On Saturday morning they all woke up with crooked necks and Gwen had managed somehow to get a noodle in her curly brown hair much to Morgana's amusement.
Morgana, who still looked fabulous, stretched and cracked her knuckles before jumping up and skipping to the bathroom, the other three just lay there and groaned. Five minutes later Morgana poked her head around the door and shouted "Merlin can I use your shower?"
"Don't shout you wretched girl! It's too early!"
"Answer my question then!"
"Yes, towels are in the cupboard by the door"
"Thanks love"
Merlin decided it was now probably time to force himself up and as he did so he shoved Mithian off the sofa and she fell onto an unsuspecting Gwen.
Half an hour later Morgana came out of the bathroom, hair tied in a ponytail and wearing one of Merlin's t-shirts.
"Yes Morgana that's fine you can borrow my top go ahead."
"Sorry dear, but my top had sweet and sour sauce on it."
"Fair enough."
"I have to go and check on my dick of a brother, come to mine later?"
"Yep, let me get these two sorted and we'll be over in a few hours."
"Good boy. I'll give you back your shirt then as well. Sorry I can't stay." She kissed his cheek and waved goodbye to the two bleary eyed girls sat giggling on the floor. "Ciao"
Morgana tried to call Arthur but unsurprisingly it went straight to voicemail so she took the liberty of letting herself into his flat where she was greeted by a wonderful sight. Leon, her boyfriend of two years and Arthurs best friend was lying on the floor with his bare arse facing the door and his face squashed against a pillow with what looked a lot like dribble across his cheek. So naturally she took a photo with her phone then snuck up behind him and slapped his arse which startled him awake. He rolled over and practically screamed to which Morgana burst out laughing.
"Fucking hell Morgs, are you trying to give me a heart attack."
She put on her best mocking pout and leant in to kiss him. "Aw sorry baby, I just couldn't resist. You fucking stink of booze, go and have a shower you smelly git."
"Yes your majesty" He mock bowed and went into the bathroom.
Arthur came out of his room looking dishevelled and rubbing his temples.
"Ah there he is. How are feeling?"
"What do you think?"
"Alright grumpy, I'll make you some coffee."
"Much appreciated thank you."
Morgana walked into the kitchen and turned the kettle on. When she looked round Arthur was staring at her shirt with a confused expression.
"Why are you looking at me like that Arthur?"
"Is that Merlin's shirt?"
"Oh yeah it is, wait…how do you know?"
He was a bit taken aback at first but then replied "Well I know it's not yours, it's too small to be Leon's and Gwen and Mithian don't wear things like that."
She wasn't completely convinced but it was a reasonable explanation. "Mmhm fair enough."
"Morgana?"
"Yes brother?"
"Did you and Merlin have sex last night?"
Morgana nearly choked on her own spit "Oh my God Arthur no! I would never do that to Leon. I dropped Chinese down my top and borrowed one of Merlin's. Jesus fucking Christ."
"Oh, sorry. It's just Leon's my best friend and I have to make sure y'know"
"I understand. Merlin's gay anyway."
"Oh."
"Whatever, drink your coffee. Are you coming over to mine later for dinner?"
"Yeah I will."
"Good, right I'm off." She ran into the bathroom and shouted to Leon. "Bye sweet-cheeks! I'll see you later, love you!" Then she left and the place was quiet again.
Merlin was having great difficulty getting Mithian to move and Gwen wasn't much help because she was just stood in the kitchen laughing at the two. Merlin looked up to scowl at her but Mithian took that as her opportunity to pull him down and wrestle with him.
"Mith oh my god stop it."
"Nope, Merlin if you can escape my death grip, I'll behave."
"Fuck"
For about ten minutes Merlin was wriggling and squirming around trying to free himself and by the end of it he was disappointed while Mithian was laughing her arse off and Gwen was breathless. He stood up when the girl let go and he tried to regain some dignity when he walked to his room, which failed miserably when he walked into the door frame making the two girls laugh even harder. He was pretty sure they were about to wet themselves.
Gwen was first to calm down and she got Mithian to behave and they both tidied up a bit before Gwen had to leave. She walked over and quietly knocked on Merlin's bedroom door. "Merlin…"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to go now, I'm meeting Lance."
He opened his door and came out. He smiled at the tidied living room and kitchen and thanked them both before turning to Gwen. "Okay, Mith are you going?"
"No, I'll stay here if that's alright with you Merly-pops."
He rolled his eyes "That's fine, I'll see you later though Gwen yeah?"
"Of course you will." They hugged and she left.
Merlin plonked himself down next to Mithian and she stared at him and smiled wickedly. He turned his head slowly to meet her gaze.
