'There you are, Merlin! With Mordred too,' Morgana exclaimed with wicked smile.
'Just in time actually,' Gwaine said, sauntering into the middle of the room with an empty wine bottle in hand. He threw it expertly into the air, watching it make three spins before he caught it by the neck. Merlin's bristles softened at the comforting sight of Gwaine's endearing arrogance. His eyes then met with Arthur's stony expression, the arm wrapped around Gwen's waist, only this time closer and more intimately: his fingers drawing small circles on the delicate jade fabric.
'In time for what?' Mordred asked.
'Spin the bottle,' Gwain replied as he knelt down and placed the dark glass onto the green and gold oriental rug.
'I'm not drunk enough for this,' Elyan sighed and downed his glass of champagne.
'Elyan!' Gwen scolded.
'Sh, everyone gather around for this evening's main event,' Gwain said and dropped to the ground flawlessly, folding his legs and rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Percy reluctantly drew himself away from his rather antisocial perch and joined them all as they sat in a circle on the rug. Gwain shifted forward and spun the bottle. It chose Mordred. Merlin watched him with fascination, the innocent and slightly concerned face was unrecognisable from the one filled with desire earlier. Mordred spun it and Morgana's smile grew when it landed on her.
'Now, no half-arsed peck on the cheek. Kiss like it's your last day on Earth,' Gwain instructed with a wicked glint in his eyes. Fires lashed at Merlin and he could smell the smoke while BRITAIN SHALL NOT BURN echoing in his mind.
Morgana leaned forward onto all fours, Mordred shifting as well. Her pale arm outstretched and pulled him into a kiss by his tie. It was brief and when they pulled away from each other, despite his look of discomfort, he laughed with her. The smoke and fire disappeared again and the haze in Merlin's vision departed. The memory crawled back into his mind and left him in peace with reality.
'Next!' Gwain exclaimed, spinning again. It landed on him. 'Let's see who the lucky sod is.'
He spun it again and Merlin felt his stomach drop when it pointed its ambivalent neck at him.
'I, uh, you know, this is just a game, and,' Merlin stumbled before Gwain cut in saying: 'Oh, come on, Merlin. I don't bite. Much.'
Merlin forced himself to move towards the charming Irish man and when they were close enough to feel each other's breath Gwaine murmured, 'Now, this is rather intimate. Ignoring the audience and the fact a bottle decided this fate, that is.'
'Oh, yeah, very romantic,' Merlin said sarcastically, stiff shoulders relaxing.
'Snarky. I like it,' Gwaine said before he pressed his mouth to Merlin's. Merlin could feel the man's bristly stubble against his skin, the strangely rough but soft lips, the minty breath laced with alcohol. Then the subtle but strong scent of aftershave. It wasn't brief. When Gwaine parted his lips it became the complete opposite of brief.
'Whew,' Gwaine breathed when they separated, Leon applauding and the others grinning and chuckling. All except Arthur. 'You're one hell of a kisser, Merlin, and you were barely trying.'
A blush bloomed on his face and Merlin fell back onto the floor, noticing Mordred's heady look and then, daring a glance to Arthur, the blonde's hardened eyes.
The next series of spins chose Arthur and Gwen.
The heat twisted in him as he watched them move together, Gwen's evident embarrassment and Arthur's glamour of confidence. Merlin could see his apprehension though.
'You don't have to,' he told her, eyes spilling over with care and consideration.
'I'm happy to,' she said and then closed the gap between them. It was just a moment and then Gwen left with a proud smile, one shared by Arthur.
'Is that enough to satisfy you, Gwaine?' Percy asked with exasperation.
He pressed his palms together, mockingly begging, 'One last spin? Please?'
'Go on, then,' Elyan said and Gwaine leaped forward, spinning it again. Merlin watched as the black glass turned, blurring slightly with the light glinting off its surface. Him. It chose him. His heartbeat became heavier and then the bottle was turning again, fast, fate flying around wildly and carelessly. Arthur. His mouth became dry and he could feel the pulse in his ears, in his fingertips. The two leaned forward, not smiling, not giggling. In his eyes Merlin saw something terrifying. Something cold. He could feel Mordred watching, Gwen staring with amusement thinking nothing of what was happening. His stare dropped to Arthur's lips. The soft pink colour and slightly fuller bottom lip.
