Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started with a dreadful and dreaded email:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: Everyone
Subject: CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!

November 17th

Happy Holidays, Folks!

Pull out your (virtual) calendar (tab) and cancel any plans you have on the 18th (and let’s be realistic, 19th) of December as the annual Pendragon Publishing Christmas Party will take place, this year planned by the HR department and yours’ truly.

It will be held at the office, starting at 19.00.

There will be:
booze
food
music
games

And did I mention it’s free?

This year we will also participate in an office-wide Secret Santa that should be gifted before the Christmas Party, when we’ll guess our Secret Santas. £25 Limit on the presents, and NO INAPPROPRIATE GIFTS that could lead to unnecessary HR complaints (I don’t have time with harassment charges and disputes over the new year, I have a holiday booked.)

I will email you the name of your Secret Santa in a separate email. They’ve been randomly assigned, so no swapping.

I hope you can make it!

Please wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and join me for a malt wine that’s more vodka than wine.

Best regards,
Will from HR
------------------------------------------------------------------

That email in itself wasn’t so horrible, but rather the one that followed was:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: SECRET SANTA

November 17th

Arthur Pendragon

My sincerest apologies, mate,
Will
------------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin had been betrayed, and from none other than his supposed best friend of nearly 20 years. There was no way Will couldn’t have changed that “randomly assigned” Secret Santa for Merlin’s sake.

Will from HR just so happened to be one of Merlin’s childhood friends. They moved to London together, lived together for a while, and Will even got Merlin his current job at Pendragon Publishing, one of the biggest publishing companies in the UK and Europe.

Will had also informermed Merlin that it would be easy work and good money, but that he’d be working in Arthur Pendragon’s department, and that Arthur Pendragon was a lesser known synonym for ‘annoying-nepotism-asshole’.

Will had a habit of exaggerating the severity of everything from a cold (“It’s cancer, Merlin!”, “It’s a headache, Will. Take an aspirin and go to bed.”) to his wild anecdotes (“-one guy gets in my face and tells me to leave or he’ll call the police!”, “Will, I was there. He was a bouncer and asked you to leave because you were so drunk you fell off your chair.”) so Merlin knew to take his accusations with a pinch of salt. When Merlin met Arthur, however, he found himself agreeing with Will’s description for once.

Will had gotten Merlin an interview with the Sales Director, Morgana. It was her department Merlin was really interested in. The interview had gone great, and Merlin left with a hopeful feeling.

A few days later, Morgana had called to let him
know that they had gone with someone else:

“I’m really sorry, Merlin. We really liked you for the job but there was someone else with more experience so my father decided he’d suit the job better. I hope you understand.” She’d said over the phone apologetically. “But if you are interested the editing department is looking for a temp for some simple admin and editing work until the end of the year?”

Desperate to cover next month's rent, Merlin had agreed to the proposition.

His first day was the 24th of September. He’d be covering for a woman on maternity leave.

On his first day at Pendragon Publishing he’d been shown around by the kind receptionist, Gwen.

“You’re Will’s friend, right?” She’d asked Merlin.

“Yeah, do you know him?”

Gwen’s face had lit up. “My boyfriend Lance works in HR.”

“Oh, Will has spoken about him! You two just got engaged, right?”

“It’s very new, just last week. I’m not used to having a fiancé yet.” Gwen had looked bashful and twirled the ring on her finger subconsciously. “I’ve heard a lot about you too! Will won’t shut up, according to Lance. So, you and Will…?”

“Just mates.”

“Sorry,” Gwen had blurted, “I didn’t mean to assume…”

“No, it’s alright. You assumed half correctly, just not with Will.” Merlin had offered a smile. ”That is to say, he’s straight, I’m not. I didn't mean- I’m not in love with him or anything.”

Gwen had blinked. “Oh, alright.”

Just as Merlin had thought he had made the most awkward first impression, she had plastered on a smile, ignoring the small blunder. “Well if you want to, you can come find me when you take lunch and I’ll take you out somewhere!” Gwen offered.

“Sure, I’d appreciate that.” Merlin had beamed back.

Merlin and Gwen had taken a liking to each other straight away.

Arthur Pendragon on the other hand had taken one look at Merlin, and Merlin already knew everything he needed to know from the disapproving look on his face.

(As Will put it best:) Arthur ‘annoying-nepotism-asshole’ didn’t seem to like anything about Merlin, from his clothes that were apparently “too relaxed” to the fact that he didn’t want to work within editing at all.

And now he had to buy the prat a Christmas gift.

*

Arthur stared at the email.
—---------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: SECRET SANTA

November 17th

Merlin Emrys
—---------------------------------------------------------------

He couldn't believe his bad luck.

What the hell was he going to buy Merlin bloody Emerys for Christmas? Merlin who couldn’t look Arthur’s way without exchanging a smile for a scowl. How was he supposed to please him?

“Probably some moronic video game or something…” Arthur muttered to himself as he grabbed his cup off his desk and walked toward the community kitchen.

Who else would stand by the counter but the cause of his conundrum and his loyal friend, Merlin and Gwen.

Arthur froze as their gazes fell on him, but quickly recovered.

“Morning,” he cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact and pushing through to the half-full pot of coffee on the bench.

Out of the corner of his eye Arthur saw the corners of Merlin’s mouth drop. They had stopped their conversation when Arthur had entered the area, and an awkward silence now hung in the air. Arthur touched a finger against the tea kettle to feel it’s temperature and then proceeded to pour the remains down the drain.

He filled it back up and put it on, crossing his arms and staring intently at it to avoid the other two.

“I put the kettle on just a minute ago.” Merlin commented.

Arthur nearly jumped.

“What? Oh, sorry. I like my tea scalding hot,” Arthur dismissed the comment, attempting to sound nonchalant. He felt like crawling out of his skin. He was clearly unwanted here.

“You could have warmed it.”

“It’s just water, after all.” Arthur shrugged and threw a glance over his shoulder, meeting Merlin’s eye.

“Exactly,” Merlin replied, and Arthur had a feeling like he had lost a tennis match he wasn’t aware he was playing.

Gwen cleared her throat. “Have you received your Secret Santa, Arthur?”

Once more, Arthur felt himself freeze.

“Uh, yeah. Just got the email. You?”

Gwen nodded with a smile. “I’m already thinking of gift ideas.”

“Nice” he responded, and then couldn’t bring himself to think of anything else to say.

After a few awkward minutes in silence, Arthur had prepared his tea and left, keeping his eyes on it.

As soon as he rounded the corner he heard Merlin and Gwen start whispering again.

He spent the rest of the morning in his office, writing things like ‘appropriate gifts for coworkers’ into his search bar.

*

A few days later Merlin was almost falling asleep at his desk when a mass of papers hitting his table woke him up.

Behind him, Arthur Pendragon was looking over Merlin’s shoulder and pointing at the first page. Merlin recognised it as an excerpt from a book he was proofreading for Arthur, to weed out the simpler grammatical mistakes or mistakes in timeline etc. before Arthur got into the artistic and logistical side of the books. It would probably end up being published with a title that was as pretentious as it was and long, like: ’The Dark Side of the Moon Where the Wind Won’t Blow’, but for the time being was dubbed ’DMW’ which simply stood for ‘Dark Moon Wind’ in the files Merlin and Arthur sent back and forth.

“You missed a spelling mistake here.” Arthur said, ignoring greetings and pleasantries as always. He flipped through the first few pages and shifted his finger. “And here and here. This sentence structure doesn’t work. You’re supposed to find these avid mistakes so that I don’t have to.”

Merlin looked up at Arthur. From the angle where he was seated Arthur looked dominating and powerful. As usual, Arthur refused to meet his gaze.

Merlin could feel his annoyance simmer, but the shame of having Arthur point out his obvious mistakes out loud in front of his coworkers was running hotter in his veins.

He could argue that he had a bad day when he was reading those chapters, that he had been tired and slept too little. He could come up with sensible excuses and argue for all of them. But the truth was editing wasn’t his passion. He loved reading a book every once in a while, but not meticulously combing through for the slightest mistake, and both of them knew it.

“Go over these chapters again and be more thorough in the future. Otherwise you’re no help to me or my department.” Arthur stated without a hint of oversight.

Merlin was silent for a moment. The red pen circling his mistakes felt like a gut punch. It was clear where they stopped at page 8 that Arthur had given up and deemed the rest of it unreadable until re-edited.

He swallowed his pride and nodded. “Of course.” He said.

Arthur glanced at Merlin’s face and then looked away again. “Good.” he said, and left.

After coming home that evening Merlin threw himself on the couch where he was content to stay for the next few hours, if it hadn’t been for his roommate, Gwaine, coming out of his room and throwing a T-shirt in his face.

Merlin groaned. He was in a bad mood because of Arthur’s scolding and having to redo his work, which had taken all afternoon. He was ashamed to see more simple mistakes he should’ve caught earlier, and read through it once more to make sure.

When he had finally sent over the re-edited version with a quick email, one again apologising, he had received this response from Arthur:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: DMW Chapter 8-13

November 22th

It is always better to do your work correctly the first time instead of having to re-do it, don’t you agree?

No apology necessary.

A. Pendragon
------------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin had written a quick and passable reply before shutting his computer off and heading home.

“It’s your time to do laundry.” Gwaine stated, dropping a laundry basket by the sofa and waking Merlin from his thoughts.

Merlin sighed. “Please no. Not today.”

“I would have preferred yesterday, but alas, you didn’t and there’s no time like the present. Chop-chop Merlin. The towels need washing.”

“I’ve had a bad day, Gwaine.”

Gwaine leaned against the doorway and pouted dramatically. “Aw, did you get a papercut?”

Gwaine was a bricklayer, and never let Merlin forget how physically straining his work was compared to Merlin’s, although he always did so in jest.

Merlin rolled his eyes, feeling a little ridiculous. “No, I have to buy my boss a gift for Secret Santa.”

“Which one? The gorgeous one?” A new voice sounded behind Merlin.

“Yes.” Merlin sighed, and looked around as Percival came out of the kitchen with a beer in hand. Percival worked with Gwaine and often took a pint with him after they clocked out. Today, it seems, they had headed here.

“Is she the one with the long brown hair?” Percival asked and took a sip of his drink.

“What? No- that’s Morgana.” Merlin said. “She’s who I wish was my boss. My boss is a prat.”

“A gorgeous prat, according to yourself.” Gwaine said with a smile.

“Is this the Arthur you’ve mentioned?” Percival asked, looking between Merlin and Gwaine.

“How do you even know his name?” Merlin asked, slightly alarmed. “And since when have I talked about him?”

