Summer was dragging and Merlin had next to nothing to do, it would be another few days until he was going home for a couple of weeks so what better way to waste time that to fill up a sketch book. It had actually been a while since Merlin had opened his sketchbook, able to draw to his heart's contempt and Merlin being Merlin had already done all of his summer assignments which Mithian had mercilessly teased over.

He skimmed through the photos on his camera until he found a photo of the Parisian night time skyline that he had taken when his parents took him and Freya to Paris. It was stunning, it really was and he began to draw; every stroke of the pencil on the thick paper soothed him and soon he was so engrossed that he hardly even registered the fact that Mithian was calling him…until she charged in and hit him over the head.

"OUCH"

"Yeah, well I've been shouting for you for five minutes you little shit!"

"Sorry, I was drawing, you know how involved I get"

"You need a fucking sign for your door then saying 'DRAWING-DO NOT DISTURB' then"

"Yes I certainly do"

"Right well come on we're all going to Gana and Gwen's"

"By 'all' does that include Arthur"

"Oh for fuck's sake Merls seriously you need to get over this, I don't give a fuck if he annoys you because he's fine with everyone else so maybe he just fancies you or something"

Merlin snorted "Really Mith? Do you really believe that? I highly doubt I'm even close to Arthur's type anyway"

"Well you never know…come on or we'll miss the beginning of the film"

"What film?"

"Star Wars, original series though because despite the fact I love the prequel films, I cannot stand Jar Jar Binks"

"I whole heartedly agree my friend, come on!"


When they got there (almost) everyone just smiled in greeting as Morgana put snacks on the table and Arthur awaited the command to press play with his eyes glued to the screen and a beer in one hand and the remote in the other. Merlin and Mithian squashed together at the end of the sofa sharing a bag of Doritos. Morgana had her feet over Leon's lap, she and Mithian; whose feet were on Merlin's lap, were sitting back to back which to Merlin did not look comfortable in the slightest. Arthur was sat on the floor like a five year old, mouthing along the words. Merlin couldn't help but keep glancing over at him, every time he did so he just had to smile. He didn't think anyone noticed, but they did. They always notice.

"So Merlin" Gwen chirped. Arthur glared at her to tell her to be quiet. "Oh Arthur do shut up, you've seen them a thousand times…anyway Merlin"

"Yes Guinevere"

"We're doing Lord of the Rings on Tuesday, are you coming?"

"I'm afraid I can't"

"Why not? Going out with Gwaine" Merlin saw her eyes dart to Arthur who was pretending to focus on the TV but was evidently failing.

"Er no actually um Gwaine and I broke that off" Everyone stopped for a moment to look at Merlin, and then quickly at Arthur who was still staring at the screen. Mithian piped up.

"Oh my god Merlin why why why?"

"I don't know, I kind of just got bored"

"Bored. Of sex. With Gwaine?"

"Yeah I guess so."

"Alright what's the real reason?"

"That's it"

"No come on, real reason" Mithian was now poking Merlin in the shoulder, everyone's eyes on him including Arthur's who had a slight smile on his face of which Merlin couldn't see.

"Fine, stop poking me"

"Tell me then"

"Why do you make me do public announcements about my life all the time"

"Because it'll come out eventually, now stop changing the subject you fool and tell me."

"Alright, alright, Jesus…I wasn't lying about the boredom thing but the other reason is because well…um"

"In your own time"

"It's because I want to actually be in a relationship. One that means something, I don't just want meaningless sex every now and again. I want an actual boyfriend. Happy now?"

"Delighted, thank you."

Morgana smiled, she looked down at her brother who was blocked from Merlin's view but she could see him smiling. He himself didn't even realise he was smiling until his name was being called.

"Arthur could you get me another drink please?"

"You're a lazy shit you know that Leon?"

"I can't exactly move when I've got your sister sat on me can I?"

"Whatever"

"Thanks mate"


Merlin spent the next two days in his pyjamas just drawing or reading. It made him relaxed and he felt like he had all the time in the world but after a while he needed some fresh air so he put his sketchbook and pencils into his bag and got dressed. After he was dressed he picked up his bag and walked to the park down the road, it was surprisingly quiet so he took his time strolling along the cobble path listening to the birds.

He sat down at a bench and pulled out his drawings then began to sketch a bird that was nestling in the branches of a large tree opposite him. It was calm, serene and relaxing. The weather wasn't too warm or too humid and there was a gentle summer breeze that drifted through the leaves and ruffled Merlin's hair every now and then.

All of a sudden Merlin was startled by his phone going off that he dropped his pencil, he picked it up as he answered his phone and began twirling It round his fingers.

