The Voice of Albion
Summary: Arthur Pendragon, son of famous blues singer Uther Pendragon and world-renowned violinist Ygraine de Bois, has run out of other options. A failed record contract was the last straw and now here he was, standing on-stage on the Voice of Albion. Modern Merthur AU (with other pairings) based on the Voice.
Chapter Three - The Battles - Day Two
Arthur work that morning feeling honestly pretty shitty. The room was quite bright, so it must be early in the morning, and it hurt his eyes due to the slightest of slight hangover he still had from the previous night.
Did I really drink that much? he asked himself wearily, before realising he wasn't alone in the bed. A mess of hair, the soft sound of breathing, the warmth of a leg between his, everything pointed towards Leon.
Carefully, he edged back a bit. Yep. That was Leon, and they were naked.
Fucking hell
Everything came rushing back to him - Morgana's confession, Leon's drunkenness, the sex, everything.
Well he was quite a good shag
Arthur rubbed his eyes, not needing his subconsciousness getting the better of him. He slowly tried to remove Leon's leg from between his. They had to be at the studio by 10:00 for their meeting with Morgana about the knockout song. Succeeding in his task, Arthur slipped out of bed and pulled on some boxers from the ground. That was when he saw the clock.
"Leon." he said. "Leon!" again, increasily louder.
"What is it." came the voice of a groggy and sleepy Leon.
"It's nine-thirty."
"And...?"
"We have to be in the studio in thirty minutes." Arthur let the sentence sink in for a second, and not a moment later Leon was up and running into the shower. "Hey I need to shower too!"
"Then come in. It's not like I haven't seen your cock dude."
He had a point
The two stood under the hot water, hurriedly washing their hair. The second all the shampoo was washed out, the shower was off and they both stood there hurriedly drying themselves with towels.
Clothes on, the two raced out of the hotel. Luckily the studio was only a five minute walk, but they both made it in just in time. Morgana eyed them both knowingly as they came in. Only the people who has succeeded in their battles, so just Leon, Morgause, Arthur and Gwaine who was stolen, were there.
"So I've spoken with the producers and whilst the Battle rounds aren't finished yet, we're going to start filming you're knockout rehearsal shots right now. I hope you know what song you're doing. Does anyone, so the others can have time to think if they need to?"
Morgause put her arm up.
"Great Morgause. We'll go into my studio room then and get talking. The rest of you, if you could stay around here so I can come grab you. We'll need to film the chatting scene later once the full team line-up is known." And with that, the two disappeared through the doors.
"Hot Chocolate?" Leon asked Arthur, tiredly.
"Uh, Sure." he looked over to Gwaine - having someone else there would ease the tension a bit - "Gwaine, you coming."
Gwaine nodded and the three headed into the adjacent café. They sat there for ten minutes, discussing what song they'd pick until Morgana came out, grabbed Leon by the ears and dragged Leon out, replacing him with Morgause.
"What are you singing?" Gwaine asked her.
"On my Mind by Ellie Goulding. I told her initially and her face dropped, probably with concern, but I think my performance convinced her." Morgause told us. "What have you guys picked?"
"Leon who just got dragged off picked Born To Die by Lana Del Rey. Not sure why, but he seemed to like it." Arthur replied. "Still thinking about what to do."
"I'm gonna do All Good Things by Nelly Furtado. Didn't actually think of it till Morgana told me that I should probably do it."
"Huh, I can see it fitting your voice. She did good stealing you, you're quite the artist."
"Why thank you."
The three of us chatted some more until Leon was sent back, and Gwaine went to see her.
"I'm quietly optimistic." Leon said, "she only really told me to adjust the tone some more because it can be quite flat, but other than that, I think I did good."
Morgause and Arthur raise their mugs in cheer, then Morgause downs hers. "Well, I'll see you boys tonight, gotta get some stuff done in town."
She leaves, meaning it's just the two of them, back with the tension.
