A/N: Okay, so here's chapter 4, where we can really start to see Arthur being drawn to Merlin. I did want to justify a few things first though. For one, in case you haven't noticed, Merlin smokes in every single one of my stories. I don't know why but I have a thing for men smoking, especially Colin Morgan in Parked. So just excuse that. Second, I know I made it seem like Merlin had all these friends and Arthur had very few, but I am trying to follow the original relationships from the TV show. If you think about it, all of the main characters minus Uther, Morgana, Leon, and maybe Gaius (even though he's closer to Merlin now), were friends of Merlin's first. That's what I tried to explain by the Merlin vortex. Merlin usually saves someones life, they end up becoming friends, and then are eventually knighted by Arthur. So, it's not that Arthur isn't popular in this story, it's just Merlin is more popular haha.

Anyways, please please please review. I don't feel like I'm getting any at all and its very discouraging and hard to continue this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, even though I really really wish I did because Colin Morgan.

Chapter 4

Arthur had been in the midst of a dreamless, but nevertheless successful sleep when his alarm blared at seven in the morning. He groaned, but didn't press snooze. Never, ever press snooze. He sat up, stretching and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed his phone off the nightstand, switching it on and of course, the only notifications he had were emails and a few business texts, nothing from friends.

He glanced over a few of the work emails, but decided most of them could wait. He stood up and quickly changed into his running shorts and a white V-neck. He made a quick smoothie, being the health nut he was, and leaned up against the counter to scroll through his contacts to text Morgana about that Monday coffee when he passed Merlin's name. He remembered receiving the text message about that German Shepard, but never responding.

Arthur: A German Shepard really? Tattoos, leather jackets, all black, and a German Shepard? Are you trying to go for the badass look because it's not working

George let out a low whine from his place by the door and Arthur pushed himself off the counter, "Sorry, bud. I'll feed you."

Once George was fed and his smoothie was finished, Arthur quickly hooked a leash to his dog and pulled him out the door. He made sure to lock the door behind him and jogged down the stairs to start his morning stretch. He picked a Pandora station to listen to and then started down the sidewalk at a light jog.

Arthur and George had their usual route and they never really deviated from it. They would always jog down to the store a few miles away, pick up a bagel, sit on the sidewalk and eat together, then they would jog to the dog park, which was only two miles away at most, and take a break on that bench by the oak tree together. George would occasionally run after a few dogs, but then would come to sit by the bench and pant obnoxiously for at least ten minutes. On weekdays, Arthur would call a taxi to take them back to his apartment so he wouldn't be late for work, but on weekends, Arthur and George usually made the track back to his apartment on foot.

They stopped and got their bagel, the girl behind the counter greeting him in her usual, "Good morning Arthur! Nice out today, isn't it?" regardless of the weather and they sat on the curb side to eat before taking off towards the dog park. It was a decent enough park, with its green hills overlooking a pond, and Arthur had never really ventured out to look at different parks.

Arthur didn't really expect to see more than two dogs in the park at eight in the morning, so he was a bit surprised to see four dogs chasing after each other. He opened the latch to the gate, glancing over to make sure his bench was open and it was, thank God, so there would be no problems there. He released George off his leash and watched as the dog barked happily and took off after the other dogs. He made his way to the bench and sat down, stretching out his long legs in front of him.

Of the four dogs, two of them were shih tzus, one was a golden retriever, and the other a German Shepard. George trailed happily after the golden retriever and German Shepard, who seemed to be an adequate job of ignoring the two smaller dogs. An older woman and man sat on the bench farthest away from Arthur, their hands curled together and looking adorable as ever, though Arthur would never admit to it. He assumed the two small dogs belonged to them.

A girl was sitting on the ground near one of the trees, looking no older than nineteen and messing around on her phone.

Arthur didn't really see anyone else so he assumed she owned both of the bigger dogs. That was until the German Shepard took off after someone that was climbing up the bottom of the hill. And Arthur should have known. He really should. The clues were right there, he just had to connect them.

