Ahhh! I made it! I wasn't sure if I'd get a chapter up today as Mondays are always hectic for me, but I did it :D Also I'm about to get in trouble for being up too late, so know what I have sacrificed for you.

Quick thing, no Hunith and Uther are not married in this story. I made it so that Uther is just the principal and Hunith is a single mom. Sorry for not making that clearer. Also, for now I'm thinking no slash, as backed up by a few reviews. I agree, there are a lot of modern slash AUs already, and I'm quite happy to keep this one different.

I think that's it, except, thanks for your support so far! I'm so happy you guys are enjoying my little project.

"So. I have some bad news." Lancelot regarded Merlin warily.

"Let me guess. You're brother's kicking me out."

Merlin laughed. "No, no, don't be so dramatic. You're just going to be hanging out with him for a while."

This time Lancelot's jaw did drop. "What?!"

They were standing in the dining room, Arthur having walked past them back into the living room looking sour. Merlin at least had the grace to look sheepish. "Sorry. But Freya and I actually have an assignment to work on."

"I could help, you know." Lancelot hoped he didn't sound too desperate. But sitting amongst a group of guys death staring him didn't exactly sound like his idea of fun.

But Merlin shook his head. "It's maths. Terribly boring. You don't want to be involved, trust me."

"Then why did you invite me over?!" Lancelot asked, exasperated.

"Relax, it'll be fine. Arthur's calmed down, I promise." Merlin gave him a reassuring smile. "Besides, they're in your year. It could help to get to know some people your own age if you're going to be sticking around." He paused. "You will be sticking around, won't you?"

Lancelot grimaced. "I am planning to, yeah."

"Well there ya go. Please, just, give them a chance. They're actually really nice guys once you get to know them."

Lancelot let out a breath of air. "If you say so."

"Great." Merlin looked like it was Christmas morning. "Good luck. You guys are going to get along fine, I just know it." And with that, Merlin was gone, no doubt following Freya to his room to work on their assignment. Lancelot scoffed. If there actually was an assignment. He was starting to see that his new friend was a conniving little bugger.

With one more hesitant breath, Lancelot walked back to the living room, pausing in the doorway.

Arthur was currently shoving Gwaine's legs off of one couch by the window where he had been stretched out so that he could sit down. The others Lancelot had not yet met. A tall, muscled boy sat just in front of the two, leaning his head against the armrest. A boy with rich dark skin and cropped hair was collapsed in a matching loveseat, his eyes half-closed and one more with fair skin and curly hair was sitting in the third piece of matching set furniture, lazily fidgeting with his mobile phone. The whole room had a relaxed air about it, one that came with years of friendship and time spent together. He could tell this was a tight-knit group, and wondered just how he was supposed to become a part of that - or even if he had the right to. It felt too much like intruding.

Oh well. It was just for one afternoon, right? Just to humour Merlin.

"Lancelot, right?" he looked to the curly-haired one who was watching him over his phone. The greeting didn't seem to hold any animosity like Arthur's and Gwaine's had before. It sounded more like casual curiosity, and Lancelot felt himself relax minutely.

"Yeah. Sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"I'm Leon," was the reply. Leon gestured around the room as he continued, "that's Elyan and Mister Strong and Silent over there is Percival. Arthur and Gwaine I believe you've already met." At this Leon chuckled slightly. Lancelot nodded to the other boys in turn, his eyes coming to rest on Arthur who was watching him steadily, his expression unreadable. There was a moment of uncertain silence before Arthur stood up and crossed the room to face Lancelot.

Whatever Lancelot had been expecting the golden-haired boy to say, it certainly wasn't what came out of his mouth.

"Look, I'm sorry about the rather… cold greeting before. I was just looking out for Merlin. Big brother, and all that. I'm sure you understand."

To be honest, he didn't sound all that genuinely sorry. But he was certainly making an effort. Lancelot had to wonder what Merlin had said to him - he had heard heated voices and tense whispers but not what was actually said; it wasn't in him to eavesdrop. Never quite felt... Honourable.

"It's perfectly alright. Merlin's a good kid. I can see why you would be wary."

Arthur nodded. "That he is." And suddenly his face melted into a mischievous grin. "Better not tell him that though. Would go straight to the idiot's head."

And with that all the tension was gone. Gwaine, who had immediately stretched back out as soon as Arthur had stood up, grinned encouragingly in his direction, Percival gave him a welcoming nod and a small buzz of conversation started up around him.

It was right in that moment where Lancelot could see how this group had become so close. Once a grudge was gone, there was nothing else to it - they weren't interested in making anything else of it. Obviously more interested in getting on and enjoying themselves and each other's company, they had no time for drawn out feuds or drama. Even if it had started over nothing, there was a definite sense of forgive and forget in the air.

Perhaps Lancelot would find a place with them yet.

Elyan gestured for him to come sit down and he did so willingly, not wanting to remain awkwardly in the middle of the room. "So how'd you find yourself at Camelot High?" he asked.

Lancelot shrugged. "New job for my dad. Better opportunity and all that. The usual story I suppose."

Gwaine whistled. "I would have kicked up a storm if I was dragged away from home just for a job. A child's happiness should always come before the parents'." Lancelot honestly couldn't tell if he was joking or not. He shook his head anyway.

"I didn't mind. I was fairly quiet at my old school, hadn't made a lot of friends. Besides, we could do with the money."

"Fair enough," Gwaine grunted.

"You'll have plenty of chances to make an impression here, don't worry. I can get you started in a few clubs if you like." Leon suggested. Arthur rolled his eyes good naturedly at his friend's enthusiasm. "What are you into?"

Lancelot smiled hesitantly. "I know a bit of martial arts. Judo, mainly."

