Chapter Text
Arthur blinks slowly as he wakes up. He's lying on his stomach in his bed. The sun is peering through his blinds and he hears birds chirping. He rolls over and groans while rubbing his still tired eyes. Then he remembers the events of the previous night and he finds himself smiling hugely.
He and Merlin didn't end up doing much last night except walking around town and giggling like little teenagers that were trying not to get caught out past curfew. After covering the whole town, Arthur had walked Merlin home, to his apartment building not too far from Arthur's own. They ended up on the front steps and Arthur wanted to kiss him, but he thought it might be too soon. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as he stared at Merlin and Merlin just looked at Arthur, on the verge of laughter, like he could hear Arthur's internal conflict. Arthur had let out a shaky breath and held out his hand. Merlin laughed, still grinning, and just shook his hand. Arthur groans at that as he recalls the night before. Why was he such an idiot?
Trying to ignore his embarrassment, he realizes he's slept for a good eight hours without any nightmares. He checks his clock three times just make sure, and yep, he actually had a good night's sleep. He feels well rested and he marvels at the foreign feeling. Arthur hasn't really slept this well in several months - maybe years. He gets out of bed and goes to look in the mirror, taking in his appearance.
His eyes are brighter, full of life, and the dark circles under his eyes are less prominent than usual. Unexpectedly, he lets out a laugh, almost maniacal. He hurries to get dressed, pulling on a pair of jeans, a red t-shirt, and his old cargo jacket. Barely remember to lock his door, he runs out of his apartment and stops short when he's outside. The morning sun shines through the leaves from the nearby tree and Arthur tilts his head up, eyes closed as he breathes in the world from a new perspective.
Arthur opens his eyes and starts walking with no destination in mind, just wanting to experience the world without the hazy fog sleep deprivation causes him. He finds himself smiling at strangers and stopping to smell flowers. His day passes in peace and Arthur takes in the feeling of finally being content with his life. He even almost convinces himself that his night with Merlin has nothing to do with this newfound enlightenment. Almost.
~~
Later that evening, Arthur goes to the local coffee shop, still feeling relaxed and happy. He's almost to the door, having got his hot chocolate and chocolate brownie, when he sees a familiar mop of black hair sitting in the corner of the shop.
Merlin is hunched over his cup, holding his head in his hands when Arthur approaches from behind him.
Arthur clears his throat over the nerves that have suddenly taken over him. "Mind if I join you?"
Merlin starts and looks up at Arthur, blinking rapidly as if he's just woken up.
"Oh, uh," Merlin stammers, "Arthur! Yes, hi! Hello. Yes, please do. How are you?"
Arthur sits down across Merlin, taking in his disheveled hair, tattered jacket, shirt with stains splattered across it, and black-framed glasses - which is a new development that Arthur never thought he'd have been turned on by.
"Are you alright, Merlin?" Arthur asks worriedly, brows furrowing.
Merlin laughs softly, "Yes, actually, I am more than alright. Oh, this?" He gestures to his outfit. "This is just the effects of no sleep and my inability to do laundry is all."
"Alright, so nothing's wrong then?" Arthur is still concerned because he knows how getting no sleep feels, and it isn't something to be happy about, like Merlin is.
"No! No, Arthur, I've started writing again." Merlin leans forward in excitement, "I haven't been able to write for four months, Arthur, and I started last night after you walked me home, and I just couldn't stop! It's brilliant!" Merlin's smile lights up his whole face despite his tired eyes.
Arthur relaxes after that, feeling genuine happiness for Merlin's happiness. "So, you think maybe I had something to do with it, maybe?" He smirks, cocking one eyebrow up. "Maybe, possibly, I'm your muse, huh?"
Merlin's smile widens and he leans back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "Despite the fact that you are a selfish, royal prat, you just might be right. 'Guess I'll just have to keep you around, then."
Arthur bites his lip to keep from smiling like an idiot in love and looks away.
A few minutes pass by while they sit in comfortable silence, stealing glances as they sip their drinks. Merlin is the one to break the silence first.
"So, my muse, since we're basically on a second date, you should tell me more about yourself." Merlin pokes at Arthur's leg with his foot, "Like why you're running from that dad of yours?" He lifts his eyebrow questioningly.
Arthur inhales a deep breath and lets out a short sigh, "Oh, right into the heavy stuff, huh?" He tries to smile but it falters a bit.
