AN: Thank you to everyone who has left reviews so far! I'm thrilled you all are liking this so much. Last chapter left off with some major angst on Arthur's part, so here's a much longer one to start fixing things. Let's see what becomes of our boys...hopefully it's everything you've been waiting for.


The following few days are not exactly Arthur's proudest moments. He snaps at his friends, has been rude to various cashiers and servers, and is just generally an asshole. He hates it, but something about the rejection has him so in his head, he can't snap himself out of it. So far, Elyan has thrown him the middle finger (not in their typical friendly banter) and stormed off, Leon has avoided their shared dorm just to steer clear of him, and Gwaine has called him a pompous asshole with threats to kick his ass.

When there's a knock at his door Friday night, he doesn't know who to expect because at this point he doesn't think he has any friends left. He opens it tentatively and peers out. To his surprise, Percy is on the other side, arms crossed menacingly, but a small smile on his face. "Gonna let me in?"

"Er, will I come out of it alive?"

Percy snorts and puts a hand against the door, shoving lightly so Arthur has to step back. "The fact that you're asking tells me you know you've been a class-A jerk."

Arthur ducks his head and turns away, dropping onto his bed. "I know," he grunts.

"So fix it."

"Yeah…"

"Arthur, what the hell is going on with you?"

Heart stuttering a beat, Arthur glances up at Percy. For such a big guy, Percy is one of the kindest, most compassionate people in existence. "I-uh. Fuck." He drops his forehead into his hands.

"Come on, man. You can't keep going like this. What's going on?"

And Arthur can't keep it in anymore. "I like this…guy. We've been sort of working together the last few weeks…and stuff has…happened." He tries to ignore how high Percy's eyebrows have gotten. "Only he hasn't let me….god! I hate this. Hasn't let me return the favor, and–"

"And your ego is bruised."

Arthur looks up in outrage. "What?"

"Your ego is bruised. Gender of your partner aside, and we are going to talk about that, being brushed off sucks."

Blood rushes to Arthur's cheeks. He doesn't think he's ever blushed more in his life than in the last few weeks.

"Arthur, did he explain why?"

"Er–"

Percy rolls his eyes. "You didn't let him explain. Of course you didn't. So now you're running around like a bear with a sore paw."

"I'm not!" Arthur stands. He knows he's been pretty awful, but that's a bit much.

Percy's tone is fierce, when he fires back. "You are."

Arthur's eyes dart to the floor. Fuck.

"Come out with us tonight."

"What?" Arthur looks at him incredulously. His friends want nothing to do with him.

"Apologize. Then come out with us. Get over yourself and get over this."

Arthur swallows heavily, nods. "Right."

Percy watches him for a long moment, then says slowly, "You have feelings for this guy."

If the floor could open up and swallow him, that would be ideal. Arthur can feel how hot his cheeks are. He didn't expect to be having this conversation today.

"Like real feelings. Arthur, you have to talk to him."

"I don't have to do anything," he says back stubbornly.

"You're being pig-headed. If you care about him and want it to actually go somewhere, you need to put on your big-boy pants and talk to him."

Arthur sighs. Percy is right and he knows it. But he doesn't want to talk about it. It was embarrassing enough when it happened.

"So," Percy starts, raising his eyebrows. "You gonna tell me when you started liking guys?"

Fuck. He doesn't want to have this conversation either. "It matter?"

Percy scowls at him. "Just curious. Seems a big change."

"Well, it's not. I still like boobs and curves. It's just…Merlin got under my skin. I never expected to want a guy like this, but he's different."

"Merlin, huh? So it's a gay-for-him kind of deal."

Arthur grimaces. "It sounds stupid when you say it like that. But yeah, kinda."

A shrug lifts Percy's large shoulders. "Okay. Whatever you're into, whoever, you know none of us are going to care."

"Part of me knows that. But it's still weird for me."

"You don't have to share with anyone else. Not yet. Just know when you do, we'll all be here for you."

"Yeah. Thanks, Percy."

The big man nods. "Now come on. You've got apologies to make and then you're getting ready to come out with us."

Arthur gets himself ready and follows Percy back to his apartment. The rest of the guys are there, already dressed and in the middle of downing a shot. Their backs are to the door and before they can turn around, Arthur freezes.

Percy leans close to his ear. "I know you're not a coward, so get a move on." He shoves his huge hand into the small of Arthur's back.