"Merlin? Merlin are you there sweetheart?" It was Hunith and she sounded panicked to say the least.

"Mum, yeah I'm here are you alright?"

"Not really darling no. It's your father, he…he's been in an accident" The pencil that Merlin was playing with clattered to pavement again as he sat there shaking.

"I-is he alright?" His voice trembled and he found it hard to formulate words.

"He's alive, thank goodness but he sustained critical injuries, they say he should recover though hopefully. But sweetheart you can't come down I'm sorry"

"But mum-"

"No darling, I know you were looking forward to coming home for a couple of weeks but I don't want you seeing him like this"

"Mum please"

"Merlin listen to me, I will ring you tomorrow to let you know but in the meantime would you allow Freya to stay with you for a few days?"

"Are you sure you don't want me to come down and keep an eye on her"

"No, no I don't want her to see him like this, I'd prefer she stay with you, I'll take her to the train station tomorrow morning"

"Mum, how are you holding up?"

"I'm shaken and I'm terrified to drive but he'll be alright, okay? Just look after Freya and let me know when she gets there."

"Okay mum, I love you"

"I love you too sweetheart, stay safe and I'll see you soon"

"Bye mum, bye"

He ended the call and lay his head in his hands. He sobbed until he had barely any tears left. He sniffled and his eyes were puffy and he didn't care if people were giving him weird looks and then he felt and arm round him and a deep Irish voice was soothing him. "Merlin, what happened"

So he told him. Gwaine listened with open ears, he helped Merlin clean himself up and then he took his hand and walked him home.


Arthur was sat on his and Leon's sofa mindlessly staring in his laptop screen. Leon was standing in the kitchen making a cup of tea when he swivelled on his heel to face the blond.

"Arthur come here I need to talk to you"

"Okay?" He stood up and walked into the kitchen to meet his friend, he waited for Leon to say something but the man just stood there staring at him.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Arthur?" He was taken aback by the brash judgement.

"What have I done?"

"Merlin, you like him don't you?"

"What? That's absurd Leon"

"No it's not Arthur look, I've known you for what, seventeen years and I know how you work."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you're doing the over compensating he-bullies-you-because-he-likes-you shit."

"No I'm not Leon."

"Yes you are but right now all you're doing is acting like a prick and Merlin obviously likes you but he's going to hate you soon enough."

"He hates me already, Merlin does not like me."

"Oh he does Arthur. Jesus have you not noticed the way he looks at you?"

"No..."

"Well you need to notice and you need to stop being a dick otherwise either me or Merlin is going to punch you in the face. Or worse. Morgana will punch you in the face."

"Why would Morgana punch me in the face?"

"Because if you haven't noticed her and Merlin are best friends. Christ he's round there more often than not."

"Right"

"Arthur look, you and your sister are a lot alike in many ways and don't try to deny it. One of the things you have in common is loyalty to those you love. If something happened to me or Morgana you'd kill someone right?"

"Right."

"Exactly and Merlin is Morgana's best friend so she'd do the same for him if anything or anyone hurt him."

"Okay."

"So when you next see him please apologise for being a dick and buy him a coffee or something."

"Leon we're not in a teen chick-flick romance film you know. "

"I know but he likes that sort of stuff."

"How do you know? "

"Your sister is my girlfriend Arthur I sometimes have to hang out with her mates even when you and Elyan aren't there. Honestly though, he's a nice guy I think he'd be good for you."

"I don't know Leon."

"Arthur please, if you're not attracted to him that's fine but you can still at least try to be friends. We'd all appreciate it."

"Fine, I'll try."

"Thank you mate, you won't regret it y'know."

"I hope not. "

The thing is, Leon was spot on. Arthur liked Merlin and he didn't want to deny it. There was just something about the boy that made him smile even if that does sound cheesy. He hated that Leon could read him like a book but he also hated the way he'd been treating Merlin for the past year.

God, a year. It'd been a year and he hadn't tried to get to know the other boy, he'd kind of just seen him at his sister's flat a couple of times a week and made a snarky remark about his hair or something that he regretted as soon he walked out of the door.

Yes, he had noticed the way Merlin looks at him and he hated it, not because he didn't feel the same way because he did, he really honest to God did. No it was because he felt that, he knew that he was hurting Merlin. Every remark, every syllable that came out if his mouth was just another bullet into Merlin's chest and Arthur hated himself for it because for some reason he couldn't quite stop it. Morgana would occasionally shoot him daggers in a cold stare and all he could do was run away with his tail between his legs but never could he just get the balls to go and apologise to Merlin. No matter how much he wanted to.

