Merlin
"And so," Merlin continued as he walked along the Riviera sidewalk with Elena. "I actually had fun."
"What are you serious?" Elena asked, kicking at stones along their way. "Thanks for inviting me."
"I'm sorry! I didn't even know we were going!" Merlin laughed. "Hey, Elena, can I ask for your advice?"
"Go ahead." Elena smiled.
"Well, I can't tell you their name." Merlin began.
"Is this the mysterious person you like?" Elena asked.
"Yeah, it is." Merlin said. "But we're keeping it a secret, so I can't tell."
"That's alright; I'll be patient, for you. So what's up?" Elena questioned.
"You know, last night. I think that, he's going to be mad." Merlin said sadly.
"But you didn't cheat, did you?" Elena asked.
"No, I just, no, not at all. But I don't know what he'll think." Merlin replied.
"It would help a lot if you told me his name." Elena insisted. "But you won't because you suck."
"I know, I'm sorry." Merlin responded sadly. "But what should I do?"
"Are you in love with him?" Elena said softly.
"I don't know." Merlin admitted. "I really don't know. This whole thing is just so stupid, I don't want it to be a meaningless fling, you know. I mean, we've said we like each other."
"Then." Elena started. "If he really likes you, I'm sure he'll be really annoyed at the start, I mean, he wants you to himself, how would you feel if you saw him dancing with other guys? Like full dirty dancing? Merlin, sweetie, if you get into a fight, you have to give it time. If you don't get into a fight and he doesn't mind, then there isn't a problem. But maybe you should tell him about it first so he doesn't hear it from someone else."
"It's too late for that isn't it?" Elena asked quietly.
"Yeah, but, I'll deal with it." Merlin sighed.
"I know you will. I just wished you would tell me who this Mr Unknown was." Elena muttered.
"I love you, Elena." Merlin grinned, changing the subject and pulling her into a one-armed hug.
"You too, you're my baby." Elena giggled, touching the tip of his nose. "How about we get some ice-cream?"
It was cold, but neither of them cared since they wore warm jackets and scarves. They left the Rivera sidewalk and came onto the street where the ice-cream shop was located at. After walking a couple of minutes and laughing about the most pointless things they burst into the shop, embracing the warmth of the indoors.
"I want to get the ice cream and waffles." Elena stared at the huge menu board above their heads.
"Mm," Merlin contemplated. "That sounds good. I think I might get it too."
Eva, the shop lady bustled in from the storeroom and welcomed them with a broad smile.
"Merlin! Who's this lovely young woman? You're not with the good-looking blonde boy like before, sweetheart." Eva exclaimed.
"Elena." Elena introduced. "Merlin's best friend."
Best friends, now, were they? Merlin glanced at Elena who beamed at him.
"No, he's not here today." Merlin apologized. "But, could we get two of the waffles and ice cream?"
"Of course, of course, he was a lovely young lad though, bring him in another time, eh?" Eva smiled.
"Yeah I will." Merlin said, avoiding Elena's quizzing stare and placing ten pound note on the register table.
The two of them plonked down on the same table Arthur and him had sat a while ago. Merlin smiled at the memories it brought back.
"So, who's this 'good-looking blonde boy'…?" Elena questioned, smiling.
"No one, it was just Arthur." Merlin admitted. "He seemed pissed, so I took him to get ice cream, this was a while ago."
"What!?" Elena shrieked. "I thought you guys couldn't stand each other, and now you're friends? Oh my god!"
"We're on alright terms now." Merlin lied and felt bad for not telling Elena the truth.
"Arthur's a hard person to get along with," Elena joked. "That fact that you're on 'alright' terms with him is difficult to believe."
Arthur
He walked into Gwaine's Rivera condo, chatting with the other boy. Their football practice was tiring and hot, and they both reeked of sweat. And the best part about their practice was that afterwards, the showers in the changing rooms had been shut down because of some stupid reason. So they only had a few minutes each to shower at Gwaine's place before everyone else arrived.
…
There were a couple of knocks on the front door and Gwaine bustled over to let Merlin and Elena in, just wearing a towel.
