As chaotically as always Arthur, Gwaine, Leon and Lancelot rushed around trying to get ready for the day ahead. They were now at the point they had congregated in the kitchen. Lancelot thumped down into a chair and started shovelling cornflakes into his mouth, while eyeing Leon in amusement. Leon rested his forehead down on the table in front of him, occasionally groaning in pain.
"Can someone please kill me?"
"It's your own fault," Arthur informed him unsympathetically as he shifted through some of his notes for the presentation he and some of his course mates were doing that morning. "What possessed you to drink three Jager-bombs in quick succession?"
"I was drunk and it's all his fault!"
Leon lifted a hand and pointed at Lancelot who stared at the accusing finger with a frown, before announcing, through a mouth full of cornflakes, "Not me; Gwaine is in the other direction."
"His fault!" Leon announced with his head still down, switching hands to point at Gwaine. Gwaine grinned, looking slightly pale and hung over, but in possession of a stronger constitution than Leon he happily ate jam smeared toast while he argued back.
"You have enough faculties to make your own decisions. I didn't sit on your and force them down your throat you know."
"You dared me!"
"Then it's still your fault for getting sucked in," Arthur announced primly stuffing the stuff he needed into his bag and releasing the catch on the sandwich toaster to view the contents. Not entirely satisfied with what he found there he fastened the lid back down again.
"I think this thing is on the way out, it doesn't crisp the bread like it used to."
Leon whimpered as he smelt toasted bread, cooked ham and melted cheese.
"Well, it wasn't exactly the most expensive thing in the world," Lancelot said philosophically.
"Bugger, where are those graphs!" Arthur snapped rummaging in his bag again. He went haring out of the kitchen and crashed up the stairs into his room, thudding around in a panic. Gwaine licked his lips to remove the excess jam and turned his head as Arthur's mobile beeped. Reaching over he pressed the buttons to open the message.
"Why are people sending you pictures of flowers?" Gwaine asked turning the screen about to examine the oddly angled shot. Arthur scowled, with a handful of sheets in one hand he used the other to snatch the phone. As he looked at the picture he smiled.
"Merlin's first flower, from his growing project. He'll be pleased about that," Arthur announced fondly.
"Aawww," Gwaine said. "I'm looking forward to seeing Arthur's little Merlin."
Arthur glared at him, particularly Gwaine excessively fond tone of voice.
"What do you mean 'my little Merlin'?"
"Oh come on, you have never gone home so much. The ladies are loving the obsessive conversation. They are now assessing your paternality."
"Is that even a word?" Leon's muffled voice asked.
"It is now," Gwaine said. "Come on, you are now less of a sex god and more a parent. The ladies are going for it."
"Oh, enough! They are just the same."
"Actually some of them are quite bored," Lancelot announced scooping and sipping milk in hurried gestures.
"Good. It might whittle out all the dead wood and the ones that think I pay for everything around here."
All three of his friends looked at him, steadily and with understanding. Many a time they had seen it, women that thought Arthur had some kind of extravagant lifestyle where he paid for all their drinks and everything they wanted. So many girls assumed Arthur would just pick up the tab and let them spend without consideration.
The three of them knew Arthur was the opposite. Yes, Uther paid for his accommodation and his course and the car, one that was expensive and well maintained because Uther wanted Arthur to be able to travel safely. Arthur had a credit card for his essentials, and money to live on, but enough for him to live on and no more. He couldn't recklessly spend and get away with it. Uther had taught him the value of the money he had and how to use it wisely.
"Amen to that. Sophia attempted to milk you so much I thought you were going to grow udders," Gwaine said, reaching up to try and tweak Arthur's nipple. Arthur hissed and batted him away. Leon, now resting his cheek on the table to be able to see, sniggered and Lancelot snorted the milk he was sipping from the edge of the bowl back into it's centre. He put the bowl down with the utmost care, pushing it away, while rubbing his now stinging nose.
"I have to go," Arthur said extracting the hot sandwich from the toaster and yanking the plug out. He juggled the sandwich in his hand as he picked everything up and ran for the door. "Later."
"Pub at six!" Gwaine roared.
"Got ya!" Arthur yelled back before he slammed the door. Lancelot knocked his knuckles on Leon's head causing him to wince.
"If you want a lift, like you asked me, be ready in twenty minutes."
"I may stay here and just Google everything," Leon said.
"Whatever, if you are in the car, I'll drop you off, if not... well then. What about you?"
"The lovely Emma is coming for me," Gwaine said. "Pub at six," he added, just in case Lancelot hadn't heard him the first time.
"If Leon lives that long."
