Checking his reflection for the millionth time, he sighed and headed for the door. It had been ages since he'd decided to go on a date, and the people he worked with refused to take no for an answer. They were good people, and he enjoyed their company but he really hadn't wanted to make friends. He found them fun to be around, these modern people. They talked so openly about everything it made his heart ache for the times he spent around a campfire playing silly drinking games with -no. He couldn't think of them now, or he'd never be able to go through with this set up. He had on a dark pair of jeans, black converse, a red button up shirt with the top buttons undone, a dark blue tie looped loosely through his collar, and a dark jacket. His hair was as unmanageable as ever, sticking up everywhere, but it gave him that purposefully tousled look. His phone buzzed in his pocket. When he pulled it out he snickered at the picture. It was his coworkers at the pub already taking shots. Looks like they started without him. He text back that he was on his way and locked his door heading out.
The life he lived now was pretty simple. He worked at a publishing company reviewing manuscripts and novels for a living. Reinventing himself every 20 or so years wasn't so bad anymore. With a little money here, some magic there, he was able to move on and no one was the wiser. But here he was, living in a flat in London, starting to enjoy life again. He didn't have the heart to tell the friends he'd made at work how much they reminded him of everyone he'd lost. There was Gwen, Morgan (who was like Morgana in looks and determination only), Leo, Percy, Lance, and Ely. Gwen, Leo, and Lance all worked with him at the publishing company. Morgan was in charge of the branch they all worked at, Percy was in HR, and Ely was Gwen's brother who stopped by for lunch and flirted with Percy now and again. He went by Lin most of the time now, not wanting to hear his name coming out of the mouths of these people in case it sent him in a spiral. The only one who knew his name was Merlin was Percy, and that's only because he was the one who hired him. The tube ride was quick and he was soon at the front of the pub, something keeping him from going in a minute longer. He stood and watched his friends through the window, smiling at how happy they looked. When he turned from the window to go inside he'd bumped into someone and, trying to keep his balance, had ended up tripping and landing on the ground pulling the stranger down on top of him. He let out a very undignified groan and followed it with a curse or two.
"Sorry about that. Wasn't watching where I was going." He said.
"No harm done." The man said. Merlin froze, he hadn't heard that voice...not since… He looked at the man who was lifting himself up and reaching out a hand. Merlin grasped the hand offered to him and stared once he was on his feet again. "Hope I didn't ruin your outfit. You look smashing."
"Thanks." Merlin said. He cleared his throat. "Thanks. You look nice as well."
"Well I appreciate it. Had to look somewhat decent as my sister is determined to set me up with someone tonight. I'm Arthur, by the way."
"Merlin. Though people just call me Lin." Merlin said. "So, who's the lucky one you're being set up with?" Merlin asked, turning towards the window trying to force himself to stop staring.
"Not sure. All she told me was that they would be fashionably late, so I needed to dress to impress." He laughed, and then pointed to the window where Merlin's friends were waiting. "That's her, there. Morgan." Merlin's breath caught. No. No way. Had they set him up on a date with Arthur?
"Really? I didn't know she had a brother. We've been working together for almost a year now and hanging out almost as often. She never mentioned a brother." Merlin was trying to play it cool, but knew he was already blushing like mad.
"Well, I'm usually stuck in our main offices with our father so I don't get to be around much. I've been traveling all over, but finally I'm back and plan on staying in London. If not indefinitely, at least for the foreseeable future." Arthur commented. "I had asked a friend to come in case I needed to make a quick getaway. He should be here soon. What about you? You here to just have a drink or?" Arthur left the question open and looked over at Merlin.
"Oh, ah, well, that lot seem to think that I need someone in my life and told me they were setting me up on a blind date and I had no choice but to come. I was afraid if I hadn't come that they would bring the party to my flat, and it is not designed for a large group." Merlin chuckled.
"Oh? So does that make you the one Morgan was setting me up with then?" Arthur asked.
"I'm not sure. Are you interested in dating men?" Merlin asked, genuinely curious. He and Arthur had never had those conversations before. He'd always just assumed Arthur was only ever in to women.
"Honestly, I've not really been on many dates. I took a girl out once or twice in uni. Gwen, actually. But once she met Lance, I could tell she had found what she was looking for. Being in the same room with them is exhausting. Have you seen the way they look at each other?" Arthur said, raising his eyebrows. Merlin laughed.
"Yeah, it's a bit distracting. So, you want to go in? Who knows, maybe Morgan set both of us up with someone and we're on a blind double date or something."