Gwaine rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on. You inevitably rant about how ‘stupidly formal and stupidly professional and stupidly attractive’ he is whenever you’ve had a bit to drink.”

“You’re lying.” Merlin said after a moment.

“So, you haven’t thought about him naked?”

“That’s ridiculous” Merlin shot up from the sofa. “I better do the laundry.”

“Yeah, you better.” Gwaine grinned an evil grin and Merlin resented him for forcing him into doing household chores like this.

“Will you order a Chinese while I load the machine?” Merlin sighed and disappeared to retrieve his laundry hamper and dump it into the basket.

“One step ahead of you, mate.” Gwaine said, taking the place Merlin had just occupied on the sofa and taking his phone out to dial. “I’ll get you your regular.”

“Cheers.” Merlin grabbed the basket and walked out the front door . If it slammed a little harder than necessary as he kicked it shut, he was sure Gwaine wouldn’t mind.

As he waited for a lady to unload her machine in the washing room, he took out his phone and googled: gift for prat. When nothing came up he tried gift for idiot and gift for nepotism asshole, before sighing and settling for: gift for boss.

On his way up to his apartment afterwards he took out his phone again and texted a quick but effective: Fuck you and your HR randomly generated Secret Santa to Will.

He received a smiley face in return.

*

When Arthur sat down at his desk the following morning with his freshly brewed cup of tea he found himself being called to open one email before the plethora of others pleading for his attention.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: DMW Chapter 8-13

November 22th

Of course I can only agree.

I will refrain from apologising in vain in the future :)

Merlin.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Arthur nearly snorted his tea out. He could read the sarcasm dripping between the few and short lines, and they made him smile, surprisingly.

He typed a reply and hit send before closing the tab and going about his day.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: DMW Chapter 8-13

November 23rd

Excellent.

A. Pendragon
------------------------------------------------------------------

*

Excellent.

Excellent?

Merlin spent all morning jumping between tabs from the essay collection he was currently proofreading to the email containing only one word from his boss.

What could it mean?

“I think you’re over-analysing, Merlin.” Will said at lunchtime. “Arthur Pendragon is a man of few words, but that doesn’t mean that he’s full of riddles. Sometimes a word is just a word.”

“Not with Arthur! He always talks down to me in these roundabout ways like I don’t know how to read.”

“Well you just said you had to redo your work yesterday.” Will mumbled

Merlin set down his fork and glared at him. “I’d like to file an HR complaint.”

Will looked up at Merlin. “You didn’t steal anyone’s lunch did you? Because even if it made you sick there is nothing I can do, and I have enough complaints about that already.”

“No, Will, you’re the one who kept stealing my lunches at school.”

“Hey, you were a scrawny kid and your mom made more than you could possibly eat. I let you use my iPod, didn’t I?” Will argued, reverting into a younger version of himself as he so often did around his childhood friend.

“No, shut up, Will. I’d like to file a complaint about the HR team’s lack of support for my work-related issue.”

Will snorted and shoved a fork full of food in his mouth. “Eat a dick, Merlin.”

*

Merlin didn’t eat a dick and neither did he stop over-analysing, to Will’s chagrin. He had spent the better part of his coffee break bent over the reception desk quizzing Gwen about his dilemma that very afternoon as she tried to work. Gwen’s eyes widened and darted behind him in warning.

Merlin stopped mid-sentence and turned around to see Arthur approaching with a stack of papers in hand.

Arthur nodded politely to Merlin but didn’t seem to have anything to say to him.

“Is that more work for me to look over again?” Merlin asked, regretting it as soon as it came out of his mouth. Arthur gave him a curious look, they booth knew Merlin had fucked up with the amount of mistakes in the text he had to look over again yesterday.

“No. This is just something I need Gwen to fax over to my father.”

“Fax?” Merlin questioned. “I didn't even know we had a fax machine.”

“Father prefers it.” Arthur said. He handed the papers over to Gwen. She took them and disappeared into her back room.

Merlin expected him to leave straight away, but instead he lingered. Merlin looked at him, out of the corner of his eye, finding Arthur already looking at him.

“I’m almost done with the essays you emailed me.” Merlin stated. He supposed he had to redeem himself so added: “I’m sure I can get through a few more this afternoon, if you want to send them my way.”

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. “Good. I’ll do that.”

“Great. I’ll have them done by tomorrow.”

Arthur hesitated, then he said: “I wanted to say you did a good job on Chapters 8 through 13, the second time around. I look forward to more like it in the future.”

Merlin tried to hide the way his eyebrows rose in surprise. This was as close to a compliment he had ever received from Arthur, albeit slightly backhanded. “The first time around, you mean?”

“Naturally.” Arthur said.

Once again, Arthur lingered. After a moment he spoke: “What’s your favourite colour?”

This time Merlin failed to hide his surprise. “Eh- I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

“It’s just a question.”

“Is this some type of HR employee thing? Did I miss a form from Will?”

“Not exactly.”

Just then Gwen came back from the backoffice.

“Oh, you’re still here” She said, looking surprised. At first Merlin thought she meant him, but her eyes were set on Arthur.

“Oh, yes.” Arthur cleared his throat. “I wondered if there was any post for me?”

“Didn’t you collect it this morning?” Gwen asked, with a hint of concern in her voice.

The tips of Arthur's ears were turning red. Merlin couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.

“Yes. Of course.” Arthur said. “I’m just waiting for a letter.”

“Who from?” Gwen asked in all her well meaning. “I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“It can wait.” Arthur pushed off the reception desk and stood straight. “Well then. Good afternoon.” He said and walked away.

“What was that about?” Gwen asked Merlin.

“I’m actually not sure.”

Later in the afternoon, Merlin received a new email from Arthur:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: More Essays

November 23rd

As promised, I have attached a few more essays for you to read through.

Also, you never answered my question about your favourite colour.

Please reply at your earliest convenience,
A. Pendragon
------------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin smiled at the absurdity of Arthur’s formality, but decides to humour him.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: More Essays

November 23rd

Of course.

Purple. Yours?

Merlin.
------------------------------------------------------------------

The reply comes minutes later.

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: More Essays

November 23rd

Red.

A. Pendragon
----------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Text

When Merlin first started working in the editing department, Arthur can’t deny that he had a few prejudices against him.

Firstly, he hadn’t studied english literature or anything that was an actual asset to the department.

Secondly, Merlin didn’t even want to be there. He had applied for marketing and then Morgana had stuck him in Arthur’s department because he was nice and friends with Will from HR? Even Arthur, whose father Uther had founded the company, had to prove himself to be worthy of his position in the editing department. Merlin hadn’t had to prove himself at all.

Thirdly, Arthur resented that Merlin saw editing as something easy and tedious. Sure, looking for grammatical mistakes wasn’t the most fun, but Arthur felt huge pressure in making sure a book wouldn’t only sell, but be considered good.

All of this culminated in a (in retrospect) very steep learning curve for Merlin. Arthur might have been a little hard on Merlin, he might have given him a little too much work, so that Merlin was always struggling on hitting deadlines. This only justified Arthurs prejudices, in his head.

“Close one, Merlin.” Arthur might have said, looking at his watch as Merlin knocked on the door to his office. Or: “Ask Gladys. She’ll help you.” when Merlin had practical questions.

Two or three weeks into Merlin’s employment, Morgana had entered Arthur’s office and smacked him over the head, telling him to stop acting like a child and a bully, and ease up on Merlin. Apparently, Merlin had confided in Gwen his grievances with Arthur and the workload, and Gwen - always one to help- had spoken to Morgana about it. Arthur’s half-sister had not taken it lightly.

“I really like him, Arthur, and I want him on my team, but father overruled my decision and hired that guy Cedric instead, but, if he can prove his work ethic I might be able to convince father to move him to my department.” Morgana had sighed. “And for god’s sake, would it kill you to smile?”

Arthur was hard on everyone until they proved their worth, Morgana knew this. Merlin hadn’t been special in that regard. Arthur knew he wasn’t generally well-liked around the office, and he didn’t really mind. He wasn’t like his sister, sociable and a natural leader.

The fourth reason that Arthur had been hard on Merlin in the beginning, the one Arthur couldn’t explain to Morgana and didn’t quite want to admit to himself, was that he found Merlin attractive. Ridiculously attractive.

Arthur had always had a weakness for dark hair and dramatic cheekbones, and when Merlin walked through the door to his office on his first day, Arthur’s heart rate had sped up. Now, months later, it still hadn’t slowed down whenever he locked eyes with Merlin, so he generally avoided it.

At Pendragon Publishing, employee-relationships were not forbidden as long as power dynamics didn’t come into play. Gwen and Lancelot were a good example. If the Chief editor however were to show favouritism to one of his employees, or to ask said employee on a date would likely end in termination.

So, in his efforts not to show any favouritism to a new employee he might have swung too far in the other direction. He couldn’t deny Merlin pulled his weight, with the occasional slip ups. But those slip ups wouldn’t have happened had someone trained for Merlin’s current role been the person in his place.

But he did as Morgana asked, and gradually eased up on Merlin. He only asked as much of Merlin as he did of everyone else.

Unfortunately for Arthur, Merlin’s opinion of him had seemingly been cemented by then, and it wasn’t very positive. Which was fine, Arthur supposed. He was used to it. It was better that way.

It made it easier for Arthur to excuse his avoidance of him.

But he still needed to get Merlin a gift.

*

With the Christmas party 3 weeks away, Arthur supposed he might have to put some time into figuring out what Merlin likes. Of course, the obvious answer would be to talk to Merlin himself, and he had tried, but once again he had just found himself tongue tied by those dazzling eyes as he had when they first ran into each other. Now it happened once again as Merlin ran towards the approaching elevator that Arthur was waiting for on one late november morning.

As always, Arthur nodded to him in greeting, mumbled a polite “Morning” and stepped inside the elevator. Merlin followed.

They stood in silence as the doors closed. Merlin glanced over at Arthur.

“Did you get your letter?” Merlin asked, referring to the imaginary letter Arthur had claimed to be waiting on the day before.

Arthur was firmly staring at the door, already feeling heat creep up his neck.

“Eh, yes. Or- They called me instead. It wasn’t very important.” Arthur tried to dismiss it.

“Alright.” Merlin nodded. “I finished the essays as I promised. I just need to send them over.”

“Oh, good.” Arthur glanced at Merlin, to find him already looking at him. The heat creeping at his neck started to spread. “Thank you, I-”

Arthur cleared his throat. “I realised I never expressed my gratitude that you stepped in on such short notice after- eh - well the woman before you.” He wasn’t sure what he was saying, he only wanted to fill the air. “Your work is appreciated. Let’s leave it at that.”

