Feels Like A Cliche (Merlin fanfic) PART 2
The car ride was a long one but it wasn't that bad. They had sat in silence at first before Merlin had seen one of those in car Ipod docks. Immediately he had asked if he could plug his Ipod in and Arthur had agreed. After that the two men had started talking, occasionally actually singing along with the songs. It was almost fun.
The fun soon ended though, because they got there late they didn't have time to book into their hotel and after that it was just a long, boring conference. Arthur had to get up and give a presentation at one point about the company's way of sorting out work to be edited and how the treated their clients and staff. Merlin could have sworn most of the women in the room and some of the men kept shooting Arthur suggestive looks and that he even responded to some of them. What the hell did Arthur usually do at these conferences, sleep his way around clients? Jesus, it was sickening. The thought that all Arthur did at conventions that really could be fascinating in some way he was sure and could help the company was sleep around put Merlin in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Arthur didn't bother asking him about it and Merlin guessed that was a good thing or he'd end up shouting at Arthur.
The day was set to get worse though.
When the sun gave way into the night, Arthur dragged him out for a meal with a pretty young authoress named Sophia. Apparently she was very interested in having her work edited by the Pendragon Editorial Corporation. In fact she was apparently willing to drive into London any time Arthur called her for any reason.
Three guesses what she was hoping Arthur would call her to ask for.
Merlin spent the dinner in silence, slowly eating his food as he drunk his way through a whole bottle of wine. By the end of the meal he was wobbling slightly as he walked and Arthur had to apologise to Sophia for him, promising to drop Merlin off in his room before he joined her in her room for a nightcap and a 'discussion'. He chauffeured Merlin back through the hotel and up to his room rather stoically, shoving Merlin along slightly when he felt the other was going to stop. In fact Arthur didn't break his silence until they were alone in Merlin's room, then he certainly made his feelings clear.
“Merlin are you a complete idiot! You're supposed to be making a good impression. Not getting pissed while ignoring the potential clients. We could be onto a good business deal here,” he said but it was obvious from his tone that he was trying not to shout at Merlin.
In his inebriated state though, Merlin didn't give a fuck about that. In fact it only made him more eager to respond,
“Oh right, a business deal. Right, that's why she kept fluttering her eyes lashes and was running her hand up and down your thigh. Don't think I didn't notice,” he retorted, laughing humourlessly. He and Arthur had been standing just past the door but as a bitter smirk crossed Merlin's lips he stepped back, his movements a lot smoother now his emotions were getting an output. Arthur just followed him though until Merlin felt the back of his legs collide with the bed, the other male simply pushed him lightly so he fell back onto the bed. Merlin quickly pulled himself into a sitting position as he glared up at Arthur,
“You think I'm interested in a little slut like her? You really think I'd sink as low as that? You must have a really low opinion of yourself then because the only one I want around here is you but you're just too bloody blind to see it,” Arthur hissed, he reached out and grabbed Merlin by his shirt, tugging him up again to kiss him.
It was too rough and all they could taste was the wine but at the same time it was perfect. Something between them was sparked and soon Merlin's long fingers were tangled in Arthur's golden locks and Arthur was pushing Merlin down onto the bed, bodies pressed together as tongues teased and taunted each other. Strong hands slipped up Merlin's shirt, hands exploring the planes of his back before dropping lower and lower until they were squeezing his backside gently. He groaned into the kiss, tugging at Arthur's hair before he lowered them so he could slip them up Arthur's shirt. Everything was so heated, Merlin felt like he was on fire and that Arthur's hands were everywhere but weren't touching enough. He pushed his lower body up, grinding his fully clothed erection up against Arthur's.
That was when the blond froze though.
Arthur's eyes opened wide and he tore himself away from Merlin, shocked and unable to say anything. Merlin stared him confused from under half-lidded eyes and then Arthur ran.
____________________
From: Merlin (memrys@pendragoneditorialcorp.co.uk)
To: Gwen (gwenslittledressshop@hotmail.co.uk),
Morgana (mlefay@pendragoneditorialcorp.co.uk),
Lance (lancelotdulac@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent: 21:47 08/03/2010
Subject: For Your Information
ARTHUR PENDRAGON IS THE BIGGEST MOST STUPID COWARD I HAVE EVER MET!
HE THINKS HE'S SO HOT AND CAN HAVE ANYONE HE WANTS BUT HE JUST LIES AND LETS PEOPLE THINK HE MIGHT ACTUALLY WANT THEM BUT HE DOESNT.
I HATE THE STUPID BASTARD.
_____________________
From: Gwen (gwenslittledressshop@hotmail.co.uk)
To: Merlin (memrys@pendragoneditorialcorp.co.uk)
Sent: 22:00 08/03/2010
Subject: RE: For Your Information
Merlin, honey, what happened?
