Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Arthur could die of embarrassment. Today is picture day, so every student has to take their photo for the yearbook. Why do they keep doing that? He has no idea, but he can’t do anything to change it. If it was just that… he could let it go. But the photographer said his name wrong, Arthur tried to correct him, and he took his photo without a word of warning. It’s really bad.

“Hey stranger!”, says a joyful voice passing his arm around Arthur’s shoulders with a flash.

“Merlin!” Arthur complains, “no more photos, please.”

“Oh, come on, it’s your thirteenth birthday, it’s something that needs to be documented.”

Arthur looks at his friend with his ripped jeans and a loose sweatshirt, and can’t help but smile. Merlin has been his neighbor since he could remember, and of course he became his best friend, it’s really easy to smile by his side. And to be with him. 

A couple of years ago, both even climbed each other’s window to spend the night. Arthur visited him when Merlin was sad or overwhelmed with family guests. And Merlin went with him when Arthur’s parents had a fight. It was quite a lot.

Anyways, Merlin’s new hobby is photography. Since they saw ‘The Killing Fields’, he has been taking pictures and filming everything, even if the people don't want to. Yeah, that includes teachers. Now, apparently, his friend needs to take pictures of this day. Arthur wouldn’t mind if they… like… had more friends…

“Don’t bother. It’s not a big deal.”

“How is it not a big deal!?,” he asks indignantly.

“I mean, it is, but I wish I could be…”

“Thirty, handsome and successful without all the troubles to get there, yeah, I know,” says his friend, tired of listening to the same song.

However, he knows that Merlin isn’t that tired, not really. Whenever Arthur talks about his dreams, his friend gives him his full attention, and vice versa. Even so, maybe he should change the subject, a dream isn’t something to talk about in the high school hallways.

“Agh, here they come,” Merlin complains but Arthur smiles.

The Six Knights. They are the most popular group in all of their high school. Well, at least in their year. They are Morgana and Morgouse LeFay, Evan Shaw, Cenred Trevino, Christina Grandy, and the most popular of the lot, Big D. 

He’s tall, already good-looking, a little skinny but everyone knows he will have big muscles because of all the exercise he does. He rules the school like it’s not a big deal, and has good grades so, yeah, Arthur wants to be part of their group.

“Hey you guys!” Says a little too enthusiastically. 

“Hi Arthur, hi troll,” Big D greets Merlin like they used to, “how is everything up there?” His friend just ignores him. 

“Hey,” Morgana complains and gives him a bump, “don’t say that.”

“I’m just kidding,” he smiles confidently, but since Merlin doesn’t say anything, he continues. “So how’d yours come out, Pendragon?”

“Not so good,” and he holds tight his pictures. He will be damned if anyone besides him looks at them.

“Yeah, ours aren’t so hot either,” replies Big D showing them their photos.

“Wow.” Is the only thing Arthur says, totally impressed.

“Oh.” Merlin doesn’t find it interesting.

Arthur doesn’t understand the disdain. The six of them truly look like young artists from Disney Channel. They could be models of Gap or any other mark. They look confident, sure of themselves… Arthur knows they didn’t have to repeat their names to the photographer.

“All of you are truly photogenic,” Arthur gives them back their photos.

“If you say so,” replies Big D, but the smile on his face says that Arthur made the correct compliment. 

“I’ll meet you out front,” says Merlin. He’s truly annoyed, he’s using his too polite smile.

“Do whatever you want. It’s not like he needs a play-by-play.” Says Big D laughing with the others. Arthur smiles a little, but his friend didn’t notice. He just leaves. “Arthur, could I talk to you quickly?”

“Yeah, sure.” Arthur is excited that Big D wants to share something with him.

“I told Sophia Butler me and the Six Knights were going to your party tonight, and she said she wanted to come.”

“Really?” Arthur’s heart is beating way too fast for the news. Sophia Butler is the most beautiful girl in the whole school. Arthur feels lucky when she looks at him.

“Yeah… it’s too bad we can’t make it, we were really looking forward to it.” Arthur’s hopes are falling down, he could even feel the air leaving his lungs, “Miss Measly’s up our butts with this group project… and Sophia is going to help us out… so I guess she can’t come either. Sorry.”

He looks sorry. But Arthur feels his heartbeat racing, his breathing accelerating. This can’t be happening! He worked so hard to make this the best party ever! It was his chance to be popular for fuck’s sake! He loves Merlin, of course he does, but he wants to be more. 

Arthur wants more friends, more parties, more of… everything. He wants to be like them, teenagers that enjoy life and pretty sure they will be successful, like the people on TV. He needs to do something.

“I… I could write your report for you,” Arthur offers.

“Oh! Really?” Asks Big D, “that will be extremely helpful.”

“Yeah, it’s not a problem.”

“Cool. Then we will see you later,” he smiles and the rest of the group leaves. They will go to his party? They will go to his party!!!!

***

“I can’t believe you invaded those jerks. They are truly a bunch of a-holes,” says Merlin angrily.

“Hey! They are my friends,” Arthur complains. 

On their way home, Arthur told him what happened. Of course he was happy that they would celebrate alone. However, when he told him the deal he made, his friend was angry. Arthur doesn’t understand his friend's attitude towards them. The Six Knights are funny, smart and interesting. Since they know everything about each other, why can’t they befriend other people?

“Six Knights are not your friends.”

“Well, almost,” Arthur admits, “and someday I’m gonna be a Six Knight.”

“There’s six of them, Arthur. That’s the point,” Merlin reasons. “There can’t be a seventh Six Knight. It’s just mathematically impossible.”

“Agg, don’t start with your statistics.” Arthur complains.

“Besides, I don’t understand why you want to be like them,” Merlin says once he accepts they will come.

“Hey, they are actually very interesting.”

“They are just the typical mean girls and boys that get away with everything. And they don’t have a spark of originality… not like you.” Merlin whispers the last sentence, but Arthur still hears him. He smiled, that’s only a thing a friend will say.

“I don’t wanna be original, Merlin. I wanna be cool.”

“Careful,” says Merlin, “my mother always says you should be wary of what you wish for. Not everything comes the way you expect.”

“Oh! Come on…” Arthur complains, “that’s something only the grown ups said.”

“I’m pretty sure my mom said that because if you put your mind in the future, you will miss the rest. And to get there you mustn’t miss those details.”

“Your mother is a saint,” says Arthur with a fond smile. 

He knows he should listen to her advice, but for her and the rest of the adults, it’s easy to say ‘don’t miss the road’ or ‘live the present’. They already live their lives, and if he’s honest with himself, he knows what he wants, why not pursue it?

“Want some M&M’s?”

“Those are for kids.” Arthur responds immediately. It’s something his father used to say to him. He doesn’t like when Arthur eats chocolate, he says Arthur acts like a truly ungrateful kid when he eats candies instead of ‘real food’.

“Exactly.” Merlin smiles and takes out some chocolates. 

They share a complicit smile and eat them quickly before entering their houses. Arthur looks at his friend with his camera hanging from his neck. He’s the only one who isn’t scared to defy the great Uther Pendragon. His mother is a kind soul, and father listens to her, but she knows where the limit is. Merlin doesn’t give a damn of that limit.

“Nos vemos zopenco,” Merlin says his goodbye.

“Hasta pronto wey.” Arthur responds. He even hears a flash from his back but he doesn’t turn around. He needs to get everything ready for the big party.

***

Arthur is ready. His outfit was prepared with extra care, his converse are clean enough so his mother won’t bother him, and he smells good. Everything is ready. He was listening to music on his computer when a song of a new upcoming star sounded. 

‘I’m only me when I’m with you’

It’s a nice song. He won’t admit to anyone, even Merlin, but that song is starting to like him way too much. He can’t help but take his baseball bat and pretend it’s a guitar. He never liked country music, but that girl has a special voice. He sings the song until his parents open the door.

“Hey honey,” says his mother.

“Hey son, happy birthday!” Chants his father with the video camera on. “Tell us about your new life as a teenager.”

Oh my God! They recorded him singing a country song! A-love-country-song! HAAAAA! He will die for the second time today. Why has life chosen this day to humiliate him? His parents fight all the time, now suddenly they are in good terms to mortify him?

“What are you wearing? And, are you using men’s cologne?” Asks his mother. Arthur knows he’s red from shame.

“Go away!” And like the mature person he is, he hides beneath his blankets.

“Hey, don’t talk to us in that way.” His father’s tone is harder. Despite hiding under the blankets, he hears them whisper, then the door is closed and something sits next to him.

“Arthur, it’s going to be alright,” his mother says with a sweet tone, but he can’t take it.

“It’s not, mom. Father will make me pay for disrespecting,” he sits and looks at her. To his surprise, she’s not offended.

“I will handle him, don’t worry.” She gently rubs his hair.

“Aggg, I hate my life,” he complains. “I look like an idiot, right?”

“No, honey. Just because you don’t look like the boys in those shows you see… doesn’t mean you’re not handsome,” she passes an antibacterial hand towel over his neck. “You are good-looking, in your own way, you just need to wait to grow up more.”

“I don’t wanna be just good-looking. I wanna look like these people,” and he gestures to his posters on the wall.

The TV channels are increasing the quality of their programs like Disney and Nickelodeon, which is good, but Arthur read a paper about a marketing company that makes the best shows, and that company is Avalon. The best company in the whole country. 

Despite casting the typical teenagers, they give the opportunity to unknown actors, and after one single show, they become great stars. Many were outcasts, but suddenly they became someone extraordinary.

“Well, they had to work hard and waited for their moment.” His mother comments, Arthur just rolled his eyes.

“Look, ‘Thirty, handsome and successful. Why the 30’s are the best years of your life’,” Arthur reads the title of the article. It seems like all the problems are solved at that age. “I wanna be 30.” His mother laughs.

“Well, you will be, darling. But right now,” she takes his chin and gives him a kiss on his cheek, “you’re my beautiful 13-year-old boy.”

***

The first song in the track is ‘Just dance’ by Lady Gaga. Arthur is in his basement, and he started dancing. It’s the most popular song among his classmates. It will be a good ice-breaker. He’s having a good moment until he hears his voice.

“Happy birthday Arthur!” Says Merlin while carrying a DVD.

“Merlin! What do you have there?” He stops the music and approaches his friend.

“This is just part one of your presents. I got something else to give you later.” Merlin puts the disc on the DVD player.

“What is it?” Arthur is extremely curious. Merlin’s presents are unexpected but the best. He has loved every single one of them over the years, but this? Besides, Merlin’s smile is huge.

“You know how you always wanted your own marketing company? Well, I thought it would be inspiring if you see how you would look when you accomplish your dream.” He plays the disc, revealing it’s actually a movie.

It’s the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. The movie starts with Arthur as a baby and his family welcoming to this world, then some homemade videos of his childhood, even Merlin makes a cameo. However, as the film progresses, he sees what Merlin wishes for him in the future.

There’s a big building that reads Avalon Studios and a man enters, the voice that narrates the movie is Merlin’s, and he says that man is Arthur. There’s some clips of fancy houses, people celebrating something, a family playing with a dog, people in concerts, basically, he will be successful and happy. 

Merlin did listen when he talked about his dreams. Not just that, he made a movie about that, every single part, even when he said he will eat lasagna forever. The music is amazing, although he couldn’t identify the song. And for the last part, the voice of Merlin said: Never give up, you prat . Arthur laughs

“Oh, Merlin, this… this…” Arthur is overwhelmed with happiness. “It must have taken you months to come up with these.”

“Well, my father helped me, but now it’s yours,” Merlin looks at him and Arthur practically sees the stars in his eyes. “Oh! Almost forgot,” he checks his pockets and finds a little bag, “it’s wishing dust.” Arthur sees it, he knows it comes from Merlin’s favorite magic shop. “It says, ‘this wishing dust knows what’s in your heart of hearts. It’ll make all your dreams come true’, how about that?” And he opens it.

“I thought you should be careful with what you wish for.” Arthur teases him. Merlin only gives him a smirk.

“Well, it’s your birthday, exceptions exist.” They look at each other and Arthur feels his stomach twist, but doesn’t give him a second thought, it always happens with his friend.

Merlin breaks eye contact and sprinkles a little ‘magic dust’ over the disc box. They know it’s silly, but even so, Arthur repeats his wish that now it’s like a mantra: ‘Thirty, handsome and successful’. He really wants it. Maybe…

The ring bells.

“They’re here!” Says excited and standing up, “what do we do?” Even though everything is ready, he starts to panic. The ring sounds once more. “Oh, ah… Merlin!” His friend is still near the gift. The gift!!! “Dude, I’m just gonna put this away, ok? So I won't lose it.” Arthur takes the DVD and puts it inside the closet. “Put some music on!” And runs to the door.

Arthur could stop his father from opening the door. He gets to his side and reminds him that both his parents promised to stay upstairs. He leaves, although Arthur’s pretty sure there will be a talk about his attitude… Anyways, he opens the door and the Six are there.

“Hi guys, the party’s downstairs,” says with a smile. They don’t say anything, but they come in, giving him their jackets and sweaters. 

He hears a car approaching. He takes a step and he sees her. Sophia Butler. She came! And along with a couple of her friends. Her blonde hair looks amazing, like liquified sun rays. She dresses up like a movie star, and she even puts some makeup on. She’s gorgeous.

“Hi there, birthday boy,” she greets him with her melodious voice and enters his house. This will be the best night ever! 

Arthur leaves the jacket and takes Sophia and her friends to the basement. He doesn’t know what he was expecting, but certainly not Merlin dancing on his own with music of… The Killers? Well, it doesn’t matter, everybody else around him doesn’t move.

“What is this?” Asks Big D approaching Arthur. 

“I’m not sure. It’s Merlin’s.” He knows the song is ‘for reasons unknown’, and if he’s honest with himself, it wasn’t bad, but that’s the music only they listened to.

Big D approaches the stereo and looks at his CD’s. Arthur doesn’t know what he’s looking for, but he must have found something worth it because without warning, he pauses Merlin’s music and puts a new record on.

“Sorry, troll. Majority rules,” and gives him back his CD.

“Agg, hopeless people,” says Merlin.

“Freak.”

“Robot.” Arthur sights because of Merlin’s response. This is not how he wanted his party to be. His friend stands in front of him, like he was expecting something, although Arthur doesn’t know what. Merlin sights and gives him a little smile. “I’m gonna go next door and get my guitar.”

“Do whatever you want, Merlin. It’s not like I need a play-by-play,” the response comes out of his mouth before he can think about it. Everyone laughs, his friends just look him dead into his eyes.

“Back in a sec,” and leaves the room. At least he didn’t take it as an offense.

“Hey, I have an idea,” says Big D with a big smile. “Let’s play Seven Minutes in Heaven. You will go first because it’s your birthday.” Arthur’s heart stops. One of the girls gives him a scarf and he puts it on Arthur’s eyes.

“Sure, but how does that one go, again?” This happens when you’re not popular, you don’t know the good games. The rest laugh.

“Well, you go in the closet, and some lucky girl’s gonna go in there… and do whatever she wants with you for seven whole minutes.” Big D takes his shoulders and leads him, they must have seen the closet when they entered. “And guess who wants to go first,” whispers in his ears.

“Who?” Asks Arthur also whispering.

“Sophia Butler.”

“No way.”

“Way.” He makes Arthur turn around. They are in the closet. “Oh, before I forget, where’s our project proposal?”

“On the table, upstairs.”

“Thanks. And remember, no peeking. Keep that blindfold on.” Arthur just nods, his hands are now sweating. “And just so you know, Sophia loves going full tongue.” 

Arthur hears the door closing and checks for his breath. Thank God he brushes his teeth before. Also, he tries to dry his hands. Sophia mustn’t know he’s sweating like crazy. Finally he’s going to be kissed by someone as pretty as her. This is the party he has been expecting. However, it takes her a long time to come inside, he even sits on the ground waiting for her. When he hears the door open, he smiles.

“I thought you weren’t gonna come,” he says nervously and raising his arms, “where are you?” He wishes he could take off the scarf, but that’s not how the game is played. When he feels her hands, her long and soft fingers, it’s like being struck by a lightning bolt. So amazing… so magical. Arthur could sense her approaching him. “Oh, Sophia…”

“He? Sophia? It’s me, Merlin.” Everything freezes. Arthur quickly takes the scarf off and yes, Merlin is on his knees right in front of him. All his blood leaves his face.

“What are you doing here?” Arthur asks angrily and stands up. “Where’s Sophia?” With every passing second, he gets anxious.

“She’s gone. Everybody left.” Merlin stutters. 

Both leave the closet and look around. It’s like his neighbor said, everybody left. They took the snacks and drinks with them. They even left the music like they didn’t care. How could… what could…? That’s when he sees his ‘friend’ with new eyes.

“What’d you do?”

“Nothing!”