Merlin’s lips parted and he was on the verge of replying when the elevator stopped at their floor and the doors dinged open. Arthur set his eyes forward again and walked out before he could stumble through another unintelligible comment.

“Good Morning Arthur, Merlin.” Gwen greeted them with a smile at reception. She looked surprised as they excited the elevator together, and shot a look at Merlin.

Arthur, once again, mumbled his greeting and then disappeared into his office.

No, talking to Merlin face to face wouldn’t work very well.

*

Merlin was slightly surprised when, over the next week, Arthur kept tagging on little questions in his emails ever since he asked about Merlin’s favourite colour. The emails mostly went along the lines of (Step 1: Work) “Merlin read these chapters, read that article, find that file, contact that author.”, with the added (Step 2: Question) “Favourite snack?” or something similar.

Merlin found it amusing, albeit a little strange. He couldn’t deny that he stood to benefit from this. He needed ideas for his Secret Santa gift. His google sessions of gifts for prat had been fruitless after all.

They started emailing more, and the questions escalated to comedic effect. This one is his favourite:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: DMW Chapter 23?

November 29th

Thank you for your notes, they were very helpful. I mentioned a few in my meeting with the author, Catrine.

What’s you favourite nostalgia ridden children’s programming?

A. Pendragon
------------------------------------------------------------------

Weirdly, it felt like Arthur is finally warming up to Merlin. Arthur is still a little aloof and won’t meet his eyes all too often when they run into each other by the photocopier or in the kitchen, but their virtual correspondence continues.

After a while they develop into small conversation pieces at the bottom of their professional page. By Thursday, they looked like this:

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Iphone Vs. Mixer

November 30th

Great, I’ll look it over during the weekend.

While I do agree with your opinion on the ‘Will it blend?’ commercial where they blended an iphone was very memorable, the best commercial of all time will always be the Old Spice: “The man your man could smell like”.

A. Pendragon
------------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin waited until the end of the day, enjoying whenever he remembered it was his turn to reply.

After finishing his work for the day, he opens a new email and writes ‘Old Spice is okay’ in the subject line.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Old Spice is okay

November 30th

Do you mean the one where he goes: “I’m on a horse”, “I have diamonds in my hand”. I think I recall it, but it’s not the best. The blank stare as the iPhone turns to dust in the blender is way better than Isiah Mustafa shirtless on a horse.

Merlin
------------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin packed up and was about to head out when he ran into Gwen on his way out. He’d made plans with Gwaine and Percival to join them at the pub.

She was dragging cardboard boxes behind her across the reception, and from the jingling sound coming from inside them, Merlin could guess what it contained.

“Hey Gwen. Decorating for tomorrow, are you?”

She stood up, looking startled.

“Yea, I want the plastic tree in the lobby set up before tomorrow, but I got tied up and these boxes are heavier than I thought.” She explained. “Lance promised he would help, but he got tied up in something about lunches being stolen from the fridge.”

“I think Will might have mentioned it.” He said

He sighs, and makes a mental note to text Gwaine he’ll be a little late.

“Do you need an extra pair of hands? It’ll save you some time.”

She beamed at him. “Really? You would do that?”

“Of course. That’s what friends are for.”

*

Arthur was running later than usual. He was supposed to meet Morgana for dinner an hour ago, but he had a deadline he couldn’t push back and had to call and cancel.

She had been upset, of course, but mostly because she thought he was a workaholic. But they’d agreed to go for a drink at least.

At reception he stopped short, and double checked his watch. The first thing he noticed was the big thee that stood assembled but starkly naked and the garlands around the reception desk. The second was Merlin, carrying a box over to the tree.

”Why are you still here?” Arthur asked Merlin.

”It’s the 1st of December tomorrow. I’m helping Gwen decorate.” Merlin replied, opening the box and pulling out garlands that glittered silver and gold.

”Why? You’re not getting paid for staying late.” Arthur had asked, genuinely confused.

Merlin had frowned at Arthur. “Don’t be such a grinch.”

“I’m just confused. You finished over an hour ago.” Arthur had quickly defended himself, belatedly realising it had only made him sound like a scrooge instead.

“Because Gwen is my friend, Arthur. And because I want to. I like Christmas, and I like helping out overworked friends.”

“Oh.” Arthur had said and looked away quickly, feeling ashamed. “In that case, do you want help?”

Merlin frowned at him again, and Arthur felt like he couldn’t say anything that was right.

“Why?” Merlin asked, also sounding genuinely confused. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

Arthur opened his mouth and then closed it. It hit him that these was the first words they had exchanged outside of their email for a week, since the awkward elevator ride. He felt like the chilly atmosphere between them had thawed a little, but perhaps Merlin didn’t think so.

It’s for the best, Arthur reminded himself. He ignored the sting the thought left him with. Still, he couldn’t help the impulse to say his next words:

“Not for half an hour or so- I’m sure we could decorate a tree in 15 if there’s three of us.”

He could feel his cheeks heat under Merlin’s gaze. After a moment Merlin agreed with a shrug and Arthur felt very relieved. It felt like he had been given an olive branch, however small.

When Gwen returned with Christmas lights, she was also surprised to find Arthur and Merlin dressing the tree together. He smiled at her and explained he had decided to volounteer.

It took about 45 minutes until they were done and ready to head home, and Arthur was positive Morgana would be furious at him by now, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret staying and helping.

As the three of them piled into the elevator the easy mood dissapaited.

“What are you doing tonight then, Arthur?” Gwen asked politely.

“I’m supposed to meet my sister for a drink.”

“Morgana? Where?” She smiled easily. “Merlin invited me join him and some friends at the pub. Lance is also coming later.”

“Oh. Nice. I- uh, I don’t know exactly.”

“You could always come along! Lance is also joining so we’re already a bunch from the office.”

Arthur pretended not to see the look Merlin shot Gwen at her words.

“I don’t know, I’ve already kept her waiting.” Arthur hesitated. He looked at his watch as if he hadnt just checked the time before they left.

“Come on Arthur, you never come to the after work. Just come along, it’ll be fun!” Gwen promised.

Arthur hadn’t been aware the people at the office were regularly even having an after work. He felt even more compelled to shrink back into his comfort zone, but something insode wouldnt let him.

“Alright. I will.” He said, attempting a small smile. Out of the corner of his eye he tried to gauge Merlin’s reaction.

*

Merlin was silently cursing himself. How did things end up this way?

He was supposed to just go for a quiet pint with his friends Gwaine and Percival. It felt like all his worlds were crashing together.

In a booth, Gwaine and Percival (best described as ”pub, football and overall lads, lads, lads” fiends) were sat across from Will (childhood best friend and overall pain in the arse who had tagged along Lance) and Lancelot and Gwen (nice new people he hoped to one day call more friends than work-friends).

And, strangest of them all, on a chair next to him, Arthur, his boss.

People from different parts of his life who were never intended to meet had suddenly done so, and none other than Arthur was there to witness all these private interactions put on display.

What was worst of all? It worked.

Will had been a little suspicious at first that ‘annoying-nepotism-asshole’ was sitting at the same table as Merlin and his friends, and Gwaine had shot Merlin a look that probably meant: “Is this your gorgeous boss that you hate?” when Merlin introduced him to the group. Merlin knew he was gonna get teased a lot by Gwaine tonight.

Thankfully the tension dissapited as soon as Percival drew Arthur into a conversation about football.

The tension didn’t even return when a furious Morgana appeared at their table, 1 pint and 2 hours after Arthur was scheduled to originally have dinner with her.

Merlin could only tell she was furious because Arthur whispered as much to him.

“She doesn’t seem pissed?” Merlin said to Arthur in private.

Morgana had been all smiles and handshakes since her arrival. She had slid in next to Percival in the booth and Arthur on his chair and was currently making polite conversation.

“She will eat me alive.” Arthur whispered back. Just then, Morgana turned to Arthur, and if Merlin hadn’t sat next to him he would have missed the piercing look she nailed Arthur with.

“Arthur, will you be a doll and fetch me a Martini?” Morgana said. Her voice was sugary sweet and Merlin was sure only he and Arthur could decipher the venom that laced every word. Strangely, it only made Merlin want to work for her more.

“Right away. I might as well get the next round.” Arthur excused himself and retreated to the bar.

“I’ll come with you.” Merlin volunteered.

At the bar and out of earshot, he commented on Arthur’s impending doom: “Yeah, you’re in trouble.”

Arthur motioned two fingers ti the bartender amd ordered two vodka shots.

“Oh, I don’t want any.” Merlin protested.

Arthur threw a look over his shoulder at Morgana, who was now happily chatting with Percival again.
“Actually they were both for me. I think I might need them.”

After receiving the shots Arthur knocked one down, then the other. After the second one his face scrunched up in disgust. It was oddly endearing, or perhaps humanising was the right word, to see him making the same face and bad decision Merlin always found himself doing on a night out.

“Oh.” Merlin said, feeling a blush come on at his own presumption. “I didn’t mean to assume.”

“No, sorry. That was rude of me. Let me buy you something else to make up for it. What do you want?”

Merlin tried to explain he didn’t need anything, but Arthur wouldn’t budge.

“I was gonna get the next round either way. You don’t need to drink it, it would just make me feel better. An extra pint, is that alright? Or a cider even?”

“Alright, in that case I’ll take a Vodka Cranberry.” Merlin accepted.

Arthur beamed, and he looked a little flushed. Merlin wondered if the shots were hitting him already.

It took two laps for Merlin and Arthur to move all the pints, ciders, martini and vodka cranberry back to the table.

“Ooh, that looks good.” Gwen commented on Merlin’s drink as he sat back down. “How much was it?”

“I don’t know, Arthur paid.” Merlin replied with a shrug and without thinking.

Arthur handed Morgana her Martini and sat down on his chair again. He crossed his legs and rested his right arm on the top of Merlin’s chair, ostensibly hanging an arm over Merlin’s shoulders.

He was met with a series of blank stares.

“What did I miss?” Arthur asked, leaning forward, eyebrows furrowed.

Merlin felt a blush coming on. His shoulder felt colder.

*

Merlin got home later than planned that evening. He was still tipsy when he stumbled in through the front door with Gwaine hanging onto him. He was in bed by half past one and already groaning at the idea of waking up early to go to work.

A smile came to his lips at the thought of being greeted by the Christmas tree and a decorated office however. As he was setting his alarm clock when he noticed a notification on his phone for a new email.

