the reason I called," his mother stated. "You cousin Cedric is coming to town in a few weeks and he needs a place to stay."
"Mum, you do realize that's not my flat, right?" Once again, Merlin moved away from Gwaine and, surprisingly, Gwen, ducking behind Lancelot's desk. Taking pity on him, Lance got to his feet and ushered the two out, closing the door on Gwaine's, "It wouldn't hurt to let us listen."
"I know, but it's hard to get Gaius on the phone as it is, and since you see him every day. Please, Merlin, it's for your cousin. He doesn't ask for much…" That was a blatant lie right there, but Merlin chose to let it go. "He can stay on Gaius' couch for a few days. It wouldn't kill you to be nice to him." Actually it might.
"Fine," he relented with a heavy sigh, "I'll ask him, but I am not making any promises."
"That is all I ask," Hunith stated with a smile in her voice. It was quiet for a few moments, but she finally sighed softly and asked, "How's Will?"
"Mother, I told you a million times, we're not together." He had known Will since they were children, even attempted to date him when they were twenty, but he found they were better off as friends( though compared to some of the men he'd dated, Will wasn't that bad of a catch). Although his mother accepted his life choices, and sometimes threw a few of the neighbor boys his way, she was still convinced Merlin would eventually settle down with Will or someone like him.
"I know, it was just a question. I would just like to see you happy, Merlin, and Will has grown up a lot in the past few years."
"I don't need anyone right now, Mum. I'm happy the way I am." Even if he was working in a mailroom, living with his uncle, and pretty much failing at life. What was there to be sad about?
"One day you'll meet a prince charming, Merlin."
"Who am I, Cinderella?" Merlin made a face, rolling his eyes.
"It's better than the scoundrel you were dating recently," Hunith argued with a disapproving tone. "You need someone who is going to treat you like you deserve and not how they expect, and I refuse to like anyone below prince charming level."
"Mother…" Merlin sighed, leaning against Lancelot's desk.
His mother cleared her throat and said, "Cedric will call you with his travel plans. You just think about what I said, okay?" She didn't wait for him to reply as she continued, "I expect you to sort out your phone issues and call me soon. I love you."
"Love you, too."
"Bye sweetheart."
"Good-bye, Mum," he stated and the line disconnected. If it was up to his mother, she would have signed him up for one of those dating websites and screened every name until she found the perfect guy for him. Maybe he should proclaim himself to be a dodgy, old cat man now, save her all the trouble? It seemed like a better option.
Merlin
Arthur had only been on 23 a few times. He knew it housed HR, he knew the clerk's name was Gregory or something close to that, and he knew that the man had worked there for as long as his father had owned the company.
Gregory (Oscar? Dwight? Toby?) looked up when Arthur moved towards him, giving him a surprised smile, and said, "Can I help you, Mr. Pendragon?"
"Uh, yes, I…" Arthur made a point to look really nervous as he glanced behind him. He then bent forward, palms resting on the metal surface of Gregory's (Dean? Sam? Gabriel?) desk and whispered, "My father asked me to get some information a few days ago, but…" he gave an 'I forgot' type of grin, trying to look as sheepish as possible. "Do you think…?"
"Yes sir, anything you need." Gregory (Rory? Jack? Mickey?) was already typing on his computer, waiting expectantly for Arthur to tell him what he needed.
Lowering his voice further, almost as if he really didn't want to be overheard, he said, "I need copied of the employee records for the mailroom."
"Right away Mr. Pendragon," Gregory (Louis? Harvey? Mike?) replied and immediately started typing faster, his gnarled fingers blurring across the keyboard. Arthur always envied people who could type faster than him; he found the skill to be terribly useless even though he worked on a computer all day.
After nearly fifteen minutes, Arthur was handed a stack of papers. He thanked Gregory (George? Fred? Ron?) and softly asked, "Can we keep this between us? My father would," he ran his thumb across his throat, "if he found out I forgot."
"Yes, sir, your secret is safe with me." Gregory (John? Mycroft? Jim?) made a very subtle 'lip zipping' motion and gave the young Pendragon a weak smile. Arthur returned it in earnest and turned, heading towards the lift.
Instead of heading back to 34, he took the car up to the roof access. He liked to sit in the stairway during his lunch break, nobody bothered looking for him up here, and he liked it that way.
The moment the lift doors opened, he headed directly to the stairwell, pushing the door open. He dropped down on the bottom step, immediately sorting through the records the clerk gave him. He ruled out Guinevere right away, placing her file on the floor by his feet. That just left Lancelot, Gwaine, and Merlin.
