Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sent Message from Arthur: Alright, team. We’re officially on Day 6 of Operation “Keep Cenred King Happy” and my father wants results. Any updates? 08:45 AM

Received Message from:Leon
Working with Elyan on structural adjustments. About 70% done. 08:46 AM

Received Message from:Lancelot
I’m still working on incorporating the environmental changes without wrecking the budget. The report Merlin dug out and sent me was very helpful though! 08:46 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
oh I am SO glad my underappreciated expertise is saving this billion pound project… truly living the dream here… 🙄 08:47 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: We appreciate your expertise. We also appreciate you doing your job without setting the group chat on fire. 08:47 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
more demands from arthur pendragon??? what else is new??? 08:48 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
oh let the man have his fun Arthur! a bit of fire is only festive 🔥🔥🔥 08:48 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
Cenred certainly deserves being set on fire for making us change everything about this thing during Yule 08:49 AM

Received Message from: I would reintroduce the pyre just for him 08:49 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Can we focus, please? Cenred is a pain, yes, but he’s also our biggest client. Keeping him happy is priority one. 08:50 AM

Received Message from:Elyan
And priority two? 08:50 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Priority two is not letting my father eat us alive if this project falls apart. 08:51 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
Preventing cannibalism. Excellent. 08:51 AM

Received Message from, replying to:You
Priority two is not letting my father eat us alive if this project falls apart.Merlin
speaking of priorities… when are you going to tell uther this project is literally breaking zoning laws and possibly merlin emrys’s sanity??? asking for a friend… 08:52 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Seriously, could you stop? 08:52 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
not when I’m this underpaid… 08:53 AM

Received Message from:Gwen
We’ve got this everyone ♥️ One step at a time 08:53 AM

Received Message from:Gwen
And maybe some biscuits? 🍪 I can bring some shortbread to the big meeting tomorrow ☺️ 08:53 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
+1 to Gwen’s biscuits solving everything 🤤🤤🤤 08:54 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
yes some shortbread might just soften the blow of capitalism 08:54 AM

Received Message from: Arthur should be careful with those biscuits tho or I’ll need to order him yet another new belt… 08:55 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
🤣🤣🤣 09:00 AM

Sent Message: Merlin. 09:00 AM

Received Message:oh no… did my belt comment hit too close to home??? 09:01 AM

Sent Message: Look. I know you’re in a mood, and I get it about Yule and your mum. I know it was important to you to see her. I’m sorry. 09:03 AM

Received Message: 😲 09:03 AM

Sent Message: wow!!! did uther switch to pod people when I wasn’t looking??? because this doesn’t sound like you AT ALL 09:03 AM

Received Message:I’m serious. I know how badly you wanted to visit her. If I could have spared you from all this overtime, I would have. Really. You deserve a break after all you’ve done for the firm this year. 09:04 AM

Sent Message: oh. thank you. 09:04 AM

Received Message:That being said… 09:05 AM

Sent Message: ah… here it comes… 🙄 09:05 AM

Received Message:I get that you’re frustrated, but I need you to keep the group chat professional. We’re all in this together, and the last thing we need is more chaos. 09:06 AM

Sent Message: fine… I reserve the right to insult you in private tho!!! 09:07 AM

Received Message:Private snark is acceptable, within reason. Group chat snark is not. 09:07 AM

Sent Message: deal 09:08 AM

Sent Message: you clotpole 09:09 AM

Sent Message: mum I need to tell you something… I won’t be able to make it home for yule this year… work’s been crazy and uther’s just piled even more on our plates... I’ve been trying to get a day or two off so I can travel but it’s not going to happen… I’m so sorry!!! 😞 10:05 PM

Sent Message: honestly I feel awful about it… I know I haven’t been home in months and I really miss you!!! you don’t deserve being alone for midwinter 😭 10:06 PM

Received Message:Oh, Merlin, don’t feel bad!! I know how hard you’re working and I’m so proud of you!! I’ll miss you of course but we’ll make up for it when things calm down, alright?? Love you, my sweet boy!! 💕 10:10 PM

Sent Message: I miss you… could really use a hug right now... 11:42 AM

Received Message:Oh I miss you too, love!! 🫂 You’ve got such a kind heart… I know you’re doing the best you can!! 💕 11:48 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Alright, everyone. Listen up. 12:10 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Merlin is the only one of us who doesn’t have family in the city and he’s giving up Yule with his mum to keep us all on track. I want to surprise him by bringing her to Camelot for Midwinter. 12:11 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
I’m sorry... who is this? Arthur “Feelings Are For The Weak” Pendragon? 12:12 PM