The German was jumping frantically at its leather-jacket clad owner, letting out a whine as his owner dropped to his knees to pet him, "Down, boy. Down!"

And Arthur knew that voice. Fuck.

Merlin

The idiot still seemed completely oblivious to Arthur. On top of that, George was making his way towards Merlin and Merlin outstretched his hand for him to sniff, which George ignored and barreled straight into Merlin's side, knocking him over. Merlin laughed, that stupidly wonderful grin on his face, and rubbed George's head. And really, it was like the world was out to make sure Arthur was never happy. And then it hit Arthur that Merlin had the nerve to ignore his text message and really, how dare him.

Arthur took out his phone, scrolling to his text messages and deciding he was going to fuck with Merlin's head since Merlin was fucking with Arthur's life.

Arthur: You're ignoring me.

Arthur glanced up from underneath his golden fringe to watch as Merlin pulled out his phone, sitting on the ground where he was, getting his jeans dirty. He seemed to contemplate his phone for a second, before Arthur could see him texting back.

Merlin: sry ur highness. Was busy

Arthur thought about getting George and leaving, but for one, George was playing with Merlin's dog directly beside Merlin so Merlin would see him. He thought maybe about waiting for Merlin to leave and then leaving so Merlin wouldn't see him, but that wasn't going to happen because Arthur's bench was directly by the gate. So really, his only option was just to acknowledge Merlin. Fuck it, might as well rip the Band-Aid off quick and easy.

Arthur: You shouldn't sit on the ground. Your jeans will get dirty. Also, you're distracting my dog.

Merlin's head immediately shot up and Arthur snorted. Merlin's eyes were moving around the entire park until they finally settled on Arthur by the gate. There was a second where they just stared at each other before Merlin threw his head back and laughed. He stood up, brushing off his pants and fuck, he was walking towards Arthur now.

Arthur looked down at his feet and flinched as Merlin came to stand in front of him.

"Are you stalking me, Arthur Pendragon?"

Well that did it. Arthur glared at him, "No. Actually, I come here every morning. If anyone is stalking, it's you. And what the hell are you doing up? You strike me as a person who doesn't know what anything before noon looks like."

Merlin grinned and his eyes crinkled and Arthur hated him. Merlin moved to sit on the bench beside him, crossing his legs so his ankle rested on his knee, "I'll have you know I've been up for awhile. I couldn't sleep."

Merlin's dog ran up to Merlin, dropping a ball he had found somewhere in front of them. Merlin smiled, rubbing his ears affectionately and picking it up. Arthur would admit the dog was beautiful and seemingly sweet. Merlin handed the ball to Arthur, who stared at it like he had never seen it before. Merlin smiled, "This is Kilgharrah. Killi for short. Here. He wants you to throw it."

Arthur frowned at Merlin, who just beamed back because he's an idiot, and took the ball. Killi pranced in front of him impatiently, George sitting a few feet away. He threw the ball somewhere down the hill and both dogs disappeared after it.

"I'm assuming that's your dog you were talking about," Arthur nodded in response and Merlin turned back to look at them, "He's beautiful. How old is he?"

"Five," Then added, just for the sake of conversation, "How old is Killi?"

"Almost three. He's Freya's dog technically," Merlin stated, a hint of sadness behind his voice. Freya, his dead fiancée, right. The one that Merlin continued to talk about on the daily and the one that Arthur felt very uncomfortable discussing, "I mean, we got him together when he was a puppy, but he lived with her while I was finishing up school."

"Oh," because Arthur didn't really know what else to say.

Merlin turned his head to the left to look at him and tried to smile for what it's worth, "I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. Me talking about her."

"No, it's not that," Arthur glanced down at his hands and then back up at the two dogs chasing after each other, "I just never know what to say."

"You don't really have to say anything," Merlin smiled, "I just talk to talk sometimes."