A year this had been going on for. A whole fucking year and Merlin probably hated him now, if he didn't then there was something wrong with him. Now Arthur had been nudged a little harder than necessary but he was going to do it. He was going to apologise to Merlin and maybe possibly ask him out or in the very least buy him a coffee as a step toward forgiveness.

That is until he saw Merlin's hand entwined with Gwaine's hand and they strolled along the car park. Oh.

What was he expecting though really? Did he expect Merlin to wait around for him forever? He didn't blame him one bit, Gwaine was undeniably attractive and he knew he and Merlin were good friends, he thought they had stopped hooking up though that's the thing. He thought Merlin didn't want to be in a relationship with Gwaine. Maybe he changed his mind. That certainly didn't ease the jealousy in his gut.

So he just sighed heavily, his eyes started to sting and he was not going to cry. He had no right to, especially not after what he'd done to Merlin for the last year. He just kicked the gravel as he walked back to his flat. Not even daring to look back and Merlin who was now staring at him with a confused expression on his face.

Merlin looked round to see Arthur seemingly upset, no snide remarks today just a sad individual nothing like the confident one that usually graced everyone with his presence. Merlin looked down at his hand which was entwined with Gwaine's…Oh shit Arthur had gotten the wrong impression. Yes they were holding hands but it was platonic, he didn't see Gwaine that way. Merlin was upset and his friend was comforting him. Why did it matter though, Arthur wouldn't care. It wasn't as if he liked Merlin back so why should he give a shit? This is just another reason for Arthur to be hateful toward him. Great.


Gwaine stayed on Merlin and Mithian's sofa that night; he wanted to make sure Merlin was okay and undeniably he wanted to shamelessly flirt with Mithain.

In the morning there was a knock on the door and a bleary eyed, coffee holding Merlin answered it, only to be greeted by Arthur who for some unbeknown reason looked nervous.

"Arthur what are you doing here?"

"I need to-" He cut himself off when he saw Gwaine on the sofa, stretching. "Oh um, I'll come back later don't worry"

Merlin looked behind him to see what Arthur had seen he quickly turned to hurry after the fleeing man. He reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Oh my God Arthur it's not what you think. I don't even know why I'm explaining myself to you, but I don't want you to get the wrong impression."

"I thought you broke it off with Gwaine?"

"I did!"

"Then why was he holding your hand Merlin? Why is he in his boxers in your flat at nine in the morning"

"Because he was comforting me. I'd told him something and he's my friend. He was just being my friend when I needed him to be. I'm not sleeping with him anymore. Not that that's really any of your business Arthur."

"Whatever Merlin." Arthur ripped his arm away from the other's grasp and began to storm off down the hallway once more.

"No! Wait! Arthur you came here for a reason, you never get up this early when you don't have to and I know you didn't have to. So for whatever reason you came here it certainly was not just to ask me why I was holding hands with Gwaine yesterday. So do tell me, Arthur, why are you here and why on earth did you look so hurt when you saw Gwaine this morning? Tell me that."

"It doesn't matter Merlin, just leave it"

"No, I will not leave it because it does matter. It matters to me. Please Arthur"

"Why do you care?"

"Because believe it or not, I would like to be your friend. We've known each other for a year Arthur and we've never had a proper conversation. We've never said anything nice to each other, we've been alone in a room once the entire time we've known each other because our friends can't leave us alone from fear that we'll kill one other. I don't hate you Arthur, I really don't. Sure you're an arrogant, pompous arsehole but I don't hate you and honestly I just want to be friends."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why don't you hate me? Merlin, all the horrible things I've said to you would cause anyone to despise me by now. I'm surprised you don't want my head on a platter. Why would you want to be friends with me?"

"Because I can see that you're not a bad person. You and your sister are a lot alike; you're both loyal to those you care about."

"Leon said something similar to me yesterday."

"Because it's true. You paint an image of yourself but when you're around your closest friends you let guard down, you act like yourself and I see that. You probably don't mean for me to see that but I do. I see it when you're with Leon, when you're with Morgana and who you are around them is who you really are and that's who I want to be friend with."

"I really am sorry Merlin, for everything. I genuinely don't mean to be cruel it just happens and I hate myself for it y'know? Like as soon as say something horrible to you I want to punch myself in the face and honestly, I'm surpised you haven't, so yes Merlin, I would love to be friends with you. But can you honestly forgive me for the things I've said to you?."

"Buy me a pizza and you're forgiven"

"That's a bit easy"

"I can easily forgive those who I think deserve to be forgiven. I can't hold grudges"

"That's very noble of you."

"Not really, its one of my many weaknesses"

"A good weakness to have though I suppose."