Arthur noticed he winked at Merlin, before hugging him.
"Last night was sweet. Your very nice blazer is over there by the way," Gwaine pointed at the black thing slung across an armchair.
What? What was going on? He darted his eyes towards Merlin who looked away in embarrassment. He pulled out his phone and texted Merlin.
What's going on?- A.
Nothing. I'll tell you later.-M.
"Thanks," Merlin said, before leaning over to whisper something in Gwaine's ear.
Elena kicked off her shoes and curled up on the armchair next to Arthur. She began pulling out her stationary and notebooks and laptop from her large pink handbag.
"Alright, so, shall we get started?" Gwaine said tiredly, scratching his hair.
"Aren't you going to get changed?" Arthur asked irritably.
"Oh right, yeah," Gwaine laughed, walking backwards to his room. "Be back in a sec."
"Where's Lance?" Elena asked.
"Not here yet, obviously." Arthur pointed out rather rudely.
"What's gotten into you?" Elena rolled her eyes just as Gwaine returned.
"Nothing." Arthur replied haughtily.
Merlin sat down on the couch next to Arthur, avoiding his stare.
"So," Elena started. "I heard you two are friends now."
"Um, I wouldn't say friends, but we get along." Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Gee thanks." Merlin teased.
There was a knock on the door and Elena flung herself off the armchair and opened the door, hugging Lance tightly, who shrugged her off him, embarrassed.
"Hi, so sorry I'm late. I kind of got lost on the way, well, my mum did, anyway, let's start shall we?" Lance said politely.
The five of them were sitting near the electric fireplace, their books spread out in front of them, and Arthur was yawning already. It had only been ten minutes and nothing was getting done, except for Gwaine's stupid study questions directed at Merlin.
"So, why did she do that again?" Gwaine asked for the hundredth time.
"I don't know!" Merlin exclaimed, as Elena bit back her laughter. "I'm studying Paradise Lost, not your book, I've told you this a million times."
"Okay, fuck this. I'm going to get a tutor. I'm not even joking. Let's just do something else." Gwaine concluded.
"It's only been fifteen minutes." Elena laughed.
"I wouldn't mind tutoring you, Gwaine." Lance said quietly.
"Really, man?" Gwaine grinned broadly. "I'd appreciate that."
"Gwaine you're such an idiot." Arthur remarked lazily.
"Well sorry," Gwaine snapped suddenly. "I guess not all of us are naturally gifted."
The rest of the time at Gwaine's house was met with an uncomfortable silence.
Merlin
Later that night, Merlin knew that Arthur would eventually confront him about previous day. He was sitting at the dinner table with Gaius, slurping down the stew he had made when his phone started ringing in his pocket.
Gaius had a strict 'no phones at the dining table' policy, so Merlin quickly ate and washed up before trooping up the stairs to call Arthur back.
"Arthur," Merlin breathed out when he picked up.
"You have something to tell me?" Arthur asked in a strangely distant voice. "Gwaine was actually telling me a lot, before, in fact."
"He said that we were going out for dinner, but instead we ended up going to a gay bar." Merlin began nervously. "I didn't know. I danced a bit. But why do you sound angry?"
"Oh, you should hear how Gwaine described every moment of it." Arthur snarled.
"What are you accusing me of?" Merlin cried out angrily. "I wasn't cheating on you, you big prat."
"I don't know. I need to think." Arthur replied before hanging up.
Merlin grabbed his pillows and threw them furiously against the bed. Fuck. He wanted to murder Arthur. He was so fucking damn frustrating. And then he wanted to murder Gwaine because he had specifically told him, well whispered in his ear, not to tell anyone.
Not to mention that him and Elena were supposed to go their football match tomorrow. The first one of the season and Arthur was pissed off at him.
He tried ringing Arthur a few more times after that, but he didn't pick up.
Merlin groaned and kicked at the bedroom wall aimlessly.
I truly am a terrible person, and I hope you've enjoyed this chapter and it makes up for my stupid delay in updating! Thank you thank you thank you all for all the feedback and story subs and faves I've received. xx.
Reviews are much love!