The first thing Merlin did upon arriving at Pendragon Studio's the first day of the show was to pour himself a ridiculously large cup of strong coffee. He sipped this slowly as he surveyed the room. The set was the same, the sofa's and chairs still in the same position but the glass coffee table was covered by various papers which Merlin assumed to be todays headlines. When Merlin auditioned, there was just one camera and a few lights behind the scenes; today however, the ceiling was covered in a spider-web of spotlights and cameras, it was disconcerting to even look at. He was interrupted at this point by Morgana who was making her way over to him. Without stopping to greet him, she swiped the mug out of his hand. She then picked up a bright red mug, that appeared to have his name on the side in gold lettering. She poured the coffee from the original mug into the red one, then handing this to Merlin wordlessly. "That's better" she said, with a smile. Merlin just nodded, speechlessly as Morgana swooped off to go and talk with the lead cameraman who Merlin had learnt was called Leon.
"She got you with the damn mug too?" A familiar voice came from behind him. Merlin sighed and turned to face Arthur who was grimacing and holding an identical mug which read 'Arthur'. Merlin definitely did not notice that he happened to look annoyingly handsome considering the early hour of the day. Merlin couldn't help a small grin appearing on his face before he remembered that Arthur was a tool and that he hated him.
Before he could stop himself, he retorted "Shouldn't your's read 'Prat'?" He instantly regretted it when Arthur's almost-smile fell off his face to be replaced by a scowl.
"I was trying to be friendly, seeing as we have to work together and everything. Surprising as it may be, I actually don't want this show to be a failure." Arthur said coolly, his tone changing instantly and walked straight past Merlin, purposefully knocking his shoulder as he did. Merlin sighed deeply before being ushered away into make-up.
He didn't start to feel nervous about being on live television until he and Arthur were sat on the sofa and Leon was adjusting the cameras and Morgana was hurriedly rearranging the papers on the table, only stopping to say, "30 seconds guys," that Merlin realised 'oh my god, I'm going to be on live television.' He felt butterflies in his stomach - no, not butterflies, freaking giraffes parading around in his stomach, practically doing a conga line, butting the walls with their stupid long necks and Merlin needed to calm down right now. He took a deep breath, and then another, nervously tapping his fingers against the green corduroy of the sofa. He started when he felt a hand cover his own, pinning it still. "Stop," he heard Arthur say, sounding irritated. He pulled his hand free and proceeded to continue his rhythmic beating on his jeans. He heard Arthur sigh and Merlin turned to look at him.
"Just calm down." Arthur hissed under his breath.
Merlin snorted, "Easier said that done. Aren't you nervous?"
"Nope, I'm what we call a 'winner'"
Merlin stared at Arthur in disbelief, who returned his stare with a self-satisfying smile. "Seriously?" Merlin asked, Arthur's arrogance was quite frustrating. "You're really that conceited?"
"Just that good."
Merlin opened his mouth to retaliate but before he could say anything, Morgana was counting them down. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, action."
Somehow, Merlin made it through the show without hysterics or shoving Arthur off of the sofa, though he'd come dangerously close to the latter several times. It occurred to him later in the day that once he had focused his attention on his irritation with Arthur that he had none free to worry about being on air. It also occurred to him that Arthur appeared to know this, goading him on during the commercial breaks and steering them towards the banter they had displayed in their trial run that Morgana deemed so "priceless". Sure enough, the crew were all stifling laughter as the cameras rolled and Morgana was actually stuffing her knuckles in her mouth to muffle the sound. Taking this into consideration, Merlin was forced to consider the slight possibility that Arthur might not be the biggest egotistical arse that he'd ever met. As he pondered this, his phone buzzed with a text message.
Considering how uselessly idiotic you are, you didn't do a completely terrible job. Oh well, there's always tomorrow, please royally screw up - I want that shirt. Arthur.
Then again, Merlin could be wrong.
The Thursday of Merlin's first week, he'd been persuaded into sticking around after the show to grab some lunch with Morgana and Lance. They sat in the cafeteria, discussing the morning's show. Today, they'd reviewed the new film release, 'The King's Speech', ( "I'm sure Merlin here could relate to having a speech impediment, the drivel that comes out of his mouth."), which had led them on to the pressures of royalty, ("You're not royalty, Arthur, no matter how much you act like it.") and eventually had finished with an interview with Tom Hartley, a first time author who was plugging his book, ("Merlin, I didn't know you can read."). To Merlin's great surprise, he'd actually found himself relaxing into the role. Sure, it was stressful being on television but when he forgot about that side of it, he actually really enjoyed his job. He enjoyed the discussion with guests, the opportunity to get his opinion heard - there was only really one aspect of it that he disliked intensely and it was walking towards him right now, a surly look on it's face.
"Arthur," Morgana greeted with a smile. "Are you joining us for lunch?"
Arthur looked pointedly at Merlin, then back to Morgana. "I don't think so," he said, with the air of one who'd just been asked if he enjoyed rolling around in dog mess. "I'll eat my lunch by myself, in peace." Merlin narrowed his eyes.
"Play nice Arthur," Morgana warned, which Arthur ignored. "I just came over to tell Merlin, that he was stepping on my cues this morning and that I don't want to see it happen again," he continued and turned to walk away. Merlin gritted his teeth; he had no comeback prepared, having been so used to Arthur ignoring him off set. The final straw came when Merlin heard him mutter "Bloody amateurs," under his breath, as he walked away. Merlin saw white hot rage, he had quite enough of Arthur insulting him in the show, without it seeping into off set as well.
