Dr. Candyman and Father Christmas
Originally posted at camelot drabble.
Follow up to Candyman, candyman at CD.
LJ: Candyman, candyman.
DW: Candyman, candyman.
Author: amarie_authiel
Title:Dr. Candyman and Father Christmas
Rating: G
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Morgana, Lance, Uther, OCs
Summary: Having heard Arthur ramble about the cute doctor, Morgana decides he should take a bigger part in the Christmas gifts for the childrens ward charity.
Warnings: Hospital and sick kids. (Edit: there's also candy and a party later on and a happy beginning.)
Prompt: 185 mischievous
“Oh that's him isn't it? Shit, Arthur, he's even cuter live!”
“I hate Lance so much right now...”
“Shh, they're coming over. Straighten up and look normal.”
Arthur tries to focus on Lance. He knows Lance. Has know him for years. Lance chats and laughs with the cute doctor as they walk from the entrance to the van where Morgana and Arthur stood, acting normal. The area was limited to ambulances and other emergency deliveries, and apparently also to Lance's annual delivery of Christmas presents for the childrens ward.
This was a mistake. The whole Halloween incident had been embarrassing enough. What was worse was how he had rambled on about candyman Merlin to Morgana. The hospital had finally got hold of her and she had shown up in full Morticia outfit, while he was still a bit groggy.
Naturally she had gone digging and found that 'candyman' was a colleague of Gwen, who was a friend of Leon, who was Arthur and Morgana's friend from school. Gwen was married to Lance, and who was leader of a Christmas charity the Pendragon's had always supported. And suddenly Arthur was here, with a Father Christmas suit and matching hat. She had a long, sleek coat on, smart boots and scarf. Lord only knows what devious deals she had done, but she seemed mighty smug about it.
As they come closer the smile on Merlin's smile slipped into a slightly more lopsided one.
“He remembers youuuu...” Morgana singsongs discreetly into her cashmere scarf.
He would have kicked her, maybe stomped on her expensive shoes, if there only had been more time. Lance strode over, beaming like only one with noble intentions and selfless thoughts could beam. One hand on Merlin's back, the other opened toward them. Arthur feared for a second that Lance was expecting a group hug.
“Morgana, Arthur. Meet dr Merlin Emrys. He will be our guide today, showing us where to go and what to do. He made us a long wish list, which is where all our long hours of sorting gifts come in.”
Merlin smiles with a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He grabs Arthur's arm in a firm, but friendly hand shake.
“The candy vampire. Glad to see you up and about. You were fast asleep when I checked in on you.”
Arthur managed a laugh. Merlin had checked in on him. He didn't know that. Merlin reached for Morgana.
“Morgana, I've been hearing great things about you. I am so pleased you could come, you have really made a difference this year.”
Merlin was shaking her hand with both of his and buttering it on rather thickly in Arthur's opinion.
Morgana tried to hide her surprise behind a schooled polite smile and trained response to flattery.
“Oh, I have hardly done anything, it's been a privilege. The credit all goes to Lance here and his team.”
“Not all credit, not by far. Every action counts.” He smiled warmly at her.
A few more people had arrived and carried out the bags under Lance's command. Lance emerged at Merlin's side and offered him a package wrapped in brown paper. Merlin smiled and passed it lovingly into Morgana's hands.
“This here is the most precious gift. I promise you it will change your life.”
He moved an arm behind her back and gently ushered her forward before she could protest.
“Now I was thinking you and Lance would focus on the older children, you are an icon for so many, an inspiration, it would mean the world for them.”
Arthur was about to voice a protest, Morgana had come with every intention of letting Arthur stew in this alone. But Lance handed him a sack filled of gift and mouthed “Trust me.”. They both shouldered their bags in good old Father Christmas style and followed them. Arthur glared at his sister's back. This wasn't what either of them had planned.
Prompt: 186 Domestic
Merlin led the way at a moderate pace through corridors, heavy doors and lighter doors and elevators. Merlin's shoes made hardly any noise at all. Arthur's heavy Father Christmas boots and Lance's sensible snow shoes made were loud in comparison, while the echo of Morgana's heels click clacked sharply against the barren walls. Seating areas and waiting areas had Christmas table cloths and some decorations. The doors had silent, plastic Christmas bells, fake holly or some glittery tinsel to brighten things up a bit for the holidays. Imagine having to spend Christmas here. Although the holidays at the Pendragon's mansion were rarely the red cheeked snowman building domestic bliss that the media advertised, there was still something special about having Christmas dinner together.
Merlin spoke warmly about donations and upgrades and budget cuts and long-term care, well aided by Lance. Perhaps Arthur would have paid more attention to everything if Merlin had kept his hands off Morgana's lower back. The hand kept swooping down there at corners and turns. Well, he had only himself to blame for the little churning in his stomach. If he hadn't let that little speck of hope flare up when Merlin smiled at him, then there wouldn't be a sore spot now instead. It was really Morgana's fault. But, he was at least doing a good deed and Morgana was trying to escape so it's unlikely any dating stuff would be going on between those two.
He suddenly became aware of the paintings and decorations becoming more colourful and figurative. Up ahead was a door decorated with handmade paper chains and snowflakes and the tones of “Jingle-bell rock” came through to greet them. Morgana sent him a long, worried look as Lance guided her down another corridor, away from the door and away from Merlin and Arthur. He could relate to the feeling. But Merlin smiled at him encouragingly, so there was that. Then he pushed open the door and sent Arthur in first. A boy stood in the hall. He had a cast on his arm, it reached from somewhere under the sleeve of his t-shirt and all the way down to his fingers. They stared at each other for a second. Then suddenly the boy smiled from ear to ear. He turned on his heels, heading for a set of doors a few meters down. He crashed through them rather than open them, making Arthur wince and worry about the cast.