"The fuck are you looking at?"
"You fancy Arthur don't you?" That took Merlin by surprise. He definitely had not expected her to say that. 'How obvious is it?' He thought.
"Of course not you fool" he scoffed.
"Merlin it's a plain as the nose on your face that you've got the hots for Pendragon the younger."
"That's absurd"
"No it's really not. It's okay you know, I went through the same thing. We're friends now and it's cool I suppose although if you see us winking at each other and flirting, try not get jealous will you. That's just the way we are with each other."
"o-okay."
She smiled and kissed his cheek before jumping up. "Right I'm going back to mine to get changed, I'll be back in a bit."
"You live with Morgana why not just stay there?"
"Because my young friend."
"I'm a year younger than you"
"She'll either be having sex with Leon or she'll be cooking and neither of those things I want to witness."
"Why don't you want to see her cooking."
"She sings and dances when she cooks and she turns into Gordon fucking Ramsay."
"Oh right fair enough."
"I'll see you in a bit."
"Bye"
Merlin couldn't be bothered to do anything but thought it best to shower and get changed, maybe finish tidying up a bit and do as much homework as could before Mithian came back.
Time flew by as he worked, he spent a least an hour on his physics paper whilst listening to horrible peppy music that hurt his head but couldn't find it in him to turn it off because it was so damn catchy. He was so engrossed in what he was writing that he didn't hear his door open or Mithian sneaking up behind him.
She pounced on him scaring the shit out him causing tea to spill all over his jeans. She was on the floor crying of laughter once again before Merlin had time to look at her.
"You're a cruel human being you know that right?"
"Yep. Now come on we better go."
"Well, let me change first."
"Right."
Merlin walked back into his room and pulled off his jeans and chucked them in the linen basket then wriggled into another pair. Dark blue and to be honest they were a bit tight on his bum, he'd only worn them once. When he came out Mithian was sat on the sofa reading a magazine with her feet up looking perfectly at home. She looked up at him, her brown eyes sparkled and she smiled.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Merlin put on his jacket, grabbed his phone and keys and followed Mithian out. She linked their arms and leant against him as they walked. When he looked round she looked deep in thought and contemplative.
"What's the matter Mith?"
"Have you considered having a roommate?"
"Why?"
"Because well, I like your place. It's homey and comfy and to be honest it's a bit awkward with three of us in the flat."
"Why's it awkward?"
"Well Morgana spends half her time with Leon so he's always round, he practically lives there and Gwen has Lance round a lot too and I don't know it's cramped and awkward sometime I guess."
"So you want to move in with me?"
"Only if it's alright with you, I don't want to put you under pressure or force you to do something you don't want to do."
"Mithian, it's fine honestly. It's not like we'd be sleeping in the same room. I'd love you to live with me."
"Merlin you're the best! And I promise when you bring back boys to have loud gay sex with I'll go out or something."
"Steady on there, girl. Let's take this one step at a time. I doubt I'll be bringing anyone home any time soon."
"Oh hush, any guy would be lucky to have you." She looked at him suggestively and winked "Including Arthur."
"Honestly Mith, Arthur doesn't like me. Not least in a romantic way so there's no point pushing the subject."
"I bet you want him to push your subject."
"OH MY GOD MITHIAN!"
Before they walked in they heard Morgana belting out Bohemian Rhapsody, expecting to walk in and startle her Merlin opened the door. Much to his disappointment, she just smiled and waved at them. Even more to his surprise Gwen, Lance and Leon were already there trying to watch TV. Every now and again they would have to increase the volume to drown out Morgana's insatiable singing.
Merlin and Mithian sat down on the chairs and Merlin hadn't actually met Lance and Leon yet so he smiled nervously at them and awkwardly sat down, staring at his hands that were rested on his knees.
"Oh shit I forgot sorry." Mithian gestured to Leon and Lance. "Leon, Lance this is Merlin, he's gay and can drink the both of you under the table. Merlin this is Leon and Lance. They're tall and muscular because they go to the gym which they have forced me to join against my will."
The three men sat there stunned at her bluntness while Mithian just smiled and turned back to the TV and Gwen giggled into her hand. Morgana drifted in mumbling and checking her phone, texting someone but Merlin had no idea who.
"Oh Morgy-pie" Mithian chirped.
"Yes?"
"I'm moving in with Merls." Morgana looked at her friend sceptically and turned to Merlin.
"Is she telling the truth?"
"She is."
"You're sure you're okay with that?"
"I am."
"Then okay. I'll help you pack when you want me to. Dinners ready in a minute."
They all stood up and moved into the kitchen come dining area and sat down. When the door went Morgana slowly walked over and opened it. She did not look impressed. Merlin couldn't see who was at the door, but he heard Morgana talking.
