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

Chapter Eighteen

Acting normal in school had been weird for both boys, Arthur was still dating Gwen until he found the right time and excuse to break up with her and Merlin had to pretend his entire body didn't thrill with excitement every time Arthur walked past. Being secret included not telling Freya that he was dating Arthur, or had a boyfriend at all, which was possibly the hardest part of their entire plan, since they had met they had told each other everything, even the time when Merlin had had a certain type of dream about a book character.
A month ago, Arthur had kissed Merlin in the dark of his hallway and told him everything Merlin hadn't known he'd wanted to hear.
It was a month exactly in only a few days and their nights in a shared home where spent with stolen kisses and hidden cuddles as they watched tv shows and movies. Every chance they get to be near each other the pair took it.

That day Arthur had Morgana drop of one of his cars at school like he had done previously with his clothes. She wasn't in town much longer but Arthur hadn't let slip where he was staying yet, he knew Uther would be asking her and it was probably for the better if she genuinely didn't know where he was, for her sake and Merlin's. He checked up on her every night and usually it was more or less the same story;

'He's not being insufferable and have a way with him, you know this, I can usually calm him down before he does any real damage.'

Although Merlin's had become more of a home than living with his father had ever been, it was hard to think that he had left his sister behind to deal with Uther's wrath alone, the guilt washed over him as he lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling of the guest room, his body crawling with desperation to go down to Merlin's room or even to go round to his old house and check on his sister. However, he knew neither was a good idea: if he slept in Merlin's room it would be cramped in his single bed and there was always a chance for Gaius to walk in in the mornings (which was rare but this was new to Arthur and every detail seemed vital to keeping this private) and going around to check on Morgana was bound to be disastrous, he was certain the only reason he hadn't heard from his father was for public image, if Uther were to turn up at school and begin yelling and beating his son, it was sure to make the headlines and that was the last thing the family wanted, especially Uther.

It was because of Morgana's delivery that Merlin and Arthur got home from school a lot earlier than usual, dodging Gaius by about an hour and a half. As soon as the pair were through the door to the small home, Arthur's lips were on Merlin's and the smaller boys back was pressed against the wall, the cold was pressing through his school shirt and sending a chill throughout his body.

"I missed you in school today." Arthur spoke, kissing down Merlin cheek to his neck.

"You too. You didn't even walk by me today." he questioned more than stated, pulling back to meet Arthur's piercing eyes.

"No, I know. The lads where extra rowdy so I didn't want to risk that for your sake and Gwen had some stuff she wanted to do at break and lunch for classes, so most of my day was spent helping with that." Arthur complained, going back in for another kiss but Merlin veered away, pressing himself as far into the wall as he would go, he wasn't finished with the conversation.

"Are you ever going to break up with Gwen?" He asked, brow creasing, so that small lines appeared in his other wise perfect forehead.

"Yeah, of course. I just need the right explanation. You know, to keep up appearances, so that no one gets suspicious."

"No one even knows you're staying with me!" He let out an unsettling laugh, "Not even Gwen. Who's going to be suspicious?" The noirette asked, sliping from his place, compressed between Arthur and the cracking creme wall.

Arthur sighed and followed him into the living room, sitting heavily beside him and looking on with pleading eyes, "I'm sorry it's taking a while, it just I'm new to-"