The guys turn. Gwaine glares, clearly still pissed. Elyan's face is blank. And Leon watches, expression more open than the others. Arthur focuses on him. "Hey," he says, clearing his throat. "Er, I've been a right prat." His friends' faces thankfully soften somewhat at the admission, waiting for him to say more.

Taking a deep breath, Arthur admits that something's been going on, that he doesn't want to talk about it, but that he took his frustrations out on them. "I've been awful, I know. I'm sorry."

Gwaine smirks. "Never thought I'd see the day." At Arthur's confused look, he says, "A Pendragon, apologizing."

Arthur scowls. "Shut up, Gwaine. I'm trying to make things right. Don't ruin it."

"Oh I know, princess. It's just a historic moment. Can't let it pass without observing it properly."

"Fuck you," Arthur mutters, but he's not serious and neither is Gwaine.

"I would if you'd let me," Gwaine tells him, mouth spread in a wide teasing grin. The rest of the guys guffaw as Arthur sputters.

Percy chuckles behind him, having new insight into the irony of that comment, which turns Arthur's cheeks a deep shade of red.

After they're all done laughing at his expense, they gather round for a final shot before they leave. Arthur downs two.

At the party, Arthur stands off to the side of the room, chatting with a few casual friends. People around them are dancing. The music is loud, so mostly they're shouting at each other, but it's a normal Friday night and it's nice to feel normal again.

Of course, that's when Arthur catches sight of Merlin across the room. The dark-haired man is with a group of friends, a girl with curly hair leaning close against his arm. The group Merlin is with is all grinning and suddenly Arthur is feeling hurt and furious all over again. Is he with that girl? Was he having one over on Arthur and just playing with him? Was that why he wouldn't let Arthur touch him back?

Fuck, Arthur's hand is shaking. He wants to forget Merlin is there. He wants to kiss Merlin. Fucking hell, he's screwed. For a few minutes, Arthur tries to immerse himself back in the conversation going on around him, but then Merlin breaks off from his group and heads for the kitchen.

Without thinking it through, Arthur cuts across the room to follow him. His feet are a little unsteady and if Arthur is honest, he knows he's had a few drinks too many, but that's not unusual on nights like this.

He ignores that and heads straight for Merlin. Before the other man can enter the kitchen around the group of people bunched up at the door, Arthur gets in front of him.

"Arthur!" Merlin greets him, blue eyes twinkling, a large smile spreading his full lips.

Arthur makes himself look away from his lips, up into Merlin's eyes. He wants to smile back, but the hurt has been eating him up for days and it's coiled to attack. "Well if it isn't Mr. High and Mighty."

Blinking in confusion, Merlin's smile falls. "Er-what?"

"You heard me. 'We have work to do.'" He mimicked.

For a moment Merlin looks shocked, then his brows curl together, hands fisting at his sides. "You complete and utter prat! You don't know anything. Because you didn't bother to fucking listen. Instead, you stormed away like a little child."

"Me? I stormed away. Right. Only because you gave me the brush off! So you can just fuck off Merlin." The words are snarled, feel like they're spewing out like venom. But Arthur is angry and he feels entitled to be. His friends didn't deserve it, but Merlin does. Arthur lets out a sound of frustration and starts walking away, almost tripping over someone in the process.

He hears a growled huff behind him and then his wrist is captured and he's being tugged in a new direction. He goes grudgingly and ends up in a darkened corner, facing a clearly agitated Merlin. Unwilling to be the one to speak, given that Merlin was the one to drag him here, Arthur crosses his arms over his chest, attempting a bored expression. Based on Merlin's face, he isn't successful.

"What is wrong with you?" Merlin's voice is erring on too loud. "So I wouldn't let you touch me. You didn't wait for me to explain. So you wanna be mad, be fucking mad, but it's your fault."

Arthur is already scandalized by how loudly Merlin said that, but that was too much. "My fault?" He shouts. When he sees eyes dart in their direction, he panics. "I'm not doing this." He takes a step back. "Not here. I'm not having this conversation!"

Merlin must sense the problem because he grabs Arthur's wrist and spins him, shoving him in the direction of the stairs. Despite the music, Arthur can hear him muttering as they go. "Unbelievable. Prat. Self-centered. Can't listen. Fucking. Fuck."