"You're late. Go and sit down. You can help me wash up after dinner."
Arthur walked in to the dining room and froze. He hadn't realised that everyone would be here, least of all Merlin. He wasn't sure why but he didn't like being around the man. He felt queasy and insecure whenever he was and he wasn't sure why he felt like that so he covered it up. He put on his confident act and made remarks about Merlin which he regretted and wanted to apologise for but somehow never could bring himself to do.
A month and a half went by quickly. Mithian had moved in, Morgana would help Merlin if he didn't understand anything. He rang his parents once a week. Every weekend he and the girls would have movie night and then the following day they'd all have dinner at Morgana and Gwen's. For some reason though, it was always tense when Arthur got there (usually late). He would come in, smile and then even before he'd sat down he would insult Merlin. Then everyone would look at each other while Merlin stared at his food.
He didn't hate Arthur, he really didn't but he just wanted to understand why the man hated him. Technically Merlin hadn't actually done anything to make Arthur hate him so much and that was why he found it so strange that every time they'd see each other Arthur would sneer at him and make some comment on his appearance or his name or just something. At first he thought it was just a defence mechanism, against what exactly he didn't know but after a few weeks he realised that something was up.
On Halloween, they were all getting ready for a party. Merlin let himself be dragged along as long as he didn't have to wear a stupid costume so Morgana put him in a cowboy outfit. A very tight cowboy outfit with leather trousers complete with the hat. He even had a fucking neckerchief.
Before everyone else arrived, Merlin pulled Morgana to the side and asked her about Arthur.
"Morgana?"
"Uhuh."
"Why does Arthur hate me so much?" She looked up at him slightly puzzled.
"He doesn't, does he?"
"Are you really that oblivious? Literally every time he sees me he says something rude to make me feel insecure or something to embarrass me, and I just want to know what I did to warrant that."
"Christ Merlin, I had no idea it was that bad. Do you want me to talk to him?"
"No it's fine, if you don't know don't worry. I don't want to stir up trouble."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, well come on everyone will be here soon so we'll have to get going."
Arthur, surprisingly, turned up first and not actually in his costume. Before he greeted them he stood still and stared at Merlin, who wasn't paying attention. Arthur's eyes flickered to the man's leather clad behind and he smirked before Morgana batted him on the arm. When he came to his senses he turned to his sister.
"I hate you Morgana, I really do."
"Why, what have I done?"
"A knight? Really?"
"What are you- oh shit you weren't meant to get the knight."
"Why?"
"Hold on a second." She ran down the corridor into Gwen's room, leaving Merlin and Arthur alone. In the same room. Together. They just stood and stared at one another before Merlin coughed and walked into the kitchen. When Morgana came back she had a bag identical to the one her brother was holding.
"Here you go, Lance had your one. Now go get changed we're leaving in soon."
He came back dressed in chainmail, a long red cape, he held a shield with a yellow dragon and a sword. But he also wore a crown. Morgana beamed at him and Merlin's jaw went slack. He looked glorious.
"I'm a genius."
"Who am I meant to be anyway?"
Before Morgana could reply Merlin spoke: "King Arthur of Camelot you clotpole, how is that not obvious?"
Morgana looked round and smirked, Merlin sat wide eyed and went to apologise but when he looked up Arthur was staring at him intently.
"What, Merlin, is a 'clotpole' please do tell me."
"I don't know it's a Shakespearean insult. I think it like stupid dick but I'm not sure."
"Right so you're using Shakespearean on me now are you?"
"We've never actually had a proper conversation Arthur because whenever we see one another you insult me and never properly talk to me."
"What's your problem Merlin?"
"MY PROBLEM? Are you fucking kidding me? My problem Arthur is that you don't even know me and yet you find it perfectly acceptable to take the piss out of me and not even subtly either. You come in and you smirk with you perfect face and then you proceed to make remarks on my appearance, my name, what I'm eating. Anything you fancy commenting on. So fucking excuse me for making one tiny comment on something that is blatantly obvious you pompous prick."
Morgana laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "Merlin calm down okay?"
"Sorry Morgana, I think I'm going to go home. You have fun tonight." He scowled at Arthur who still looked stunned and then walked out, slamming the door behind him.
When he got home he collapsed onto his bed and cried. He felt pathetic and stupid, crying over a boy and yet he couldn't bring himself to care. He forced himself up so he could change into his pyjamas then he went and made himself a sandwich and watched Halloween Town on Disney channel because despite Morgana's criticisms, it was a brilliant film.
Curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bowl of popcorn was how Merlin was spending his Halloween night, until the door started knocking. He paused the film and muttered obscenities as he padded in his fluffy socks to the door. When he opened the door he was surprised to see Gwaine there. Gwaine who he had met in his physics class and who he'd become friends with. He was ruggedly handsome and had the whole crooked and endearing smile thing going on and the Irish accent. Merlin liked it.
"Morgana told me what happened."
"Oh right"
"I came to check that you were alright."
"I'm fine."
And that was how they ended up having sex. Merlin guessed it was because he was upset about Arthur, Gwaine was his friend and they'd both had a bit to drink.
In the morning Merlin's head hurt and he couldn't really remember what had happened. He also couldn't fathom for the life of him why there was an arm slung over his waist.
Then it hit him.
He had had sex with Gwaine. Gwaine, who was Merlin's friend. 'Oh God, what if he thinks I'm easy, or if he wants a relationship. The sex was good but I don't want to be with him, with him. Christ on a fucking bike.' He thought.
Gwaine started snuffling and moving and then he froze, Merlin felt him tense up and he guessed the other had come to the same realisation that he himself had come to. Gwaine sat up abruptly and looked nervously at the wall, Merlin pulled himself up at sat against the headboard. "Merlin."
"Gwaine."
"So we had sex last night."
"We did."
"I don't want you to get the wrong impression and I'm going to sound like a dick here but I don't want a relationship or anything."
"Oh thank God me neither. I mean I like you Gwaine, but I don't like you."
"The sex was good though."
"It was."
"We could do that again right?"
"I don't see why not, like friends with benefits. No strings attached and we just stop if one or both of us gets into a relationship or we just want to stop."
"Sounds good."
"Cool, I better be going then. I'll see you on Monday?"
"You will."
Merlin had just agreed to casual sex. That was not something he had ever imagined himself to get into, but he wasn't complaining. Now he had to sort himself out for when he went over to Morgana's flat. Would she know? Would it be obvious? A hundred different scenarios went through his head about what would happen. He was going to mention it in front of Arthur. He was going to make the blond boy squirm.
He got himself showered and dressed, made himself presentable. Tidied up what he'd left on the coffee table the night before and then he took a long stroll to Morgana and Gwen's flat. He walked slowly through the park enjoying the nice autumn weather. It had started getting cold enough that he could wear his coat and scarf and hat. He put his hands in his pockets and buried his mouth and nose into his scarf and pulled his beanie over his ears, it was his favourite time of year. Crunchy leaves under his boots and being able to see your breath made Merlin happy and he didn't care if people thought he sounded like a loser, he loved it.
When he got there his nose was red and his cheeks burned from the change in temperature. He jumped into the lift and strolled straight into the flat with a smile across his face. He was late and Morgana didn't look best pleased but he offered her a sorry glance and sat down at the table.
Everyone was looking at him and he knew why. Mithian, who had stayed on Morgana's sofa that night asked what everyone else wanted to say. "Why are you so chipper? Did you get laid last night?"
Merlin just smiled.
"You did! You sly dog, how'd you manage that?"
Merlin chuckled and looked up at Arthur who for some reason was scowling at his pasta, stabbing it violently. Then Morgana's eyes widened as she realised.
"GWAINE?"
Everyone looked round at her sudden outburst. Merlin smirked.
"Yep."
"Oh my god Merlin! How did that even happen? Are you two like together now. He is gorgeous well done!"
"First of all we're not together. He came to check I was alright." With that he sent a glare to Arthur who was focused intently on Merlin with his eyes squinting as if he was trying to set the man aflame. "Then it kind of just happened you know? It's nothing serious we agreed a no strings attached thing. So I'm getting laid when I want without the emotional trauma of a relationship."
The table of people sat flabbergasted. Gwen had her mouth hanging open, Lance looked to be in shock, Mithian was laughing, Arthur was still trying to set him on fire but Morgana and Leon were looking at Arthur which confused Merlin. Mithian slapped him on the shoulder. "Good on you kiddo, didn't think you had it in you…Did you have it in you or did you top."
"Oh my God Mithian." Gwen deadpanned.
"It's quite alright Gwen, yes Mith I did have it in me. In the most literal sense of the phrase and it was fucking marvellous."
"You are my hero Merlin Emrys."
"Thank you."
Everyone apart from Mithian still looked a bit shocked and Merlin couldn't blame them. He sighed and reached for his fork. "It's about time something good happened to me I suppose."
"Whys that Merly-pops?"
"Don't worry." He didn't feel like sharing his past with anyone right now. He'd tell them at some point, he had to. They needed to know didn't they? Even Arthur should know. But right now he just wanted to concentrate on the good thing that was happening to him.
