Well then lovelies, it pleases me to say that after some lovely comments, and (a few demands) ^_^ This story will be continued. Sorry to have left it there! You have no idea how happy it makes me to know you all loved it. Thanks for lifting my spirits today!
It was hard to continue practice after that, mainly because concentrating wasn't an idea Merlin's brain was agreeing with. He watched closely as Arthur stood on the stage, enchanting the small audience of cast members with his performance as he sang to Gwen. That part sort of bugged Merlin, but nothing too nasty. It wasn't like Arthur was exclusively his... they'd only kissed.
But.. it was an amazing first kiss...
It wasn't until the song was over that he'd even realized he'd been creepily staring at him throughout the entire scene. Not that it was his fault... Arthur looked amazing when coated in armor. Gwen gave a short curtsey as the rest of the cast clapped, applauding their practice. Arthur smiled over to Merlin cheekily.
"Oh shut up.." Merlin mumbled with irritation, quickly looking away.
Gwaine nudged his arm, "Hey, aren't we done for the day?"
Merlin thought back to the script. Gwaine was right, they didn't really have any scenes left to practice, which meant sitting in the uncomfortable chairs for the next twenty minutes, "Yeah, why?" he questioned.
Gwaine grinned. He was a mischievous soul, always getting himself into trouble. the only reason he was even interested in the play was because he had the hots for one of the guys in the cast. Maybe he shouldn't have asked... "Wanna ditch? It's not like the warden will notice if we pop out a few minutes early."
Merlin thought it over, it would be nicer to get the early start. He nodded, quietly following Gwaine as he stood, making his way out of the room. Because the drama department didn't exactly have their own locker room, the students were encouraged to store their items in the P.E. lockers, since they were just as big as normal school lockers thanks to the large sports reputation Camelot high held. It was also right across the hall thankfully, meaning no random students running through the halls, and less paperwork for the teachers.
Merlin hurriedly packed away his costume and script into his locker, wondering what to do with the free time. His ride wouldn't be there for a little while. Maybe he could sneak up on Arthur. They should be just about finishing up the last scene by now. Merlin could hear the shower start at the other end of the room. Why was Gwaine taking a shower now? Maybe he worked up a sweat acting and just didn't mind until then... The boy was weird, but one of Merlin's 'understanding friends'. They'd both been gay for a while, and actually dated for a short period of time the previous year, but never really felt romantic towards one another. It had been a mutual break up honestly, and it was just easy to have another guy who understood your preferences to gossip with.
His attention turned back to the mischievous thought of spooking Arthur, making him smile. Giving the prat a fright wouldn't be too horrid would it? In fact he could probably use a good kick off his high horse for a change. The more he thought about it, the more Merlin managed to convince himself that it was a good idea. He ducked behind one of the rows of lockers, his face to the door, and waited for Arthur to enter. He checked his watch, they should be done soon.
The shower trickled to a halt. Hmm... must have been a quick shower, not that it wasn't like Gwaine, he never really cared too much about showering. He liked to just down himself in axe usually, claiming his musky smell would be what Percival liked. He grinned, with Gwaine gone, Arthur would probably come in alone, which would only make a little jump scare all the more terrifying. Serves him ri- "And what exactly do you think you're doing?"
Merlin jumped, spinning around quick as possible, only to see Arthur, cheeky smirk sketched across his cheeks, "Well hello to you too."
"W-What?! Prat! Where'd you come from?!" Merlin shouted accusingly.
Arthur pointed behind him, confused, "I was in the shower... I got pretty dirty after practice today so I thought I'd rinse off... Didn't you hear me?"
Merlin groaned as he slapped a hand to his forehead, now that he looked, Arthur was soaking wet.. and only had a towel to cover himself with. "I.." he blushed, "I thought it was Gwaine..."
"Oh Gwaine? He fell asleep in the other cubical. Must have passed out in the middle of his shower." he chuckled.
"Well.. Well why are you back early?"
Arthur tightened the towel around his waist, "I had a note fluke, Mrs. H said I should take it easy since I'd been stressing my voice more then it usually gets used, so she sent me home early." he explained casually, "Now, can you kindly explain why you were stalking about the lockers very suspicious like?" he grinned.
Merlin smiled innocently. Busted. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he adverted his eyes, "Well.. umm... I thought I could scare you... I guess...?"
Arthur brought his free hand to his hip in a superior manor, "And why would you do that?"
"Because you're a prat." he answered bluntly.
Arthur frowned, "You know, you use that word too much..."
"Do not!"
Leaning in menacingly, Arthur smirked as Merlin backed against the lockers, "Do so~"
Merlin's cheeks were flushed with bright pink. Arthur was.. really close. He became only more aware of how naked he was as well, water droplets dangling on the tips of his hair and the nub of his chin. It was too much, too sensual.
Slowly, almost tauntingly, Arthur leaned a little more, bumping lips with the boy, before bringing a hand up gently to his cheek, deepening every moment they kissed. He waited until he could feel Merlin's fingers against his chest before moving closer, pressing himself up against him, and trapping Merlin's arms between them. Arthur drew his lips away quickly, coveting the echo of their kiss bouncing off the lockers, "This seems familiar." he smiled.
Merlin let out a short breath, "You're too much."
"But you love it."
Merlin let his eyes close softly, trying to think of something else, "You're getting my clothes wet you know..."
"I can always take them off.."
Merlin's eyes shot open. Wait- wasn't that too soon? They'd only shared their first kiss a few hours ago... and they weren't even dating! He was moving fast.. but.. a small part of him really wanted to let him. Was he even serious?
Merlin stared up at Arthur, a lust filled stare returned to him, "I-"
"Just kidding." Arthur said, drawing back slightly, "I don't want to."
Merlin frowned, pushing Arthur away suddenly, "Prat!" he screeched, "Cabbage head! Clot pole!"
Without another word, Merlin turned, racing out of the locker room before Arthur had a chance to stop him.
Once he was gone, Arthur sat himself down on one of the thin wooden benches that centered the rows of lockers, "Did I go to far?" he asked himself, "...Hah..."
Arthur stared tiredly at the ground, "..I must have. He made up a new one just now." he let his head fall into his hands as he propped his elbows onto the ends of his knees, "Yeah. I'm pretty terrible. I earned my very own word."
He cringed, "I hadn't meant it that way... but he panicked when I teased him..." Arthur lifted his head and looked over towards the showers as he heard the cubical door open. They'd probably woken up Gwaine.
He turned his eyes back to the floor, "I just... didn't want to see him make that kind of face..."