"Just to hear your own voice, right?"

Merlin laughed, throwing his head back, "Yeah, exactly like that. Anyway, what are you doing here this early?"

Off in the distance, the dogs were chasing each other, seemingly enamored with each other unlike their owners. The old couple stood to leave. Arthur looked back at Merlin, watching as Merlin dug around in his pockets and finally pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He placed one in between his lips, held the lighter up, looking at Arthur as if he was still expecting him to answer his question.

"You smoke?"

"What? Oh. Uh, yeah. Trying to quit," he shrugged, lighting it up and taking a long drawl, "want one?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, "We're not allowed to smoke in the park. It's against the rules."

"I'm not very good at listening to others or even following rules for that matter. Besides, I'm sure all of the, I don't know, two people in here won't mind," he again held out the pack to Arthur, "live a little. Break the rules."

Arthur finally grabbed one; they were Camel Menthols, Arthur's least favorite because it felt like smoking toothpaste, but beggars can't be choosers. Merlin raised an eyebrow as he shoved them back into his pocket and handed Arthur the lighter, "I was expecting you to say 'no'. I would never peg you as a smoker."

"I'm not," He said as he raised the cigarette to his lips and Merlin laughed at the irony, "Shut up, Merlin. I'm a social smoker. But I don't smoke daily or really on my own that much. Just when I'm stressed."

"Aren't you stressed like all the time? I mean, you're the CEO of one of the biggest businesses in New York."

Arthur shrugged, "It's not so bad."

"I don't believe you. I saw a picture of your dad, he looks old as hell and he's only like, what, fifty-three?"

"You really are the definition of polite, you know. He's fifty-seven. Did you google me?" Arthur turned and gave a smug grin. He flicked some of the ash onto the ground below him.

Killi barked somewhere in the distance, "No, you ass, I read an article about your dad in Time magazine awhile back."

"Suuuuure," Arthur and Merlin both laughed at that before settling into a pleasant silence.

Arthur was just finishing his cigarette when Merlin finally spoke up and when Arthur turned to look at him, he had his head bowed and playing nervously with a fray on his jeans, "Listen, I asked your sister out on a date."

"Oh yeah?" Well good for Morgana then.

"I hope that's okay," Merlin shifted uneasily and he was blushing pretty badly. Arthur wanted to hit him and tell him to quit worrying, that he doesn't care, "I mean, I don't know. We didn't get off to a good start, what with you being a pompous ass and all, but I do like her. She's nice…and I don't mean any bad by her, I'm not going to…you know…with her. I wouldn't, I m-"

"Merlin."

"Yeah?"

"Do shut up."

Merlin seemed to ease up at that and laughed, leaning back again, "Yes, your highness."

"I don't care if you date my sister. You don't have to ask my permission."

"I'm polite, remember?"

Arthur laughed. Really when it came down to it, Merlin wasn't completely awful. He was sarcastic and sometimes annoying, but he was also kind of funny, good-natured, easy to joke with and mostly kind of great. He had no doubt Merlin would be good for Morgana and he would be one of the more handsome men Morgana had dated, even though Arthur would never admit to that.

Merlin was standing up, whistling for his dog, when he turned back to Arthur, "Do you wanna get lunch or something?"

The two dogs came bouncing over the hill, Killi in front with George happily trailing behind. Killi slid to a stop in front of Merlin and let out a low bark, before whining. Merlin smiled, hooking his leash on. George stood expectantly in front of Arthur.

"Uh, sure. Where?" Arthur stood and clipped George's leash on.

Merlin shrugged, "We can stop somewhere that will let us eat outside with the dogs. Oi! There's a really good Chinese takeout place by my apartment. It's walking distance to my flat, we can have a cab take us there and walk back."

"Ok," Said, Arthur.