Merlin's smile falls and he goes to serious instantly, "I didn't know how 'heavy' it might be, but if you don't want to talk about it that's okay." Merlin reaches over to wrap his hand over Arthur's. "I guess I just wanted to let you know that I could see you weren't very happy, when we met, and I'm here to tell you that you can talk to me whenever you want." He squeezes his hand before pulling away.
Arthur quickly grabs Merlin's hand back and swallows the lump that's formed in his throat. "No," his voice comes out hoarse and he clears his throat, "It's alright, I... trust you, Merlin, more than I've trusted anyone and it's kind of scary because I barely know you." He lets out a shaky laugh.
Merlin squeezes his hand again and gives a small smile.
"Well, you did get the whole unhappy vibe correct. I -" Arthur feels nervous again and wonders how many times Merlin can make the butterflies flutter like that before he gets used to it, "-I guess it all kind of started when my mom died? She died giving birth to me and after that, I've been told, that my father hasn't been the same since. So, my whole life, he's kind been an, um, well an asshole," Merlin chuckles and the tension eases.
"Yeah, my father has basically been grooming me to be the perfect 'heir' to the business he runs. It's something with advertising and boring shit like that and I have never been interested in it. Not one time have I ever wanted to do that kind of work for the rest of my life. But I didn't realize this until about a month ago. One day, I just woke up and thought about everything in my life, my mom, my sister - Morgana, did I tell you I had a sister?" He's rambling and he thinks he sounds incoherent, but Merlin keeps nodding and looking at him like he's the only thing that matters, like what he feels matters so he keeps going, "And I realized that I didn't want to work for father anymore so I quit my job and moved out of my apartment the same day and just ran away pretty much. I didn't speak to my father before or after and still haven't." He doesn't mention Morgana and the darkness that surrounds her memory, he keeps her locked away in his mind like always because Arthur is selfish and he wants to keep Merlin, not scare him away. He doesn't want Merlin to know how truly horrible Arthur can be.
"Arthur, I'm so sorry about your mother and how your father's treated you, but I'm so happy you decided to do what you wanted. That's such a huge deal and I hope you know how big that really is." Merlin keeps looking at Arthur with such intense trust and love that Arthur has to look away.
They continue to talk after that, more about Merlin now. It's an easy distraction for Arthur, easy for him to get lost in Merlin's past and lost in the hope to be a part of his future. He finds out that Merlin writes poems mostly and that's the book he's working on right now. He left his small home town for university in a big city but had to leave when he graduated because he couldn't afford the living expenses. Merlin has high hopes for the poems he's writing now and says he feels it might be his big break. Arthur's heart feels like it flies out of his chest as he wishes Merlin success in everything he does just so he can see his smile light up the whole room. Merlin confesses that he hasn't gone home since graduation because he's embarrassed he has nothing to show for all of his studying. Arthur wants to leap across the table and hug him but he restrains himself.
Their night together draws to a close when they realize they've spent five hours just talking. Merlin and Arthur walk out into the chilly night, neither one eager to say goodbye quite yet.
Arthur is just about to go for hug, at least not a hand shake this time, when Merlin steps closer to Arthur, right in front of him. Arthur sucks in a breath as he realizes Merlin is just mere centimeters away. Arthur notices that he can see their puffs of breath and that Merlin's nose is red, which is way too cute for Arthur's liking, before Merlin is closing the distance in a swift move. He presses their lips together gently, swiping his tongue out to briefly touch Arthur's lips before pulling away.
Merlin ducks his head, looking at the ground, and Arthur smiles as he sees Merlin blushing (finally instead of himself). He cups Merlin's cheek with one hand and tilting his face up again. Arthur pulls Merlin in for another kiss, mouth parting as their lips meet. The kiss is still chaste and gentle, but with a sense of urgency as they chase each other's tongues with the barest hint of a touch. They both pull away, breathing heavier than before. Merlin grins and pecks Arthur on the cheek before pulling out of the embrace they've found themselves in and saying, "Not bad. For a prat." He walks away, looking over his shoulder to still see Arthur standing in the same spot, mouth gaping. Arthur hears a faint laugh before Merlin turns a corner and disappears.
Arthur finds himself walking back home, still dumbstruck by what happened. Well, shit, he thinks. Now what?