'Hey, blame the bottle,' Arthur said, laughing awkwardly, but the ice was still sharp in his eyes.
'Right,' Merlin said, trying to laugh it off. The attempt was poor and laughter didn't help. He felt Arthur's breath caress his own lips and he recalled the night he'd spent at his flat, how close they'd been. He wanted that warmth again. They kissed. It wasn't pulling him into any storm. It didn't make him think about Arthur's breath or the feel of his lips. The sensations were there but they were secondary. It just made everything feel more real. Lighter. Better. The something was flooded with an even more overpowering heat that brought with it nothing but the sensation of being right. Of this being right. Arthur hadn't pulled away yet and the kiss deepened slightly, his hand finding its way to cup Merlin's face, thumb resting on his cheek. Slowly they parted.
Arthur cleared his throat and jumped to his feet, Merlin sitting back down with relief that no one seemed to have a second thought as to what just transpired. Mordred, however, seemed more subdued, and Morgana's narrowed eyes studied Merlin, her mouth curling up at the edge.
'Now that that's done with,' Arthur stammered, apparently flustered from the kiss. 'What shall we do? Leon?'
'No idea,' Leon admitted.
'Call it a night?' Percy suggested, clearly not feeling the party spirit. Everyone got up and Gwen took Arthur by his arm. Merlin felt slightly lost, his emotions erratic, but Mordred stood by him. Grounding him.
'None of us are drunk enough yet,' Morgana complained.
'Is that where Elyan gets it from?' Gwen said with a shocked laugh.
Morgana gave a sweet smile. 'It's true though. Celebrations can't be complete without a splitting hangover. It's the sign of a good time. More drinks and pleasant conversation?'
'One step ahead of you,' Gwaine said with a huff, arms filled with beer bottles. At some point he'd left into the kitchen. Merlin couldn't help feeling impressed with how quiet and unnoticeable Gwaine could be when he tried. 'I hope you don't mind I raided your fridge.'
Drinks and pleasant conversation ensued, the topics ranging from politics to admiring Leon to more racy subjects. Eventually their numbers began to dwindle, the first to leave being Elyan, then Percy, then even Leon, much to everyone's dismay. Merlin's world became fuzzier and much funnier. He was lying on the floor, staring up at the chandelier, amidst a laughing fit. For some reason he couldn't get over the glass, crystal, diamond, whatever it was made of. How it sparkled and showed him so many worlds. Either he was imagining it, was way too drunk, or the tiny figures he saw dancing and writhing in the shards were real. It didn't matter. spinning
He was vaguely aware that Morgana and Mordred were engrossed in conversation and Gwen was giggling at his own state.
'I probably need to go now,' Gwen said sadly, still grinning at Merlin's drunken behaviour.
'Morgana!?' a voice called.
'Father!' she said, snapping out her stupor and getting to her feet as he marched into the room. He took in the scene before him. Merlin was fascinated by the man's scar and stern expression.
'I trust you all enjoyed yourselves?'
'But of course, your Majesty,' Merlin said with a clumsy grin, but then he was filled with an incorrigible fear. 'You're not going to burn me at the stake, are you?'
'What?' Arthur said, thrown by Merlin's odd question.
'No. No, I'm not,' Uther said, unamused but not offended. Yet. 'Will your guests be staying over or getting cabs home?'
'Cab,' Mordred answered on everyone's behalf.
'Good. Nice to see you, Arthur.'
'You too, father,' Arthur said, pressing his lips together into a strained smile.
'I'll call the taxi service just now,' Morgana alerted everyone and went to the land line, tapping in the number.
Merlin sat crammed between Arthur and Mordred. He wished for those odd glass pieces of the chandelier. Even Morgana's terrifying gaze. Anything but the situation he was now trapped in. He could see Gwen's content, slightly tipsy, smile as she sat in the front seat. Things became a touch clearer and he could feel the tension. Taught enough he could flip a coin against it. Arthur was staring out of the window, silent, with his elbow on the window sill and head resting against his knuckles.
