Disclaimer - the usual! Not my characters, I've just picked them up and plopped them in my modern au for fun story purposes.

Notes: I have changed a couple of names. Lancelot goes by Lance. Percival goes by Percy. This is the first of two chapters that will be added as a two part story addition to this collection.


FROM SECRET SANTA TO MISTLETOES

CHAPTER 1: SECRET SANTA


As far as Merlin is concerned, gift giving in the workplace should be a crime. It was, of course, Morgana's idea of a fantastic PR year-end way to relate to their clients and customers. Gwen was the biggest cheerleader for her Secret Santa corporate streaming party idea the second she said it, and some of Arthur's closest friends were actually enthusiastic as well. Percy, in particular, had made a bombastic declaration about how 'stoked' he was to get his person a gift. When Merlin found out about it, though, he simply complained.

To himself. To his Grandpa Gaius. To his dog, Kilgharrah. Once to Arthur, who scolded his bad attitude. And, ultimately, he complained the most to Lance. He'd just complained about it every chance he got. Lance, of course, reminded him that it was never once received with agreement.

In fact, he'd pretty much hit the nail on the head just a couple days prior to the event was scheduled. "You're just mad because you got Arthur and he's never happy with anything."

Merlin did draw Author's name, and Merlin knows for a fact that Arthur drew Morgana's name. He didn't even put a thought into the gift. He asked Merlin to stop in a boutique she liked and pay the staff to put together a small outfit for her to wear for New Year's Eve as her gift. Arthur didn't care about the budget and only asked for the receipt. Probably to claim it as a work expense if Merlin had to guess. The most insightful he was in the process was, "She doesn't like diamonds, so don't get any of those."

Merlin took her list with him to the store. She didn't ask for extravagant things because, unlike her half-witted half-brother, she understood that the mid-level staff in the corporate team wouldn't be able to afford very expensive gifts for their bosses if drawn. Her list comprised of earrings, plants, decorative pillows, and throw blankets for her office.

As it were, the one thing that Arthur did proactively do was make his own list. That's not to say it was a good list. It was, in fact, completely ridiculous. He wants leather loafers, gold tie clips and pins, a new lounger for his office, or a weekend spa retreat. Fat chance! Merlin would not be purchasing any of those items because they are obnoxious and inappropriate, and incredibly expensive. When Lance revealed who his person was and what they asked for, it only made Arthur's requests even more absurd.

Lance got Gwen, and she asked for cooking spatulas, coffee gift cards, hat and gloves for work, and a new umbrella. The resentment that Merlin felt for not having a decent person to buy for just bubbled until he was standing in his living room in a frantic mood trying to figure out what the hell he was going to do for Arthur's gift.

It took hours of pacing, kicking furniture, screaming at an empty pile of wrapping paper and bags, before he finally settled on something deeply personal and beloved. Or rather – someone.

Arthur never spoke of his mother's death and how it affects him, being that she died during childbirth, but Morgana shared stories about her with him all the time. She snuck him photos of that he kept hidden in a few different places. Some in his briefcase, others in his desk, smaller ones in his wallet. Even though Merlin knows it is a long shot as to whether Arthur will actually appreciate the gift, decides he can get to the office and scan all the photos. He'll put in the time to touch them up in a photo editor and get them printed onto a giant canvas as a collage.

As was the trend of the season, at least for him, Merlin complained about the cost and the stress of it all to Lance. He must have felt the concern and worry because when it was time to pick up the express print order, Lance insisted that he go with Merlin. Thankfully, it turned out perfect and the only thing that Merlin wanted to do was add gold pain to the edges so that it had a slightly more expensive look to it. Lance helped with that bit too, and even brought his gifts for Gwen to wrap.

As if the holiday season couldn't have been worse, Lance proved to be phenomenal at wrapping gifts. He insisted it is because he spends his nights alone watching gift wrapping videos and that it's all stolen ideas from the internet, but he clearly made the effort. When Merlin was done wrapping his gift, which did require three different types of wrapping paper to get the job done, it was hard not to compare himself to Lance's skills. He even used ribbons and special tape. Merlin's looked like something a sleepwalking child wrapped it, so he used even more ribbons and bows that Lance had left over in an attempt to spruce the presentation up. It didn't work.

If only Merlin from the present could go back and warn Merlin from the past how terrible of an idea that was because in the lineup of gifts, well, it looks really stupid. It is a total mess. And the gift's biggest hater is the one, the only, Arthur Pendragon.

