A/N: I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in ages, I couldn't think of anything to write, hope you enjoy the chapter.
Thank you so much for sticking with me.
Please review, I like reviews. Tell me what you think xxx
Merlin wasn't a lover of hot weather to be honest. Sweating constantly, not being able to breathe because of the heavy air and humidity, not to mention hairy middle aged men walking around shirtless with their beer bellies jiggling all over the place. A lovely image, but that's not what was bothering him most about this summer in particular. His mind was focused on the fact that this time next year he would be a qualified architect, he would be graduating from Cambridge and going on to work with his father and then maybe someday he would inherit the business. Needless to say it freaked him out a fair bit.
It wasn't long past six in the morning, faint sunlight had already started to drift in and Arthur lay by Merlin's side. A sheet draped over his bare buttocks while he rest on his stomach with one hand underneath the pillow and the other hanging off the edge of the bed, he snored softly and Merlin smiled. To Merlin this was where he felt safe, sometimes he would just look at Arthur in pure awe and ask himself if this were real or some sort of illusion. What had he done to deserve someone like Arthur?
Sometimes Merlin wondered if maybe, just maybe the universe- being the bitch it was- had let Merlin fall so completely and utterly arse over tits in love with the one person that he knew was so stupendously out of his league just so when it all came crashing down, it would hurt even more. But Merlin was a massive fucking pessimist occasionally wasn't he? Most of the time however, he was right. But let's not dwell on that thought.
The summer passed as summer usually passes: it was hot, it was sweaty, it was incredibly uncomfortable, and this one differed though because this one involved hot sweaty sex and lazy afternoons in bed so it wasn't all bad. Merlin welcomed the chilly weather when it got to October and classes and lectures etc. were back in full swing. October was one of Merlin's favourite months. He loved the autumn leaves crunching under his boots. He loved being able to wear his scarf, he loved Halloween and carving ridiculous pumpkins and he loved waking Arthur up on his birthday with tea and toast and stack of pancakes slathered in golden syrup.
Merlin padded over to the side of the bed on which Arthur's sleeping form looked about ready to fall from, he placed the tray on the bedside table and gently began to comb through Arthur's gold hair with his fingers. Arthur began to stir and his eyes started to flutter open. Merlin looked him in the eyes, the somewhat bleary eyes.
"Morning sunshine"
"uuuuuhhhh"
"Happy Birthday Arthur"
"Five more minutes" Merlin rolled his eyes and stood up. He walked to the foot of the bed, grabbed the covers and pulled them off of the naked man who instantly curled up in the foetal position. Merlin leaned forward and grasped Arthur's ankle and pulled him. When Arthur was sat at the end of the bed with Merlin holding him in place, only then did he finally relent and agree to get up.
As Arthur sat stark naked at the end of the bed with Merlin standing between his legs, arms on his shoulders and pressing soft kisses on his lips, he realised what the man had said.
It was his birthday.
Merlin pulled back and smiled at him. "I know you'd rather spend the day in bed and watch crappy films but you have a lecture at ten today and I don't want you to miss it. But it is Friday so we can get shitfaced tonight and it won't matter so you can forgive me for dragging you out of bed okay? Okay, now eat your toast or it'll go soggy."
Then Arthur was left sat on the bed alone, Merlin had left the door open and he was becoming increasingly aware that his junk was hanging free and Mithian could walk past at any minute and get a good look. He lugged himself up, pulled on a pair of boxer briefs which felt tight so they were probably Merlin's, he picked up a slice of toast and the cup of tea then shuffled out into the living room. He was met with Mithian giving him a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek after she wished him a happy birthday. Merlin sat on the sofa with a text book and a cup of coffee, without even looking up he said "You need a shower and you've only got an hour to get ready"
"For?"
The brunet turned round and looked over his thick framed glasses which Arthur found incredibly attractive, he raised one eyebrow and gave a disapproving glare.
"Your lecture you clotpole. It starts at ten and it's important. I'm at least ninety per cent sure I just told you this"
Arthur shrugged "well it's hard to concentrate on what people are saying when you've been dragged from bed and attacked with kisses so don't blame me"
Merlin rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitched into a small, amused smile and he turned back to reading his textbook.