'That arrogant, stupid, stupid arse,' he thought viciously, as he grabbed his bread roll off and threw it at Arthur where it bounced off the back of his perfect blonde hair, causing him to stop in his tracks. The whole cafeteria fell deathly silent, holding a collective breath and Arthur turned around slowly. The look on his face would have been comical, were it not focused towards Merlin.
Arthur said nothing, simply scooped a handful of rice pudding from the dish on his tray and flung it towards Merlin. There was a beat as Merlin stood there, rice pudding dripping down his face, before every one screamed and ducked for cover. Merlin let out a shriek of anger, grabbing Morgana's abandoned chicken stir-fry and throwing it at Arthur who ducked and shot a handful of jelly back at him but Merlin had already thrown Lance's tuna sandwich at Arthur, letting a satisfied smirk spread over his face when it hit Arthur straight in the face. His joy was short lived as Arthur threw a polystyrene tray of pasta at him, the tray spiralling in the air and spraying Merlin with bolognese sauce, covering his entire shirt. He glared at Arthur who let out a loud bark of laughter. His face was covered in food, Merlin briefly noted that this was the freest he'd ever seen Arthur. Merlin grabbed a stray pot of baked beans and, with strength that surprised even himself, he launched himself at Arthur, knocking him to the ground. He sat on his chest, pelting him with handfuls of beans when a stern voice caused him to freeze.
"Stop what you are doing," Merlin turned to see a suited elderly man standing to the side, looking slightly angry but really more curious. Arthur gulped and shoved Merlin off him, scrambling to his feet. "Mr Hurt," he said, an edge of fear in his voice. Merlin knew that name, Morgana had mentioned it but he couldn't remember what for. He got to his feet as Mr Hurt commanded, "Come with me."
They followed him in silence. Merlin spared a glance to Arthur who was looking biting his lip, looking worried. He couldn't work out why, surely Arthur couldn't be in trouble? His father owned the show, the only person who was above him was…the station owner, Mr Hurt.
'Shitty, shitting shit,' Merlin inwardly kicked himself, no wonder Arthur looked on edge. When they reached Mr Hurt's office, he gestured them inside and sat behind the desk. He observed them through his rounded spectacles, his whiskery chin resting on his fingertips, for a few minutes before speaking, "Well, the course of true destiny definitely does not run smooth, would you agree gentleman?" His voice was casual but rife with quiet authority. Merlin and Arthur looked at each other in pure bafflement.
Merlin swallowed, "Er, no?" He briefly wondered what their punishment would be.
Mr Hurt just continued to gaze at them; Arthur looked quite perturbed. "That…will never happen again," he said evenly, gesturing in the direction they had come from. "Just, um, artistic differences." Merlin snorted and Arthur elbowed him in the ribs.
"I hope that is true," Mr Hurt replied, still studying them intently. "I believe in your destiny, but I cannot have food fights in my cafe. Are we all clear?" Merlin and Arthur nodded frantically and Mr Hurt smiled.
"Just one thing," Arthur said, carefully. "What do you mean about 'destiny'?"
Mr Hurt chucked, shaking his head. "You will soon see. You may go." He picked up a pen on his desk, beginning to write. Arthur and Merlin looked at each other once more, before rising and walking out, both men feeling extremely confused.
When they were out of the office, Merlin remarked, "Interesting bloke."
"Bit obsessed with destiny," Arthur said, lightly. When they reached the exit, they glanced at one another for a split second, before turning their backs to each other and walking in opposite directions.
"Merlin," Morgana's voice rang out of the phone, causing Merlin to hold the phone a bit further away from his ear, "The weeks ratings are just in, we're a hit." Merlin could almost hear the grin that he imagined would be plastered on her face and could help but smile. If there was one thing he'd learnt in the past week of doing Wake Up Britain, it was that Morgana deserved every success she got. She worked harder than anyone, always had a cup of coffee waiting for Merlin when he arrived and was there to listen whenever Merlin wanted to complain about Arthur, which was a lot of the time.
"That's brilliant," Merlin said genuinely. He really meant that, he was nothing but happy for Morgana - the only downside of course, was that this meant Arthur was also a success.
"Thank you," Morgana paused for a second. "Uther wants to have a party to celebrate."
"Fantastic," was Merlin's sardonic reply.
Morgana let out a small laugh, "I know, Uther is insisting. And you don't say no to Uther." Merlin distinctly remembered having heard that phrase uttered somewhere before.
"When is it?"
"Tomorrow at 8, Camelot Hotel," Morgana said, sounding very relieved. Merlin wasn't quite sure what had given her the impression that he would not like to attend.
"Open bar?"
"Of course, I'm not stupid. You'll come?"
"I'll come - but only for you, Morgana," Merlin sighed. He wondered why he wasn't able to resist any of the women in his life, which led him to remember the most important one and how many parties she had dragged him to. "Oh, can I bring my flatmate Gwen? She works for your father's publishing house."
"No problem - I'd love to meet her." There, that was the problem. Morgana was scary, yes, but also one of the nicest people Merlin had met in a long time. It was her greatest weapon, Merlin mused.
To Merlin's great disappointment, Gwen had been thrilled about the party. "Gwen," Merlin had moaned, "I'm forcing you to go, you're not supposed to want to go. You're taking all the fun out of this." Gwen had just grinned and went immediately to go shopping for a dress, leaving Merlin in the flat, pouting and wondering what he was going to wear. Luckily, Gwen returned later that with an indigo shirt she had seen "and just had to buy for him." Merlin smiled and kissed her on the cheek, saying, "What would I do without you?" And really, Merlin didn't know the answer to that question.