Chapter Text
Once again, I had a crying girl in my kitchen.
“I really thought he a good guy! You know?” She blew her nose. I nodded, not knowing what to say. “He really doesn't want a relationship, like... at all?” I pulled a sympathetic face and shrugged my shoulders, mentally cursing Gwaine for like the a thousandth time. She blew her nose again and shook her head. “Well, give him my number, OK? I mean...” she smiled weakly. “He might change his mind!” I returned the smile and we sat in silence for a few minutes, supping tea. She finished her cup and jumped up. “I should go.” She brushed any blond hairs that has gone askew and took a breath out. “And thank you so much, Merlin. You've been lovely. See ya.” she kissed me cheek and swept out of the room. I spun round to catch her leaving.
“Just so you know,” I called out and she spun round. “I think he's a jerk.” She laughed softly and buttoned up her trench coat.
“Yeah, me too. It was nice to meet you.” And she was gone. I looked down at the number. I had learnt in the three months I had been here that the formation was 'wait till she wakes up, make her breakfast, tell her I don't want a relationship, throw the number.' Gwaine really was a jerk. And I pinned her number on the board.
Gwaine eventually came in smiling and smelling like outdoors. He sighed happily as he smelt the pancakes.
“Are we having pancakes? It's not my birthday...” His face fell as he saw the empty dishes. After a moment of silence he said. “Is she gone?” Poor kid.
“Yeah, she's gone.” Gwaine lent back on the kitchen counter and looked at me wearily.
“Go on, then.” He folded his arms. “Tell me off.” I tried to protest, but gave up before I began.
“Have you ever thought, you know, maybe you could get to know them? You know, before you... tell them you're not interested?” I took a sharp intake of breath, I was taking a risk. But she just run a hand through his hair and sighed sadly.
“I guess you expect me to call every single girl who passes through these doors, huh? I should get to know all of them?” His voice was raising, and I was slightly scared of what was to come.
“No, not at all, do whatever you like... I just, liked this one.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “I'm sorry I brought it up.” I clumsily made my way out of the room as quickly as I could, trying to avoid any drama, but not quick enough, as I caught a glimpse of Gwaine folding the square piece of paper with the number on it, and gently sliding it into his back pocket.
But he didn't call her.
I had arranged with Gwen to meet outside, and low and behold, there she was with Lance 'pushed' up against a wall, nuzzling her neck. I internally groaned and wished once again for a time without Lance. I wondered if she ever did either. Finally, she looked my way and waved. I smiled and walked over to her. She linked her arm in mine.
“Lunch?” I nodded.
“Lunch.”
“So, how is it going with Gwaine?” I sighed.
“Good.” She raised and eyebrow.
“Well, you sound ecstatic!” She laughed at her own joke. I shook my head.
“It is good. I'm having fun living with him.” She took my hand in hers.
“If you ever want to come back, please do. We loved having you, didn't we, Lance?” She turned to face her boyfriend, who silently smiled and nodded in my direction, almost entirely sincerely. But I couldn't really blame him, I mean, who wants their girlfriend's friend hanging round in their flat? Not many people basically.
“Thanks, but I really don't want to, I'm happy.” She nodded slowly, but kept her eyes on me and looked concerned. I leaned forward and whispered: “I promise.” She lent back, satisfied.
“And what about Gwaine's other room mate, seen much... seen any of him.” I laughed and shook my head.
“I don't even know who the hell he is, he could be an axe murderer for all I know, or a superstar...”
“More likely a college kid who wakes up in the gutter every morning and falls asleep in it every night.” Lance chipped in, eyes on his Icelandic yoghurt.
“Buzz kill.” He sniggered under his breath, Gwen whacked his arm because she felt the need and I sat opposite them, feeling entirely excluded.
And she wondered why I preferred it at Gwaine's.
It was gone five when I got home, therefore, imagine my surprise when I came home to the sight of cans of cheap beer on every surface of my kitchen. Which meant one thing, A House Party. Which, after last time, (where somehow, someone ended up locked in our coat cupboard and another tied to a bed post by a tie,) was a thing of dread. I stormed into the living room. I stood there, fuming in the door frame, in front of Gwaine and all his football friends (minus Lance, thank God.)
“Whoa, Merl! Chill dude!” They all sniggered and I rolled my eyes.
“No parties, Gwaine!” His smile stayed, caked onto his face. “No more!”
“Oh, come on! It's...” He looked at his friend, one by one, trying to think of an excuse. “It's...” Eventually, one pipped up.
“It's my birthday.” Gwaine threw his hands up.
“Exactly! It's Percy's birthday, he needs the exposure!” He sloppily leant forward and put a hand up to his mouth and whispered loudly: “It's been a while for him.” I rolled my eyes, internally feeling humiliated and tried to run up the stair nonchalantly, naturally I failed.
It was maybe half an hour later when I heard a soft tap on my door, surely too soft to be Gwaine's. But sure enough he knocked again and called out,
“Merlin.” And again. “Merlin.” And again. “I have tea.” I opened the door to Gwaine smiling apologetically holding a steaming cup of tea. “Can I come in?” I gestured for him to come in and he perched on the end of my bed, looking almost nervous. We sat in silence for a few moments, Gwaine biting his lip, me blowing on my cup of tea.
“What did you want?”
“I'm sorry.”
“OK.”
“But, I'm sorry.”
“OK.” He took a breath out.
“We're still friends?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” This was awkward. “Good.” Then he leant forward. He wrapped his arms around me, his cheek resting against mine. After a while, I wrapped my arms around him, lightly. I guess you could say we were hugging. He tried to leave quite quickly after he finally let go, but I called him back.
“Gwaine.” He sniffled.
“Yeah?” He looked like he was about to cry. I took a deep breath, already regretting my words.
“How many people would be coming?”
I've never seen him grin so widely.