Work Text:
He tried to go to bed soon after they talked but his nerves kept him awake. It wasn’t fear though, more like a joyful thrill. He simply didn’t know what to expect.
Usually he was in charge of his dates, he made the rules but this time he didn’t have any idea what might happen. Also, usually nothing was at stake for him. At least nothing of great meaning.
Now it was different because Arthur had somehow captivated and fascinated him. Because Arthur’s sheer presence seemed to make him happy and he wanted more of him. More of his time, his attention, his love, him.
-
When he woke the next morning and the sun shone into his room promising a good day, he rolled his eyes at his alarm. Still, he got up and greeted his mother with a hug.
“You have a late shift today?” He asked her and she nodded with a tired smile on her face.
“Yes, sweetheart. But you know how it is, I still wake up early.”
“Try to get some more sleep, please.”
“I will, Merlin. And you? Are you gonna go and help Gaius?”
“Yes, mom. Even though I’d love some sleep myself.”
“Oh you young people function perfectly fine on little to no sleep. I must know, I was young once as well.”
Merlin rolled his eyes but smiled. “You must be right then.”
They talked through Merlin’s breakfast and when he was ready to leave he made sure to get her into her bed.
After that, Merlin packed up his things and left through the front door. He carefully closed it behind him, hoping not to wake up his mother’s light sleep before heading to Gaius’ pharmacy.
He had always liked being there, felt somehow connected to the world while mixing potions and crushing herbs. Those kinds of tasks had become less and less over the past few years which made him enjoy the rare occasions even more.
But today he messed up several times and was unable to focus properly on his tasks. When Gaius finally took him to the side and asked him whether he was alright, Merlin nodded slowly.
“Don’t worry about me, Gaius. It’s nothing, I am just a bit nervous.”
“And why is that?”
“I’m meeting someone later.”
“Someone, huh? Well, I hope he is a nice gentleman.”
Merlin grinned at him confidently. “He really is, trust me.”
“You still need to focus, my boy. You cannot behave like a sixteen-year-old who’s about to go on his first date.”
“It’s just…I feel exactly like that, Gaius. I don’t think I have ever cared this much about someone I barely know.”
Gaius smiled at him, understanding in his eyes. “Let me help you with that then. And afterwards you can take some medications to Mrs. Goodwin. Once you finish that, you may leave.”
Merlin beamed at Gaius. “Thank you!”
And so he did what he was told and carried out his tasks, trying to forget about his date. And he almost got everything done without messing up.
Maybe he went to the wrong address at first and then mistook Mrs. Goodwin’s daughter for her but apart from that it went quite alright. In the early evening hours he arrived back at his flat and went for a quick shower.
After that, the real struggle of the day began whilst he stood in front of his closet. Half of its contents were spread across the bedroom floor from when he had tried on each and every possible combination and still wasn’t satisfied.
They had only seen each other in formal attire to this point so he wanted it to be classy without appearing like he had a stick up his arse. He wanted to seem put together while not making it obvious that he had put effort into it.
He returned his attention to his very first idea; black fitted jeans and a beige turtleneck. He put it on once more and looked into the mirror, a critical look on his face. Then, after a second or two, he nodded to himself. This was the one.
He still had more than an hour left before he had to get going. Arthur didn’t exactly live close by but he wasn’t that far away either. Merlin needed to clean the mess he had created in his bedroom. When he finished there was still time, too much time he needed to pass.
Eventually it did. The time passed and finally allowed him to get entirely dressed and down into his car. He pulled up to the address Arthur had given him half an hour later. He thought he had seen a figure step away from a window in the second story of the mansion.
Merlin had heard about the name on the doorbell already but before he could ring, Arthur opened the door. Merlin was stunned for a second, both in surprise and in awe at the sight of Arthur.
He wore faded blue jeans and a white shirt. A necklace disappeared behind the buttons. The two top ones were open and revealed a tentative strip of skin.
