Author's Note: This is also a brand new chapter. I'm also raising the settings due to some of the storyline and dialogue in the chapters. Other than that, enjoy!
It was Wednesday afternoon, Lunch had passed and Arthur was at college. None of his chums were to be found, Morgana was off with Gwen and her patrol members who attended college, and Merlin was no where to be found. He'd tried ringing Merlin on his mobile, followed by a series of texts, and nothing had returned. Basically, Arthur was bored. And saying bored, mindlessly bored. All his current assignments, which were due in next week, had been completed, and Arthur never had a class for another good two hours or so.
It was only when his physical training teacher came across the quad, noticing Arthur minding his own business. The trainer, named Patrick, was heaving some kits across the quad, clearly having difficulty, when he approached Arthur.
"Arthur, can you give me a hand?"
"Of course sir. What is your proposition?"
"I've got a class in 20 minutes and I need to run back to my office to collect my equipment for my lecture, can you take these kits to the locker room and place them on a bench?"
"Of course sir."
Patrick turned on his heel, calling back in the other direction. "Thank you Arthur."
To reach the locker rooms, one must climb the stairs to the second floor, passing the indoor sports hall (where the examinations were taken), and then turn right. On the left was the gym. Taking the right would take you onto a balcony, where overlooking you could see the sports hall, followed by the gymnastics centre, and then at the end was the swimming pool, with the changing rooms and toilets attached on at the end of the block. Upstairs was the dance studio (rather small in size), and the locker rooms. Arthur placed the kits onto the bench nearest the door, and because this was a one-way entry, would have to exit the building the way he entered.
Dawdling back to the exit, Arthur spotted someone alone in the gymnastics centre. Due to being lunch, anyone could attend the sessions during that hour, providing there were no classes on. The figure was training on the rings, and seemed to be rather experienced. It was only when the figure landed on the ground with a dazzling finish, and of course turned around, preparing his hands for the next apparatus and taking a swig of water, Arthur noticed exactly who it was. "Oh my god!" Arthur muttered, as he found an excuse to keep himself entertained.
Switching to the floor mat, the said figure was about to perform a routine, but needed music. Arthur dropped his bag on a nearby bench, and clapped resulting from the previous routine.
The figure turned around, only noticing his blonde numbskull of a friend. "Arthur?"
"When did you learn how to do that Merlin?"
"I've been training since I was nine. I started at school, and went to a club on most nights. Once arriving in England, it was hard to find time to practise, so I went on weekends. Since joining college, I began work, so I found out about the sessions held here. I demonstrated my abilities to Noah (the gymnastics coach) and have been using the centre as a training ground since."
"Can I say that was bloody amazing." Arthur tried to say this to his face, but Arthur's eyes trailed across Merlin's body. It was just so distractive. Merlin was dressed up in the college's special gymnastic kit, which was black, so not too exciting to start a fashion trend.
"Thank you."
"Can I just say, I never thought you had the strength to do something quite like that."
Merlin unfortunately took this the wrong way, which made him feel small and even more unattractive. "I'm not just skin and bones you know! Are you trying to say I'm a thin piece of nothing?"
"No! I'm just saying, Will told me you never liked sports, and seeing you do this made me wonder whether he was telling the truth." Merlin knew Arthur's words weren't quite right. Arthur stepped forward, a little too much into Merlin's personal space, and placed his hand onto Merlin's bicep. Arthur could indeed feel the muscle there, even if Merlin never seemed muscular. Arthur somehow then managed to find the right words to say. "I know you're not just skin and bones Merlin, but what I wanted to say was, when I was up on the balcony, I noticed you perform. I've never seen anything like it. I'd never watched it on the telly because I thought it was a girl thing, but seeing you do that, it made me open my eyes and take note that anyone can give something a go. You're tremendous Merlin."
Arthur's hand lingered onto Merlin's arm a little too much than for friendly encounters, and Arthur's hand slid down Merlin's arm and Merlin pulling Arthur into a hug, leaning his head on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur was never one for hugging, but feeling Merlin this close to him, he bring himself to care. Merlin let out a few silent sobs.
"Merlin? Are you crying?"
"No!"
"Merlin, what's wrong. You can tell me." Merlin pulled back, and directed Arthur straight in the eye. "No one has ever complimented me. Okay, so the coaches have, but I thought it was just encouragement to try harder. But hearing it from a friend, it makes it feel the more special. It makes me feel better as a person, but also to know that I'm finally doing something brilliant."
"Merlin, you're already wonderfully talented and sophisticated. If anyone has said anything to you then I'll bash their brains out! Don't put yourself down. Now, what about this floor routine then?"
"You'll laugh."
"No I won't. Show me your magic Merlin." Arthur moved over to the CD player near the bench, and what it seemed, it was already on the desired track. "Are you ready Merlin?"