"So..." Leon breaks the silence. "About last night..."
"What about it..." Arthur responds.
"I... I guess what I'd like to say is that I'd like to see you again sometime?"
Arthur pondered this. He is attractive, and sweet, and a good shag. "We'll see where it goes, how about that?"
Leon smiled. "Sounds good to me."
That had at least broken the tension, the only way out of which would have been Morgana. She did come grab him at some point. Leon promised he would wait for him while Arthur was in there.
Morgana took him into the studio where the band were. "Firstly, congratulations on your battle again. You nailed it, and I want you to bring that to the knockout so I don't have to say goodbye to you."
"I'll do my best. I promise."
"Okay, so what are you going to sing."
"Well..." he ponders, "I'm not really sure. I was hoping you may have a suggestion."
"Arthur, I can't suggest anything. This is your choice, though I would point you towards something we can make emotional, and something perhaps more unique if you can. It doesn't matter if it's classic or modern."
And that's when it hit him. "Photograph, Ed Sheeran."
"Perfect. It should be clear sailing if you can get the emotion in." She walks off to the production crew, and a couple of minutes one returns with printouts of the music for the band and lyrics. "Okay Arthur, take it away."
A deep breath, the click of the sticks, and I begin.
Loving can hurt
Loving can hurt something
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard
You know it can get hard sometimes
It's the only thing that makes us feel alive
We keep this love in a photograph
We make these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
Times forever frozen still
So you can keep me, inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holdin' me closer till our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone
And when I'm away
I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost back on sixth street
Hearin' you whisper through the phone
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
Oh, wait for me to come home
Morgana holds up her hand. "Right, let's slow it down a tad, bring it down a key or two in placesand try it again. We do this three times, each one including her making small alterations until it sounds like a completely different song, but still fantastic. "You picked a strong song, the emotions and the dynamics we've added have really given it that edge. The goal for you it to really make use of your range, because if you can do some falsetto it will come across very well. Now come on you, skedaddle, we've both got lots to be doing. I hope I'll see you at the battles tonight." Her eyes twinkled. "I know Merlin would really appreciate it if you came and supported him."
"Leon and I will be there." pretending not to hear Morgana's last comment.
"I'm glad to hear it. Team Morgana is gonna have a sense of camaraderie even if we crash out in the semi-final."
Arthur met Leon outside afterwards. The rehearsal and filming had taken up about three and a half hours, and the knockout filming was due to start at four. So he and Leon had some time to themselves, which they spent talking and going to lunch together. Arthur played Leon the song he had picked when Leon gave him a blank expression when he told him.
"It's certainly catchy."
"She recommended something with emotion and this is what I thought of. We've slowed it right down, changed some stuff, so it should sound really good for the knockouts - hopefully enough to pull me through. I'm surprised you didn't know it."
"All four of us who are already there are really good. I haven't heard Morgause but she slayed in the battle, Gwaine is fantastic, you're amazing and modesty aside, I reckon I'm quite good."
"You are really good. She has got other people up her sleeve. Gwen and Merlin from what I've heard are set to win their battle easily, and only four people from each team go through to the lives. So it will be tough."
"From what I've heard from some of the other guys, Lance's team is shaping up really well, as is Freya's. Not so sure about Gaius." Leon told him.
"He has Mordred, who as much as he creeps me out, is a competent and emotional vocalist." Arthur replied.
"True, but I guess we will see what remains of the competition after tonight."
"I guess we will."
The two of them made it back to the studio for ten-to-four, and were immediately directed by the crew to sit in part of the crowd. Arthur easily found Morgause and sat next to her, Leon following suit.
Fifteen minutes later, after a final lighting check, the presenters came on stage and started filming their lines and the coaches arrival. Morgana strode up with Freya first, both looking confident as they took their seats in their chairs.
"First Up" called Nimueh, "It's Team Morgana!"
