Enjoy

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After Arthur had rejected him, Merlin had followed him around like a lost puppy. Arthur was annoyed but Lance was furious. Lance would call Merlin names and give him dirty looks. Then he started punching Merlin in the ribs when Arthur wasn't looking or slap him across the head. Lance had a small gang that followed him; they would taunt Merlin whenever they got the chance. Arthur didn't join in but neither would he acknowledge Merlin.

Merlin could see that Arthur didn't hate him but was unable to stay friends with him. Merlin got sick of both Lance's aggressive behaviour and healing himself again and again. So he tried a different tactic. He knew which classes Arthur had and would either be in them or waiting outside the door. He also knew which ones to avoid if Lance was there. Merlin would give Arthur a bright and cheerful smile and then go on to recount the events of the day.

Sometimes he nearly got a smile from Arthur, who quickly hid any emotion. Arthur still didn't talk to him but seemed to like the company none the less. Merlin was still quite clumsy and would trip over anything and everything, his own feet included. This was the only time he got a smirk out of Arthur and occasionally a comment. Merlin would sometimes even purposely trip just to get a response. "Watch out idiot" "wake up loser" he would snigger.

Merlin still fancied boys but none of his friends noticed, except Morgana. He had gone out with Morgana as she begged him to help her stop the boys asking her out. This had improved his own reputation but ruined any chances of getting a boyfriend.

When Merlin was 16 and summer holidays had started he decided to go down to Ali's beach house where he would spend his time swimming and surfing. This had nothing to do with the fact that Arthur's father owned a house near Ali's beach house. Merlin had spent the summer with Arthur and Will when he was younger and they learnt how to surf together. Gwen also decided that she wanted to come too; Merlin suspected that she still fancied Arthur.

Ali and Merlin would surf together and sometimes Arthur would join them. Merlin would only engage in small talk with Arthur but this was an improvement. Gwen would watch from the beach. Arthur would also hang out with Lance who did not like the water; he would chill at the skate park or sneak alcohol onto the beach.

Merlin noticed that Lance would come and sit with Gwen and she didn't seem to mind. She would chat with him and giggle until Merlin realised she had crush on Lance. That would explain the reason for her coming down. Merlin thought he should have been annoyed or angry at her however he could see she was happy. He hoped Lance would just stop being such a dick to him.

…

One night they were having a massive bonfire down at the beach in front of Arthur's house. Ali and Lance were drunk and Gwen was sitting on Lance's lap smiling lovingly at him. Arthur was silent lying in the sand, Merlin suspected he was asleep. Merlin hadn't drunk too much and he became really hungry. So he ventured into Arthurs house to find some food. He walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see someone already there.

They turned around and Merlin was shocked to see Will. Will had left school to travel and work a year before. Will seemed to recognise Merlin and grinned "heeeyyyy mate, how are you Merlin." Merlin smiled back "Will, haven't seen you for a while, weren't you becoming a well rounded traveller?" Will smirked "too right I was, but I ran out of money and ended back at my parents place." Merlin remembered "I'm sorry your mother died." Will's smile disappeared "yeah, so am I. My little brother hasn't taken it very well though, has he?"

Merlin grimaced "he's being a little bitch." Will burst out laughing "that he most certainly is. Are you down here for the summer?" Merlin replied "yep, I'm staying at Ali's. I'm not really friends with Arthur anymore. Just here to relax and surf." Will relaxed against the counter "ah well, his loss. Surf you say. I seem to remember that I taught your bony little ass everything you know." Merlin scoffed "as if, I have pure talent and awesomeness." Will joked "really, I bet I could still teach you a thing or too." "Not likely" Merlin retorted "the student surpasses the teacher any day." "Right you be here tomorrow arvo and we'll see about that" Will said.

Merlin was still smiling as he walked home with Gwen. Will had changed a lot but not his competitive nature. Will and Arthur were very alike; the same kind of humour and the same good looks. Will was taller and skinnier with short blond hair. Gwen saw his expression and exclaimed "ahhh, I see how it is." "What" Merlin said innocently. "Merlins got a crush" she said in a singsong voice. "No, I haven't" he lied. Gwen scoffed "soooo, do I know them."

Merlin didn't answer. "Fine don't tell me" she said. Merlin shot back "you and Will seemed to be hitting it off." She scowled "I like him, there's nothing wrong with that." Merlin said "I didn't say there was, but you have to admit he is a bit of a jerk." "So" she replied and eventually said "I'm sorry Merlin, I know how he treats you. But I really like him and he's trying to change, I swear. You'll see." Merlin didn't say anything but he hoped she was right.

…

The next day Merlin was excited to see Will, he walked over to Arthurs house and waited on the beach. He didn't think Arthur would want to see him there. "You ready to get thrashed" Will yelled running up behind him in a wetsuit. Merlin got up "not on my watch." Merlin had a great time surfing with Will. The waves weren't that great and Will still had the moves. Afterwards they went back to the house "you want to come in" Will asked. "Umm" Merlin said hesitantly. "Arthur's not here if you wanted to know." Merlin grinned "in that case, yes I do."

They spend that evening drinking and playing poker. They soon ended up on the large double bed in the equally large room. Merlin was lying on his side with his knees bent watching Will re-enact his adventures in Mexico, in only his boxers. Will mimicked explosions and collapsed onto the other side of the bed. Will turned over so that he was facing Merlin in the same position. Merlin snorted "as if that happened." Will retorted "no, it really did." Merlin laughed at him and Will lunged at him "why you little.." He started tickling Merlin who started giggling uncontrollable, partly due to the influence of the beer.

They both stopped and lay back down. Will left his hand on Merlins waist. Merlin looked at the hand and then at Will's face. Will was looking at him in a strange way, his eyes travelled down to Merlin's lips. Merlin's eyes locked onto Wills and then travelled down to his lips which were parted. Merlin licked his lips. Will moved in closer, slowly, inch by inch. Then suddenly his lips were on Merlins. Merlin responded and opened his mouth, pressing closer to Will. Will snaked his other hand out and grabbed the back of Merlin's head. Merlin pressed harder and slid his tongue into Will's mouth who groaned. Merlin's pants tightened.

Merlin woke up the next morning with a headache. He looked over and saw Will who was in exactly in the same position as last night "fuck." Merlin was still half dressed. They hadn't even done anything, they had been that drunk. Merlin closed his eyes and opened them when he heard movement. Arthur was standing in the doorway, he looked surprised and angry "what the fuck are you doing here."

Merlin quickly shot up "I can explain." Why he wanted to explain himself was unknown to him. He didn't care what Arthur thought, really. "Enlighten me" Arthur spat. "Umm, I'm gay and I like your brother." "Obviously" Arthur said "now get out" he yelled. Will woke up and yawned, spotting Arthur. "Now now. Little brother. Don't get your knickers in a knot. Merlin and I were sleeping… together" he grinned. Arthur yelled at his brother "I don't care, I don't want him here." Will got angry "this is not your house and you can't decide who is allowed to be here." Merlin backed away "it's alright Will, I'll go. See you later yeah." Arthur and Will yelled at the same time "go" and "no". Merlin heard the brothers yell at each other as he left the house.

Merlin didn't see Will again that summer. Arthur said he had left and gone back to Mexico. Merlin didn't believe him and knew that Arthur had something to do with it. Merlin was ready to attack Arthur with his magic but instead he meditated and surfed. It was Merlin this time that ignored Arthur and Arthur who was trying to be friendly.

…

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