Eventually Arthur went to get ready and left, Merlin placed a sloppy, wet kiss on the man's lips before pushing him out of the door despite Arthur's protests. Of course the lecture was as boring as ever but he still made the effort to make notes. As soon as the relentless droning of his professor had stopped, he all but sprinted back to Merlin's flat only to find it severely lacking in gorgeous boyfriend and annoying friend.
He called out Merlin's name. Silence. He text Merlin. No reply. He tried ringing. No answer. After the fourth time, Arthur began to grow suspicious. As far as he knew, Merlin didn't have any classes for a whole week so why is he not at home? It wasn't as if Arthur expected Merlin to be present at all times. Far from it. But today was different. Today they were all going to get shitfaced and make jokes at Arthur's expense as per the usual birthday tradition. Arthur ended up falling asleep after a while and curled up on the sofa.
By the time he woke up it was about three p.m. and still no sign of Merlin anywhere, neither a text nor a phone call and Arthur couldn't help but feel a little annoyed until he felt his stomach give less than pleasant growl.
He grabbed some cold pizza from the fridge and walked into the bedroom only to find one of his nicer suits lain out on the bed with a note.
'Arthur, you've probably come back to me not being here. Which means you've probably called my name, text me, rang me only to receive no answer. Then failing to walk further than the lounge, you have probably fallen asleep so by the time you actually find this you'll probably have been in for about 4 hours. Don't bother ringing me or anything okay, just be ready for 6 o'clock. And make sure you wear the tie please.
Okay, see you later. Love you.
Merlin xxx'
Arthur smiled to himself because wow Merlin knew him like the back of his own hand and that didn't freak him out one bit. In fact he rather liked having someone who knows him better than he knows himself.
At six o'clock Arthur was ready, Sat on the sofa to await whatever was to come. Exactly on the dot Merlin walked in dressed in a deep blue, well fitted suit and a matching tie. His hair was as rumpled as ever but his smile lit the room, Arthur was in awe.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
"Come on then"
"Where are we going?"
"Wait and see"
About twenty minutes later they pulled up to an Italian restaurant, Arthur's favourite.
"Merlin, this place is expensive"
"Yeah well it's your birthday. My treat. Come along."
They were greeted by a perky girl with warm brown eyes and a gleaming smile. "Can I help you sir?"
"Reservations for Emrys?"
"Ah yes right this way"
She led them to a long table where all their friends were sat. In unison they stood up and chimed "happy birthday Arthur."
The meal was pleasant, Arthur got presents off his friends and cake from the chef. "Thank you, all of you"
"Well it's not over yet" came Leon. "We know this isn't much of a twenty-first birthday party, so we thought we'd go to the pub and get pissed"
"Sounds like a perfect plan"
As they drove to the pub nearest their flat, Arthur turned to Merlin. "Am I going to get you to myself tonight?"
"Oh you bet'cha. We get a few drinks in our systems and then go home and make sweet sweet birthday love"
"Now that is what I like to hear... Merlin?"
"mmm?"
"Have you ever slept with a girl?"
"Kissed, yes. Slept with, no. Why have you?"
"Once."
"And?"
"I didn't enjoy it"
"No shit."
"I bet I'd attract more women than you would"
"Do you want to make a bet?"
"What kind of bet?"
"If you manage to get a girl's number tonight, I'll suck you off"
"You'll suck me off anyway"
"Alright, I'll suck you off every day for a week"
"Deal."
A girl about the same age as them comes into the pub, she's somewhat attractive, light red hair, skimpy dress and painfully high heels. Obviously meeting friends but staring directly at Arthur. Merlin couldn't help but laugh quietly at the girl trying to seem seductive but choosing the complete wrong target. But well, Merlin wouldn't say anything and told Arthur not to either. He knew it was cruel, but it's not every day you have a chance to show off your perfect-in-every-way boyfriend.
She gets up and moves toward the bar where he and Arthur are standing, when she leans on the bar she's too close to Arthur and they both know it but Merlin has to chuckle at the situation. Their friends are looking on from a booth in the corner, all raised eyebrows and questioning looks. He subtly shakes his head and mouths 'don't worry' in their direction. They all nod and turn back to whatever they were previously talking about.
