"So, Merlin, how've you been?"
The sneer that Cenred was wearing made Merlin want to shiver. He looked down at the cup in his hand, having no urge to drink it. It was probably spiked with...something Merlin didn't want to even think about.
Cenred took a step forward, making Merlin take a step backward. It happened again. And again. Until Merlin felt the cold, hard surface of the wall behind him and inwardly cursed. Shit. He was never going to get out of this.
"I-I-erm." Remember to speak. Come on, Merlin, you're not a puny 16 year old anymore...okay, maybe you're still puny, but you're nearly 20. Merlin gulped and looked up at Cenred's smug face. "Good. I've been good" he managed to get out in one piece.
Cenred laughed, leaning forwards with one hand, resting it just above Merlin's shoulder. Brilliant. Now he was half trapped.
"Stop being so nervous, Merrrlin." The way Cenred purred his name actually made Merlin shiver, earning another laugh from Cenred.
"Oh, it's me! Do I make you nervous, babe?"
The pet name made Merlin's eyes widen, his whole body freezing. Cenred either didn't notice or didn't care.
"So, why don't you drink up? You'll be less nervous then"
Merlin looked over Cenred's shoulder, hoping-no-praying someone at least noticed how uncomfortable he was.
No one.
Shit.
Merlin looked sideways and caught sight of Arthur and the gang, all in their own world. They were laughing, having a good time, probably talking idly about rugby or whatever the 'knights' talked about.
He gulped, desperately wanting to escape out of Cenred's hold and go and in them. They'd protect him. Merlin started slowly sliding along the wall towards them, until a strong arm slammed against the wall by his face, making him jump violently.
"Where are YOU going, babe?" Cenred slurred, close to Merlin's ear.
From across the room, Arthur was already quite drunk. The second he'd walked over to his friends a can of beer was shoved into his hand by Gwaine, which he'd strongly suspected had something stronger than beer in it, but drank it anyway. It didn't matter, though, because everyone else seemed to be in the same state as he was.
He laughed at Percival, who was trying (and failing) to get a very horny Gwaine off of him, before his eyes wandered to the rest of the party. He scanned the people, laughing and drinking, until his eyes stopped at two people in particular.
Merlin was with...Cenred?
His drunk mind went wild.
What does this mean? Merlin is WITH Cenred? He doesn't even look drunk. Does this mean that Merlin no longer loved him? Or...Or had he given up, thinking there would never be a chance with Arthur, so started moving on? No. No, he wouldn't let that happen. Merlin was HIS.
Jealousy sparked up within Arthur and he got up, swaying for a moment, before storming over to his best friend and that shaggy son-of-a-bitch that was trying to steal his Merlin from him.
**************************************
Merlin was about to answer when a hand appeared on Cenred's shoulder and the next thing they knew, the taller man was being pulled backwards, away from Merlin.
Merlin relaxed against the wall, someone had saved him.
It took his a moment to realise his rescuer was, in fact, Arthur. His eyes lit up, until he noticed his best friend's state. Oh god. He was hammered.
"What do you think you're doing?" Arthur slurred angrily at Cenred, who looked both confused and annoyed. "LEAVE MERLIN ALONE"
Everyone standing around them suddenly stopped talking and looked around as Arthur picked Cenred up by his shirt collar, and threw his violently to the ground.
Merlin watched the whole thing with wide eyes, the cup of alcohol trembling in his hand.
When Cenred stood up and almost ran away from them, Arthur angrily turned to Merlin.
The brunette went white. This wasn't good.
Arthur stomped over to Merlin and grabbed his arm, dragging him towards the knights, who had all gone quiet to watch, except maybe Gwaine, who looked disappointed there wasn't an actual fight.
When the both of them got feet from the knights, Arthur swig around and stopped; Merlin, not expecting this, bumped into his chest, then stepped back, blushing.
"Merlin..." Arthur stated quietly.
"...Merlin, WHAT THE FUCK?!"