"Hmm. Maybe. If it turns out poorly though, let's grab a drink away from them, yeah? You are already more fun to talk to than someone prying into my currently non-existent love life." Arthur said, nudging Merlin on the shoulder. When they reached the group, there were hugs all around. Morgan had a suspicious twinkle in her eye.
"Arthur you made it!" She shouted at him, wrapping him in a hug.
"Well, you made it seem like I didn't have a choice." Arthur told her.
"Oh, you didn't. Lin, I see you somehow met Arthur already." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Yeah, I kind of ran into him outside. Though, ran over would be more appropriate I think." He chuckled.
"Well you look amazing." She said thrusting a drink in his hand and winking. Merlin rolled his eyes. He leaned in close to her when he hugged her so he could whisper in her ear.
"You set me up with your brother, didn't you?"
"Maybe. Maybe I know that the both of you need to get out more. If you hit it off, great, if not, I know Arthur needs more friends since he's going to be around now. Worst that can happen is you get another friend. Best case scenario, you'll be undressing each other before the night is over." Merlin blushed and shook his head.
"I suppose you aren't entirely wrong." He said. She smiled so brightly at his admission, he found himself smiling as well. Arthur caught this and raised an eyebrow at them. Introductions had been made and the group drank and laughed for over an hour. Merlin and Arthur went up to the bar to get a couple more drinks and order some food. "You should text your friend and tell him to come along. Not that he needs to help you out of anything, just that he should come hang out." Merlin told Arthur, while he tried not staring in to the soft blue eyes or at the artfully messy blonde hair.
"Oh, that's a great idea! Hadn't thought of that. Hope he isn't too put off I haven't text him yet." Arthur said and pulled his phone out. Merlin glanced at the name, but it only said G. They made it back to the table and about 20 or so minutes later, Arthur's phone went off and he left the table to meet his friend at the door.
"Is he bailing on us?" Morgan asked suspiciously.
"No, he, uh, invited a friend that was supposed to be his getaway in case this setup of yours didn't go well." Merlin said grinning at her.
"Leave it to Arthur to have a getaway plan." She said amusedly.
"Hey, in my defense, I wasn't sure you even knew what to look for to set me up with anyone." Arthur said as he got back to the table. "Everyone, G, G this is Gwen, Lance, Ely, Morgan, Percy, Leo, and Merlin." He gestured around the table. Instead of looking at the new arrival, the group turned and stared at Merlin.
"What?" he asked. "Is there something on my face?"
"I thought your name was Lin?" Gwen said.
"Oh, uh, no, that's just what I go by."
"Uh-huh. And how is it that none of us knew your name, but my brother whom you just met tonight knows it?" Morgan asked, arched eyebrow dangerously high.
"Erm. I, uh, don't have a good answer for that. When we tripped into each other outside I just sort of told him."
"Well, Merlin, I go by G, but you can call me Gwaine if you want. It's an old family name so I think I understand more than these fine folks what a good nickname does for you." The stranger had come forward and now stood between Merlin and Arthur and Merlin looked like he was seeing a ghost. "I don't think Arthur did your description any justice. You are gorgeous." The group started laughing at how Merlin nearly spit his drink everywhere and Gwaine's shameless flirting.
"Oh, uh, well, tha-thank you." Merlin said after he got his coughing under control and could speak again. Merlin met Arthur's eyes, and Arthur just winked at him and put Gwaine in the chair between them.
Merlin was having trouble breathing. Seeing everyone had given him a shock when he'd started working, but, meeting Arthur tonight? That had sent him reeling even more considering they were supposed to be on a blind date of sorts. Now Gwaine was here? He didn't think his heart could take anymore. He and Gwaine had been so close, intimately close. Merlin longed to reach out and touch the other man, but needed to get his emotions under control first. He decided right then, he needed to get drunk. He needed more drinks, shots, something, to be able to handle everything tonight. The man who was his friend, his King, was setup on a date with him, and his lover was the friend that was going to bail him out if it was going poorly. Merlin excused himself and went to the bar. He ordered no less than three shots and just finished the last one, when he felt a nudge. Gwaine. He looked at the man and smiled.
"Fancy seeing you here." He said, and chuckled remembering how much his Gwaine had drank.
"Fancy that indeed. I know you were supposed to be here for Arthur, but I can't help feeling jealous."
"You? Jealous? Don't get me wrong, Arthur is very attractive in that sun-touched golden warrior looking way, but I think we're just going to be good mates." Merlin found himself saying.
"Mates, huh? Well then. Does that mean I might have a chance then?" Gwaine said, ordering himself a few shots. Merlin bit his lip, and couldn't help glancing at Gwaine's lips. They turned up in a smile, and Merlin quickly looked away trying to clear his throat. "I'll take that as a yes. Cheers." Gwaine handed him a shot and they clinked glasses before throwing them back. They hadn't noticed Arthur and Morgan standing by the table, the others having left for the night, watching the two at the bar.