“They're here! They're here!”
Merlin chuckled fondly. “Don't worry, you'll do fine.”
Arthur forced a smile. Merlin's hand was now on Arthur's back, guiding him forwards towards the end of the line. The music and excited chatter grew louder.
“You'll get a lollipop when you're done.”
He looked at Merlin, who looked like the very image of solemn sincerity except for the slight twitch of the lips. Arthur couldn't help it, he laughed out loud. His eyes crinkled with amusement and he relaxed. He pushed through the door. It's just a bunch of kids. Piece of cake.
Prompt: 188 Thankful
Arthur's eyes swept over the room, quickly observing his audience. There were five beds in the room. Arthur willed himself not to think of why the kids in them needed to be in bed. Several chairs had clearly been added for the occasion and each bed had a youngster or two extra, because everybody knows that chairs are boring. There were several adults too, parents and siblings and children from other rooms. The boy with the cast was now standing behind a man and a woman, Arthur guessed they were his parents. The boy peeked out from behind them with equal amount of shyness and excitement. A plastic Christmas tree with lights sat on a table, doing it's best to provide some allergy free Christmas cheer. All eyes were on him, several camera phones were aimed at him, taking pictures and filming.
He would definitely earn that lollipop.
Doctor Emrys had followed him in and stood at his side and took charge of the introduction.
“So, Ladies and Gentlemen, can anyone tell me who this could be?”
The children giggled.
“IT'S FATHER CHRISTMAS!” they shouted. Some parents called out too to aid the more shy or maybe more ill patients.
“That's right, and what do we say when Father Christmas comes to visit?”
“HELLO, FATHER CHRISTMAS!” some suggested loudly, competing with several attempts of a deep voiced “Ho ho ho!”
A girl shouted what everybody knew everybody really wanted to say;
“GIVE US PRESENTS!”
Everybody laughed and she tried to hide her face. But her eyes glittered with joy.
“Well then,” Merlin said smiling. “Let's see what he brought!”
Those who could hurried closer, eager to find what was in Arthur's burlap sack. The plan was to keep everybody busy while Lance's 'elves' took care of the new TV, restocked the DVDs and mounted the new toy mini kitchen at the playroom. Merlin took a few steps back and observed as Arthur fished up gift after gift, reading names and handing them out. Paper was ripped off at maximum speed. Merlin's gift list seemed to be quite accurate, there seemed to be smiles and a few tears all around. There was one gift Merlin reached for and handed over himself. Arthur couldn't help but watch, his eyes were drawn to the man. And, yes, he had noticed the many appreciative stares going in Merlin's direction. Merlin either didn't notice or simply didn't care. A rather quiet girl in bed three, Freya, unwrapped the gift slowly. She couldn't be more than maybe seven years old? A soft, stuffed panther cub emerged from the paper. She gasped and gazed into the cat's green eyes and promptly squished it close in a fierce hug. Doctor Cute had indeed done his homework.
Arthur could see why Lance came back to do this year after year. Glancing over at Merlin's happy face, Arthur knew he was enjoying this too. He felt humbled and thankful for being here, even if it had taken some work to convince him. Suddenly his thoughts went to Morgana and he felt a little jolt of concern. He knew she was in good hands with Lance, but how was she dealing with this?Arthur at least had been prepared, as well as one could be at fairly short notice. Morgana had talked him into it, with Lance's blessing. She would not have thought twice about throwing him to the wolves, or puppies in this case, but Lance was far more practical and professional. He had spent several hours with Arthur explaining what the charity did, what was expected of Arthur and what Arthur might expect going in there.
Come to think of it, Morgana had been present for most of it, maybe more as the two had been busy plotting behind his back
No. Impossible.
He cast a glimpse towards Merlin. He had squatted down to reach eye level, admiring a kid's pirate book. Was that in fact the face of a master trickster? Him and Lance had seemed quite in tune about bringing Morgana along. Had they really managed to trick Morgana under the pretense of luring Arthur? Oh, that is devious. Doctor Devious.
“Mistur, did you bring Roodulf?”
Right. The kids. Arthur felt a bit ashamed of letting himself get distracted.
“Yeah, of course, but he wasn't allowed to come in.”
“But how do you get all the gifts to all the children? My cousins says it's umpossipel.”
“Ah, well, you see, it seems most don't realize that for example up in Scandinavia they open their gifts on Christmas eve, so their gifts has to be delivered the night before. So it's two nights. Not just one.”
The boy gasped, shocked to the core. “No way! They get their gifts early?”
“Yes, they do. When you go to bed and have to wait all night for Christmas morning, they have already opened theirs. ” Arthur nodded solemnly to underline the seriousness of the matter.
“That is SO unfair, I'm telling Mom!”
Arthur has to turn away and bite his lip to not burst out laughing as the boy ran to his parents.
Prompt: #189 Evidence
Now that the kids were temporarily distracted by their new toys, some of the adults took the opportunity to exchange a few words with Arthur and Merlin and give thanks. The conversations moved from stories about the kids, talking about the charity and their work and Arthur being a good ambassador. It was a lot in a short amount of time, but Arthur tried to pay a fair amount of attention to all. Though Arthur couldn't quite see why mr. James Something-Something-def-not-as-cute-as-Merlin seemed to think he had dressed up in costume to discuss the cilty ouncil's plans to make a new parking lot. His father was in the city council, not Arthur. Merlin was expertly dodging several very obvious attempts of flirting, not that Arthur was paying attention or counting the advances people made.
Arthur suddenly got some dubious help from a woman who hooked her arm around his.
“Now James, I am sure mr. Pendragon would rather discuss something more enjoyable that politics!”
