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Progress: WIP
Rating: PG (this part)
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin (main, future), other minor pairings
Warnings: None (this part)
Word count: 1821
Summary: Modern AU. Arthur and Merlin first meet when they're waiting for the train on a rainy day, and that's how it all starts.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, the BBC does.
A/N: Okay so I got this done earlier than I expected, although at the expense of my schoolwork =/ Also, I'm looking for someone to beta this story for me, because I'm not so good at proofreading, so if anyone's interested, just comment on this entry or drop me a message :)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
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“Morgana, if you keep on calling me early in the morning, I am only going to assume that you want me sleep-deprived, no doubt for some nefarious scheme you’re plotting,” Arthur says into the phone before Morgana can speak.
“Don’t be silly, Arthur. It’s Wednesday; you’ve been up for an hour and a half already.”
There are, Arthur thinks, disadvantages to having a schedule that he never breaks. “Yes, well, what do you want?”
“Oh, I just wanted to tell you that you should call Merlin soon,” Morgana says airily. “Although you probably won’t anyway. But, you know. Just in case you just needed a little push.”
“Why would I call Merlin? And why are you so eager, anyway?” Arthur asks, draining his coffee and putting his mug into the sink.
“You like him,” Morgana said in her don’t-even-bother-trying-to-deny it voice.
“Maybe,” Arthur says, knowing it’s no use to contradict her.
“And I think you two would be great together. Happy. I want you to be happy, Arthur.”
“I’m happy,” Arthur says, and this time he’s lying outright.
“Don’t be stupid, Arthur, you’re not happy. And the way you’re going, you’re never going to be happy, unless you just call Merlin.”
“I really don’t see how calling Merlin is suddenly going to change my life and make me happy,” Arthur argues, picking up his jacket and his bag. “I’ve got to see Father today, and I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry up.”
“That’s exactly why you’ll never be happy,” Morgana hisses. “Because you’re always at Uther’s beck and call. Just call Merlin. Please.
“Alright, alright,” Arthur grumbles. “I’ll call bloody Merlin. Now I’ve really got to go, Morgana.”
“Good. But, Arthur – don’t hurt him. He’s a sweetheart, so don’t hurt him.”
“Bye, Morgana.”
“And Arthur?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“If you were going to be here, you needn’t have called me this morning,” Arthur says lightly.
Arthur stares blankly at the phone for a minute, before realizing that he really is going to be late if he didn’t leave right then, so he makes sure he looks presentable before grabbing his keys and hurrying out the door.
The drive to his father’s house takes twenty minutes, and Arthur spends most of those twenty minutes agonizing over the issue he thinks about every time he goes to see his father – whether or not this was the day that he’d admit that he’s bisexual. Whether or not he’s got the courage to tell him the truth.
He doesn’t, and he doesn’t know if he will ever tell him. The thought of disappointing his father is enough to make him recoil from the thought. Uther’s high expectations for him had means that he has to work so hard to gain Uther’s approval, and then when he decided to switch to a law degree, it was like all his hard work was suddenly wasted. He was still trying to regain his father’s approval now. It was like from the day he was born, he’s been a disappointment. It’d just be something else wrong with him.
When Arthur arrives at Uther’s house, one of the maids answers the door, tells him that Uther is in the living room, and scurries off. Arthur wonders what’s gotten into her, but that question is answered as he approaches the living room and hears shouting and yelling and a little bit of shrieking, and then all of a sudden, Morgana comes storming out, slamming the door behind her and stopping abruptly in front of Arthur.
“Well, as you can see, I’m leaving now,” Morgana says stiffly.
“What were you two arguing about now?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll treat you to a lecture that will accurately demonstrate his complete inability to respect people’s decisions and leave well enough alone,” Morgana snaps. “Goodbye, Arthur.”
Arthur waits until she’s out of sight and until he can’t hear any sounds from the dining room before he knocks and goes in. Uther is sitting at his place at the head of the table, his face flushed from his shouting match with Morgana, but otherwise looking calm.
“Sit down, Arthur.”
Arthur does so, in his usual seat on Uther’s right. There’s a bit of an awkward silence before Uther speaks again.
“Are you still continuing on with that ridiculous law degree?”
Arthur almost winces – almost. But he doesn’t, because he’s a Pendragon, even though it’s going to be one of those days, when Uther lectures him about what a terrible mistake he’s making.
“Yes, Father.” Arthur tries to pretend that it gets easier every time, but it really doesn’t. It’s just as bad as the first time, and Uther’s always simply radiating disapproval.
“You know I think it’s a mistake.”
“Yes, Father,” Arthur repeats.
“Why don’t you rethink your law degree? That will get you nowhere in life, Arthur. You should really inherit the company instead, like I inherited it from my father, and he from his...”
Arthur wishes that his father could understand, but he knows he never will, and he’ll never try, either. “What about Morgana, she’s an excellent businesswoman, better than I’d ever be at running a company.”
Uther fixed him with a cold glare. “Strange that you should recommend Morgana. She was just telling me that I should mind my own business and leave your decision about your degree to you.”
