Chapter One: When the world comes crumbling down (I've got you to piece it back together again)
The bar was busy, as it always was on a Saturday night, packed with the usual mixed crowd of dressed-up locals, drinking and chatting amongst themselves. Merlin couldn’t help but wish he was anywhere else. He loved his cousin - loved the pub - but with an impending exam on Monday morning, he wanted nothing more than to be curled up in his bed, going over his notes on National Jurisdiction in preparation. He knew he was taking a huge risk and picking a controversial topic by incorporating magic law and its ostracising nature, but it was so important to him. He flexed his fingers slightly around his pen and felt it heat up as he expended a little of his magical energy. He’d been born with it, magic, but it wasn’t something he made a big deal out of.
While the laws now accommodated magic users for the most part, there were still people out there who felt threatened or not ready or willing to accept those differently-abled people who lived alongside them. He glanced around himself at the patrons milling around the bar, noting that everyone seemed happy with their drinks, so he reached under the counter and pulled out the textbook he’d hidden there as he’d started his shift earlier in the evening.
The text of the heavy book was smudged from studying the same chapter over and over-- Merlin was somewhat of a perfectionist when it came to that-- so he was forced to relocate himself to the back corner of the bar where the light didn’t blink as brightly to the low bass of the band about to go on stage. Avalon were regular performers at The King‘s Head, and even though he was loathe to admit it, Merlin liked their music; found himself singing along under his breath more often than not. Tonight though, he was focusing intently on his study. He wasn’t going to get distracted.
As the band kicked off and the crowd started to congregate around the tiny stage at the other end of the bar, Merlin picked up his pen to mark his book - a necessary and terrible habit he had despite the fact that he internally cringed every time he defiled the pages.
“Merlin!” Merlin pulled his eyes from the page.
“I don’t pay you to let you live upstairs or sit and study in a corner on the busiest night of the week!” Gawain said with a laugh, giving him a light shove on the shoulder. Merlin glared.
“No one’s at the bar, Gawain. They won’t be until Avalon finishes the first half of their set. You know what these lot are like with them: totally mesmerised by the pretty. None of them would even consider stopping their gawking for the two minutes it takes to get another drink.” Merlin readjusted himself further into the booth. “I’ll go back in a few, yeah? Do you want me to fail my exam and be stuck with me forever?”
“Nah, you’re probably right, but I need the glasses cleaned and I don’t wanna prune up my finger tips. Hot date later tonight that I’ll be needing them for.” Gawain slid into the booth and gave Merlin an eyebrow wiggle. Merlin slammed his book shut and rolled his eyes.
“Ugh, too much information,” he said. “Girl or guy this time?”
“Both.”
“How... oh... waaay too much information.”
“Come on big M it’s the best of both worlds, can’t deny that,” Gawain said.
“It’s a testament to how ambiguous your sexual preferences are that I’m not surprised you would think that.”
“Just because you like to limit yourself to the world of cock doesn’t mean you have the right to rain on my parade, you shit,” Gawain replied with a hint of a laugh.
“You taking the dusty motorcycle for a spin then?” Merlin asked.
Gawain winked. “Easiest way to impress someone you want to have sex with. I’d offer to let you borrow it if I didn’t already know you’ve made a vow of abstinence. It’s currently minus a tyre, however, so I’ll be taking the beast if that’s okay with you.”
“I wouldn’t need you to help me get laid. I have natural charms. I‘ll have you know that I‘ve been told I‘m great in bed, thank you very much. And anyway, you should be nicer to me if you want to borrow my car.”
Gawain guffawed loud enough that the girls in the table next to them jumped and looked over. “Mhmm, and when’s the last time you had any action big--”
“Oi,” came a familiar deep voice. “Watch your damn mouths. There’s a lady present!”
“Hi Gwance,” Merlin and Gawain replied at the same time, turning to face their newly arrived friends.
“I still can’t get over the fucking awesomeness of the name squish,” Lance laughed. Gwen was already slightly flushed, her cheeks pink, clearly having had a few drinks before showing up to watch Avalon’s performance.
“Should we dance?” Gwen asked Merlin shyly-- Lance and Gawain were terrible dancers so Gwen was limited to always dragging Merlin to the dance floor. This was only acceptable for Lance because Merlin didn’t like women and tended not to grind against her--unless he was drunk, then anything was possible, however Lance usually excused him.
“Actually, genius bookworm here was just about to go do dishes,” Gawain said, giving Merlin a significant look while shoving a towel into his arms.
“He’s an abusive person,” Lance replied. “I’d offer to clean the stuff but I don’t get paid.”
“I can only afford one helper; who isn’t actually being very helpful at the moment,” Gawain interrupted.