She petted Arthur's velvet covered biceps fondly and smiled. She reminded him of Morgana acting sweet and pliant, when she was in truth plotting horrible things and you would wake up dead or worse and there would be no evidence to link her to the crime unless you saved yourself and why is that woman still petting?
“Uh...”
There was a chocked coughing sound and Merlin at his side, as if by magic - Ok, he had been like two meters away, but still. He wrapped his arm around Arthur's shoulders, giving him a rough, jovial, manly shake.
“Come now father Christmas, we mustn't forget we still have work to do!”
Merlin dragged him into forward motion, forcing The Woman to release her grip. He did look very amused and he felt very solid and warm. Arthur thought he heard some muttering behind them, something about trees? But oh look! Emma had made him a bracelet of small wooden pearls. After a while he sneeks a peek behind him. The Woman was talking with someone else. Good.
They spend some extra time with the kids who can't leave the room, before they all go to the play room. The Woman is someone's aunt. Her sister gives her a warning glare as Arthur comes over, but now just smiles after returning the glare with the well known “yes I know, I wasn't going to!” stare. Arthur likes her better now that she's at a polite distance and the focus is on the child. Little Freya had fallen asleep despite the commotion with the new toy cat safely in her arms. Her mother combs her hair gently with her fingers. He feels a sudden urge to whisk them all away to a magical place with lots of kittens and everything they could ever need. But he can't. These things are best left to the hospital and Merlin, and Arthur has to move on.
The games are a huge success. The boy with the plaster still manages to play, but Merlin stops him after a while so he doesn't strain something. Arthur tastes pretend food from the play kitchen and all of a sudden it is time to go. Merlin leads him to the elevator and the kid follow them there, waving and saying goodbye. The door closes and Merlin makes sure they travel up. Reindeer on the roof and such, of course. Arthur removes the Father Christmas suit and puts it in the sack. Now he's just Arthur again. It's strangely quiet now. Just the two of them.
“We're meeting Lance and your sister at the top.”
Merlin's voice is very loud in the small space. Arthur nods. He looks at himself in the mirror wall. He looks very tired.
“Here. So I don't forget.”
Arthur looks over at Merlin and can't help but smile. He's holding a lollipop. Ha had actually brought a lollipop with him this entire time.
“I did good?”
Merlin smiles back at him.
“Indeed you did!”
“Yey!” Arthur acts a bit childish on purpose, unwraps it and pops it in his mouth.
“I got one for your sister too. She's had a tough day too, you should perhaps talk about all this before you leave. Or soon, at least.”
Arthur looked at him for a moment. His smile had faded somewhat, from amused and playful to a softer and more caring smile. Arthur accepts the second lollipop just before the's a ding to tell them they have arrived. The door opens and it's time to leave.
Prompt: #190 Obvious
“I used to have long hair like you, but now, obviously, I don't.”
The girl rolled her eyes at herself and shrugged. Melissa was her name. 14 years old. Capricorn. Cancer.
Lashonda laughed, barely glancing up from her rather impressive makeup bag.
"I used to spend hours doing my hair to get that long sleek look rather than the wild afro thing, you know. But do I spend less time in the bathroom now?"
15. Virgo. Cancer.
The question was sounding rather rhetorical. Morgana smiled knowingly as Lashonda glanced over at Melissa and they both said «Uh-uh!» at the same time and laughed. Girls will be girls!
“Alright, see here now. Do light, thin lines and you get a very natural result.”
Melissa eagerly reached for the mirror to check out Morgana's handywork. Lashonda leans in. “Oh wow, girl! It looks so real!”
There's a bark of laughter, both girls glares as only two agry teenage girls can glare at an offending boy, or worse, a brother. Lashonda's brother, August.
14. Taurus. Annoying.
“You got one eye-brow, Lizza! It's a one sided unibrow!” August is laughing, slapping his thigh and making quite the number of it. Morgana could have sworn she was 15 herself just a little while ago, but watching them reminds her how it truly was and she has indeed changed a bit since them. Oh, the endless amount of righteous anger a brother can create.
“Well we're obviously going to make the other one too, August! There's no need to be rude!”
Morgana tries not to laugh. She really, really tries. It's just so familiar.
There's a gentle tap on the door, drawing their attention. It's Lance, meaning it's time to get moving.
Morgana quickly looks at the brown package currently resting on the table. The one Lance had given to Merlin and Merlin given to her, saying it would change her life. That package was her last task and then it would all be over.
The girls forget about August and gasps.
“You're going? Oh, but you've only been here an hour!”
“I'm sorry, ladies, ms Pendragon has to go now.”
Lance looked suitably sad as he galantly took the blame for Morgana leaving.
“I am sorry, Melissa. You will have to do the other brow yourself.”
The two girls looked really sad.
“We'll fix it and, we'll do everything like you said and, we can... we can maybe post on your blog or something and say if we get the hang of it!”
“Yeah! It's been so cool to have you here, you are even cooler in person that you are in your blog, this has been the best day! Thank you thank you thank you!”
Morgana is a bit dazed as the long goodbyes and praise of her and her fashion blog echos in her head. Even August's moans about them only talking about make up and fahion and celebs stayed on her mind. It was rather trivial subjects. But it was fun, trivial could be just the ting you need at times. Right?
“Do you need a moment?”
She is pulled from her thoughts, nearly forgetting Lance was there. He gestures towards a set of chairs by a wall.
Normally she would have brushed it aside with a laugh or a snear. Morgana “LeFey” Pendragon did not need a moment! But today is not a normal day, so she nods and sits down. The package rests on her lap. Lance asks if she would like a coffee or some tea and she bursts into tears. Huge, sobbing, snotproducing tears. It's not fair. Why can't life just be fair?!
