Chapter Text
Fifteen year old Merlin Emrys was exceptionally smart. Many of peers wondered why he wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. The quiet boy didn't seem cunning or Slytherin-ish at all. But what they didn't realize was that Merlin was very Slytherin, he just wasn't a stereotypical one. Many, even some Slytherins themselves, believed that those sorted into the house were supposed to be prideful, sneaky, and suspicious. Some said Merlin wasn't a "true" Slytherin, but Merlin ignored them. It would take a lot more than a few scathing comments to put Merlin Emrys down. But most people didn't bother him much because most people actually liked Merlin. They knew him as the 'nice Slytherin boy' because he usually liked to help those who needed it.
He didn't talk much, though, but people were used to that. And because of that, he rarely was seen with friends or maybe even a girlfriend. Speaking of girlfriend, Merlin rarely received any sort of romantic interest from others. There was one Ravenclaw girl that liked him named Freya Lake, and when she gave him a note asking him out, Merlin said 'no' but he didn't tell her why. No one knew why, except Freya and Merlin. Merlin hadn't told her his reasons, but Freya was smart (duh, she was in Ravenclaw) so she figured it out herself and refused to tell anyone who questioned why Merlin Emrys shot down a pretty girl like her. Freya didn't pester him or try to change his mind, she let him be.
However, that didn't stop other students. Some students thought he was simpleton who didn't know any better. Others thought he was crazy. And others thought perhaps Merlin was gay. That last one stirred some commotion between the houses. Valiant Apep, a fellow Slytherin, approached Merlin one day with interest. Merlin was reading (as usual) and sitting away from the other Slytherins in the common room. Valiant cast a shadow over him. Merlin slowly glanced up to see the 7th year big teen. He began to get nervous. Why was Valiant there? Why did he have that smirk on his face?
"Hey, Merlin." Valiant said. Merlin knew that was already sign. Valiant had only ever called him by his last name before. Merlin gulped inaudibly and responded with a very faint, "H-Hullo." Valiant leaned closer. Merlin tried to ignore him but he could feel Valiant's leer. Some of the students noticed the interaction. They began to whisper and point. He flushed in embarrassment. He wasn't liking the attention.
"I want to ask you something." said Valiant. Merlin's heart beat picked up. Oh broomsticks, what could he want?
"Um, okay?" Merlin said uncertainly, still stubbornly looking at his book, but he wasn't reading it anymore.
"You gay?" There was a silence. Merlin didn't answer for a moment because he was thinking of what to say. Finally he answered in the most innocent and soft-spoken voice, "Why? Are you interested?" There was a snort somewhere followed by snickers. Valiant didn't seemed discouraged, however. In fact, the effect was the opposite of what Merlin was hoping.
"Actually, yeah." he said. Merlin's eyes widened comically. Wait, WHAT!? he screamed in his mind. "Go out with me." Valiant said. Merlin was beginning to get nervous and uncomfortable. He was not liking this, not a bit. A lot of people were staring at them.
"Um....I-I..." Merlin stammered. What should he tell him? Should he shoot him down? God, no. But he didn't want to say yes, either! "Um...I have to go!" Merlin said, then ran out of the Slytherin dormitory. He camped out in the library and accidentally fell asleep there. When he woke up, it was around six in the morning. People were going to wake up soon. Merlin was rushing to his house, gangly limbs flailing. He wasn't putting attention because he was so concentrated in getting to his room, so it was only natural he would bump into someone. And it just had to be bloody Valiant. The bigger man looked angry at first someone dared to bump into him, but once he saw it was Merlin, he smiled widely.
"Weeeell, if it isn't Merlin." he said. He snugly wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist.
"I-I-I need to g-go." he stuttered. He only did that when he was nervous or scared. He tried to wriggle away.
"Whoa, hold down, Merlin. You still haven't told me if you'll go out with me or not." Valiant said. He gripped Merlin's thin arms in a beefy hand.
"N-no, let me go!"
"Hey!" shouted a voice. Both Merlin and Valiant turned to see a blonde teen wearing dirty Gryffindor Quidditch robes. He held his broom in one gloved hand. A couple of other Gryffindors were behind him. Merlin recognized all of them, Mithian Nemeth (Seeker) Leon Knightley (Keeper), Gwaine Greene (Chaser), Elyan Smith (Beater), Lancelot du Lac (Chaser), Percival Hopper (Beater), and finally Arthur Pendragon (Chaser). Arthur was frowning as he joined them. "He said no." Arthur barked. Merlin felt like dying. Holy hell, it was Arthur! Arthur was defending him! After years of staring at him creepily, he finally noticed him! But a grip on his arm reminded him Arthur wouldn't have looked at him twice if it wasn't for Valiant. Valiant curled his lip at Arthur.
"Get lost, Pendragon. This is between Slytherins." he snarled.
