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

Chapter Fifteen

AN: fluffy chapter to make up for any pain caused 🙃

"So... it's good to have you here Arthur." Gaius said and Merlin smiled at Arthur from across the table with a mouthful of food, Arthur smiled back, containing a laugh.

"Well, urr, thank you for having me. Although I wish it were under different circumstances." He said, staring sadly at his plate.

He had only eaten half of his food but already he felt sick to his stomach at the thought that he wouldn't return home tonight, or tomorrow either. In fact he would probably go to school in two days time still living at Merlins.

"Me too my boy." The old man said sadly across from him.

The three sat in silence for a moment where Arthur just continued to stare at his food and then Gaius spoke up again, "don't feel a need to finish that lad. If you want to shower or just go to bed feel free, Merlin will show you how to turn the shower on."

"I don't want to waste your food."

"Nonsense. Merlin go show Arthur how our shower works." Gaius said and Merlin began frantically stuffing his left over food into his mouth while half standing up.

As the two went back up the stairs Arthur spoke, "Id have let you finish your food." Arthur chuckled.

"Yeah but Gaius wouldn't." He said with a smile.

Merlin showed Arthur how to work the shower and then left to sort a few more things out for him.

Merlin came back and knocked on the door.

"Yeah?" Arthur called through, the shower was already running.

" I have a towel and like a toothbrush and toiletry stuff here for you."

There was a hesitation in Arthur's voice like he didn't know how to respond, "Oh. Okay..."

"Want me to leave it on the stool by the shower?"

"Oh yeah you can if you want. Just hang on a moment yeah?"

"Okay." Merlin said as he heard the shower curtain being pulled closed.

"Okay you can come in." Arthur called over the sound of running water.

"Here you go. Just toss them into the wash bin in my room when you're done."

"Yeah okay thanks Merlin."

The outline of Arthur was just visible through the curtain, like that of a silhouette.

"Yeah. Yeah no problem. If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask." Merlin said, his throat feeling suddenly tight at the way Arthur's figure had stopped and looked as though it was longing to be able to see through the curtain and meet eyes with Merlin.

Merlin coughed and blushed as if he had just made direct eye contact with Arthur and left swiftly.

~~~

"Hey." Arthur said, peeking his head round the door to Merlins room while still knocking softly, he lifted his other hand where he held his towel loosely.

Merlin smiled and waved him in pointing to the wash bin in the corner of his room.

Arthur stepped out from behind the door, finally unmasking himself and the sight physically knocked the breath out Merlins chest. Arthur was dressed in the pair of basketball shorts he had been wearing all day and Merlin had to guess his top didn't fit because Arthur's chest was bare and practically golden in a natural tan despite the patches of bruises. Small droplets of water ran their way down the contours of his muscled stomach and Merlin found he couldn't detach his eyes.