Eloquent, Arthur thinks. But it's not like his thoughts are much better. He's bordering on seething and his steps aren't quite in line and generally he's just in a bad mood at this point.

Caught up in his thoughts, Arthur is propelled up the rest of the steps and then Merlin is dragging him along as he pops his head behind a couple doors. On the third one, Merlin slams his hand down over a light switch, shoves the door wide open, and throws Arthur through it, following him in and twisting the lock behind them.

Arthur spins as best he can on slightly wobbly legs. "What the fuck are you doing?" Everything has happened so fast, he's not even sure how he got here.

"Ugh! Making you listen!" Merlin yells, throwing his hands up, then mutters, "Got your panties in a twist over nothing."

"Oh, fuck off, Merlin."

"No," Merlin replies combatively, staring Arthur down with his too blue eyes.

Arthur grits his teeth. "I'm so done with this." He tries to push past Merlin.

"The fuck you are," Merlin says, and gets in Arthur's way, stepping right up into his space, face barely inches from Arthur's. They stare at each other for a long moment, then Merlin is grabbing the back of Arthur's neck and pulling him in. Arthur gasps, gets his arms up between them to push against Merlin's chest, but he can't resist, and without meaning to, Arthur is sinking into Merlin, a deep sigh leaving him as Merlin's plush lips slot over his.

In the times they've sort of hooked up, they've never actually kissed. Arthur decides it's heavenly. He moves his hands to Merlin's sides, loving the feel of Merlin against him, the taste of him, the hot press of fingers into the back of his neck and now his hip.

Merlin keeps him there, kisses him until neither can breathe. "Arthur. Fuck, you're gorgeous. Perfect," Merlin murmurs and Arthur feels a tingle go down his spine. He likes that maybe more than he should.

As they pant into each other's mouths, lips brushing, Merlin whispers what he's been trying to say this whole time. "Things got so tangled up once you started showing up at the tutoring center. God, you're hot and a prat, but also clever and funny and just exactly what I look for, except that I work for the center and you're a client. We'd already crossed the line with me getting you off the first time. And then it happened again and I just felt like if I let you return the favor, it would be an abuse of my position. I know it's stupid – I already had. But Arthur, I wanted you to touch me, so badly."

The final words sound like a stifled moan and Arthur groans a curse. He was an idiot. He swallows, annoyed with himself. They were both stupid. "What about now?"

Merlin smirks and kisses Arthur again, reaching for the button on his own trousers. Tipping their foreheads together, Arthur wets his lips and helps ease the trousers over Merlin's hips. Dragging boxers along with them, he groans when he sees Merlin's length, reaching out to touch, tentatively stroking down the half-hard length with one finger.

He's never actually seen another guy's cock up close, definitely never touched one. This moment is a bit surreal and as he watches, Merlin twitches and hardens further. With another murmured curse, Arthur curls his fingers around the base and tugs, just enough pressure to make Merlin lose his breath.

The other man inhales shakily and plants his feet, leaning back into the wall next to the door. As Arthur glides his hand to the tip and back down, Merlin rolls his hips forward, and after a few strokes like that, Arthur picks up the pace, mesmerized by the sight of Merlin's cock in his hand, the pulsing of his own cock in his pants making him dizzy.

Merlin drapes his arms over Arthur's shoulders and tips his head back into the wall. As Arthur tugs and pulls in a steady rhythm, Merlin pumps his hips into Arthur's hand, fingers twining into the hair at Arthur's nape. It feels like Arthur's breathing isn't quite right, but he takes a slow breath to steady himself and keeps going. Pre-come bubbles up out of the slit and leaks down the head. Arthur gets his thumb over it and smears it down Merlin's length. The added slickness makes the process so much smoother and they both groan.

It's overwhelming being here right now. Earlier today Arthur was angry, so angry and hurt. Now, he feels like he's on cloud nine. Merlin wants him and he can touch, and Merlin is so beautiful that Arthur is a bit in awe. He slumps forward and rests his forehead on Merlin's shoulder, watching through hooded eyes as Merlin's cock throbs in his grip. The vein under the head pulses and the whole length twitches, the rosy head shiny as it pushes through the ring of his fingers over and over.