He opened it.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Old Spice is okay

December 1st

I guess you didn’t have a sexual awakening because of a body spray.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin’s eyes went wide. He checked when the email was sent. The time stamp notes 01:29. Arthur was probably still drunk.

Arthur had been a walking future hangover when they parted ways. With his two tequilas and lack of dinner it was really no surprise. He had also been one of the last to go.

First it was Lance and Gwen, then Will. Merlin had been so engrossed in his conversation with Arthur that he hadn’t noticed Percival and Morgana had also left (together Gwaine later informed him) until Gwaine sat with arms crossed, looking bored and not-so-gently demanded that they go home.

Now, afterwards, Merlin couldn’t remember what he and Arthur had talked about. Multiple things, everything and nothing at all. They had argued about something trivial that evoked great passion in them both. Chunky or smooth peanut butter probably. Maybe biscoff.

What Merlin did remember was the hand that Arthur placed on his shoulder, the unbreaking eye contact, the lingering touches as he traced lines in Merlin’s forearm to explain something about why the fingers didn’t have muscles in them.

Merlin could feel himself blush at the trivial moments. Yes, his boss was finally breaking out of his stoic shell, but it didn’t mean a love declaration. Although, this factoid about Arthur’s sexuality - that he liked men- that Merlin for some reason hadn’t considered a possibility, was at the very least intruding.

Merlin’s heart beat a little faster.

He shook his head, although there was no one there to witness it. No. Arthur was probably drunk and didn’t know what he was saying. Stop thinking stupid thoughts. He’s a prick anyway.

Arthur hadn’t even signed off with his usual ‘A. Pendragon’ that Merlin had found insufferable when he started at the company. (He had thought: “Yes, we all know who you are. We all know your dad started the company, we can read your email address.”)

Merlin was just being stupid, and he was also tipsy. But then again, wasn’t that the perfect excuse?

He typed a not too risky reply before he thought better of it. He turned off his phone after hitting send.

------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Old Spice is okay

December 1st

No, for me it was Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean.
------------------------------------------------------------------

*

Arthur’s hangover didn’t start to ease its grips until late Friday afternoon the next day.

The headache had dug it’s claws deep into his brain
and every press of a key on his computer pounded in his head. He had skipped both breakfast and lunch in a fear of getting sick and only managed to down a coffee and a banana before having to lay down on the carpet in his office. He was thankful for the blinds in the window.

He almost wished he didn’t remember anything from the night before, it would have been easier. It was, at least, easier to pretend he didn’t remember anything when he had arrived at the office and spotted Merlin coming out of the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea.

He looked awake and healthy, in contrast to Arthur who felt like he was slowly dying. If not from liver failure, he would surely die from heart palpitations. His heart rate sped up at every thought of the night before and at every email and knock to his door he ignored, embarrassment rising high and red on his cheeks. He wasn’t hiding, per se, more isolating himself.

Arthur had thought the night over time and time again, turning every metaphorical stone in his mind. He hadn’t done anything stupid, had he? Not said anything he couldn’t take back? Not created an HR crisis?

He couldn’t find any evidence of it in his memory. All that was stored there was Merlin’s blue eyes, the way the light hit them and how they were close enough for Arthur to see his own reflection in them. Another folder of his memory was Merlin’s surprisingly toned arms and the feeling in Arthur’s fingertips when he had ghosted his hand over Merlin’s forearm or practically hovered his hand above his shoulder. Arthur had almost been afraid to touch him, to come too close.

Around three in the afternoon, still on the floor and still with a pounding in his head, Arthur was contemplating this when there were two knocks at the door. He stayed quiet, but watched horrified as the door creaked open, a head poked in and blue eyes met his.

“Merlin.” He said, sitting up too fast and paying for it in a strobe of pain across his forehead.

Merlin stepped inside and shut the door behind him. He leaned against it where he looked down at Arthur. It was a strangely appealing angle and Arthur had to fight hard to push away his thoughts. Not the time.

For a moment though, he flattered himself with imagining a blush on Merlin’s cheeks in the dark of his office.

“Why are you on the floor?” Merlin asked him.

“Just feeling a little ill. Must be something I ate.”

“Must be the shrimp sandwiches in the cafeteria.”

A grin had split Merlin’s face in two that let Arthur know he didn’t believe him, but he granted Arthur the dignity of playing along.

“Yes, that must be it.” Arthur said and looked away, bashfully.

He cleared his throat.

“Did you need anything in particular?” Arthur asked Merlin.

”Well, seeing as I finished Chapter 20-23 of DWM yesterday and the essay collection this Morning, I’ve mostly been twiddling my thumbs all afternoon. I tried to reach you but you haven't replied. I don’t have access to some of the documents I need to continue.” Merlin explained himself.

Arthur straightened out, feeling stupid. ”Oh, of course. I’ll grant access right now. Just… keep doing DWM until you finish for the day.” Arthur said, his brain lagging behind more than he would like due to the hangover.

As soon as Merlin left he sank down to the floor again. He couldn’t even be bothered to lock the door.

It wasn't until after five when he suddenly felt good enough to actually get some work done. He would have to work for at least a few hours tonight to make up for today.

He saw he had received a few emails from Merlin during the day, asking for directions, but there was one that stood out, with ‘Old Spice’ in the original title. With a flash he remembered that this was the thing he had searched his memory for all day. That one moment he would regret.

With a deep breath he opened the reply from Merlin, and was very relieved to not be completely rejected due to his drunken email.

Orlando Bloom? he thought to himself, putting the name into a new Google tab and inspecting some of the pictures. I could look a bit like Orlando Bloom. From certain angels. And far away.

He was contemplating how he would suit a moustache and beard when his train of thought was cut off by his stomach rumbling. It had finally woken up and was very aware of not having been fed more than a banana in almost 24 hours.

With a sigh he grabbed his jacket and opened the door to his office. Food first, work all night second.

When the door opened up, Arthur remained glued in the doorway. There, in the semi-dark of the office, was still the shine of one desk lamp and one laptop.

“Merlin.” He announced himself as he walked over. “What are you still doing here?”

Merlin met his eyes and blinked a few times, tearing him out of whatever work he had been engrossed in. Merlin offered him a careful smile. “Good evening to you too.”

“Why haven’t you gone home yet? We finish at four on Fridays.” Arthur stated. “You can’t be here late two days in a row. The company is not that important.”

“You never finish at four,” Merlin rolled his eyes. “I’m making up for the hours I lost after lunch. I get paid hourly, after all.”

Arthur felt a wave of guilt setting in. He rubbed a hand over his face. “No, you shouldn’t have to do that. It was my fault. Just state in your time report you worked a normal day.”

“Really, it’s no issue.” Merlin argued. Arthur didn’t agree.

“Go home and enjoy your weekend, Merlin.” Arthur commanded.

“Are you heading home?” Merlin glanced at the jacket in Arthur’s hand.

Arthur groaned at the irony. He’d done no work all day and here Merlin was, staying late because of him . “No, I’m just getting started. I have work to do, but that’s not your issue.”

“Then where are you going?”

“Early dinner. I haven’t eaten all day.” Arthur admitted. “Then I’m coming back.”

“Oh, there’s a really good Indian place around the corner.” Merlin supplied helpfully. Arthur didn’t feel he deserved it at this time. “Gwen took me there on my first day here.”

“Would you like to join me? For dinner?” Arthur said, as if that wasn’t obvious. “To make up for forcing you to stay late.”

Merlin looked a little hesitant. Arthur prepared himself for the rejection and was about to once again berate himself with his mantra of: it’s better this way, it’s better this way. when Merlin surprised him.

“Sure.” He said and logged off. “Let me get my coat.”

*

They ended up getting take away and bringing it back to the office. They set their feast of naan bread, chicken tikka masala and various curry’s up on Merlin’s desk, and Arthur pulled up a desk chair from another cubicle.

Merlin had paid half, against Arthur’s insistence it was on the company (a blatant lie) which hadn’t helped Arthur’s guilt over the situation.

Merlin probably had better things to do on a Friday night than eat dinner with his boss. Arthur said so and apologised once more for as much.

“Don’t worry about it,” Merlin replied in a relaxed manner, as if Arthur was just another coworker and not his boss. Arthur imagined for a second that he was just that. A friend, instead of an enemy to his department. “I didn’t have any plans outside being pestered by my roommate, Gwaine, about laundry duty.”

Ah, roommate. Arthur had wondered what their relationship was after they went home together. He had dismissed the jealousy as curiosity in his mind but not had the courage to ask.

“Have you spoken to Morgana since yesterday by any chance?” Merlin asked him between bites of naan dipped in curry sauce.

So they were acknowledging that last night had happened.

“No, why are you asking?” Arthur wondered.

Merlin stole a piece of chicken from Arthur’s chicken masala, the only item he could order without breaking a sweat. The action hinted at a familiarity and comfortability that warmed Arthur’s heart enough not to mind, although he didn’t usually like sharing food.

Merlin was always acting friendly and bubbly to everyone but Arthur, but Arthur supposed he only had himself to blame in that regard. He enjoyed being included as ‘everyone’.

“Well, I think my friend Percival might have a huge crush on her. I thought they went home together last night, but apparently he just waited with her to get a cab.” Merlin said, smiling to himself. “He’s been blowing up my phone all day asking for her number, but I only have her work number and I don’t know if she’d want to give any number away.”

“Percival was the muscly one?” Arthur thought out loud. “I don’t think she would mind. In that case she’ll just ignore his text.”

“Do you think she would be interested though? I don’t want to give Percival false hope.” Merlin said.

Arthur revelled in being able to see this new side of Merlin. Of knowing who his friends were and being able to place a face to a name. He liked seeing Merlin care for them.

Determined, Arthur reached out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

“Why?” Merlin asked reluctantly.

“Because I’ll give you her number to pass on. Trust me, if he was the reason Morgana never went off on me last night, he is worth something special.” Arthur said as he typed in his sisters number.

He hesitated for a second, before adding a new contact.

“What’s this?” Merlin asked when Arthur handed the phone back to him.

“I gave you my number as well.”

“To pass on?” Merlin raised an eyebrow.

Arthur snorted an unexpected laugh. “No. No, no, no.” He smiled around each word. Then added: “No.” for good measure. He wanted to make it very clear he was not interested in Percival. “To have. Just in case I go underground again and you can’t reach me.”

Merlin saved the contact and returned the smile. “Thanks.”

They sat in silence for a moment. It was comfortable.

Just when Arthur thought he was in the clear, Merlin looked up with something only akin to a wicked grin and said: “So Isiah Mustafa, huh?”

And Arthur immediately buried his face in his hands.

