Chapter 5:

Suicidal Caffine!

The door closed and Vivian flicked on the light, Arthur was right behind her. He spun her around and pushed her against the wall crushing his lips into hers. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. She couldn't believe her luck – finally after years of trying to get him, here he was – ravaging her mouth, his hands roaming all over her body. He hadn't said anything since propositioning her but that didn't worry her – he never said a lot to her anyway.

She gasped as his hands ran up her thighs pulling her knickers off, she reached down and undid his belt, pushing his jeans and boxers down as he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Arthur... Fuck," she moaned and he bit her neck.

He was rough and Vivian gasped as her head hit the wall with the force of his thrusts, she clawed at his back and sucked a bruise onto his neck.

Vivian let out a high pitched moan, her body clenching around Arthur as she came, he grunted loudly and then his legs gave out. They sank to the floor, Arthur kneeling, his forehead resting against Vivian's chest.

He took a few breaths and then moved off her. She ran her hand down his face as he sat beside her, back against the wall.

"Bed?" she smiled coyly and he looked at her in shock. She started to feel uncomfortable; her heart rate going back to normal and smoothed down her dress. She looked at him; his hands were clenched and head bowed. He visibly shook himself and looked at the woman sitting beside him. She smiled and put her hand on his.

"No, I have to go," he stood, did up his pants and walked out the door.

oooOooo

Merlin stared at the ceiling; his hands were clenching sheets below him as the man, Damien, sucked his cock.

He tried desperately to get the image of Arthur and Vivian out of his head, but it kept dancing around his head. What the hell had happened? He was angry, really angry and confused.

He had no interest in this man, and his cock sucking abilities left a lot to be desired.

He sat up and wished it was a blond head bobbing around his crotch. This wasn't going to work, his anger was the only thing fuelling his libido.

"Stop."

Damien looked at him, smiling and he stood up pushing Merlin back.

"No," Merlin pushed back at him.

"Something wrong, babe?"

"Can't do this," Merlin slid out and began doing up his jeans.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Merlin put his hand on Damien's cheek, "You've been great," he kissed his forehead, "but this isn't going to work – sorry."

Damien shrugged, looking disappointed, Merlin picked up his jacket and left.

oooOooo

Morgana (09.55); Explain.

Arthur (10.15); What?

Morgana (10.18); Vivian.

Morgana (10.33); ARTHUR! I will come over and beat it out of you if I have to.

Arthur (10.35); It was nothing

Morgana (10.39); Maybe to you, but what about Merlin?

Arthur (10.45); What about Merlin?

Morgana (10.48); ARTHUR!

Arthur (10.56); Leave it.

Morgana (11.00); You can bet your ass I won't, now explain.

Morgana (11.07); What happened..?

Incoming call:

Morgana 07879002666

"You have reached the voicemail of Arthur Pendragon, Leave a message and I'll get back to you."

Arthur (11.31); He didn't want me.

Morgana (11.34); Huh?

Morgana (11.48); Baby boy, what happened?

Arthur (12.02); He found someone better.

oooOooo

A loud crash woke Merlin, he gazed blearily at the clock and groaned.

He hadn't gotten to sleep until the early hours, tossing and turning and when he eventually did drift off his dreams were full of blond hair, blue eyes and muscled torsos.

He shuffled to the kitchen, in need of coffee and was greeted by a girl on her knees sweeping up the remnants of the coffee jar.

"Oh hello!" She smiled, getting to her feet rubbing her hands on the boxers she was wearing.

"Hi..." Merlin looked at the floor, covering in coffee granules and broken pottery.

"Sorry... It just jumped out my hands!" She waved her hands about and Merlin had to smile.

"Suicidal coffee jars? They're the worst," he smirked.

"I know!" She smiled brightly, "cause, the coffee goes everywhere and then when you try to clean it up you get covered in coffee and it gets really sticky and you have to mop the floor as well," she huffed and blew hair out of her face. Merlin laughed.

"Not you're first experience I guess."

"No... All manner of objects become suicidal around me!"

"You were at the club last night, right?" Merlin asked, tip toeing around the mess.

"Yeah... I was with Gwaine, you left with that guy...?"

"Eh... Yeah..." Merlin scratched his head.

"Ah you're home!" Gwaine said walking in. "What happened?" His jaw dropped at the mess on the floor.

"I'm sorry, really really sorry!" Elena flapped.

"I just wanted a cup of tea," he shook his head and then put his arms around her, kissing her head smiling at her stricken face. "Hold it a minute, you," He grabbed a hold of Merlins shoulder as he tried to slip past.

"I'm going for a shower," Merlin tried to get free.

"Not until you explain last night."

"Why?" Merlin snapped.

"Cause I'd like to know why everyone practically jumped down my throat!"

"Tea?" Elena smiled brightly.

"Please," the two answered in unison.

Merlin collapsed onto the sofa, Gwaine sat across from him and Elena popped down onto the floor at Gwaines feet.

"Can't fall if I'm already on the floor," she smiled and Gwaine laughed.

"So?"

Merlin put his head into his hands and groaned.

"I don't know what happened!"

"You and Arthur...?"