"You do know I was trying to set him up with you, right?" Morgan directed at her grinning brother.
"Yeah, I know. I think we'll get on as friends, but he hasn't looked at me once like he's been eyeballing G. They have been undressing each other with their eyes all night and it's even more distracting that the adoring glances between Gwen and Lance." Arthur said.
"True. So, should we stay?" She asked.
"What and make it like an awkward double date?" He asked.
"It's not a double date. We're just third and fourth wheeling." She said. "Though, come to think of it, do you think they'll notice if we all just leave? They seem rather taken with each other already."
"Did you call a car already? I can just catch a ride with you." Arthur looked over at his sister. They looked nothing alike. She had long dark locks, where his hair was pale blonde. He had sun-kissed skin, while she had porcelain skin. He had missed spending time with her, while he'd been abroad.
"It should be here any minute. Sorry it didn't work out between you two. I'll keep my eyes out in case I might find someone else, though." She said, giving Arthur a playful shove with her shoulder. The pair snuck out the front while Merlin and Gwaine continued drinking at the bar.
Gwaine had his hand on Merlin's tie holding it out, admiring the color and comparing it to his eyes. Merlin blushed furiously. They turned to head back to the table to find that everyone had left.
"Well, it seems we've been abandoned." Merlin said, trying to keep his balance.
"Hmm. Seems that way." Gwaine looked around and caught Arthur's eyes as he was heading out the door. Arthur just winked at him and Gwaine smiled, mouthing thank you to him.
"Do you want to try your hand at pool or darts?" Merlin asked.
"How about pool? Though I warn you I'm not the greatest." Gwaine said.
"That's fine. I'm bloody awful, but I don't think I should be drinking anymore right now. Otherwise I'll start losing any self control I may still possess." Merlin said, running his hand through his hair, causing it to stand up some more.
"Self control is overrated. Let's have one last drink and then I'll walk you home, how about that?" Gwaine asked.
"Alright. One more drink." Merlin relented and they headed back to the bar. They had one more drink and then another couple shots before heading out. Merlin's head was reeling. He hadn't let himself get this drunk in ages. When Gwaine met him outside they started towards the tube station. Merlin stopped and braced himself against the wall for a moment. His magic was bubbling barely under control as his emotions had riled it up. He tried a few deep breaths but knew it wasn't working. "I, uh, I need to go to a park or something." He said, though he knew it would sound crazy. Gwaine just nodded and led him across the street, and guided him down to the center of a park long after dark, so no one was around.
"Is this alright?" Gwaine asked.
"Yes. Listen, I'm sorry about this, I was hoping to hide this from anyone for a lot longer, but seeing all of you, getting drunk, it's all too much. Please don't hate me." Merlin said and stood in the middle of the park. He felt his eyes blaze bright as the sun and felt his magic reaching out to nature and plants bloomed in the middle of the night, brilliant colors of flowers, all leading from where Merlin was standing. He took a deep breath in and released it in a surge as golden light rushed out from him . Feeling more in control again, he looked at Gwaine to see what would be in his face. When he saw astonishment, joy, and love, he was shocked.
"I...I remember. You...we...we were together once. You and I. Arthur. Arthur was a King."
"Yes." Merlin said walking closer.
"You. Have you been alive all this time?" Gwaine asked and stepped so there was barely any space separating them.
"Yes." Merlin said breathlessly. "Just waiting for you all to come back to me." Merlin reached up then and put his hands on Gwaine's face.
"I'm so sorry we left you alone, Merls." Gwaine said, grabbing Merlin's tie. Merlin cocked an eyebrow up at the gesture.
"I know. But you're here now. And I am very drunk still and don't want to do anything untoward in a public park." He grinned.
"Well then. We should go somewhere else then." Gwaine stepped back and pulled Merlin by his tie lightly. Merlin smiled and the pair took off at a run toward the street to hail a cab. The cab ride was tense, and the pair barely dared to hold hands, feeling the electricity in the air. When they finally made it to Merlin's building, Gwaine pinned him against the wall outside, unable to hold back any longer. The kiss sent jolts of energy through both of them. Warmth surrounded them. Merlin groaned and pulled Gwaine even tighter against his body. They struggled up the stairs unable to break apart for more than a few steps. Merlin hadn't even bothered with his keys and just waved his hand and the door opened and then locked behind them once they were inside. Though Merlin had dreaded the night, it had ended better than he could ever have imagined.