"Really? Well then, I guess that I can step in." said a voice. Morgana Pendragon joined them along with her Hufflepuff girlfriend, Gwen who usually was sweet but right now looked like she could fight a Basilik. Merlin wondered where in the hell did she come from and when!? The raven haired 6th year girl regarded Valiant with a cold smirk. "Let him go, darling." She didn't even need to take out her wand to intimidate Valiant. The Slytherin clicked his tongue then shoved Merlin away from him. Merlin tripped on his feet and landed on something hard but warm.
"Whatever. Too skinny for me anyways." Valiant said, then stormed away. Merlin watched him go, sighing in relief.
"Are you okay?" asked a voice right next to his ear.
"Are you okay?" Arthur asked. He felt the slim body in his arms go still. For a moment Arthur wondered if Valiant cast a stunning spell on him. A pale face slowly looked up at him. Arthur almost lost his voice. He saw long sooty eyelashes brush against high cheekbones, pink lips become apart, big blue eyes stare at him warily. "Um...." Arthur forgot how Merlin got there in his arms, all he knew was that he didn't mind it. The tension was thick, but Gwaine being Gwaine had to ruin the moment.
"Just kiss already." he snickered. Mithian, who was next to him, smacked the back of his head. Merlin was pushing Arthur away, cheeks flushed. Arthur didn't want him to go, he wanted him close.
"Th-thank you." Merlin said, looking down at his shoes. Arthur wanted to raise his chin up.
"You're welcome." he responded. There was silence. Arthur wanted to tell him something, to ask him if he wanted to hang out (preferably just the two of them, but it would not be a date, okay!) but he wasn't sure if Merlin wanted to hang out with him, let alone date him. (Wait, what? Where did that come from?) "Um, soooo...." Fuck it, he was going for it. But it wasn't a date! What sort of twat would he be if he asked Merlin out five seconds after Valiant tried to force him into a date? "Do you want to go out?" he blurted out. Fuck. Shit. No, oh no, he didn't! Merlin's eyes widened. Arthur could feel Gwen's disapproving head shake and Morgana's dramatic eye roll. Arthur had to fix it quickly! "Um, I mean, not on a date or anything." Merlin's face fell. "I mean, if you want to hang out as friends or....something..." he finished lamely. Merlin blinked, which distracted Arthur 'cause his eyelashes were so long.
"Um, o-okay." Merlin said. Arthur felt his heart flutter. He gave the Slytherin boy a bright smile. Merlin returned a the smile shyly. The tender moment was interrupted by Gwaine, who slung his stupid intruding arms around Merlin's (Grr) and Arthur's shoulders.
"So," Gwaine said, winking at Merlin who flushed. Arthur suddenly felt like biting his arm away. "Where we going, fellas?" Screw biting him, Arthur felt like punching him.
The not-date at the Three Broomsticks began. Arthur got to talk to Merlin, which was awesome. He found out that Merlin loved to read, his favorite color was blue, he loved animals, especially birds. He didn't really liked Quidditch but he said he'd be happy to support Arthur, which the blonde boy found surprising. "What about your house's team?" Arthur asked him. Merlin shrugged.
"Don't really like them. Morgana's nice though." he responded. Ah, yes. Valiant was the team's captain. Morgana was one of their Chasers.
"Well, in that case, feel free to stop by practice sometime." Arthur said. "I'm sure Morgana won't mind." Merlin nodded and to hide his blush he sipped some of his butterbeer. Arthur thought it was cute how easily red Merlin could get. Must be that pale skin. Arthur's eyelids drooped a little in a dreamy way. Mmm, yes, that snowy skin... Merlin raised his eyes and caught him staring. Fuck, abort! Abort! Arthur quickly looked away and stubbornly stared at his mug.
Merlin looked up just in time to see Arthur staring at him. Why did he look sleepy? Was Merlin boring him? Suddenly, Arthur started staring at his mug. What on earth was going through the blonde's mind? Merlin wanted to say something. The silence was getting awkward. Meanwhile, the rest of the group was chatting and laughing. They were the only ones not saying anything. Merlin began to twirl some curls around his ear to distract himself. When he cast a glance at Arthur, he was staring at him again. This time in a more intense manner. He was now wondering why Arthur was staring so much. Was there something on his face? Did he have butterbeer foam on his lips? "W-why are you staring so much?" Merlin asked. Arthur blinked as if he was waking up from a trance.
"Sorry. It's just...you look so...pretty." Merlin's cheeks enflamed. Arthur saw how embarrassed Merlin became. "Sorry. That must have sounded creepy." Merlin shook his head.
"No, it was sweet... Um, thank you." They smiled at each other.
"I've always thought you were pretty." Arthur said animatedly, then he paled when he realized what he just said. Merlin felt his hopes sky-rocket. "I think I'll stop talking." he mumbled. Merlin chuckled.
"No, please, do continue." he said.