What's Arthur done now?
Do you need me and Lance to drive up there and get you? Because we'll leave right now if you want us too. Lance can beat him up for you if it makes you feel better.
____________________
From: Morgana (mlefay@pendragoneditorialcorp.co.uk)
To: Merlin (memrys@pendragoneditorialcorp.co.uk)
Sent: 22:30 08/03/2010
Subject: RE: For Your Information
What the fuck has my stupid brother done now?! If he's hurt you in anyway Merlin I swear I'll kill him for you. No even better, I'll castrate him then make him eat his own balls.
Gwen and Lance called and said they'll come get you if you want them too.
I'm so sorry hon, I'll make sure whatever Arthur's done to you we'll make him regret it.
Stay strong and think about the mess he'll look when I'm done with him.
_____________________
When Merlin woke up the next morning, he noticed that his laptop had been left on and he'd been sent a string of worried emails from Morgana, Gwen and Lance all through the night. He sent them all an email back thanking them but saying he'd been drunk and that it really didn't bother him that much. That he really shouldn't have expected any different. He would be fine to drive back with Arthur that night.
Walking down to the room where the fair was being held to see Arthur slipping out of that Sophia's girl's room still hurt though.
He went and took his seat at the small booth he and Arthur would be manning, he politely answered the questions of anyone who came to him before Arthur got there as well as he could but apologised to them all and informed them that Arthur would be down soon. That he just slept in late. When Arthur finally joined him the pair ignored each other as much as possible and the atmosphere was tense. Understandably not many people visited the stall after that other then Sophia who just came to flirt with Arthur. Merlin just excused himself, saying he needed some fresh air.
Merlin couldn't deny that he was hurt and jealous, he'd always denied that he'd fallen for his blond boss but that didn't mean that he believed it was true. He'd always known how he felt but he'd denied himself the fact so he wouldn't get hurt. Amazing how well that worked out, Arthur ended up leaving him broken hearted and aroused after all. He had been a fool to believe that his Prat of a boss might actually feel something for him or at least actually wanted him but he hadn't even been able to fuck him. Not after he'd had proof that Merlin was in fact male.
No, he couldn't think about that. He had to stay strong, fuck Arthur. If he didn't care then Merlin wouldn't care. He'd soldier through his heart break and then he'd try and work himself into a stupor. Maybe he'd finally be promoted to editor. He and Arthur would certainly see each other a little less then.
Taking a deep breath Merlin returned to the stall to see Sophia had gone. He sat back down and waited for the last few hours to pass.
*****
“Are you going to stop giving me the silent treatment any time soon? It pains me to admit it but I do enjoy your surly retorts. In fact it's probably your only redeemable feature,” Arthur asked as they drove alone the silent country roads, a few cars driving in the opposite direction. Merlin just continued to stare out of the window. He didn't want to talk to Arthur, if he hadn't been his ride back Merlin would have just told him where to shove it. He felt Arthur elbow him in the side lightly but he still didn't respond.
He heard Arthur heave a sigh before he felt the other male speed up the car slightly, speeding down the country roads.
That turned out to be a mistake though as up ahead the head lights shined on a large muddy patch but they were going too fast to stop and the skid off the road. Spinning, spinning, spinning, Arthur tried to get control of the car but he could see Merlin's eyes widen out of the corner of his eye. With one hand he grasped Merlin's hand, squeezing gently as he shut his eyes but the car didn't crash into the tree they could see was up ahead. They had stopped just in front of it, the adrenaline was still pumping through their system as they stared wide eyed at the tree and finally Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand back.
They'd made it.
Merlin dropped Arthur's hand before he leaned close to the window and looked out,
“wait a second,” he mumbled as he blinked. There was a few more trees and a bush outside that he could have sworn he'd seen before. He unbuckled himself and opened the car door, taking in the sight of the small village up ahead. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things but nope, the village was still there when he opened his eyes again. Arthur had shut his door and was trying to start the car again but was failing. Only a few minutes later Arthur had joined Merlin,
“Unless you can see a bed and breakfast we can stay out I suggest you get back in the car. We're probably going to have to spend the night in it,” the blond grumbled. The brunet however turned to Arthur with the first grin he'd shot at him since the car ride the day before,
“I don't think somewhere to spend the day is a problem. Welcome to Ealdor, Arthur,” he commented.