"Yeah, I suppose so. Come on do you want to come in for a bit."

"I'd like that"

It all seemed too easy for Merlin, but everything he had said had been truthful, straight from the heart. He had poured his soul into his words but unfortunately he couldn't express everything he felt for the other boy but at the moment to be friends with him was more than enough. He was thankful for that.


Merlin didn't have much of an appetite so he just drank a couple of cups of coffee and nibbled at half a slice of toast while he explained to Mithian and Arthur what had happened. He told Mithian that Freya would be staying with them for a few days which she gleefully agreed to. At around half past ten Merlin received a text.

Received: Freya
10:32
'Train will be at the station in about 15 minutes, see you in a bit'

Merlin quickly ran to his room and pulled on the first outfit he saw and scrambled to get his shoes on. He ran into the lounge to pick up his phone from where it lay in front of his friends, and his keys and his wallet. He ran around chanting 'shit shit shit' before Arthur stood up and offered him a lift.

"Yes! Thank you Arthur you're a life saver"

"I know, come on we only have ten minutes"

"shit shit shit"

Merlin pulled Arthur out the door by his hand, much to Mithian's pleasure, then thy sprinted down to Arthur's car.

"Thank you for this Arthur really I hate to be a bother"

"It's no bother"

"Thank you, we can get the bus back if you want"

"Merlin, its fine. There's a back seat I'm sure your sister would prefer to sit in a car than on a bus."

"You're right. Thank you"

"Stop saying thank you. That's what friend are for right?" He winked at Merlin and received a huge grin in return.


When he got out of the car, Merlin walked into the station closely followed by Arthur and he was soon greeted by a flying hug. Freya hugged Merlin so tight he had trouble breathing but nevertheless he didn't let go. She pulled away and beamed up at him then she had to do a double take at Arthur as she stood there gaping at him.

Arthur shuffled on his feet and he looked at Merlin's teenage sister. He smiled politely. "Hi you must be Freya, I'm-"

"Flipping gorgeous" Merlin sniggered, Arthur went red. "I mean seriously, you are. You're friends with Merlin?"

"Oi, what's that supposed to mean?" It was Arthur's turn to chuckle.

"I mean seriously Merls he's beautiful, how did you manage to become friends with him? Wait a minute…" She froze on the spot and glanced at each of the men before her. "…are you Merlin's boyfriend?"

Merlin choked on his own saliva and they both went bright red. "I-I-I'm not his b-boyfriend no, just a friend."

"Shame, you would have beautiful adopted children." They went even redder and Merlin had to cover his face with his hands. They were getting funny looks from passers-by but Freya didn't seem to notice or if she did, she didn't care. "So what's your name anyway?"

"I'm Arthur."

"The Arthur. As in the Arthur who Merlin has a mega crush on"

"Okaaaayy" Merlin sang "Time to go, let's go yep come along boys and girls."

Freya sat in the back of the car laughing to herself at the now awkward atmosphere that encased the two men. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to her mother.

Sent: Birthgiver
10:58
'Got here safely, successfully made Merls feel uncomfortable and met Arthur, as in the Arthur. He's gorgous. Hope you're ok see you soo x


Mithian let Freya use her room while she was staying so Mithian stayed at Morgana and Gwen's for the next few days. It was nice; Merlin had missed seeing Freya every day so he was making the most of it while she was there. She came along to Morgana's movie night and fit right in. She sat on the sofa with Mithian, Morgana and Leon while Merlin was exiled to the floor where he sat (probably too close) next to Arthur.

At first everyone aside from Mithian and Freya were a little shocked to see the two boys chatting amicably but after a while it was nice to see them getting along. Gwen would giggle every now and then at which both Merlin and Arthur would simultaneously raise an eyebrow at, causing her to giggle even more. Whenever one or the other would lean over to say something, they were slightly too close to be platonic.

Merlin's breath would hitch when Arthur leant across to whisper in his ear some reference to the film and his breath would be so close he could feel it against skin and what he wouldn't give just to lean over and kiss him, but he cast away those thoughts and focused on the words. Little did he know that Arthur felt the same way. Merlin would smile at the references and laugh at all the jokes that no one else could hear. He also didn't notice everyone else in the room sharing knowing glances, watching the two of them closely, seeing what they will do next.

Freya on the other hand was just plain confused. She could see perfectly clearly that they liked each other and yet they act as though nothing is going on. She was fighting the urge to scream at them 'JUST KISS ALREADY!' but thought better of it. Instead, she rolled her eyes and watched the films occasionally munching on a handful of popcorn.

She'd try and get these two numbskulls to realise how they felt if it were the last thing she ever did.