Merlinfic: The Bus Stop 9/??
Author: destiny_chicken
Title: Good News
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin
Summary: Arthur receives some excellent news, but Uther manages to put a damper on his celebration.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1064 this chapter
Author's Notes Thank you to inspired_being for the beta.
The budget meeting proved to be nearly unbearable. His father pulled him aside as the meeting was starting to chastise Arthur's appearance. "Arthur, your shirt is a mess. What were you thinking coming to a meeting with the executive board looking like that?" Uther ranted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I thought it was more important that I be here for the meeting than miss it by driving home to change my clothes. I worked late last night and slept in the office," Arthur shot back.
Uther took a closer look at Arthur and found his quiet, deferential son was starting to show some grit and determination; becoming(?) his own man. About time!
The rest of the meeting was heavy on financials, which really wasn't Arthur's strength, but Leon was in his element. While Leon's eyes glinted as he discussed the appropriate line item and account code, Arthur's were heavy lidded as he struggled to stay awake. His father glared at him when he caught him nearly dozing off. At least Arthur's budget request was approved for the next fiscal year.
~~~
As Arthur returned to his office, he found it was too quiet with no Merlin to ask him how the meeting went. He realized that in just a few days, he had come to depend on Merlin's efficiency and organizational skills. He felt he was developing a close friendship with the honest and sensitive man. Not to mention the physical attraction was as strong as ever. Damn, Arthur realized, he couldn't go through with his idea of firing Merlin to date him--he couldn't lose him as a P.A. He'd just have to rely on Merlin to change his mind about his rule or make an exception for Arthur. Hopefully, the talk with Mithian would reassure him enough.
There was still an hour before Mordred was due to show up, so Arthur checked his voicemail. Cranfield had called, but hadn't left a message beyond 'return my call please.' Arthur dialed the number with a mixture of hope and trepidation. Cranfield himself picked up after the third ring. "Cranfield here."
"Hello Mr. Cranfield. It's Arthur Pendragon, returning your call."
"Yes, good to speak with you again. I wanted to get back to you about your consulting proposal. I've thought it over and spoken with some key people here and have decided to accept it."
Arthur was ecstatic, but kept his voice calm and professional. "That's excellent news, sir. I'm glad to hear we'll be working together."
"Mail the contract over and I'll sign it. Would you be able to come to the main plant in Manchester before the end of the month? I'd like you to personally brief the plant executives on your ideas."
"I'd be happy to. I think I have the time available in my schedule." After some more pleasantries, Arthur hung up and pumped his fist in celebration. Too bad Merlin wasn't here to share in the good news. Arthur surprised himself with the intensity of the loss he felt without Merlin there. He shook his head. He had it bad.
He made his way upstairs to his father's office and was ushered in without much of a wait. Uther was frowning at some paperwork as Arthur stood in front of his desk and cleared his throat. "Father, I have some good news."
Uther sighed and took off his reading glasses. "I could use some good news. What is it?"
"Cranfield called and has accepted our proposal. He told me to send the contract over and he'd sign it."
"Good. Just make sure it gets signed by the end of the month so the signing makes this quarter's revenue numbers." Uther was a man who didn't believe in celebrating when you did the job you were expected to do.
Arthur felt deflated. Why did he always think he could win his father's approval by working harder or longer or more efficiently? Nothing he did ever seemed to strike a positive emotion from that man.
"Cranfield wants me to meet with his Manchester plant executives before the end of the month to brief them."
"Very well.” Uther put his reading glasses on again and picked up his paperwork to resume reading. When Arthur didn't move, Uther looked over the top of his glasses. "Was there something else, Arthur?" he asked pointedly.
"No, sir." No point waiting for recognition of what he'd accomplished. After a lifetime of disappointment, he should know better than to expect it. Yet for some reason, he got his hopes up every time thinking this time it would be different. But it never was.
~~~
After skipping lunch, it was time to meet with Mordred to turn over the requested audit documentation. Mordred explained that he would review the paperwork and come back to Arthur with any specific questions before he wrote up his findings. At that point, Arthur would have 24 hours to explain extenuating circumstances or what corrective actions were to be taken, before Mordred's report and recommendations would be presented to Uther.
Arthur presented the two sets of requested information to Mordred and then, thankfully he was gone. He was still setting off alarm bells in Arthur's mind that he wasn't trustworthy.
Arthur's head had begun thumping with another headache. He laid down on the couch, just until he could gather enough energy to go home and get some sleep. His mind turned to Merlin again. Was he sleeping or awake by now? Was he thinking of Arthur? Arthur could visualize a sleepy, hair-mussed Merlin stretching his lean, long frame as he awoke. His rosy lips, just slightly parted, begging to be kissed. With a turn of his head, the tendons in his neck tightened, forming a line from the shoulder to the jaw that Arthur wanted to trace with his mouth.
Arthur shook himself out of his reverie and dragged himself to his feet. He felt more alert after another round of splashing cold water on his face in the washroom, so he decided to head home. His flat was quiet in its emptiness, almost sterile with its stark modern furnishings. Arthur went straight to his bedroom and was asleep within minutes.