I'll be amazed if any of you are still reading this D: my updating is just appaling now. Really. It's about as bad as the forced Arwen on the show. ANYWAY this chapter isn't even that long (I think it's shorter than the last one) but it's got explanations and a breakthrough in it :) Now for my fail excuses. It's late because 1: I've been busy with a few assignments 2: I was trying to decide which plot line I would go with in the end - and then me being me, I had trouble writing it. And finally, 3 (the most exciting one!): I've been working on a new Merlin fanfic :D which i know i probably shouldn't be doing since I haven't finished this one (which btw, is ending soon. Depending on what I decide, it will either end next chapter or a few after) but i just finished reading 'The book thief' and i've just had this idea in my head and it was annoying the hell out of me so I decided to plan it out. If any of you are wondering, it's going to be called "The delectable steps of book thievery" and a modern AU - with Merlin being a sort of a 'book thief', and of course, guess which blond owns a rather impressive book store. Details aren't really worked out yet and I'm still not quite sure about it, but look out for it in case I decide to do it :)

Wow, that's a lot for an authors note :p Enjoy the story you wonderful people:

*One more thing, the last chapter occured on Thursday - This chapter is on a Friday

"Fucking hell." His, voice full of tones of realisation and exasperation.

Arthur watched as Will ran a hand through his hair,

"I don't know why people always assume this, I'm not gay."

---

Wednesday night:

"Merliiin!"

"No."

Merlin turned away from the pleading voice, trying desperately to read in peace. Within seconds that plan was abandoned as his book was torn away and thrown halfway across the room.

"Pleeease Merlin?"

The boy raised an eyebrow. Having been best friends with him for about well, his whole life, Merlin was immune to the puppy dog eyes his friend was now putting on.

"No."

Will pouted for a split second before changing tactics.

"You're strong Emrys, I like that." Will now had on a serious, business-like face. His tone had changed completely.

Merlin rolled his eyes though smiling ever so slightly. It never ceased to amaze him how quickly Will could change his demeanor.

Will pulled out a box from behind him, sliding it casually across the table towards Merlin.

"This box here is full of candy. If you accompany me, I can make it worth your while."

Merlin now adorned a sarcastic look. Picking up the box, he turned it so that the label clearing saying 'Merlin' was facing Will.

"You're bribing me with my own stash of lollies. Really."

Will leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"You've got smarts Emrys, I like that as well. Do me a favour, open up that box of yours."

Merlin frowned, reluctantly peeling back the plastic lid of the box. Sucking air through his teeth, he was met with the sight of two small apples, a half-eaten carrot and a large abundance of sultanas.

"NOOOOOO!"

Will smirked, picking up a sultana and pushing it into the raven-haired boys mouth.

"How's it taste Merlin?"

Merlin glared, "I hate you."

Will beamed, "I love you too mate."

---

Merlin tossed the device to Will.

"I can't believe you're making me do this with you."

Will looked gleefully at the stink bomb in his hand.

"A Merlin Emrys designed and constructed stink bomb. You're a bloody genius, you know that right?"

Merlin rolled his eyes, "I swear you live off destruction."

Will pouted, "It's not my fault. These rich kids deserve a whiff of something other than money and designer perfume. Come on, I'll give you a boost up."

Merlin wriggled towards Will, it was incredibly stuffy in the small janitors closet they were currently in, however, it was also the opportune room to deploy their plan as they would be able to place the bomb in the air vent without prying eyes.

Stepping onto Wills hands, Merlin reached up to the vent, only to send both of them tumbling down after spotting a particularly scary spider lurking inside the ventilation draft. They landed with a thud.

Typical Merlin and Will, and despite Merlin's initial reluctance, both boys tried to muffle their laughter and glee. Standing up, both of them heard the dangerously close voices from outside. With their ears against the door, Will whispered to Merlin.

"If we stay here for a while until class starts, we won't get caught."

At that exact moment, Lance chose to open the door.

Tumbling out, Will grinned as he looked over to his friend, "Well that didn't go down to-"

He was cut off by a dark, bitter laugh.

---

Present day:

"Look, I said I'd leave you two alone. It's fine."

Will, looking thoroughly irritated, let out a puff of annoyance.

"I'm NOT gay. Merlin is NOT my boyfriend."