“Exam on Monday?” Gwen asked.
“National jurisdiction. It’s worth thirty percent of my final mark, and the lecturer is a total berk when it comes to the magical population,” Merlin said, returning Gawain’s suggestive look with a playful glare.
“You’re such a drama queen, cuz. Go and make yourself useful,” Gawain snapped. “I’m gonna pull drinks, which earns money so that I can pay you to read your textbooks.”
The band mumbled something and the drummer snapped his sticks together four times to catch everyone’s attention. Lance and Gwen turned to face them with sparkling eyes and grins to match.
“You guys should really have a cover fee,” Lance shouted over suddenly loud music. “Avalon is a kick ass band that people would pay to see every week.”
“You know I don’t believe in that,” Gawain answered.
“You’d be filthy rich,” Gwen pointed out observantly.
“And we’d likely lose the pub when we get sued for allowing a band without a proper license,” Merlin said.
“Way to kill the mood,” Lance hissed when the group fell silent and each of them parted to go their separate ways. Gawain into the crowd for some schmoozing, Lance in the direction of an acquaintance who suddenly appeared out of thin air, Gwen blending into a group of girls, and Merlin to the bar with a begrudging grunt of frustration.
***********************
Freya, the other part-time bartender, kept him company by sitting on the counter and chatting to him as he washed up. Freya was a small woman, with doe-like eyes and a calming presence. She’d been at The King’s Head for a year and was studying to be a primary teacher, something Merlin could see her doing well.
“I’m not sure why he feels the need to shout so much in their songs,” Freya said, holding her hand out for another dish to dry. “I’ve heard him actually sing and he’s got a perfectly lovely voice.”
“I think they’re trying to appeal to the younger crowd,” Merlin said.
“There really isn’t all that much of a younger crowd here. Everyone is older than your cousin and that’s saying something,” Freya piped up.
“We’re not older than my cousin,” Merlin replied, flicking water at her. She squealed and whipped him back.
“We don’t count, Merlin. We work here. It’s not like we get to enjoy the surroundings that often,” she said, racing around the other side of the counter and away from him.
“You enjoy looking at Will and he’s here enough that he’s practically part of the furniture,” Merlin replied, attempting to spray her with the drink nozzle and catching one of the regulars in the crossfire.
Their water fight proceeded to distract them until the band called out the next set and the bass guitarist stepped forward for his weekend solo. He was wearing jeans, with a white belt that was clearly only there for show, considering how low the jeans were lying on his hips and a red v-necked t-shirt that hugged him like a second layer of skin. His hair was getting longer each week, and tonight, the dirty blonde strands fell across his eyes and curled at the nape of his neck.
Merlin stopped long enough to hum a few bars and admire the skill.
Freya was next to him swaying gently to the slow beat of the piece. Most people were approaching the bar for another round and the music was quickly forgotten in favor of mixing cocktails and pulling beers.
****************************************
After what seemed like hours, Merlin heard the band finally shouting that the evening was coming to an end. He sighed in relief, blinked away the sweat that rolled into his eyes, and went about polishing the glass wear.
“So, how’d we sound tonight?” Merlin startled from his duty, glaring at the blonde man in front of him, his hair stuck to his forehead with sweat.
“Your lead singer shouts too much,” he said, bored, and went back to polishing the glass cradled in his hand.
“Honestly, that’s a little rude, Merlin,” Arthur replied, placing a hand over his heart in mock- indignation, but he was smiling, crooked teeth pearly white against his stretched-thin, pink lips, “I thought we sounded the best we ever have, but it’s because of my new bass I think.”
“Pompous supercilious arse,” Merlin muttered into the steam coming from the tiny dishwasher.
“What was that?”
Merlin put on a mock smile, “Oh, nothing. What’ll it be tonight?”
“Cosmo, thanks.”
“What’s with the frilly ones mate?” a drunk voice came from down the bar. “You’re always getting them all fruity and shit.”
Merlin rolled his eyes and started combining Arthur’s cocktail. “Will, this doesn’t concern you.”
“You’re my- hic- friend Merlin,” Will said, eyes darting to the blonde, “and he’s bothering you.”
“I’m not bothering him. Right, Merlin?”
Arthur tossed his head, his hair left several spatters of sweat on the counter which Merlin glared at until he was certain Arthur caught his meaning before saying, “actually, you are and Will, I’m not your friend just because I mix your drinks-”
“Only you make them right though. That other twat- hic- sucks, I always gotta order beer with him cause you can’t fuck up a beer,” Will slurred into his glass. A thoughtful look crossed his face as he pondered something and both Merlin and Arthur looked at him, waiting.
“Actually,” Will finally said, jabbing a finger towards Merlin. “You can cock up a beer.”