*

They ended up drawing the dinner out for three hours, until the food had gotten cold and Gwaine had texted Merlin multiple times asking where the hell he had disappeared to, as they had made plans to order pizza and lounge on the sofa together. Still, they sat at Merlin’s desk and talked.

After teasing Arthur about the Old-Spice-Confession from his email for a while, he tried to lighten the mood by exposing his embarrassing crush on the 10th Doctor:

“That’s not embarrassing!” Arthur had argued. “Who didn’t?”

“It’s embarrassing if you don’t realise its a crush, and just keep going on an on an on about him to your mother and friends at school and then dress up as him on Halloween.” Merlin relied.

“But I thought you said it was Orlando Bloom.”

“No, the 10th doctor was my first crush before I knew that it was a crush. Orlando Bloom was my first proper crush.” Merlin said.

Arthur had let out a soft laugh that had made warmth spread in Merlin’s gut, blooming up across his chest. He had been very thankful for the sweater he was wearing today.

“So is that your type? Brunette and witty?” Arthur had asked and tilted his head to the side, pushing down the feeling that he was playing with fire. He had a tendency to get burnt.

“Not necessarily. Sometimes I like them blonde and dumb,” Merlin had said, casting his eyes downwards and poking in the cold food with his fork.

Arthur hadn’t been sure if Merlin was flirting back with him, but in that case he was also insulting him.

Afterwards they moved on to a plethora of other topics, ranging from office gossip Arthur was apparently not caught up on to the latest blockbuster film that would make its way to cinemas this Christmas and whether or not it was worth seeing.

It wasn’t until Merlin picked up his phone to google something to prove Arthur wrong (they were arguing over who had the most monthly listeners currently: Blur or Oasis. Merlin said Blur) that he saw the messages from Gwaine.

“Shit.” He said, placing a hand over his mouth as he read through them.

Arthur, who was waiting for the confirmation that he was right, hadn’t expected this reaction. His smile dissolved and he sat back correctly on the chair he had been leaning on just a second ago.

“What is it?” He asked, concerned.

“Nothing, it’s just my roommate. He was worried about where I was. I said I’d be home at five and it’s already eight.” Merlin looked up. “I should probably get going.”

Arthur felt himself deflating a little, he’d been enjoying himself. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry if I kept Gwaine waiting.”

Merlin flashed him a curious smile.

“What?” Arthur asked.

“I’m just surprised you remembered his name.”

Arthur didn’t know if he was supposed to be offended, but opted for sincerity when he replied: “Of course I do, I met him didn’t I?

Merlin shook his head, affectionately, Arthur hoped, because the smile was still playing on his lips. They got up and started clearing the table of their mostly empty food containers.

“Nevermind. And sorry for distracting you, I’m sure I was the one who kept you from doing your job.” Merlin said whilst they made their way to the kitchen.

Arthur shrugged. “Nothing urgent.” He said, which was somewhat of a lie, but he could make up for it. And it wasn’t Merlin’s fault he’d been hungover all day and ignored his responsibilities. “I’ll make it up over the weekend.”

Merlin frowned at him. “Now I feel bad. Will your weekend plans be spoiled?”

“Don’t. I rarely have anything planned either way.” Arthur said.

“Really?” It sort of slips out. Merlin hadn’t meant to question Arthur on how he spends his free time.

Arthur shrugged. “I’ve never been much of a people-person. I know I’m not everyone's cup of tea, that’s okay.”

“So what do you usually do?” Merlin asked Arthur.

“I don’t know. What everyone does I suppose. Sleep in, go for a run, meet Morgana or a friend for a coffee and have the occasional Sunday night dinner with my father.”

‘A friend’ usually meant Leon, Arthur’s friend from university. If he wasn’t spending time with Morgana, he’d be spending it with Leon. They’d catch up every so often and once in a while he’d tag along with Leon and his friends for a night out. Otherwise he mostly spent his time working or working out. One in a blue moon he’d go on a date Morgana had set up for him, and inevitably hate it. He didn’t mind being alone. He was used to it, often preferring it to an awkward social situation.

“Sounds nice.” Merlin offered Arthur another smile.

They said goodbye outside the doors to the office building with an undeniable awkwardness and tension between them. Merlin headed one way to the metro and Arthur another to hail a cab, and the thought hit Arthur that it had been a long time since he had had dinner with someone new and actually enjoyed it.

*

When Melin got home Gwaine had gone ahead with their plans in Merlin’s absence and was eating pizza and watching an old season of Survivor. Merlin sat down next to him on the sofa and let out a sigh.

“Glad you’re alive.” Gwaine said without lifting his eyes from the TV. It was clear he was annoyed. “I don’t mind you changing our plans if you let me know a little earlier next time.”

“Sorry. I had dinner with Arthur and totally forgot.”

Gwaine turned to Merlin with wide eyes, apparently deciding this was more important than holding a grudge. “Like a date?” He asked.

“No, not like that!” Merlin argued, although it had felt like that. “We took take-out and ate at the office. I was working late and he was getting food, and then we got sidetracked and just talked until now.”

“Food and talking for hours upon hours? That sounds like a date, dude.” Gwaine argued. “Not to mention you have a huge crush on him.”

“I do not!”

“Merlin, we have been over this multiple times already.”

“Shut up.” Merlin said, crossing his arms and staring ahead at the TV. After a few minutes he added. “I think he’s lonely, though.” but Gwaine didn’t hear him. He was lost in the world of reality TV again.

His phone chided, and for a moment his heart skipped imagining it was Arthur. To his equal disappointment and satisfaction it was a text from Percival stating: Thank you, thank you, thank you!, referring to Morgana’s number, which Merlin had sent over on his tube ride home.

Chapter Text

Sunday afternoon, Arthur is just about to go for a run when there’s a knock at his door. Regrettably he isn’t fully dressed yet and shouts: “One minute” as he looks though his closet for running shorts.

When he opens the door he’s surprised to find a black and white dog in place of the human he was expecting.

It was sitting and waiting very patently, and looking at Arthur as if it had been waiting on him. Next to it was a dog bed, a bag of dog food and two bowls, one of which were currency filled with water.

Arthur walked over and kneeled by it, scratching it behind the ear. “What are you doing here? Hmm?”

As he looked around for the owner he noticed a folded note taped to his own front door. Walking over and opening it, he reads:

Dear Arthur,
This is Scout. She is a 9 year old Collie and was a service dog to a blind man for 7 years, but has recently been retired. She is in need of a nice home to spend her retirement in, and I was hoping she could become your new friend.

She is a little old but well trained so you would only need to feed and walk and love her. Other than her age she is perfectly healthy.

If you find this is too big of a commitment, I will personally be responsible for finding her another home after the Christmas party. Please try.

Your Secret Santa x

Arthur couldn’t help to let out a laugh. This was ludacris. Was he supposed to just accept this dog from nowhere? And what happened to the 25£ budget?

He decides almost immediately that he must refuse it. He’s never had to take care of anyone other than himself, and a dog is a big commitment. It would interrupt his work, his private life.

This was an idiotic move on the part of his Secret Santa, Arthur thought.

But then the dog looked at him, and it struck a chord within Arthur. Strangely, he felt a sort of kinship with the collie. Here was this old, tired creature looking to be loved, and who was he to deny anyone that?

“Scout is it?” He asked and scratched behind her head. The dog made a little sound, but didn’t move. Arthur agreeed she was very well mannered. “I guess we’ll have to find a spot to put your doggy bed.”

Before he knew it, he was leading the dog inside.

Suddenly he paused. Arthur could swear he had heard a sound down the stair case.

“Secret Santa, are you there?”

No reply.

Arthur smiled, feeling stupid. Then he spoke again. “I don’t know if this is a gift or a punishment, but I’ll try.”

Silence.

Only Scout was looking up at Arthur with big eyes, and Arthur wondered if he’d been alone for too long in this apartment.

He felt himself smile, then ruffled the dog on the head lightly. Alright. He might enjoy this. It was like dog-sitting, sort of. And only for two weeks until the party.

From the safety of his hiding place Merlin did a little victory dance.

*

As it turns out, Arthur did enjoy his new furry friend’s company. He would walk Scout early every morning before work and when he got home he’d take Scout with him on a jog.

Arthur noticed he worked a less, at least from the office, when he had someone to come home to.

Although she was old and sometimes got tired, she was friendly and quickly got comfortable around Arthur. She would lay herself at Arthur’s feet as he worked from home in the evening or relaxed reading or watching tv.

“Good girl” he’d say as she came to his side.

It took only a day for whispers about Arthur’s new behaviour to spread around the office. “Why is he leaving early?”, they started on the Monday.

By Friday they had shifted to: “Why is he smiling so much?”, “Have you noticed him making small talk?” And “I think he finally got laid”, the last one being from Will to Merlín, over lunch.

“Don’t say things like that” Merlín had replied.

“What? If the prick gets off your back I’ll be glad.”

“You didn’t seem to mind discussing Manchester City players with him last week.”

Will scoffed at him. “Whatever.”

Friday afternoon Merlín decides he’s seen less of Arthur than he’s gotten used too lately, and opens a new email.

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Friday chat
December 8th

You seem happier lately :)
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Friday chat

December 8th

Do I? Maybe I am. I have a new friend.

A.
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Friday chat

December 8th

Don’t let the accounting team hear. They’re speculating about your secret girlfriend as we speak.

Anyone I know?.
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Friday chat

December 8th

Doubt it, I’ll tell you at the Christmas party.

A.
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friday chat

December 8th

Ooo so mysterious ;) Fancy a pint after work?
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Friday chat

December 8th

Can’t, sorry. Soon though?

A.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Merlín tried his best not to be disappointed. He can play cheeky all he wants and ask Arthur about what’s occupying him lately as if he didn’t know, but he can’t exactly expect Arthur to drop it to hand out with him.

He takes solace in maybe having a positive impact on Arthur’s life, although it’s too early to tell.

*

When Merlin got home, Percy was over again. “Hey Percy” he greeted.

“Beer’s in the fridge” Gwaine called from the sofa as Percy disappeared into Gwaine’s room.

“Cheers” Merlin said joined Gwaine. “What’s Percy doing?”

“He’s helping me out.”

“Correction,” Gwaine said, “I’m saving the poor side from blowing his date.”

“With who?” Merlin asked just as Percy poked a head out the door.

“Promise not to laugh.” Percy asked bashfully.

They promised, only to see Percy walk out with skinny jeans and Gwaine’s leather jacket.

Merlin did his best to hold it in, Gwaine wasn’t as kind. He held a hand infront of his mouth to keep the beer from spraying. “Mate, when you asked to borrow some clothes I wasn’t thinking… this.”

