A/N: Okay, first, I am so sorry it's taken me so long to update. I got back from a long trip (with no internet!) and immediately dived into band camp. Yes, I can officially say I have gone to band camp! ;) Anyway, enough with my excuses. Here's chapter 10!
Chapter 10
After a moment of discussion, we decided to go to the library before going home. I loved the library – it was my sanctuary for whenever I had to think or get away from Morgana and/or Gwaine. It felt very...weird...to show Merlin around it, even though it was a public building and everything, but if I was to let anybody see my soul, it would be Merlin.
Once Merlin had seen the whole library (and fallen in love with it – I foresaw many afternoons spent in here in the future), I drove him over to his house. It really was just down the street from mine, less than a two minute drive, or about a ten minute walk. It was a cute house: smaller than mine, but still nicely-sized, with a nice white porch, fenced-in backyard, and no cars in the driveway. "Nice house." I complimented him, and he blushed.
"Yeah, I like it."
Noticing the empty driveway, I asked the question that had been hovering in my mind for a while. "So, where are your parents?"
Merlin shrugged. "They're both very busy people, and often go away on long trips. I've always just maintained the house by myself, and made a nice dinner if they're ever home."
"When was that?" I prodded gently, and he looked at me, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"When was the last time they were home?" I asked again. Even more confusion spilt across his face.
"I-I'm not sure..." He trailed off, thinking hard.
"It's okay." I tried to reassure him, but he shook his head.
Merlin kneaded his head with his hand. "Why can't I remember?" He looked up at me, hurt in his eyes.
"Do you often forget things?" I asked him carefully, and he shook his head.
"No, I have an excellent memory." He hesitated. "I think."
"It's okay." I repeated, and he looked up at me again. His eyes were clear, but I thought I saw a flash of gold.
"Yeah, I don't really mind my parents' busy schedules. I mean, what teenager doesn't want a whole house to himself?" He laughed, throwing his arms back. With that, he jumped out of my car and ran to open the door.
I stayed a moment in my car to think it through. Of course, the spell Merlin had cast on himself must be a living thing – it must constantly alter memories and views to make sure Merlin never remembered his past. That way, in cases such as just now, no lingering doubts would be left in his mind. That was smart of him, but now it left me in a difficult situation. What force could possibly be stronger than Merlin's magic, what force could free Merlin from his own spell?
Merlin showed me around his house, then we settled on his couch. "Do we have any homework?" I asked, to which he shook his head.
"Naw. All our classes are so easy, I got all my homework done in my study hall."
I laughed. "Yeah, you'd think with so many AP courses, we'd be busier."
Merlin shrugged. "History, English, Science, Math, it's all so easy."
"Yeah, I often feel like I've already lived through everything, so I just know it all." I replied casually, and was disappointed when Merlin didn't even bat an eyelid.
"That's cool. I just kinda know stuff." Merlin shrugged. "I think I read a lot as a kid. So, what do you want to do now?" He asked, nudging me.
I tried to ignore the sudden warmth that radiated from the spot where he'd touched me. "Um, it's too early to order dinner, but we could go see a movie, watch TV, go to a park, shop downtown, anything you want to do."
Merlin grinned. "Can we go see that new Star Trek movie, then get pizza for dinner?!" He asked eagerly. I almost expected for a wagging tail, he looked so much like an enthusiastic puppy at that moment.
"Sure, that sounds great."
We drove to the theatre after forcing ourselves off Merlin's incredibly comfortable couch. Thankfully, we lucked out – there was a showing for Star Trek: Intro Darkness in just thirty minutes. I paid for tickets, popcorn, and Junior Mints (ignoring Merlin's protest that he could pay for himself), and we settled into the theatre seats. Apart from some elderly woman in the front row, we were alone in the cinema.
"So," Merlin turned to me, "tell me more about yourself. I feel like I've told you a ton about me, but I don't know as much about you."
I smiled wryly. Unbeknownst to him, he was the one person who knew me the best in this world. "Well, you've met Gwaine, my former bestie, and my sister, Morgana."
"Are you guys full siblings?" Merlin asked suddenly, and I started.
"Yeah...why do you ask?" Could this be a memory...?
He shrugged. "I don't know, I just had a feeling or something. Maybe I did meet her over the summer like she said."
"Even though you were in England?" I raised my eyebrow at this discrepancy.
"Oh yeah..." Merlin trailed off. There was another quick flash of gold in his eyes. "I meant in the last few weeks I was in the States before I started school."
"I see." I nodded, letting it go. "Well, yeah, Morgana and I shared the same parents."
"Shared?" He asked, catching the past tense.
I smiled sadly. "Our parents died a few years ago. We lived with our uncle, Gaius, up until this year. He left us."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Arthur. I shouldn't have brought it up." Merlin instantly apologized, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay." I assured him. "I don't blame Gaius. Anyway, since Morgana and I were old enough, we decided to become emancipated minors. We had enough money to live on, and we didn't want to stay with anyone else. We didn't really have any other family, either. So, we became legally unattached to any adults and moved to the States. We wanted a new start." I told him our standard lie.