“I don’t see how,” Arthur scoffed, taking a sip of the drink Merlin had placed in front of him, his gaze locking onto Merlin’s. Merlin rolled his eyes and took the till out of the register to start counting money, ignoring the brewing argument between Arthur and Will.
“You wouldn’t know though would you, you frilly drink ordering girl,” Will slurred.
Merlin took that as his sudden opportunity to save Will from himself. He flipped the bar gate up and slipped through to Will, taking his friend’s arm and putting it around his shoulder before hauling him up and guiding him towards a door at the side of the pub.
“Do you need a hand?” Arthur asked, getting up, but Merlin waved him off.
“I’m fine. I do this at least twice a week,” Merlin replied, wrenched the door open, and not-so-gently tugged Will to the curb, where he promptly collapsed into a heap at Merlin’s feet, mumbled something, and then bent over to throw up in the gutter.
“You sure you don’t need help?” came a voice from the doorway.
“Of course I don’t.” He bent over to readjust Will so he didn’t puke on himself. “Just bugger off yeah?”
“I’ll watch the money you left out on the counter instead,” Arthur said.
“You’re such a girl,” Will managed between heaves.
“Who?” Merlin rubbed his back.
“That fruit drink -hic- man,” Will bit out.
“Honestly Will, you can’t go around calling everyone women.” Merlin sighed. “Alright, come on, get up, we still have a flight of stairs to tackle.”
It was a chore to make it up the stairs with Will half-stumbling, half-falling the entire way. Merlin was just barely able to prevent him from tumbling back down and breaking his neck with the assistance of his magic which had reached out thrice to steady the side Merlin wasn’t assisting.
They made it to the door relatively unscathed - Will had caught his shirt on a protruding nail and ripped a good sized chunk, but other than that, nothing else untoward happened.
“I can make it from here,” Will slurred, head tipping precariously forward. Merlin opened the door and prodded him towards the sofa. In hindsight it probably wasn’t the best idea, but there was no taking it back when Will face-planted into the coffee table.
“Ow, no I’ve got it,” Will waved his arm rapidly and rolled to the floor.
“For goodness sake,” Merlin rolled his eyes. “I’ll get you a cover. Situate yourself.”
Merlin headed off to the closet and snagged a decent size duvet to toss over Will’s likely prone form on the ground - he was not about to lift that man onto the sofa, he deserved to sleep on the floor every once in a while after all. He went around the corner, idly flicking his wrist so that the end of the blanket snapped out mid air to hover flat ahead of him, and perfectly prepared to roll his eyes again at his friends drunken stupidity. Instead, he found Will being adjusted on the sofa by a frowning Arthur.
“Hey,” Arthur’s gaze shot to him, mouth briefly falling open when he caught sight of the floating end of the duvet. “I thought I told you I didn’t need help.”
Arthur straightened and put on a smug grin over his surprised expression. “Sure looked like you needed it though. Your friend here was having a go at your carpet.”
“What?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t a very pretty sight to be honest, creepy actually,” Arthur guided the floating end of the blanket across Will’s chest. Merlin released it from his magic the instant it touched him.
“You know, it’s nice to hear you being sympathetic towards someone. Course you’re nothing but sarcastic and derogatory towards me, but your voice sounds much better when you’re being friendly,” Arthur said.
Merlin gave Arthur his best ‘you’re insane’ look. “I don’t even know you.”
“Oh come on, I’ve been coming here with Avalon for two years now. I sit and have a drink every night.”
“Alright, so I know what you have to drink - all things that take two steps or more to make, might I add - but I don’t actually know you. I don’t want to-”
“Shut up,” Will croaked from the couch.
Merlin stopped mid sentence and met Arthur’s curious gaze. “We have to do what he says,” he whispered, heading for the door.
“What a drunk man says,” Arthur’s voice boomed loudly in the room. He ended it in a hearty laugh.
Merlin looked over in time to see a flying table coaster hit Arthur squarely in the forehead. He was hard pressed not to laugh, but only because he’d been hit with the same one on numerous occasions and knew it hurt like hell.
“What the-” another coaster came flying, Arthur barely managed to duck. He bolted to the door, eyes wild with confusion.
“I did warn you didn’t I?” Merlin asked once they made it safely outside and checked for any further injury.
“I don’t see how a man as wasted as he is has such accurate aim; it defies all logic,” Arthur rubbed at his forehead.
“He took physics three times over in school. I’m pretty sure he’s learned some way to overcome the alcohol and gravity all at once. When he wants to,” Merlin said, recalling the time that Will had slipped and fallen into a river when they were on a rope bridge or the other time when he’d fallen ungracefully from a tree.
