Work Text:
Merlin~
I sat in the warm stands, eyes on him alone as I watched every move he made. The way he moved his body, the way he shook out his hair, the way his lips wrapped around his bottle of water there was no denying I loved Arthur some might say too much but I didn't care I wanted him every last piece of him. I raise my camera snapping photos every so often of him, his smile addictive and it takes my breath away. After the game ends I leave for home. I go into my photo room and develop the pictures hanging them to allow them to dry and fully form a video playing in the next room one of his old games. turning to the wall filled with unsuspecting photos of him, newspaper articles, magazine clips and more everything about him on this wall in lists and sticky notes.I wanted him to love me the way I loved him.
Waking the next day I heard him speaking on the news about his career in an interview. The woman asking the questions laughed lightly with him then asked a question I hadn't been ready for the answer to. She asked if he had a girlfriend. He smiles gently, the look on his face making my heart skip his voice rings out with his answer. I am in a relationship with someone but I won't say who I'd like to keep that part of my life private. My heart stopped and I needed to know who my Arthur was seeing.
A little fact about us is we went to high school together. That's when my obsession and love for him began but he only ever stayed friends hell Im 100% sure he was straight. He always had girls fawning over him even back then.
I text him *since when do u date lol* trying to keep it casual. He only responded with an lol. We met up later that day for lunch. He talked and listened to the sound of his voice. It was my favorite. After lunch he hugged me tight saying we would meet u to watch a movie later I smiled acting normal saying yeah id love that leaves my lips before I could think. He smiles and says great.
He had another game this weekend and I was excited to see him play. As I got home I made sure the developing room was locked. It hid my love for him. I ordered his favorite pizza and got the couch set up with fluffy pillows and blankets knowing he loved soft things and being comfortable.
Once he got here I said hi and opened the door for him More to come. “How was practice?” I asked and he looked at me with those blue eyes and smiled “oh it was great, the coach wants us to take the day off the day before game day so everyone is refreshed and ready for the game”. I nod as I grab him a plate down from the cabinet. We sat and ate while watching the movie. He had rented the one I had mentioned wanting to see. He leans into me; he had always done this, been a very tactile person even as teenagers.
As the movie ends I notice he had fallen asleep on my shoulder so I lay him down putting the blanket over him.i smile taking my phone out and snapping a picture of him as he slept before moving to my room. I lay there for a few thoughts running wishing he knew how much I loved him.
The next morning I woke early and saw he had left. I knew he was on a run so I made breakfast. He hated heavy things in the morning so I made him a light breakfast the way he loved. That's when he walks back in a bit sweaty with a smile on his face “oh yes breakfast” he says kissing the top of my head like a child.
After we ate i go out to grab some groceries telling him he could hang out there if he wanted to.
Arthur~
Merlin left to go to the store and I couldn't stop my curiosity. not After so many years at what was behind his locked door I knew it was used to develop his photos but why keep it locked. And Merlin just happened to leave his key on the counter so why not right. I unlocked the door, seeing everything he had there it was filled with me……
Merlin~
I got home and there was Arthur in my locked room shit….what r doing i say frantically trying to shove him out of that room and shut the door “merlin why do u have a whole room filled …with me”. “You're mistaken, it's nothing, just leave it alone”.
I was so embarrassed and mad at him for going in there. “ Are you stalking me or something?”. “Stalking thats..what ..no of course not….why did u go in there i told u not to”. I say voice raising as panic settles into my chest. And he had the nerve to say he didn't think it was a big deal.
“Merlin” he raises his voice. Would you calm down? I mean I'm not surprised. I had a feeling you took a lot of pictures of me besides your my boyfriend, it's not a big deal”.
“Its a complete big deal u just found out I stal….wait what….boyfriend…w..what r u talking about”
What do you mean? what do I mean merlin we have been together since highschool”.I stare at him gaping mouth open eyes confused.
..”wait d…did u not think we were together”.
There was shock in Arthur's voice and a little hurt.
“No I..I didnt I mean u never even asked me out i didnt even know u like men and then u just say we have been together since high school.”
“Well yeah I mean do u not remember i asked u out in sophomore year and you said yeah”.
Arthur's tone is now a bit humorous.
“That's what u meant i thought u were joking”.
He laughs and says no he hadn't been joking and asks why I thought he was always touching me or kissing my head or letting me cuddle into him as he pointed all of these things out. It dawned in me that all those things were what people did together when in a relationship.
“Oh”.is all I can say …”yeah oh” he chuckles as he pulls me into a hug.”but…u never tried to kiss me before or anything else” he blushes and looks into my eyes “well I mean u never reciprocated or anything so I just thought u weren't into showing affection like that. I mean u did it in other ways like having my favorite food and snacks at ur place and the blankets and pillows i know u dont like clutter like that so I just assumed u did it for me” his voice was soft and genuine.
“I mean i..I did do those things for u but that was because I thought my love for u was one sided and even if it was I still wanted u to be comfortable but….i..was stalking u how” i trail off as he lifts my chin. “I didnt think u where stalking me I thought u like having pictures of me and u were proud of my career..”
“I am proud of you..just…damit I just wish I realized we were together this whole time I could have”. I groan softly in frustration at all the lost kisses and moments we could have had.
“Its ok. We can always start now”. And there it was that mischievous smirk that first got me hooked on this man and before anything else could happen his lips were on mine and I was so happy. “ so wait when u sit du wjere dating someone u meant me”. I laugh lightly
“Yes I was talking about you”..........
The end