You should, Arthur thinks. It’s my life, stop controlling it. And he really doesn’t see what’s so strange about it. He and Morgana are as good as brother and sister; they look out for each other. Arthur wishes Uther and Morgana wouldn’t fight so much, but he’s pleased that Morgana was defending him, because that’s what he’d do for her.
He just shrugs and says, “I’m just pointing out that I’m enjoying my law degree and that Morgana would be a better candidate than me.”
Uther waves a hand dismissively. “I still think that you should reconsider a business degree. It would get you so much further in life. And Morgana’s practically building up her own company; Pendragon Industries should be the priority of whoever is running it.”
“What about Leon, then?” Arthur suggests. Leon is one of Arthur’s closest friends, a grounded, sensible man who has a good head for business. “He’s a very good employee, isn’t he? He could be a good choice.”
“I’ll think about it,” Uther says, and the discussion is over.
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Arthur decides to drop by Morgana’s place to see how she is; he knows that she doesn’t like fighting with Uther, but she can’t really help it. She’s never been one to hold back when she thinks someone else is wrong, and while that, combined with her quick temper, can sometimes lead to loud arguments, he does respect her for that.
“Hi, Arthur,” Morgana says, when she opens the door. “Do you want to come in? I was just making tea.”
“That would be perfect,” Arthur says gratefully, and follows her through her luxurious apartment to the kitchen, where he sits at the bench and she serves him tea, and sits down.
“I can’t talk for too long,” Morgana says. “I’m meeting Morgause in a few hours.”
“That’s okay, I can’t stay for too long either,” Arthur says. Morgause, Arthur and Morgana had found out a little over a year ago, was actually Morgana’s sister. Morgana had been ecstatic to discover this, and the two had bonded, and now they were working on building their own company in the fashion industry.
“So, how was Uther?” Morgana asks, and her tone betrays her bitterness.
Arthur shrugs. “The usual lecture, of course. Asked me why I told him you’re a better business-person than I could ever be.”
“Stupid,” Morgana mutters. “You want to be a lawyer, can’t he just be happy with that?”
Arthur shrugs again, but he smiles at Morgana, and she knows that he appreciates her support. They chat for a while longer, but when the tea is gone, Arthur stands up.
“I should let you get ready. But come to dinner with me tonight? We’ll go to that nice little Italian place you like.”
“Alright,” Morgana agrees. “Seven?”
“I’ll pick you up from here.”
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When Arthur arrives at Morgana’s place at eight fifty-five to pick her up for dinner, she opens the door less than thirty seconds after he’s rung the doorbell, bag in hand and ready to go.
“You look great,” Arthur tells her as she locks her front door and they walk to Arthur’s car. She does look great, dressed in black dress pants, a flowing purple top and black slingback heels, but then again, Morgana always looks great. Arthur opens the car door for her before getting in on the driver’s side of the car.
“How’s your paper for university coming along?” Morgana asks, on the way to the restaurant.
“Not bad,” Arthur replies. “I’m two-thirds of the way through it, and I’ve still got plenty of time to finish. I think they’re really going to be happy with it.”
“That’s great,” Morgana says, pleased that he sounds happy with it, despite Uther’s disapproval.
When they’re at the restaurant, eating their food, Morgana brings up Merlin again. “So, I was thinking, you should ask Merlin out.”
“What’s with the sudden obsession with Merlin,” Arthur grumbles, twisting some noodles around his fork. “I don’t see why you’re so keen about this.”
Morgana just smiles serenely. “I just think that it’s a good idea.”
“Oh, no,” Arthur groans. “What’d you see?”
“Nothing,” Morgana says, then, when Arthur glares at her over his wine glass, “Well, not that much. Just...”
“Oh, what is it this time? What’d you see, a date? A wedding, or something?”
Morgana shakes her head. “No, just...you and him. Happy. You were happy.”
Arthur raises an eyebrow. “Happy? That’s it?”
“You say that like it’s not a good thing,” Morgana snaps. “Like you’re happy all the time, like you have someone to make you happy. I know you don’t, Arthur, but you should.”
“Why? It’s not going to make any difference. I get along well enough as it is.”
“Yeah, because that’s what everyone looks for in life. Getting along well enough as it is. Don’t you want to be happy, Arthur?”
“Of course I want to be happy; everyone wants to be happy!” Arthur scowls, takes another bite of his pasta. “But I don’t understand how Merlin is going to change anything.” That’s not exactly true; Arthur has to admit even to himself that Merlin’s something else entirely.
Morgana’s tone softened. “I saw you, Arthur.”
“And what if you’re wrong?”
“I’ve never been wrong before.”
“You’re very sure of yourself,” Arthur snorts, but her words have gotten to him by now, and the idea is so tempting, because what if she’s right?
“You shouldn’t have to be afraid, Arthur.” Morgana reaches over to pat her brother’s hand. “Now eat the rest of your dinner."
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Hope you liked this chapter. I'm looking for a beta, so if anyone's interested in beta-ing this story for me, comment on this entry or drop me a message please :)