“Yes, you did! You hate them!” It’s the first time he screams at Merlin.

“I just went to get my guitar,” responds Merlin, showing him the instrument to defend himself, but there’s no use. His supposedly best friend just betrayed him. Arthur can’t look at him.

“GET OUT!” Arthur pushes him and he looks himself inside the closet.

“Wait! Arthur!” Merlin knocks at the door but he won’t open it. “Just let me talk to you!”

“No! Leave me alone!” Arthur doesn’t think, he puts the scarf back on.

“Arthur, please! Just come out!”

“I hate you! I hate myself! I hate everybody!”

“Arthur, what are you talking about?” Merlin sounds desperate, but Arthur doesn’t care.

“I wanna be 30!” Arthur wishes.

“Just… just let me play you this song, ok? It… it’ll make you feel better…” but Arthur doesn’t listen.

“I wanna be 30. Thirty, handsome and successful…” he repeats his dream with all his heart. He kicks all the boxes behind his back. “Thirty, handsome and successful. Thirty, handsome and successful. Thirty, handsome and successful.” He repeats the words as if everytime he says it, everything will go away. All the saddest and ugliest parts of his party and his life. “Thirty, handsome and successful. Thirty, handsome and successful. Thirty, handsome and successful…” He wishes until he loses consciousness.

***

His head hurts, that’s the first thing he notices. He tries to open his eyes but he can’t, something is in his eyes… hmm… must be the scarf. Fuck, he probably did fall asleep. But he feels the ground and it’s soft… besides, he’s laying down on a bed… Huh, maybe his father carried him up to his room. Well, shit, he has tons to explain. While Merlin isn’t there, it’s fine by him. He doesn’t want to see him ever.

He tries to stand up, but takes a bad turn and he falls off the bed. Well, at least the ground is soft… Oh… weird. He doesn’t remember his mat to be this soft… and clean. He pushes aside the blankets and takes off whatever is blocking his vision. It doesn’t change a thing. Everything in his room is dark. Since when do his curtains block the sunlight?

He leaves the room and it’s blind by the sudden light for a couple of seconds. Once his vision is clear, he starts to panic. Where the fuck is him?! He’s standing in the hallway of a luxurious apartment. The light is clear, all the furniture looks expensive, everything is clean and well placed!

“Mom? Dad?” Arthur calls their names. “Where are we?” Asks hoping for an answer, but it seems he’s alone. “What’s going on…?” 

He turns around and sees a mirror. Arthur should be able to look at his own reflection, but no. All he sees is a grown-up man! And not just that, he’s blond, like him. He has a perfect six pack and big muscles, but that’s not what freaks him out. Oh no. It’s the eyes. His green eyes. And the scar above his left eyebrow…

“Oh!” The reflection says what he says… oh no… then… that means… he… he is… it’s truly him. “SHIT!!!” He takes a step back and falls to the ground.

Chapter Text

Arthur massages his head and pinches himself. This must be a weird hallucination. Arthur has never taken any drugs, but maybe the Six Knights came back and gave him some. There’s no other explanation. 

Arthur peeks behind the couch. It just can’t be possible they are the same person. Arthur is 13, not a grown up. He looks at the mirror once more, and it’s him! He moves and his reflection does the same. He blinks and the reflection does exactly the same. ‘It can’t be’.

He moves closer and touches his face. He looks at his body and nearly passes out. He’s big. He has muscles, without exaggerating, a six packed, which is awesome, and he actually is kind of hot. But why is he wearing just the pants of a pajama? Who knows. 

He checks for information around the apartment, maybe the answer of what happened is here. Although, he can’t help but notice how luxurious it is. Every piece of furniture is neat and shiny, it has a great view of… the city?!?! What the hell is he doing in NYC?!?!?! Besides, in what part of the biggest city in the world is he?!?!

Arthur sits on the couch and puts his head between his legs, to calm himself down. He looks up after a couple of seconds, there are many letters on the table. That’s it! He takes them and looks at the address. To his surprise, all have his name. ‘OMG! I live on Fifth Avenue!!!’. He sees the phone and picks it up.

“Hi. Sorry we missed your call,” says a voice he knows.

“Dad?” But he recognizes the tone, is the answering machine.

“Well, not that sorry, because we’re in the Caribbean. So we’ll be back on the 18th, so call us then. Have a good day,” and the beeps sound.

“You went on a cruise without me?” Arthur asks indignantly and hangs up. “The fuck… Oh! This is a dream. This is a really weird dream,” he pinches himself to wake up but nothing changes.

Again, how is it possible? He was in the basement closet, his party was ruined, he fought with… He suddenly hears a ringtone completely unknown to him. ‘Where does it come from?’, Arthur thinks. 

He moves around the place until he finds the phone inside a suitcase. ‘Huh, never thought I would use one’. He takes it and it’s the strangest one he has ever seen. There’s no keyboard, the screen is huge, and it shows a picture of an old man with white hair. Before he could do anything he hears the water running in what looks to be the shower. He’s not alone.

“Hey, sweet bottom!” Says a male voice. ‘Oh my God!’.

“I know you’re there! My parents will be here any second!” He threatens him while holding an umbrella that was nearby. Maybe his voice wasn’t convincing because he heard a laugh. Then the door opens, showing a young man with just one towel around his hip.

“Hey, where’s the conditioner?” The man says, totally chill.

Arthur can feel the blood running through his face. The man is naked, well, not entirely, but he is stunning. For starters, it’s obvious that he works out constantly, his brown skin looks so soft and tonified, he has an amusing smile and the face of someone who doesn’t take anything seriously. Arthur can’t deny he’s hot, but the eyes of the stranger don't comfort him.

“You’re naked,” it’s the first thing that comes out of Arthur’s mouth.

“Well, not yet,” he winks at Arthur and takes off the towel. However, Arthur quickly reacts and throws him the umbrella while he looks at the other side. “What are you doing? You could join me if you want.”

Arthur can’t stand it. He runs to the door to leave the damn apartment. He takes a t-shirt and a coat that were tossed around, along with the suitcase and the phone-thing that keeps ringing. He leaves the building and breathes fresh air. His head hurts more. The phone rings again but he doesn’t know how to make it stop.

“Arthur?” A man holding a phone is screaming at him. “Can you hurry up?” He looks mad at him. “He made a commitment… Arthur? Can you come over here?” Press the man. Arthur approaches with caution. “I don’t care if you have to grab him by his balls…” The man gives him a Starbucks coffee. “I want him in New York in 12 hours. He needs to be at the party. Hold on a second,” he looks weird at Arthur, like he’s expecting for him to do something. “Get in the car.”

“I don’t get in the car with strangers.”

“Get in the car, we’re gonna be late,” the man says desperately. 

“I don’t know you.”

“Just get in the car!”

“Not with strangers!”

“You’re being paranoid… what did you say?” He puts his attention back to his call.

“Sweet bottom! Don’t make me come down there and grab you,” the man in his apartment screams from the window. Arthur didn’t think twice, he got inside the car. At least this man is fully dressed and it looks like he’s working.

“Just go away!” Arthur screams from inside the car.

When the car moves, the man sitting next to him keeps talking on the phone, so he has a chance to breathe again. Although, how amazing the car is, the seats are made of leather. Arthur has never been in a car like these. Is this normal for his grown up self?

“Oh my God, can you believe the audacity of Rose? She’s just a secretary and wants favors, like girl, it’s your job, it’s not a big deal,” he looks at Arthur from head to toes. “What are you wearing? Don’t tell me you are looking for a 2012 vibe or something like that because as your friend I must say…”

“Are we really friends?” Arthur interrupts him as soon as he hears the world ‘friends’.

“…”

“…”

“You knock up a girl,” says with a voice full of surprise.

“What?! No! God, no!” Both of them sights, relieved. 

“Thank God, you scared me. What did you do last night?”

“See, that’s the thing. Something really strange is happening.” He looks at the man and nods for him to continue. “I slept in an apartment I’ve never seen before, and there was a naked man in my shower and I saw his thingy.”

“Oh no, his thingy.” Arthur doesn’t understand the funny thing. “Driver, could you please pull over since we’re here?” Indicates to the driver.

“Wait, I don’t wanna get out of the…” but the driver stops and the man gets down. “I don’t think you’re listening. Wait, hang on,” Arthur has to run to his side to keep talking. “Listen to me, I’m 13.”

“Look, if you’re gonna start lying about your age, I’d go with 27 because you do look 30.” Arthur wants to say something, but the phone sounds again.

“Do you hear it? Did you hear that?”

“Would you stop being ridiculous? It’s probably just Gaius,” complains the man while searching for the phone.

“Who’s Gaius?”

“You drank too much,” whispers the friend, “Gaius, your boss. White curly hair. British. Gaius,” and gives him the phone while sliding his finger on the screen.

“Oh… Oh, hello?”

“Sweet bottom, you didn’t say goodbye,” says the voice of the man in his apartment.

“You again? Look, I don’t know who you are but you better put on your clothes and leave my apartment!” He sees the man next to him laugh. Well, now Arthur knows how to hang up.

“Who was that?”

“I don’t know his name,” the man laughs again. “I don’t know what’s happening,” he complains to almost tears.

“Ok, Arthur, enough!” Indicates his supposed friend. “Just calm down, ok? We have a meeting in a couple of minutes, so repeat after me,” he stands in front of Arthur and looks at him dead in the eyes, “I am Arthur Pendragon, big time team leader in marketing.”

“I am?”

“Repeat it,” the man rolls his eyes, ignoring the surprise in Arthur’s face.

“I am Arthur Pendragon, big time team leader in marketing.”

“I’m a 30 year old man that is about to enter the office and won’t let anyone know I’m hangover.”

“But that’s not the point! I’m not hangover…” The man looks at him in disbelief. “I’m a 30 year old man that is about to enter the office and won’t let anyone know I’m hangover.” Arthur repeats.

“Because the future of Avalon depends on me.”

“Avalon?” Arthur asks in wonder. The man sights and enters the building. Arthur follows him and sees the logo. ‘Avalon Studios’. Unbelievable. He works in his favorite marketing company.

They get into the elevator, perfect time for Arthur to make a list of things he know:

1. Yesterday, he was 13. Today, he’s 30, for some reason he can’t explain.
2. He lives in a luxurious apartment, but he probably should move out because there’s a naked stranger in it.
3. To answer the phone he had to touch the screen (he needs to study this modern time, it isn’t like ‘Going back to the future’).
4. He had a friend from work and a boss named Gaius.
5. He works in Avalon Studio.

It’s a good list.

“Good morning, Mr. Pendragon, Mr. Chapman,” greets the receptionist.

“Good morning,” the receptionist looks surprised because Arthur replies but smiles. “What’s her name?” Whispers to his ‘friend’.

“Who cares?”

“Mr. Pendragon, please don’t yell at me, it’s not my fault,” a bold guy with a bear comes near them holding two posters, “they need a decision right now” He asks as if his life depends on it.

“Just pick one,” whispers his friend. Arthur looks at them both and… they are similar, however…

“That one,” points to the one on his left.

“Love it. Knew it. Genius.” Says the man in a hurry and runs to the other side of the office. Actually, everyone is freaking out. Then, a young redhead man comes to Arthur, he’s totally stressed.

“Sabrina Carpenter’s on the phone. She wants a decision now,” he waits for Arthur to decide, but to decide what?

“Emm… plain,” says just for saying, but oh! His label says Leon. Well, Leon doesn’t understand. “Peanut. Plain,” ok, he’s just saying random words. Even his ‘friend’ looks at him baffled.

“There’s the dynamic duo!” Screams an old man with white hair, “I trust my team leaders are late again…” he makes a gesture for them to follow him, “because they were out promoting us at parties.”

“You got it, Gaius.”

“Gaius! You’re my boss,” says Arthur. Ok, now he can put a face on the name in his mind.

“That’s right my boy, come in, come in.”

And many others enter with them into a room meeting. Everyone seems stressed and busy. Some enter with portfolios, others with a kind of thin box and holding a… pencil? Why would they write on a thin box with a pencil that doesn’t have ink?

Arthur sits next to his ‘friend’ but he starts talking to another person. Where he sits, there’s a block note and a black pen. He writes his name on the top since everyone seems to be writing something. What the hell is he doing here? He's supposed to be a team leader, of what? Who knows. He’s so lost, he needs his actual best friend.

“Is there anything else you need from me, Mr. Pendragon?” Asks Leon after leaving him a small plate with peanuts and taking his coffee. Arthur takes a look, his boss seems to be preparing something on the TV screen, although, it doesn’t look like one, it’s really thin.

“You mean like a favor?” Arthur asks with such hope that left his assistant speechless for a second.

“He… yeah, sure, like a favor.”

“I need to find this guy in New Jersey,” and Arthur quickly writes the name of Merlin and his number address, it may be useful.

“Ok…”, but before he could take the paper, his boss clapped a few times.

“Leon, will you leave us, please?”

“Sorry,” he looks at the ground and leaves without taking the paper. 

Arthur needs his help! He quickly makes a little ball of the paper and throws it at Leon, but it was with such force and uncalculated that he fell to the ground. His assistant leans on and looks at him with wonder. Arthur makes a gesture for him to take the paper with him. This time, he does it.

“Arthur’s a little hangover today,” says his ‘friend’ like he’s sorry. The rest of them just nod like ‘that explains everything’.

“Ok, children,” says Gaius and everyone pays attention to him. On the screen, there’s a comparative table that shows… movies? With similar thrillers, with different artists and different messages. “I wonder which one the people will watch, the typical rom-com ‘Love is a battlefield’ or the true love story ‘Only one path’?” The silence is heavy. “Seven months in a row now they scoop us.” Arthur sharpens his gaze and sees that the best thrillers are from a company named ‘Triumphoods’, and indeed, they are better. “I mean, it’s like they’ve got Triumphoods-cams hidden in all our walls,” says accusatory.

“Gaius, we’re installing a new security system,” says his ‘friend’ like he’s tired of listening to the same thing, “we’re building firewalls on all the laptops, ipads and phones that are used in the office, even Arthur fired Morgana yesterday.”

“Did you?” Gaius asks impressed, just like Arthur, did he work with Morgana? One of the Six Knights? His high school friend? Arthur just makes a gesture, unsure of why he did that.

“Good, she has friends in Triumphoods. She always took notes.”

“She was a secretary,” says his ‘friend’ in defense of Morgana. Now Arthur feels worse.

“Yeah, whatever. Now, our party tonight is huge, we need to make an unequivocal statement that Avalon is still hot and relevant. We need a circ analysis done immediately, I also strongly suggest we take apart our…” Gaius says a bunch of things Arthur doesn’t understand, but since everyone is taking notes, he does the same. “Arthur, what do you think?”

“… Can I go to the bathroom?” Gaius exhales in frustration but allows him to go. 

As soon as he was out, he finds Leon on his desk, which means that the office in front of him… yep, the label says his name. He doesn’t hesitate and enters. He takes a deep breath and looks around.

His office has many posters of different movies and shows. There are artists he doesn’t know but they are probably famous. He has a big computer but also thin, where is the rest of it? And why does it have the sticker of an apple with a bite? He has no idea, but at least Arthur recognizes the keyboard and mouse.

On the other hand, he has a good space. There are comfortable chairs and even a couch. There’s a basket with gifts in it but unopened, there are many magazines around, and a small fridge, he quickly opens it and has alcohol but also water. He takes a bottle and swallows down until a picture catches his eyes.

“It’s the naked guy,” he whispers. 

The picture has the naked man but also him, and they’re hugging! Both seemed extremely comfortable with the other… So Arthur does know him. He examines the rest and there’s an african-american man greeting him with the American flag behind them. They seem to be celebrating something, and… OH GOD!

“Arthur, honey,” says the inscription, “margaritas anytime. Love you, TS.” Arthur will collapse. “I’m friends with Taylor Swift?!” There’s a knock on his door. He quickly opens the door, scaring Leon.

“Wow! Ok,” he calms himself down, “here are your messages,” Leon hands him some notes, “and your mother called from Barbados…”

“My mom called?!” Arthur interrupts him abruptly, “why didn't you tell me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Pendragon, I thought you said never to bother you with family calls,” says Leon scared, almost like he’s about to cry.

“I did? I said that?” Arthur’s shocked.

“Please don’t fire me,” begs Leon.

“No, no, I won’t. It’s not your fault. I forgot that I said that,” Arthur reassures him. “Next time my mom calls, let me know.”

“Yes, boss. Oh! I have that information that you asked for,” Leon whispers.

“Merlin!” And Arthur takes him by the arm and pushes him inside.

“Oi! Ok, ok, well, the phone number you gave me was his parents’. I told them that I worked for Visa and he’s in a lot of trouble,” Leon laughs of his own idea.

“You lied to the Flamhaffs?” Arthur’s tone is accusatory.