The first duo was Cenred and another Lance. The winner was clear though as Cenred sailed through and Lancelot DuLac didn't save his namesake.
They were followed by a duel from Gaius which was just a complete disaster, then by a duel from Team Freya where the loser, a teenage girl by the name of Aithusa was stolen by Morgana. Team Lance followed them, pitching two more incredible singers against each other, one of which was stolen by Freya. It was then Team Morgana again.
"Now, It's the battle of the duets. Merlin and Gwen will be facing off against Elyan and Viv!" The audience cheered as both duets, Merlin and Gwen looking very nervous indeed, came on-stage. Nimueh spoke again. "Singing Halo, it's Team Morgana."
The music began to come in and Viv took up the first lines.
Remember those walls I built?
Well Baby they're tumbling down
Gwen took over, immediately giving more power and confidence in her voice than she showed on her face.
And they didn't even put up a fight,
They didn't even make a sound.
Merlin then joined in with Gwen
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I've got my angel now
They sound good Arthur thought, though their voices weren't blending as well as he'd heard them. Elyan and Viv however, well Elyan was carrying the both of them.
It's like I've been awakened
Every Rule I've had you breaking
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out
Merlin and Elyan then started to sing the chorus together, while Gwen played the violin and Viv stood there, kind of awkwardly honestly, waiting for her next lines.
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
The four then came in for the final part of the song.
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can see your halo
Pray it won't fade away
Each then took up the last line in turn, Merlin and Elyan first, followed by Viv then Gwen.
I can see your halo
I can see your halo
I can see your halo
I can see your halo
Arthur clapped his hands strongly. There was no way Merlin and Gwen could lose this duel, considering Viv sounded like a cat.
"Morgana!" Nimueh called. "A fantastic battle there. I'll give you a minute to collect your thoughts and we'll go to your fellow coaches. Freya?"
Freya, smiling, took the microphone. "I must say that, Gwen and Merlin, while you need to work on blending your voices that little bit more, you gave the stronger performance tonight, and if I were your coach you would be going through."
She passed the microphone onto Gaius. "I couldn't decide, you were both very good."
That's bull Arthur thought. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't hold Gaius too highly, and not just because Gaius didn't turn for him in the auditions.
"A fantastic performance from you both." Lance said. "It was a battle, but you still all worked together to bring out the best in each other."
It was then Morgana's turn.
"Both of you are fantastic as duets, though there are issues. Neither of you can perfectly blend the voices, though Viv and Elyan are slightly better at it. And whatever happens, I know that everything will be okay. So the winner is Viv and Elyan."
WHAT!
Merlin and Gwen both applaud, though clearly its hit Gwen quite hard from her face. Elyan and Viv are escorted off the stage whilst Kanen joined Merlin and Gwen onstage.
"Coaches, you still all have a steal left."
Before Kanen can finish, Freya slams her button down. A second later, Lance does too!
The cheering in the hall is immense as Freya and Lance eye each other and start laughing.
"Okay, Gwen, Merlin, you have two options - Team Freya or Team Lance. Which would you like to continue with?"
Merlin looks at Gwen, and she nods. "Thank you to you both, but we'd like to continue with Team Freya."
Amidst the ensuing applause, Freya runs up on stage and hugs them both tightly before taking them offstage.
"How on earth did Morgana pick Viv and Elyan?" Leon asks.
Morgause responds. "I think Morgana knew Freya would take them the whole time, and the rest of our team is strong enough as it is."
Arthur nod. "I see, I mean with us and Aithusa and Gwaine, she'd have a hard time picking her four for the lives. She still has Cenred and another battle to go still."
"Exactly."
None of the other battles of the night were particularly special, bar the rest of Team Lance and Team Freya. It's not long until, given time for the people who had just battled to change their clothes, all eight of Morgana's remaining acts are getting filmed for the pre-knockout chat.