"I thought maybe," Merlin laughed bitterly, "but then I turn around and he's all over that tramp."

"Who's Arthur?" Elena asked, "not the guy you left with I take it?"

"Nope," Merlin said, sighing.

"He's our friend," Gwaine said, "that's him," pointing at a photo on the shelf of New Years a few years back.

"Oh..." Elena nodded, "I saw him last night, really hot!"

"Oi!"

"Not as hot as you, of course," she patted his knee, "I just remember him cause I've never seen someone's face change so quickly."

"What?" Merlin sat up and looked at the strange girl on the floor.

"We were at the bar, Gwainey wanted to introduce me to you but you were wrapped around that guy," she took a sip of tea, frowning thoughtfully, "I was looking around and I saw this guy walking out from the hall to the toilets – I remember him cause he was really hot" she smiled up at Gwaine, "he was walking over to the bar and then suddenly he stopped."

"What happened then?" Merlin whispered, leaning forward.

"Well, he froze and then he looked like someone punched him. I mean his face just dropped and he took a step back. Like seriously he looked devastated..." Elena looked up. "Oh... He was looking at you..." she trailed off.

"Shit." Gwaine looked at Merlins pale face.

"Yeah, shit!" Merlin agreed, "SHIT!" He pulled at his hair.

"Hmmm."

"No wait! Why the fuck didn't he just come over instead of jumping on that one?"

"Yeah," Elena nodded. Gwaine laughed, shaking his head.

"Seriously? You pillock Merlin!"

"What?"

"Arthur walks in on Lance and Gwen at it like rabbits and walks out again without saying anything, do you honestly think he'd walk up to you when you your were wrapped around some bloke?" He rolled his eyes, sitting back, Merlins jaw dropped.

"Well why not?" Elena asked, looking confused. Merlin silently thanked her.

"Cause while Arthur might seem like a cocky confident prat he's actually really insecure as well," Gwaine glared at Merlins snort of disbelief, "you've met Uther, yeah?"

"Yeah," Merlin nodded.

"Imagine growing up with a man like that!" Gwaine said, "never being good enough, always put down, always trying to prove himself and it never being enough. Then imagine someone he thought actually loved him or a friend," he looked pointedly at Merlin, "choosing someone else over him."

"But I didn't..." Merlin whined.

"But it would kind of have looked like you did," Elena grimaced. Merlin felt sick.

oooOooo

APendragon (12.11); I'm not here

Merlin looked up and through the glass into Arthurs office, he was sitting behind his desk, typing away on his computer.

MerlinEmrys (12.13); I can see you

Arthur looked up and gave him a withering glare.

APendragon (12.14); No you can't because I'M NOT HERE!

"Is Arthur in?" A perky voice asked, Merlin looked up to see Vivian.

"Ah... No," He smiled brightly, glancing through the glass again to see an empty seat.

"Oh! Where is he?"

"He... Ah... Is about somewhere..."

"Vivian my dear, how lovely to see you!" Merlin felt like banging his head on the desk. Uther walked over and gave her a light kiss on the cheek, "what are you doing here?"

"Uther! I'm here to get your son to bring me to lunch but apparently he's not here," she frowned. Uther looked at Merlin, slightly shocked and then into the office.

"What? Where is he?" he barked at Merlin. Merlin had never wanted to be an ostrich before but suddenly shoving his head into the sand seemed really appealing.

"He... Ah... Had to step out..."

"Step out? There's a board meeting in twenty minutes and he needs to finish that account for legal! Where in blazes is he?" Uther was one scary man.

"He'll be back... He just had an emergency," Merlin smiled brightly. Uther gave him a glare, similar to the one Arthur had given him moments before.

"Vivian, perhaps you could arrange another lunch but really today isn't convenient," he smiled brightly at her, she nodded and kissed his cheek and left. Uther turned to glare at Merlin again. "Where is he?"

"He wanted a muffin!"

"A muffin?"

"Yes... He had a craving... When he gets back I'll tell him you want him..."

"Is it not your job to get him... muffins?"

"Well... Yes... But you see I always get the wrong ones... He's very picky and always changes his mind before I get back..."

"Do you have some kind of mental infliction?"

"Yes," Merlin laughed nervously, nodding his head. Uther sighed and walked away.

Merlin got up and stomped into the prats office, it was empty. Merlin chuckled, going round the desk, expecting to find his boss hiding under it. Much to Merlins disappointment he wasn't.

"So... Why are you hiding in your bathroom?" Merlin asked leaning against the door. Arthur looked up at him from his seat on the toilet and grimaced.

"Shut up Merlin."

"Your father thinks there's something mentally wrong with me!"

"So does everyone else," Arthur said standing and trying to get past Merlin, who blocked his path. "Merlin," he snapped.

"No... Why are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding!"

"Eh... Of course I forgot how you love to hang out in your bathroom..."

"Shut up!"

"Arthur!"

"I didn't want to see her..." He scrubbed a hand through his hair, his expression a little lost.

"Ah... Not enjoy your night with her?" Merlins mouth tasted bitter, Arthur looked at him sharply.

"It was fine."

"Uh huh."

