Merlin one shots

His Place

“Sir, there's been a shipwreck on the north side of the island.” Leon burst into Arthur's library, startling him slightly. “The driver is fine, but a little shaken.”
“Where is he now?”
“Being driven over here.” Arthur nodded.
“Make up one of the guest rooms. We have company.” Arthur walked over to the door. “You said he was fine?”
“A few cuts and bruises, I think. Nothing serious.”
“Good, good.” Arthur ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it down.

Arthur was stood in the doorway as the car pulled up, the passenger climbing out onto the driveway. “Hello there.” Arthur held out his hand, Merlin shaking it gently. “I'm Arthur. I hear you got into a spot of trouble.”
“I'm Merlin. Thank you for letting me come ashore.”
“You are very welcome. We'll get you a drink, and maybe get you patched up. Are you hurt at all?”
“Hardly.” Arthur pushed the front door open, Merlin stepping inside. “My ship is though.”
“What happened?” Arthur sat down in the living room, inviting Merlin to sit down.
“Didn't see the rocks. Smashed the whole left side of her.”
“Ouch. She sank?” Merlin nodded.
“I tied her to a tree on the rocks in case I could pull her up, but it snapped.” Merlin shrugged.
“What were you doing so close to my island?” Merlin laughed.
“Your island?” Arthur nodded, squinting at Merlin.
“Yes. It is.”
“Ah. I see. My apologies.” Arthur bowed his head once, lips firmly pressed together. “Well I was watching the dolphins. And it's rather dark.”
“I've had a room made up for you. I assume you haven't eaten?”
“Nope.”
Arthur glanced at his watch. “Should be about half an hour. If you want to shower or whatever?”
“Yeah, I probably should.”
“I'm guessing you don't have any other clothes. I'll get something sent up for you.”
“Thank you. For all this.” Arthur just smiled.
“No problem.”

Merlin was changing into the jeans and t-shirt, which had appeared on his bed, when someone knocked on the door. “One second!” He finished dressing, and opened the door. “Hello.” There was a man stood in front of him, dressed in a blue polo shirt and black cargo pants, smiling at him.
“Good evening. I've been sent to bring you down to dinner.”
“Right.” Merlin grabbed his phone from the bed, stuffing it into his pocket and following the man out of the room. “So, do you live here?”
“I live in this house. But most of the staff, they all live up at an apartment block about a five minute walk away.”
“All?”
“There's about forty of us, mostly on gap years. I work here permanently though. Food and lodgings in exchange for a few jobs here and there. And decent pay, too.” Merlin nodded.
“So Mr Pendragon. He's rich?”
“Fuck yeah. His daddy's in newspapers. So Mr Playboy swans around out here in paradise.” The man laughed. “You can tell him I said that. Here we are.” He opened the door to the dining room, ushering Merlin inside.

Arthur came in a few moments later, dressed in crisply ironed trousers and a loose red shirt. He sat down, smiling at Merlin. “Good evening.”
“Evening.”
“Would you a drink?”
“I'll have some water, please.” One of the men waiting around the room immediately left, returning moments later with a jug of ice cold water.
“Are your rooms adequate?” Arthur poured Merlin a glass of water, sliding it across the room. “If not I can have you moved.”
“On no, they're lovely. Wonderful.”
“Glad to hear it.” Arthur smiled.

“Now, I insist you have one of my chef's legendary strawberry daiquiris,” Arthur drawled, sitting down in a tall armchair. “I'll have two brought in.” Arthur texted rapidly on his phone, not breaking eye contact with Merlin. Merlin coughed, looking away.
“Great.”
“So, um, do you want me to try and get you back the mainland tomorrow?”
“Well, I'd like to try and retrieve Kilgarrah, if I can.” Merlin pouted unhappily, shaking his head. 
“You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like. In fact, I invite you to.” Arthur smiled broadly, as the door opened, a woman with a tray in her hand walking in. She set it down on the table by Arthur, handing one to Merlin. “Thanks.”
“As much as I would love to stay, I-" Merlin stopped talking, looking at his knees.
“What is it?”
“Well I was meant to be doing a sailing race. No chance of that now.”
“Oh. Could you use a different boat?”
“No. Kilgarrah was registered, and there's very few boats in her class,” Merlin said, proudly.
“You're a seasoned sailor then?” Merlin nodded, biting at his nails. “And yet you crashed watching dolphins?” Merlin nodded sheepishly. “Happens to the best of us,” Arthur assured him, smiling. “I'll try and get her up for you. But you must be tired?”
“Very. I think I'll turn in for the night.”
“Alright. Gwaine will walk you up. Feel free to call on him for anything you want.” Arthur finished his drink.
“Who?”
“Gwaine. He walked you down. Should be outside.”
“Goodnight then.”
“Goodnight.” Arthur smiled at Merlin, watching him walk out of the room.