*****
The Emrys household was a small house on the edge of the village, next to the garage at which Merlin's father Balinor owned and worked as a mechanic at. Merlin's mother, Hunith was a friendly woman who greeted her son and his boss happily. She listened to their story of how they'd crashed the car and she had listened carefully and had told them that Balinor would sort it out in the morning. She had cooked dinner for them and had said that they should stay there. Her words caused Merlin to frown slightly though,
“But Mum, the only bedrooms our yours and mine. We can't let Arthur sleep on the sofa and I don't want to be on the sofa in my own house,” he complained. Hunith had bit her lip and had frowned herself then,
“You could always share your bed Merlin. It is a double after all,” she suggested.
Share a bed with Arthur after what had happened the night before? Yeah, that wasn't going to happen.
“That should be fine. Thank you Mrs Emrys,” Arthur told her before Merlin could even open his mouth. His jaw dropped at that statement though, the blond may not feel anything for him but that didn't mean that Merlin was comfortable sharing with him. The pleased look his mother shot him though meant that Merlin couldn't argue. She didn't have to let them stay the night and she especially didn't have to cook for them so he thanked his Mother and told her that they would turn in for the night.
Once back in his old room Merlin simply slipped his shoes and coat off, he placed them on the computer chair before he climbed into the bed, planning on going straight to sleep. He shut his eyes and tried to pay no attention as he heard Arthur do the same but it seemed to take Arthur a little longer. Opening one eye, he flushed when he saw Arthur was stripping down to his boxers. He sat up immediately,
“Wh...what are you doing!” he exclaimed, blushing at the sight of a shirtless Arthur tugging off his trousers. The blond simply raised an eyebrow at him,
“What does it look like? Getting ready for bed, I'm not going to sleep in my clothes on just so you're comfortable,” he replied as he finally climbed in the bed next to Merlin. They both slid to the edges of the bed and lay facing the walls rather then each other.
As Merlin lay there memories of the night before swirled around his head, he couldn't help but think of how they could be now and what they could be doing if Arthur hadn't just left him. He wanted to know what had been wrong, had it been because Merlin was male like he assumed it was? Had Arthur just been playing him or had there been some other reason? He just had to know.
“Arthur?” he quietly called. He received a grunt in response,
“Arthur...why did you just run off yesterday? I won't hold why against you, I just have to know,” he asked. His voice was soft, unsure and he felt Arthur turn around and felt Arthur's gaze on his back. A hand reached out and brushed the hair at the nape of his neck and Merlin slowly turned over. Two sets of blue eyes met each other and with a gulp Arthur began to speak.
“It's honestly nothing you did Merlin. You wonderful if I'm honest and I wanted more, I wanted to keep going but...my father. He would be so angry if he ever found out, if he ever even got a whiff of what I feel for you. I want to make my father proud so I've been trying to convince myself that I felt nothing like that for you, not the lust and especially not the love. I just got...freaked out and yes I went to Sophia. I thought sleeping with her would help but...I only thought of you. After talking to Sophia again this afternoon, I realised...fuck what my father wants. If he won't accept me then that's his loss but I hurt you and I'm sorry,” he explained. Arthur's words were just as soft and as he spoke he had reach out to cup Merlin's face and had drawn him closer. Merlin could feel his heart beating faster and faster in his chest and within seconds he found himself kissing Arthur. The blond seemed surprised at first but he soon settled into the kiss.
That night they explored each other for the first time as they proved how much they truly loved each other.
*****
As Merlin slowly awoke, warmth flooded his senses. He could feel the press of another man up against his back, strong arms holding him softly to a firm chest. As his eyes slowly fluttered open he took in the soft, musky scent of his bed mate and the sound of their combined breathing mingling with the chirping of the birds outside. A small smile graced his lips as he rolled over, azure eyes studying a relaxed face as the sunlight shone down on the golden hair of the man. Merlin's slender fingers travelled the bare expanse of the tan shoulder; smile growing as the other man's eyes slowly began to open.
“Morning Arthur,” he greeted softly, Arthur smiling back as he tightened his grip around Merlin,
“Morning love. Sleep well?” he asked. The brunet nodded in response and sighed as he relaxed back in Arthur's arms.
“Love you,” he mumbled sleepily as he shut his eyes ready to go back to sleep. He felt Arthur chuckle more then he heard,
“Love you too now wake up and let me prove it to you,” the other male growled softly into his ear. That made Merlin wake up and move as he rolled out out of Arthur's arms and within seconds the blond male was above him, kissing him.
Somewhere on the floor Merlin's phone went off, Morgana's ringtone alerting him of the fact she was probably worried but he just ignored it. Arthur's alarmingly talent lips probably wouldn't have let him anyway, the way they were travelling down his body. And Merlin found he didn't care that he and Arthur had been fighting only the day before, that his friends were worried and were probably planning on killing Arthur or the fact his parents were downstairs. All he cared about was the fact that Arthur was making love to him and that he felt happier then he had in a long time.
Merlin couldn't help but feel that he could certainly get used to this.