Merlin stood on the edge of the mat, raising his arms to stretch before beginning. "Press play Arthur."
A soft melody began to play, where Merlin started out the routine, taking the first tumble into a forward roll, ending up on the other end of the mat. His posture was flawless, as he ran into a summersault, following by a few more flips and turns. As the more complex the routine was, the quicker the tempo sped up and the dynamics of the piece becoming louder, more fierce and bold. Arthur's mind went blank when we saw Merlin perform the splits. Arthur could do so many things, but that was beyond the catologue to Arthur's perfection. Merlin finished landing on both feet without stumbling, as he raised his arms into the air, declaring the end. The music stopped, which Arthur pressed the stop button, and then clapped until his arms ached. Running over to Merlin, he hugged from behind, wrapping both arms loosely around his neck, whispering into his ear "and the gold medal goes to Merlin Emrys for being such a wonder."
"So it was good?"
"Perfect."
"That's my training for today. I've got class in about half-an-hour time, so quick shower, put the stereo away and then class."
"Or," Arthur began, a smile forming on Merlin's lips. "You take a quick shower and change. I put the stereo away and then I take you for coffee, then class."
"What have I done to impress you?"
"Just being you impresses me."
"Oooh, go on then. Make sure you take the CD out of the stereo as that belongs to me."
Following an extremely quick shower, and Arthur cleaning up the centre, Merlin and Arthur existed the sports block, crossed the quad over to the canteen, where Arthur bought two cups. Joining Merlin at the table, Arthur handed the one polystyrene cup over, Arthur sitting opposite Merlin.
"So Merlin, you're a fantastic gymnast. I'd love to see my football team try that out!"
"Don't give me ideas Arthur." Both giggled over the picture that had been painted in their minds over the likes of Valiant performing a routine.
"Well then Merlin, what other endearing qualities do you have in this type of sport?"
"I figure skate for one, and attend the local ice rink every other Sunday, and on the occasion, I pole dance." Arthur's face had formed a big jaw-dropper on the final two words, dirty-minded images coming to Arthur's head. Focus Pendragon!
"Not for that reason, if that's what you're thinking. I learned at 16, when Gwen and Elena dragged me along for fun. It was quite fun actually, and I perform for charity events. It keeps me in shape, even if I am skinny and don't seem the sport type. It gets me out of my natural surroundings as well. It's been a while since I took to the pole though."
"I have got to see you perform a pole routine."
"Yeah well, if I'm not performing for the public, don't you dare bring your friends along. That is a secret and very few know of that. Even Will doesn't know about it, and that's saying something." Both finished their coffees as Arthur walked Merlin up to his class, a few people catching on as Arthur departed for his own lecture.
Afternoon had rolled on to evening, and Merlin was up in his room, completing some more of his EPQ. During the duration of trying to focus on the word-document on his laptop, texts incoming from Arthur with dirty-minded thoughts and other waffling caused Merlin to huff in frustration, and close the lid of his laptop. Pacing across the room, Merlin started losing control as his ring-tone went off, answering with haste.
"Arthur! What part of I have an EPQ essay to complete don't you understand! You get all of college and scouts to send me dirty-minded things and talk about god knows what. But please, for 20 minutes. Leave me alone!" Of course Merlin never even the name of the caller before answering it, and so it could be anyone.
"Merlin?" Not Arthur at all, but seductive eyes. "Gwaine?"
"Merlin! I was just phoning to say we're all meeting up at the park tomorrow, just for some summer fun. Wanna tag along?"
"Oh god! I am so sorry Gwaine. Thought it was Arthur, but yeah I'll tag along."
"What's between you and Arthur?" Merlin completely forgot about the esaay, sinking onto his bed to talk to his friend.
"Oh erm, Arthur just being an ass as usual."
"I don't mean that."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Morgana caught you pair in the canteen earlier, and you were both glancing at each other as if you were longing to shag each other's brains out, but waiting for the other to make the first move."
"Gwaine!"
"I'm serious. It's the same at scouts. Every time we're in our patrol together, as Arthur directs a speech to us, he can't help but steal glances from you, and they linger, so he wants you Merlin. He either wants you in between his arse or you bending over for him. He wants your disco stick Merlin."
"Ahhh. Too much information Gwaine!"
"Oh come on Merlin. I bet you've thought about it for a while now. His perfect body up against yours..."
"If you don't shut up about it then I'm turning you off."
"And turning Arthur on then?"
"Right, you asked for it." Merlin ended the call, hearing enough about Gwaine's sexual innuendos. Was it right though? Was there that much sexual tension between Merlin and Arthur? I mean, Merlin thought to himself that he shouldn't be thinking about that. He's only seventeen for crying out loud. But he indeed did want Arthur. Only one word could be called for this. Bugger.