The person meant to receive it.

Lance glides over to Merlin with two flutes of champagne, Gwaine coming up behind him with two more. "Hello, good friend," they say together, perfectly in sync.

"How bad is it?"

"Perhaps you should have these first," Gwaine says, reaching his left arm out in time with Lance's right. Merlin takes one in each of his own fists and throws them both back. Gwaine and Lance take the empty flutes back.

Then Gwaine starts, "The gift wrap job you've done is hilarious. Everyone thinks it is really funny."

Then Lance picks up, "And, honestly, all of us are just having a good laugh about it. None of us are judging you for it. Not in a bad way."

Merlin raises a brow. "Nobody was even in here when I brought it in. How does everyone know it's mine?"

Gwen shows up unexpectedly and slides into the conversation, a small smile on her lips and a loose strand of hair resting on her brow. "You're the only person who showed up without one."

Merlin slumps his shoulders. He didn't consider that anyone would notice he showed up empty handed but that there were the right number of gifts. That's the unfortunate reality of corporate minds, he supposes. They're ever watchful. Gwen touches her hand to his forearm and then her lips form a straight line. Gwaine and Lancelot extend the third and fourth glasses of champagne and silently urge him to drink them both quickly. Merlin does and hands the glasses back just in time for Arthur to slam his hand into Merlin's back.

"Will you take a photo with that unsightly gift of yours? I want to share it on Instagram," the haughtiness of his tone is expected, but far more grating and unwanted than usual. Merlin, thankful for his four glasses of champagne, turns on his heel and bows very deeply with as much comedic exaggeration as possible.

"Anything for his royal highness, son of the corporate giant, Uther Pendragon," he says in his most embellished and cartoony regal voice. The acting must be on point because Gwen can't hold back her laughter, which sets a chain reaction off in Lance and Gwaine. Arthur snorts, scoffs, then snorts again.

As Merlin rises back into a standing position, he whips his arms and grazes his knuckles on Arthur's chin. In shock, his boss rolls his eyes and commands Merlin to just go pose by his gift so he can get his picture. Merlin obliges, though the fake smile slides from his lips the second he turns away from Arthur and his friends. Everyone already knows it's his gift, so there's no point in trying to avoid association now. They would have found out eventually anyway.

Merlin stands with the gift, changing his pose a few times, varying from well-practiced joy and comedy-in-action before Arthur insists on a selfie. It almost seems sincere until Arthur starts uploading and typing up the caption for the photo. Merlin watches over her shoulder.

The worst personal assistant I've ever had is now the worst gift wrapper I've ever met! #presentfail #giftsgonebad #secretsanta

He tags Merlin, obviously, in the photo, commenting on it with a tag to Morgana for "insisting on the silliest Christmas tradition ever" for the year-end celebrations. It becomes too much to bear as the likes and comments begin rolling in on his post from his thousands of followers. Merlin lazily excuses himself, mumbling something about using the restroom, though he has no intentions to do so.

Arthur calls out to him, "Best not drink any more champagne, then! Don't puke on the floor!"

Everything about the party was a bad idea, from the gift exchange including the middle-level team and assistants to the streaming it on the company website. Morgana insisted that it was a great way to connect with the people and humanize themselves to the public. Gwen agreed and referenced a ton of influencers and celebrities who have been more open with their personal lives to create trustworthy brands. Given Uther's poor judgments over the last few years, it wasn't hard to justify a need to make their corporate team seem relatable ahead of Uther's retirement announcement coming in the first quarter.

Merlin only found out about it because Arthur and Morgana were discussing it when Merlin arrived with Arthur's breakfast order earlier than anticipated. Reluctantly, Merlin was looped in at Morgana's direct-slash-demand. Arthur admitted he wanted someone from the outside present to mediate the conversation, someone who wouldn't be personally vested in the outcome.

Essentially, Arthur expressed that he wasn't ready to become the Chief Executive Officer and is happy being the Director of Business Relations for a few more years. He suggested that maybe Morgana was a better fit for the role. She countered the idea with a harsh laugh and a remind: Uther refuses to give the role to Morgana. Supposedly, he'd said that she will eventually become the Chief Strategy Officer or Chief Talent Officer, whichever becomes available first. Morgana insisted to Arthur that Uther was reluctant to even admit he was her biological father to the public, let alone willingly moving her into the most important position of the company after confirming it. It would look bad for the company, and Morgana's authority in the position would be forever questioned. Merlin agreed with Morgana. He'd seen the way Uther treats her, before and after the revelation, and insisted that Arthur was more capable that he might think.