Mordred however was resting his hand Merlin's leg. Not completely, but enough to send a strange buzz through him. The silence pervaded and Merlin kept his hands clasped together in his lap, feeling his head swirl with the alcohol.
The cab rumbled as they drove down his street and taxi driver stopped in front of his building. Mordred climbed out for Merlin, and when his feet hit the pavement and he stood facing the man there was that lull again. Slowly disgust was being suppressed by a strange attraction.
The words left of their own accord. 'Do you want to come in?'
'Sure,' Mordred said with a curious look in his eyes. Merlin smiled and turned to close the taxi door, eyes meeting Arthur's. He was staring right back at him, no longer out the window. His eyes seemed confused, sad. The buzz in Merlin's veins told him he was probably imagining it.
'See you Monday?' Gwen checked kindly. Arthur said nothing.
'Yeah,' Merlin said, slamming the door shut and charging to the building's door, opening it for Mordred.
Entering his flat Merlin became acutely aware of what was happening. Mordred, the black wings, the fire, the anguish, and here he was. In his home. With him.
Turning on the lights he quickly let go of that train of thought and asked, 'Coffee?'
'That'd be great, thanks,' Mordred said as he entered, shutting the door with care and looking around with curiosity. Merlin threw off his jacket and turned on the kettle, hearing it sputter and jiggle as it began to heat up the water. He took out two mugs, the coffee pot, sugar, teaspoon. Arranging it all on the work surface and then hands slipped around his hips, lips pressing against his neck. He felt the heat, damp breath, and saw the many colours of the kitchen's wall blur together, swirling. Each bright colour drowned the next. Merlin shuddered. It felt wonderful, loving, exciting but there was another edge. A sharp one, a hungry one, one filled with fear and shame and it all collided in Merlin's weary and sozzled mind.
He turned around, Mordred's hands sliding to fit around his waist. They were pressed together, Merlin leaning against the work surface.
'You're beautiful,' Mordred murmured as if hypnotised. Merlin's face heated up and then their lips pressed against one another for the second time that night. The cold waves washed over him and he embraced Mordred, keeping him close. Physically he was lost to the world, gone away into Mordred and everything he was. Everything he knew that was impossible for him to know. The warmth in his veins didn't simply constrict and twist his nerves however; this time it was violent and pain burst in his head, the nauseous feeling more potent than ever. Merlin broke the kiss with heavy breathing and eyes squeezed shut, trying to chase away the headache. The drunken haze was gone and he was left with a hard reality. The water pulled away, slinking back into its deep abyss and the colours left. Left to their hard tiled restraints.
'Merlin,' Mordred breathed, stepping away instantly. 'I'm sorry. I didn't - I thought that-'
'Something's just . . .' Merlin said, opening his eyes and looking at the man with soft eyes. 'I don't know. It's like what I explained earlier. I'll just finish the coffee.'
Mordred smiled with understanding and wandered over to the small and quaint living room, taking a seat and picking up one of the books Merlin had left lying on a side table. Merlin finished making the coffee, the warmth in his blood subsiding somewhat. It was still there, lurking, warning. Threatening. It had calmed enough for Merlin to forget about it and control the sensations, even the headache now dissipating. He joined Mordred on the sofa with the coffee.
'Are you and Arthur-'
Merlin stopped him with raised hand and an awkward chuckle. 'No.'
'You don't know what I was going to say,' Mordred said, putting his coffee to one side.
'I can guess, and we're not involved,' Merlin said, taking a sip of the bittersweet liquid and then placing it down on the table.
'Do you want to be?'
Merlin could hardly fathom the severity and melancholy in his voice. 'I've only known him for five days.'
'And you've known me for four,' Mordred countered with a sombre smile. 'Personally, I know that I like you already. A lot.'
Merlin couldn't find the right words, so instead he said, 'Have you always lived in London?'
Mordred smiled to himself before going along with the change in topic. 'No, I came here when I started University.'
Merlin silently thanked him for letting them drop the subject that brought the fear and passion and pain to the surface. Burying it deep inside, Merlin pursued more trivial conversation and the two talked the night away.