Arthur appeared a bit stunned as well. His gaze traveled down Merlin’s body. The outfit he had chosen was rather tight and it didn’t leave much to the imagination. Arthur took a final step towards him and put his hands onto Merlin’s waist, pulling him into a hug.
Merlin smiled widely and leaned back to look Arthur in the eyes. “Hey.”
“Hello, Merlin.”
Merlin couldn’t help but notice the way Arthur’s lips almost caressed his name, making it sound precious and so full of promises. His heart rate quickened slightly and a warmth filled his body.
He didn’t remember when he had last felt this way. Even though he was used to being admired, it came with what he did and he had never before returned the feelings.
“Shall we?” Arthur asked him, a soft smile on his lips. Merlin nodded and guided Arthur to his car where he opened the passenger door for him. Arthur bowed slightly at that and got into the car laughing.
When Merlin joined him and started the car, he turned his head to look at him. “How was your day?”
“Good. I didn’t sleep much but apart from that it went quite nicely. And you?”
“Oh, I can’t complain. A bit boring here and there but nothing important. What did you do all day?”
“I helped out in a family friend’s pharmacy. I spend quite a bit of my time there actually. I really like it there, even though I was rather clumsy today.”
“You were? My father almost threw me out of his meeting because I didn’t pay attention to questions that were directed at me several times. Must have been somewhere else with my thoughts.”
Merlin laughed at that. “Must be scary. Having your father call you out?”
“Oh it is. But you get used to it. And there is really nothing more scary than my sister so as long as she doesn’t show up, I’m safe.”
Merlin laughed again. “You are more afraid of your sister than your father? She must be quite a woman then.”
“Oh, she is. Morgana has perfectioned the art of killing with a sole glance. I wish I had that power as well. Must be from her mother because my father is not half as scary.”
Merlin nodded thoughtfully. “Is she gonna take over the company? Or is it you?”
“You know about it then?”
“Pendragon is quite a name, isn’t it.”
“I’m afraid so. No, the company is all hers. I didn’t want it. She was born for this while I am not quite sure what I’m gonna do with my life.”
“But you still attend meetings?”
“I’m currently in law school. It was a meeting with our lawyers and my father wanted me to learn from them.”
“That sounds interesting, right?”
“Yeah, but I never cared much about economics. I’m probably gonna focus on human rights and international law.”
“That is amazing.” Merlin turned to look at Arthur and caught him blushing.
“Thank you…where are we heading?”
“It’s a surprise, Arthur. Only a few more minutes though.”
-
They soon arrived and Merlin led Arthur through a corridor to a backyard. The place was filled with lampignons and their golden light filled the night. A few couples sat on couches and blankets on the grass. Merlin turned around to look at Arthur expectantly.
“Is it amazing or is it amazing?” He asked and Arthur grinned at him.
Then he grabbed him by the hips and lifted him up. “This is gorgeous, Merlin. Thank you.”
Merlin squealed, trying to escape Arthur’s strong arms. Instead he was only pressed more tightly to his strong chest. Merlin relaxed into it and only then did Arthur put him back onto his own feet.
“Come on then!” Merlin said and grabbed Arthur’s hand. They found a spot on a comfortable sofa.
“I’m getting some drinks, what do you want?” Merlin asked and Arthur simply shrugged.
“Whatever is good.”
Merlin nodded.
“I’ll be back in a second.”
Arthur looked around, watched the people for a moment or two and then let his gaze wander up into the night sky. It was quite warm outside even though the summer was coming to an end. When Merlin arrived with two glasses in his hands and sat down next to Arthur they simply smiled at each other for a moment.
“What does it feel like? For you?” Arthur wanted to know and Merlin smiled shyly.
“Like I never want it to end?”
Arthur gifted him a wide smile. “Glad to hear that.”
“You feel the same?”
“I have never felt this way, Merlin. And I want it forever now.”
-
They talked through the night. And when Arthur carefully took Merlin’s hand on the way back, Merlin knew that he was never gonna love again.
Not like he had before.
From now on, it would only ever be Arthur.