Arthur's biggest argument was that he wasn't ready in his own mind, and that he'd like more time to learn more about the company as a whole. He insisted that he was not ready professionally or personally. He also felt like Uther leaving because of his compromised reputation was incredibly selfish. Merlin's stance, not vocalized, was that Uther had always been selfish and that this was not exactly breaking news.

Morgana chided Arthur readily, telling him that the 'apple didn't fall far from the tree,' insisting him to be just as selfish for wanting to refuse the promotion. Merlin regarded them both by saying, 'nepotism is nepotism, and there's always going to be doubt somewhere by someone because you're both his children, so the best you can do is make peace with it in your heart.' Morgana agreed with him completely, even hugging him before she left the office, calling him wise beyond his paygrade. He chuckled in response, knowing Arthur would certainly have something to say.

And he did say something - Arthur hated that Merlin made such a neutral argument. In fact, it seemed almost like he just hated Merlin for not taking his side. It wasn't shocking so much as annoying, but it was the beginning of a long string of negative interactions with Arthur for the last month.

After abandoning the party, Merlin goes to his own office and opens the blinds. He rolls his chair to his floor-to-ceiling window so that he could sit and look at the bustling street below. How many times had he sat in this exact chair and questioned whether the job was worth it? How many times would be too many times that Arthur belittled Merlin publicly? How many times would he have to miss out on personal life for work events he doesn't care about? Grandpa Gaius would be at home alone tonight because of the stupid Secret Santa Streaming. And next week, there's an early afternoon New Year's Eve celebration that is mandatory to attend for staff, unless vacation was personally approved by Uther well in advance of the event.

It was basically an accident that he ended up as the Executive Assistant of Business Relations. Merlin was working as a temporary administrative assistant for the technology department and was sent to Arthur's office to help him with some paperwork he needed to provide to the tech team regarding equipment issues. Arthur and Merlin spent the whole time bickering because he kept telling Merlin he was stupid and didn't understand what he was doing, and Merlin continued to question the legitimacy of his acquisition of his role as project manager, his title at that time.

Arthur had Merlin investigated by one of his staff members at the time and managed to get his personal number. The first day after his temporary contract expired, Arthur called him and demanded to know why he wasn't working, never having realized he was a temporary staff. Merlin tried to tell him that his contract was up, but Arthur said he'd be on payroll by end of day and that he would be back in the office by noon to help him with his computer and to bring him coffee.

Merlin needed the money back then, and Arthur needed someone to make sure he knew how to do his job the way others need him to do it. Two problems that solved themselves, really, and Merlin just sort of stayed ever since. There were no open positions then, so Arthur allocated Merlin's salary out of the profit of his department, and his title was 'Personal Assistant.' When Arthur was promoted to his current role as a director, Merlin's title and pay changed too. His salary more than doubled since he was moving into a legitimate position that actually existed. It was impressive boast an executive title at his age, considering he'd never held a long-term job prior to it, let alone a job with relevant enough experience. In the hierarchy, the only people above him were the directors and chiefs.

By all accounts, Merlin knows he should be grateful for the effortless success he's found working for Pendragon Incorporated. He wouldn't have any of it without Arthur's inexplicable interest in him.

Perhaps he just needs a break to disconnect from the more toxic aspects of his job. It's the holidays, and even though time off needs to be approved in advance, Merlin feels entitled to this one act of defiance after the years of disrespect he's endured at Arthur's tongue. Merlin swivels around and rolls back to his desk and drafts a memo stating that he'll be taking the remainder of the month off to refocus his priorities, with a current intention of returning to work full-time after New Year's Day. He intentionally does not determine if he will be attending the party, being that he's not sure if he wants to, but he is taking time off. He needs it.

Arthur will survive the pathetically slow holiday season without an assistant. His schedule is completely clear. He can review the reports himself without calling Merlin ever five minutes to make fun of this or that or the other thing about some department he doesn't understand.

"Let him bother the other directors, let him complain to Gwen, but he doesn't need me," Merlin says to himself as the memo prints. He prints four copies. One for Arthur, Morgana, and Gwen, and the last to be left at his desk. These are the four people who will need to know where he's gone most, and the rest will just have to deal with Arthur's madness directly.

