Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

IDI4U chapter 3: Tuesday

A.N.://

Hello and welcome to another chapter.
I hope this one will share a little more background knowledge about ARthur's feelings and...
well...
Brian.
Personally I really like his character. Some have been asking if he's closeted or not. I'll tell you in the notes at the end. So, skip that, if you don't wanna know.

(Don't worry, there will be a spoiler warning at the end, too.)

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Tuesday came with little changes. Arthur waited at the entrance of the school for Merlin, just to see the man running late once more.
He wore the same Jurassic Park shirt as he had yesterday and was clearly out of breath. His brown jacket hung half off his shoulders and the neckerchief too. It had long loosened from the run of the parking spaces for bikes to where Arthur was now impatiently tapping the ground with his foot.
Not that anybody ever did that in real life.
He did it on purpose. So Merlin got that he was incredibly late.
"Merlin, halt.", Arthur said and Merlin did as he was told. He was a little out of breath, pointing in the direction from where he came and stuttered out: "Sorry, I overslept and mom didn-t -"

"You have an alarm in your phone, Merls. Just use it.", Arthur rolled his eyes, before immediately beginning to straighten Merlin's attire. An act that had long become second nature to the both of them. Merlin did it for him. Arthur did it for Merlin. SOMEONE had to correct that loose neckerchief and the stray hair standing up like they were electrified.
"Arthur, we're late."
"Yes, and we will also be late five minutes from now. At least then you look like a decent person.", Arthur rolled his eyes.

Merlin pouted but caught his breath to even it out slowly.
"So, now look at me.", Arthur said and grabbed Merlin softly by the chin. THIS, he did not do all the time. Arthur was checking, if Merlin had food or other dirt on his face. Or rather, he pretended to, because he just had to mess with Merlin a little.
Merlin was clearly expecting him to do something else, the way his eyes darted down to Arthur's lips.
Arthur tried not to think about it. Or rather, not to let the thought consume his mind to the point where he got no choice but to comply.
"Nah, you're clean.", he said and tapped Merlin on the nose.
Merlin blinked away, strangely dazed.
"Huh?", he made.

Arthur shook his head. "You look okay, we can go now. By the way. I know I'm turning 18 this Friday. But PLEASE don't make a big deal out of it, alright? I've seen the way Morgana looks at me. I get goosebumps all over.", he immediately distracted Merlin from the topic at hand.

Merlin gasped. "It's your BIRTHDAY this Friday? I hadn't KNOWN -"
This was clearly a lie.

Arthur laughed. "Look, if you really want to celebrate, just let me sleep over at your house. We haven't done that in ages. That would be gift enough."

Merlin blinked and tilted his head. "You've been over just last week."

"True. True. But it IS cozy at your place. And it feels like I haven't seen Hunith in forever and I really need to get out of that house for a while.", Arthur argued back.

"Okay? We can always do that though. Want to come over today? We could study for the math test tomorrow?"

Arthur smiled. "Yeah, that sounds good."
He took Merlin by the hand. Merlin blinked, a little taken aback. It was strangely adorable. Merlin still hadn't gotten used to being his boyfriend.
And then Arthur sobered a little.
Merlin and him were not a thing. Not really. Though it was easy to forget, when he looked at him like that. All hopeful and content.
He almost looked like he would die to be with Arthur for real.

Arthur shook the thought out of his mind.

"Don't you have a mandatory family dinner on weekend? You know.... the one I'm never invited to, because your dad hates me?", Merlin finally added.
Arthur sighed. "Yes. And if possible, I would like to avoid him this year."
"Your dad will kill you, if you don't show up.", Merlin said. Then his eyes widened. "Wait... if he finds out about our little.... project.... He DEFINITELY will. Arthur, why on earth did you come up with this idea?"
"He'll certainly try to murder me.", Arthur agreed in a sour tone which did nothing to ease Merlin's stuttering.