Received Message from:Gwaine
it’s a Midwinter miracle! Merlin finally broke him! 🤯🤯🤯 12:12 PM

Received Message from:Leon
That’s a great idea 12:13 PM

Received Message from:Elyan
How can we help? 12:13 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
Oh Arthur this is SO sweet of you ♥️ I actually have Hunith’s number so I can definitely help out 🥰 12:13 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: I need someone to help arrange transport from Ealdor and book her a nice hotel in Camelot. As comfortable as you can make her. I’ll cover the cost of everything, of course. 12:14 PM

Received Message from:Lancelot
I can look into trains 12:14 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
Ealdor is in the middle of nowhere 🤔 She’ll need a taxi to the train station too 12:13 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
I’ll look into that as well as hotels and coordinate with Lancelot 12:15 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
Then I will see about a nice cosy Midwinter dinner 🫶 12:16 PM

Received Message from:Gwaine
and I could organise a festive Midwinter pub crawl!!! 🍻🍻🍻 12:16 PM

Received Message from: you lot are no fun… 😑😑😑 12:18 PM

Received Message from:Percival
What’s Merlin’s schedule like? We’ll need to plan around when he’s free to meet her… 12:19 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: I’ll handle that. And thanks, everyone. I appreciate your help. 12:20 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
Wow. A thank you? Merlin really changed you over the past year didn’t he? That’s adorable… 12:21 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Shut up, Morgana. 12:21 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
Shan’t 💋 12:22 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Any more updates? We’re on a tight schedule here and Cenred is getting impatient. 10:30 AM

Received Message from:Elyan
Revisions are done. Leon and I need approval by 1 PM so we can take this to the city planners before they close for the holidays. Merlin should have the draft for you 10:31 AM

Received Message from:Percival
Renegotiated the rates with some of the contractors and sent the info to you via Merlin 10:31 AM

Received Message from:Lancelot
Environmental changes are mostly sorted... Waiting on final review for budget checks. Did you get the spreadsheet Merlin? 10:32 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
oh of course… just leave all the fun stuff to me… 🙄 10:32 AM

Received Message from: should have become a circus performer with all the juggling you lot have me do… 10:32 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Merlin, stay focused. This is a big project and we all need to be professional. 10:33 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
ach come on let Merlin snark a little! it’s all part of his charm 😉😉😉 10:34 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
Seriously though, Arthur… I understand keeping Cenred happy is our priority but we can’t let him walk all over us either 10:35 AM

Received Message from: Uther’s making us work through Midwinter for this twat! 10:35 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: I know, but it’s a balancing act. The firm really can’t afford to lose Cenred as a client... 10:37 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: And you know Father isn’t exactly the relaxed sort, either. 10:37 AM

Received Message from:Merlin
right… because the best way to keep our overlords happy is by professional corporate level martyrdom… got it... 🙄 10:39 AM

Sent Message: oh gods I can see you typing 10:39 AM

Sent Message: don’t worry I know the drill... I’ll tone it down 10:40 AM

Received Message:Thank you. I know it’s a lot. 10:40 AM

Sent Message: it’s fine… I’m a wizard!!! I can handle it 🪄 10:41 AM

Sent Message: oh and btw I ordered your favourite lunch 10:42 AM

Sent Message: herb-crusted capon should be on your desk at noon 10:42 AM

Received Message:Oh? I thought they had taken that off the menu for good! 10:43 AM

Sent Message: well I have my ways… 🧙 10:43 AM

Sent Message: I heard uther tearing into you earlier… reckoned you could use a little pick-me-up 10:43 AM

Received Message:That’s actually… nice of you. 10:44 AM

Sent Message: it’s not a big deal. you’re a royal pain in the arse but I don’t actually hate you you know??? 10:45 AM

Sent Message: also your father is dead wrong. you’re working harder than anyone I know… well, except me, obviously 10:46 AM

Received Message:Wow. 10:46 AM

Sent Message: I’m serious!!! you didn’t deserve that dressing down… you’re a great project lead and you’re doing the best you can under impossible pressure 10:47 AM

Received Message:Thank you, Merlin. For the food, too. 10:48 AM

Sent Message: you’re welcome… now just try not to choke on it!!! 10:49 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Updates on the surprise? How are we doing with the transport for Hunith? 11:00 AM

Received Message from:Lancelot
I’ve confirmed Hunith’s train and taxi to the station. She’ll arrive right on Midwinter around 2 PM 11:01 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
And I’ve booked her into a lovely five-star hotel right in the city centre! She’ll be all set 11:02 AM