Merlin calls Grandpa Gaius once inside the elevator, offering to grab Chinese take-out on the way home, but he says he already ordered some and it should still be warm when he gets back. Merlin expresses his love and gratitude before hanging up. Taking his headphones out, Merlin figures he can watch the stream and see what everyone gets, at least, so that he can still chat with Gwen, Gwaine, Percy, and Lance afterwards. He can just drop off when it's Arthur's turn. His gift will probably just be dropped off at his desk, or even in his mailbox, depending on who drew his name.

Morgana kicks things off by giving her gift first, and she drew the youngest member of the corporate team, an administrative assist on the human resource team named Mordred. When he was hired, everyone questioned him about his strange name, but Morgana caught wind of it and made a big deal about how "special" it is to have a name that everyone remembers, using her own name as an example. She even suggested Merlin benefited from an unforgettable name too, continuing to then to insist that ancient-sounding M-names were the best kind and that someday the three of them would probably be running the "whole damn show." Mordred was tickled, but Merlin got a verbal lashing from Arthur about how Morgana is always ruining innocent fun.

Her gift to him was a gold-plated name plate set – a slide in for outside of his cubicle and one for his desktop. Additionally, she included an expensive bottle of wine and box of monogramed cookies. Mordred loved it and thanked Morgana for being his biggest supporter at the company, expressing his desire to continue growing at Pendragon Industries with her support. Mordred's gift was for Leon, the son of a long-time board member and close friend of Uther's. Despite growing up with all the wealth and grandeur that comes with a parent working at an elite company like Pendragon Incorporated employment success, Leon is one of the most compassionate souls he's had the pleasure of knowing. Mordred presented to him a set of black satin ties with gold patterned stitching. Leon is ever the professional and looks truly ecstatic for the gift.

Leon gets Elyan, Gwen's brother, and presents him with a season pass to his for his favorite baseball team's home game schedule, with the added bonus of a foam finger and branded seat cushion. Elyan got Percy, giving him a collection of protein goodies – shake mixes, snack bars, mixed nuts, beef sticks, and so on. Percy doesn't even wait to open the beef sticks and promptly moves around to get his gift at the same time, which he presents to Lance.

Even in the steamed video, Merlin sees his disappointment that it wasn't Gwen, even it was statistically unlikely. He's liked her for a good long time, and she seems to reciprocate those feelings to some level, but they've never taken it further than innocent flirting at work. It's not for a lack of trying on Lance's part, as he has certainly suggested they get drinks together on many occasions. Percy got Lance a fashion-meets-function sweat suit from some luxury brand, and a pack of matching sweatbands. Lance jokes that Percy is always trying to get him to go to the gym, and now he might have to with his new workout clothes. Percy, delightfully ignorant to sarcasm, starts fist pumping the air. Lance will probably do it, though, and find a way to talk Merlin into going too.

Lance got Gwen, and Merlin already know how much she would love everything that he gave her. He went way over budget, not that he was the only one, but he did flagrantly ignore it. He wanted to make an impression, and he managed to do exactly that if the duration of the hug they shared was anything to go by. Gwen bites her lip before glancing around, hesitating before going to the gift table. Merlin is surprised to see her grab his gift. Immediately, Lance gets up to help her, and it's clear that they exchange some before they both carry the gift to Arthur.

It's hard to hear, but Arthur starts to question Gwen, but she smiles firmly at him. It's the kind of smile she gives Arthur when he's being a jerk as a warning. It is a trick she's mastered under Morgana's mentorship, only her scathing glare actually hurts Arthur's feelings. There's a respect that he harbors for Gwen that he'll never give to Morgana, but that's an entirely different matter that is better fit for a therapist than Merlin. Arthur manages a sideways smile before thanking Gwen cordially. She then, swiftly, sneaks off to her gift in the background and removes it from the table.

Merlin was going to tap off the screen when Arthur's turn came around, but he wants to see if Gwen delivers her gift while everyone is focused on Arthur. Isn't that right? On the other hand, he does feel that his gift for Arthur is a good one. It might not cost what the other gifts cost in the ledger, but it matters more than numbers on a paper.