She then takes in Aithusa, Cenred, Elyan and Viv and her other singer Eira into do their rehearsals. But before that, she warns us all that the knockouts are in a week and that the first episode of the blinds is playing tonight, so to start thinking about songs we can sing should we get through to the lives.
Arthur and Leon stop off for a bite to eat in a nearby diner with Morgause and Gwaine, who turns up minutes after Morgause texts him, so clearly someone has a crush. The four of us have sort of formed a group. It's entirely possible that one of us won't be in the competition in a week depending on how the knockouts go.
Aithusa comes in fifteen minutes later and we invite her to sit with us. She agrees, and sits down with us after getting a milkshake.
"So were you the first out?" Morgause asks her.
"No - Elyan and Viv were. There were in there for about ten minutes until they both stormed out. Clearly the song choice wasn't appreciated."
"There wasn't any actual shouting though?"
"I don't think so." she replies. "I know from talking to Elyan that Viv wanted to do Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, I'm guessing they were told to think again."
"It's a great song, so maybe there voices didn't fit well?"
"Probably." Gwaine shrugs, "Though nothing they've sung has really worked. God knows why Morgana kept them not Merlin and Gwen."
"It's like we said to Leon earlier." Morgause says. "Morgana has an amazing team already, I mean six or seven of us could easily make it to the lives, but she only gets four. Why make that harder?"
"That is true. Most of the teams are good this year, the lives are gonna be a bloodbath." Gwaine replies.
Aithusa heads home shortly after, so the remaining four head into the nearby pub for a final drink. They grab a table whilst Arthur heads to the bar to get four pints. After dropping the first two off at the table, he almost spills the next two bumping into someone.
"Merlin, Christ you scared me."
"Oh hey Arthur." Merlin says. "How're you doing?"
"I'm good, I'm good..." Arthur pauses. "How are you and Gwen?"
"Oh, we're fine. Bit disappointed to have lost to the two most talentless members of Team Morgana but we're in a stronger position in Team Freya anyway."
"Ah cool. Had your knockout meeting yet with her?"
"Yeah, though we haven't told anyone really what we're going to do. Keeping it a surprise hopefully will give us an edge."
"Well, Morgause, Leon and I are sitting over there. Why don't you come join us?"
Merlin finishes his half-pint. "I'd love to, but I'd better head off. Just gotta pay the bill." he says. Arthur waits with him till he pays the bill, which comes to about £20.
"Christ dude you sure drank it up."
"Yeah well, felt like it. You couldn't do me a huge favour could you?"
"Sure."
Merlin held out his phone. "I can't really text to well after all those pints, or half-pints really, can you find my Mum's number and text her the address so she can come pick me up?"
Arthur does so. "Do you want me to wait with you until she does."
Merlin nods, so Arthur tells the guys at the table he'll be back in a second and the two wait outside under the shelter from the rain.
"That'll be her now." Merlin says as a car turns into the road up ahead. With that, he turns to Arthur, reaches forwards and kisses him on the lips. It was in no way a particular good kiss, given Merlin's drunken state. Still, Arthur can realise, there's something else there.
Merlin steps back as the car draws closer. "Sorry, I just really wanted to do that." And then he's gone, getting into the car and being driven off. Arthur can't really figure out what just happened, but the rain is starting to blow into his face, so he retreats back into the pub with the others.
Later that night, when Arthur goes back with Leon to the hotel, he can't shake the feeling of guilt he had after he had first slept with him. He drinks some of the wine Leon offers him, and unsurprisingly they end up in bed.
But still, while they lie there, Leon asleep, Arthur can't stop thinking about what Merlin said, and whatever the hell he meant.
I just really wanted to do that.
Authors Note: Woo more of this. I'm trying to get into updating regularly, which will be easy with this as there are only a set number of steps I can really go through with the Voice. Still, what feedback from and AO3 that I've had has been good, so I hope you all continue to enjoy. Knockouts next Chapter, I promise.