Merlinfic: The Bus Stop 19/??
Author: destiny_chicken
Title At Odds
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Gwen
Summary: Arthur continues to refuse to hear Merlin's explanations, so Merlin comes up with a plan.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1469 this chapter
Author's Notes Thank you to inspired_being for beta'ing my story.
Merlin was frustrated. It was a relief when he was able to take his afternoon break with Gwen. They went down to the lobby cafe to have lattes in a more private setting than the break room.
"Oh Gwen, it's been horrible today. Everything with Arthur has fallen apart." Merlin closed his eyes to hold back the tears.
"What's happened, Merlin?" Gwen urged. "Was it the date Friday night?"
"Dinner went great and afterwards we began to watch The Fellowship of the Ring. While it was playing, Arthur initiated some serious kissing. Then Will, my flatmate, came home and everything went to hell."
"Wait, you have a flatmate? You’ve ever mentioned that."
"Why does everyone say that? It's not a big deal," Merlin huffed. "Not unless your demented flatmate lies and says he's your boyfriend, accuses the man you're dating of harassment and punches him in the nose," Merlin finished in a sarcastic tone.
"What? Your flatmate punched Arthur?" Gwen asked incredulously.
"Yes, he gave Arthur a bloody nose and that shiner he's sporting today. But the worst thing was when I said Will wasn't my boyfriend, that he was just my flatmate, and Arthur didn't believe me." Merlin stifled a sob.
“What do you mean, he didn’t believe you?”
“I don’t know why, but Arthur believed Will was and still is my boyfriend. Before we could talk any more, he ran out the door.”
“You didn’t go after him?” Gwen asked.
“I should have, but I was mad Arthur didn’t believe me over Will, so I didn’t. I thought we could talk about it today,” Merlin admitted.
"Oh, you poor thing.” Gwen enveloped Merlin in a hug. “What's happened today?"
"When Arthur arrived, he declared he didn't want to discuss what happened. He said whatever I did on my own time was my business and that our relationship would be strictly professional. Since then, he's been running me ragged with all sorts of demands: fetch more ice, pull another report, run down to Legal."
"Merlin, you've got to talk to him about this. You guys had something good going. You can't give that up without a fight," Gwen stated.
"Maybe I was just deluding myself with how good it was. Arthur certainly doesn't seem too heart-broken," Merlin sighed.
Gwen shook her head. "I don't believe that. Each person has their own way of dealing with heartbreak. You just may not recognize how Arthur's handling it."
"But he said he didn't want to discuss it--how am I supposed to approach him to talk about it?"
"Maybe get him out of the office environment--invite him to lunch?" Gwen suggested.
"I don't think he'd accept my invitation at this point."
"No matter what you do, you'll have to decide if a relationship with Arthur is worth the extra effort in order to get him to see your point of view," Gwen admonished.
"I'll think about it," Merlin said cautiously.
~~~
Wednesday was more of the same between Merlin and Arthur. Arthur was cold and demanding. His acerbic tongue was back, cautioning Merlin not to be clumsy or overlook the obvious. Leon had just left Arthur’s office after a meeting on the Cranfield account, when Arthur shouted, "Merlin, get in here!"
"You could use the intercom to call me, you know. Rather than bellowing like an ox," Merlin retorted as he entered Arthur's office.
"I find it easier to yell," Arthur smirked.
Merlin shook his head. Arthur didn't get it. "Prat,” Merlin said under his breath, but Arthur heard it anyway. “It would be a sign of respect to me and nicer for everyone else in the office that has to hear you scream. So what do you need now?"
"Cranfield called and he wants us in Manchester next Monday. You need to make the reservations," Arthur ordered.
"When you say 'us', do you mean you and Leon?" Merlin asked, with a look of puzzlement on his face.
Arthur took on a mulish look. "Leon can't go due to prior commitments. The 'us' is you and I."
"Me? Why am I going? Are you sure you don't just want me along to carry your bags because your knee is still hurting?"