Naturally, Arthur is chastising the gift's wrapping again, asking publicly where Merlin is to clean up the mess. Nobody laughs and the air is more awkward on screen than in person, he's willing to bet. As Arthur makes a huge mess with his wrapping, Gwen reappears and starts grabbing the paper for him. The first reaction to the canvas collage comes from Morgana, which makes sense since its facing away Arthur as he opens it.

"How thoughtful!" she croons.

Lance echoes the sentiment, even though he's not surprised. It's more of a confirmation for Merlin because he surely assumes that Merlin is watching. If anyone would make that assumption, it would be him. He knows Merlin better than almost anyone.

"That is a well-chosen gift, I would say," Lance's voice carries.

Even though everyone in the room knows the gift is from Merlin, people start asking Gwen how she pulled it off before Arthur turns it around to see what everyone has already seen. She insists that the focus should be on Arthur. "I suspect we'll see that emotion that keeps hidden in those tall, black socks."

Gwen has the greatest power a human could wield, which is the gift of impression. She can always find new ways to make you focus on something or someone else. She is her most impactful when she's directing people to see what she wants them to see. Morgana couldn't have found a better assistant than her, because, for all their differences, they are so very much the same person.

Merlin's eyes are glued to Arthur as his eyes fall over the canvas, seeing the photos, and then, finally, processing the emotional weight of the gift. His face remains blank, but the bright lights make it impossible for him to hide his glossy eyes on the stream. Even his cheeks turn pink, then red. There's an inaudible grumble as he takes the canvas and dismisses himself, though he does stop at Morgana for a moment. She stands and is nodding before going directly to the gift intended for herself from Arthur.

Her perfect smile reappears when she gets to her seat. "For those of you aren't aware, those photos were of Arthur's mother, who died soon after he was born. He is very moved by his gift and wanted a moment alone. He did, however, let me know that his gift was for me, and I can't wait to see that he ignored everything I wrote down!"

The room laughs, the energy looking and feeling light again. If Morgana and Gwen ran the world, Merlin is sure it would be a better place entirely. As she opens it, stunned by her new dress, heels, and jewelry, she actually ends up laughing. Gwaine who makes a quip first before Morgana can regain her composure.

"Methinks one Mr. Pendragon had some assistance," his gruff voice booms, and everyone agrees through giggles and snorts.

When the room calms down, Morgana sweetly agrees. "I would imagine it was with the help of the very bestassistant a person could ask for."

Merlin doesn't even realize he is starting to tear up and tries to discreetly wipe his eyes. For as rotten as Arthur can be sometimes, his job is so much more than just his boss. Everyone there is so good and it's the healthiest corporate culture he's ever seen. There were temp jobs so bad that he literally would hide in the bathroom to work just to avoid interacting with anyone in those offices. Grandpa Gaius had his share of horror stories from his Pendragon Incorporated days, even. This group, though, is astonishing. They all honestly care about each other.

Since Morgana had already given her gift, she looks around for Gwen, knowing that she did not give her real gift to her person. She must be by the trash can or grabbing a drink refill since she cannot be seen on the camera either. There appears to be a silent interaction that results in Morgana retrieving Gwaine's gift from Gwen's chair and delivering it to him. Gwaine thanks her, and then shouts across the room to Gwen as well. Her gift smaller and simpler than everyone else's, but Gwaine makes sure to brag to everyone.

"I've got a massive pre-paid tab at my favorite bar, and that's the best gift in this room," and Merlin is sure that he would fist fight someone if they disagreed. He also lifts custom wine tumbler that has his name on it. "I have never been known so well!"

While Gwaine's drinking and partying do make up the bulk of his personality, he is surprisingly sharp and focused as a person. He truly knows the balance for himself and only comes to work hungover sometimes. Those are the mornings where he hides out in Merlin's office, drinking coffee and eating an absurd amount of questionably sourced omelets.

The exchange is over, and Merlin's stop is next, so he closes his apps on his phone and takes out his earbuds. He can't help but wonder… maybe he should've just stayed?

No, Arthur needs the lesson. There is a line that he can cross, and he needs to know what it'll cost him. Merlin opens Arthur's contact card and mutes him for 48 hours. There's nothing important he could have to say until Merlin returns to work – except maybe that he's fired. That call probably wouldn't come from Arthur directly. Probably…

No. Arthur needs Merlin a lot more than Merlin needs him. He doesn't expect that he will be fired for needing time off.

At least, he hopes that's true.

Maybe he needs the job more than he's willing to say.

Or, even worse, perhaps, he just likes the job more than he is able to admit.