Received Message from:Gwen
Dinner’s arranged too ♥️ I’ve wrangled them a table at that new place on Castle Street in Lower Town! Everything’s taken care of 🫶 11:03 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Excellent. Thank you, everyone. I’ll handle the rest. Merlin will be none the wiser. 11:04 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
does this mean we’re NOT doing the pub crawl then? because I have a whole itinerary ready… 🍻🍻🍻 11:05 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
Gwaine. 11:06 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
what? who’d say no to a festive pint? 🤯🤯🤯 11:07 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: You’re not organising a pub crawl for Hunith, Gwaine. 11:08 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
yeah yeah. buzzkill 11:09 AM

Received Message from:Elyan
What about Merlin’s schedule? Are you going to give him some time off? 11:10 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: I’ve got that covered. Don’t worry. 11:11 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Thanks, everyone. This is going to be a good surprise. 11:12 AM

Received Message from:Gwen
It’s going to be lovely! ♥️ Hunith is really excited and beyond grateful you’ve arranged this 🥰 11:13 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
This is costing you a pretty penny too... Honestly I’m impressed 11:14 AM

Sent Message from Arthur: Don’t make a big deal out of it. 11:15 AM

Received Message from:Morgana
Too late 😏 11:16 AM

Received Message: 09:24 PM

Sent Message: I really miss you mum... wish I could be there with you for midwinter tomorrow 😥 08:50 PM

Received Message:Oh, love, I miss you too!! But I know you’re working hard, and I’m so proud of you. We’ll have our time soon, I promise!! 💕 08:52 PM

Sent Message: I know I know… I just hate that I can’t be there… it's been too long... 😞 08:53 PM

Received Message:I understand, sweetheart. Work is demanding, I get that. But sometimes, there are these things we call Midwinter miracles… just when you least expect them!! ✨ 08:54 PM

Sent Message: what do you mean??? 08:55 PM

Received Message:Well, sometimes the season has a way of surprising us. ☺️ You never know when a miracle might find you, especially when it’s most needed… 08:57 PM

Sent Message: it would have to be a massive miracle tho… uther is being a HUGE pain in the arse about all this… 08:58 PM

Sent Message: he very nearly made arthur cry today 08:58 PM

Received Message:Did he? 08:59 PM

Sent Message: yeah… he’s been shouting at him nearly every day even tho he’s been working so hard… 08:59 PM

Sent Message: I offered him a hug but you know how emotionally constipated he is 08:59 PM

Received Message:I see... 😕 09:00 PM

Sent Message: anyway I’m knackered… got to head to bed early!!! video call tomorrow??? ♥️ 09:01 PM

Received Message:See you tomorrow, sweetheart!! 💕 09:02 PM

Sent Message: Mrs Emrys, I just wanted to check in. Did you make it to the station okay? 10:20 AM

Received Message:Yes, I did, thank you so much for making sure everything was arranged!! I’m on my way to Camelot now, and I couldn’t be more grateful. You’ve really made this such a special Midwinter for Merlin and me. 💕 10:22 AM

Received Message:And please, it's Hunith! 💕 10:22 AM

Sent Message: It’s the least I could do after keeping your son so busy during Yule. 10:22 AM

Received Message:You’ve done more than enough!! Honestly, I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for Merlin, and for all of us. You’ve given him a chance, something few others have ever done for him. And I can see how hard you work, too. You’re a good boss, Arthur. You care about your people, and it shows!! 💕 10:23 AM

Sent Message: I’m just doing my job. 10:24 AM

Received Message:It’s more than that!! You’re actually treating them right. And don’t think Merlin hasn’t noticed. You’ve been a good friend to him. I just wanted to let you know that. 💕 10:25 AM

Sent Message: Thank you. 10:26 AM

Received Message:I also have something for you, for Yule. A little gift I made myself!! 💕 I know it’s not much, but it’s something to show my appreciation. I’d like to give it to you in person. Could we meet while I’m in Camelot? 10:27 AM

Sent Message: Oh, you really didn’t have to do that. But I’m sure we can arrange a time. How about this evening, before your dinner with Merlin? You will pick him up from work, correct? 10:28 AM

Received Message:That sounds perfect. And thank you again!! 💕 10:29 AM

Sent Message: look I owe you an apology for earlier… I shouldn’t have lashed out like that11:27 AM

Sent Message: it’s not your fault cenred is being a complete bellend… I was just frustrated 11:28 AM

Sent Message: honestly I’ve been a bit of a mess since I learned I couldn’t go home for yule… but that’s no excuse for being so rude and disrespectful to you and I’m really sorry 11:29 AM