"That's very interesting. I'm sorry for all that you've been through, though." Merlin commented.
"Thanks. It means a lot." I thanked him, looking deep into those blue, blue eyes.
After an awkward pause, Merlin looked away, also taking his hand off my shoulder.
"So, have you, um, seen this yet?" He asked, pointing at the screen.
"Yes, I did. It was about a month ago, though, so it's not fresh in my mind or anything." I informed him.
"How was it? Don't tell me any spoilers, though!"
Seeing the opportunity to tease him, I smirked. "Well, at the very end, Spock-"
"Don't tell me, don't tell me!" Merlin chanted, hands over his ears.
Laughing, I pulled them down. "Relax, I'm just teasing you! No, it was a really good movie. You'll enjoy it."
"Good." He mock-glared at me. "If you had spoiled it for me..." He trailed off threateningly.
"I'm sure you would have spluttered at me." I shot at him, grinning.
"Low blow, mister, low blow." He shook his head at me, unable to get rid of the matching grin on his face.
"You should see me fight." I laughed, and he smirked.
"I'm sure you're a regular hair-puller."
"I resent that!" I answered indignantly.
"Do you now?" Merlin nudged my shoulder.
"I do!" I replied.
"Prat." He insulted me, still grinning.
"Idiot." I retorted.
"Clotpole!"
"Ass!"
"Dollophead."
"Is that a word?" I asked, and Merlin shrugged.
"I don't know, but it fits you!"
From that moment on, Merlin and I were inseparable, even more so than we had ever been in Camelot. I picked him up for school each morning, we sat next to each other in every class we had together, ate lunches together, he joined my talk with Alex after school (our talks now mostly consisted of teaching Merlin about Camelot, and yes, I did understand the irony), and we went out for coffee or to the library after school. We would often go back to one of our houses for dinner, and then I'd either drive him home, or go home myself. Gwaine (and Morgana) had made up with Merlin the next day, and Gwaine often joined us after school or for movies. He and Merlin also became great friends again, though Gwaine also had his other friends (and girls).
All in all, it was a good life, except for one thing: Merlin still didn't remember our past. No hints (whether subtle or not) that we all dropped showed any sign of working. And even though Merlin and I were so close now, I still missed my best friend. This Merlin wasn't the exact same, and as much as I loved (yes, loved, I could admit that freely now) this Merlin, I still loved the old Merlin, and wanted him back.
But that was the problem – even though I loved this Merlin as well, he obviously didn't love me back. Despite Morgana and Gwaine's assurances, this Merlin seemed to just want to be friends. Close friends, yeah, but still, just friends. Every time Gwaine or Morgana would make a joke about us, he'd just blush and wave it off as if it was impossible. And to be fair, they made jokes about us a lot. For example, on weekends, we'd spend the night watching movies, eating pizza, and talking. One time, both Morgana and Gwaine joined us on a Friday night, causing Merlin and I to share the loveseat. We started out on opposite ends, with each of us leaning against our own armrest. About halfway through the second movie, I straightened in my seat, as my side was cramping a little bit. By the beginning of the third movie, I was really, really tired (I had stayed up late last night training and taking my frustrations out on my heavybag). Almost unconsciously, I leaned over to Merlin's side. He looked a little bit surprised, but soon scooted so that I could lay comfortably against his side. Closing my eyes happily, I breathed in the scent of just Merlin, that was just so perfect and beautiful. A few minutes later, I felt his hand rub my shoulder, lulling me into sleep.
"Because that's not gay at all." Gwaine commented, chuckling, and I felt Merlin's hand stop. I was almost asleep, however, and was prepared to let it go.
"I am gay, you know that." Merlin told Gwaine sharply, but Gwaine just laughed.
"I'm not talking about you, Merlin, I'm talking about Arthur. Sleeping on another guy?"
"What are you talking about? Arthur is straight. We're just close friends." Merlin tried to convince Gwaine, but he wasn't having any of it.
"Seriously? You still believe that? He—" Gwaine started, but Morgana's cool voice cut him off.
"Arthur cares for you a great deal, Merlin. Just, always remember that, okay?" She told him, and Merlin tilted his head to the side.
"But he is straight, right?" Merlin asked, doubt coloring his tone. Slowly, his hand started to rub up mine again.
I could almost picture Morgana's soft, soft smile. "Arthur falls in love with people, not their gender. If he's in love with you, as you are with him, you'll see it."
"I'm not in love with him." Merlin immediately defended himself, and Gwaine snorted.
"Mate, I know we don't always agree, but trust me when I say this: I know you a whole lot better than you think I do, and your eyes are betraying you right now. They do every single time you look at him."
After that comment, everything went silent, and I slipped off into elusive sleep.
About a week later, the stress just got to be too much for me to handle. So I did what everyone does when things get to be too much – yell at everybody they know. And let's just say, it didn't go well.
A/N: So, what did you think? Good, bad, eh? I hope you enjoyed it, and I'd love to hear your feedback! Also, reviews might make me write faster...food for thought!
Before I sign off, though, I'd like to thank again my absolutely amazing beta, TruffleHead! She's a true gem!
Anyway, until next time, people!