“ This is his new address.” Leon gives him a paper with the information. “He’s in the Village. 212 Bank Street, apartment 2B.”

“He… which village?” Leon looks at him weirdly.

“The… Greenwich Village…” Well, now Arthur feels stupid. Although he doesn’t remember anything after being 13.

“Thanks.” Arthur practically snatches the paper and runs to the exit.

“Should I cancel your 3:00 meeting?!” He hears Leon scream but he doesn’t care. Arthur needs to find his real friend

Chapter Text

As someone who only has seen the Big City on the screen, it proves to be a difficult place. He couldn’t make a cab stop. He had to ask someone that was passing by where to go to Greenwich. Only when he wasn’t on a busy boulevard, a cab did stop and took him the rest of the way.

For some reason, he is nervous. For him, it only has been one night since the last time he saw his best friend, but for his old self… he doesn’t know. Plus, they had the biggest fight of their lives. Merlin is a kind soul, but that doesn’t mean he can’t hold a grudge. No! They are best friends forever and ever. They are fine. Merlin will help him.

When he identifies the building, he takes a breath. The names are not easy to read, but Leon's paper said number 2B, so that must be it. He pushes the bottom, maybe too many times, but he needed him, like in this instant.

“Yeah, yeah. Hello. Yeah.” Merlin’s voice goes through his veins, leaving him paralyzed for one second.

“Hem… Hi, this is Arthur and… Merlin, I need to talk to you, well, I think you’re my Merlin, but it’s been a while and we are adults now,” the possibility of getting him wrong was beyond terrified, so he couldn’t stop talking, “but if you lived on Spruce Street and if your favorite shirt is something weird from Dungeons and Dragons, I need to speak with you right now, please!” Arthur begs.

“Hello? Hello? Hello? You know what? I got none of that. If you’re here from Ming Gardens, ring twice. If not, get lost,” says a little annoyed. 

Arthur doesn’t think twice and pushes the bottom twice. He hears a weird noise but the door opens. He gets to the apartment and knocks several times. What it’s taking him so long? Arthur is about to have a mental breakdown if his friend doesn’t help him.

“You’re not the food I ordered,” says a deep voice. Arthur looks up and sees him.

It’s really him. Merlin. Much older, with longer hair and a beard, but it’s him. He’s wearing a flannel shirt and looks like he hasn’t slept well, but his eyes… those blue ocean eyes… they had that spark of life that is so characteristic of him.

“Merlin?” Arthur whispers.

“Yeah…” He replies a little confused.

“You’re tall,” he has always been taller than Arthur, but it’s a relief that hasn’t changed over the years. “You’re different.” He does look wiser and mature.

“I supposed, yeah…” Merlin politely smiles. Only then it occurred to him that Merlin doesn’t recognize him.

“You don’t know me? That’s so weird because yesterday you were there… No, it wasn’t yesterday because I’m not 13,” Arthur scolds himself.

“Arthur,” says Merlin, finally realizing who he is.

“Yes!”

“Arthur Pendragon.”

“Yes! Merlin, it’s me!” Arthur can’t hide his happiness. He wants to hug him but Merlin hasn’t taken off the chain. To his surprise, Merlin closes the door in his face. “Merlin?” 

He waits for a couple of seconds. Why did he do that? He needs his best friend right now! He hears weird noises and the door is wide open, revealing Merlin's whole shape. Arthur doesn’t think twice, he throws himself over him and hugs him. As soon as he does that, Arthur’s heart and mind find peace. He feels grounded. He feels safe. He actually believes that everything is fine.

“You can… come on in…” says Merlin after a few seconds. Right, his best friend wasn’t a big fan of physical contact.

“Thanks,” Arthur lets him go without realizing Merlin didn’t hug him back.

Merlin’s apartment is smaller than his, but more homelike. There’s some cream curtains that give a soft light inside the room. The couch, although looking old, seems really comfortable. Arthur is sure Merlin had slept on it. And the walls are full of photographs. Not just that, they are landscapes.

“You still take pictures?”

“Yeah, you know… it pays the bills…” Arthur turns around to look at him and finally sees Merlin taking some distance from him. ‘Huh, that’s so weird’, Arthur thinks. “Hey, Arthur, what are–? Why are you here?” He asks with his polite smile. ‘Oh no’.

“Merlin, I told you, something really weird is happening. Yesterday was my 13th birthday and then… and then today I woke up and I’m this,” Arthur points to himself. “And you… I mean, you’re that,” he points to Merlin, “you get it?” Merlin looks at him extremely confused.

“Are you high? You've been smoking pot? Doing X? Are you on drugs?” Merlin asks the last question with curiosity instead of worry.

“No! No. Look…” Arthur takes a deep breath. “I was sitting in my closet and I skipped everything. I mean, it’s like a weird dream. I can’t remember my life. You need to help me remember my life.” Now he said everything.

“Me?” Merlin asks, amazed.

“Yeah!”

“Hmm, I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Arthur asks with such innocence that Merlin thinks he’s the one wronged. But he’s not.

“I don’t know anything about you, all right?” Merlin says, a little exasperated. “I haven’t seen you since high school."

“ …”

“ …”

“What?”

“We’re not friends anymore, Arthur.” Merlin says as if that fact explained everything.

“Merlin, you’re my best friend…”

“No, not since high school.” Merlin’s tone is final.

Arthur feels like hit by a lightning bolt. Now he understands Merlin’s attitude. He didn’t hug him back, he isn’t near Arthur's personal space, he isn’t looking at Arthur with fondness. Instead, his best friend actually looks and treats him like a perfect stranger. Arthur’s getting dizzy.

“Ok, it’s cool,” says Merlin as if calming a wild dog. “It’s cool…”

“Is it warm in here?” Arthur feels like he’s sweating.

“It’s… maybe I should open a window,” Merlin suggests, but Arthur isn’t listening anymore. He gets close to the couch, blinks, and everything is dark again.

***

Arthur wakes up feeling someone is slapping his face. At least with little force, just to make him react. And it did work. Now Arthur is fully awake and understands the reality. Merlin isn’t his friend anymore. How? Was it because of the fight? Arthur focuses his view and sees Merlin sight, visibly relaxed.

“You scare the shit out of me.”

“What happened?” Arthur sits. Well, at least he managed to get to the couch.

“You fainted.”

“Oh,” says Arthur, it makes sense. Merlin passes him a glass of water. “For how long?”

“Almost a minute.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad then, thanks,” his voice is scratchy but the water helps.

“You all right?” Arthur nods but the reality still leaves him without breath. “Arthur, I think you should go back to your apartment… I’ll help you find it.” Merlin offers. Arthur couldn’t help but smile, relieved.

“Thank you,” he whispers but he knows Merlin heard.

***

“We went separate ways. We went to different colleges, different careers.” Merlin explains as if that were normal.

“Well, what about Christmas? Didn’t you wanna see me then?” Arthur complains. Merlin mocks him. Just when he sees Arthur truly confused and sad, he stops.

“Hmm, I think I saw you through a frosted window once, six years ago.”

“Six years ago?!”

“Yeah…”

Arthur looks at the ground. How could he let it happen? Merlin is his best friend, they fought, sure, but that doesn’t mean they should be separated. It feels wrong. It feels like Arthur's chest is being crushed by a giant rock.

“Wasn’t I home last Christmas?” For Arthur, it doesn’t make sense.

“Arthur… I don’t know. Doesn’t your family do Saint Barts for Christmas?” Asks Merlin a little exasperated. “I just… Wow, so this is where you live?” The surprise in his tone makes Arthur look up.

“Oh, hmm, yeah, this is where I apparently live.” The building is tall, it is a residential one, but facing his apartment alone… that seems like battling a giant.

“Ok, so… good… to see you,” says Merlin with his hands inside his pockets. At least he’s smiling at Arthur with a true smile. “Take care,” he says while taking a step back.

“Merlin,” Arthur presses. He can’t let him go. Not yet. “Who is Saint Bart?”

Merlin looks at his eyes, as if he were looking for something, and Arthur lets him. He doesn’t know what his frie… former classmate is searching for, but Arthur is so lost that he hopes Merlin stays. There’s so much he needs to catch up. So much he needs to understand… Merlin looks at the sky and sight.

“I guess we will find something to help you remember. Let’s start with your iPhone, turn it on again,” Merlin suggests and points to Arthur’s suitcase.

“Pardon, my what?”

***

Once they found his old album, some things came back to him. He remembered his iPhone password, it was more like inertia than anything, and he looked at his content. He couldn’t figure out how it worked, and Merlin laughing at him didn’t help, so instead he turned it off again and examined his bookshelves.

For some reason, he had many books of traveling and magazines with landscapes. Even Merlin was surprised, apparently, his friend recognized some of them because he sold some pictures for those magazines. What a coincidence, his 13-year old self doesn’t find it that interesting. Anyways, Merlin was the one who found the album.

“Wow, this is so old school,” Arthur looks at him confused, “but I respect that,” Merlin says as an apology. “So aesthetic…” whispers his friend.

“So this is what happened…” says Arthur concentrating on the album.

“Yeah, the most depressing years of my life, high school,” Merlin says as Arthur is passing the pages.

“I was one of the Six Knights!” Exclaims Arthur, totally surprised.

“Yeah, practically their leader,” answers Merlin, ignoring him while examining Arthur’s apartment.

“What happened to Evan Shaw?” Asks Arthur, Merlin rolls his eyes but reminds himself he needs to be patient.

“He was kicked out, you stayed,” the disapproval was crystal clear. Arthur didn’t pay attention, he kept looking at the pictures.

“There’s Big D. I wonder what happened to him” Arthur exclaims when he sees a picture of them, together, like they were best friends.

“Last I heard, you two are still good friends. Don’t you work together?” Merlin says as he’s serving himself a glass of water.

“Valiant! That’s right! Valiant Chapman!” How could he forget!? Big D's real name is Valiant! He was the one who picked him up early, and they are working in the same company! “He has changed so much…” He’s so much bigger.

“Yeah… that happens when you invest in steroids…”

“I was prom king?”

“Yep.”

“With Sophia Butler?”

“Indeed.”

“This is incredible. I can’t believe it. I got everything I ever wanted.” Arthur didn’t see the hurt look on Merlin’s face.

“Yeah Arthur, you got it all. Congrats.” Before anyone could say something more, the phone rings. Arthur looks at his friend expecting him to answer. “It’s yours,” he simply says. Arthur runs to where it sounds. “Who still uses a home phone?” Merlin whispers.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Gramercy calling to confirm your limousine pickup for 8:30 this evening.”

“My…? Yes! My limousine for 8:30, I’ll be ready… hmm… can you tell me where I’m going?” Despite remembering the reservation, he doesn’t know where he will go.

“The Palace, 27 Wall Street. Is there any change?”

“No! Everything is perfect. Thank you.” Arthur hangs up and looks at his friend with a bright smile. “I’m going to a party in a limo!”

“Great. Looks like you’re back to your old self,” his friend says without looking at him. Only at that moment Arthur sees that Merlin is already at the door. “I should probably go.”

“You don’t wanna go to the party?” Arthur looks so heartbroken that Merlin is out of balance.

“No, I gotta work. Thanks.”

“Shit, I forgot you have a job… It’s cool we have jobs.”

“Totally.”

“Well, if you decide you want to come it’s gonna be fun. 27 Wall Street.”

“Ok, great, thanks Arthur, bye.”

“Merlin,” Arthur quickly goes next to him, Merlin looks at him expectantly. “What if this isn’t just a dream? What if what I wished for actually happened?”

“Then you got everything you ever wanted. You might as well enjoy it.” Both of them smiled, but neither of them knows what kind of smile the other has. “All right, Arthur.”

“Merlin,” Arthur whispers as he’s watching his friend leave the apartment. “Hasta pronto wey.”

“Ha ha, see you,” Merlin keeps walking.

“Merlin,” Arthur complains like he’s a 13 years old boy.

“Yeah…” Merlin looks at his childhood friend insists on it. He knows that if he doesn’t do it, Arthur will eventually scream, so he says it. “Nos vemos zopenco.”

Arthur now can close the door while Merlin takes the elevator with a tiny smile.

***

Arthur is ready for the party. It didn’t take him long to be properly dressed, however, it did take some time to readapt himself with the technology. Apparently, his flat was an intelligent one, most of the things were connected to the red. The inertia helped, but it couldn’t perform miracles.

Once he was comfortable with the apple watch and with carrying around his phone, he adventures himself to the rest of the place. He drinks too much coffee, that’s for sure. His favorite TV shows were different, comprehensible. But did he understand Netflix and Amazon Prime? No, but that will be for later. He has a party to attend!

On the elevator he encounters a kid. Well, not a kid, a teenager, and he's weird. He has a kind face and has great brown eyes, but he looks like he hasn’t eaten properly in a while. And the clothes… Is it inherited clothing? It seems like it doesn’t fit him very well.

“I’m Arthur,” he greets him.

“Yeah, I know. I’m Mordred.” But the kid is still looking at his phone.

“How old are you?”

“Thirteen,” Mordred looks at him strangely. It’s a look he gets a lot on this day.

“Me too!” Now Mordred definitely looks at him bewildered. “Hmm, use to be.”

“Right… why are you talking to me?” Now Arthur definitely has his attention.

“Why not? We’re neighbours.”

“Yeah, but you usually ignore me.”

Oh, now Arthur understands. He has been rude with the boy. Why does he keep doing that? He’s no longer friends with Merlin, he fired Morgana, another school friend, and now his neighbour. He has to make it up for them.

“I like your shoes,” he’s not lying, the design on the converse is unique.

“… Thanks.” Mordred is surprised by the observation but smiles.

Mordred actually told him he’s good at drawing, so the design it’s one he made for himself. His converse were old, and his classmates made fun of him, so he painted. The design is inspired by his favorite manga, ‘Spy x Family’, or something like that. Arthur promised him to watch it.

Once Arthur jumps into the limo, everything is like a movie scene. For the first time, he can admire the beauty of the city. It’s full of people, many places to go, and more things to try. The huge screens light up the entire square. It’s so amazing. He always dreamt of living in NYC, now he remembers why, there’s so many things to try. One won’t ever be bored.

When he enters the party, the music is… perhaps electronic. Weird choice, but it’s still a party. Many grown ups are divided in groups, and all of them dress… like it’s a normal day. Well, if Arthur is fair, some of them actually invested themselves to look amazing, with elegance. But like three quarters are normal. Maybe it’s the new fashion tendency.

From afar, Arthur sees Valiant and goes next to him. 

“Hey Big D,” Arthur greets him.

“Gosh, no one has called me like that since the rumor of the steroids,” Valiant complains.

“You used steroids?” Arthur is surprised by the revelation.

“Yeah, but it turned out better for you because it's discret.” Arthur is confused, he used steroids?

“Anything to drink?” A waitress approaches them looking expectantly.

“Martini, dry.”

“A beer, please,” Arthur’s tone suggests he’s nervous and excited at the same time, “no! Forget it, I want a Piña Colada, with alcohol, you need my ID? Totally have it,” Arthur is beyond excited, he will drink alcohol for the first time! Valiant is bewildered by the interaction.

“My two stars! There you are!” Scream Gaius, their boss. “Valiant, you look like a fairy tale villain ready to conquer the world,” and the mentioned one smiles openly. “And you…” Gaius looks at Arthur with tender, “you just look like a king.” Arthur’s heart melts.

“Thank you Gaius, we are ready to have a blast! Don’t you think?” Arthur is really excited, so much that he didn’t notice the weird look Valiant gave him. 

For a moment, for Valiant, it seems like Arthur hadn’t gone to a party like ever. But that’s ridiculous, both have gone to many parties since high school. However, the important thing is to promote the company, if this weird attitude of Arthur gives them publicity, so be it.

***

The party is not what Arthur imagined. He thought everyone would be dancing, talking, enjoying themselves, but that’s not the case. Arthur is fine, he has tasted a couple of piñas coladas and eaten prepared shrimps. 

However, he sees his boss talking to some people like he’s trying to convince them to stay. That’s not a good sign. He decides to catch up with him but Valiant finds him instead. He looks upset.

“It’s 11:00 pm and I’m still at the party, it’s so cool,” says Arthur smiling.

“It’s 11:00 pm and people are leaving! This is a disaster!” Valiant doesn’t understand why Arthur hadn’t noticed things are wrong. “Speaking of disasters…” Valiant looks at someone approaching them. It’s a redhead woman using an animal print dress. She has a good body, but her frowning doesn't help her face. “What’s she doing here?”

“Who?” Arthur tries to recognize her but fails.

“Team leader of Triumphoods, Trish Sackett, she’s coming up here…”

“Hi boys, our thriller of the movie with Saoirse Ronan is getting hot, it’s the most anticipated movie of the year, what about yours with the collaboration with… Diddy?” She asks, mocking them. Arthur doesn’t know who that is, but by mentioning him, Valiant immediately tenses up and grins, uncomfortable.

