Warnings: SLASH! Eccentricities? No spoilers though. May or may not have character death. I haven't decided yet.

Pairings: Arthur/Merlin (WOOOOOOT!)

Rating: For teenagers and above because swear words are present.

Genre: Humor, Friendship, Romance, Drama

A/N: I'm really nervous about this chapter because it had been hard to write. I hope it meets your expectations!

Unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine.

Disclaimer: In my sweetest dreams, I owned Colin Mor—I mean, BBC Merlin. Then I had to wake and face reality. :'(

Enjoy~

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~Chapter Four: Of Winning Bets and Moving Plots~

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Arthur Pendragon knew that his sister tells everything to Gwen. He also knew that this thing she found out was something Morgana would happily spread around. He just hoped the witch doesn't twist the story into something it was not.

He was sorely disappointed.

Morgana, after her amazing flight to the boss' office, had talked rather loudly with Gwen about their boss' not-so-secret lover.

"What? No way." Gwen denied, wide-eyed as she looked for any kind of a jest on Morgana's face.

"No, really." Morgana nodded sagely. "Arthur's boyfriend was so charming. And I saw a picture! He was so adorable!" Morgana practically shouted, eyes sweeping over the bent postures of the clerks.

All ears perked up at that. THUD was the sound of many papers crashing to the ground (or perhaps someone fainting?). The ringing of the telephones was ignored in favor of slowly turning to Morgana with horrified faces. Silence ensued.

Their thoughts could not get past, Oh my God as their brains tried to process (or deny) the words they had heard.

Morgana coolly stared at them. "What are you lot looking at? Get back to work."

The employees stifled an "eep" as they sharply went back to their own businesses. Morgana can be more frightening than her brother (if her brother had the tyranny of a king, Morgana would be the devil himself) if the wrong buttons were pushed.

The Pendragon turned back to Gwen. "So, anyway, his name is Merlin."

Gwen let out a laugh. Some clerks failed to smother theirs.

"Yeah, I know. Like King Arthur and his wizard Merlin, right? Apparently, he's a small-time actor planning to get big. But with a face and charisma like that, I have no doubt that his debut will come sooner than he thinks. And . . ." Morgana continued, smirking as she noticed that the whole floor was silent and everyone was hanging on every word she said.

Gossip spread like wildfire throughout the whole building. By the end of the day, the workers of Camelot Corps knew everything there was to know (or everything Morgana had said about him) about their boss' future husband and the organizer's future brother-in-law.

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"This is quite unexpected." One Elena Godwyn said in the midst of drinking her coffee.

Her actions, predictably, caused the molten drink to drip on her disheveled clothes. She mutters a mild curse, accepting the napkin Owen offered her. Really, that guy was such a good friend.

"Okay, everyone, pay up!" Owen shouted loud enough for the whole floor of personnel to hear.

The employees released a groan in unison, fishing out their wallets and getting their respective money. Some muttered, "fangirls, really", others "Wish I too had a gaydar". Owen glared at those who were hesitant in paying and who were complaining too much. At this, most hurriedly dropped their money on Elena's desk and scurried away. Valiant just growled and grudgingly placed the bills.

Remember that pool we were mentioning? Yes, many wagered their boss, Arthur Pendragon, was head over hills and impossibly in love. However, Elena was the only person who specified that it might be bloke. It was just a slip of the tongue for Elena but she stood by her words, not really expecting to be right.

As the pile of money increased in size, Elena was thinking that maybe she would be rich by the end of the day.

Elena started approaching her desk (where more personnel were dropping their bills) and tripped on mid-air, as always. The other people didn't even bat an eyelid. The girl was familiar with the blue-carpeted floor as she often found herself sprawled on top of it. She just didn't think her face would meet it again so soon.

And suddenly, a strong pair of arms caught her. Looking up through her messy blonde locks, Elena found herself face-to-face with her best friend, Owen.

"Uh, er—Yo-You should be more careful, Elena." Owen stuttered out, releasing his hold on her as soon as she regained her footing. His face colored slightly.

"Wow, you have quick reflexes." Elena praised. "You're the first one to ever catch me when I'm falling." Elena smiled goofily at him and he happily smiled back. "I knew you were my best friend for a reason."

Owen's smile became strained.

Valiant snickered and quickly turned it into cough when Elena turned to him.

Other observant employees snorted and shook their heads. Elena cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"Well, let's count your winnings, shall we?" Owen said before anyone else showed his or her reaction.

He led Elena to her desk and sat her down. He took another chair and settled down across her. Elena started counting the money she had won, all the while wondering at the stray word she caught. What did 'friendzoned' mean?

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'I thought your sister was gonna eat me alive! O.O But suddenly, she did 180-degree-turn. She was so nice and I can't imagine her doing all the things you told me.'

Arthur couldn't help but be curious. 'What did you tell her? Morgana doesn't warm up to just anybody. You must have done something.'

"I may have mentioned one or two of your embarrassing secrets. She then decided that I was an ally in her cause.'

'You what! ? Merlin, I thought I could trust you.' Images of future pranks and incessant teasing filled Arthur's whole being with dread.

'It was a noble sacrifice, Arthur. Your dignity in exchange for my life.'

'I will take that life away from you. I will hunt you down to the ends of the world and wring that life out of you.'

'So melodramatic. Fine. I didn't tell her anything, you prat.'

Arthur let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Thank the merciful heavens for that.

