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Merlin really needs this flat, he cannot afford to be kicked out because of this.
He's tried to live by the strict rules the building owner has, apparently Uther Pendragon hates all fun, and doesn't want tenants to have any.
No pets, no people staying over, MUST be quiet at all times.
It's not like the man even lives in the building, though Merlin has heard his son does.
Merlin isn't aware of ever seeing said son, but is sure he would report any rule breakers to his father.
So he really needs this kitten to come back.
"Here kitty kitty! Come here, Baz!" Merlin whispers as he chases the little kitten.
It keeps managing to slip by him, he can't get a hold of it.
It's so tiny, he's afraid of accidentally hurting it, but he also can't let anyone see.
He turns the corner and feels his heart stop.
And this time it's for other reasons than his neighbor is gorgeous.
He's only seen him a few times, getting the mail, taking out the trash and whatnot, but every time this blonde dude seems to take his breath away and leave him speechless, which means he's never been able to get many sentences out, therefore he's had no chance of asking the guy out.
He usually manages to at least say hello, but even that's going to be a struggle now, as the man is currently watching Baz play with his shoelaces.
"Is this your cat?" He asks.
"No!" Merlin says, which is true, Baz doesn't belong to him.
"So you're just chasing it around for no reason?"
"Well I- um, you see, he's..." Merlin doesn't know how to get out of this one, and his brain is short-circuiting from how cute the scene in front of him is.
"Because my father doesn't like people having animals in his building."
That snaps Merlin right out of his happy little fantasy.
"You're the building owner's son?"
"Arthur Pendragon. My job is supposed to be making sure everyone follows his rules."
"Oh, no. Please don't kick me out! He's really not even my cat! My friend, she just needed me to watch him for one night! He'll be gone tomorrow! I swear!"
"I don't know, I don't think even one night is allowed."
Hot or not, Merlin is not about to let anyone blackmail him, which is what it sounds like Mr. Pendragon here is trying to lead up to.
"Fine then, I'll just pack my things and leave. Who would want a flat in this stupid building anyway?"
Here is where Arthur realizes his plan to try and joke around with the cute neighbor is not working.
"No wait! I was kidding! I'm not going to tell!"
"You just don't want to lose a tenant and their money. Well, you'll have to find someone else." Merlin says, finally able to grab the cat.
"Don't go! Here, let me show you something!" Arthur says, grabbing the arm that's not holding a kitten.
"Are you planning to kill me or something?" Merlin asks as he's pulled towards Arthur's flat.
"God, no! Why would you ask that?!"
"I listen to a lot of true crime podcasts."
"Ah." Arthur says as he opens his door.
Merlin looks around, wondering if he can get a reading on what type of person lives here from the decorations, but there aren't many of those.
"What is it I need to see?"
"Back here!" Arthur becons him to follow as he goes to the back of the flat.
Merlin hesitantly does, then lets out a laugh of disbelief.
There's an entire room dedicated to a rabbit, a hamster, and some fish.
"My father never let me have pets growing up, so I got some quiet ones to hide in his own building."
"So you live here just for spite?"
"Pretty much. Although, there are a few other perks."
"Your rent is cheaper?" Merlin asks, trying to wrangle Baz, who wants to visit the other animals, so he doesn't notice the way Arthur had looked at him when he said that.
"Yeah."
"So this means you won't tell your father, right?" Merlin has to make sure.
"Of course I won't tell him. I was just trying to joke, but I'm not very good at, well anything, really, when confronted with a very attractive person." Arthur mostly mumbles the last part, but Merlin hears it anyway.
"Right, because saying you're going to kick someone out of their home is a great way to get a date." Merlin manages to say, pretending his insides haven't decided to go crazy at finding out Arthur finds him attractive as well.
"I've ruined my chances, haven't I?"
"You would have, if you didn't have all these animals, because honestly, that's hilarious. I do admire a good act of spite."
"I can tell, you were ready to start packing the second I started to act like I would report."
"What did you expect me to, just pay a thousand dollars?" Merlin says offhandedly, making sure Baz is just watching the fish.
"I wasn't going to blackmail you!"
"Thats what it sounded like."
"I really need to work on that."
"Yes, it's not the best way to get a second date."
"Second?"
"What do you think this is?"
"It's a little strange for this to be a date when you haven't even told me your name."
"Didn't I? It's Merlin."
"Well Merlin, how would you like to order some takeout and watch a movie"
"Sounds great."
They smile at each other for a moment, until Baz starts meowing.
"Yes, yes. I'll feed you too." Merlin chuckles, scratching behind his ears and making him purr.
"Shall we get the animals settled, then decide on our food?"
"Sure. Your place or mine?"
They get all the details worked out, and half an hour later when Merlin goes to answer the knock at his door Baz tries to slip out again, but luckily Arthur manages to stop him.
"I don't know how Freya handles you on a daily basis, sir." Merlin grumbles as he pulls the cat in.
Although, by the end of the night when they've really hit it off and already lined up a second date, Merlin is ready to give Baz all the kitty treats the store has to offer.
It's probably a little premature, but he's already wondering if Freya would let him be in the wedding.
~
A couple years later, he does indeed make a wonderful ring bearer.