His eye lids were heavy and when he'd forced them to open he found everything to be slower. Dark locks moved with his breath and he found their movement endlessly intriguing. Then the pounding began in his head.
'Ow,' Merlin murmured, trying to shift. A large something behind him and in front stopped him. Frustrated he wiggled more, trying to futilely escape. Pulling his knees up he used his feet to push whatever it was, and it slid off with a thud and a groan. Ah. Mordred.
'Sorry,' he mumbled, sitting up straight, rubbing his eyes and then stretching his stiff muscles.
'You don't have any Ibuprofen, do you?' Mordred asked quietly through a yawn.
'Kitchen, top shelf of the cupboard. Above the toaster,' he directed, shifting his feet to touch the floor and holding his head in his hands, everything feeling a little off. Mordred got to his feet and shuffled to get the pain killers. The details of the party were fuzzy, but Merlin knew they'd get clearer as the day went on. 'So, last night was eventful.'
'That's one way to put it,' Mordred said, chuckling as he pushed two of the pills out and swallowed them with some water. He turned to look at Merlin and there was that light in the storm. The next second it was as if a shadow had fallen over Mordred's face and he saw someone else smiling at him. A dark, warped smile with eyes consumed by regret, frustration and a deep sadness, a deep fury. The oceans burned away.
'Merlin?'
He almost jumped at how close the voice was and realised that Mordred was now sat next to him. He was resting his hand on Merlin's shoulder, the other on his knee, drawing him back into the moment.
'As uh,' Merlin began, voice rougher from having just woken up. 'As nice as this was, I think I need to get some rest.'
'We were chatting for hours last night,' Mordred reasoned, assuming that's why Merlin was acting so out of character. Then again, around Mordred, he acted like this most of the time. 'Can I have your number?'
'Obviously,' Merlin said to Mordred's delight and he read it out to the man as he typed it into his mobile. Showing him to the door, Mordred stopped and left a kiss on the corner of his mouth. He felt the weight of Arthur's dying body in his arms. He remembered the claws of dirt dragging him under. He felt his skin tingle where Mordred's lips had so tentatively and caringly pressed.
The phone was ringing in his ear not a minute after Mordred had left.
Arthur picked up. 'Merlin? Are you safe? Did Mordred do something?'
'What? No, no, Mordred didn't do anything,' Merlin reassured him. 'What are you talking about?'
'Just,' Arthur started before falling silent. 'Just checking. Why did you call?'
'I wanted to make sure you're okay, drinking with a head injury and all,' Merlin reasoned, but he knew that it was instinct which had dragged him from the doorway to call him. Instinct and his scornful acquaintance fear. A part of him kept feeling Arthur die. He'd yet to shake it.
'Oh. I'm okay. Gwen is a little worse for wear, though.'
Merlin leaned against the wall, grip tightening around the phone. 'Gwen's there?'
'Uh, yeah, she is. She stayed over, but nothing really happened,' Arthur said, and Merlin could picture the man's fingers running along the green fabric, running along Gwen's skin. It made him happy for the sweet girl, the kind Gwen, but then sad as well. 'So what did you and Mordred get up to?'
'Nothing much. He's just left and I-'
'He slept round yours?'
'Yeah, and he sleeps like a log,' Merlin remarked with a grin. 'I can hardly believe it's possible to sleep so heavily.'
'Merlin, I better go,' Arthur said, his voice distant as if pulled away from the phone.
'Oh.'
'Gwen's making her surprisingly edible pancakes and I don't want to miss out. You should use the weekend for some hardcore TLC, okay? When Monday comes we hit the ground running.'
'You don't work over weekends?'
'Gwaine's going undercover at Ambrosia tonight, and we'll have to wait for him. No other leads,' Arthur said with defeat. Merlin drummed his fingers against the plaster on the wall.
'I see . . . Bye then.'
'Bye, Merlin.'
The call ended. Merlin turned the phone off and threw it onto the sofa. Pulling off his shirt as he entered his small bathroom he turned the shower on. Waiting for the water to heat up he mulled over his first week at Scotland Yard. How the case was going, the jacket, Morgause, and the warmth inside him that had a growing life of it's own.