Merlin shook his head. “Who are you doing this for?”

“Morgana,” Percy said and blushed. “I just wanna look good, I thought she might like this?”

“Percy, she likes you, not a version of you in Gawain's leather pants.”

“Agreed, I’m the only one who can make those look good.” Gwaine chimed in.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeess” the boys chimed in unison.

*

Monday 11th December.

Merlin is poking around his lunch when Morgana slides in next to him.

“Hello,” Merlín greets her. “Are you joining us for lunch?”

“Have you spoken to Percy?” She asks instead of greeting him back.

Gwen and Will shoot Merlin looks.

“No, not since Friday?”

“Before or after, you know, the thing?”

“The thing?” He asks

“The date,” she hissed between her teeth, glancing at Merlin’s friends as Lace comes to join. He shoots looks between them.

“Uh, before. Did anything happen?” He asks her.

“No, that’s the issue.” She whispers to him. “Does he not like me?”

“No, no. I can assure you he does. Very much.”

“Then why didn’t he kiss me goodnight?”

Will raised an eyebrow. “Why are you discussing kissing?”

“I have to go” Morgana replied.

Merlin shrugged his shoulders, but makes a mental note of texting Percy to ask Morgana out again ASAP.

*

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Morgana??

December 12th

What’s this I hear about you harassing Merlin in the cafeteria? And why was kissing involved?

Arthur
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Morgana??

December 12th

Don’t get your panties in a bunch.

It was only a misunderstanding about something with his friend Percy, don’t worry. I’m not gonna steal him from you quite yet ;)

X
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Morgana??

December 12th

I’m not worried.

Arthur
----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Morgana??

December 12th

Mmmhmmm

Tell Scout I said hi.

X
----------------------------------------------------------------

Morganas email is a reminder that Merlin is leaving soon, somewhere before the 1st probably.

Arthur looks down at his desk. The poorly wrapped gift he had finally decided on doesn’t seem as hitting anymore.

He’s already playing a dangerous game, and he’s getting too caught up in any little piece of gossip abot Merlin around the office.

With a sigh Arthur puts the gift in his drawer and decides to head out for a long lunch. He has to walk Scout anyway, he might as well work from home and go by a few stores in the meantime.

As he’s about to log off Arthur sees a new email from [email protected] but decides to leave it unopened.

He wonders what it could’ve said all the way home, until he caves outside his front door. It’s only a silly cat video.

It makes Arthur smile, and then he feels silly for imagining it could’ve been anything more serious.

Arthur hardly knows the man.

*

It was Thursday - pub day. Merlin was meeting Percy, Gwaine, Will, Gwen and Lance again. It had become a bit of a habit, if you can call three Thursdays in a row a habit, and Merlin had a strong suspicion Percival had invited Morgana this time too.

On Merlin’s way out he had knocked on Arthur’s office door and asked if he fancied that pint he owed him. Merlin didn’t wanna be the odd one out when Gwaine and Will eventually teamed up at the end of the night to lovingly bully Merlin. And that’s the only reason, he told himself, that he had thought of Arthur.

Arthur had hesitated, then gave a little smile and said: “I’m helpless to lager, I guess.”

That Thursday marked December 14th, and Merlin was starting to wonder if his secret Santa had forgotten him. He raised the question at the pub the same evening.

If Merlin had paid a little more attention to Arthur’s sudden cold sweat instead of wondering what else Arthur was helpless for, he might have guessed who his Secret Santa was.

If Arthur hadn’t been trying so hard to hide the fact that it was actually Merlin, and not the pint, he fancied, he might have remembered to put his gift out for Merlin to find on Friday morning as he had planned. Now he had to figure something out.

Perhaps both of them would have noticed the way Will was painfully rolling his eyes before saying: “Don’t worry, I’m sure whoever is your Secret Santa won’t have forgotten you.” whilst staring daggers into Arthur’s soul.

Sadly, they were both idiots.

”I’m gonna get something to drink.” Arthur said and shot up. Walking over to the bar he ordered a pint of lager, before changing it to two.

He set one down in front of Merlin, and then sat down next to him. Big, blue, beautiful eyes turned his way.

”Consultation price.” He said, and hid his blush behind a large gulp from his drink.

Across the table, Morgana gave him a smirk that he ignored. “How nice of you, Arthur.”

Next to her. Percival agreed with a smile, although without any of the connotations Arthur was sure Morgana would question him about tomorrow. He was too good for her, Arthur thought. Although maybe he was just what she needed.

”Honestly, I’m not that devastated.” Merlin said, feeling a little ashamed. Arthur shouldn’t feel bad because some other sod hadn’t bought him a 25£ bottle of liquor yet, or something. He certainly shouldn’t feel the need to buy him a drink.

“Just accept the drink, mate.” Will urgesd him. Merlin was about to protest.

“It’s just a drink. It’s a nice gift.” Lance said from the booth where he had his arm wrapped around Gwen.

Merlin grabbed the glass and brought it closer. “I’ll buy you the next one,” he said to Arthur. “Cheers.”

He turned his head only to find Arthur already looking at him. For a second Merlin got caught up looking at his eyes, then his eyes fell to the pink lips, then the extended arms with the drink, waiting to clink glasses. Merlin scrambled to raise his glass.

“Cheers.” Arthur repeated with a smile on his lips that Merlin couldn’t quite read.

*

They called it quits at 9, with everybody heading home in different directions after hugging goodbye outside the pub.

Arthur wasn’t great with hugs. He mostly went in quickly and patted people on the back.For some reason this group seemed insistent on commenting something privately before pulling away.

From a “Good Luck, mate.” from Lance, to a cheery “Rooting for you!” from Gwen to Will’s chilling: “Don’t fuck it up,” Arthur was sure everyone had figured out he had failed to deliver Merlin a gift from his Secret Santa.

Then, it was just Merlin and Arthur left. They had a quick awkward hug, and as they pulled away, it seemed everyone else was already jumping into taxi’s, on the way to the tube or walking towards bus stops. Even Merlin’s roommate had left him behind.

“Where are you headed?” Arthur asked, and stuffed his hands in this pockets.

“Well, I was gonna ask Gwaine to grab a bite before heading home but it seems like he ditched me.”

“I’ll keep you company, if you want.” Arthur offered. “I haven’t eaten yet.”

Merlin smiled. “There’s a chippy around the corner.”

The chippy turned out to be part of a chinese restaurant.

“I swear, these is the best fish and chips you’ll find in London.” Merlin insisted upon seeing Arthur’s questionable look.

After ordering take away they walked the streets discussing the Christmas decorations that had popped up across town and in people's windows.

Arthur didn’t want the conversation to end, so he decided to wait with Merlin for his bus, then decided to get on it, even though he lived nowhere near Merlin, and before he knew it he was standing outside the front door of Merlin’s building.

“This is me. Well, me and Gwaine.”

“Nice building,” Arthur said, pretending to inspect the structure’s facade. “Seems… stable.”

Merlin laughed. “I think you should stick to books. Never become an architect.”

Arthur gave him a crooked smile. “Noted.”

When their eyes met again and Merlin scrambled to find any vocabulary in his brain, which had turned smoother than a rock polished by the ocean. What was it you said again? Ah yes:

“Ah, would you like to come up for some tea? I’m sure Gwaine is home but it’s chilly out.” Merlin heard himself say. Somewhere his smooth brain registered that was indeed not, what you were supposed to say. The other parts of Merlin’s brain were concentrated on Arthur’s eyes. They were a deeper blue than he’d understood in the pub.

“Oh, no. I better get going.” Arthur said, never breaking eye contact.

“Of course.”

They lingered. Merlin wondered if they were standing closer than before. He didn’t wonder why.

“Thanks for the chips.” Arthur said. His voice sounded rougher this time.

“No, I should be thanking you for the drink.” Merlin’s words came out lower than intended.

Arthur swallowed. Merlin noticed. He let out a shaky breath.

But then, in the split second between looking into Arthur’s eyes, and down at his throat, Merlin saw something change in Arthur’s eyes.

He took a step back. “It’s getting late. Thank you for- everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And then he was gone, before Merlin could even understand what exactly had happened.

*

Arthur took a cab home. When he opened the frontdoor, Scout was waiting for him with her leash in mouth.

“Hiya, Scout. Good girl.” Arthur scratched her behind the ear, clipped on the leash to her collar and took her out for a late night walk.

When he got back he checked the time, it’s wasn’t even eleven yet.

He got ready for bed and climbed inbetween the sheets even though he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep for at least an hour.

Arthur sent a quick text to his sister and then tried his best to make sense of his night. When he failed, he tried to sleep. When that failed, he turned on the tv and flipped through the channels as Scout joined him in bed. She fell asleep at his feet less than 10 minutes later.

He let her stay the whole night. The bed was too big for one anyway.

*

Merlin woke up on Friday morning with a sense of dread but without a hangover. He honestly wished it was the other way around.

Had he really expected Arthur to kiss him last night?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

And he had made Arthur uncomfortable, he was sure. When he stepped away Merlin was filled with doubt. He was so sure there was something growing between them. He wasn’t sure he had even thought about it himself until Arthur stood outside his door, cheeks rosy from beer and the cold wind.

Maybe he just imagined the blush on Arthur’s cheeks, and maybe he imagined the tension between them, but as they stood there, everything felt obvious. The fact that Arthur should kiss him was as obvious as the stars in the sky or that Arthur had

Arthur probably didn’t even like men. He seemed the type to date blonde girls who loved tennis and fit in at the family estate that Merlin was sure the Pendragon’s owned somewhere in the countryside. And that wasn’t Merlin.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

*

Arthur spent his morning out running with Scout. He figured she needed some extra love and attention, and he needed a day off work. In reality that meant working from home.

“I knew you wouldn’t really take a day off work,” Morgana said when she came to drop off lunch.

She’s found Arthur in his home office, just as she’d expected.

“I brought you dumplings, now come and eat with me.”

”I have to work.” Arthur replied from behind his screen.

Before Arthur could react, his screen turned black. Standing up, he could see the power cord to his computer dangling down from Morgana’s perfectly manicured hand.

”I bring food, you chat with me. That’s how it works.”

He sighed, and gave in, as always with Morgana.

While following Morgana to the kitchen Arthur pulled out his phone and sent Merlin the quick email he was staring at when Morgana had pulled the plug. His thumb hovered over the send button for a while before he finally pressed down.

He cringed into his hand before leaving his phone behind.

”So, spill” She said as she unpacked her take-away at the kitchen counter. “What’s going on with you and Merlin?”