"If not," Gwaine said sagely. "We'll mourn his passing with a pint."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
On Monday morning Morgana knew the topic of conversation, as she and Vivian walked into the building, unrolling the waistband of their skirts to bring them down from mid-thigh to the regulation knee length. Several of the boys hanging around the entrance stared at them, but Morgana ignored them. Vivian smirked in their direction, taking longer to get her skirt in order, hinting at a promise she would never keep.
"So will he be there?" Vivian asked with emphasis as they turned the corner to head towards their classroom. Everyone seemed to ease out of their way in a reverent fashion. Morgana didn't feel she entirely fitted the profile of her school persona, at least on the inside, but it seemed easier to go with it most of the time so she could concentrate on other things.
"Arthur," Morgana snarled. "Of course he will."
All her friends fancied Arthur at one point or another, thankfully Arthur did not pay attention to any of them. Vivian lived in greater hope, since her father was a business rival and friend of Uther's.
"No, I mean him, the little magic kid."
Morgana's metaphorical hackles jolted upwards, she felt her jaw tense as she answered.
"Of course Merlin," she stressed his name, "will be there, why wouldn't he be?"
Vivian looked quite startled at Morgana's tone. She shrugged.
"People might not like it."
"If they don't, they can bugger off!"
"Who can?" Elena announced, the one person who didn't sidle out of their way. In fact Elena practically fell on them. Aware of her friend's ability to fall over fresh air Morgana already had her hand out to steady her and avert any major disasters. Although there was a chemistry practical today, so there was plenty of time for disaster, or rather Elena, to strike.
"People who object to Merlin."
Elena frowned. "Why would anyone object?"
"'cos of his magic!" Vivian hissed, unaware of Morgana's increasing agitation. Elena looked confused.
"What's that got to do with anything? He's only a little kid, isn't he? He can't help it," Elena said before crashing her shoulder into a nearby open door, sending her spinning. Morgana sidestepped as the head of the English department appeared from the other side of said door to see what had happened.
"Elena Godwyn, will you look where you are going!"
"I do!" Elena announced as she eased herself up off the floor. "That doesn't help!"
The English teacher rolled her eyes and Morgana helped Elena the rest of the way up, and they shuffled along, dragging their heels as they got closer to their classroom.
"Is it true that that Mithian is coming this year?" Elena said. Morgana glanced at her and Elena gave a shrug. "I wondered."
"She's a stuck up cow," Vivian announced tartly. Elena and Morgana shared a glance and Elena smirked. Vivian glared at them.
"I've never met her," Morgana said, as they paused outside of the room, where everyone else had been lingering. "I know Uther is doing some business merger deal thing with her father so I guess he's invited them."
"I've met her; once," Vivian said, which she then presumed made her an expert on the subject of Mithian. "She's a bitch."
"Really?" Elena asked with mock amazement and exaggerated wide eyes. It set Vivian off bitching for the five minutes they lingered, before being forced into morning registration. With Vivian's attention switched she forgot all about Merlin, which suited Morgana fine. Still it did make her wonder, how would Merlin react to so many new people.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Every Friday Gwen spent the final part of the afternoon in conference with Uther going over how Merlin had done that week and what her plans for the following week were. To Gwen it seemed a little more than was necessary when discussing Merlin's development but she tolerated it, at least Uther displayed interest.
Over the last few weeks she had started to enjoy the job and the freedom she had to do it. She could make a list of the things Merlin needed, with costs and Uther either ordered them himself or let her go and buy whatever she though suitable with a credit card that he had set up for the purpose. All she needed to do was keep receipts to hand to him at the Friday meetings and he appeared happy with everything.
"He seems to love the growing project. I bought a smaller watering can. The other appeared a little too bulky for Merlin to deal with," Gwen said. Uther flicked through the receipts and nodded as he spotted the relevant piece of paper.
"I thought I hadn't seen it before. He has been very diligently watering everything."
Gwen smiled. Merlin had been incredibly devoted to his little patch of the garden. He had even helped Balinor clear the section, digging enthusiastically and somehow managing to cover himself in soil. Gwen hesitated for a moment before voicing the mild concern she had had over the little plot.
"I did actually suspect that he might have attempted to use his magic to help things grow. From what you told me of the signs that I might need to look out for…"
Uther looked up, his gaze penetrating. Although Gwen had long ago decided not to be intimidated by it, she sometimes found it difficult not to squirm.
"Do you think he did?"
Gwen shook her head. "No. I explained why it wouldn't be so good; mainly that Merlin didn't need to. He seemed quite surprised by such an idea."
"That might explain his fascination," Uther said steadily, sitting back in his chair. "He wanted to see if it was true."