“Insanity,” Arthur responded with a coy grin. Merlin rolled his eyes - they were beginning to ache from overuse of that gesture tonight.
He headed down the stairs and back into the pub, all the while irritated that he could hear Arthur shuffling behind him. Silently, he started counting the till again.
“Where’d Gawain go tonight?”
Merlin lost count at seventy three. He put down the cash and glared hard at Arthur, “You’re like an annoying foot fungus.”
Arthur spluttered on his drink, “What?”
“Yeah, you won’t go away and you’re not exactly wanted.” Merlin picked up the money and started over again.
“You can’t talk to me like that-”
“You’re hideous-”
“I’m disarmingly handsome-”
“Insufferable-”
“My bass skills rock your world, don’t deny it-”
“Hang on, I’m on a roll!” Merlin was not enjoying this, not in the slightest. The involuntary smile had nothing to do with how much fun it was to throw insults at the man. It was possible he was enjoying it, just a tad, but his text book was waiting for him to highlight and this prat was deliberately prolonging the night.
“I bring you business with my charm.”
“Wrong, you bring my cousin business. This is his pub. He’s the one who’s clinically insane, not me,” Merlin went to pick up the cash again, tired of the game, and possibly feeling a pinch of anxiety with the change of topic.
“How’d he get it anyway?” Arthur asked.
“I really don’t think that’s any of your business,” Merlin snapped.
“Whoa there,” Arthur waved his hands in mock surrender. “Unarmed man here. Just curious is all.”
“Curiosity killed the cat,” Merlin bit back. If his hair could bristle it would be on end right now from a combination of irritation, frustration, and impatience. He needed this night to be over. Damn Gawain and his sexual needs; his education surpassed those animalistic desires any day. Not that he was jealous or anything, even if it had been years since - he shook his head to stop the thought.
“Could you please finish your drink and go?” Merlin grouched, his insides boiling unnecessarily. Maybe he’d have a beer to loosen up a bit before he hit the books.
“Yeah, alright,” Arthur polished off the Cosmo and left without another word leaving Merlin gazing at the guitar case on his back, his hands shaking slightly.
And if Merlin felt a twang of guilt it was not because of that prat-face.
***********************
Merlin was on his third beer and completely immersed in his text book when Gawain came stumbling into the pub, glancing around him at the brooms and mops moving of their own volition.
“Wotcher Merlin,” Gawain slurred. His hair was sticky with something. Merlin only guessed once before he caught the scent of beer.
“You read way too much Harry Potter, you’re in danger of turning into one of those cosplay nerds. I’m not willing to let you fall into that downward spiral. And who dumped a beer on you this time?” Merlin queried without much interest.
Gawain tripped his way to the booth Merlin was occupying and plopped down with a deep sigh. “I dunno, could’a been the hot waitress, but I have my suspicions that it was my date because of the hot waitress. Know what I mean cuz?” Gawain’s eyebrows went crazy on his forehead-- probably because of the alcohol or maybe he was trying to communicate with them? Merlin always wondered if there was a secret code to a drunk person’s eyebrow wiggles, but since he wasn’t a linguistic expert he would never find out for certain.
“Can’t say that I do,” Merlin said around a mouth full of his pen.
“That’s because you’re sexually oppressed,” Gawain said with an eye blinding white tooth grin.
“Coming from you, that hypothesis doesn’t hold any credence,” Merlin said. He highlighted another line.
“Suppose not,” Gawain mumbled, clearly beginning to sink under the influence of the alcohol.
Merlin stood up and went around to help him to his feet.
“Will ‘ere ‘gain?” Gawain slurred sleepily through a jaw popping yawn.
“Yeah,” Merlin hoisted Gawain’s arm over his shoulder.
“He’s ‘otta go home soon,” Gawain said.
“I know, but... things just aren’t right for him yet. He’s not used to being without his Dad.” Merlin managed to shuffle them to the door without any issues.
“We lost our fathers too, neither of us are cryin’ over it,” Gawain said.
Merlin, having grown used to this argument, only sighed and guided Gawain to the stairs.
“Where’re you gonna sleep,” Gawain asked when they made it to the top without issue.
“I probably won’t tonight,” Merlin opened the door and caught the stale stench of alcohol from Will’s snoring, prone body.
“Cuz,” Gawain said, sounding deceivingly sober. They shuffled to the room before he said which too much enthusiasm, “you’re bloody brill.”
Merlin laughed, “I’m beginning to suspect your date tonight was dressed as one of the characters to turn you on.”
“Nope, you’re just brilliant, thanks Big M,” and then he promptly passed out on the bed.
Merlin took off his shoes and tossed the blankets over him. He smiled when Gawain mumbled a thank you.
When he made it back to his text book he realized with painful clarity that his night was only just beginning.