*

It was lunch time, and Arthur still hadn’t shown up for work. Merlin keeps walking by his office to see if the lights have turned on yet.

At 12 Merlin’s computer chimed with a new email notification. By 12.15 he’s already driven himself crazy by over analyzing a few words on a dusty screen.

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: From: [email protected]
Subject: Essays

December 14th

You might have seen that I sent over two new essays from the essay collection.

Thank you for last night.

You’re a great friend

Pendragon
----------------------------------------------------------------

At 12.17 Merlin knocked on Will’s office door. He walked by to find him alone in the three-desked room, Lancelot must be out.

Will almost fell backwards in his chair when Merlin entered. He was leaning back in his chair, feet up on the table and eating a salad Merlin was sure wasn’t his.

“Gods, Merlin, you scared me. I thought you were Veronica from accounting.”

“Is that whose lunch you’re eating?” Merlin asked.

“Doing her a favour too. This tastes like grass.” He said and tossed the rest in the bin. Straightening up and placing his hands infront of him on the table, Will asked Merlin: “What can I do for you.”

He looked a bit like a therapist. Maybe that’s what Merlin needed. He took the chair from Lance’s desk and rolled it over to Will’s.

“I need some advice. As my friend, not as Will from HR.” Merlin said and took a seat.

“Christ you don’t need to file an HR complaint, do you? I told you, you can’t keep joking about that stuff.” With a grin he added: “unless you slept with anyone. Wait, you didn’t do that, did you?”

“No.” Merlin shook his head. “No one. I tried to kiss Arthur.”

Will’s brain didn’t compute this information. Merlin could almost see the circuits malfunctioning behind his eyes.

“Or, I didn’t exactly.” He corrected himself. “But I expected him too, and I was leaning in and waiting for him to do it, and I think he’s uncomfortable around me now.”

Will blinked a few times to reboot his brain. “And… are you trying to get fired?”

“What? No!”

“Then why the hell would you go to HR with trying to

“I didn’t go to HR, Will, I went to you!”

Will sighed and stood up. “We can’t talk about this here. You know Gladys is an awful gossip. Grab your coat, Mer.” He checked his watch. “I have some time on my lunch break.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the police Merlin- To the fucking pub, what do you think?!” Will replied in the same tone of voice as a schoolteacher giving up on the future generation. “You haven’t committed a crime, Christ you haven’t even kissed someone. I need a pint and you clearly need to talk, so we’re going to the pub”

*

“Wait, so you’re in love with Merlin?” Morgana asked, finishing her last dumpling.

Arthur sighed. “No, I’m not in love with him, Morgana.”

*

“I just really like his face, and he’s actually really kind, and

“So like I said, you’re in love” Will repetead.

“No I…“

*

“I just have a hard time focusing around him. He’s warmed up to me lately, and I’m more comfortable now. I feel like we’re becoming friends.” Arthur said. “But he has these eyes, Morgana. Like two clear pools of the clearest water, and I just forget my own name when I look into them.”

“Honestly I’m not even surprised, Gwen’s been guessing this for weeks.”

*

“What do you mean Gwen’s guessed for weeks?”

“Oh come on, Merlin. He kept buying you drinks. She mentioned it over lunch this week. I know, I didn’t believe it either.”

“But Arthur doesn’t even…”

*

“…Like me like that. He always had this scowl on his face. I know we’re better now, but that’s just because I’m his…”

*

“….Secret santa.”

“I know Merlin. I assigned them.”

Merlin squinted at Will. “I knew that was some randomly assigned bullshit.”

“Honestly I just wanted to mess with you, mate,

“So who’s my secret santa? I’m still missing a gift.”

Will smirked. “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

*

Arthur swallowed hard before sneaking. “I got so caught up in the moment, and I moved closer, and I could se him looking at me, like he knew what I was thinking. I almost kissed him, Morgana. And then I just moved away before he had to make an excuse for me. He’s my employee. I’m so ashamed.”

Morgana looked at Arthur with sympathy. Despite knowing this, Arthur felt like it was more pity than anything else. He hated being pitied.

”I’ll see what I can do Arthur. I promise.”

”There’s Nothing to do. Nothing to say.” His words felt like gravel in his month.

The silener hang tjock in the air between them.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m okay. I never expected him to fancy me or anything.” Arthur said.

Then she said the two most devastating words he’d ever heard: “Oh, Arthur.”

She placed a hand over his.

And just for a moment, he broke down.

Chapter Text

When Merlin walked into the office on Friday morning he was acutely aware of two things. The first is the wrapped rectangular gift placed on his desk. The second is that the light is on in Arthur’s office.

Merlin fully ignored the former and knocked on Arthur’s door before he could think.

“Come in,” Arthur said from inside.

The moment that Merlin swung the door open, hair still wet from the rain outside and jacket dropping down on the floor, Arthur thought he might be watching an angel. The best part of the sight is the grin on Merlin’s face.

“You’re back.” Merlin said.

“Yes.”

“I missed you yesterday. Not like-“ He cleared his throat. “It wasn’t like you were away long, I just hadn’t heard where you were.”

“I know what you mean.” Arthur said, and smiled despite himself. He shoved his hands down his front pockets. “It’s good to see you too.”

They looked at each other for a moment. “You’re in early.” Arthur then said.

“Yeah. I guess.”

Merlin was still breathing a little hard from his brisk walk from the tube. Or maybe he was just nervous. Why was he nervous? Here was Arthur, a living example that they were still fine. They were still friends or- something.

He cleared his throat. “Join me for a cuppa?”

Arthur smiled, “Sure.”

They stopped by Merlin’s desk so he could take off his jacket.

“Looks like someone finally got their gift.” Arthur said, nodding to the box in Merlin’s desk.

“What? Oh yeah. About time” Merlin said and set his letterbag down on the floor. “Come, let’s put on the kettle.”

They stood across from each other in the office kitchen, leaning against a counter each. Merlin was blowing the steam off his cup when he caught Arthur looking at him.

“What?” He said with a smile. He’d been so happy to see Arthur, he hadn’t even had time to be embarrassed about the other night.

“Aren’t you the least bit curious what your secret Santa got you? You’ve been talking about it forever.”

Merlin rolled his eyes, affectionately, Arthur noticed. So they were good then. Maybe Merlin had forgotten their whole encounter the other night. They had been drinking after all.

“Don’t remind me. I shouldn’t have complained so much. So, what did you do yesterday?”

“Eh- Morgana came with lunch. Took the dog for a walk.”

“Oh, of course! How is Scout?”

Arthur looked at Merlin for a few seconds. “She’s good. I really enjoy her company.”

“Good, I’m glad.”

They fell into a comfortable silence. Both were relieved the other wouldn’t bring up their embarrassing mistake on Wednesday night.

Neither heard the footsteps approaching, until Gwen walked into the kitchen. She looked between them, the poured herself a cup of coffee and walked out with a grin on her face.

“Knew it.” She whispered to herself, loud enough for both of them to hear.

Arthur looked to the floor and cleared his throat. Merlin felt his cheeks and ear heat.

*

”Oh.” He said, looking into the box

Inside was a Lego set in the shape of a potted bamboo plant. Whatever Merlin had been expecting, it wasn’t this.

He built it in between pretending to look busy during the morning.

“Oh, that’s cute!” Gwen said when she came over during a coffee break, pointing at the plant.

“Thanks. It was my secret Santa gift.” He said, trying to gauge from her reaction

“Oh, that’s lovely. I got a pair of slippers,” she said and rolled her eyes, then she leaned closer and whispered: “My money is on it’s from Hannah in Accounts.”

Just then Lance came over and kissed Gwen on the cheek. Not two steps behind was Will, with a steaming cup of tea in hand. They joined Gwen by Merlin’s desk.

“That’s neat. Where’d you get it?” Lance said and motioned to the Lego plant.

Merlin sighed. “Is everyone having their break at my desk now? Did I miss the office wide memo?”

“No, silly. We’re just- going to miss you.” Gwen said.

It hung in the air for a moment. Merlin had almost forgotten he’d be leaving soon. He’d become accustomed to working here, he’d made great friends here, but he didn’t want to do the work that he was doing here, even if the woman he was temping for wouldn’t be coming back in January.

Lance cleared his voice to break the silence.

“So, where did you get your plant?” Lance repeated.

“My Secret Santa.” Merlin said, and petted the little plant.

“Really!” Lance asked with a smile, at the same time as Will let out a dry: “Really?”

“Really.” Merlin confirmed, wondering if it was even a word anymore.

“Is that… all… you got?” Will asked tentatively.

“Yeah.” Merlin confirmed, suddenly feeling a little bad.

“I think it’s great!” Gwen said. “I got slippers.” She repeated.

“I only got a gift card I’m pretty sure was re-gifted.” Lance continued.

They looked expectantly at Wil, who shrugged. “I got a dinner date.”

“With who?” Merlin asked.

“One of the girls on the sixth floor.” He replied with a smirk.

“How’d you manage that?”

“I have my ways.” He shrugged.

Just then, the door to Arthur’s office opened. He stopped in his tracks when he found four pairs of eyes staring at him from Merlin’s desk.

“Can I help?” He cleared his throat and asked.

“Arthur! Come see Merlin’s gift!” She waved him over.

“Yes, come see.” Will replied, drier than the plastic plant.

Merlin hit him lightly on his wrist. He knew Will had never been a fan of the “annoying nepotism asshole”, as he had once been referring to him. He also realised his confession the other day might not have helped the situation. Still, Will didn’t have to be rude. It wasn’t Arthur’s fault Merlin found him ridiculously attractive.

That suit and tie didn’t help. Neither did the blonde wavy hair that was getting just this side of too long and shaggy.

“Sorry, very busy.” Arthur blurted out, and rushed to the copier room.

When Merlin looked up he found a smirk on Gwen’s face, an annoyed crinkle of Wills eyebrows, and a look of confusion on Lance's face.

He rested his head against the desk and mumbled something about lunch later, which the others agreed to.

*

“Arthur.” Will’s voice said behind him.

Arthur turned around, and let out a sigh of relief. “You scared me. I didn’t hear you come in”

Will didn’t reply. He only took a step closer in the dark copier room. The only sound was the whirring of the machine working behind Arthur. Ch-thunk, Ch-thunk

“Listen, I’ve never been the biggest fan of you, but I gotta admit it, you’re not as awful as I had hoped, and you make Merlin happy.” Will said, end let out a long sigh. “So don’t fuck it up. Okay?”

Arthur nodded, not sure exactly what he was nodding for.

“Good.” Will said, and then he was out the door.

Arthur tried to process whatever that meant.

