The Rising of Merlin

The One With the Hoodie

Chapter 48 The One With the Hoodie

"Welcome back, Arthur." Merlin mumbled into Arthur's ear and hugged him tighter, not caring that he was drenched in water.

"Merlin," Arthur said, patting him on the back to get his attention. "You're choking me."

"Oh," Merlin released him and took a short step back, grinning stupidly.

"Yeah," Arthur grinned back. "It's good to see you again, Merlin." He grabbed a hold of Merlin shoulder, wanting to hold on to something solid, to make sure this wasn't a dream. "I never thought I'd actually be happy to see your face again." He tried to be serious but the grin he still sported gave him away.

"Likewise," Merlin grinned cheekily.

Arthur could have stayed there for hours, just looking at his best friend, but then he noticed the weird clothes he was wearing.

First off, he didn't wear any boots and that was just stupid. He could cut his feet on something. Secondly, the breeches he wore were tight fitting and bluish, in a material he had never seen before but they looked good on him, something the breeches he wore in Camelot never did.

His grey tunic looked to be several sizes to small and clung to his chest in a way that showed off his muscles, which Arthur could admit to himself, was kind of a nice way to impress the ladies, but the arms ended above his elbows and the material was too thin to protect him from the wind. And why wasn't he wearing a jacket, he could feel the cold wind even through his many layers.

The only thing Arthur recognised on him was the neckerchief. He could tell that it was the same red one he used to wear in Camelot and that gave comfort to Arthur, knowing that he hadn't changed completely. But what was with the beard?

"What are you wearing?" He furrowed his brown and looked Merlin up and down.

"This is the fashion of today, Arthur." Merlin chuckled. "You are the one that are wearing the weird clothes.

"I'm not so sure about that," Arthur muttered and raised his eyebrows. "But I guess I have to take your word for it this time." He then noticed the goose bumps on Merlin's arms. "Why aren't you wearing a jacket, it's freezing. And where are your boots? You do know you can cut yourself right?"

"I took them off before stepping into the lake, dollophead; I don't want them to get ruined." Merlin huffed and rolled his eyes like it was obvious, and Arthur had to keep himself from pinching his nose in frustration; Merlin was still an idiot after all these years.

"Whatever you say," He finally said and shook his head before hearing a sneeze coming from behind Merlin. He had forgotten about the man Merlin was with. "Who's your friend?" He asked and Merlin turned around to look at him like he had forgotten he was there as well.

"That's Ron," Merlin smiled. "Come, let's introduce you."

They walked up to the man, no, boy that looked like he was part tomato. His face was red from what Arthur guessed was nervousness, matching his flaming hair perfectly.

"Ron, this is Arthur." Merlin introduced him, still smiling. "Arthur, this is Ron, a close friend of mine."

Ron said something unintelligible and then reached out his hand. Arthur had no idea what he had just said and just looked at him before turning to Merlin.

"What did he just say?" He leaned into his ear to whisper to him.

"Oh," Merlin face-palmed. "I forgot. Hang on." Merlin placed a hand on his forehead and Arthur just looked at him with a furrowed brow until he saw Merlin's eyes flash gold; he had to keep himself from flinching, not wanting to offend Merlin even if he still wasn't comfortable with him using magic; and then he felt warmth spread through his body. "That should do it." Merlin removed his hand and smiled sheepishly at him.