Lance says nothing, he hands her paper handkerchiefs and gives her space. A while later, he holds the package while she washes her face and freshen up. There's no need to rush. The ones she is visiting next won't even know she's there.
Prompt: #193:REMEMBRANCE
The elevator doors open up and reveal the top floor of the hospital, and Arthur steps out. There are doors to some service areas and not much more. The public elevators didn't go this high. A stair case leads down, spiralling downwards next to the elevator. Further in, a simple coffee table lined up by a small, worn sofa and a matching chair, discarded from a waiting area somewhere perhaps, make up all the furniture in the room. Arthur guessed it was mainly used for workers or service crew to take a break. It certainly wasn't much of a penthouse.
Merlin press a button on the wall before he leaves, which sends the elevator down a few floors. Arthur wonders about that for a second. He guesses this too is meant to benefit the kids. Clearly Father Christmas has left the building and Doc Merlin is heading somewhere else.
Morgana stands by the stairs, gazing towards the elevator and looking like she's about to bolt. She doesn't seems to relax until Arthur has moved over and offered her the lollipop. “Merlin said we've earned them.” He is rewarded with a small smile, which fades quickly into a more pained one.
“Yeah, I suppose we did.”
Lance and Merlin is having a muted conversation while moving far enough away to give both parties some privacy. Arthur guesses this is more familiar to them. Lance does this every year, as well as other charity work. Merlin works here, he sees this daily.
“The kids were fun.” Arthur offers in an attempt to break the silence. If they don't talk about it now, then when will they?
“They were so thrilled to get presents! Seems everybody got what they wanted, more or less. Merlin had to tear himself away from the flirty women, they were on him like leaches.”
Morgana chuckled softly.
“Really? At a Christmas party for their sick kids?”
“One was an aunt.” Arthur answers, far too quickly with an unwanted hint of sulking.
Morgana huffs, fondly and evilly at the same time.
“Awww, didn't you feel left out?”
“No. I was busy. And one was flirting with me too.”
Her laugh was too loud in the small space, she had that devilish look in her eyes like she had everything figured out.
“But you'd rather it was someone else.”
“Yes. No, I was busy, I tell you. I had a job to do.”
Also Merlin had saved him. He shifts a bit uncomfortably and adds in a lower voice.
“There was one little girl... She got a cat plushie. I only spoke with her briefly and she had fallen asleep before we left so I didn't get to say goodbye. I wanted to go back, but there wasn't time. I don't know how anyone could asleep in all that noise.”
Perhaps he did know, but he was not about to admit it.
Morgana hums quietly in reply. She takes the lolly from her mouth and makes it spin slowly between her fingers.
“We brought...” She stops abruptly, swallows and starts over. “The small package? It was for the premature ward.” She stares at a speck of nothing on the floor in front of her.
“People all over have been knitting tiny hats for the little babies. So tiny, you wouldn't believe, so they can keep warm. They loose a lot of warmth from their heads, even if they are in those... boxes. They're made from special thread and they have instruction how to wash the hats so it's safe for the babies to wear. And there were also small patches for the mother to wear in her bra before in it put into the incubater, so the baby can smell their mommy and feel safe, even if they can't be held... And little socks too. Mini-blankets. And mittens. Like tiny, knitted tubes.”
She sniffles and shoves the lollipop back into her mouth. Her lips press hard around the thin plastic handle to hide how they quiver. Arthur stares hard at a seam in the padded chair by the sofa where the stuffing is leaking, his hands firmly stuffed into his pockets. There's some sniffling and movement besides him, but he doesn't look. This is how they deal with things. He's not sure he can handle it any other way.
“I'm inviting him to our New Year's Eve party,” she says as she finally speaks again. Her voice is a little rough, but otherwise fairly normal and casual.
“Who?”
“Your doctor Emrys.”
“He's not...”
“He keeps looking our way to check on you.”
This makes Arthur look up and yes, Merlin is looking right at him. Them! Right at them. He gives a quick smile to say all is well.
“Yes, brother dear, I can control minds and this is how I choose to use my powers.”
Sarcasm. Yes, she seemed to be back to normal.
“Him and Lance.” Morgana continues. “They can mingle. Sip some champagne. Make friends. Meet the right people...”
Arthur nods. He thinks about their annual new year event. Filled with celebs, politicians, fashion designers, fashion models, etc., etc. All there because they had some strong or vague connection to the Pendragon's, the business, his father's political circle, Morgana's designs or the charities they supported to honour Ygraine's memory. Merlin and Lance were charming and dedicated enough to win a few hearts and maybe a few wallets. It would be a great opportunity for them.
“You can introduce him to people.” Morgana drones on. “Give him your unwavering support.”
“And Lance.” Arthur added.
“Yes, of course. I hope he has a tux, he'd be smoking hot in a tux. If he doesn't have a tux, I'm getting him one.”
She nodded to herself, agreeing with her own decision. Typical of her to boss people into wearing things she decides they should wear. Arthur sucked thoughtfully on his lollipop. Lance seemed the type to have a tux already.
“Didn't Lance say he was going away for new years?”
“Really?” Morgana didn't sound too surprised. “Oh that's a shame. It will be just Merlin then. You can protect him from the hoards of flirty people throwing themselves at him.”
Artur huffed.
“You can show him the garden, or the balcony up by the library. The fireworks should look lovely from the gazebo.”
“Mo...”
“Fine, I won't ask if you don't want me to. But I think he'll come if you are there. Look at him, Arthur. He's gorgeous. He's a doctor! He's seen you as a rambling vampire and still thought you'd fit as Father Christmas for these kids. You were his patient, now you're his... colleague of sorts. Maybe it's your move now. What if he is trying to see if you'd fit in his world. Don't you want to see if he fits in yours?”
