Hi everyone, i hope you haven't missed me too much! sorry its taken so long for me to upload this, i'm moving house at the moment, so all i'm doing is packing and cleaning, which left me barely any time to write. I've finally got this finished for you all to enjoy!
unfortunately, my new place won't have internet until the 13th july, which is going to kill me. i'll just have to sit and write constantly for 2 weeks so i can upload loads for you, when i can get online!
these poor boys have been having such a hard time haven't they? so i decided to let them have a bit of a rest from the angst, i hope you like it :)
Chapter 7
Arthur had been strangely proud over Merlin's confession. He had seen how his hands had twisted in his blankets, restless, uneasy, and his shoulders had had a tremor even though his voice had been even and flowing.
He had known telling his life to someone he barely knew would have consequences. He had been told by many a person over the years that he was too open, too free with his words, that they would get him into trouble one day. He'd always snapped at them, told them they didn't know what the fuck they were talking about, they were just a bunch of nosy pricks. But over time, it had got to him, burrowed deep into his soul, and he had become closed off and callous in his dealings. Though he was sure that part of that was the drink. Though only partly.
But the only consequence that he had gained then, was equal footing. They had both told the other pieces of their lives, pieces that they most feared and were ashamed of, pieces that had brought them to that very moment. It had been as if they were almost… friends.
Arthur had chuckled quietly to himself. If being in this situation, this chance encounter, didn't make them friends, nothing would.
On a rash decision, Arthur had thrust his hand towards Merlin. He had started, cowering back, and his hand had delved beneath his blankets for what Arthur had assumed was his knife.
"No, no no! I….. I'm not going to hurt you!"
Arthur lowered his hand slightly and scrubbed the other through his hair. He pushed a breath out through his nose
"Friends?" he said meekly, giving Merlin an almost embarrassed smile.
Merlin blinked and withdrew his hand slowly from his blankets, his cheeks tinged pink.
"Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit tetchy"
He slowly clasped his hand around Arthur's, their skin heating where it touched.
"Friends" Merlin grinned childishly, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
"What?" Arthur grinned back
"hehe… it's just…. I've never had a friend before" the colour on his cheeks deepened and he ducked his head, peeking up at Arthur through his fringe.
Arthur felt something inside him clench, and he suddenly felt an overwhelming protectiveness towards Merlin. Arthur Pendragon, having feelings? He was far too sober for this, he couldn't handle it. He stood abruptly, the blanket falling off of him and pooling around his feet. Merlin squinted up at him, all innocent and confused. He'd known this man for a few hours, and he was already starting to care for him. He really bloody hoped this wouldn't end badly.
He strode a few paces out of the doorway, and looked up, his hand shielding his eyes. The sun was just starting to heat the day, casting a glow over the cobbled street, and the shops were beginning to open further down, merchants setting their wares on the pavement for Sunday business. Arthur reckoned it was probably about 9am, which to him meant breakfast.
He turned back to Merlin, who was still sat in the doorway, looking at him passively
"Well, i don't know about you, but i'm fucking starving" he said reaching into his pocket "come on, i'll tre..."
Shit, he'd forgotten he'd been robbed. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and smiled sheepishly at Merlin
"You'd forgotten, hadn't you?"
Arthur bristled and glared at Merlin "No! I hadn't forgotten! I' just..." Arthur searched frantically for the lost word.
Merlin laughed, head thrown back, chuckles emanating from deep within him
"I'm only messing, you prat. Come on; let's see if the Arthur Pendragon, rightful prince of Monmouth industries, can survive on a measly £5 breakfast. And that's between the two of us" Merlin gave him a smirk, letting him know he was only teasing.
Arthur liked this change, he was getting to see what Merlin was truly like, under all the baggage he had to deal with on a day to day basis. Damn it, it made him like Merlin even more. What the fuck was the world coming to?
"Merlin"
"Yes, sire?"
"Shut up!"
Arthur had offered to buy them breakfast, obviously forgetting at the time that he had been mugged. The look on his face had made Merlin's heart kick up a faster rhythm, and he knew that though he may not trust Arthur entirely, they were now friends and he could relax slightly in his presence.
He remembered grinning like an utter fool at Arthur's mention of the word friend. He really truly had never had friend before, funnily enough he had had to spend his time surviving, just keeping his head above water, rather than thinking about luxuries such as companionship.
Merlin had seen that Arthur was proud, and arrogant, by the way he held himself, even though was aching and littered with bruises. He had seen that he was sometimes selfish; by the way he answered Merlin's questions. But he had also seen he was honest, and open, and kind, offering to buy him breakfast. He had seen that Arthur was just as lost and scared and as much in need of a friend as he himself was.
He had felt comfortable around Arthur, letting himself be more open and vulnerable than he had ever been before.
"So, your highness, what do you fancy to eat?"
"Are you always such a sarcastic git Merlin?" Arthur quipped back
"Well, only when it's this much fun" Merlin smirked at him, finally standing up and stepping out of the doorway. He darted a glance both ways down the street, and seeing that no one was paying the slightest bit of attention to them, he walked quickly down the street, assuming Arthur would follow.
"Hey! Merlin, slow down!"
Merlin flicked a looked over his shoulder "why, can't you keep up? Sorry, I'm just very used to keeping a low profile, which means walking quickly"
Arthur jogged to catch up with Merlin, and they rounded the corner to see a café. The woman at the counter was wiping down the surfaces, and rearranging the cakes in the display cabinet. She walked around the counter to the door, and flipped the sign from closed to open. She went to turn back towards the counter, but stopped, hunkering down to stare suspiciously at them through the glass.
"oh"
Merlin stopped abruptly and placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders, turning them to face each other. He raised an eyebrow in askance.
Arthur looked down at himself. "oh, yeah"
"so, which one of us looks less gruesome? We want to get served not arrested"
Arthur pursed his lips speculatively "well you stink like you've rolled around in pig shit, no offence"
Merlin raised an eyebrow "gee thanks. Well you look like you've been hit by the backside of a bus, so I think being a bit whiffy is probably the better option"
Without waiting for an answer, Merlin walked into the café and ordered 2 cups of tea and 2 bacon sandwiches.
The woman didn't comment on his appearance, but gave him a disgusted look. "That's £5.60"
"Ah. Look I'm really sorry, I've only got £5 on me, please can you let me off the 60p?"
"Sorry, it's £5.60"
Merlin practically glowered at her. "Fine, if you take one of the teas off, then have I got enough?"
"Yeah that's £4.70"
Merlin flung the money on the counter and tapped his foot impatiently. The woman handed him the sandwiches and the tea and passed him his change with an equally rough hand, and eyed him all the way out of the door.
Merlin muttered and scoffed on his way to where Arthur was lounging against a wall. "Sorry, this is all I could get"
"S'alright, I'd eat squirrel right now if I was quick enough to catch one, I'm that hungry"
Merlin passed Arthur a sandwich and they both greedily scarfed down the food and took turns to drink the tea until it was empty.
"Well what are we going to do for food for the rest of the day now?" Arthur almost pouted
Merlin rose his eyebrows suggestively "well Arthur, I'm going to have to teach you something new"
Merlin leaned towards him, putting a mere inch between them, his warm breath washing over Arthur's face. His eyes darted quickly, taking in Arthur's flushed cheeks and dilated pupils, and a smile played around his lips.
"I'm going to teach you how to steal"
mwahahaha i hope you didn't think they were going to have any sexy times did you? oh no no no no! they need a bit of sexual frustration first! let the torturing commence :)
if you like this story, please review, the button is right there, and it makes me feel super loved :D