“Oh my, it’s so bad for you to come to our party and have a bite? Please, take some crabs to your place.” Valiant has no mercy.

“You should keep those comments to your own company. Maybe you should change the name to something more accurate like ‘Avalon Depressing’ or just ‘Pitiful’, it’s just pathetic.” 

Now Arthur is on the edge. Sure, he doesn’t know anything from Avalon besides what he read at 13, but it’s his dream company and he actually works there. It's the team leader and no one will bad-mouth his company.

“You know what? You’re short and have bad breath and horrible taste in clothes, I don’t like you at all,” and Arthur drinks his beverage. Valiant is not only surprised but also embarrassed for that comeback. That is pathetic.

“Fortunately I don’t care about being liked, I care about winning. And we are definitely winning.” Trisha raises her glass as a toast, takes a shot and leaves with a wild smile. 

Arthur is concentrating on his drink, but Valiant noticed something suspicious about that affirmation. However, before giving a piece of his mind to Arthur or to ask what does Trisha mean, Gaius approaches them with a worried face.

“Boys, come…” and he takes them apart to talk. “Do I smell? Do I have bad breath?” Arthur gets closer to sniff him. “Am I projecting a bad scent?” When Gaius notices Arthur smelling him, he takes a step back, confused.

“No,” Arthur responds. Gaius and Valiant share a look, but ignore him.

“Because the people are running away like I’m a stink bomb!”

“I don’t smell anything,” says Arthur. Valiant lost his patience.

“He means the party is a stinker! Dull. A failure. A zero on the scale of one to ten.”

Arthur finally comprehends what both are talking, and he starts to notice the details. If it wasn’t for the food, many would have already gone. There’s no good ambience, the ones that remind are the workers of the company. It’s just the mus… Oh !

“Maybe if they play something else, people would dance,” Arthur suggests.

“Son, play whatever the hell you want, I just know if no one’s dancing really soon, I'll be better off at my place and retired from the company.” Gaius takes a shot of whatever he's drinking. Arthur contemplates him and feels sorry for him. He won’t let him down.

“All right.” Arthur gives Valiant his drink and goes to the DJ.

While he’s walking to the stage, he quickly remembers the music he and Merlin use to listen to. Despite loving his taste, no one will dance with ‘for reasons unknown’ or to something of Oasis. No. He needs something catching. If he only remembered what music his grown up self likes… wait! Arthur has an idea.

With surprise but happily, the DJ puts the track and ‘Just dance’ starts to sound. Valiant and Gaius look at Arthur in amaze. It’s been a while since any of them listened to Lady Gaga. For Valiant, that song was famous in his high school years. He has fond memories with that song, but he thought Arthur didn’t like that artist.

Nervous, Arthur goes to the center of the dance floor. Everyone is looking at him, excited to see what he will do next. Arthur remembers some advice his mother gave him before this 13th party, ‘let them look, when one is brave, the rest will follow him’. Now it’s his time. He starts dancing to the song.

Many are laughing, but Arthur ignores them. He needs to start the fire for this party. He looks suddenly at Leon and he actually is encouraging Arthur to keep going. So he does. At least until he sees him. Merlin. His best friend. His half soul. He’s wearing normal jeans but at least put on a t-shirt and a jacket fancy enough. He’s looking around until their eyes meet.

“Merlin!” Arthur screams. “Come here!” But his friend only makes a hello gesture. “Come here! It’s ‘just dance’! Lady Gaga!” Arthur keeps trying to convince him, even a spotlight illuminates him.

“No, no, no, no, no, no…” but it’s too late, now everyone is looking at the interaction.

Arthur won’t do it without Merlin. He quickly runs to his side and takes him by the arm, forcing him to follow Arthur. Although Merlin keeps saying things like he won’t do it, he can’t resist Arthur force. In the blink of an eye, both are in the middle of the dance floor.

“I haven't danced to this song for more than fifteen years! Are you nuts?!”

“Just follow my lead, trust me,” Arthur says and Merlin looks deeply at him. “Trust me,” says one more time and slowly, he does.

Merlin follows Arthur lead and both are dancing. The choreography isn’t that hard, they used to dance it when they played ‘Just Dance’ on the Arcade. Merlin also used to consider it like his exercise of the weekend. It was fun to dance with him, so they repeated the steps. When Merlin notices it, his body remembers everything like it was just yesterday.

Both are actually enjoying it, and suddenly, more people join the dance. Many, at the beginning, follow their lead, but eventually they do it themselves. Even Valiant and Leon join them. Everyone is happy. The DJ and Gaius leave their spots and dance. Arthur can’t stop thinking this is how every party should be. Everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.

However, before Merlin could keep going, he exchanges a look with Arthur. Despite the second one is smiling, Merlin remembers all their moments… the bad ones… how suddenly Arthur cutted him out of his life, how he complained about Merlin ruining every single thing, how he could look him in the eyes and say hurtful things. It’s too much. It took him all his life to make peace with those events, and now he’s dancing with the person who hurted him the most? He needed to leave.

“Arthur, I’m sorry, I gotta go,” Merlin offers his hand to shake it, and Arthur takes it by inertia.

“What?”

“Sorry, bye.” And Merlin practically runs off the place.

“Wait! Don’t go!” But it’s too late, Merlin is already gone. “Merlin!” Arthur feels something in his ribs is stabbing him, but that sensation is overshadowed by his boss approaching him with a big smile and glow in his eyes.

“I adore you!” Gaius takes Merlin place. Arthur breaths with certain relief, so they keep dancing.

Chapter Text

Arthur's life is amazing. Or at least, that’s what he thinks. He checks his bank account and finds out he has a lot of money. Finally he doesn’t have to worry about things like insurance. So he goes to Fifth Avenue and changes his wardrobe. It wasn’t bad, but he wants to feel more like himself.

He also found many membership cards of places like Starbucks and a GYM, but he decided to go to the first place to taste almost every option. Also, he ventures into the library, he needs books to inform himself about the publicity world, the internet gives him some clues, but nothing like having a book in his hands.

He texted Merlin to know how was him. He didn’t reply.

***

He goes to the cinema at night, and he’s thrilled. He doesn’t have a curfew anymore! He texts Valiant and other ‘friends’, but they are only interested in going to a club. When the movie ended, he decided to join them. He also texted Merlin, but he didn’t respond.

***

Clubbing is wild. Really. Well, it was amazing, and yeah, sure, the talk was really… superficial, but he drank alcohol! Arthur feels the sensation of freedom so new and exciting, and he could enjoy it more if his head didn’t hurt much. It feels like at any moment, he would explode. The worst part, Merlin hadn’t contacted him. Arthur falls asleep again.

***

He doesn’t fully understand his work, but everyone seems like they know what to do, so they asked for Arthur’s final opinion and that’s it. That’s how the grown up works? He doesn’t understand why his father complains. However, he finds himself looking at his phone way too much. Merlin doesn’t respond to his new text. Arthur guesses he will have to go out with his other friends, then.

***

Days have passed and… he’s getting bored. With Merlin out of the picture, every night is the same. He goes out with his friends, but all they want to do is drink. Can’t they have a normal conversation? They don’t even know everyone's names, he had asked but no one gave him a full answer. Besides, why do they like to drink if the head hurts the next morning? Even Arthur doesn’t like the sun anymore.

***

New York City doesn’t have a peaceful night. Without those night outs, there’s too much noise. He can’t think straight. There are many ambulances and police cars passing by, he even feels nervous. Even though he sees many movies and series to catch up with this time, he starts to feel… lonely. Merlin hasn’t responded to his calls.

***

He agrees to go out with Valiant one night. Just the two of them. Arthur thought they could do something together like going to the movies or playing video games. However, they went to dinner at a place where they serve almost empty plates and have weird drinks. Ag, another day facing alcohol, his new enemy.

“Hey, what’s going on with you? You look hungover at the office almost everyday.”

“Well, I’ve been going out with the boys.”

“Arthur!” Valiant complains, “those boys will destroy your liver, have you learned nothing?”

“Sorry, I just wanted to go out,” Valiant nods like he understands but his attention starts to fade. “Do you remember high school?”

“Of course, the best years of our lives. Why?” Valiant looks at him suspiciously.

“Nothing, it's just… I don’t know. We were good people?” Arthur finally asks what’s troubling him. Valiant sees him, comprehending what’s going on.

“This is for Merlin, right? I saw you two at the party. I didn’t know you were in touch.”

“We hadn’t. I just…” Arthur can’t explain the whole story of why they meet again, he didn’t believe him at the beginning much less now, so he has to lie. “I found him the other day and we talked. I invited him to the party and I wanted to… I don’t know… to catch up I guess.”

“Arthur…” Valiant looks at him with such fondness that Arthur thinks he will give him good advice. “Don’t be a prick.” Well, nevermind.

“What do you mean?”

“Look, I’m the first one to admit we were little shits running through the school, but come on! After what you did to him, did you really expect him to be your friend again?”

He didn’t have to ask what they did, or what he did, it all came back to him. It’s like a slap in his face. One moment Arthur only remembers his party, the next second… all his memories related to high school were back. Valiant is right, both were little shits.

He cutted Merlin out of his life like nothing. Merlin tried to remain his friend, but Arthur just pushed him away in the worst possible way. Valiant and him were actual bullies. Part of him feels like they were just pranking around, but he let his best friend be hurt by them. He actually laughed about it.

“Fuck…” Arthur whispers but Valiant just pats him in the back.

“Well, don’t be too hard on yourself, some people just can’t take a joke,” Valiant says heartlessly. “However, you did cross a line when he came out.”

“What?!”

“Yeah, you called him…” Valiant stops himself, noticing they could be heard, “doesn’t matter, you did, he stopped looking for you, both went separate ways. That’s it.”

Now Arthur feels worse. He tried to make sense of his new memories, but yeah, it seems like when Merlin came out, he wanted to tell a friend, a real friend, so he went to Arthur. Maybe he expected Arthur to comfort him or to be with him in the hallways, but Arthur just told him ‘and why would it matter to me?’.

The next day, everybody knew, and many were unkind. Valiant even made one prank on Merlin after that, and both laughed. After that, Merlin never spoke to him again. Despite not being the one telling the others, he didn’t protect him. Now that he think about it, Merlin didn’t have a single friend, especially after that.

“I’m an asshole.”

“We were, but now we have grown up, but you know how simpletons are, they can’t let go of the past. My opinion? They think that makes them special, but they are not.” Valiant says cold-hearted. 

Arthur actually wants to throw up. Is this his real friend? He needs to rethink some things about himself. They pay the bill and go outside. Valiant takes a pause to light a cigarette, Arthur is ready to leave but that’s when he sees him.

“Oh my God! It’s the naked man,” Arthur warns and looks for a place to hide.

“Hey gorgeous!” The stranger greets him while a woman talks to him.

“He thinks I’m gorgeous?”

“He better, he’s your boyfriend.” Valiant says without looking.

“He’s my boyfriend?!” Arthur is beyond surprise.

“Now see why you were cruel? You’re bi but still make fun of your gay ex friend.”

“Ok, ok, I see your point,” Arthur is red from shame. “Anyways, why is that lady asking for his autograph?”

“He may not be the best hockey player, but at least his ass is championship worthy. Or that is what you said months ago.” Both of them smile.

“Arthur?” Says a voice Arthur knows too well. He turns around and he sees him. Merlin. With other jeans and a jacket.

“Oh my God, Merlin! Hi!” He runs to his side, leaving Valiant behind.

“Hey, how are you?” Arthur goes for a hug but Merlin takes a step back. Arthur stops but tries to keep smiling.

“Fine, fine,” Arthur remains positive, but Merlin knows he’s a little hurt.

“Oh, sorry for leaving the other night,” Merlin is honest with that.

“Troll? Is that you?” Says Valiant, approaching the duo.

“Hi Big D, how are you?” Merlin's smile dies.

“You look great, it doesn’t get cold up there?”

“Ha ha, and what about you? Need somebody else's pee for medical purposes?” Valiant looks like he’s about to punch him in the face, so Arthur puts himself in the middle, but somebody else appears.

“Hey darling, what’s going on?” Says a man with a perfectly clean beard and curly brown hair. He’s tall like Merlin, kind of good looking, and he looks foreign, maybe hispanic? Arthur resists the urge to roll his eyes when the stranger puts his arm around Merlin.

“Lance!” Merlin exclaims happily. “Right, guys, this is Lancelot, my fiancé.”

“Oh hi! Your fiancé,” Arthur’s tone makes Merlin raise his eyebrow but doesn’t say anything else.

“Exactly, Lance, this is Arthur Pendragon,” Merlin doesn’t recognize Valiants presence.

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you,” both shake their hands, Lancelot with a kind smile, Arthur like he has to, “Merlin told me you visited him the other day, it was so sweet of you to pass by.”

“Merlin is the nice one, he saved my sanity that day,” says Arthur honestly. “Are you also a photographer?”

“I see you talk about me,” Lancelot says ironically but his smile towards Merlin is wholeheartedly. Arthur's stomach twisted.

“Lancelot is a weather researcher, one of the best may I add,”

“Thanks, maybe my promotion at the National Weather Service will help me to convince you to move to Maryland.”

“I still hadn’t decided,” Merlin complains but Lancelot's words make Arthur's heart ache.

“You leave?” Arthur’s voice is so soft and unsure that Merlin souls move to the point of wanting to hug him. But Merlin remains still, holding Lancelot's hand tighter.

“Probably, we still have many things to discuss…” however, he’s interrupted by someone else.

“Hey gorgeous,” the naked man puts his arm around Arthur, catching him by surprise. “You didn’t call me to meet us.”

“Aren’t you…”

“Alex Carlson, the very same, you want an autograph? I sign papers, foreheads, everything except the ass,” he laughs of his own joke but only Valiant smiles a little. “Anyways, aren’t you gonna introduce us?” He asks Arthur.

“Oh! Yeah, right, well, this is my good friend Merlin and his friend…”

“Fiancé,” the hispanic guy corrects Arthur.

“Yeah, sorry, Merlin’s fiancé, Lancelot, so weird…” the last thing is no more than a whisper, “and guys, this is…” shit! Arthur forgot his name.

“Alex Carlson, yeah, we know, amazing game by the way.”

“Thank you! We are finally going somewhere.” And Alex has the audacity of kissing Arthur’s cheek. 

For a tiny second, anger passes by Merlin’s eyes. An anger that Arthur saw when his father called him stupid for failing a test, or when an older student punched him in the face. It was fierce. It was overwhelming. It makes Arthur want to fall on his knees and look at Merlin forever. But it was just a second. Merlin is smiling.

“Well, we should better be going.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you,” says Lancelot, still holding hands with Merlin. The four of them say their goodbyes, leaving Arthur alone with Carlson and Valiant.

“Valiant, do you mind if I steal him from you the rest of the night?”

“Not at all,” Valiant replais. Arthur finally sees that his friend was amused, what of? He has no idea, but the thought of being alone with Carlson makes his hands sweat. “See you later, have a good night.” He turns off his cigarette and leaves, but Arthur catches up with him.

“Valiant! It’s just…” Arthur is nervous. “Should I go to his place? Alone?”

“Yeah! Why not? Go play, you deserve it.”

“Play? Like games and stuff?” Arthur whispers.

“Yeah, games, all kinds of games,” Valiant's tone is suggestive, but Arthur doesn’t understand. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything special.

***

They didn’t play any games. At least, that was Arthur’s intention. Alex 's were… weird. He served wine and was trying to get closer to Arthur until he suggested they played a video game. Then, things got weirder. Alex started dancing while undressing. Arthur ran away from that place.

***

“He didn’t have any game at all!” Arthur complains but his neighbour just laughs at him.

“Well, not the game you were thinking of.”

“Mordred!”

“I’m just saying,” but both laugh harder. When they reach the front door, Mordred fixes his uniform. “Anyways, what are you going to do with the Merlin situation?”

“I don’t know…” says Arthur, truly sad and conflicted about his friend being engaged and moving to Maryland.

“How is it possible that the person you like doesn’t like you back?”

“I dunno. It’s the irony of life I guess.”

Yeah, for Arthur it’s clear, he has a tiny little crush on his friend. But does he have to make a move or something about it? He doesn’t know for sure. Merlin is engaged, he has moved on. But it’s them! Merlin and Arthur. Arthur and Merlin. How could they be apart?

“I said you go to his flat, tell him how you feel, and smack his face with your lips to the point of…”

“Mordred!” Arthur complains, totally scandalized. “Stop, just stop,” he’s red from shame. “Look, first, I need to apologize for all the things l’ve done. If he can forgive me, then it would be enough.”

“Are you sure?” Mordred takes out a sandwich from his backpack.

