Ok, so the reason this is up so late is because I changed my mind about 50 times with this chapter. It's hideously short, but I have a feeling you might enjoy it, even if you throw up from fluffiness - I said I would stop but i can't help it...
WOW REVIEWS! I think I got 7 or 8 for the last chapter and I honestly nearly cried, although it was probably down to the fact that I put about them sleeping together, you filthy-minded people! (JOKE) Erm, where was I, oh yes, it is horrificly short, but I do hope you like it, if you don't then there's no point in me writing it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin. If I did he would be tied to my bed.
"I was joking," he lies.
"Yeah, er, me too."
"As if I'd ever..." he trails off.
"I know! As if we'd ever.."
"I know!" He laughs falsely and they both turn away from each other. She gazes at something fascinating out of the window that only she can see and he twiddles his thumbs for the most uncomfortable 5 minutes of his life.
"I'll just go and make some lunch, then," he says quickly and races out of the room.
She sits there in silence. Maybe he didn't like her after all, maybe he was just saying it to be polite. But how does that explain the constant flirting between them? Maybe she was just imagining it, the quirky remarks and silly arguments. She sighs and then gives a wicked grin. She was sure she could come up with a few ways to find out.
"So, how was your first day?"
"Okay, thanks."
"What about colleagues?"
"Mostly alright," she shrugs and follows his voice to the living room.
"Mostly?"
She sits down next to him. "Ugh, there's this perv, Agravaine, who doesn't know the difference between my eyes and my chest."
Merlin shudders. "Great."
"Yeah, well, he kept getting me cups of coffee so I didn't really mind."
He rolls his eyes. "You're a terrible woman."
"No, I just know how to get men to do what I want," she says with a knowing smile.
"Oh, how very subtle," Merlin says sarcastically and she laughs. "What could you possibly want me to do?"
"Come ice-skating with me?"
"Ice-skating? Where the hell are we going to do that?"
She grins. "You know that Eastwood Manor House place?" He nods. "Well, it's something like their 75th year of being open to the public or whatever and they've put up an ice-rink to celebrate..."
He sighs, determined not to give in.
"Please, Merlin?"
He gives in. "Fine, but if I get injured it's your fault!"
"Yay!" She squeals like an excited child. "I'll quickly go and get changed."
He stares at her in disbelief. "What we're going now? But it's 7 o'clock in the evening!"
"So? It'll still be open!"
"Okay, you win," he says in defeat.
"I knew I could persuade you," she adds cheekily and runs out of the room before he can argue.
"Now, if you just put one foot in front of the other, then you should be fine," Morgana instructs him as he wobbles towards her.
"I don't think ice-skating is really my thing," Merlin admits.
"No, me neither. Have you ever been before?" She asks.
"Twice?"
"And?"
"The first time I dislocated my shoulder and the second time, this little girl fell over and got her fingers sliced off by somebody else's skates."
She visibly cringes. "So, good past experiences, then?" She mocks and they link arms to go around the rink together. It isn't too busy, just a group of teenagers whizzing around, showing off. The place looks beautiful, with candles set up in various points. It has started to snow lightly.
"Oh, yes, definitely. What about you? I expect you've been loads of times, seeing as you can actually stand upright."
"Only once, it was me, Arthur and Gwen. I remember Arthur kept getting in my way, so I pushed him over and his knee was so bruised it looked like a rainbow."
Merlin laughs and she smiles at the sound. "Where does Arthur work, anyway? You told me about Gwen working in the hospital, but not him."
"He's on leave from Afghanistan at the moment," she says, her happiness fading. "Helping Uther sort out of his business. Or trying to. He has to go back again in 6 months," Morgana explains.
"You must worry about him."
"I do. Not as much as Gwen does, though," she sighs.
"Gwen?"
"Well, yes she is his girlfriend."
Merlin frowns. "Is she? Since when?"
"Since I walked into her flat 2 years ago and found them kissing on the sofa," she says quickly, "now come on, I want to go faster!" She skates ahead and waits for him to catch up.
"Faster? But we -WOAH!" He slips as she makes a grab for his hand to pull him towards her and lands flat on his back. Morgana bursts out laughing and he groans in pain as she helps him to his feet.
"Thanks a lot," he wheezes, the fall knocking the wind out of him.
"Your welcome," she looks over at the group of sniggering teenagers. "Come on, we'll show them!"
"No, Morgana, what are you-"
He tries to stop her as she races towards them, dragging him with her. The group's faces quickly turn from laughter to fear and they scatter as the duo skate rapidly towards them and then turn away at the last moment. Morgana only laughs as they leave the rink and yell abuse at them.
"Good, now we have it all to ourselves," she says and she is right - it is just the two of them.
"So," Merlin starts as they begin to do laps of the rink again. "Is Uther your father?"
"No."
"Oh."
"He's sort of like my step-father, except we're not related. He just looks after me."
"So is Arthur really your brother or not?"
She shakes her head. "But he's annoying enough to be one so that must count for something."
"Right, and Arthur is Uther's son?"
"Yes."
"And your mother is-"
"Was," Morgana cuts in. "Her name was Vivienne."
"Okay, so who's your father?"
"It's complicated," she lies, because it isn't.
"Do you want to talk about something else?" He asks and she nods. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Something nice."
He looks her up and down in the old, scruffy jeans and jacket. If anyone could pull it off, she could.
"You look lovely," Merlin compliments and she laughs.
"What, even though my nose is so cold it's going pink?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Merlin."
They have stopped skating now and are just stood in the middle of the rink. She grabs hold of his jumper and pulls him closer, smiling down at the tips of their skates as they knock together.
"You're welcome," he whispers and gently presses his lips against hers. Her hands come up to rest on his shoulders and his settle around her waist. When they finally break apart, he gives her the cutest, goofiest, yet confused grin she has ever seen.
Well, they kissed! This is actually the first kissing scene I've ever written, haha so innocent, so please tell me how I did!
Thank you all for reading, following, favouriting and reviewing - any ideas, ways to improve and things I'm doing right - if anything - are welcome!
Oh, and to the person who asked, yes, Alvarr will be making some future appearances. (Evil Laugh.)
Pip pip, cheerio! :D