Arthur turned around and began to walk mechanically. He was afraid if he stayed any longer he'd punch Will squarely in the jaw like he deserved. Who on earth did he think he was, denying his relationship with Merlin as if it were embarrassing, acting like he was actually a little offended by the idea of having the gorgeous raven-haired boy as his boyfriend. He didn't know how damn privileged and lucky he was just to see the boys amazing smile. Arthur desperately fought off tears as he looked at the injustice of it all. He would have taken care of Merlin. He would have loved him to bits and show him off to the world proudly as his boyfriend. He wouldn't have hidden him away.

Will stared at the retreating back of the Camelot's prince, silently fuming at the failure of the whole talk.

"I'm still talking to you, rich boy."

Arthur turned around, unable to contain his anger any longer,

"What the fuck do you want? I mean, you already have Merlin and god knows that's was the only thing worth having in my fucking life."

Will stared calmly at Arthur. The sooner he got this through the prat's thick skull, the better.

"I'm not gay."

Arthur threw his hands into the air.

"WHAT THE FUCK! YOU WERE MAKING OUT AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE WITH A MAN IN THE FUCKING CLOSET, SO DON'T YOU FUCKING TELL ME YOU'RE NOT GAY!"

Eyebrow twitching, Will pinched the bridge of his nose as to avoid the oncoming headache. With a deathly calm, save for the famous murderous glare in his eyes, he pushed Arthur against the wall.

"Look buddy. I don't like you. In fact, I hate you, and the only reason I'm here is because Merlin. I'm. not. gay. Merlin is my best friend and most definitely not my boyfriend. We weren't making out, we were planting a freaking stink bomb in the air vents. Now before we get any further, do you or do you not love Merlin?"

"I.."

The new information rushed to his head, causing a slight dizziness. With this in his mind, Arthur looked back on yesterday, groaning at what a mess he had made of everything.

"Well?"

Arthur looked at Will, remembering the question and then straightening up, he nodded firmly.

Will looked less than impressed.

"What, did you suddenly forget how to speak?"

Arthur opened his mouth,

"I.." The force of the question suddenly struck him. It was one thing to think it in his head, it was another to actually say it out loud. Saying it out loud would seal the deal. He'd never be able to take it back.

At that precise moment, in the corridors on Camelot High on a Friday morning, Arthur realized he'd never want to take it back anyway.

"I love Merlin."

---

Arthur grinned, as if a weight had been lifted off, the words sounded just right in his mouth. His newly founded euphoria was interrupted by Will who had stepped back, allowing Arthur to be in a position less hostile then being held against a wall. His hands were clasped behind his back, his expression remained unamused.

"You're a dick."

Arthur opened his mouth but shut it again as Will held up a hand, signaling for him to stay silent for the time being.

"As I was saying, you're a dick. This whole week I've been here, you've been a complete bastard and an arrogant prat. Also, I think you're downright fucking annoying."

Arthur ignored the urge to punch the brunette.

"However, Merlin seems to think you're this great guy, and apparently you're not always a prat. He's never said it before, but when he's talking about you.. like he feels the same way and even though I think you're a dick, you make Merlin happy.. and.."

For a second Arthur saw almost a very out of place pleading look come across the deadly eyes of the other boy.

".. he's sad right now and.."

Arthur stopped him. He needed to talk to Merlin. Grasping him by the shoulders, Arthur stared straight into his eyes.

"Thank you."

---

Arthur ran to his advanced English class with determination and enthusiasm. Upon bursting into the room, he made his way towards the back of the raven-coloured hair he so loved the constant messiness of. This was it, he thought, barely able to contain his grin. It was all coming together, everything would finally work out. He had misunderstood, but that didn't matter now, because he would finally be able to tell Merlin he loved him and they could be together.

He reached forward, placing a hand on the boys slim shoulder

"Merlin." He breathed out

When Arthur looked back on the next moment, he guess he should have expected it. But of course, he didn't, which of course, made it hurt a lot more.

Merlin tensed before jerking up and turning around, books clutched defensively against his chest. A million emotions were written across his face, but the two most prominent were those of hurt and anger.

"Don't touch me." He hissed

The class watched as the mighty Arthur Pendragons heart began to break.

I commend you if you managed to get through all of that :s Next chapter, hopefully, will be better AND published sooner.

Review my lovely readers if like me, seeing forced Arwen on Merlin makes you cringe ;)

Oh, and would you guys prefer the next fanfic to be slash or just really strong friendship, because I still haven't really decided yet. I'm leaning towards slash (because I'm a merthur fangirl xD) but with the plot line I'm not sure if you guys would prefer just a friendship..