Chapter Text
Merlin was standing in front of his locker and scratching at the itchy spot under his long sleeved t-shirt. The fabric that was rubbing against newly painted tattoos on his arms made it almost unbearable. The druids, who painted these lines on him said that it was important for a powerful sorcerer like him to have these runes inked on his skin, it will help him control his power which was growing stronger and stronger every day. They also reassured him that only people with magic could see these tattoos so he need not to worry that his friends and teachers would see them.
Despite all of what the druids had said, he still didn’t enjoy the idea of walking around with these tattoos all over his skin like this. He was not that kind of student who obeyed every rule to the letter, but this much of skin paint was outrageous. Hence, he wore a long sleeved t-shirt which made his skin burnt.
Worst decision ever.
He was closing his locker door when a slamming sound behind him made his ears pricked. He turned to look at what was going on and when his eyes caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair, he knew exactly what was happening.
Further down the hallway stood a blonde hair boy with his friends. There was one lean boy in the middle of their circle. Passerby people walked swiftly pass them because they didn’t want any trouble.
The blonde was that popular kid whom every soul in the school know who he was. He was also the only son of this school principal.
His name was Arthur Pendragon, and he was scaring poor passerby student in the hallway again.
Arthur had never hurt any of them, really. Well, as far as Merlin knew, he just scared the shit out of them like it was his hobby. Showing off to his friend like most of the boys do. Established his territory like a wild beast.
It was getting annoying, though, for Merlin. He believed that everyone had the right to feel safe at school, so they can focus on studying, which was the point of the school, not on being terrified by other students on daily basis.
Merlin strode in, joining the group, and pushing them out of the way to get to the center where the poor student stood. He knew he could get expelled by interfering this, but this thing had to stop.
“Come on, that’s enough.” He stepped in between Arthur and the poor student.
The poor student used that chance to run away.
“Do I know you?” Arthur's attention turned to him. Annoyance radiating out of his skin.
“I’m Merlin.” He said, offering his hand to him.
Arthur didn’t take it. His mouth twitched. “What a ridiculous name you have? Just as your ears are.”
He and his friend started roaring with laughter.
Merlin pulled his hand back. He closed his eyes and told himself to stay calm. He opened his eyes again. His voice cold and distance. “I swear, if you keep doing this, I will-”
“You will what, Merlin?” He stepped into Merlin’s space. “What will you do?”
He could hear one of Arthur’s friends said ‘You are asking for trouble, man’ or something like that but he ignored him. He pulled his sleeves up to his elbows because he saw people did it on television and it helped intimate their enemies.
Arthur broke into a fit of laughter.
Merlin shivered inside but his face stayed death serious.
“Merlin, you know that much of a tattoo on your arms could get you expelled, right? And you just show it to the son of the principal-” Arthur shook his head. “-you will be gone from this school in the blink of an eye!”
“What did you just say?” Merlin gaped at him.
“Arthur, what tattoo?” One of his friend asked.
“Are you bloody blind? Those tattoos! That black ink covering his whole arms!” Arthur turned to his friend and gestured at Merlin’s arm furiously.
“But his arms are clean!--Hey! Where are you going?! Come back here!”
Merlin ran away in horror while Arthur was unaware.
One of Arthur’s friends was about to run after him, but Arthur pushed his chest before he could.
“Let him run...I’ll get him out by the end of today. Come.”
+++++
Merlin got call into the principal’s office at lunch time on that day.
“There you are, Emrys. Sit down over there.”
Uther Pendragon, the principal, gestured him to a chair beside Arthur who was already on his chair and smirking like a lunatic.
Merlin sat down and wondered what would happen if he punched Arthur in the face in front of his father.
Uther cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. He looked down on a paper on his desk then he started.
“There has been a report that...you broke the school law. It says here, that you have many tattoos on your arms. Roll up your sleeves.” He looked at him intently when he finished.
Merlin rolled up his sleeves.
Uther frowned.
“Ha! I told you.” Arthur exclaimed.
The principal turned to his son. “Arthur, there is nothing on his arms.”
“There! It is right there! Why can’t anyone see it!” Arthur dragged Merlin’s arm closer to his father. Merlin let him do it for three seconds then pulled back. His face innocent.
Uther put his fisted hand before his mouth. He inhaled and asked, eyes closing and squeezing like he was in pain. “Arthur” He opened his eyes again, darting at his son. “have you hit your head recently?”
“No! Father!”
“Arthur, look, he is one of our best student. His grade was great. Every Saturday, he’s a volunteer at the Camelot Retirement Home, and according to teachers, he is anything but naughty!”
“Father! It is right there!” Arthur poked directly on a black pad on his skin, but, of course, it was only normal pale skin in Uther’s eyes.
“Arthur stop!” He inhaled sharply, trying not to burst out something horrible. “I don’t know what are you trying to do this time but heed my word, leave the boy alone.”
“But, father!”
“You are dismissed, Emrys”
Merlin made a mocking salute gesture to Arthur then left with the door politely shut behind him.
+++++
Merlin was munching on his second bite of an apple in the school canteen when Arthur stomped in and slammed his fist on his table.
Will, his best friend, flinched at the sound but quickly acted brave. Merlin kept his cool and greeted Arthur with cheerful tone.
“Oh, hi, Arthur. It is so nice to see you again! Have a seat.” Merlin put a fake smiled on his face and rolled up his sleeves just to mock him.
Arthur gritted his teeth so hard Merlin wonder if it’s going to crack in pieces.
“I don’t know how you did it, but you are not getting away with this. I will NOT let you rest until you are on your knee, begging in front of me.”
“And you, me. Deal?.” Merlin reached out his hand to shake on it. He raised his eyebrow, challenging him.
Arthur slapped his hand away and huffed, then he left.
Will pulled at his shirt and hissed. “Merlin, have you lost your mind? I appreciate your bravery man but you know who is Arthur Pendragon, right?”
“Yes, Will, I know him very well, he is an attention-seeking-arrogant-ARSE!”
The last word Merlin said it loud enough for the whole canteen to hear while looking pointedly at Arthur. Many students giggled sneakily because they fear they would be Arthur’s next victim.
Arthur looked over from the far table he sat with his friend and made the ‘I got my eyes on you’ gesture.
Merlin just laughed and shook his head.
He had just declared a war with Arthur Bloody Pendragon!