“You can’t build a solid love if there’s no forgiveness.”

“Wow, that’s deep shit.”

“Don’t say bad words.” Arthur scolds him, but Mordred just smiles shamesly. “Well, good luck with fractions,” says as his goodbye.

“Have fun at work!” Mordred smiles and leaves.

***

Everyone at the office is panicking. In the meeting, Gaius says the word “r”, which means to redesign their concept. Since Triumphoods has all the attention while Avalon is being “cancelled”, the board decided they need to redefine their image. It’s an idea no one supports. Actually, many are terrified, Arthur would be too if he had paid attention to the meeting and stopped thinking about Merlin.

“It’s suicidal!” Valiant rests his fist on the table, making everyone jump, including Arthur.

“I don’t think so,” Arthur says flatly. 

Since he remembered the things they did, he now has a tendency to contradict him. Arthur doesn’t know why exactly, they had good memories and were good friends… but being his friend pulled Arthur far away from Merlin. And yeah, Arthur didn’t stop them, but Valiant started the pranks, and he can’t let go of that.

“It could be fun, even so.” Arthur stands and looks at everyone with confidence. “Let Triumphoods steal the best actors and our second hand ideas, we will find new stories, we will give the opportunity to new meat. It’s time to show Triumphoods that we are not done.”

Arthur takes a bit of his candy, rather aggressively, making Valiant be confused about all this. For Valiant, Arthur behaves like his old self, his annoying self. At the beginning, he thought Arthur had potential of being popular, but his friend, Merlin, was an obstacle, so Valiant made his project to make Arthur popular and great. It took him years to eradicate his nerdiness, but he was successful. Now he regrets all that time spent.

“We have two weeks, four hours and thirty minutes…” says Gaius while everyone leaves. At least Leon catches up with Arthur with his messages.

“I have your urgent messages,” and hands him some cards.

“Just tell me,” Arthur smiles, thinking that perhaps one is from Merlin or his parents. His new instructions were that their calls are a priority.

“Ha, well…” Leon is unsure but he reads them. “Morgana LeFay called and wanted me to tell to you ‘I can’t believe you stole my idea of heroes of the past you fucking traitor’,” Arthur smile dies while they get to his office. “‘That was low, even for you. I hope you die in one of your suits’, that’s it from her.”

“Wow, that was too mean.”

“Hm, Misses Lewis called and she said ‘I hope you choke on your own bile, you pretentious sewer rat’, and…” Leon keeps passing the cards. Those were the nicest ones.

“Maybe I should read them myself.” Arthur puts an end to the suffering of both of them.

“Yeah,” Leon gives him the cards, relieved, until the phone rings. Leon quickly runs to his place and Arthur enters his office.

While Leon is stressing because he has heard too many insults, Arthur reads the other notes. Many are from people he worked with, and all of them hate him. They called him mean things and it’s clear they don’t even respect him professionally. The only one “sweet” was from his “boyfriend”. It was dirty. Arthur throws away that card. The phone rings.

“Yes?”

“Alex is on line one, Mister Pendragon.”

“Shit! Can’t you tell him I’m busy?”

“He, ok…” Leon is surprised. Even he knows it’s not a serious relationship, but anytime Alex called, Mister Pedragon answered and they did, well, sex phone, why did he suddenly change? And why is he expecting, no, not expecting, begging, a call from a guy named Merlin? “But Mister Carlson wants to know at what time it will be good for dinner.”

“What about in ten million years? Ask him what he thinks of.” Arthur says, and it actually makes Leon laugh. He has never laughed with his boss, it’s so surprising that leaves him speechless.

“Ok… I will… I will tell him.” And they hung up. Arthur thought that would be it, but the phone rings again.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mister Pedragon, but Pete Hansen is here to see you,” Leon’s tone suggests he’s annoyed but resigned.

“Who?” Arthur’s question is so honest that amazed Leon.

“Vivian’s husband, from the Arts Department.”

“Oh… ok… sure.” Of course, thinks Leon. People don’t change that radically. In the next seconds, he lets Pete Hansen enter.

“I was just dropping Vivian’s lunch and I thought I should say hello,” defends himself, but Leon doesn't buy it. He even looks at Arthur disappointed.

“You brought her lunch? That’s sweet…” but Arthur didn’t finish because the guy threw himself to Arthur and kissed him passionately. At least, that was the intention, for Arthur it’s quite aggressive. He pushes him back to free himself. “What are you doing?” Arthur is scandalized. 

“What’s wrong, puckie?” There is a hunger in the guy’s eyes.

“Puckie? Gross! You are married and I work with your wife!” Arthur is beyond angry.

“That didn’t stop us before,” there is satisfaction in his tone. “What are you doing? It’s because we broke some drawers last week?”

Arthur’s mind collapsed. They have done it before? Sweet Lord. Arthur is breaking apart a marriage! How could he let it happen? He has a boyfriend! One he doesn’t like anymore, but he thought he respected him, at least. And his colleague? She will be crushed if she finds out.

“Come one, let me touch…” The guy didn’t finish because Arthur kicks him in the balls and leaves the office, trying to maintain his dignity.

Leon, and all the secretaries watch the scene in wonder. Everyone knew they were screwing together for a while, but everyone agrees to protect Vivian from the truth, she’s such a nice and generous person, she didn’t deserve that. It’s one of the reasons why everyone dislikes Arthur Pendragon.

However, now, things are changing. First with this calmer and kinder voice from Arthur. He hadn’t screamed at them in days! Second, the party. He never thought Mister Pendragon was fun, and knew how to dance. Third, he finally let Alex Carlson go. He’s silly, but nice, he also doesn’t deserve to be cheated. Now this? Leon is finally seeing Arthur Pendragon with new eyes.

Arthur looks for Valiant. He wants some comfort, or advice on how to tell Vivian about this situation, but he overheard a reunion over the caffe machine. He identifies Valiant’s voice, along with his own team and Arthur’s team. What are they doing without him?

“Yes, and hired the best photographer without letting Arthur find out,” says Valiant.

“Noted,” everyone writes on their phones.

“By the way, what’s up with him? I mean, he seems so lost,” asks one of Valiant’s team.

“I have no idea, but I’m so sick of him and his new tendencies,” responds Valiant honestly. “You know he stole Morgana’s ideas and then fired her? They used to be good friends.”

“Traitor.”

“Bastard!”

“And I loved her, she was so sweet.” His colleagues responded. So Arthur did cause her wrong…

“Anyways, we are going to do our own presentation and let him fail on his own.”

Arthur leaves discreetly after hearing everyone agrees. Now Arthur knows more thing about himself:

• He’s the reason Vivian’s husband is cheating on her.
• He stole ideas and fired one of his real friends, causing her to hate him.
• No person who had worked with him liked him.

And the worst of them all: He’s alone.

Chapter Text

Arthur walks and walks through all the city the rest of the day. The only person who called was Leon, and only because it was work related, not ‘cause he cared. Even Arthur’s assistant doesn’t like him. He only made a stop to eat, but not even Starbucks sandwiches and coffee cheered him up. At the end of the day, he arrived at the only door that he cares about in all the world.

“You’re not my korean food delivery,” says Merlin with a little smile.

“Wanna go for a walk?” Arthur’s eyes and tone breaks Merlin’s heart, so he didn’t hesitate with his answer.

“Sure.”

They walk in silence for half an hour, expecting the other to say what they wanted to say. Merlin knows something is troubling Arthur, and although he wants to hug him and tell him everything is fine, he holds himself back. He reminds himself they are not friends like they used to be.

“I can’t believe you're getting married,” says Arthur after a while.

“In two weeks.” If Arthur wants to start with that, Merlin would let him.

“Yeah…” the silence is heavy. “Is Lancelot your soulmate?” Merlin laughs.

“Soulmate? I don’t think I believe in those things, it’s kind of naive.”

“But you get goosebumps every time you are with him and butterflies in your stomach?”

“Haaa… no.” Merlin decides to be honest. “No one has driven me crazy like that since high school, thank God.” He laughs at his own joke but Arthur stops, making him stop and look at the blondie. 

Arthur looks at the ground, embracing himself. Now Merlin sees him nervous, but not only that, there is sadness around him. It finally occurred to him that Arthur is having a hard time, that something happened and left him broken. Every particle of Merlin’s being screams in horror of what they did to his friend, whoever “they” are, but Merlin is not comfortable enough to get close like before.

“Merlin, I’m sorry” Arthur sees him directly, catching Merlin off guard. He never thought he would hear those words from Arthur’s lips. “I know what I did to you, I knew it was wrong and even so I let it happen because I wanted to be popular,” he’s disgusted by that. “I let you go. I broke your heart and let our friendship end the way it did, and I’m so sorry.”

“Arthur, I… well…” he’s so surprised by the confession he doesn’t know what to say.

“Since my 13th birthday party, everything went to shit, right?” Arthur takes a seat on the bench.

“Well… it was the breaking point.” Merlin sits next to him, he didn’t want to review their past, but he even understood he needs to get it out of his chest. Arthur already asked what happened between them. Now he can be honest. “All because of that party..." Arthur looks at him, motivating him to continue. "You were really mad about it, so when you came out of the closet, I started singing a birthday song but you pushed me to the ground and threw me, with extreme force may I add, the DVD I made in months for you, leaving me behind with a wound on the forehead. Since that day, we just stopped being friends and never spoke again, well, besides the insults.”

“I’m so, so, sorry,” says Arthur with so much regret in his voice. Besides everything Merlin went through thanks to Arthur’s friend, he is surprised how easily he can forgive Arthur, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

“I forgive you.” It’s like Merlin’s heart has been waiting for him to forgive Arthur. “It was a long time ago, it doesn’t matter.” Merlin tries to chill the ambiance.

“Stop being nice to me. I don’t deserve it.” Merlin is silent. “You know what kind of person I am?” Arthur trembles but doesn’t stop. “I don’t have real friends. I did something bad with a married man, I don’t talk to my parents… I’m not a nice person and…” he chokes himself with regret. “And the thing is… I’m not thirteen anymore.”

“Arthur…” Merlin wants to comfort him, but Arthur quickly stands up and leaves.

In some way, Arthur knows what Merlin would say. ‘It’s never too late to be your real self’ or something like that. That’s what Hunnith taught him. But Arthur is beyond those changes. How could he prove he’s not that person anymore? Even when Merlin forgives him, he doesn’t feel like he deserves it. He has done too much damage. Perhaps Valiant and the others are right, things will be better with him out of the picture.

***

Arthur takes some days off to come back to his childhood home. On the road, he saw all kinds of people. Teenagers enjoying life, couples enjoying each other's company, friends happily talking… and he’s all alone. It’s funny how, despite having everything he ever wanted, he’s lonely.

Arthur wanted to be popular to be exactly the opposite. However, he let the others twist his intentions and became an asshole. How many lives he ruined to finally understand that you shouldn’t take the good things for granted? Everything his mother and Hunnith taught him… he wasted those wise words.

Now in his home, he only wishes for one thing: be thirteen again. If he suddenly is an adult, he can go back and be a teenager, right? He has learned his lesson, now he wants to come back to how things were in the past. He visits his old room, and many things are packed, it seems like an empty egg.

He goes downstairs, goes inside the closet and sits on the floor. He lets himself cry and wishes for him to go back to 2007. He even kicks the back of the closet to simulate the scenario that throws him years into the future. But he should have done it for a long time, and with so much noise, because suddenly the door is open, and his parents are there.

“Arthur?” His mother asks, surprised.

“Mom, dad,” and Arthur throws himself to them. Despite Uther Pendragon being stoic and a man of steel, both comfort him until Arthur could calm himself.

“Are you alright?” His mother asks.

“I missed you guys so much.” The three of them didn’t separate until late.

***

Arthur’s parents are known for representing this ideal family. One that supports each other, that looks for greatness and perfectionism. Still, they are also known for demanding too much of each other. Arthur felt pressure to be a leader anywhere they go, that’s what his father wanted. His mother wanted him to be friendly and kind, but forgot to teach him to differentiate the real friends of the ones that take out the worst of you.

Yet, they are family. It took years for Uther Pendragon to understand that men are allowed to cry, to show vulnerability. When he learned that, it was too late, his son was already gone for college with no intentions of visiting them. It breaks Ygraine’s heart. Now, he can mend the bond with his son.

“Well, will you tell us what’s going on?” Uther asks at breakfast. To his credit, both were extremely patient for Arthur to tell them what was wrong.

“Do you ever wish to go back? Like to, I dunno, another time?” Arthur asks. Uther and Ygraine share a look, but decide to be honest.

“Wouldn’t mind losing a couple of pounds,” says Uther. The three laugh.

“No, for real… If you could do anything, anything in your life again, what would it be?”

“Nothing.” Both Uther and Ygraine reply.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“You never made a mistake? A huge one that changed your life, what about that?”

“Well, we’re not perfect, and I’m pretty sure I hurt good people, but without those mistakes, I wouldn’t have learned and wouldn’t have become a better person. Or at least trying to be a better person.” His mother shares.

“Look son, I know I was definitely a bad person, at work, with you and your mother. I hurted the people I loved most, and even when it took some time, I learned from my mistakes and decided to be better. Some will never forget me, and they have that right, but the important thing is to forgive yourself first.”

“How come?”

“How could you expect the others to forgive you if you can’t even look at yourself in the mirror? It’s hard, that’s for sure, but if you want people at your side, you have to prove to them you are worthy of their trust.”

“What if it’s too late?”

“It’s never too late. Look at us!” Arthur smiles. His father is right. He never thought he could share his feelings with his father this openly. “Besides, the people that are meant to be in your life, will stay. Just show them the real you. Let your actions speak for you.” They hold hands, and Arthur can finally breathe. 

He can change, just like his parents told him. He can show them he’s worthy of trust. He will make things better. Arthur is hopeful for the future. When he came back to his apartment, he started working on his presentation. He will show them he’s so much more. First things first, he needs to save his company, and for that, he needs a badass photographer and a killer storyteller, and he knows exactly where to find them.

***

They meet at the park. After apologizing to Morgana, she practically made him beg, she agreed to give him a chance. Arthur is so glad she did because she actually has good ideas. The best part, he can pay her as a consultant, it’s a much better salary compared to the secretary one. Now, he needs a photographer. Especially after his conversation with Valiant the other day when both leave late from the office.

“Hey! I was gonna stop by your office.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah! I was gonna stop by your office. I tried to call you a million times.”

“I didn’t receive a message.”

“I was in a hurry…” now, Arthur can identify the false tone of Valiant’s courtesy. “But I did try to reach you.” Both know it’s a lie, but it seems like the kind of thing must be said between ‘friends’. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about this redesign thing… I hope you don’t mind but I’ve been working on something on my own. It’s a last minute decision. I hope you’re not mad.”

Considering how Valiant is, that means one thing: he’s confident on his project. Whith his new memories, he knows Valiant acts with false modesty when he knows he’s about to kick someone else’s ass, when he knows he will win. But now Arthur sees him as he truly is, and Arthur won’t be stepped on that easily.

“No, of course not.” Valiant looks relieved. “Cause I’m doing the same thing.” And Arthur leaves him with more resolution than ever.

At the park, everything is ready. Morgana actually had good contacts, they could “borrow” the park, they found extras willing to participate for free, and many more willing to help to carry heavy things. The production is taking form. He only needs one more person.

“Hey, Arthur.” Merlin greets him. Arthur immediately smiles and gets closer to his friend. Not that close, but this time Merlin didn’t take a step back. A win is a win.

“Hi.” He smiles at his friend. He’s using an old jacket with many pockets and a backpack, probably full with all his equipment.

“Seems like you got a huge photographic session.”

“Indeed.”

“So what’s this about?”

“Did you bring it?”

“Yeah, I brought a few,” Merlin opens his backpack and shows him the cameras. “What’s going on?” Merlin is quite intrigued by Arthur’s attitude. A few days ago, he kind of had a breakdown, but now, he’s smiling like he has found the missing piece of a puzzle. His good spirits are contagious.

“I’m hiring you. Well, Avalon is hiring you for two weeks.”

“What?!” Merlin is so surprised he starts to stutter while Arthur’s smile gets bigger.

“This is your payment. You will get the rest at the end of the job.” Arthur hands him an envelope with a paycheck. Merlin opens it and almost passes out by the quantity.

“Oh my God, are you for real?” Arthur just nods, excited like a little kid, but Merlin’s insecurities don't buy it. “Look, you don’t have to do me favors, you don’t own me anything…” Arthur quickly denies with his head.

“Actually, you’re the one who is doing me a favor.” Arthur suddenly sees him with a serious expression. “It’s not a comfortable job, you have a deadline of two weeks, we will have to work harder.”

“Then why me? What about Avalon’s team?”

“Let’s just say I need people with new ideas.” Merlin is curious, but decides not to ask. However, he doesn’t seem convinced, yet.