"Hopefully it's proved something to him," Gwen said. "It's the first concern I have had about his magic."
Uther nodded. "Apart from one or two instances it hasn't been as big of an issue as I thought. Although the ones we have dealt with we were quick to handle."
"Like him healing the goat. Arthur told me," Gwen added as Uther looked startled.
"Quite. That's why I do have some concerns about the party this weekend. I presume you will still be attending."
"Of course," Gwen said, knowing full well that the only reason Uther had bothered to invite her was because she was someone Merlin knew. Normally she presumed people like her never got a look in.
"You are quite welcome to bring someone, a boyfriend, or partner..."
Gwen smirked to herself as he left the comment hanging. Uther removed it as he added.
"I am well aware that if I had not extended the invitation Arthur would have done so."
"Oh," Gwen said not quite wondering how to answer that, which would not result in her swearing at her employer.
"I have noticed my son's interest in you. Naturally, if such a thing is reciprocated I would presume it would have no baring on your work."
"Of course not!" Gwen snapped. She could feel the blood running to her face and she was feeling an increasing urge to slap him. Uther sat back in his chair almost as if he had sensed that in her.
"I know it is fair to say that your private life is none of my business. Arthur can argue the same, to a lesser extent. And normally it is not something I try to interfere with, however, it is not something that should affect Merlin, but I say that in consideration of any negative tension that might occur. As long as it remains your private life then it is not something that I feel any great need to involve myself with."
"Nor do you have any particular right," Gwen said tartly. "At least concerning me. As Arthur's father I suppose you get to comment. However, I'm not really certain it has reached any point where there is anything close to an issue."
"Not with Arthur away I suppose. Although he's taking more opportunity to return home."
"I think you'll find that is mainly to see Merlin, not me. And for the record I planned to bring my brother with me on Sunday."
"Fair enough," Uther said smiling slightly at her rather acidic responses. "I suppose in theory I could have cancelled it. There will be a fair amount of curiosity about Merlin, but the last thing I want to do is hide him away."
"He'll be fine, I think he'll have plenty of support."
Gwen was quite surprised to find that Uther, for once, looked quite uncertain.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Why did I get you?" Arthur asked as he put his foot down on the accelerator. He was only ten minutes from home but he had started to lose patience long before then. Having Gwaine in a car was like accommodating a hyperactive toddler.
Gwaine paused in fiddling with the radio, again, and glared at him.
"You lost the toss," he sniped, and then grinned. Arthur laughed, shaking his head.
"I shouldn't have let you drink that energy drink this morning."
"Except the fact I needed it," Gwaine said. "Last night you lot missed out."
"Gwaine there is more to life than going out and getting drunk every night."
Having got bored of fiddling Gwaine sat back, shrugging as he did so. "Maybe, maybe not. For now it's fine."
"Dad's going to nag you about that bad test mark."
"I had one bad day. I've maintained a fairly good average, better than last year's."
"I suppose, and the rest of it has been fine, but he'll still nag."
"Maybe he'll enlist me with some tutoring with this pretty teacher of Merlin's."
Arthur clenched his teeth as Gwaine laughed, knowing that he had hit a raw nerve.
"Have you been putting in for some extra teaching?"
"Shut up Gwaine!" Arthur snapped as he turned his car into the gateway of his drive. Arthur's frown deepened as he realised Lancelot and Leon, in the other car, had reached their destination first. They were stood on the driveway, pulling their bags out of the boot while talking to Gwen, and the man stood next to her, whom Arthur didn't recognise.
"Oh, is that her?" Gwaine asked, sitting up and paying attention. "She's pretty."
"Don't you dare!" Arthur warned.
"Lancelot already is," Gwaine pointed out opening the door and bounding out before Arthur had even halted. He increased the pressure on the brake to jerk to a halt, causing Gwaine to slip a little, but he easily righted himself.
"Grumpy," Gwaine told him before he slammed the passenger door and bounced over to the chatting group. Arthur paused a moment, making a rigmarole of putting the handbrake on and turning the ignition off before he got out, slamming the door. He could hardly ignore them gathered there, since they turned to look at him. Walking around the car he headed over.
"Hi Gwen."
"Hey Arthur," she said. She had just turned to her companion, presumably to introduce him when there was a crash. All of them turned sharply towards the sound of the noise as the front door flew open, banging heavily against the wall, then Arthur smiled as he caught sight of purple fur and then dark hair as Merlin ran down the steps. He circled around the cars, flailing his arms and Teddylot, making huffing, excited breaths as he hurtled towards Arthur. Leaning down Arthur held out his arms, taking a firm grip of Merlin's torso as the little boy reached him and he hoisted him up, wrapping his arms around him and dropping Merlin onto his hip. Merlin flung his arms around Arthur's neck and almost bashed him in the face with the teddy. For a moment they were very uncoordinated as Merlin flailed, still panting excitedly, and Arthur attempted to settle him.