And once again, Arthur found himself stuffed into the backseat of a taxi with Merlin, except now, they had two very large, panting dogs sprawled across their laps. Merlin was chatting happily with the taxi driver, no surprise there since Merlin was anything but shy or quiet. Once they got to the Chinese restaurant, which was located on a small street a few blocks away from Merlin's apartment, Merlin pulled out his phone to call Gwaine and Will to see if they wanted anything. Arthur offered to pay yet again, but with a sarcastic "I'm not a charity case, prat," Merlin had left Arthur outside with the dogs and disappeared into the building to order their food.

Killi let out a small whine, leaning his head back to look at Arthur. Arthur smiled, crouching down and scratching between his ears, "Don't ever tell Merlin I said this, but you're pretty damn cute, you know that? That feel good?"

Killi barked back and George whined. Arthur reached a second hand up to pet George as he continued to scratch Killi, "You guys are spoiled. Good thing you guys get along, I have a feeling you'll be seeing each other a lot with Morgana and your daddy," he smiled at Killi, "you're lucky I like you. Yes, I do, I do. Otherwise I wouldn't put up with your owner. No, I wouldn't."

There was a low snicker behind him and Arthur swung around to find Merlin standing with a large paper bag in one hand and another covering his mouth as he giggled. Arthur glared, but Merlin just beamed back, "Did you just use a baby voice on my dog?"

"No."

Merlin came to stand next to him and took the leash for his dog, nodding his head towards the left, "It's this way. And you definitely were and don't believe for one second that I won't tease you about it every chance I get."

Arthur deadpanned, while Merlin chuckled to himself and headed down the sidewalk. It wasn't too busy, seeing as how it was nine in the morning on a Sunday.

The silence went on until they had already passed three blocks, before Arthur decided, just in the sake of being polite, he would strike up a conversation, "Do you like living in New York?"

Merlin shrugged, and took a drawl of the cigarette he had lit up a few minutes ago, "It's okay. I mean I always dreamed of living somewhere like Colorado or something, you know? I would have this nice little house at the base of a mountain and I would have this one room where one of the walls was just pure glass and it would overlook the lake with the mountains in the backdrop. I could put like a couch in there and sit and watch the sunrise every morning with a cup of coffee. That's my dream. I don't know, it's stupid. I just don't like how crowded this place is sometimes."

It actually didn't sound stupid. It sounded amazing. Arthur had grown up in the California, in a huge beach house. He had moved to New York then, in a ridiculously expensive house that overlooked the East River. Everyone in the business world knew his name and they, along with his father, had high expectations of him. Sometimes it was too much, sometimes it felt like he was being crushed, and sometimes, he thought about running away to the country. So it didn't sound like a stupid dream at all. It sounded like everything Arthur had dreamed of, glass wall and all.

"One day," Merlin said.

"It's not stupid, for what it's worth," Arthur offered.

"Thanks. It's just the city is great and all, but I'm not like you. It isn't my natural habitat."

Arthur frowned and his eyebrows knitted together.

Merlin glanced over and his face turned concerned, "What?"

"Just because I was raised here doesn't mean I don't dream about leaving," and that's all Arthur really could say. He wasn't an open book like Merlin and his friends. This conversation was already much deeper than Arthur had originally intended for it to be.

Merlin seemed to sense his discomfort and shrugged, "Well one day, maybe you can leave too. Anyway, we're here."

Arthur nodded and jogged up the stairs to Merlin's apartment. Once they got inside, Merlin set the food on the island and Arthur released both dogs, who took off running into the living room and jumped on the couch opposite of a very upset looking Gwaine and a very annoyed looking Percival.

"Food's here!" Merlin yelled until Arthur elbowed him in the side and Merlin glanced up, his face turning from confused to concerned, "Gwaine?"

Gwaine shifted his head from where it was laying on the back of the couch to look at Merlin, "She gave me a fake number, bro. It's the twenty-first century and she gave me a fake number."

Percival moved to pat his friend on the shoulder, "She wasn't right for you, man."