He tried to recall what he remembered from 'Mail Boy.' He had had been cute, in his own special way, with his too large ears, too blue eyes, and too pale skin. He looked like he was in his early twenties, looked as if one, good wind would blow him away (seriously, did the idiot eat?), and looked as if he raided thrift stores for his wardrobe. That meant he didn't come from money, so this job was a necessity not a career.
He dismissed Gwaine first, reading the man's address. His address was located in the more posh side of the city, meaning he must come from money. Why he was even working at a low-level job was beyond Arthur's understanding. Perhaps this Gwaine was like his stepsister Morgause and lived the 'free spirit' life, but always seemed to turn up when they needed money.
He dropped Gwaine's file on top of Guinevere's, looking down at Lancelot's and Merlin's records. He read over both twice, but soon realized Lancelot couldn't be 'Mail Boy.' A) he was much too old to be the cheeky bastard and b) he was the supervisor, and Arthur never, ever saw a supervisor do grunt work such as delivering mail.
"Merlin," Arthur murmured, dropping Lancelot's file and looking at Merlin's. He lived in the poorer part of town, proof positive that he didn't have much money. He also had a degree in computer programming from a local university. Arthur figured the tech guys weren't hiring when this Merlin applied otherwise he may have been up on 7 instead of down in the basement.
With a name to a face, Arthur stood up, collected the discarded files, and promptly threw them away as he left the stairwell, heading back towards the lift. He rode back to 34, shuffling the papers in his hand, already plotting just how he was going to properly meet Merlin.
Merlin
Gwen had a prior engagement, meaning Merlin couldn't get a ride from her, and Gwaine didn't have a car, so he was forced to dish out some money for a ride on the tube. He hated taking the tube; people stared at him on the tube. He wondered if he'd be able to make it home on foot when a black Lexus stopped right against the curb and a tinted window rolled down.
"Arthur," a familiar voice said.
"Sorry?"
"My name," he stated with a 'shouldn't you know that' type look.
"Okay." Merlin turned to leave, but turned back when Arthur called him back.
"Need a ride?" Pratty McPratface asked with a pretentious grin on his pompous face.
"I'd rather bathe with a bear," Merlin stated and walked away from the car. The Lexus backed up, easily following his trek, and the dollop-head said, "That'd be a bit painful don't you think?"
"Look Arthur," Merlin started leaning into the window, "I get it. You think you're God's gift to the world, but I am not interested in you. And, don't forget, I heard what you said. I'd better watch it? So, I am taking the smart approach and denying your offer."
He pushed away from the Lexus, ignoring the frown on the Clotpole's face, and started walking away. He heard the door open and footsteps quickly following him. "I realize that was a little excessive," Arthur stated quickly, easily keeping pace with Merlin. "And this offer is my way of apologizing. It sure beats taking public transport." He flashed Merlin a 'what do you say' type smile, one that did funny things to the dark-haired man's stomach, but he ignored the feeling and shook his head.
"I'm fine," he stated and walked away. He fought the urge to look over his shoulder, half expecting the blond to keep following him, but Pratty Dollop-head must have decided to let Merlin walk away.
While he was grateful-really he didn't have time for the prat and his apparent mood swings-a small, treacherous part of him was a little disappointed. He really had to have a stern chat with that part. He didn't need to date anymore assholes. Will had been the only decent boyfriend he had ever had, and even he had his moments. He had to cut his bad habits off at the head, start anew, find a guy that was going to respect him, and Pratty McFathead wasn't one of them, no matter how charming his 'what do you say' smile was; he was never dating Arthur… ever.
Merlin
Arthur watched Merlin walk away, feeling rejection settle in his stomach. He'd never been rejected before; this was a new feeling for him. How dare the big eared, blue-eyed, skinny idiot reject him? He was Arthur Fricking Pendragon, son of Uther, heir to Pendragon Industries. He did the rejecting not the other way around.
With a frustrated sigh, he pushed his feelings away and headed back towards his car. He'd just have to try harder, get Merlin's attention somehow. Should he bring him lunch? Ask him out for coffee? Buy him a gift? What did skinny, big eared, blue-eyed idiots like? This was going to take more planning than Arthur thought, but he wasn't a quitter. Merlin Emrys would be his; he was NOT losing this bet. He just had to try harder.