"Yes, Merlin did mention that," Arthur spoke up. "Think you could show us some moves sometime?"

Gwaine laughed before Lancelot could answer. "Come on, princess. You'd be chucking a fit the first time Lance landed you on your back." Turning to Lancelot, he winked. "Arthur's something of a sore loser." Arthur huffed at the accusation but didn't rise to the bait, obviously trying to prove Gwaine wrong.

They continued to talk aimlessly, comfortable to waste the afternoon away, with Gwaine occasionally nagging Arthur to put a movie on. Arthur's answer was always the same; "you're so enthusiastic, you put it on." Obviously neither could be bothered to move.

Merlin grinned from the top of the stairs and trotted happily back to his room where Freya was sitting comfortably on his floor, surfing the internet on his laptop. "It worked. They're getting along like old pals."

Freya looked up and matched his grin. "I'm not surprised. Arthur would shake hands with the devil if you asked him to, and Lancelot's a far better option anyway."

"Oh come on, it's not like I can get him to do anything," scoffed Merlin. "I hardly have him wrapped around my finger.

"Uh huh." Freya obviously wasn't convinced. Merlin sat down next to her and looked over her shoulder.

"Really? Cats on Youtube? Again?"

Freya shrugged. "They're funny." She giggled as a tabby misjudged it's jump and fell off the side of a kitchen bench. Merlin's smile widened ever so slightly; he loved her laugh. "Besides, it's not like we actually have a maths assignment, is it?"

Lancelot sat back in his chair, staring blankly at the whiteboard currently being scribbled on. Honestly, he didn't think the process of meiosis could get any more boring. It wasn't long before he had drifted off into a daydream.

He imagined himself riding through a forest on a sturdy horse, the leaves crunching under its hooves. Someone was running up ahead - a bandit! Lancelot pulled out an old fashioned sword that glinted in the sun that broke through the canopy above him. He was catching up, the bandit looked around to see justice coming after him…

"Oi! Lancelot!"

Lancelot shook his head, clearing away the thoughts of being some medieval knight. They were childish fantasies, he knew, but he'd always been fascinated with the old legends of knights saving damsels in distress, ever since he was little. His mom had used to tell him stories, before she passed away. It was just something that had always stuck with him

"Lancelot! Hey!"

Lancelot turned towards the shouted whisper to see Elyan trying to get his attention - rather unsubtly, at that. He raised his eyebrows in question.

"You hanging out with us at lunch?"

A smile spread across Lancelot's face; he shouldn't have been surprised, really. The rest of the afternoon had gone fairly well and had even ended with Arthur giving him an approving clap on the back at some joke he had made. But still, he was touched that they did not just want it to be a one time thing. He nodded in confirmation and Elyan grinned. "Excellent."

"Excuse me, gentlemen, is there something you wish to share?"

The two of them started and looked up to an intimidating Mr Gaius, whose right eyebrow had shot up alarmingly. Merlin was right; he did not like being on the receiving end of that glare. "Sorry Mr Gaius," the boys chorused, and quickly went back to staring at their own blank notebooks.

Percival smiled as Elyan and Lancelot made their way to the table, looking slightly shell-shocked. "You guys get on Mr Gaius' bad side?" he guessed.

"I'm telling you man, it's not natural, that look of his," Elyan shuddered, Lancelot mimicking him. Percival simply laughed. They slumped down and Percival held out a packet of half eaten chips, offering them some. Elyan gratefully grabbed a handful, but Lancelot's eyes had wondered elsewhere.

"Who's that?" he breathed. Percival and Elyan followed his gaze and immediately cringed.

"No way dude. Do not even go there. Nuh uh." Elyan was shaking his head, in case his words had not made the message clear enough.

"What? She's beautiful." Lancelot was watching a girl of their age with chocolate skin and frizzy hair. She was standing with another girl in the cafeteria line and they were whispering conspiratorially as girls often did. She had the most gorgeous smile.

"Well for one, she's my sister," Elyan pointed out quickly, "but even more importantly, she's dating Arthur. I repeat. Do. Not. Go there." Percival nodded gravely to back him up.

"Ah." Lancelot wilted immediately. No way would he go after someone else's partner, whether or not that someone else had only decided yesterday he didn't want to kill him. It just wasn't going to happen. He tore his gaze away and back to the table, feeling slightly awkward.

"Don't worry about it," Percival reassured. "You're not exactly the first to make that mistake. Gwen is a popular girl."

"Oi!" Elyan's face had become one of disgust. "I really do not want to hear that about my sister, thank you!" Percival just shrugged and Lancelot let out a small laugh.

It was at that moment that Arthur chose to appear, sitting down next to Percival seemingly out of nowhere. "What's so funny?" he asked.

The other three, having jumped at his sudden presence, attempted not to look shifty. But before he could interrogate them further, a short boy with a bowl cut rushed up to their table looking anxious. "Arthur - " he started.

"What is it, George?" Arthur asked with a sigh. "I swear, if you've come to ask about doing my homework again I can honestly tell you I'm getting along just fine, thanks, and - "

"No, Arthur," George said breathlessly. His eyes were wide and his cheeks were flushed. "It's Merlin."

Arthur's eyes snapped towards the boy, as did those of the others sitting at the table. "What about Merlin?" he asked quickly.

"He's in trouble. You've got to - he - come on!" and with that George was running, gesturing desperately for them to follow. It was barely a second before all four boys were running after him.

I feel like this chapter could be a bit better, but it sort of just had to be written so I could get to the more interesting stuff, which I'm sure you can tell is coming up fairly soon. Some of you were pretty close with your guesses about what the backstory with Arthur's paranoia is about, well done!

Ah, I just got yelled at :'( Goodnight all!