"It was a mistake, one I don't wish to repeat."

"Then I suggest you rectify your injudicious actions." Both men jumped, Merlin looked around to see Uther standing in the office, looking stony faced. How long had he been there?

"Father..." Arthur stepped out of the doorway.

"Enjoy your muffin?" He threw a harsh glare at Merlin.

"Muffin?"

"Have you taken leave of your senses?" Uther asked carefully, "Is it too much to hope for, that you would act in a manner more befitting my heir?"

"Father..." Merlin slipped past the Pendragon's, trying to get out of the office before all hell broke loose.

"We are buying out Olaf's company, demolishing it and now, you deem it prudent to engage in relations with his daughter?"

"It was nothing..." Merlin closed the door, leaning back against it.

"Nothing?" Uther stared coldly at his son, "Do you have any idea what this would do to us, if he found out? That girl is his pride and joy," he raised a hand and pointed at Arthur, "you'd find yourself walking down the aisle and, worse, our companies amalgamating."

"That's not going to happen," Arthur's face draining of colour.

"I know it's not, you are going to end this dalliance before it becomes irrevocable or you may find yourself back in New York. "

"You wouldn't..."

"Wouldn't I?" Uther turned and walked to the large window, looking out over the city, "Believe me, I hear the anecdotes of your philandering ways and I choose to ignore them," he turned to look at his son, "but when it impeaches upon business and your legacy, I will take any action required. Including removing you from the equation. "

"Yes Father," Arthur looked at his feet, feeling reprimanded.

Uther nodded, "The meeting starts in ten minutes," he stepped towards the door, "I expect you there, at my side, prepared and diligent," he looked to see Arthur nodding, "you can take care of Vivian later," and with that he left the office, closing the door behind him.

Arthur stood staring out the window, lost in thought. Shame prickled at his conscience, not over his actions with Vivian but because of the disappointed he had heard in his father's voice, behind the carefully, calmly, coldly delivered lecture.

The door opened and Merlin poked his head in.

"Coffee?" Merlin paused, catching a glimpse of hurt in Arthur's eyes before the cold mask of indifference, so like Uther's, slid back into place, "Or whiskey?"

oooOooo

Gwaine walked in to the kitchen carrying a photo album.

"Look what I found!" He exclaimed happily, dumping the album on the table.

Morgana flicked the cover open, while Leon leaned across to get a look.

"Oh my god," Morgana laughed.

"Great times," Leon sighed wistfully.

"Why's that?" Merlin asked around a mouthful of digestive.

"First time they shagged," Gwaine said, earning a smack from Morgana. Leon grinned dreamily.

Merlin grinned, flicking the pages.

"Where was this?"

"Fathers estate, we went up one weekend when summer started."

There were photos of the whole lot of them, and a few faces Merlin kind of recognised. They all looked happy. The kettle started whistling and Merlin went to fill the teapot.

"Oh..." Gwaine sighed.

"What?" Morgana asked, Leon chuckled.

"You really need to ask?" She leaned over Gwaine shoulder and snorted.

"I'm surprised you don't have that one framed!" Gwaine gave her a scandalous look and then his gaze fell on Merlin who had taken a step back to the table, loaded with cups and a packet of biscuits and he smirked. Merlin didn't like the look one bit; he set the cups down and took another biscuit retreating to get the teapot.

Leon looked pointedly at Gwaine and Morgana giggled. He ripped the photo out of the album and when Merlin got back to the table, thrust it out to him. Merlin took it, looking confused before his eyes widened comically when he looked at the picture.

It was Arthur, standing topless in the sun, jeans hanging low on his narrow hips. The sun glinting off his muscles, sparkling on the light sheen of sweat on his perfectly sculpted body. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes sparkled as he smirked at whoever was behind the camera. Merlin gulped, feeling his cheeks start to heat. He tore his eyes from the photo and held it out with a slight tremor in his hand to Gwaine who raised his hands as if in surrender and laughed.

"Keep it!"

"What?"

"Keep it."

"I heard you, you dollophead" he rolled his eyes, "I meant why?"

"Do you not like it?" Leon asked with an innocent look on his face, Morgana cackled – the wench.

Merlin felt his cheeks burn, Gwaine laughed.

"Why would you possibly think I'd want a picture of that idiot?"

"Cause he's a hot idiot," Gwaine said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, which in fairness, Merlin thought, it was.

"And you're pining," Leon added helpfully, the git.

"I am not!" Merlin said outraged, bastards – complete bastards. Morgana patted his shoulder, the look said it all. He was, well not pining exactly just in lust, definitely not the other L word with the giant, arrogant prat. He pulled his hand back and looked at the photo again.

"Just something to wank over," Gwaine said, pouring the tea. Morgana smacked him while Merlin spluttered.

The front door slammed, Percy and Arthur walking into the kitchen, Merlin hid the photo – flushing all the way down to his toes.

"What's wrong with you?" Arthur asked, reaching for a biscuit.

"Nothing," Merlin snapped, earning a confused look from the prat.

"Time of the month is it?"

Merlin stormed out of the kitchen to sounds of laughter behind him – still clutching the photo.