Merlin wouldn't fit into Arthur's world. He wouldn't mingle seamless with the glossy models or down you nose politicians. He'd stand out like a shining beacon. Morgana used this very, short and barely noticeable little pause to smirk knowingly and push herself from the wall. She moved over to where Merlin and Lance stood talking. Arthur made an aborted move to stop her, but knew he was too slow and he didn't really want to stop her. He crunched the remains of his lollipop between his teeth while they talked. She is being charming, she is good at that. Merlin looked confused, Lance seemed to be explaining. Then Merlin nodded like he was agreeing and Morgana looked pleased. Then they talked some more, with not so expressive faces. Lance put his arms on Morgana's shoulders and Morgana's mask started cracking up again. Merlin's eyes met Arthur's. Arthur replied with a slow nod with his head, he'd look after her.
They apparently say goodbye. She aims straight for the elevator and press the button. She stands there, gathering herself again. Arthur lifts the bag with the costume. Clearly these guys are good at wordless conversations as both Merlin and Lance signals him to leave it. Arthur joins Morgana, silently waiting for the doors to open and then for the doors to close.
“Maybe...” she whisperes. “I want people like them in my life too.”
She sniffles and checks her pockets for the car key. He shuffles his feet and suddenly notice something.
“Mo, didn't you have a scarf?”
“No.”
“Yeah you did. The expensive cashmere thing.”
“No.”
Arthur lets it go, wise from experience. Instead he thinks about New Year.
Prompt: #194 Expectation
The mansion is decorated with lights and banners. There's a small string ensemble playing tasteful classical music. The diamonds glitters around hands and around necks, long dresses and high heels swish delicately across the floors, champagne flutes and whiskey tumblers clinks and empties. Small groups are forming and changing, with people circulating and leaving and entering various conversation. Uther rules the ground as a king of old.
Normally, Arthur would mingle and be on his best behaviour and then retreat with his friends as soon as he could. Sometimes he'd bring a date, sometimes a date-date. The guest list had grown a bit more varied as Arthur and Morgana got older and wanted to include their own guests, and so it became more interesting to be there and to be invited. He has had very interesting people at his side and very pretty people at his side. He's a stepping stone for many, he knows that.
He tries to push aside the feeling that he wouldn't mind if this years guest climbed all over him. He really should quench such expectations. Neither of them where hormonal teens and Merlin was coming to speak kindly of the charity, about the hospital, his work!
Hopefully he wouldn't mind that Arthur had started on that already. He had been asked many times already about who was bringing this evening.
Merlin wasn't late. Not really. Arthur was just being impatient. Some guest arrived at dinner, usually family and close - or the most contributing - friends. Merlin would arrive later with Morgana, because he had let Morgana's choice of designer dress him up and naturally she had to oversee things.
Morgana knew how to make an entrance. As soon as she appeared in the door, the rooms went silent and then filled with chatter and appraising murmurs. Arthur had to agree, it was a stunning sight. Not that he paid much attention to her, why would he when there was such a feast for the eyes at her side? Merlin looked radiant in the tailored tuxedo, looking both amused and confident in facing the attention. Arthur had to watch from a distance as Morgana led him from one interesting and interested guest to the other. Technically she was the one who had invited him, so he just had to be patient.
“So that is your Doctor Emrys.”
Lady Greyhall sounded far too knowing. Arthur drew his breath to protest, Merlin wasn't his anything. But he knew he should give up on the pretense that he had only a professional interest in the man. He had been constantly distracted since Merlin arrived. He clinked his champagne flute with hers.
“Here's hoping.”
Prompt: #195 Friendship
Lady Greyhall chuckled fondly at Arthur's toast. They both took a sip of champagne and shared a quick smile. “Go to him then,” she urged. Arthur shrugged. He wanted to, but in his mind he saw little Freya clutching her panther plushie. Merlin had more important things to see to first.
The lady clicked her tongue. “You've got it bad, Sonny.”
She waved a passing waiter over and swiped a fresh glass from his tray and handed it to Arthur.
“He's all out of champagne, now go be a good host.”
Merlin threw him a surprised glance as he came closer. The unspoken laws of light conversation and polite mingling allowed for Arthur to seamlessly swap places with Morgana and steal Merlin away.
Merlin accepted the offering of sparkling Champagne with a smile and a relieved sigh, but still simply taking a minuscule sip.
“I can get you something else if...”
“Oh no,” Merlin interrupted. “I'm afraid I'll keel over if I drink more. I'm dead on my feet.”
Arthur allowed himself to study Merlin's face with more than a fleeting glance.
He could see it now, as Merlin let the facade falter a bit. He felt a flutter of protectiveness.
“Long day?”
“Yeah. Took the early shift so I could go play mannequin and pin cushion for your sister and her talented friends. They really put blood, sweat and tears into their work, some of it is mine. I am fairly certain she scares them on purpose. Keeps them on their toes, perhaps? ”
Arthur snorted a laugh at that, but the conversation is low and private.
“Well spotted. You look fantastic though.”
Merlin lights up, while Arthur cringes at himself. Way to be suave...
“Why thank you, you don't look too shabby yourself.”
Arthur makes a show out of straightening his bow-tie and tugging the sleeves of his jacket down. Merlin rewarded his effort with a quick appraising up and down look.
“Though, I bet you had to dress yourself, like some lowly peasant.”
Merlin sniffed, acting put off by the very idea.
They were heading towards the door, as in perfect agreement. Arthur couldn't tell who was leading and who followed.
“At least I didn't injure myself while dressing.”
