Wrap Your Arms Around Me (merdred)

19. Bad Apple

A/N: Holy mother of pearl. Thank you for 1.3k views on Wattpad! I honestly didn't think this book would get much attention on this platform but thanks so much :)

Also, things are going to get pretty damn intense in the next couple of chapters :O

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        MERLIN MADE A MAD DASH from the door to the end of the island, ducking down just in time before the chef walked over. He hesitantly peeked above the counter to see that she was keeping busy by chopping vegetables and throwing them into a pot. This was his chance.

The warlock slowly crept up from his spot on the floor, looking around the room for what he needed. His eyes settled on a wooden bowl of red apples in the corner of the room. As quietly as he could, Merlin tip-toed over to the bowl and reached his hand out, grabbing as many as he could fit in his shirt. He smirked evilly as he snatched the last one out and turned to leave where he came from, but a set of eyes had found him.

Audrey, the head chef, was standing in front of him with her arms crossed menacingly. Her eyes were angry and they locked with his, making it difficult for him to look away. Merlin gave a sad, pathetic chuckle in hopes of breaking the ice, but Audrey wasn't having it.

"You think you can steal my apples and get away with it? I need those for my pies, you foolish boy. Just wait until the king hears about this and he'll have your head. My pies are all the talk of Camelot!" She yelled furiously, picking a rolling pin off the counter like she was going to beat him to a pulp.

"No no. You're thinking about this the wrong way," Merlin smirked. "I was helping you; saving my fellow people from having to eat your godforsaken pies or chipping their teeth on your rock-hard crust," he said condescendingly. Normally he wouldn't be so rude but his past with Audrey was a bit rocky.

"That was the last straw, young man!" She roared angrily, bringing the rolling pin down like a baton. Merlin flew out of the way just in the nick of time, speeding off to the door as if his life depended on it.

Quickly, he ran back up the stairs, shirtless of apples, and sprinted down the halls towards his chambers. Once he opened the door, Gaius' head turned towards him suspiciously. Naturally, he furrowed a brow at his assistant, begging for an explanation.

"Uh," Merlin mumbled, dumbfounded. "They're for an experiment... Or would it be better if I lied and said we are having a pie-eating contest?" He chuckled lightly.

Gaius shook his head at this. "Whatever you both are up to, leave me out of it," he sighed, returning to his pot on the stove.

Well, that was easier than he thought it'd be. So Merlin smiled in pride and continued on his way to his room. He pulled the door open and his grin only widened when he saw Mordred on his bed with his sketchbook, piece of charcoal in hand.

"Hey," he looked up, noticing Merlin. "It's about time," he joked.

Merlin stepped closer to the bed, allowing the apples to fall from the pouch of his shirt. Then he began placing a few of them on the table in front of the bed. Mordred, who took notice, sat up from his spot, setting his book down. "What are you doing?" He asked cautiously.

"Gaius suggested that if we're going to spend most of our time together, we should at least be practising magic," he explained.

Mordred's lips curled into a smirk at this. "I think kissing you is magical enough," he said slyly, causing Merlin's cheeks to flush. "What are the apples for?"

After Merlin finished setting them up on the table, he walked back over to the bed, kneeling down on the ground in front of Mordred. He reached one hand under the bed, pulling the floorboard up and grabbing one of his spell books from inside. He threw it onto the bed and a waft of dust kicked up from the impact. Just as Merlin was about to explain, he noticed Mordred's face was red with embarrassment. The man quickly took a pillow and frantically threw it over his lower half.