*

The weekend passed in a blur of curry on the couch and Doctor Who reruns with Gwaine. Before Merlin knew the word, it was Monday night.

Merlin went to work, and then he went home. Nothing remarkable had happened.

He had gotten an email from Arthur and another one from Morgana, but neither were very interesting:

--------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Talk about future

December 18th

Merlin,
Please come by my office at your earliest convenience, so we can discuss your future at the company.

Morgana
x

--------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Talk

December 18th

I’d love to speak to you at your earliest convenience. Please let me know.

Arthur
--------------------------------------------------------------

Merlin could tell both would be a talk about his departure from the company, and what he needed to send to who for completion and where to leave all his work in progress. Then they’d probably talk about letters of recommendation, and Arthur would have a ready one which he’d just sign his name on, and Morgana would write one and send it over within a month.

He supposed it might be their jobs as Uther’s children and heirs of the company. He really thought one of them was enough to see him off though.

In all honesty Merlin felt no need to rush his departure, so he simply didn’t reply, and didn’t knock on either’s office door.

Of course he would have to see them tonight, but surely they wouldn’t be able to talk business after business hours. If they were drunk enough at least.

“Ah, so the night arrives.” Gwaine said, with a mouthful of popcorn. “The famed Christmas party.”

Gwaine was sitting on Merlin’s bed, watching him change outfits.

“Okay, this? Honest opinion.” Merlin begged.

“5/10” Gwaine replied.

“That’s not to bad,” Merlin argued.

“It is if you want to get shagged.”

“Who says I want to shag anyone?” Merlin asked.

Gwaine raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. “Its the office Christmas Party, it’s your last week of work, and you have a hot boss. I don’t know Merlin, who in ther right mind would shag anyone?”

Merlin felt heat creep up from his neck to colour his cheeks and ears red.

“I’ll go change,” he said defeatedly.

*

Arthur hated these kinds of informal office events, those in between situations that weren’t taking place during official business hours, but involved socialising with co-workers.

He had to admit he enjoyed the pub nights with Merlin and Gwen and their friends, but Gladys had been talking his ear off for an hour now showing photos of her grandkids.

Finally, Arthur spotted Merlin talking to Lance in a corner by the drinks, and made up some lame excuse to walk over.

Arthur felt awkward interrupting them, so he just stood there a while, whilst the other two finished their conversation. When Gwen came up and pulled Lance away, it was just Merlin and Arthur.

“Hey.” Arthur greeted them with a half smile.

“Hey,” Merlin replied, stiffly.

“Uhm, having fun?” Arthur asked.

“Yeah,” Merlin said. He didn’t know if this was his friend Arthur, or his boss Arthur who he was talking to.

Merlin really, really didn’t know what to say, so he downed his drink instead and poured himself another from the “open bar”, which really was just a bunch of spirits and mixers on the table next to them.

Arthur cleared his throat. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you…” Arthur started. He stopped to clear his throat.

So it’s boss Arthur then, Merlin realised. He was probably just wondering why Merlin hadn’t come to talk to him earlier in the day. Maybe Merlin should have expected this when he not only ignored his boss, but his dream employer, Morgana.

“Do we have to take this now?” Merlin asked, not wanting to ruin his night with the thought of leaving this company and all his amazing new friends.

“I would rather do it now, yes.” Arthur replied. Merlin looked up at him with big blue eyes and long lashes, and suddenly Arthur was lost in thought. “Merlin I-”

Merlin was standing close. Too close. He knew it was dangerous, why was he moving closer to his ridiculously fit prat of a boss, that wasn’t really a prat at all? It seemed almost involuntary, like two magnets closing the gap.

Will should have warned me better, Merlin thought to himself.

“Merlin-” Arthur began again.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Arthur pulled away and looked towards the other end of the room, where Will was announcing it was time to reveal all the Secret Santas.

*

They were forced to go walk into the middle of a giant circle and first guess who their secret santa was, and then for the real santa to reveal their identity by stepping into the ring.

Merlin was sure this was the 7th ring of Dante’s Inferno.

When it was Merlin’s turn he guessed incorrectly. Only for Arthur to take a step forward.

Something weighed heavy on Merlin’s heart. It wasn’t that he was ungrateful, it was just.. He had hoped Arthur knew him better than to get him any generic gift.

Or maybe he had been fooling himself.

“Merry Christmas,” Arthur had said with a smile.

Then it was his turn to guess. He guessed Morgana, and then Merlin was forced to take a step in again, just a moment after he stepped out.

“You got me Scout?” Arthur said now, tone balancing between unsure and happy.

Merlin nodded, and repeated Arthur’s previous: “Merry Christmas.”

When he could finally retreat again, he stepped in across the circle, next to Gwen, and downed his drink again.

The game continued until finally, Will turned up the music and announced it was time to party properly.

*

Merlin was dancing, singing, laughing, and out of breath all at the same time.

He was drunk, he realised. Faster than he had expected. Perhaps it was the two shots of vodka he’d knocked back after the game wrapped up.

The kitchen was blinking red, blue, red, blue from the cheap disco lights Will had found at a 99 cent store. Merlin’s world was spinning. He felt great.

Suddenly Arthur entered his vision field. He was also turning red, blue, red, blue, red, blue.

“Alright mate?” Arthur asked him.

Merlin nodded.

“Have a smoke with me,” Arthur said, and Merlin nodded again.

Arthur didn’t even smoke. He just wanted an excuse to talk to Merlin alone. He grabbed a cup and filled it with water, then took Merlin to the rooftop terrace, where they could enjoy the spring sun in a few months. Now it was windy and cold among the London skyline.

They stood in silence as Merlin chugged the water down.

”So you think I'm lonely?” Arthur said, when he’d finished. Merlin couldn’t read his voice.

Maybe he should have expected this. Telling people to get a dog out of loneliness might provoke such a reaction.

“Dogs are great company and there are many that need homes!” Merlin tried to excuse his logic in a drunken haze.

“You seem to forget I don’t have all too much time on my hands.”

“No, I’ve seen you overwork yourself for months, Arthur. Perhaps if you had a reason to be home early you could eat dinner at home for once, and not at the office.”

“I appreciate your input. I gave it some thought.” He said, as if Merlin had just sent over his finished work for Arthur to look through.

Merlin waited. “Are you going to keep her?”

“Of course. She needs a home, like you said.”

Arthur looked at him. Something unspoked hung in the Air that Merlin wasn’t ready to address yet. His eyes flicked to the floor.

“Merlin…”

“Should we head back?” He said and started walking towards the terrace door.

“Merlin.” Arthur’s voice stopped him. He whirled around again, and stared at the blonde man before him. It hurt, to know he wasn’t going to see him every day after this.

“I’m sorry about your gift.” Arthur said. “I was going to get you another set, but then I didn’t know if it was too personal.

“Honestly, I don’t mind.” Merlin assured him, but curiosity got the better of him. “What set were you going to get?”

Arthur looked down and smiled to himself. “Some flowers or a Pirates of the Caribbean because, you know, Orlando Bloom.”

Merlin smacked Arthur on his arm. “Shut up.” He laughed.

They locked eyes.

“Was that why you wanted to speak with me today?”

Arthur cleared his throat and looked away for a second. “No- ah, I wanted to, to talk about our friendship:”

“Our friendship?”

“Or whatever you might call it.”

Merlin's stomach fell. “Oh.”

“I know we barely know each other, but I think you’re a great friend and I’d hope we can keep it that way...”

Arthur took a deep breath, and Merlin braced himself for the rejection.

“I’m so sorry for the other night, after the pub and the chips, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

Oh Merlin thought.

“Truth is, I think I’m falling for you.” Arthur continued.

“OH,” Merlin said.

“Please don’t hate me.”

Arthur knew this feeling had been creeping on him for a while, Merlin was such a genuine and amazing person, and Arthur had instantly been drawn to him. How couldn’t he, when Merlin was, well, Merlin.

Over shared meals and shared pints and shared emails, Arthur’s feelings had only deepend.

Merlin stared at him unblinking. “You’re falling for me?”

“Yes.” Arthur nodded.

“I thought you weren’t interested.”

“What?”

“That night at my place, I talked Will’s ear off about it. I leaned in and then you rushed off.”

Suddenly Will’s conversation with Arthur last Friday made sense, and everything seemed to click.

“Do you… have feelings for me too?” Arthur asked, just in case.

Merlin grins. “Of course I do, you clotpole.” He said.

Arthur takes three quick paces and suddenly there is no air left between them. They’re chest to chest, lip to lip, in the cold December air.

Merlin leaned into it, locked his hand at the nape of Arthur’s neck and kissed Arthur back with a hunger that had been growing over the past few weeks.

Arthur drank in every single second as if he was scared he was dreaming.

*

When they step back inside Merlin is feeling hazy. He’s been dosed in kisses and filled with adrenaline.

Quickly, he did his rounds of goodbyes whilst Arthur was tasked with finding their jackets.

Apparently Merlin was the last to find out they’re destined to be.

Gwen grinned when Merlin hugged her goodbye and told him she “always has a sixth sense about things like this.”

“Always rooted for you too,” Lance said.

“Your welcome,” Will said and patted Merlin on his back, but Merlin wasn’t exactly sure what he should be thanking Will for.

“I’ve been trying to catch you. Are you leaving?” Morgana asked, glancing over towards Arthur, who was waiting by the elevator.

“Yes,” Merlin asked more than answered.

Morgana’s face split in two, which was the first time Merlin had actually seen her grin a wide smile. She looked like the Chesire cat. Merlin was a little scared.

“Good.” She replied. “Just make sure to come by my office tomorrow. I had a permanent place open up.”

Morgana winked at him, and it took Merlin a second to realise she was offering him a job. He lit up. “Wait, really?”

“We’ll talk tomorrow.” She said, and pushed him toward the elevator, and Arthur. “Make sure my brother gets home safe. And say hello to Percy for me when you see him.”

Merlin promised her.

*

They went to Arthur’s place, so Merlin could see Scout again. He scratched behind her ear and whispered a thank you to the Collie, for taking such great care of Arthur. She let out a happy sound and licked Merlin’s cheek.

“I’ll help you now. It’s not only on you. We’ll both be waiting for him to get home.” Merlin whispered to her.

He looked up to find Arthur standing in the doorway, smiling.

“What?” Merlin asked with a smile.

“You’re the best gift I could’ve gotten this year.” Arthur said, and took a seat on the hallway floor next to Merlin and Scout.

“Don’t be so cheesy.” Merlin rolled his eyes.

"What, who doesn't love a good christmas rom com with a happy ending." He said, and kissed Merlin on the cheek.