Merlin turns his attention back to the girl who is now near enough draped over Arthur's arm. He bites back a laugh. She's talking to the barman, ordering her drinks. She smiles sweetly at Arthur and bats her eyelashes.
"My name's Sofia, pleasure to meet you...?"
"Arthur, and this is Merlin-" Merlin kicks him.
The girl- Sofia- looks Merlin up and down and gives a forced smile. "Lovely to meet you both." She practically ignores Merlin as she's far too busy drooling over his boyfriend. So he lets her. It's hilarious really because Arthur is telling the worst jokes he can think of and Merlin knows it, yet this girl laughs almost effortlessly. She is utterly persistent but Merlin can't bash her for that because well have you seen Arthur Pendragon? He's fucking gorgeous beyond belief. He knew from the start he didn't have a chance in hell of winning the bet. That really didn't bother him.
"So anyway, Arthur what brings you here on this fine evening?" Merlin rolls his eyes.
"It's my birthday actually, celebrating with my friends" he gestures to the table full of laughing, drunken students.
"Oh wow, well happy birthday to you" she runs her finger over his forearm and looks at him through her lashes. "Perhaps my friends and I can join you?" Merlin smiled and ran his finger up Arthur's thigh, making him squirm slightly. "I'm sure I can give you the best birthday ever."
Merlin lost it.
He began laughing or cackling to be exact. Sofia looked up angrily.
"Is something funny Merlin?" She sneered, one hand rested on Arthur's knee.
"No no of course not, you carry on. I was just laughing at Gwaine over there y'know."
"Maybe you should go back to your other friends Merlin, so that Arthur and I can talk alone?"
"Oh yeah, sure, of course. Let me just get another round of drinks and I'll be out of your hair"
Arthur looked at him wide eyed and pleading. Merlin ordered the drinks, took them over to the table and sat down next to Gwen. As quietly as he could he spoke. "Right you lot, I'm off to get Arthur off"
"MERLIN!" Came a chorus of disgusted individuals.
"Sorry" he half chuckled.
Merlin walked behind Arthur, slapped his hand down on the man's shoulder. When Arthur turned his eyes lit up again.
"I'm gonna go, you coming?" He said suggestively.
"Yep, be right there" he gulped down the remainder of his drink and stood abruptly only stopped by Sofia's slender hand wrapping around his bicep.
"Wait. Where are going?"
"Home"
"You're going to walk away from the chance of getting lucky, spending the night with me so you can go and what? Leave with your friend-" she glares at Merlin "-and play card games or some shit?"
"Well no, my friends are staying here by the looks of it-" Sofia furrowed her eyebrows. "-I however, am leaving with my boyfriend so that we can have birthday sex until the early hours of the morning." She stood, mouth agape, utterly speechless.
"Goodnight Sofia, have a nice evening!" Arthur grasped Merlin's hand and they walked away.
When they were out of the door Arthur sighed "I feel kind of mean for leading her on like that and then throwing it in her face"
"So do I, but it's not often I get that chance considering we're joined at the hip so no one ever assumes we're not a couple"
"Well you're not wrong"
"Did she give you her number?" Arthur pulled a paper coaster out of his pocket with numbers scribbled on it. Merlin took it and threw it in a nearby bin. "You won't be needing that"
Arthur smiled and pulled the other man toward him, kissing him softly, tenderly despite being slightly intoxicated, and with half frozen lips. "Looks like I win though" he said smugly as he pulled off of Merlin's lips.
"Oh what a shame. It seems I will have to suffer through having your dick in my mouth every day for a whole week. Oh the humanity!"
"You put it so romantically"
"Well you know me" he kissed Arthur on the nose. "Come on its freezing, let's go warm up." He uttered with a wink.
October was over, November passed by in what seemed like the blink of an eye and before anyone could say "pass the eggnog" it was Christmas once again. That was as normal as it could be with an extra amount of kissing under the mistletoe and Hunith taking as many pictures as her camera could handle. New Year came, Merlin and Arthur celebrated their one year anniversary as well as Merlin's twenty-first birthday and Arthur moved in properly. Soon it was spring and then summer came and Merlin began to freak out about his exams.
He hardly left his room for three weeks with the exception of toilet breaks, coffee refills and mandatory revision sessions. Multiple times Arthur had to check up on him to make sure he wasn't over exerting himself and also to ensure the man was eating and not just living off of highly caffeinated beverages.
