"Hello?"
"Hi, I've asked Merlin and Arthur to come to the coffee shop after college. What time do you finish?"
"What? No. Lancelot, shut up a minute. You've done a good deed here my friend. What time did you say to meet up for?"
"4pm at the coffee shop around the corner from Scouts, why?"
"Good, I finish at 3. Meet me there for half-past-three."
"Why?"
"I'll explain later. I've got a class in 10 minutes. I'll see you there."
"Fine."
This was Gwaine's plan, and Lancelot just got involved somehow. Lancelot knew that Merlin had eyes for Arthur, and Gwaine knew that Arthur reciprocated those feelings, as well as knowing about Merlin's desires for Arthur. Lancelot hoped for the pair to become a couple, knowing that this would make both happy. Gwaine wished for this also, but Gwaine was a sneaky one, and had his own ideas of setting that mark.
Lancelot was at the shop for three-twenty, Gwaine jogging the distance as soon as he noticed his patrol member. "Ah, brilliant, you came!"
"All right then Gwaine, what's the plan?"
"Follow my lead."
Gwaine entered the shop, which also served as a cafe, and stopped in front of the cash register where a young lad was working, probably a uni undergraduate. "Hello, can I help you?"
"Erm, yes actually. Do you allow customers to book tables?"
"Well, on the occasion yes. Why?"
"We'd like to book a table for some friends. It's a blind date!"
"Oh I see. Why, two of your mates love each other but deny their feelings?"
"Yeah, that's the story."
"Nice one. Yeah mate, what time would like the table for?"
"They'll be here in about thirty minutes."
"And what are the names of the lovebirds."
"Merlin and Arthur. Arthur's a blond and Merlin is raven-haired."
"Alright then. Well, I'm sure they'll understand after."
Both left the shop, thanking the barista before closing the door behind them, and then rounded the corner. Both then had to stop as they went into a fit of giggles. Noticing the time, both bolted in the direction of home, where they'd meet up later for the trip out to the Fire Station to complete their fire safety badges.
Making his way home, Gwaine sent a quick text to Arthur and Merlin. "Booked us a table at the coffee shop, I'm going to be a little late getting there from sixth-form. You might as well wait in there."
Making their way together from the college to the coffee shop, Merlin and Arthur arrived for dead on four-o'-clock. Neither Lancelot or Gwaine were there, so both decided to wait inside for them. Entering, the young lad who worked there noticed the blond of Arthur, and the raven of Merlin.
Drying a mug, the barista dropped the mug back on the rack behind the counter, flung the towel over his shoulder, and approached the boys, who were looking around the shop for a decent place to sit, so that Gwaine and Lancelot would easily find them. "May I seat you and take your orders?"
"Erm, we're waiting for our friends to arrive first."
"Oh erm, well can I take your names, so I know who I'm paying the bill to?"
"I'm Arthur, and this is Merlin."
"Ah, just the people then."
"I'm sorry, but what is going on?" Merlin asked, both now confused. Something was up and it didn't look pretty.
"Your friends booked the table but can't make it apparently, so therefore it's just the two of you."
Arthur became frustrated as the young barista stumbled over his own words, and raised his voice to try and get the barista to speak the truth. "Seriously, like were going to buy that. Tell us the real reason!"
The young lad didn't want to spoil it, but feared he had no choice. "Okay, you're friends came in and arranged it to be a date between you two."
"Okay, so do you know what their names were?" Arthur asked, having ideas of his own.
"I don't know their last names, but from their ID cards, which both were wearing around their necks, one was called Gwaine and the other Lancelot."
Arthur grinned a fake smile and patted the barista's shoulder, knowing that they had been stitched. "You've done well my friend. You know what, it's only ten-past four and we've got a while, and we're not needed at scouts tonight, so we'll stay for a while. Let's have it as a date. Table for two please!"
From there, both were shown to the table, ordering food and drink for themselves. In between eating, Arthur and Merlin devised their plan for revenge, Arthur phoning his father, whilst trying to steal glances from each other.
"Hello?"
"Dad, I need some help. Gwaine and Lancelot set me and Merlin on a blind date and we need to get our revenge. I've got a plan but we need your help. Can you meet us at the fire station in half-an-hour?"
"We're not due there until six, and you pair aren't on the list anyway."
"Doesn't matter. We can disguise ourselves when they get pranked."
"Fine, I'll be there in twenty."
"Thanks dad."
Approaching the entrance of Camelot Fire Station, Merlin and Arthur were accompanied by Uther, who didn't sound fond of the plan, but would do anything to help out his son, especially since he was stitched up and in the form of a date.
"So then son, what's the plan?"
"You know how they always teach the scouts about the hose pipes, and then get volunteers to have a go using them to put out a small fire?"
"Yeah,"
"Well, our plan is to make some small justifications and get them drenched."
"You'll have to talk to the chief firefighter."
After some small persuasion, the staff who would be leading the demonstration agreed, and would carry out the plan. Merlin and Arthur returned back to Merlin's, getting changed into scout uniform, then they made their way to Arthur's, changing into his uniform, and then back to the fire station.
