totally did it in time
Day Twenty-One
Merlin had expected to find the flat dark and Arthur asleep when he came home. It was something of a surprise to find the blonde wide awake, sitting in the expectedly dark living room of the flat with an accusing expression, marred only by the squinting he was doing in the sudden light that usually followed the flicking of a light switch. Merlin blinked at him stupidly.
“Why were you sitting in the dark?” He asked dumbly. Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“Why were you skulking around in the dark?” He asked. Merlin glanced away.
“There are some traditions my family have.” He said softly. Arthur’s voice remained chilly as he went on.
“Your dead family?” He asked. Merlin’s lips tightened.
“Yeah.” He replied, not looking up. There was a creaking sound as Arthur left his chair and quite suddenly he was in front of Merlin, blocking out most of the light.
“Do the traditions have to do with the fact that you’re a druid and it’s Yuletide?” He asked softly. Merlin looked up, surprised.
“How did you?” Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“You left the email open on your computer idiot.”
Day Twenty-Two
Merlin mercilessly threw the curtains open, grinning as Arthur pulled the sheets up over his head.
“You’re evil.” He groaned. Merlin dropped onto the bed with more bounce than he usually did.
“No.” He told Arthur cheerfully. “Moragana’s evil.” Arthur rolled over, muffling his voice and the light with a pillow.
“Morgana didn’t wake me up.” He mumbled. Merlin grinned, getting off the bed in a way that somehow made it shake more than it had when he had sat down.
“I didn’t make you drink so much as a thimble at the office Christmas party.” He pointed out. Arthur only replied with another groan as Merlin headed towards the kitchen. Very noisily.
Day Twenty-Three
Merlin glanced at the clock again then took another sip from of his wine. Arthur would be on the train by now. He sighed, leaning down to rest his head on his arms. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed like that until a knock interrupted his rapidly spiralling thoughts. He glanced at the clock again. Not that long then.
He got to his feet a trifle unsteadily then hesitated in the hallway. It might be Gwen, come to make good on her threat about sappy movies. He paused a moment longer until a fierce banging took up on his door. He started forward, galvanised into action by the furious noise.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” He yelled over the sound, yanking the door open. Arthur’s knuckles hit his forehead. Really quite hard. Then they stared at each other for a moment.
“You’re not supposed to be here!” Merlin blurted out. “You’re supposed to be going home with Morgana.” Arthur shrugged, pushing past him and into the tiny hallway of the flat.
“Yes well.” He looked at Merlin then immediately back at anything else as he blustered. “Perhaps there are people I’d rather spend the holiday with than my father.” Merlin smiled at him until Arthur calmed down enough to return the look.
“Everyone deserves a night off.” He finally said. “And it is Christmas.”
Day Twenty-Four
Arthur stepped on Merlin in the middle of the night. This resulted in a lot of yelling, some hurt feelings as well as a few hurt fingers and toes. When they were sitting up afterwards with cups of hot chocolate Arthur asked his question.
“What were you doing?” Merlin shrugged, mumbled and Arthur finally made out.
“Waiting for it to be Christmas.” Arthur looked at the clock. Looked at Merlin. Looked back at the clock again.
“Well technically…” He said very slowly. “It’s already Christmas.” Merlin looked at the clock. Looked at Arthur. Looked back at the clock again. Then he grinned.
“Can we open our presents?” He asked excitedly. Arthur considered it then nodded.
“Sure.” He said. “If you want to.”