Merlin sat dozing on the couch eating a Rice Krispy treat. A whole afternoon of Nickelodeon: a day of Ben 10 and the Avatar. Gaius was off antiquing with Nimueh. Homework was done. Football game was won. A day for Merlin. Merlin frowned when he felt his cell vibrating. Reluctantly, he read a text from Arthur.
Come to my house! Now!
Merlin thought about ignoring Arthur. But who can ignore Arthur? He doesn't understand the concept of being ignored. The whole world revolved around Arthur. Gwen was lucky. Morgana was her "big sister", and she actually looked out for Gwen. Not Arthur! Merlin's "big brother" Arthur gave him chores. He had to clean his cleats and locker. Run his errands. Wash his clothes. Yea, it was an Arthur free day. His cell twitched again.
"I'm waiting!"
Merlin set the DVR as he groaned. Sometimes, he wished that he went around the world with his parents. It would have to be an easier life.
Merlin was impressed by Arthur's creativity. Or inability to cook. The kitchen was in ruins. Biegey, brown sugary dough decorated the Pendragon's kitchen. Chocolate chips were scattered across the floor, like in a bad kid's movie. Waiting for the villain to fall on them. Merlin's large feet crunched egg shells. Egg slime dripped from the cabinets. A sickly brunt smell floated around the house. Merlin didn't even want to think about the sink. Water poured over the sides, and how many pots do you really need?
"Arthur?"
Arthur lowered his head in embarrassment. "I tried to make chocolate chip cookies."
"With a special nuclear bomb ingredient?"
"They were for Gwen."
"Gwen?"
No, not Arthur and Gwen? She wasn't his type. He preferred beautiful and stupid. Not adorably pretty, sweet, and smart. Has she lost her head? I thought she was over athletes, handsome, and dashing. Thought she had learned her lesson with Lancelot. Arthur was worse. Straight into the fire or whatever that saying went. Arthur and Gwen?
"You like Gwen?"
"No."
"Then, why make cookies?"
"Because she did something nice for me."
"What?"
"None of your business."
Merlin shrugged. "Why didn't you, just get Pillsbury readymade cookies. Just droppin on the tray and bake. Prestos! Homemade cookies, dummy, "Merlin muttered.
"Fantastic. Clean up this mess. Off to Giant!"
Merlin watched Arthur prance out of the kitchen leaving his huge mess.
The chocolate swirled across Gwen's fingers. The cookies were deliciously warm and gooey. Crispy edges and full of gooey softness. Arthur smiled gently as he dunked his cookies into a glass of creamy milk. Merlin grabbed a few and planted himself in front of the TV.
"Thanks for the cookies."
"Thanks for your faith."
Gwen smiled as she resisted an urge to wipe chocolate from Arthur's chin. Arthur's blue eyes twinkled.