They passed through the doorway unhindered and Arthur cheered on the inside. Something was going on here. Perhaps something more than friendship.
“I didn't injure myself either. I bled. For art.”
“My, how noble.”
“Quite so. Quite so.”
Prompt: #194 Expectation
Arthur straightened his back and scanned the area before them. Though less crowded than the ball room, the wide hall was dotted with guests who had recently arrived or was planning to leave early. Some had stopped to chat on their way to or from the rest-rooms. Arthur nodded a greeting and offered a kind smile to those who looked his way, but he never looked long enough for them to open for any kind of conversation. The good doctor was a good aid. He kept giving Arthur discrete and amused smiles, cleverly keeping Arthur's attention centered on him. Or maybe Merlin gave Arthur amused looks because Arthur found it difficult to look away. Never mind that though, Arthur was not too distracted to know that a sharp turn right was in order right about... now.
“In here,” he instructed.
With a kind hand on Merlin’s back he steered Merlin away from the crowded areas, down a short corridor. It was sparsely lit and mostly in shadows compared to the hall to not draw too much attention to it and lead guests astray. It ended in a wider corridor in the more private areas of the building. As a child Arthur would have dashed down the corridor and turned the corner at great speed, either dragging Merlin with him or knowing he was running with him. As an adult this would no longer simply receive a huff and a few tuts. No-one would chirp fondly; “Oh, look at them go! To have but an ounce of that energy!” No, causal strolling with purpose was the way to do it. Arthur threw a few looks behind them to make sure they weren't followed. Then at last they were out of view and on their own. He felt his shoulders relax.
Merlin leaned closer and whispered in a conspiring tone. “Are we in the clear, Mister Bond?”
Arthur couldn't help grinning. Ok, perhaps he was a bit more transparent than he had hoped. Arthur slowed down nearly to a halt, then he turned around completely to check. He might as well do it properly and admit to being caught, and it gave him a plausible excuse to remove his hand which was embarrassingly still on Merlin’s back.
“All clear, there's -” As his turned back he found Merlin gone.
Arthur found him again approximately one meter below his previous location, kneeling on the floor and unlacing his shoes. He briefly glanced up at Arthur through his lashed. Arthur had to take a moment to appreciate exactly how smart and hard-working this man had to be. He was certain that Merlin could have easily winked and cheek-boned his way to a very comfortable life. But good looks alone wouldn’t get you through higher education and a doctor’s degree. It might rather make it harder to be taken seriously. A guy like that must have a lot of suitors, Arthur thought a bit mournfully. He might have misread some of the moms at the hospital, but Merlin was sure to have lot of interesting options. He made himself look away so he wouldn’t be caught staring.
It didn't take long before Merlin was on his feet again, with the Champagne flute secured in his right hand and his shoes dangling from two fingers on his left.
“Sorry about that. Medical emergency. True story.”
Merlin nodded solemnly to underline his words in a fairly good Barney Stinson impersonation. His face brightened as Arthur went from stunned to laughing.
“I see. Tight shoes there, Cinderella?”
Merlin’ sock clad toes danced against the stone floor.
“Yes. But I simply had to wear them with this outfit.” Merlin made a face as he said that and Arthur could easily guess that Merlin wasn’t quoting himself.
“There's no end to what suffering you have to go through tonight, huh?” Arthur said, grinning. They continued walking.
“Oh, I don't know.” Merlin said in a slightly melodic voice. “I've been treated like celebrity, I've been fitted for an overly expensive suit and driven to a ball in a limo, I got to speak for my cause, I stole the prince-”
“Hey, I stole the prince!” Arthur accentuated his words with his champagne flute.
Merlin raised his eyebrows. “You mean the shoe-less, dead-tired medicine man in borrowed feathers? I think you've missed your mark, Mr. Bond.”
Arthur huffed indignantly.
“If I wanted feathers, I would have aimed for Mrs Lövengreen-Smith.”
Merlin hummed as if he was giving this statement some serious thought.
“I’ll admit that hat would be hard to miss.”
“She has a new one each New Year’s. We have a secret poll to guess the colour.”
They both chuckled before an awkward silence fell only disturbed by the sound of their footsteps.
“Speaking of feathers, who's the guy on the wall?"
Merlin adds a nudge of the head towards an old oil painting hanging in an alcove ahead of them. Thick red curtains hang on both sides of the frame and an old, worn crest was mounted underneath.
Arthur smiles and grabs hold of the offered distraction. “That is lord Leopold, one of my ancestors. Hat and big feathers were very much in vogue in his days.”
Arthur easily slips into the role as tour guide after that. The manor was filled with history. Portraits and antiques had been collected for generations. He loves giving life to the dry facts and stories these items and walls could tell. He could get embarrassingly enthusiastic about it at times.
Merlin made a wonderful one-man audience, offering both serious questions and humorous observations and adding some medical 'fun facts' to some of the mentioned illnesses and plagues. Arthur clumsily masked as snort of laughter as a cough when he suddenly imagined Merlin enthusiastically describing the symptoms of the bubonic plague to wide eyed school children. Arthur can’t help thinking how this feels a lot like happiness.
Prompt: #213 Eye contact
Staying in the carpeted areas in their impromptu guided tour meant making a few detours, but Arthur decided it was worth it. They still had a while to talk before the fireworks would start. The other guests would gradually trickle from the ball room to the terrace outside, where they would have a good view of the garden and the traditional Pendragon Mansion firework display. Arthur didn’t feel like joining the crowd and he had the feeling Merlin wasn’t too eager to go back either. The gazebo would have been a nice place too. It lay far more secluded, tucked away in the garden, but getting there would require shoes. So the balcony by the library seemed the best choice.