"No, but you can help out there too. I want you along because you can fill in for Leon. You're smart--you can study up on the figures for the business case before Monday."
Merlin was surprised by the unexpected compliment from Arthur. "I guess I could," Merlin admitted. "How long would we be gone?"
"Leaving Monday morning on an early train and returning Wednesday afternoon."
"Alright, I'll go." It had occurred to Merlin they would certainly be spending a lot of time together on this trip. Maybe their traveling together would offer an opening to talk to Arthur about their relationship.
"You'll need to get the Cranfield financial spreadsheets from Leon before he leaves today as he won't be in the office the rest of the week."
"Will do," Merlin responded with a smile, happy Arthur believed he could be of real help on this trip and was willing to spend time close to him, even if it was just for work.
"Oh, Merlin, before you go see Leon, could you fetch me a glass of water for these?" Arthur asked as he gestured at the paracetamol on his desk.
"Is your knee still bothering you? I see you switched back to the cane again," Merlin gestured toward the cane propped against the credenza behind Arthur's desk.
"It's better but it still hurts," Arthur admitted. Merlin considered this brief interpersonal exchange, instead of the business-only talk upon which Arthur had insisted, a minor victory.
~~~
Thursday, Merlin had an idea for how to approach Arthur about the incident with Will. He knew Arthur would refuse a lunch invitation from him, but that didn't mean Merlin couldn't happen to show up wherever Arthur was having lunch. It would require some sneaking about, but Merlin wasn't above stalking Arthur if it would mean their relationship could be restored.
So when Arthur left the office after 1 p.m. and took the elevator down to the first floor, Merlin raced to the stairs and ran down the six flights to the lobby. As he opened the stairwell door, he saw Arthur heading out the lobby doors and turning right. He quickly followed.
Arthur crossed the street at the corner and it looked like he was headed for the fish 'n' chip shop in the next block. Merlin stayed on the opposite side of the street from Arthur, dodging amongst passing strangers in case Arthur looked across the road. As he pulled even with the shop, Merlin saw Arthur enter. He waited for a gap in the traffic before he darted across the street, but misjudged how fast a sleek black sports car was going and barely made it safely to the sidewalk. He could see Arthur in the queue inside the shop, so he waited outside, lurking behind the nearest telephone box.
Only once Arthur received his order and took a seat in one of the booths did Merlin enter the shop and place his own order for chips. Fortunately, Arthur had chosen to sit with his back to the counter, so he was totally surprised when Merlin sat down opposite him in the booth with chips.
Merlin opened with, "Hullo, fancy meeting you here."
"You? Wh-what are you doing here?" Arthur sputtered.
"Eating chips. Pass the malt vinegar, would you?" Merlin calmly requested.
Arthur complied and then narrowed his eyes at Merlin. "Did you follow me here?"
Merlin put on his most innocent face. "What? Can't a bloke have a hankering for good chips every now and again? These are good," he commented as he munched.
Arthur took a few bites of his fish, but still regarded Merlin with suspicion. "And you had to sit in my booth?"
Merlin looked around. "This place is crowded at lunch. Better to sit with you than a stranger."
Arthur laughed out loud. "Caught you. The lunchtime rush is over now. There are plenty of empty seats."
Merlin smiled. "It's good to hear you laugh again. I've missed that these past few days."
Arthur expression sobered immediately. "Not much to laugh about recently."
Merlin touched Arthur's arm. "Can we talk about it?"
Arthur shook Merlin's hand off his arm. "I told you before, there is nothing to discuss." He shoved his lunch to the side and slid out of the booth.
"Arthur, I'm telling you this is all a big misunderstanding, we need to talk," Merlin pleaded.
"Yes, a misunderstanding because I trusted you and you lied to me." Arthur grabbed his cane and limped toward the door.
Arthur was well out of earshot when Merlin whispered "I didn't lie. Why don't you believe me?"
~~~