Notes: Story is unbetad so just bear with me here, and of course feel free to correct me... I love hearing from you guys to know whether or not your liking my story or not, so reviews are welcome! Thanks for reading!
Merlin sighed, dropping his lunch down on the table. "Arthur somehow switched our schedules so that we have five out of six classes together," Merlin complained to Gwen as he sat down at their usual table. "The only one he doesn't have with me is art, and he got Gwaine switched into that class."
"But that's good, isn't it?" Gwen asked, "You like Gwaine."
"Yeah, but he's not exactly the most artistic person ever… And it sounds like Arthur talked him into actually showing up every day, at least for art," Merlin added. "I just don't need to be watched over every second of every day," he said, exasperated.
"I know it's annoying, but they're just trying to help," Gwen said kindly.
"Yeah well I…" Merlin was cut off as a kick from Gwen signaled Arthur's arrival.
"Grab me a napkin would you, Merlin?" Arthur asked, sitting down.
"I'm not your slave" he said stubbornly, crossing his arms.
Before Arthur could reply his entire group of friends joined the far-too small table, Lance squishing in next to Gwen.
"Come on, I have to put up with you guys all day, can't you leave me alone for lunch?" Merlin whined, then looked across the table, "except for you Lance, you can stay," he added quickly.
"It's adorable how you think you have a choice in the matter," Arthur said as he popped a fry into his mouth. "So anybody have any idea what they're going to write for that ridiculous essay Mrs. S assigned?" Arthur asked.
A conversation quickly started up on how clueless Mrs. Schos was, and Merlin's protests were promptly ignored. He spent the whole lunch sulking as everyone else laughed and talked, once again acting as though all of them hanging out was completely normal.
A couple weeks passed that way, and Merlin had to admit that not getting picked on or having stuff thrown at him was almost worth putting up with Arthur for, almost. Arthur kept everyone else from picking on Merlin, but didn't seem to think that the same rules applied to him. Though Merlin can't say that he held back much either, somehow their personalities just made it impossible for them to be around each other and not bicker.
"So are you coming to Lance's party this week-end?" Gwen asked Arthur as all three of them stood in front of Merlin's locker.
"'Course, someone's got to bring the fun," Arthur said cockily.
Merlin had finally given up on trying to keep Arthur out of their group, he just didn't understand why he had to go. Merlin would much rather stay home and read then go to a huge party, but Gwen said he had to be there to support Lance who had gotten accepted to the college of his dreams.
"How about you, Merlin?" Arthur asked.
Merlin just mumbled a indignant "yeah" as he stalked off towards his class.
"He's never going to know how you feel unless you make a move," Gwen said once Merlin was out of sight.
"What?" Arthur asked, startled, "what are you talking about?"
"Merlin can be oblivious, plus he's got it threw his mind that he doesn't stand a chance with you, so if you want something to happen you'll have to make the move" Gwen said patiently.
"I don't want anything to happen… Why would I want something to happen, it's Merlin?" Arthur defended quickly.
"Exactly, it's Merlin. And I've seen the way you look at him, how he's the only person you focus on. How you watch out for him."
"I'm just keeping my promise to his mother" Arthur said, then paused, "besides, Merlin hates me" he added quietly.
Gwen looked at Arthur, more vulnerable then she'd ever seen him and decided she really needed to do something about these boys. "We both know that's not true. Merlin, well sometimes he just needs a bit of a shove in the right direction" she said with a smile, before walking off and leaving Arthur to wonder what she meant.