“Arthur… I’ve seen Avalon work, my style it’s different…”

“Exactly.” Arthur smiles with such confidence that Merlin knows he would follow him to anywhere he went. With certain reservations, both shake their hands and start to work.

Chapter Text

The idea is making a full thriller and publicity of an independent film that it’s already in production. It’s a small company called ‘Camelot Productions’, and the movie is quite nice, a typical love story but the message is powerful. Besides that, they need to prepare some boards about different commercials for different products. It will take a while.

Even so, Merlin is inspired. For the first time, he’s not complaining about all the things he has to do. Of course he told Lancelot about this new project, but his fiancé is such a comprehensive human being that he gives him space to work. While Lancelot is in Maryland, Merlin devotes himself to help Arthur to save Avalon.

For Arthur, the time is exceptional, even so, it feels like motions. For moments, it’s like forever in a single moment. Being with Merlin and company makes him feel whole… good… alive. Part of him believes that this should have been his life since the beginning, if he hadn’t been such a prick. They are amazing, and Arthur wouldn't know them if it's not for Merlin.

First, there is Gwen. She’s a young vivacious actress. Although she initiated her career in theater, she agreed to participate in this independent movie. She’s the main lead, so they interact too much for the publicity. She’s so kind-hearted that Arthur loves her in a friendly manner, he’s actually comfortable with her… and both make jokes on Merlin. So it’s fun.

Thanks to her, Arthur met Elyan, his younger brother. He’s unemployed, apparently, he was expelled from college, but decided to work until he gets the money he needs to open his own workshop. He’s talented with anything related to cars and motorcycles. He has also been an amazing support. He even helps the team to carry the heavy things in his free time.

Also, Arthur got to know Gwaine and Percival. They and Merlin are unique, it’s a friendship so strong that Arthur is jealous. Percival is the tallest person Arthur has ever met, but his talent with the camera is marvelous. How he doesn’t work for a big company like Warner Bros? Arthur doesn’t know, but thanks to him, they get amazing takes for the videos.

And Gwaine is such a character. He’s flirty as hell, handsome, yeah, and so sarcastic. However, he’s insanely good with music. Merlin confesses to him that Gwaine is actually rich, which explains how he plays any instrument in the world, but refuses to follow the path his family made for him, so he concentrates on selecting the music for videos.

All of them knew each other. 

And all of them made a place for Arthur. 

The six of them have breakfast, lunch and dinner together. They accept everything about Arthur, even when they don’t agree with some ideas, they talk and find a solution that makes the result worthy. Arthur’s feeling at home. Even Leon joins them a couple of times! Much to Arthur’s despair, Leon has many tales about him making something ridiculous. Now his new job is to make sure Merlin and his assistant are apart as long as possible.

What was a surprise is that, one day, when they were filming near a library, they bumped into Mordred. He was studying. When he finished, he was ready to go home, but Arthur came to say hello and chatter for a while. Eventually the rest of the team went to them, so Arthur presented him. All of them loved the little kid, even Gwaine couldn’t stop laughing with the kid’s curses.

Yet, the best moment was with Merlin. All of them invited Mordred to eat with them. They went to a restaurant and Mordred gave actually good ideas about the design. Merlin is descent with drawings, he and Percival, so they pay attention to Mordred ideas. But for a moment, it seems like a family picture. Arthur could see Merlin, Mordred and him in a house, talking, spending time together, like a real family… Well, his mind is taking things too far. 

However, to everyone it is obvious that feelings start to resurge between Merlin and Arthur. All the company has discovered that they are more physically closer with every passing day, which is a surprise coming from Merlin, he’s the one who doesn’t like physical contact. And there’s no day Arthur doesn’t give Merlin little gifts, like his favorite te or a piece of bread.

Merlin is also attracted to Arthur. There’s no day Merlin doesn’t welcome him with a bright smile and shiny eyes. Merlin always calls Arthur by different nicknames like “clotpole”, “majesty” or even “lazy daisy”. And the looks… Merlin just can’t stop looking at him, sometimes like he’s afraid Arthur will disappear or wondering if it’s real, but most of the time there’s only devotion.

The five decided they needed to talk to them. The easiest one will be Arthur, he doesn’t have… complications. All of them agreed it should be Gwen, she has the touch for those kinds of things. So when they were filming inside a gallery, she wasted no time.

“What are you looking at?” Gwen asks, making Arthur jump off his place. He was so focused on the painting that he didn’t listen to her.

“Nothing, nothing… just, looking at the painting. Ready to go?” Arthur says, still accelerated by the scare. Gwen just smiles.

“That’s not what I meant,” she pushes him gently with her elbow, so the two of them look at the painting. “What do you see?”

Arthur doesn’t know how to explain. At first sight, it’s just a painting with a huge castle, a king standing strong next to his knights with red robes and golden symbols. But the ones that stand out are the king and a man on his right side. He’s not a knight nor royalty, but it seems like there’s a connection between the two of them that Arthur can’t take his eyes off.

“At the beginning I thought it was about the king and his right hand. The man next to him seems to be someone the king trusts…” Gwen waits for Arthur to continue. “But I don’t know… the painting just tells me there’s more. I dunno…”

“I think I get it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I mean, they seem closed, his standing in the place where there should be someone from royalty or the queen, however… it’s just them.”

“I think it’s them, inspiring love.” Arthur says without thinking.

“Love?” Gwen smirks.

“Well… I mean…” Arthur is nervous but quickly realizes it’s because he has finally someone to talk about it, not because of what they’re talking about. That's the magic of Gwen's presence. “Sometimes love it’s so big it just can’t stop. Maybe they were apart, but their fates are intertwined. Wherever they go, whenever they are… at the end it will be just the two of them. And that inspires people, they have their friends… not even time will break them.”

“Not even if one of them separates from his other half.”

“Never.” Arthurs is firm about that. “Maybe the king thought it had to be in that way, but he knows his mistake, and he will make things right, even if it takes him all his life.” Arthur looks at his friend and she’s smiling wholeheartedly.

“He better not fail, then.” They share a complicity smile and hug each other.

Arthur knows his mistake, and he’s willing to do everything in his power to make it right, just like he told Gwen and his parents, he just needs one more chance. On the other hand, the talk with Merlin isn’t as pleasant as Arthur’s. It was decided for Gwaine to be the one who talked to him, they were friends longer, but Gwaine has a… particular touch…

“What the fuck are you doing with the golden prince?”

“I don’t know!” Merlin burrows his head in his arms.

Merlin is conscious about the change. Arthur being next to him everyday, all day… it’s delicious and painful at the same time. He doesn’t want it to end, that’s for sure. And he knows damn well he’s looking for Arthur’s company almost every second when he’s not around. But that can’t keep happening! He’s losing control. He’s falling on a spiral.

“Dude, I love you, you’re my best friend, you’re the only one who saw me for who I am and you even saw me as someone worthy of your friendship.”

“I still do,” Merlin smiles at him.

“That’s why I don’t want to see you heartbroken.” Gwaine sits next to him. “You got to talk to him.”

“But…” Merlin hesitates.

“What?”

“It’s such a beautiful dream…” Merlin whispers, but his friend listens.

“I know, I know… but I can’t see you broken one more time.” Both stay silent. It was a dark moment for Merlin.

When Arthur stopped being Merlin’s friend, he was actually depressed. He barely got out of his room. One day even his mom forced him to go out to the park. Merlin didn’t want it, but he obeyed. In the park, sitting alone on a bench, he saw someone running from a group of older guys. 

He still doesn't know what came to him. Maybe it was destiny. Or perhaps luck. In any case, Merlin followed them and he saw them catch up to the boy, ready to beat the shit out of him. He didn’t think of the consequences, he just threw them garbage to distract them. It worked too well. The boy took Merlin’s arm quickly and they ran away.

Of course the guys eventually caught them. They beat them up, but Merlin was happy. He was genuinely content. The boy apologized for not protecting him more, but it was okay, Merlin was feeling again. Hunnith scolded him and punished him for months, yet, it was worth it, both boys remained friends. That’s how Merlin befriended Gwaine.

It’s true that it took some time for Merlin to trust completely on Gwaine. They went to different high schools, so they only saw each other in the afternoon. Also, Merlin quickly found out that Gwaine had a certain reputation, especially of being a bad influence, but they got to know each other. 

Merlin saw that Gwaine is mischievous but with a golden heart. Gwaine saw a skinny boy in trouble, so made his mission to help him to overcome whatever was troubling him. Merlin didn’t mention Arthur’s name, but he understood that his friend was heartbroken. Gwaine saw the worst of Merlin: anger, insecurity, pain, sorrow, everything. He just can’t see his best friend again like that, for much he likes “their majesty”.

“The three of you need to be honest.” Merlin’s stomach twists. “Just talk from the bottom of your heart.”

“I will,” Merlin wipes his nose with his shirt sleeve. “I will.”

***

The filming ended at night. The group, including Leon, went to dinner. They talked a little, but at the end of it, everyone went home. All of them were really tired. However, Gwaine takes a chance to look at Merlin, warning him that it’s time to talk. His friend nods with his head. He can’t postpone it forever.

“Arthur, would you like to come to my flat and look at the final version?”

“Of course!” Arthur's smile makes Merlin’s heartbeat drop.

“Cool, let’s go.”

Once in the flat, Arthur is amazed. The final version is wonderful! The film is perfect, the takes, the music and scenes are well coordinated that it seems is made by the best of the best. Which they are, by the way. Still, Arthur’s attention is in the photography. 

Merlin has a perspective that makes something so simple like a smile look like happiness in human form. Arthur is so focused on those details that he isn’t aware that Merlin hasn't stopped looking at him with tenderness and love.

“They are beautiful.” Arthur comments.

“Yeah, they came out okay.” Merlin is still looking just at Arthur.

“Yes, I think so, don’t you?”

“Yeah, me too.” But both are talking about different things.

“Arthur… I… well, I…” Merlin hesitates again. He suddenly feels like a teenager, he’s nervous by just standing next to Arthur. “I think… I think…” Arthur is waiting for him to continue, but Merlin chickens out. “It’s late, maybe we should review it tomorrow morning…”

“You know what I would like to have? Like right now?” Arthur interrupts him. He doesn’t want Merlin to go. Not yet. However, Merlin’s heart starts to beat like crazy.

“What?” Merlin asks, looking at Arthur's lips. They are actually really close for it to happen.

“M&M's.” Merlin dies inside.

“M&M's? Wow! I hadn’t eaten one of those since… fifteen years ago!”

“Remember there are many colors.” Both smile and go to the next store to have one. “I can’t believe you haven't eaten one of these in years!”

“I know!”

“There’s no time to waste.” Both make like a toast and eat the candy.

Merlin’s eyes get bigger. He has forgotten how delicious they are. When they separate, Merlin swore he would not eat those candies because it reminded him too much of Arthur. How stupid. He was heartbroken, but it shouldn't have been a cause of depriving himself to eat or do something he enjoyed. Well, now he has the chance to correct it. They walk around while eating and Merlin can’t stop laughing.

“What?”

“Nothing,” but Arthur looks at him, expecting the answer. “It’s just… I don’t know. Life, Coincidences. Being with you, eating M&M's.” Arthur smiles brighter, like he has accomplished something important. “I have a really good time working with you in these two weeks.”

“Me too.” Arthur stops for a moment. “The guys are amazing… Gwen, Elyan, Percival, even Gwaine… You have really good friends, Merlin.”

“They are. I wouldn’t be me if it hadn’t been for them.”

Arthur feels it like a stab. Merlin didn’t see his hurt face, which is good, because Arthur feels like he deserves that observation. He was the one who broke Merlin’s heart in the first place, and for something banal like popularity. But now he’s correcting those mistakes.

“Also, they like you, which is incomprehensible for me ‘cause you are a clotpole.” Arthur laughs at his words.

“What can I say? I’m a taste that is acquired over time.” Merlin laughs at his friend. “You wanna know a secret?”

“Yeah.”

“You are the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.” And Merlin’s heart stops by his words. How could he not love Arthur Pendragon?

“I bet you I still jump the furthest.”

Both arrived at the park, luckily they are totally alone in the play area, otherwise it would be weird with audience. Both swing as fast as they can, laughing at everything and nothing at the same time. It’s a game they used to play when they were kids.

“What about this? The loser pays for the dinner.” Suggest Merlin.

“You’re on!” Arthur agrees. “On the count to three.”

“Go!” Both count to three and jump.

One little thing Arthur and Merlin forgot: they are grown ups. That means their bodies are not that resistant like when they were kids. When they fall to the ground, their backs and arms hurt like hell. And both complain about it.

“Ow, that hurts.”

“Indeed.” Despite that, they are still laughing.

The night air is warm and heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine. The two of them stay on the ground of the quiet park, the lamplight casting a soft glow over their faces. A faint hum of crickets filled the silence as they both hesitated, their laughter from a moment ago fading into something more uncertain, more charged.

“I still can't believe you beat me at this game,” Arthur teased, his voice light but his gaze steady on Merlin. “It’s just because you’re taller.”

Merlin chuckles, shoving his hands into the air. “It’s your fault, you still accepted the challenge when you already know the result.” His smile faltered slightly, replaced by something softer, something unspoken.

For a moment, neither spoke. The world seemed to shrink around them, the distant sounds of the city fading into the background. Merlin looks at Arthur, really looks at him, like he’s seeing something he hadn't noticed before, or maybe something he’d tried to ignore.

“You’re looking at me weirdly,” Arthur murmured, a nervous laugh escaping his lips.

“I am?” Merlin asks, rolling a little closer, his voice low and tinged with vulnerability.

“Yes. Like you’re about to do something…” Arthur says, his breath hitching slightly, though he didn’t push him back. Instead, his fingers toyed with the Merlin jacket cap, as if grounding himself.

“Maybe I am,” Merlin whispers, his eyes flicking from Arthur to his lips and back again.

Arthur pulse quickens, and he opens his mouth to reply, but the words get lost in the space between them. Before Merlin could second-guess it, his hand lifted, brushing a stray of sand off Arthur's cheek. The touch lingered, his thumb grazing Arthur cheek in a way that sent shivers down his spine.

And then, as if the universe itself held its breath, Merlin closes the distance. His lips met Arthur’s, and even so he froze for half a heartbeat, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions, Merlin melted into the kiss, his hands finding their way to Arthur's jacket, clutching it as if afraid Arthur might vanish in the air.

Arthur also deepened the kiss, filled with the weight of years of unspoken feelings and missed opportunities. It wasn’t perfect, his nose bumped Merlin’s awkwardly, and he’s so excited he forgot to breathe for a second, but none of that mattered. It was raw and real. Arthur’s wishes were just coming true. 

However, Merlin suddenly feels his mind betraying him. ‘Lancelot !’. Merlin quickly remembers he’s engaged! So he abruptly pulls back. Both are breathless and dazed, but now shame is running through Merlin’s veins. Meanwhile, for Arthur, the spark between them is undeniable, brighter now than ever before.

***

On one hand, Arthur found Mordred in the elevator again. The kid saw Arthur’s face brighter, so he confessed what happened. Both ended up in Arthur’s apartment, celebrating and eating frozen pizza.

“Told you, you just had to kiss him. Too bad there wasn’t too much hand activity.”

“Mordred!”

On the other hand, Merlin is mad with himself. He called Gwaine and told him everything. His friend is devastated, mostly because he knows Merlin feels guilty when he should be happy. They finally kiss!

“You know, when I told you that you should talk to him… this is not what I meant!”

“I know!” And they collapse on Merlin’s couch. “I’m fuck.”

Chapter Text

Today is presentation day. Arthur didn’t call Merlin since he woke up, he wanted to give him space, besides, he needs to get some final details done before the presentation. Fortunately, Leon is helping with everything. Him and one of his friends are helping Arthur to make everything perfect, even if that means they are running in the office.

“Well, what do you think?” Arthur asks Leon.

“Well, I think I’m gonna start watching Avalon content for the first time in my life.” The three of them laugh.

The first one to present will be Valiant. There wasn’t an agreement, but he’s ready while Arthur needs to pick up some photographs from the studio.

“Arthur!” Gaius comes to him in a hurry and with a worried expression. “My balls are in danger. The board is pulling them down, what is that Valiant will present his redesign without you? And with your team work?!” He’s practically sweating. “What’s going on?”

When Arthur first heard his own team would be more dedicated to Valiant’s efforts, he told them that they were free to join them. He was gonna do something experimental and didn’t want to harm their efforts if it didn’t go well. All of them agreed and were relieved. Arthur thought it would be hard, but it was the best decision, it introduced him to Merlin’s friends.

“It just means you will have more options,” Arthur calms him down.

“With all due respect to Valiant, I’m far more interested in what you will present.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s not a compliment. I’m pressuring you.” Gaius looks at him menacingly.