He spotted a shaggy haired man standing by the curb, lighting up a cigarette. He didn't know the man, but he recognized the leather jacket he was wearing. It was Gucci; Arthur had the same bomber jacket at home. That man came from money, and he wasn't dressed up like anybody from the higher floors but he clearly worked at PI; Arthur had seen him leave the building right behind Merlin.
Arthur parked his car against the curb, looking up at the shaggy haired man, and said, "Are you Gwaine by any chance?"
"Who wants to know?" the man asked warily, his cigarette moving up and down against his lips as he spoke.
"A friend," Arthur responded with a smirk, reaching across the seat to open the door. "Get in. I'll buy you a round at the pub." Those must have been the magic words because Gwaine gave Arthur an easy grin and got in the car.
"Nice car," he commented shutting the door.
"I know," Arthur stated and pulled back onto the street.
Merlin
"What you need to know about Merlin," Gwaine slurred a few hours later, putting another cigarette out against the side of the pub, smearing ash into the brick, "is he doesn't take crap from bullies." He flicked the butt away from him, watching it fly through the air and land on the ground. "And that he's fiercely loyal to those he loves. He also likes bushel sprouts, but that's not important.
"We used to have a thing, Merlin and me, but he ended it. Apparently," Gwaine started bitterly, pulling another cigarette from his pack, "I was 'too wild' for him." He laughed humorlessly, putting the cigarette in his mouth, lighting it with his silver lighter. "Best thing that ever happened to me, and I find I'm 'too wild' for him." He shook his head, taking a long pull on his cigarette. He blew a puff of smoke into Arthur's face and continued, "He asked to be friends though. I heard from Gwen that he stays in touch with all his exes, too nice to cut off all ties she says. Sometimes I wish he'd just cut off ties to me.
"Are you planning on dating Merlin?" Gwaine asked suddenly, catching Arthur by surprise. The blond turned, letting his eyes settle on the long haired man. "Because if you are, you better not hurt him. I'll kick anyone's ass who try hurting him. Take today for instance. He told me what this blond prick said to him, about watching himself, and I have half a mind to find the asshole and punch him in the head. Do youknow who said it?"
"No," Arthur lied, shaking his head, "haven't got a clue who said it to him."
"If you do date him," Gwaine stated after a long pause, letting the 'blond idiot' go for a moment, "don't let him go without a fight. Worst mistake I ever made was not fighting for him. He's worth fighting for." Gwaine flicked his half smoked cigarette, hiccupped, and headed back inside the pub with a quick, "I need another bloody drink," thrown over his shoulder.
Arthur stood there for a moment, contemplating what Gwaine had just told him. So, Merlin didn't like bullies. He wasn't a bully, per se, more of an aggressive friend. He could work on that, show Merlin he was a nice guy. It couldn't be that hard.
Merlin
It was two-thirty in the morning when Merlin's mobile started ringing. His eyes snapped open, an audible growl left his lips, and he rolled out of bed. Tripping over one of his shoes, he managed to catch the edge of his bed with his hip. Hissing, he snatched his phone off his desk and snapped into it, "This better be important."
"Hey Mer, it's me," Gwaine slurred on the other end. "Just wondering what's up."
"Are you okay?" Merlin sank into his desk chair, feeling his anger leave him. Gwaine rarely became melancholy when he was drunk, but when he did he usually just needed a friend to talk him down. "What's wrong?"
"I shoulda fought, Merlin. It wasn't like I wasn't able to, but I thought it'd be better if I didn't, and now I regret it every single day."
"Gwaine what…?"
"The best thing that ever happened and it's gone now. What do I do, Mer? I asked that blond, but he wasn't very helpful."
"What blond? What are you talking about?" Merlin stood up, looking for his jeans. Maybe he should go get Gwaine; especially if he was accepting drinks from strange blond men.
"He's gone now. I'm home, jus' thinking. He did have a gorgeous smile, nothing on yours love, but gorgeous nonetheless. Said he worked in our office, probably on one of the higher floors. The suit was Armani; he has money."
"What was his name?" Merlin asked, already having an inkling about who it was. And if he was right, how dare Pratty Fathead try to get to him through his friends. They were not his playthings, not something that he could mess with when he damn well pleased.
"Arthur," Gwaine replied slowly, his voice getting fainter. He was-no doubt-about to pass out. "He said his name was Arthur." The phone hit the floor, and Merlin was left with a drunk still connected to his mobile. Normally, he'd be trying to wake up Gwaine, he couldn't exactly afford staying connected to him, but he couldn't help the fury running through his veins.
Tomorrow, he was killing Arthur McPrathead.