Received Message:It’s fine. Yule and your mum… you’re upset, and I get that. You’re forgiven. 11:30 AM

Sent Message: thank you. really. I know other bosses would have fired me on the spot for what I said… 11:31 AM

Received Message:I’m not firing you, Merlin. It’s all good. 11:31 AM

Sent Message: you’re far too decent a person to be uther’s son you know??? 11:32 AM

Received Message:Merlin… 11:32 AM

Sent Message: just saying 11:32 AM

Sent Message: also I couldn’t help but notice that my to dos for this afternoon sort of... disappeared??? have you been messing with the scheduling app again when you know you shouldn’t??? 11:33 AM

Received Message:All is as it should be. 11:34 AM

Sent Message: ??? 11:35 AM

Received Message from:Gwaine
the eagle has landed 🦅🦅🦅 just picked up Hunith from the train station in Camelot, off to the hotel now 12:00 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
At lunch right now with Merlin, keeping him distracted 12:01 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
He looks so miserable ☹️ You can see it all over his face that he’s thinking about not being with Hunith tonight... I wish I could tell him it’s going to be okay ♥️ 12:02 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Thank you all! 12:03 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Also… any of you got any last-minute ideas for a Midwinter gift for Hunith? Apparently, she made me something, and now I’ve got nothing to give her in return… 12:04 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
Arthur. You gifted her ALL OF THIS. The train ride, the hotel, the dinner with her son... what more do you need? 12:05 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Oh, right… 12:06 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Well, I just figured… 12:06 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Nevermind! 12:06 PM

Received Message from:Gwaine
Arthur you’re a walking disaster 😂😂😂 12:07 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
He really is 12:07 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
I think it’s sweet ♥️ 12:09 PM

Sent Message: srsly where is my schedule for this afternoon??? where are my to do lists??? 03:15 PM

Sent Message: I had a full afternoon planned!!! 03:15 PM

Received Message:It’s all fine. Don’t worry about it. 03:16 PM

Sent Message: something is up!!! gwen was acting weird at lunch… what’s going on??? 03:17 PM

Sent Message: 03:17 PM

Received Message:You’ll see. 03:18 PM

Received Message:Just finish wrapping up whatever you’re doing now, then come in my office. 03:19 PM

Received Message from:Gwaine
driving Hunith to Pendragon & Associates now 🚘🚘🚘 03:30 PM

Received Message from: everything ready at your end? 03:30 PM

Sent Message from Arthur: Merlin is in my office, being an idiot. Please hurry. 03:31 PM

Received Message from:Morgana
Gwen and I are coming down to your floor to watch. Can’t miss this! 03:32 PM

Received Message from:Gwen
This is going to be great ♥️ 03:33 PM

Sent Message: 06:44 PM

Sent Message: I’m sitting down to dinner with mum now but I simply HAD to message you!!! srsly thank you!!! this is beyond anything I ever expected and you’ve made my entire year!!! I honestly don’t have the words for how grateful I am… 06:45 PM

Received Message:You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re happy. 06:46 PM

Sent Message: happy doesn’t even come close!!! I can’t even tell you how much this means to me… I’ve been so sad about yule and now I get to have all this time with her and it’s all thanks to you!!! 06:47 PM

Sent Message: you’re the best boss ever and I’ll happily be your assistant until the day I die!!! 😭 06:47 PM

Received Message:Please don’t be melodramatic… 06:48 PM

Sent Message: fine you prat!!! don’t let me thank you then!!! 06:49 PM

Sent Message: also don’t think I didn’t see you go bright red when mum hugged you and gave you those mittens she knitted!!! I expect you to wear them every single day… no exceptions!!! 06:49 PM

Received Message:I will treasure them. She made them just for me and I appreciate that. 06:50 PM

Received Message:Hunith’s a lovely woman. You’re lucky to have her as your mother. 06:50 PM

Sent Message: oh my gods stop!!! you’re being so sweet I might actually cry again… 06:51 PM

Sent Message: okay yeah here are the tears... 🥹 06:51 PM

Received Message:For the gods’ sake… 06:52 PM

Sent Message: I mean it tho!!! you’ve given me the best gift ever… honestly I can’t believe you did all this for me… and I can’t wait to see you again because I’m going to hug you SO HARD!!! 06:53 PM

Received Message:You shall not. 06:54 PM

Sent Message: watch me!!! 06:54 PM

Sent Message: 06:44 PM

Received Message:Shut up and eat! 06:55 PM

Sent Message: yes my lord 06:56 PM

Received Message:Happy Yule, Merlin. 06:57 PM