“How long until your balls explode?”

“I… I hope never. I’m too attached to them.”

“Can they handle it for thirty minutes?” Arthur’s phone rings, but Leon quickly responds while trying not to laugh at the interaction.

“Arthur, you’re not the usual you,” Gaius looks at him deeply, like he’s suspecting something ugly, “since when are you hiding things for me? I’m really freaking out…”

“Arthur, the photos are ready.” Leon warns him.

“Good! Hang on, Gaius.” Arthur quickly grabs his stuff.

“Why does nobody listen to me?” Gaius complains to Leon.

“Leon, aren’t you coming?” Leon smiles and runs next to him, leaving Gaius behind and with an open mouth.

“Is he inviting? Good. Bye, go ahead. What am I? I’m just the boss. Whatever.”

***

Valiant’s presentation is a disaster. His idea is more of the same, but the difference it’s to deeply investigate their clients. He says that the idea is simple, that sometimes simple is better. Their slogan will be the same, ‘Your Choice for Better Business.’ It’s generic, sure, but it’s safe. And they need to be safe for their clients.

Since most of their clients are looking for publicity for their films and TV shows, they will make deals with artists that are beloved and of high quality. Sure, that will cost them a fortune at the beginning, but it’s an investment they need to do. Also, they need to acquire more modern technology.

“We don’t need that many employers. The machines are perfecting our work, we better use them as much as possible so we don’t be left behind.”

The video is made with so much effort from the team, well, artistically, is beautiful, the color and sketching technique is amazing. However, the content… it’s almost nothing of value. The only reason Gaius likes Arthur and Valiant teamwork is because, despite Valiant’s good eye for the aesthetic, Arthur is the one who makes the rest to make sense. In some way, Arthur is the one who gives soul to the project. Valiant’s idea is trash.

“Oh Valiant…” says Gaius with a condescending tone. “This is not what we were looking for… I’m even ashamed to present the idea to the board.”

Valiant is, above everything else, a gentleman. He accepts Gaiu’s words without hard feelings, he’s thankful to the team, and leaves with his dignity intact… at least for a second. As soon as he closes the door, he goes to Arthur’s office, throwing and pushing everyone who is in his way.

Meanwhile, Arthur arrives at the building with everything ready to present. Arthur quickly puts everything in place, Leon gives him a thumbs up and goes to the other side of the room. He wishes for his friends and Merlin to be standing next to him. They should be! But all of them had other projects to do, although they promised to be alert for Arthur’s call.

“Well, good morning everyone,” all of the presents greet him. “I will begin with a video for you.” 

He plays the thriller and the first face to appear is Gwen’s. As the video goes on, he thinks of his friends. Gwaine would be making jokes, Elyan would be hugging his sister, he’s so proud of her, even Percival and Leon would be excited. Still, Arthur’s mind goes to Merlin. Merlin’s laugh, Merlin’s lips, Merlin’s jokes… He pictures his friend with his pure blue eyes holding his hand. He can do it. He can do it for them.

“I know it’s different,” he starts to explain as soon as the video ends and puts his boards with the sketches of the products and the publicity they do before. “I mean, from anything we’ve ever done. And I know you might hate it and think I’m completely crazy, but I won’t care, even if I get fired and I don’t mean that disrespectfully,” he quickly says before Gaius interrupts him. “It’s just that I’ve realized something. Who are these people? Does anyone remember the products? I don’t care for any of it.”

Arthur moves the old boards and behind them, it’s his idea. So full of color, laughter, life… yes, they make publicity of objects, however, what does the object sell? What meaning do we give to the products? That’s the difference with Valiant. The second one only sells products, Arthur sells experiences, and good ones.

“I want to see a movie with a real love story. I want to see my best friend debut on the big screen with the help of the make-up we sell… and the equipment the girls from the soccer team use to win… my next-door neighbor art… Real people who are smart, creative and happy to be who they are. These are the persons to look up to… Let’s put life back into Avalon… I think all of us want to feel something that we’ve forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn’t realize how much we were leaving behind.” Leon cleans his tears as Arthur reveals his soul. “We need to remember what used to be good.”

“Bravo!” Gaius screams and the rest starts applauding with emotion. “My boy…” Gaius holds Arthur’s face in a paternal way. “You have grown up so much. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you Gaius.” 

“We will present this to the corporate first thing tomorrow morning.” And everyone cheers.

***

Arthur practically runs to Merlin’s apartment. He’s so excited that he forgot to call his friends, but he’s not worried, he can call once he shares the news with his… with… yeah, with his Merlin. Since he ran, he forgot to carry an umbrella. It’s bad because it actually rains. Now he’s all wet in the doorway.

“Merlin!” He calls him and knocks at his door. 

He knows he won’t surprise his friend, especially because of his smile. There’s no way Merlin won’t guess it. When he hears noise from the inside, his heart accelerates and flashbacks of their kiss pass in front of his eyes. He wants to kiss him again so badly… However, when the door is opened, his smile freezes.

“Lancelot!” Arthur says, shocked to see him there.

“Arthur Pendragon, what a surprise, what brings you here?”

“I… well, I…” Arthur needs to recover quickly. “I was just looking for Merlin. I wanted to give him the good news about his photos. Everybody loved them.”

“That’s amazing! He worked hard for it,” Lancelot smiles honestly. “Oh! That means you won the presentation, congratulations,” and offers his hand to Arthur. He takes it and both shake their hands with certain precaution. “I’ll tell him when he comes back. He went for his tuxedo.”

That news breaks Arthur’s smile. He feels a hint in his heart, and despite trying to contain the good spirits, his heart is breaking. Tuxedo? A tuxedo? Merlin doesn’t need one. Not unless he… they… No! Can’t be happening.

“His tuxedo?” Maybe there’s a confusion. Maybe Merlin needs it for something else.

“I know, he worked so hard he forgot to go for it. Sometimes he’s really a man of last minute kind,” Lancelot laughs but it’s humourless. “I mean, we’re getting married tomorrow!” He lets out his emotions. “It’s going to be the cutest garden wedding in centuries.” Lancelot smiles excited while Arthur's heart is getting more hurted with every sentence he says.

“Congratulations.” It’s the only thing he can say.

“Thanks, I’ll tell Merlin you came.” And Lancelot closes the door. Arthur 's hopes die.

***

Arthur is rehearsing his speech but he’s tired. He couldn’t sleep well. For one part, he was thinking of calling Merlin, but his fiancé is there with him, it wasn’t a good idea. On the other hand, someone did come to visit him, his neighbor, Mordred, with a fresh black eye.

“Mordred! What happened?” He made the kid come into his flat. He was obviously sad and angry.

“You know what happened, it’s not the first time you see me like this.”

Arthur’s heart sinks further. He forces his mind to remember and… yeah, there it is. Since the adoptive parents move into the building with Mordred, there were occasions when Mordred is injured, sometimes there’s just redness in his face, some other time he walks with a limp, and one time with a black eye, just like now.

“I’m so sorry Mordred,” Arthur says while putting ice in his face. He’s so young and good, he doesn’t deserve this. “You know I have to call them.”

“Don’t you fucking dare!” Mordred exclaims angrier.

“Mordred, you can’t keep living like these,” Arthur reasons, “you said they didn’t change you for school, so things will be kind of the same.”

“No, they won’t! You are stupid.” Mordred moves from one side to the other of the living room.

“Ok, what would change? If you tell me, maybe we can work something out…”

“I wouldn’t see you anymore, you moron.” Mordred says without looking him in the face. Arthur’s heart just breaks a little more. “I didn’t think of you… I don’t know… but if I leave with them, I won’t see you again, I’ll not be allowed to get near the building.”

Arthur nods but Mordred is quicker, he goes to Arthur and hugs him. Yes, Arthur is an adult, and despite having his memories and everything, it doesn’t mean he knows how to fix things for Mordred. He’s not sure they would let him adopt the kid, and even if they do, it won’t be immediately, there’s a whole process that needs to be made for it. Arthur is clueless, so he just hugs back the kid until both fall asleep.

In the morning, Arthur told him to go on like it’s a normal day. He has to work, but as soon as he ends with the presentation, he will go back to Mordred and try to find a solution. However, when he puts a foot in Avalon, he gets a call from the janitor telling him Mordred has been taken by the Adoption Agency.

“What?! Why?”

“Another resident called them about his injuries, so they came for him with the police to arrest the parents.”

“Fucking shit!” Arthur exclaims angrier. “Ok, I’ll be on my way.”

“Sir, I know it’s not my place but…” the janitor hesitates.

“But what?” Arthur asks a little more calmly.

“The kid thinks you call… when they took him, he screamed ‘he promised me he wouldn’t call’ over and over again.”

“Oh no…” now Arthur is devastated.

“Sorry sir, maybe you should let the kid to calm down before looking for him,” he tries to sound positive for Arthur, but by the silence in the other line, he just sighs and continues, “besides, he will be with Childcare Services and the police to fill the report, you won’t be able to talk to him until the afternoon.”

“Yeah… ok…” still, Arthur is crushed. “Thanks for the call, Mister Willson.” He hangs up, takes a deep breath, and enters Avalon.

With Merlin’s situation and now Mordred, he’s lost. He’s losing two of the most important things in his life, what to do? What to do? Well, he can save his company now. Maybe if he explains to Merlin the situation with Mordred, he would help him and then they can talk about them and their kiss and everything else. It is his only hope.

“All of us want to feel something that we’ve forgotten… or turned our backs on because… No. We didn’t realize how much… we need to remember what used to be good.” No, he can’t concentrate properly. He will use the cards as Leon suggests. He takes them but there’s a knock on his door followed by a face. It’s Gaius. “Ready? Nonetheless, Gaius enters with a sorrowful expression. All joy and happiness it’s out of his system.

“The meeting is canceled.”

“Will it be next week?” Arthur is desperate for it to be like that.

“It’s over.”

“What’s over?” For the first time, he sees his boss without hope and contains tears.

“Valiant took all your designs to Triumphoods. Everything.” Arthur is beyond shock. “He’s the new director there. Your designs have been on their website since yesterday night, today they are in advertisements and everything.”

“He can’t take Merlin’s pictures! They belong to us! He can’t do it!” Arthur is angry and hurt. How is it possible for Valiant to betray them just like that?!

“He can,” says Gaius calmly. “He did it.” He handles Arthur a document. “He made Merlin sign it.” It’s a contract for a photography release, it includes all the videos and sketches they made as a group.

When Arthur contracted Merlin and his friends, it was difficult to make individual contracts, besides, it would mean too much paperwork, so all of them decided to act as a group, and the one in charge was Merlin. When Merlin signed as leader, all of them agreed to discuss with him all the doubts they had regarding the contract. If Merlin signed it, it means all of them agreed to it.

“Fuck him!” Arthur goes straight to Valiant’s office. “You stole Merlin’s pictures!” He screams accusatively as soon as he enters.

Leon tried to stop him, he said he wanted to tell him something important, but Valiant crossed a line. He just didn’t steal Merlin’s pictures, he stole everyone's works! Including Gwen’s performance, Percival’s takes and Gwaine’s music! He can’t let Valiant go. He can’t let him hurt his friends one more time.

“Oh, which do you want to be, the pot or the kettle? If you don’t mind, I'd like to be the pot.” He asks while keeping his belongings in boxes. He’s packing to go to Triumphoods. “Or the kettle. It doesn’t matter, both are burned,” he exclaims angrily. How dare he be the one offended?

“What are you talking about?!”

“I found these in your office yesterday,” he rubs in his face the letters Arthur kept in his drawer. “Do you recognize it? It has your name on it.” Valiant looks at him with hate. Arthur snatches them away.

“Did you rummage through my things?” Arthur sees them. It does have his name, and it’s from Triumhoods, but he doesn't know the content.

“Oh please, drop the act! How awful, how terrible, mua, mua, I can’t believe it.”

“What is these? I don’t even know what it is.”

“Take off that mask of Bambi looking at his dead mother. I spoke yesterday with Trish Sackett.”

Arthur stops paying attention to Valiant’s rant and looks at the content. He can’t believe it. Apparently Triumphoods sent those letters to thank him for the information he gave about their projects. There’s even a note in the most recent letter that says: Thanks for all your great ideas. This is the best yet. You’ll make a great director at Triumphoods … Arthur was the traitor.

“Yes, I found out your secret agreement. You’ll be a director in Triumphoods if they make millions of reproductions. You give them tips and everything, not bad. I wish it had occurred to me first.”

Arthur is collapsing. How could it be possible? He has loved Avalon since he was a little kid, God! Even Merlin and all of their friends knew it was his dream to work for the company. How could he betray them?

“Oh no…” Arthur falls into the chair, defeated.

“Oh yes…” Valiant approaches him and looks him dead in the eyes, with no sympathy for him. “I can’t make you pay for betraying us, for leaving me behind, not like I would like it. So I’ll take your job and you can stay in the company you ruined.”

“And what about Merlin? Why did he sign? What did you tell him?”

“I think I tell him… that you decided to take a different direction… which you are going to do now,” he smiles with cruelty. “I may add something else, but I just can’t remember.”

Arthur was never a man of violence. Of course, when he was young, his father taught him how to defend himself. But this is different. Yes, Arthur is the traitor, but Valiant ruined once more his friendship with Merlin. He can’t tolerate it. 

He launches himself over Valiant and punches with such force and repeatedly that everyone around them tries to separate them. Some even call security. For a moment Gaius and Leon appeared, they were the only ones that could contain Arthur.

“Fuck off, you traitor.” Valiant spits and leaves the building without looking back.

“Arthur,” says Gaius once everything calms down. Nevertheless, he looks hurt, he looks… betrayed. Leon told him he wanted to talk to him before going to Valiant.

“Gaius, I…”

“Leave,” says with harshness. “There will be a meeting on monday, and we will discuss your demission.” Arthur’s heart shatters one more time.

“Arthur, you better go,” Leon advises. Arthur looks around and, despite the fight, many seem angrier with him.

To make things worse, Leon gives him the notes of the calls he misses. All of them were from Morgana, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan. They found out what he did, maybe because Merlin told them or Valiant, but all of them were also betrayed. The one that hurt him the most was from Gwen, she said: ‘ I’m so disappointed, Arthur Pendragon. I thought you were a man of honor. Never contact us again ’.

Chapter Text

Arthur is sitting on the bench, sad and deeply concerned. How did he lose everything again? He sent a million texts to Merlin, but he didn’t respond. He tried to contact his friends, but no one answered. He checked the chat group and yes, everyone hates him. Sure, they are not happy with Valiant’s last act, but at least they don’t want to lynch him.

“Everything is fucked.”

He can’t even look for Mordred because he doesn’t know to which police station they took him and he’s not his legal guardian. Besides, he doesn’t even know from which orphanage he came from. Even a thirteen years old boy hates his guts. How could he explain everything that happened?

Adulthood is hard. Even with all his memories, he’s not a grown up, he doesn’t know how to fix things. He should have stayed away from Merlin, at least him and his friends wouldn’t be tangled in this mess. When Arthur turns around he sees a bus with his publicity. Everyone is enjoying and laughing… He remembers his own speech, ‘ all of us want to feel something that we’ve forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn’t realize how much we were leaving behind… We need to remember what used to be good… ’.

Merlin.

All this mess happened because he was separated from his other half. Everything went to shit because he wasn’t with him. Merlin is the one who centers him, that reminds him of the real stuff he should cherish… Merlin is his soul. Arthur may have lost everything, but not Merlin. Not yet.

He takes his phone and orders an Uber. Since Arthur is on a bussy avenue, it’s really quick how he connects with a driver. He waits for hi… her. Well, whoever it is, he just concentrates on the car plates. Once he identifies it, he quickly jumps to it.

“Please, to George Washington in New Jersey, as quickly as you can.”

The driver starts and she drives as fast as she can. To her credit, she’s good at avoiding the traffic and maneuvering between slow cars. They are actually making a good time, he will be there soon, but what is he going to tell Merlin? How to start?

“Arthur? Arthur Pendragon?”

“He, yeah?”

“Oh my God, it’s you!” She exclaims happily while keeping her eyes in front. “Don’t you recognize me? I’m Sophia Butler.”

Arthur’s eyebrows almost fall from the surprise. It is Sophia Butler, he checked on the app. She had gained weight, and her beautiful golden hair now it’s all lifeless and dull. It’s clear she has acne despite masking it with makeup, and she looks extremely tired.

“What are you doing? Are you married? ‘Cause if you’re single, I want to ask you out.” Arthur smiles politely. “We could go out… I still live with my parents, but it’s more for the kids.”

“Kids? You have kids?!”

“Four gorgeous little girls,” she hands him a picture and the girls are… well… they seem to have perfect health. However, his attention goes back to the road when he hears the bells that close the route because of the train.