Arthur couldn’t remember a time he had given this much thought and consideration to the wellbeing of a pair of feet which were not his own. There was just something about Merlin that brought out his protective side.
Not that he seemed to need protection, but Arthur wanted to offer his anyway. Merlin never once asked where they were going and never once seemed worried about it. Perhaps it was a trick of the trade, a doctor’s professional poker face, or perhaps he was just one of those live-in-the-moment kind of guys. Then there was Merlin's insistence that he had been the one to steal Arthur away. Perhaps Merlin had plans of his own with his stolen ‘prince’. Arthur’s mouth ran a bit dry then and he downed the last drops of champagne and deposited his glass on an available surface. Merlin’s Champagne remained barely touched. It had lost all its bubbles and swirled lukewarm and flat around in the glass as Merlin pointed and gesticulated.
“You can leave yours too,” Arthur suggested. Merlin frowned and gave the innocent flower pedestal a scrutinizing look, a look Arthur felt was better suited for people demanding a prescription for medication after self-diagnosing by googling symptoms on the web. He felt a little nervous on the pedestals behalf.
“Or you can leave it anywhere, it’s no trouble. What I mean is you don’t have to lug it around.”
The frown smoothed out and he gave Arthur an apologetic grin. Their eyes locked and Arthur couldn’t imagine what Merlin would feel the need to apologize for, unless he was sorry for making Arthur feel warm and swirly inside and more than ready to be taken for a spin.
“It gives me something to hang on to. I feel ridiculous as it is, bare feet and carrying my shoes around like I have no social antennas at all. At least with the champagne glass I can hope I look eccentric rather than ridiculous.” Merlin’ eyebrows arched up, he lifted the glass in a half toast as if to say “See? Eccentric. Yeah?” And what else could Arthur do but burst out laughing?
“You really do look ridiculous” Arthur blurted out. It had no bite though, Arthur felt his ears heat up at the poorly hidden fondness in his voice.
Merlin chuckled softly, grinning cheeks turned his eyes to narrow slits. “There’s no hope for me then?”
“None.” Arthur took the glass from Merlin and put it away before he took a few steps to make them both start walking again. Merlin put on a fake pout for a short while, then he came up on Arthur’s side and curled Arthur's arm around his.
“Plan B." He explained. "With some nice arm candy and no one will notice the shoes.”
A battle of arms took place before Arthur had Merlin’s arm wrapped around his as he wanted. Merlin glanced from their entwined arms to Arthur’s content grin. “So now I’m your arm candy.”
“Yes. You’re the candyman, remember?”
Merlin laughed. “If you say so, my prince.” Then he added with a causal tone.
“I’m flexible in these matters.”
While trying to interpret this information correctly, Arthur accidentally forgot about carpets and took the shortest route to the library.
Prompt: # Forgiveness
Standing by the library doors, Arthur took a brief moment to think of what to do next. His wish to impress won over the wish to remaind holding on to Merlin's arm and keeping him close. Arthur first made sure Merlin was standing in a good position to be wowed, and Merlin kindly let himself be carefully manhandled into position. Then he walked towards the double doors with purpose and opened the laches that kept the one door in its normally closed position. He quickly double-checked to be sure before he pushed with just the right amount of force. “This is,” he declared as the doors swung open. “...the library.”
The walls were covered floor to ceiling with dark stained wooden bookcases and shelf upon shelf with books. Wooden moveable ladders let you for reach the higher shelves. A seating area with two dark Chesterfield sofas and a recliner surrounding a heavy dark wooden table, stood at the center of the room. A bar globe with old sea maps with illustrations of odd monsters and warnings completed the look.
Merlin let out a long whistle as he entered.
“This is amazing. I can imagine anyone from Sherlock Holmes to Hermione Granger coming here to comb though the shelves looking for clues.”
“Too bad all the cool and dangerous books are in Morgana’s wing. She’s the witch in our family.”
Merlin raised his eyebrows, clearly waiting to hear more.
“Perhaps not an actual witch, but she definitely-“ Arthur added.
“Has her own wing?”
“Yes, I, um, have my own…wing... as well.”
Merlin threw his head back laughing.
“Of course you do!”
“It more like we have our separate areas we're responsible for…” Arthur tried to ignore the chuckles. It stung a bit to hear Merlin being so interested in what Arthur had rather than... well… Arthur. Sure, he was teasing rather than drooling for fame and fortune, but Arthur had had enough of people assuming things about him.
Merlin must have sensed something was off and quickly dropped the subject.
“Oh well, no magic books then. Guess my plan to take over the world will have to wait. And it was such a nice night for it. No trap doors or secret passages either?”
Arthur instantly forgave Merlin’s small, momentarily laps from perfection. He felt silly for being so prickly. He couldn't help smiling at the wide puppy eyes Merlin managed to produce and the pout he made after Arthur had shook his head in reply.
“Not even one?”
“None, sorry. Me and Morgana must have gone through every inch of this house when we were kids. We were thoroughly disappointed.”
Merlin's eyes crinkled beautifully. A warm smile grew gradually on his face as he looked away from Arthur and let his eyes sweep across the room. Arthur wondered if he imagined the Pendragon siblings running around, looking for hidden secrets.
Well, standing around watching Merlin watch things was hardly good manners. The man was clearly tired and had sore feet and Arthur had marched him around half the mansion. Not to mention that this room only had a carpet in the seating area.
“You can look around if you like. Or have a seat, and maybe a drink?” Arthur hoped he wouldn’t find the bar globe empty and then nervously thought about where he should sit if Merlin sat down. How close would be too close? How much space could be put between them before it would mean that he wanted space between them?
Merlin gave the seating arrangement a longing stare.
“I’d rather look around, if you don’t mind. I’ll be asleep before my ass hits the leather, if you pardon my French.”
