Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

IDI4U part 5: Wednesday

A.N.:// Fucking finally. It's short, but it's something :)
also, random art ahead. (It's time travel Merlin lol.... Dragoon lmao (yes he's wearing headphones)
-------------------------------------

As Merlin had predicted, Gwaine couldn't keep his mouth shut. And kind of had his first fight with Percival for making him come out in class against his will. Via instagram, on top of everything.
The attention Merlin and Arthur had bathed in the last two days had shifted immediately towards the new couple.
And only Brian's expression was one of disbelieve, resentment and .... for what reason exactly was he sending ARTHUR that look?
Now that Arthur was thinking about it... Brian wasn't focusing on Gwaine or Percival that much, actually.
No.
Arthur had his undivided attention. As usual. It was starting to really mess with Arthur's head.

"He can't possibly blame me for Perwaine.", Arthur said exasperated. He should be focusing on the math test that their teacher was handing out now, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Brian was mad at him.
Madder than usual.

"Perwaine?", Merlin asked in honest confusion.

"Percy and Gwaine. It's their Hashtag. You know? Like ours is Merthur?"

Merlin nodded and bit his lip. "Oh.", Merlin said, but otherwise didn't answer Arthur's previous question.
Merlin was down because of something. Or was he tired?
"Merlin, are you okay?", Arthur asked naturally.
"Yeah, just... worried about the test.", Merlin admitted and gave Arthur a fake smile. Now Arthur loved Merlin's smile. Every kind, actually. From the crying laughter at a stupid movie, all the way down to the shy ones he send Arthur in private.
This one, however, never failed to rile Arthur up. He couldn't stand it.
The fakeness. The way it didn't reach his eyes. It basically screamed that Merlin was NOT okay.
Okay, perhaps he was exaggerating, but that's the alarm that rang in Arthur's head, every single time.
It was more than enough to distract him from Brian's strange staring contest.

"Merlin.", Arthur said and grabbed Merlin's hand. Merlin looked at it, then his eyes traveled up to meet Arthur's steady ones.
"You've got this."

Because it didn't matter if Merlin was lying or not. He was upset about something and he had given Arthur an excuse. If that's all Merlin wanted to hand to him, then Arthur would take it and use it to his best knowledge to make Merlin smile properly.
Arthur would never laugh about anything that may get Merlin down. Even if it was just a stupid cockroach at the ceiling that scared him in the middle of the night.
Even if Merlin was just embarrassed about being scared of a small insect.

Merlin HAD to be protected, no matter the cost. And whatever the foe was, Arthur would never underestimate the enemy. If it could get the bravest man Arthur knew down, then it was a worthy opponent.
Actually, now Arthur's fantasy was running away with him. God, he truly was a goner for this boy.

"I barely studied. I can't afford bad grades right now? What if I lose my scholarship?"

"They would be stupid, if they didn't give it to you. Besides, it's math, not biology. They won't throw you out because you forgot your calculator."

"I didn't forget my -"

"Exactly, silly. You've GOT this.", Arthur smiled and squeezed Merlin's hand. Merlin smiled at him.

But the smile still seemed fake. Arthur frowned and tilted his head.
But he accepted Merlin's silence.
Then their teacher entered the room.
"Good luck.", Arthur finally muttered and pressed a sudden kiss to Merlin's hand. That one made Merlin blush and finally, thankfully, made Merlin smile a genuine smile again.
Arthur stored that information away for the next time he needed it.
Had Merlin not smiled ONE honest smile, he wasn't sure he could have concentrated on the test.