Dinner at the Lab
Title: Dinner at the Lab
Author: hopenight
Rating: pg-13
Fandoms: Merlin, Bones
Word Count: 767
Pairings: Sweets/Merlin (preslash)
Warnings: none except immortal Merlin
Summary: Sweets has to work late at the Jeffersonian. Merlin comes bearing food. And it is mostly definitely not a first date.
A.N.: Second in the Pretty Damn Close verse. I think if I hit five parts then I'll make a master-list. I hope you all enjoy it!
“This can’t take too long, guys. I’m going to meet a friend for drinks soon,” said Lance Sweets as he made his presence known to the Jeffersonian team. Booth looked up; a wicked smile graced his lips.
“Got a new girlfriend there, Sweets?”
The young psychiatrist smiled a little and chose not to answer the question in favor of the case file. Merlin most definitely was not a girl but he was very…pretty. It wasn’t like he was pretty like a girl but he was very nice looking. That tall, lean body with that messy dark hair whose tips constantly changed colors. Then there were those eyes, bright blue almost the color of a robin’s egg, and they at times they almost seem to swirl gold, which was preposterous of course.
He really shouldn’t be thinking about this. He did not need more grief from Booth and Brennan. Plus these were thoughts that he really shouldn’t have at work less he get a ‘surprise’. Even if he was a little bit in love with his new friend, he needed his focus somewhere other then puzzling out his own feelings. Sweets sighed and ground his teeth. He quickly diverted his attention back to the file. Dead bodies and twisted minds worked much better than a cold shower.
Several hours later and he was still combing through the extensive collection of data. He checked the time and sighed knowing that he was not going out tonight. Sweets rubbed his eyes and quickly sent a text off to Merlin telling him that he was stuck at the Jeffersonian and that he was really sorry but maybe they could go get a drink tomorrow?
Merlin texted him back and told him not to work too hard. That it was fine and they could definitely get together tomorrow. So Sweets turned his attention back to the case and went back into the mindset of the killer. Of course that experience didn’t last too long because a half an hour later. Cam poked her head in.
“Hey.”
“Hi,” he said surprised.
“There’s someone here to see you. Says his name is Merlin?”
That surprised him immensely. He stood up suddenly and poked his head out the door. Sure enough there stood Merlin Emerson in all his emo-ish glory with the tips of his hair dyed white and a basket in his hand. He was staring in awe at the Jeffersonian, which was totally justified. He had a hard time picking up his jaw when he first came here.
He walked over even though he could feel the stares of most people in the lab. Sweets was glad that Booth and Brennan were not here because he knew that if they were he would totally get the third degree.
As if sensing his stare, Merlin snapped his head in his direction and grinned widely. Sweets really liked it when Merlin smiled because it reached his eyes. A lot of people don’t do for reasons one or another and it makes it harder for Sweets to trust them because they are not that genuine.
“What are you doing here?” Damn definitely not the best opening.
Color rose to Merlin’s cheeks, “Well I figure you would be hungry so I made you something to eat.”
Sweets blinked in a mixture of shock and surprise. No one, not even past relationships, did that for him. Merlin gave him a shy smile and looked up from under the fringe of his spiky hair.
“Merlin you didn’t need to do that,” he began but his stomach cut him off.
“Apparently I did,” Merlin grinned widely, “You’re the only mate I got here, Lance. Course I’m gonna take care of you.”
Sweets grinned back at his friend. “So what do you got to eat?”
Merlin tossed his back and laughed, “I think I may have overdone it with the food. Maybe we could eat together?”
Sweets nodded, “You know what I think I would like that. I know where we can eat too. Beware though people will come and try to beg for scraps. Rare that they get home cooked meals.”
“It’s just pasta, Lance,” said Merlin trying to downplay the fact that he cared enough for him to make dinner. Sweets did not mention that it was the first meal in weeks that did not involve a microwave or a phone. Merlin did not mention that the moment he finished texting Sweets he started cooking him dinner.
They did not mention how much both of them really needed this.
And it was definitely not a first date (yes it was).