After what seemed like forever of Merlin worrying and getting frustrated, he came out with top grades and honours.
Arthur kissed him and being the utter cliché that they were; he lifted Merlin at the hips and spun him around. Morgana and Mithian had both graduated the year before but they were there nevertheless. Even Uther took the time out of his oh-so-busy schedule to be there for his son. Of course Hunith and Balinor were there with Freya, Hunith using the camera at every opportunity (which turned out to be every three seconds).
Freya came at Merlin in a flying hug, almost knocking him to the floor. They embraced for a long time before she pulled back and near enough squealed.
"Merls, I'm so proud of you. Well done!"
"Why thank you sister of mine"
She paused for a moment. "I have something to tell you"
"Are you pregnant?" He asked suspiciously.
Freya looked at her brother incredulously. "What? No! Of course not!"
"Good because you know I'd have to go and talk to him and make sure he marries you"
She looked positively horrified "Well thank God I'm not pregnant then"
"Anyway you were saying?"
"Right well. I was going to tell you sooner, but I wanted to tell you in person y'know?"
"Spit it out"
"I got into Manchester!"
"Freya! Well done! Oh my God well done!"
"I know it's not as impressive as Cambridge but well"
"Freya it doesn't matter that it's not Cambridge, you should be proud of yourself. Good God, my little sister is going off to university!" He hugged her tightly, rocking her side to side. Arthur came over and laughed. Freya tried signalling for help but she was being squished too much to move any of her limbs. Luckily for her, unluckily for Merlin, Uther came over to request he have a word with Merlin.
He let go of his sister quickly as if he were being judged intensely, which he probably was, and followed the man not before sending a worried glance over to Arthur who was now standing to attention watching their every move.
"Merlin"
"Sir" Uther's lips twitched upwards only for a second before returning to his usual thin line of a mouth.
"I wish to congratulate you" Merlin's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"You do?"
"Yes I most certainly do. You received the highest grades in your class did you not? As well as honours and I must admit I am most certainly impressed"
"Th-thank you Mister Pendragon"
"I wanted to say something else as well"
Here it comes… Merlin thought.
"I can't deny that I had hoped Arthur to marry a young woman of high esteem, who would one day be by Arthur's side to help him run the company when I'm gone and he has inherited it."
Oh God.
"However"
What?
"I see how happy you make him. I thought he would have messed it all up by now, maybe I thought it was just a phase that he'd grow out of but no. Over the past year Arthur has become a lot more mature, he's started to take his responsibilities seriously and has grown into a fine young man. I have you to thank for that I think Merlin. You bring out the best in my son and he loves you more than anything. You are an intelligent young man and I think perhaps I should have given you more credit because you have turned my boy's life around and I would be glad to have you as part of our family given the opportunity."
Merlin stood dumbfounded. What was he supposed to say to that? He expected Uther to tell him 'the fun's over now kids so you better break up and get on with your life so Arthur can marry a pretty young girl and have perfect little children and run the big money making company and live happily ever after'. By no means was Merlin expecting to thanked and openly welcomed to the family.
He was pretty sure that he was going crazy.
Uther actually smiled at him. A smile on Uther Pendragon's face was something that obviously did not happen often. Merlin was still standing wide-eyed when Arthur came over asking if everything was okay to which his father nodded, patted them both on the shoulder, congratulated them, bid them farewell and left.
Yeah, Merlin was at least 63% sure he dreamt that.
"What did he want? You looked a bit shocked"
"He uh, he congratulated me and I think…I think he asked me to marry you but I'm not certain." Arthur blushed slightly.
"What did he say?"
"Something like you're a fine young man, he wanted you to marry a pretty girl but it turns out I'm good for you and apparently he'd be glad to have me in the family if the chance arose"
"Well maybe in a few years we'll see if the chance arises"
"You do know how to make a boy swoon don't you" Merlin asked sarcastically.
Arthur shrugged "I try my love, I try"
Merlin rolled his eyes and took Arthur's hand as they walked back over to join the rest of the party gathered around a table where Gwaine, unsurprisingly, was stuffing his face with tiny bitesize sandwiches.