'Even though she was very persuasive (no, really, she offered me cash and I thought she was mad). I just told her that if she let me be your husband, I would shape you into a proper gentleman who wasn't a prat, remove your sexual frustrations so you wouldn't take it out of the employees, and adopt cute little children that I would let her spoil. That and get her many posters of Doctor Who with autographs from Matt Smith when I get famous enough to meet him. :D'

The image that Merlin painted was an incredibly tempting one and what the hell was he thinking. Arthur shook the thoughts out of his head before they got any weirder.

He glared at his phone and momentarily considered sending a picture of his glare to make it more effective. 'So that's where she got that idea. I hate you. I really do. Morgana has been annoying the hell out of me, asking about weddings and adopted nieces and nephews. It's your fault.'

'No, she brought it up. She said you're getting too old and needs to settle down.'

'27 is not old. :( '

'It is, actually. And did you just use an emoticon? O.o The world is coming to a bitter end!'

'Shut up. I am allowed to use emoticons whenever I want.' Arthur was about to send this when his phone rang.

The number displayed was one of a hospital's—his father's hospital. It had been a few weeks ago since he last heard from them and it was a couple of weeks before that he'd last visited his father. He didn't want to see his father looking so exposed so decided to see less of him as possible.

A growing sense of trepidation gnawed at him as he pressed the answer button.

"Arthur Pendragon speaking." Arthur said, trying to keep his voice as nonchalant as possible.

"Arthur." Dr. Gaius, his father's personal doctor, greeted. "There's a new development on your father's condition."

The blonde tried to draw a conclusion based on the doctor's tone or voice. But Gaius was an expert on the whole neutral thing so Arthur didn't know whether it was good or bad news.

"Cut the suspense, Gaius, and tell it to me straight." Arthur didn't know if his nerves could take more of this. Hope blossomed in his chest as part of him expected to hear that his father had woken up and would be getting better. The other half of him dreaded what he was about to hear.

"I believe that you should come to the hospital. This isn't something we can talk over the phone. Bring Morgana with you. Both of you should hear this."

The carefully chosen words did it for Arthur. Whatever he was hearing later on would be anything but good. Suddenly, the air was knocked out of him. He swallowed, trying to get himself to speak.

After a moment, he successfully managed a "Very well. We'll be there."

The line clicked. Arthur was left staring into thin air, wondering if he could face the news waiting for him.

Steeling himself, Arthur rose to his feet and grabbed his coat. Just as he was about to text Morgana, his phone signaled an incoming text.

'Hey, you still there? Did you get mug or something? If so, hey thief! I'm Merlin. Got the number of the phone you stole by scrambling mine. I'm extremely bored. Who are you? :)'

Arthur couldn't help but give a small smile at the reminder of Merlin; Merlin who continued on even when he lost his parents so suddenly, who held on and strived forward even if he had no one else to turn to. The notion of him gave Arthur the courage he needed to face his own problems.

'Haha, very funny. Something came up and I won't be able to reply back to your messages for a while. Kay?' Arthur knew he often snap when under stress and he did not want to lash out on Merlin—which was sure to happen when he learns the truth about his father's condition. He didn't want to lose contact with him.

'Okay. Won't text you for a while. Good luck :)' Merlin sent as if he sensed that Arthur was in some kind of dilemma. Maybe, Merlin was psychic.

Sighing, Arthur ran a hand through his hair. He made his way out of his office and told Guinevere to cancel all his appointments for today. His secretary was surprised—for he never misses a day's work—but she complied.

With that, Arthur called Morgana and headed to his car.

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I seriously did not want to include the parts about Owen and Elena but! but!, I don't know what happened! A break from the original love story perhaps?

Here, you can see the plot unwinding~~. Meh, not much, though.

Here are my replies to the anonymous reviews:

tigertiger –Thanks for the comment! :D I hope you would also enjoy the rest of the chapters!

Merlin22 – I love imagining Morgana as a fangirl too! The horrors both Arthur and Merlin would experience. Congratulations on creating an account! It's easier to maneuver here in with it :)

Midnight Lupus – Thank you for your comment! I hope to keep you entertained for the rest of the story! :)

Nicholas Riverson – I'm glad you like it! Of course they'll meet . . . eventually :D

Kaykit– Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I hope you liked chapter four!

cat – Personally, I like both Matt Smith and David Tennant. But Morgana strikes me as a woman who wants men he can easily manipulate. I guess, in a sense, she is kinda like Amy Pond XD.

Guest – Thank you for taking that time to leave a comment! I hope you liked chapter four :)

PREVIEW (because you guys are the best XD):

"Hullo?"

The unfamiliar baritone voice on his cellphone snapped him out of his trance. He frowned, staring at his phone in confusion. Who had he called?

"Arthur, I know that's you. I got a caller ID, you know." There was lilt of a smile on the voice. "Why did you suddenly decide to call, prat?"

Realization dawned on Arthur. There was only one person who would call him that to his face. As he stared at the number displayed, his suspicions were confirmed.

Out of all people, he had called Merlin.

"Um, hullo? Are you pranking me, Arthur?" And that voice was Merlin's. The sound was oddly soothing and certainly the best thing he had heard all day.

END OF PREVIEW

I'm kind of having a problem with the next chapters because it's angsty (unlike the previous chapters) and it's difficult to switch genres just like that. So . . . I may update later than usual.

Constructive criticisms are hugged and invited to dinner! Flames are alright as long as you don't hurt anyone else!

Have a nice day, everyone!

~Vividpast