Sequel to I knew I loved you before I met you but can also be considered as stand alone.

On a different note, heads up! This chapter's UN-BETA-ED, there may be grammar, punctuation errors and juggling POV characters, so you've been warned!

Chapter 4

"How did you two know each other again?"Merlin enquired. It was a general question but his eyes were fixed solely on Arthur. He knew that Gwaine answered his question already but he wanted to hear it from Arthur and until the blond replied to him he will not cease from asking.

"I am beginning to reassess my reasons in hiring you."

"Just answer my question." He stated impatiently.

Arthur sighed before answering. "Like what Gwaine already explained, he used to work for me as my assistant."

"But you only had two and both were females."

"Two that I fired."

"I was his first assistant." Gwaine added, emphasising the word first like it held the answer to every question.

Merlin glared at Gwaine before returning his eyes on Arthur. "But didn't you say before that you hated having an assistant?" He asked trying to hide his annoyance desperately.

"Are we still on that?"

"Because I don't understand." Merlin insisted. He really didn't understand and for some reason learning that he was Gwaine's predecessor, it made him even more annoyed and he wanted to beat himself for the thoughts he had of being friend with the man.

"When I started my career, Gwaine worked for me. He was my assistant for at least a year before he decided to resign. Since I don't like strangers dealing with my personal matters I was reluctant to hire any." Arthur explained elaborately.

"Admit it, you can't just find someone who can deal with your princess issues." Gwaine added as a jest but Arthur turned to Gwaine and glared at him. Soon it turned to a staring contest which Merlin needed to stop before it developed into something further he didn't even know what but he didn't want to take the chance.

"Wait. Don't tell me you were the one who taught him how to ski?" He asked finally acknowledging Gwaine.

"How did you know about that?" Arthur immediately interrupted.

Gwaine grinned before replying. "Isn't he every bit of a princess?"

It wasn't a question, but a statement. He knew Arthur hated being labelled anything that had to do with femininity as proven by what happened a week ago with Morgana when she mentioned that Arthur was being a girl with his hair. Now with Gwaine actually calling Arthur a princess yet no explosion, in addition to the nagging feeling Merlin was experiencing at the prat's attitude toward the other, it only proved that any relation the two had ran deeper than that of a friend or between the employee and the employer, and Merlin was not amused by this.

"Why don't we just prepare now so we could go back to the hotel?" Arthur began addressing Merlin.

"Are you staying in Laruns?" Gwaine asked.

Arthur shook his head. "No. We are staying in Pau."

"Why don't you just stay for the night?" Gwaine offered. "We could go back to Pau tomorrow if you want."

Meanwhile Merlin was so caught up with his thoughts that the only words he heard were stay the night and back tomorrow. However, he understood. He wanted to say no. Because he felt that he needed to keep Arthur away from Gwaine as far as possible but he remained quiet assessing the predicament he was in.

First it was that guy Leon who brought such light on Arthur's face and now Gwaine, which brought forth several more questions. He even thought they could be friends, but now he wanted to take every praises he said back.

He returned his eyes on Arthur who was still having a conversation with Gwaine. Once again it was like he didn't exist. Merlin released a sigh. However, he sat up abruptly when a memory appeared in his mind.

"Arthur, until when are you going to procrastinate telling him about your feelings? You should tell him."

He could still remember how that conversation went. But another sentence materialised and Merlin's heart suddenly ran a hundred mile at the memory.

"Gwaine would be upset."

'Can it be...'But before Merlin could finish his thoughts Arthur brought him back to reality with a smack on his shoulder. He gave out a loud yelp. "Hey!"

"You're dazed. Get up. We're leaving" Arthur instructed.

"Are we going back to Pau?" Merlin hoped they were, but was soon crushed.

"No, we're staying here. Gwaine already left to check us in."

"Sodding Gwaine." He murmured.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Arthur looked at him sceptically before walking away.

Merlin sighed before following. He cursed his fate.

Giving an excuse that he wasn't feeling well, Merlin remained in his room while the two agreed to have some drinks at the bar.

His mind was filled with images of what could the two could be doing or perhaps talking. He shook his head and tried to focus his mind on Freya instead. Soon his lips formed into a smile. He missed her terribly. He wondered how she was, if Mordred was treating her well. Merlin's eyes narrowed at the thought of Mordred.

Mordred also grew up in Ealdor like him. They were classmates in Grade school and ever since he was a kid, he never really liked him. Mordred was one of those bullies who never gave him any peace. How Freya found love in him, he didn't know but he will not wait till Freya came crying to him, because the man proved to be the same bully he once knew.

'He will take her back.' However, Merlin thought that somehow the words didn't weigh as much as it were before. He felt that something was missing.