Arthur trailed behind him, drinking in how his fingers caressed the rows of books. They slipped over the steps of a ladder and gently tugged to see how easily it would move. It shouldn’t feel as sensual as it did. But Merlin was touching things which were close to Arthur’s heart. It’s not so strange that he should feel a little bit affected as well?
“You’ve lived here all your life then?” Merlin’s middle finger traced the grooves of a carved flower, one of many details decorating the bookshelves. Arthur tore his eyes away and wet his dry lips.
“Yes. Mostly. I moved back after my studies. It’s tradition for the heirs to live on the land. Not that there’s much land left, safe the house and the grounds here. There was a while I was convinced I didn’t want the responsibility. But when I came back… I am not sure what changed, but now I can’t see myself doing anything else.”
He frowned, self-depreciating. Telling a doctor - a hot, funny and smart doctor - that he had moved back home and liked to talk about his house... That didn't exactly promise long hours of meaningful conversation. There was more to it than that, but this was when people's eyes started to glaze over and anything Arthur added would sound like backpedaling.
“I can see why. This is a wonderful place to call home.”
“Some say I lack ambition.” He didn’t elaborate any further.
“Managing this house isn’t ambitious enough?”
“I own a third of a house. While you are a doctor.”
“To some I am 'just' a pediatrician.” He tried to make quotation marks in the air with his fingers and ended up with a quotation mark in one end and the soles of his shoes at the other.
“Clearly I lack ambition or skill since I’m not where the big money’s at. Just imagine what I could have earned!”
Arthur scoffed. The last part was clearly a quote; one Arthur had heard himself many times. He felt angry for Merlin’s sake. Merlin seemed to genuinely care for his young patients, even a certain pushy Halloween vampire with head trauma received kind smiles and good care. Even if Arthur’s memory was a little unclear about that night, Merlin’s smile had cut through the haze.
“Apparently restoring and maintaining this place isn’t enough. I should create a theme park, or make this into a hotel of sorts.”
Merlin’s eyebrows rose.
“What, rollercoasters and waterslides?”
“Yeah!” Arthur laughed incredulously. “Can you believe it? We’re trying to preserve this… this historic place and get told to add dragons and jesters and novelty swords and…”
“Knight plushies and t-shirts with pictures of the park.” Merlin added helpfully.
“Collectable slushie cups and keyrings.”
“Lollipops and popcorn.”
“Rails and wagons going through the house for a ‘historical’ tour.”
“With bad acting and inaccurate costumes.”
Arthur snorted a laugh. “With animatronics and inaccurate costumes.” He corrected.
“Cheap replicas of Leopold’s feathery hat sold at the entrance.”
Arthur laughed. “I have one of those.” Shit. Arthur hadn’t meant to say that.
Merlin stopped. “You do?”
His voice had a new tone, darker, and as the moment stretched between them Arthur suddenly felt a deep and profound love for feathered hats.
“Yes.” Arthur whispered. Yes to this change of pace, yes to those delicious fingers folding with Arthurs, yes to those damned shoes being thrown carelessly aside because Merlin wasn’t going anywhere, yes to the darkening blue eyes and plump, kissable lips which whispered;
“Wear it for me?”
Down in the ballroom, Uther Pendragon gave his watch a discrete look. He caught his daughter’s eye from across the room. His eyebrow rose up a fraction, barely visible. She smiled in reply to the unspoken question. A pleased, smug smile. Very well then. He made a mental note to ask George to set an extra plate for breakfast.
Prompt:#238 Unexpected
Arthur had never been angry at fireworks before, except maybe for the ones that didn't go off or those that tipped over and went where they shouldn't. There is a first time for everything.
They lay together, blissed out and partly dazed, partly shy after having made a wonderful mess of Arthur's bed. Their feet tangled together. Their clothes where scattered. The feathered hat lies on the floor, marveling at what it had just been a part of. Arthur's heart threatened to burst with fondness, watching Merlin's eyes close and give in to the tiredness he had been fighting all evening. Seconds later Merlin woke up with a jolt as the first firework of the night cracked and sent sparks of colour across the sky. Arthur's first instinct was to snuff them all out and put an end to his father's carefully planned show. Perhaps this was when his shoe-less enchanter would grab his things and run, pleased with his catch of the day. Maybe this was all the time they would share.
Merlin smiled softly, a bit self-conscious maybe for dozing off like that. He gave Arthur's arm a quick squeeze before he slid out of bed and padded over to the window. Bare feet and bare bummed, he smiled towards the lights with almost childlike glee. But Arthur didn't miss the brief glances thrown his way. Merlin was worried too. Guess he didn't know, Arthur reasoned, how much power he held over Arthur now.
Arthur was grateful for the high windowsills in the room. Not that anyone would know to look up here, but they wouldn't be able to see much if they did. He was grateful for the privacy as he went over to join Merlin, taking the duvet with him and wrapping himself and it around Merlin. He had wanted to show Merlin the fireworks, but for them to stand here now, watching from Arthur's bedroom window, was one option he hadn't dared to hope for. Unexpected, but welcomed. Merlin leaned back into the embrace, tiled his head towards Arthur and they shared a warm and gentle kiss. And so Arthur's heart settled as they watched the fireworks build their crescendo towards to grand finale.
“Magenta”, Merlin said suddenly.
Arthur blinked at the cascade of gold and white in the sky.
“Hm?”
“I want in on the poll. Mrs Lövengreen-Smith's hat and feathers*. Magenta.”
Arthur huffed out a fond laugh. Sounded fair. One year from now. One year to get their bearings.
“Magenta. Duly noted. Bold choice.”
“We'll see.”
“Yeah, we'll see.”
-End-