"Yes she was, she's a girl," Gwaine groaned, rolling his head back.

Merlin smirked and handed a plate from the cupboard to Arthur. They took their turns dishing out their share of food and Arthur moved to the couch, pushing the dogs off so he could sit facing Gwaine and Percy. Merlin handed a plate to both of them before he got his own and sat down next to Arthur.

"If it's any consolation, mate, I didn't find her that attractive," Merlin piped up, taking a bite of the fried rice.

Gwaine proceeded to lift his head to stare at Merlin, who just gave him a cheeky grin, "Shut up, Merlin."

"You seem to get that a lot," Arthur laughed and that got Gwaine to smile a little.

Killi sat at Arthur's feet and whined. Arthur reached out to give her a piece of his orange chicken before Merlin grabbed his hand, shook his head and mouthed, 'no human food'.

"Ugh," Gwaine groaned again.

"Tell you what, mate, come to work with me tomorrow night. We'll find you another girl," Merlin offered.

"Says the one who went off on me when I tried to take a girl home," Arthur mumbled to which Merlin shot him a glare

Their small banter seemed to be doing wonders on Gwaine's mood, who now watched them with interest and munched away happily. It also seemed to have alerted him on Arthur's presence, "Princess. I've missed you."

"It's been less than a day, Gwaine."

"That is true, isn't it?" Gwaine laughed as Percy jumped in, "Oh no, you've fallen into the Merlin vortex!"

"Merlin vortex?"

"This charming little fucker keeps bringing in all the strays," Gwaine winked at Merlin, "Ergo, me and Percy."

"Percy was brought in by Lancelot, not me," Merlin reasoned, "and now he's your best friend, so I can hardly be blamed for that disaster."

At first, Arthur thought Merlin was being serious, but then Percy laughed and flipped Merlin off. Merlin beamed back and Arthur felt a sudden pang of jealousy. He had never had friends like this. He had Leon, but Leon was busy being Leon and all, and even then, he was a serious personality and didn't joke around like this. For once, he felt lighthearted and not weighed down by the expectations and serious discussions.

"You are the one that's dated half of the friend group," Arthur pointed out.

Gwaine threw back his head and laughed, joined by Percy, who seemed to find it absolutely hysterical. Merlin just frowned, "Oi! I dated two of them. Two."

"Anyways, the Merlin vortex goes like this. You meet in some kind of troubling situation, one of you saves the other. Normally. He offers to talk, or get lunch or hangout, you get talking, you realize he's not only funny as hell, but he's also kind of wise. Without knowing it, you find yourself hanging with him every single day, until eventually, whenever someone mentions him, you find yourself thinking that he is just the bee's knees," he held up his hands, gesturing to Percy and himself, "and then, bam, you're in this magical friend group. It's completely unavoidable, my friend, and it looks like you've already been sucked into it."

"You guys are all acting like it's a bad thing," Merlin frowned.

"Not bad, amusing, but not bad," Percy reassured and Merlin smiled back.

"This Merlin vortex sounds like a death sentence," Arthur stated quite simply because Arthur knew already he was no exception to the magical pull that Merlin had to him. Arthur had seen enough of this group to know that Merlin was the glue to this group, even if some of them wouldn't admit it. All of them were friends because of Merlin. Lance and Gwen had dated Merlin, Freya had been engaged to Merlin, Will was Merlin's childhood best friend, Gwaine he had met in a fight, and now, even Arthur himself was brought in by Merlin. Merlin was the center and gravity of the whole friend group, Arthur was not blind to that.

He glanced over at Merlin, who was still eating happily and not giving a single shit about anything at the moment. Despite all his annoying qualities, Merlin was magnetic. And Arthur was jealous of that, that he had such a natural popularity to him that wasn't from money.

"Fuck."

Because Arthur was definitely stuck in this damn vortex.

REVIEW. Please! i need the encouragment. Long reviews are my favorite ;) but i'm not picky. Love you alllll.