"Hello, I take it you're pleased to see me."
He hadn't seen Merlin for nearly a month as he struggled through his revision and end of year exams and the parties that went with that time of year. Arthur had missed Merlin during that time, and clearly Merlin reciprocated. At the words he shifted in Arthur's grip, tightening his arms around Arthur's neck and stretched up to plant a sloppy kiss on his cheek. Merlin's breath was warm against Arthur's cheek as he huffed, snuggling against him in contentment.
"Aww, that is cute," Gwaine exclaimed. Merlin squeaked and hid his face as he saw Gwaine holding his phone up and it clicked as he took a photograph.
"Oi!" Arthur said, not raising his voice. Gwaine blinked, jerking in surprise as his phone appeared to be jerked from his hand to land on the gravel six feet away from him. "Merlin," Arthur then gently admonished. "Don't be silly."
Merlin gave an uncertain murmur. Gwaine went to pick up his phone checking it over.
"Is it broken?" Arthur asked.
"No, hard as nails, like me. I've done much worse to it," he announced pushing it into his back pocket.
Arthur felt Merlin peer around Teddylot's fur to look at Gwaine. Tightening his grip on Merlin Arthur said.
"This is Gwaine, he's my friend."
"Hello, Merlin," Gwaine said gently, looking at the pair of wide eyes and shock of dark hair. It was all he could see of Merlin's face as he stared at him from behind Teddylot. Arthur turned so Merlin could look at the others.
"And this is Leon, and Lancelot, who recued Teddylot from the evil stallholder."
Both of them said hello to the shy looking little boy. After staring at them, mostly at Lancelot Merlin shifted his grip on the toy to wave one of Teddylot's arms. Gwen smiled indulgently as she watched, glancing at Lancelot again, Arthur tensed his jaw as he saw the look on her face, one of clear interest. Then she appeared to pull herself together and turned to her companion.
"This is my brother Elyan. This is Arthur."
She introduced them directly so Arthur, shifting Merlin again slightly reached out to shake Elyan's hand.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
"And now you're all here, we need to get the marquee up," Uther announced from the doorway.
"Nice to see you too dad." Arthur said, carrying Merlin as he walked over. Uther gave him a brief hug, encompassing a clinging Merlin as well. Arthur jumped as he felt someone slip a hand into his back pocket.
"I'll get the bags shall I?" Gwaine said dashing away to open the boot of Arthur's car. Leon walked over to help, stopping when Uther said.
"I'll help you, I want to discuss that test mark with you."
Gwaine's shoulders dropped slightly and he looked at Uther with mild chagrin.
"I was only one, I just had a bad day."
"Or a good night prior to it?" Uther queried. Gwaine looked mildly affronted.
"I wasn't well actually. I had spent the week revising with flu."
"That is actually true, apart from the fact it was probably a bad cold, not flu," Arthur said, in Gwaine's defence. Uther glanced at Arthur and then nodded, turning back to Gwaine and helping him pick the bags out of the car.
"The rest of your marks seem to be fine," Uther said. Gwen looked mildly confused by the interaction. Lancelot and Leon were now used to it, especially that Gwaine, known to be a little wild and hardly biddable, turned into a meek well-behaved individual under Uther. Arthur did have the same influence, if he needed to employ it.
Arthur led the rest of them in as Uther followed Gwaine, helping him and quizzing him about the rest of his performance over the last term. Gwen watched for a moment and then turned to Arthur.
"Does he do that you all your friends?"
"Only the ones that he pays university fees for," Arthur said. "It's not an official charity or anything but he pays for a few people to get them through if they can't afford it. Gwaine is one of them, he grew up in the local village and dad's been keeping an eye on him since he was fourteen."
"I don't get it. Most of the time he's such an nightmare if you order him about, but he doesn't seem to mind when it's your father, or even you," Lancelot said.
Arthur paused to look at Gwaine, answering every question that Uther fired at him, no doubt truthfully and by his body language without any rancour. Arthur shrugged, shifting Merlin again to keep him steady.
"No, he doesn't."
For now that was the only explanation he was prepared to give.
A/N: This chapter does introduce an element to Gwaine that I had not previously thought of. He has only been a minor character until now so I hope to be able to write around it, but it just seemed like a good idea, taking a few elements from the series and easing them in regarding his character.