Wasn't that what he wanted? Didn't he want to have Freya back in his life again?

He was plagued with these thoughts until he found himself in the arms of the stranger in his dreamland.

Merlin groaned when sunrays invaded his sleep. He pulled the duvet and covered his eyes only to be assailed by his rumbling stomach. Groaning once again, he reluctantly rolled out of bed and dressed to have breakfast at the restaurant.

He contemplated whether he should go to Arthur who was staying two doors from him or just ask for the room service to deliver the blond's breakfast. He decided on the latter but asked them to deliver the food in his room instead after half an hour.

Having had his fill, Merlin returned to his room and saw the attendant already waiting for him with the food he requested. After reassuring that everything was fine, the attendant left. Merlin was once again debating whether he should go to Arthur's room now or later. He didn't want to disturb him after all. But the food would go cold if he dilly-dallied. He reasoned then decided on the former.

He was at the door with the food cart behind him when he saw Arthur's door opened. About to call the man he was expecting to see, Merlin retreated back inside the room when Gwaine stepped out of the room with Arthur in pursuit.

Not exactly sure why he was hiding but Merlin felt a sudden need to conceal his self, therefore he hid but left the door an inch open so he could peek.

Merlin's heart came to a halt. His breathing stopped. His throat went dry. His mind replayed what his eyes captured. He was filled with dread at the sight.

Closing his door silently, he finally let himself fall on his knees. He didn't thrust his legs to be able to stand anyway.

"I guess I was right." Merlin muttered gravely.

Upon their return to Pau, the shooting started right away. Everyone was busy but Merlin found himself always in a very deep thought. His confusion with his feelings before became clear, but he's afraid that any chances he could have with Arthur disappeared with Gwaine's appearance in the former's life. Gwaine didn't come with them to Pau as agreed and he could tell that Arthur was saddened by the other's decision to stay in Laruns. Merlin didn't know what to do. If Arthur and Gwaine would be in a relationship, he didn't think he could still work for Arthur. He was already devastated at the thought of the two together, what more if he actually saw them acting like the world revolved around each other. He might have given in to his killing instincts.

His thoughts returned to the morning he saw Gwaine leaned in and kiss Arthur. 'Fuck! I think I am going to get sick.'

"Hey Merlin!" One the crew greeted him before sitting down and placing the tray on the table. "Where's Arthur?"

"Still in his room." Merlin replied.

"You should take a rest as well. We'll have a long night again tonight."

Merlin nodded. The filming has been going on for 6 days now and usually ended late in the morning. He was knackered that sometimes he just slept on the chair while waiting for Arthur. 'Waiting is a hard work.' Merlin grinned at the thought.

"I should go and bring Arthur lunch." He said suddenly, remembering how Arthur's mood was whenever he woke up tired and hungry.

"Oh, alright. I'll see you later."

Merlin took a tray. After selecting the foods he thought Arthur might like he headed to the blond's room. However, upon reaching Arthur's door he hesitated. It has been quite a while since they had actually talked with each other aside from few pleasantries and the usual dialogues they exchanged during work. He just really didn't know how to act in front of the man knowing what his feelings for the other were. He didn't trust himself to act like he had seen nothing or he knew nothing when all he wanted to do was bring the man to his arms, peppered him with kisses and never let him go.

Taking a deep breath, Merlin raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Arthur? It's Merlin. Can I come in?"

There was no reply but after few seconds the door opened revealing a dishevelled looking Arthur.

Merlin's eyes grew wide at the sight. It wasn't the first time he had seen the man looked tousled but with his feelings clear of any muddiness for the other the display brought forth restlessness to him.

"Merlin?" Arthur called.

"Wha..." Merlin shook his head as if to wake himself from a trance. "What?" He repeated.

Arthur raised his eyebrow as a reply.

"I... uh..." Merlin started, racking his brain for the reason why he came to see Arthur. "Oh! I brought you lunch." Merlin exclaimed noticing the tray he was holding.

"Lunch." Arthur said eyeing the tray.

Merlin noted the ravenous look Arthur was giving the food. He knew the other hadn't eaten a proper meal since yesterday afternoon. He wanted to praise the man's dedication to his work but he thought Arthur was so dedicated that he sometimes neglects his basic needs like food.

"Yeah. I thought you would like to eat in your room instead." He explained. Merlin waited for Arthur to take the tray he offered. Relief washed over him when Arthur took the food from him.

"Thank you." The Blond uttered. "Would you like to come in? You brought quite a lot, we could share." Arthur asked, smile on his face.

Merlin knew that the food he brought was just enough for Arthur but who was he to reject the chance to talk to him? Therefore, Merlin agreed and followed Arthur in the room. Little did he know that was the day fate would thrust another twist in his life.

TBC

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