“Hurry up, Sophia! Come on!” But it’s too late, they can’t pass.

“Oh! This is the song of our first tongue kiss!” She exclaims excitedly. Just then, Arthur pays attention to the radio. It’s a Taylor Swift song. “What’s the name of the singer? She’s quite popular now… hmm… Taylor Smith!”

“It’s Taylor Swift, Sophia, I’m out of here!” Arthur says and leaves the Uber.

“What? I thought you wanted my info!” And then, she receives the notification of her qualification as driver. It was three stars. “Oh, come on!”

Arthur didn’t hear, he just runs through the streets like he’s running for his life. It may as well be like it. Merlin is his life and soul, he can’t risk it like before. While running, when he had to stop to cross the streets, he checked his friends' instagram and yeah, everyone was at the wedding. And it’s in Merlin’s childhood home.

When he’s outside the house, he sees the guest arriving, some are even drinking a glass of champagne. Percival, Gwaine and Elyan are outside, playing like they are fighting. He quickly hides next to a van, if they see him, they won’t let him do what he has to do. 

He keeps examining the house and he sees Merlin. He’s in his old room, looking outside with a lost look. His heart stops briefly, he can still fix it. Arthur is thinking about how to enter when he sees the van. They are delivering the flowers, so he takes a vase to hide his face and enters the house.

Surprisingly, Arthur sees his parents there. They are talking with some guests, drinking champagne, but not quite happy. Next to the seats, he sees Gwen, she’s looking thoughtful… He wants so badly to ask her what’s wrong, but he lost all privileges of asking. Besides, Merlin is his goal now. He goes directly to his old room and it's like before. Arthur knows by heart the steps he has to take to not make any noise. He can still fix this. As soon as he gets to Merlin's door, he enters without permission.

“What…”

“Hi,” Arthur tries to smile with confidence. 

“Hey.” Merlin does give him a little smile, but seems more like a sad one. 

“I don’t know what Valiant told you about me, but I want you to know that… whoever that was he talking about… wasn’t me.” He quickly explains before losing all courage.

“Yeah, about that… it doesn’t matter what Valiant said, I stopped trusting him after he said I was the one who farted in the middle of the class in third grade,” both of them laugh, visibly relaxed.

“Merlin,” he said his name more seriously, “I’m not the awful person that I know that I was,” he says approaching his friend, “I don’t even know that person, and I like to believe… I have to believe… that if you knew that, if in your heart you really really knew that I’m only me when I’m with you…” he’s so close he could smell his cologne, “you wouldn’t be getting ready to marry someone right now unless…” Arthur promised to himself to be honest, he can’t back down now, “unless that someone was me.”

And for a tiny moment, there is hope. Merlin actually smiles at the revelation, although he tries to hide it. But Arthur knows, he knows him like he knows the sun goes out during the day and the moon shines through the night. Arthur knows Merlin feels the same. If he could just touch him one more time…

“Arthur, I…” Merlin hesitates. And when he looks at Arthur, he seems sadly resigned. “I’m not gonna lie to you, I felt things these past few weeks that… I didn’t even know I could feel anymore,” Arthur smiles and touches Merlin’s cheeks for a second. But that was it. Merlin takes Arthur’s hand and, despite holding it for an instant, he pulls it down. “But I have realized in these few days… you just can’t turn back time.”

“Why not?” Arthur asks, holding to the little hope he has left.

“I moved on,” Merlin says as if the explanation was so simple, “you moved on. We went on different paths for so long…” Arthur takes a step back and denies it with his head, as if he’s not believing in what Merlin is about to say, as if he can stop it. “We made choices and I… I chose Lancelot.” He declares with such conviction it breaks everything in Arthur and takes another step back. “His family is down there, all of our friends. We care about each other, you know. You don’t always get the life you wanted, but you're close enough.”

Arthur is holding to the furniture because he’s collapsing. Not just everything is fuzzy, he literally can’t breathe. He looks at his hands and they are white from the force of holding to something. He had already lost everything he cared about, but now he’s losing his soul.

“Please, don’t cry Arthur,” Merlin begs with concern.

“No, no, don’t worry. I’ll be fine,” he says without thinking. At least he doesn’t sound so heartbroken as he feels. “I promise.”

Merlin smiles sideways. He doesn’t believe Arthur, but he fears if he says something more, Arthur won’t recover. Instead, Merlin opens his closet and looks in all the boxes he has until he finds what he was looking for. It’s the DVD he made as a present for Arthur on his 13th birthday. Arthur is delighted to see it one more time.

“Merlin, can I have it? Please.” Arthur cleans his tears quickly.

“You’re not gonna throw it at me?”

“No,” despite everything, Arthur laughs a little.

Merlin gives him the DVD, touching Arthur’s fingers. Both feel the electricity, the thread that intertwines their souls, and for a moment, Merlin’s heart is screaming. He doesn’t want to leave Arthur like this, but he chose Lancelot. He loves him. Maybe not like Arthur, he would never love anyone like him, but it’s the life he chose. He brushes off the sensation and takes a step back.

“Well, I don’t want to delay you, so go. Just go,” Arthur gets to the door, “go on, I’ll be fine. I’m just crying because I’m so happy for you.” He says, trying to maintain things normal. “I want you to be so happy.” And it’s true, but it’s not the only truth he needs to say. “I love you Merlin.” Arthur feels the tears back on his cheek, but he won’t stop. “You’re my best friend.”

“Arthur…” Merlin whispers so soft it’s a miracle Arthur could hear him. And Arthur holds one more time, but Merlin doesn’t look him in the eyes. “I’ve always loved you.”

And Arthur runs to the exit.

***

Arthur sits on the porch of his old house. Fortunately, nobody saw him fleeing the scene. Although he thinks he’s holding on like a champ, when he hears the wedding bells, he breaks. He’s crying way worse than a baby. He covers his mouth to not make noise.

He has ruined everything. His dream job, his friends, his neighbor… and Merlin. If he hadn’t been such a prat, this would be his life. He always thought that popularity would make him feel loved, but now he’s alone. He thought he knew what he wanted, but the only thing he really wants is to be 13th again.

Arthur looks at the DVD and remembers his motto. He wants to puke just by thinking about it. He was so blind… He should have heard Hunnith’s words: Be careful with what you wish for. However… one more try won’t make things worse. Arthur holds to the DVD and makes his new wish: To correct the mistake that took his life away. He says it until he’s tired of himself, until there’s no room for another thought. If they were in medieval times, he would be bleeding just to correct his mistake.

I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again.

The wind blows but he's feeling the same.

I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again.

Arthur is tired, he's heartbroken, he's hopeless.

I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again. I want to be thirteen again.

Arthur let the dark hold on to him.

I want to be thirteen again.

Chapter Text

Arthur hears an unknown song. It kind of sounds like Taylor Swift, but even her amazing voice can’t calm him down. He has a headache. He rubs his face and that’s when he notices it, he has some kind of cloth around his eyes. ‘The heck…?’. He takes it off and…

“Holy shit…” he whispers.

He’s inside his parents closet. Why is he inside? Maybe he entered and collapsed after the wedding. However, when he looks at his hands… they are soft… small… young… Arthur quickly touches his face, his hair, he pays attention to his clothes…

“Holy fucking shit.”

He’s thirteen again!

He laughs. He laughs so hard that some tears go down his cheeks. He can’t believe it. His dream came true! Arthur has never been so relieved for something in his whole life, including his grown-up life. He stands up and confirms it’s not an illusion.

The best part it’s when the door opens. Mostly because it’s open by none other than Merlin. Thirteen years old Merlin. His Merlin. He’s wearing his old clothes and he’s with an acoustic guitar hanging on his shoulder. Arthur’s heart beats so fast he can’t restrain himself.

“Merlin!”

Arthur launches himself at Merlin, causing both of them to fall on the ground. And if that’s not enough, Arthur kisses him. The moment Arthur’s lips touch Merlin’s, everything inside him explodes. His mind, his heart, his lungs… it’s too much and too little at the same time. He… he’s back again to life.

Merlin, although he’s surprised, he doesn’t let go. He knew he was madly in love with his best friend. He has always been, will always have. But this? It’s Merlin’s dream come true. He was so afraid his friend wouldn't feel the same, but now… Merlin can breathe. Besides, he didn’t know Arthur is really a good kisser.

“Wow,” Merlin says when they pull apart, “you really know what you’re doing.” The kiss was exceptional and magical.

“Come on,” Arthur says, pulling a hand to help Merlin to get up. They run to the stairs but little Valiant shows up, holding the project Arthur made for them.

“Oh, sorry, I forgot the scarf,” and takes it from Arthur's shoulders. Knowing what Arthur knows, he’s more than ready to send him to shit. He takes the project and breaks it into pieces.

“You know what? You can be the pot and the kettle all by yourself from now on, dickhead!” And throws over him the drink Valiant was holding. Merlin, impressed by it, lets Arthur hold his hand without caring what Valiant will say. “Let’s go, Merlin.”

“What did you just call me?!” Valiant asks indignantly, but Arthur and Merlin are already on their way.

“We’re gonna be late.” Arthur explains to the unspoken question from Merlin.

“To what?”

“You’ll see.” And Merlin lets him lead the way.

***

17 years later

The party is amazing. Everyone is dancing and celebrating. Gwaine is a little drunk, but he remains sober enough to dance with every woman who seems to be left alone. He’s still flirtatious as hell, but he’s a gentleman after all… and as best men, he can’t make himself a spectacle.

Percival, Leon and Elyan are eating and making bets on who will sleep with who. So far, Elyan is winning. For a moment, Morgana joins them, but then changes the game and they are drinking like there’s no tomorrow. They will have a huge hangover tomorrow, but since they are chill drinkers… it will be funny as hell.

Gaius is so relaxed and happy. He had already met Uther Pendragon, so of course they had become really good friends. Arthur didn’t know, but they were high school friends, his boss was even there when Uther met Ygraine, but they took different roads and now they are reconnecting, thanks to the wedding. Uther is impressed by all Avalon had accomplished.

Hunnith and Ygraine are happily talking. Both are so proud of their sons. Both mothers knew they would be family, their sons thought they were discrets, but since the moment they met, the sparks flew everywhere. Ygraine is so relieved his son made the first move, she was afraid he would make a mistake for impressing his classmates. She’s glad it didn’t go to that.

Arthur is sitting on their special table. He’s playing with his empty glass, thinking how everything turned out. He made his dreams come true. He has Merlin and he’s working for Avalon, with the help of Leon and Percival, they are successful. The board is even planning on making Arthur a partner of the company, which is a big step.

In a moment, Arthur offered Gwaine a job on Avalon, but just like Merlin, they preferred to be independent. He understands, as long as Merlin is still by his side, he can make it through everything. Oh Merlin… Arthur knew they belonged together, but not even with his experience it was an easy path.

Love is incomprehensible in so many ways, but there are things for sure. Arthur understood that Merlin is his soulmate, but that didn’t mean it was easy. They had fights, there were complications, even for a moment they were apart. But they eventually found each other again, and Arthur was more than ready for him.

Arthur knew he would have waited for Merlin forever, if it had come to that. Of course Merlin made his own life, but just like Arthur, his soul waited for Arthur’s. Not even his friends were safe. They came to know each other in different ways, like Merlin and Gwaine. In Arthur’s previous life, they met in high school, in this life, they met at the university. Still, what is meant to be in your life will find its way to you.

That’s what happened to them.

Even Lancelot is at the party. Of course he met Merlin first, but their friendship guided him to Gwen. It was love at first sight. It took time, true, he was shy, she was insecure, but they took a chance and fell in love. Now, see them dancing on the dance floor… it kind of feels like a relief for Arthur. Neither of them will be alone.

“What are you thinking, dollophead?” Merlin whispers. Arthur smiles, he felt his newly husband approaching even before he spoke.

“Nothing. I’m just happy.” Merlin takes his seat by his side.

“Oh, really? You know that’s dangerous for you.” He’s just teasing, but Arthur smiles more.

“I made my dreams come true.”

“By working at Avalon? I know. I told you so.”

“Not that,” Arthur kisses him tenderly. “It’s you. I married you, that was my biggest dream.”

“So it was mine.”

And they kiss again. Even with all the obstacles they faced, both are finally happy they are together. It’s such a joy to share this kind of happiness with their friends and family. Their hearts are meant to be one, it was their destiny, and who are they to fight that destiny?

Being loved by Merlin feels like warmth on a cold morning, the kind that seeps into your skin, wrapping around you like a quiet reassurance. His love is steady, never rushed, never overwhelming, but always there, like the rhythmic pull of the tide. It doesn’t demand or suffocate; it simply exists, growing stronger with time.

And to think it all started with a smile. Just a small thing, almost unnoticeable, but it carried something more, a spark, a softness, an understanding. When Merlin smiled at him the first time they met, that smile turned into conversations, late-night talks filled with laughter, with the kind of honesty that makes you feel safe, seen. The same smile is here, and Arthur’s heart melts a little more.

Their love didn’t arrive all at once; it unfolded, patiently, like sunlight creeping through the curtains. And now, it feels like home. It may not be perfect, Arthur certainly isn’t, but it’s real. It is work, true, but it is worth it. And every time Arthur catches that same smile, the one that started it all, he remembers that love, when it’s right, doesn’t just find you. It chooses you, again and again.

“Wanna dance?” Merlin suggests once they break apart.

“With you? Forever.”

And they do it.

***

5 years later

Moving to a bigger house is the best decision, however, Arthur is so tired of carrying boxes, especially the heavy ones. Of course their friends help, but come on! Gwen and Lancelot are more busy chatting with his husband than helping, and Gwaine playing with their teenage son it’s also not helpful.

“Son, Gwaine, you can help if you want,” Arthur says.

“No thanks.” Both respond.

“Mordred! Go help your father.” Merlin screams from the porch.

“Go help your husband.” Mordred replies with a smirk.

“Gwaine!” Arthur and Merlin complain. Only Gwaine could have taught him that kind of response.

Still, the troublemakers just laugh. For Merlin, it was a surprise to discover that Arthur wanted to adopt, but it also makes sense for them. They just had so much love to share… and Mordred… he just needs to feel that love.

It’s not so easy, still, Mordred has scars that no children should have, but with every passing day, he’s starting to feel safe. Besides, there was an instant connection between the three of them. They were meant to be a family.

For Arthur it took a while to find Mordred, and at the beginning he only wanted to make sure he was safe. But once he found the truth… he couldn’t let him live like that. At least he knew how to make him trust Arthur. Not always works, but Mordred can see they are trying, and that’s enough for him to feel like a family.

Once the boxes were in their house and had dinner with their friends, Merlin and Arthur could relax. Mordred has his new bedroom, and it’s his new mission to paint it completely, so he totally ignores them once everyone leaves.

“Do you think we might need to put restrictions on the quantity of the painting?” Merlin asks, passing a coup of wine. “He would end it all.”

“Nah, let him, it’s late, he’s probably already sleeping,” both laugh at the idea. It’s quite the possibility.

Arthur sees their new home. It will be the perfect house, that’s for sure. The furniture will come in the next few days, along with some decorations, but the important things are here. There’s already a section of their photos: Arthur and Merlin as kids, in high school, on their first date, in college, when they went to vacations, with their friends, their wedding, and now with Mordred.

Arthur is so happy for his life. It took time, and even with the marriage, it’s not uncomplicated. However, Arthur prefers to fight with Merlin forever than living without him. Sometimes he wonders what would have happened if they didn’t meet… That single thought scares the shit out of him. So no, he would do the same things if it gets them to where they are.

“Hey, dollophead, want some M&M’s?” Merlin offers him.

“Well, yes, my dear husband.” Arthur opens his mouth.

“There you are, my beloved husband.” Merlin serves him one like he’s a little kid.

Merlin didn’t even finish his candy, he just sits on top of Arthur and kisses him passionately. Arthur lets a groan escape, so Merlin kisses him intensely. Arthur’s hands are all over his husband, feeling electricity in every touch. He manages to take off Merlin’s jacket and both lay down on the couch.

“This is how we will use the couch for the first time?” Arthur teases.

“I can stop if you want,” Merlin says, short of breath, but pulling apart while his knee touches Arthur’s sensitive spot. Arthur groans louder but catches Merlin’s face between his hands, holding him close.

“Don’t you dare.” Both smile and continue where they left it. But when Arthur was working with Merlin’s belt, something heavy fell to the ground with a worried sound. “What was that?” They freeze and wait to hear something else.

“Dads! I need your help!” Mordred screams from upstairs. Merlin sight but quickly puts back on his clothes.

“Told you, we should put a restriction on the painting.”

“Come on, let’s see.” And both went upstairs. Despite Mordred interrupts something, Merlin smiles at him mischievously, so it’s not over.

Yeah, Arthur wouldn’t change a thing. This is his happy ending.