"Now you understand what uniform we have to wear in order to carry out procedures, we'll show you the basics to our equipment. As you all know, this is a fire-engine. Now, in order to complete this demonstration, we need two volunteers." The firefighter picked Lancelot and Gwaine, who seemed the least interested in this trip. Both were instructed to turn on the hose pipes, and aim to put out a small fire in the distance. Indeed the fire was put out, but at the same time, the volume of water was so great that they ended up drenched themselves.
"What the hell!" Gwaine squawked.
"I don't remember this happening when people put fires out..." Lancelot stood there, dripping from head to toe.
The remainder of the scouts burst out laughing, Uther feeling a little guilty and the firefighters trying to stay professional. Merlin and Arthur high-fived each other as they roared with laughter, Lancelot and Gwaine noticing their expressions. Before getting caught, Merlin and Arthur left the station, walking back towards Merlin's home.
Crossing the fields back from Gaius' cottage and through the shortcuts to Ealdor, Merlin and Arthur still had a little time to spare, even if Arthur still had to make his way back to Camelot.
"You know Arthur, the last time I remember, you don't live in Ealdor," Merlin began his talent of babbling.
"I don't."
"So why are you coming back with me then? Want a proper tour of the house?"
"Well, we did have a date together at the shop, even if it was a prank, so I'm doing the honour of walking you home."
Already walking close to each other, shoulders brushing along their venture back, Merlin closed in on Arthur and wrapped his one arm around Arthur's shoulders. With anyone else, Arthur would of drawn their arm away, as he wasn't the touchy type, but this was Merlin, and his instincts would let the touches slip by. "Aww, of all people, Arthur is showing some manliness towards his subjects."
With Merlin not really focusing, and instead licking his lips, he just replied with "Oh, well, what is it then?" Merlin's hand trailed up and down Arthur's arm, causing Arthur's mind to go blank from the teasing, suggestive strokes.
Arthur allowed the words to slip too quickly, focusing on Merlin's lip movements, and the warmth of Merlin's hand finding it's way up his arm. "It's called Arthur showing some manliness towards the man he loves." Not thinking straight - why would he when he was on top of Merlin - Arthur dropped his head, closing his eyes to plant a delicate kiss to Merlin's lips, one hand cupping Merlin's face and the other firm on the ground. Merlin completely stilled, ivory skin covered in goose pimples, as Arthur backed away in shame.
"Merlin. I'm sorry... I ... didn't know what I was doing... I," Arthur stumbled over his own words, concerned over the way Merlin didn't respond. Merlin faintly smiled, giving a low chuckle, Arthur's expression bewildered. "Merlin?"
"Arthur you idiot! It's raining!" Arthur then felt a raindrop splash on the back of his neck, following with a few more. Camelot and the surrounding countryside hadn't seen rain for a few months, which the environment agency had declared as a drought. "So it wasn't the kiss that stilled you?"
"Well, I was surprised at first, but then it felt natural, like you were meant to kiss me all along, and I you."
"Are you sure?" Arthur added suggestively, the small hints of a smirk showing, Arthur gazing back at Merlin's lips.
"Okay, that was a complete lie. I've wanted that to happen for a long while, I just never knew the right time for it to happen." Merlin had never felt so sure of something in his life, like a thought had bobbled up and down in his mind that was saying 'Arthur is offering himself to you. Take it while you can.' Merlin raised an arm, and began stroking Arthur's hair, fingers dancing down to his neck, which caused Arthur to gasp at. Those fingers led towards his shoulder, trying to pull the other back down. "And yes I'm sure!"
"Then let me kiss you again." Arthur slid back down on Merlin, not giving a damn about the rain. After a long and hot sticky day, rain was anything one could ask for right now. Arthur allowed his lips to brush Merlin's, Merlin adding response into the kiss. Allowing his tongue to lick Merlin's upper lip, Merlin parted his lips with a gasp, which sounded more like a moan for more, allowing the invasion of Arthur's tongue to dance its way inside of Merlin's mouth. They would remain there for another good five minutes, licking, nipping and sucking their way into each other's mouths.
"Arrthur?"
"Merrlin!"
"Arthur... I think.. it's best.. if we get out.. of here," Merlin moaned between kisses, Arthur working his way south.
"Mmm, Merlin... Don't want to move.. Have waited... so long... You're so good..." Merlin then jerked away from Arthur, leaving a pout amongst Arthur's face.
"Oi! I wasn't done with you yet!"
"Arthur! We're lain here, in a field, with our scouts uniform on. It's also raining cats and dogs, and we're both drenched. Don't you think our parents are going to kill us for getting our uniform ruined?"
"Uggh, fine, you have a fair point. I'm still walking you home though."
"You'll probably want to dry off as well and then call your dad to pick you up."
"Good point." Merlin stood, pulling Arthur up with him, as they ran the remainder of the distance back to Merlin's house, drenched and caked in mud.
Hello?"
"Targets just been snogging in the field bordering onto Ealdor. Mission complete."