Boy in the bubble (Modern Merthur AU) (Discontinued)

Chapter five

Disclaimer: I do not agree with or accept any homophobic remarks used in this story! They are there for content reasons only!

(This is a filler chapter, I can't guarantee it'll be good but please read and let me know)

Merlin and Arthur hadn't talked in just over a week, the last time either spoke a word to each other was Arthur's unexpected apology, The past week had not been so bad, apart from the odd comment and rough shoulder slamming in the corridors, Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot, Elyan, Leon and the new comer Mordred has more or less left Merlin alone.

The day had, like most days this past week, been uneventful. In the morning Merlin had come in to school late as to avoid any possible issues in the canteen that could have Merlin beaten to a pulp and then dragged his way through the first three periods.

Now he sat in fourth lesson, listening to the mindless 'I'd rather blow my brains out than listen to this' chatter of Camelot High's football team who were currently sat in the back of science, discussing which girl is the fittest and which ones they would 'tap'. In Merlin's opinion it was inhumane to talk to about other people the way they were but he wasn't about to loose his moment of silence because he opened his fat mouth. The entire lesson was spent drowned in derogatory comments on the girls at their school, wild conversations about sex, rounds of ear splitting laughter coming from the group of boys (Arthur included) and meager jokes sent in Merlin's direction with a few kicks to the back of his chair.

When the bell rang for lunch Merlin couldn't have been quicker to gather his stuff and bee line for the door but a call from the teacher held him back.

"Merlin Emrys and Arthur Pendragon. Will you boys stay behind for a moment please?"

"Aww but sir!" Arthur complained, "I'll be late to next lesson."

"Nice try Mr Pendragon, but it's lunch next."

There was a chorus of laughter as Arthur's friends made their way for the exit, slapping Arthur on the shoulders and chuckling as they left the room. Before all the boys were out the door Gwaine called back,

"Careful not to touch him P, you might catch his diseases."

Arthur laughed and raised his hands in a surrender like way, as if to say 'don't you worry, I won't', then once the other boys were safely out of the room, the blond had sent a sorry glance in Merlin's direction, but done was done.

"I was just checking in on how the tutor sessions are going. By the looks of it and the improvement in your work," he directed to Arthur, "they are getting to be a great help. I am proud of your most recent project Arthur, really very proud." 

A small, rare, smile crept its way onto Arthur's face, small enough that you would have missed it had you not been paying close enough attention. Which of course Merlin had, he had been staring at Arthur with his own proud smile (which Arthur had either chosen to ignore or just blatantly missed).

"Would you say it was going well, Merlin?" The teacher asked, turning to him.

"Very well, sir." He answered politely, turning himself away from Arthur and back to the the teacher, "I would say there has been a lot of progress since we began." He smiled.

"When is your next session?" He asked.

"Tonight..." Merlin said turning to Arthur as if for reassurance but the blond was looking out the window on his other side.

"Great! Well, have a good lunch boys, thank you for staying to chat."

When the two boys left the room in tow, Arthur's mates started wolf-whistling the two of them, Merlin chose to ignore them and walk the other way, pulling his backpack tighter around his shoulders in the gathered beige hallways, whereas Arthur had chosen to punch who ever did it in the arm, throwing an'oh shut up' their way, laugh nervously and walk off with the group. Merlin wished he could be so carefree but he hadn't been changed for the better after years of endless torture.