Arthur is so incredibly turned on, so hard in his pants he trembles with it. Merlin must sense it because he drops one hand to Arthur's trousers, whispers, "let me," and undoes the buttons, pushing his hand inside. He gives a squeeze that sends Arthur up on his toes, then pulls him out. Slowly, so slowly, Merlin drags the circle of his hand up the length and back down a few times. Arthur's hand stutters in its motions, but he pushes through, turning his mouth into Merlin's neck and sucking kisses there.

The hand on Arthur's nape slides up now, fingers carding through his hair until they hold the back of his head. It's strangely hot and it takes Arthur a second to realize Merlin is readjusting them. The other man stills Arthur's hand and then slots their cocks right up next to each other. The heat and tingly sensation that ripples through Arthur's body leaves him breathless. As he turns his gaze back down between them, he takes in the sight of them together.

Merlin is a little longer than Arthur, curved just slightly to the right, head slick and purple where it butts up against Arthur's slightly thicker length. His own cock is steadily dripping pre-come and as he watches, Merlin smears his hand over both of their tips and curls his long fingers around them both. Arthur never could have imagined how amazing it would feel to have another cock this close to him.

Part of him had worried he wouldn't actually like it despite how much he liked its owner. Those worries were clearly unnecessary. As Merlin guides Arthur's hand to join his and they begin pumping together over their cocks, Arthur's other hand falls to Merlin's waist, clutching at him, needing to hold onto something.

Merlin's other hand drops from the back of his head as Merlin wraps his arm around Arthur's hip, settling the hot press of his palm in the small of his back. As they thrust together, it drops further, cupping Arthur's ass. Their hips move together, pushing their lengths through the tight pressure of their joint fists.

It seems Merlin is frustrated with the fact that Arthur's trousers are still mostly up because the man gets his hand into the top of them and shimmies, pushing and maneuvering until they drop around Arthur's thighs. The cool brush of air over his over-warmed body is just another sensation that makes this incredible.

Merlin's hand returns to the small of Arthur's back and it's not long until he feels it move again. This time, Merlin teases the tips of his fingers right where Arthur's crease starts and then, as their hips rock together, drops straight down, the flat of his middle finger grazing over-sensitive skin until it reaches somewhere Arthur hadn't really let himself consider before.

Arthur's hips stutter and Merlin turns his mouth into the side of Arthur's face, pressing a kiss there, murmuring reassuringly as he presses with the slightest force. The pad of the digit brushes over Arthur's hole and he trembles, clenching at the same time he pushes into their joined hands.

A broken half-whimper escapes Arthur's throat, but Merlin doesn't stop, just lightly drags the pad of his finger over the furled muscle. And holy shit. That area is more sensitive than Arthur ever imagined. Still, this is new.

"I'm not sure…" he murmurs into Merlin's neck, unable to finish the thought.

"Do you trust me?" Arthur can't help pushing his hips forward into the squeeze of their hands, but hesitates, considering, before realizing he does. An hour ago, he would have said differently, but it was a misunderstanding, not a true issue that had come between them. He wouldn't be here now if he didn't.

"Yeah," he breathes, kissing up Merlin's neck, his jaw, until he gets to Merlin's mouth. He takes the man's lips between his and just like before, it's heaven. There's heat and obviously passion, but Arthur also feels special, cherished. It's strange. He doesn't think he's ever felt that way when kissing someone before, and he's fairly sure he's never made someone feel that way either.

He sighs into Merlin's mouth and only after a few minutes does Merlin move his hand again. The fingers had stayed between his cheeks, but had remained unmoving. Now, Merlin's middle finger curls just enough to tease over the sensitive skin again.

A booted foot knocks his feet further apart and he finds himself leaning that much more against Merlin's chest. Their mouths move together, hands still pumping, though more slowly now, and Merlin rubs. The flat of his finger rubs over Arthur's hole and Merlin presses, massages, until Arthur relaxes into it, pushing his hips back almost as much as he's pushing into their fists.

As they rut their cocks together, velvety hot and slick, and so good all on its own, Merlin rubs a little harder. He circles the tight muscle and gives just enough pressure that he doesn't enter, but teases. It's almost a tickle, but more, a kind of tingling sensation that goes straight to Arthur's cock. He shudders, feeling heat pool in his belly.

Toes curling inside his boots, Arthur's balls draw up, and when he comes, it's with Merlin's thumb rubbing just right over his slit and his finger against Arthur's hole.

Arthur shakes, kissing Merlin feverishly, and Merlin groans. "So good for me," Merlin growls, and then he too is spilling, adding his own spend to the mess dripping over their fingers.

