Camelot College

Chapter One

Moving Day and a Prat of a Roommate

(summary: Merlin is just a simple boy who studied hard enough to get almost a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious colleges in the land. After dealing with his idiotic roommate, all he wanted to do was finish his book. But, with the mess on his side of the room, he resorts to something else. How will Arthur react when he finds his moronic roommate isn't all he appears to be?)

(Eventual Merthur/ eventual Morgwen)

As Merlin waved goodbye to his mother from a taxi window, he couldn't help but worry about her. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thoughts from his mind. She was a strong woman, and she wasn't alone. The whole village would protect her with their lives, she was one of their own. He reclined his head to meet the headrest, trying to relax for what would be the first time in months. He had worked his ass off trying to get his scholarship to Camelot College, trying to spare his mother the financial worry while also trying to live his dreams.

It only took him a couple hours by car to reach the college. It was a tall, intimidating building, built of white brick that shone in the late summer sun. Turrets spiralled off of the main building, reminding Merlin that this place had once been a castle, converted to now house the snobbiest of kids (and those who could get by on scholarships and still afford to go here without selling their houses). Merlin walked forward, stopping in front of a man, dressed in a white shirt with the school's logo emblazoned on the front.

"Name?" he asked, voice dripping in boredom

"Oh, Merlin Emrys." The man checked a few papers from a small table next to him, after a few minutes, the man pointed to a squat building and gave him a few directions, pressed a booklet and a key into his hands and sent him on his way. Dragging his only suitcase behind him and juggling a box and the key to his dorm, Merlin somehow managed to get up one staircase before he dropped the key and booklet while trying to open the door to the next staircase. He groaned, looking around for a place to set his box so he could pick up the stuff he had dropped.

"Do you want me to get that for you?" a voice asked. Merlin looked up, to find a man with kind, dark eyes and brown hair looking at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Thanks, you're a life saver." Merlin breathed, stepping back slightly. The man crouched down, scooped the key and wad of paper into his hands. He paused, offering his free hand to Merlin.

"I'm Lancelot."

"Merlin." he balanced the box on the crook of his other arm so he could shake Lancelot's hand. "Can I uh," he started casting his eyes to the things inside Lancelot's closed fist.

"Oh! Uh, yeah, here you go." He said, flushing slightly and pressing them into the palm of Merlin's hand. They stood there awkwardly for a second, avoiding each other's eyes.

"So, uh, where's your room?" Lancelot asked in a feeble attempt to break the silence. Merlin cast his eyes toward the other staircase.

"Up there, room 203 I think." He responded. To his surprise, Lancelot let out a low chuckle. Merlin raised an eyebrow "What?"

"That would mean you have to share a room with Arthur." Lancelot chuckled, clapping a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "Good luck."
"Well, thanks." Merlin said, moving to walk up the staircase. Lancelot opened the door and called after him as he walked
"Have fun!"

Merlin knocked on the door marked 203.

"Come in!" came a husky voice from inside the dorm. He opened the door, greeted by a burly blond boy lazing on the end of a bed. He cocked his eyebrow when he saw Merlin in the doorway. "Who are you?"

"I'm Merlin, your roommate." He said, setting his stuff down on the other bed and offering his hand. The blonde just looked at him with the same amused expression. He let his hand drop. "That went well" he murmured to himself, turning toward the bed and starting to unpack. He didn't have much, just a few books; a picture of himself, his mother and his father; a small aloe vera plant and the clothes and shoes from his suitcase. He set the plant down on his desk, the picture frame on his nightstand (along with one of the shabby old books), the rest of the books on the top of the dresser and his clothes in the tiny dresser crammed at the foot of the bed. All the while, Arthur's eyes followed him around the small room. Merlin turned on his heel, to face Arthur.
"What exactly do you want?" he asked

"I don't know what you mean."Arthur responded, his mouth quirking upwards into a smirk. Merlin just sighed, reaching to grab his phone from his back pocket, checking the notifications quickly. Great, Gwen had texted him. That was reason enough to get out of this uncomfortable situation.

Want to grab some coffee? I've only been here half an hour but I need to escape my roommate. XO, Gwen

I'm dying here, Gwen, you're my saviour. I'll be there in 10.

He shot back a reply; Arthur still watching his every move. He shoved his phone in the back pocket of his jeans.

"Never mind," he said, meeting Arthur's gaze for the first time, and feeling heat slowly flush into his face. His eyes were beautiful, astonishingly blue and still fixed on his. Merlin turned away, grabbing the dorm key on the nightstand. "I wouldn't think someone with a brain so tiny could comprehend words." He made to walk out of the room.

"You can't talk to me that way!" he said, with a laugh of disbelief.

"Oh yeah?" Merlin said, the corner of his mouth tugging up as he turned to face Arthur. "I'm going out to meet a friend, don't wreck the room." He said, turning away again and putting his hand on the doorknob."
"You? You have friends?" Merlin just rolled his eyes and left the dorm.

Before he left the building entirely, he checked the fridge in the communal kitchen. Nothing apart from a half empty can of bud-light. Seriously? It was noon on the first day of term. He shook his head and closed the fridge, setting off down the staircase again. Apparently, he was going shopping after coffee with Gwen.