When the tension recedes from his frame, Arthur sighs, kissing more gently now. Merlin eases his hand away from Arthur's arse and back to his hip. Reflexively, Arthur clenches, the muscle strangely used to the attention that's now been taken away.

Breathless, Arthur breaks the kiss and nuzzles Merlin's cheek. Merlin hmms and releases their cocks, bringing both their sticky fingers up between them. Arthur's eyes flutter as Merlin kisses his temple. "Arthur," he murmurs, "Clean us up, hm?"

For a moment the words don't process, then Arthur's cheeks burn hot. What is it with Merlin and having Arthur lick the come from his fingers? There's part of him that thinks this is utterly humiliating, but another part of him, some deep inner part he doesn't quite want to acknowledge, thinks it's hot.

Staring into Merlin's lust-blown eyes, and fuck are they a beautiful blue, Arthur leans toward their hands and extends his tongue. Tenderly, he laps at their knuckles, sucking at their fingertips, and then works his mouth into the dips between their fingers. Merlin's breath catches in his chest, but neither of them look away.

When both of their hands are wet with Arthur's spit only, he retreats, feeling the color return to his cheeks with a vengeance. "Don't," whispers Merlin. And then those spit-slick fingers are cupping his cheek and Arthur is being kissed again.

They spend a few minutes just pressed together, enjoying the taste of each other. Then Arthur rests his forehead against Merlin's.

Slowly, they redress and make themselves presentable. As Arthur fixes his hair the best he can, he glances at Merlin. "I'm not exactly out," he says, voice raspy, hesitant around the words.

Merlin stops and looks at him, a small smile on his lips. "I kind of figured. It's okay. No one has to know."

Arthur rubs the back of his head. "I like you," he forces himself to admit. "I don't want you to be some kind of secret."

Merlin's eyes are soft when Arthur meets them. "I'm glad. But it's not a secret that needs telling tonight."

Some tension Arthur didn't realize he was holding onto leaves him.

"And I like you too." Merlin grins at him. Then, he grabs the back of Arthur's neck, and with one last searing kiss, he steps away and through the door.

It takes Arthur another few minutes to get his breath back. He's just heading for the door when it opens, and Percy's head pops through.

The bigger man grins. "What have you been up to?"

Pointing a finger at him, Arthur says, "Shut. Up." He goes to pull the door open so he can walk out, but Percy slides through the open crack and slams it shut behind him, planting his body against it.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, come on Arthur. Did you finally make up with your mystery lover? Or did you find someone else to replace him for the night?"

"Shut up!" Arthur almost yells, the tips of his ears turning red. He folds his arms over his chest.

"Spoilsport. You clearly got some. The question is just from who."

"I don't want to talk about this!"

"Why not? You know I don't care who your partner was. Hell, you should know none of us would."

That makes Arthur pause. "I know."

"So what's the problem?" When Arthur doesn't answer, Percy smirks and opens his arms wide, advancing on him. In under a second Arthur is enveloped in a crushing embrace.

"What are you doing?" He croaks, all the air being squished from his lungs.

"Hugging you."

"Yes, I've managed to grasp that much, Percival," he drawls, still semi-breathlessly. "The question is, why?"

"To make you laugh," he says, giving Arthur a shake, which of course knocks loose a reluctant laugh. Then more seriously, Percy adds, "You don't like the labels that'll come with people knowing."

"It's not exactly motivating," Arthur admits, trying to shove Percy's arms away. "Plus, he's the only one I've ever been into like this."

"I see. You're wondering…does that actually make you gay, or bi, or whatever. Does it really matter if he makes you happy?"

That makes Arthur still in Percy's hold. Huh. It's an interesting thought – something to consider for sure, but maybe at a later time. Arthur is rapidly remembering how many drinks he had tonight. Percy has started swaying him and now he's feeling unfortunately dizzy.

"Get off me you big oaf."

"Fine," Percy concedes and drops his arms. Arthur wobbles on his feet and then rights himself.

"Let's go then," he says imperiously.

Percy snorts and opens the door for him with a bow. "Right this way, my liege."

They go back to the party and join their friends. Thankfully, nothing else about who he'd secreted away with comes up that night. And this time, when he sees Merlin across the room, he gives him a shy smile.


AN: So...? Worth it?