"If you insist." Arthur laughed. "Well, let's see, I really like your eyes. That's what I first noticed about you. I think this was around 2nd or 3rd year. And your hands. Oh, and your ears. Oh God, and your hair..." When he trailed off, Merlin felt very warm all of a sudden. "Well, now it's your turn to butter me up. What do you like about me?" Merlin started to panic.
"I-I don't like you..." he stammered. Instead of looking hurt, Arthur looked amused.
"I didn't say that. I said, what do you like about me?"
"Um....well....what do I not like about you is the question." And bloody hell, did he really just say that?
"So I'm practically perfect, am I?" Arthur said cheekily.
"A practically perfect prat." Arthur fake gagged.
"Oh, Emrys, you did not just make an alliteration! Gross, you nerd!" He leaned over to ruffled Merlin's curls and was surprised when he felt them soft and silky.
"Ahem." Arthur and Merlin froze, then slowly turned to see Morgana, Gwen, and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team staring at them. Arthur's hand felt heavy on Merlin's head. He avoided everyone's eyes by staring at the table.
"You guys done flirting?" Mithian said, but she said it with a smile. Merlin realized she was just teasing them.
"Sod off." Arthur said, but he was laughing.
A great evening turned into a great night and all of his friends left so it was just him and Merlin. With the candles lit and less people, Arthur felt like he had Merlin all to himself. They talked and laughed. He noticed Merlin had gotten out of his little protective cocoon and began to be more outgoing. Arthur could watch Merlin and be with Merlin all day and never get tired of him. He had the strong urge to kiss him, but he was afraid Merlin would shy away and never to talk to him again. The end of their not-date arrived. Arthur was disappointed. He wanted to spend more time with Merlin. But they had classes tomorrow. Arthur walked Merlin to his dorm, the whole while they were talking and nudging each other until they got to the Slytherin dungeon's entrance.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Arthur said. Merlin grinned.
"Yeah." he said.
"Um, I was wondering... Uh, perhaps you'd like to go out with me? Perhaps....maybe...just the two of us?" Arthur asked. He was nervous of Merlin's answer but screw it, it was worth risking. Merlin's grin widened and his eyes lit up. Arthur was drawn to the lovely sight.
"Yes!" Merlin exclaimed a little too loudly, then flushed when he realized how loud he was. "Sorry. Yes. When?"
"Maybe next Saturday? At Honeydukes?" Arthur offered. Merlin nodded eagerly.
"Sure." Arthur felt like his heart was soaring.
"Great." he said. "I'll see you then."
"Yeah, great."
"Okay."
"Okay." They grinned at each other stupidly, Merlin said, "Um, I should probably go to sleep. It's getting late. B-but I'll see you Saturday!"
"Yeah, I'll find you. Bye, Merlin."
"Bye, Arthur."
Arthur was smiling the whole way towards the Gryffindor house.
After fooling around in Honeydukes, buying warm butterbeer because it was snowing, Merlin and Arthur headed towards Hogwarts. It was turning to dawn outside. Arthur noticed Merlin shivered. The boy was wearing his scarf and robes, but he was just so skinny! Arthur licked his lips then not-so-discreetly wrapped his arm around Merlin's shoulders. Merlin gave a little jump but then he leaned into Arthur in a shy, uncertain way. Then the boy raised a gloved hand to catch a snowflake. Arthur watched Merlin's face light up. He looked so endearing with his nose and cheeks rosy, and bits of snow on his eyelashes. Arthur couldn't resist him anymore. He took Merlin's chin and turned his face his way. Merlin was wide-eyed and stunned as Arthur leaned forward and captured his lips with his own in a kiss. Merlin tensed, not knowing what to do at first. Arthur drew away when Merlin didn't respond. The raven haired boy was staring at him as if Arthur had just squeezed his arse and not given him a little kiss.
"What's the matter? Did you not like it?" Arthur asked. Merlin looked down at his shoes. Arthur was starting to feel like maybe he misread Merlin. Maybe Merlin just wanted to be friends after all... Fuck, I messed up big time, he thought.
"No, it's not that." Merlin's soft voice stopped Arthur's mental Stupid, stupid, stupid rant. "It's just...well...um.... I-I've n-never been k-kissed before..." He ducked his head shyly and stared to play with curl by his ear. Arthur felt a wave of affection for him.
"Do you want me to kiss you again?" Fuck, maybe Merlin would feel pressured if he said it like that. "I-I mean, only if you want to, that is." Damn, that just sounded stupid. Merlin nodded, eyelashes lowered.
"Y-yes. I'd like that." Arthur felt like he was just told that he won the Quidditch Championship. He gently cupped Merlin's cheek and placed a kiss on his lips. Then another one, and another one. He felt Merlin lean forward and a moan a little. Arthur's other hand moved to cup Merlin's other cheek. They exchanged innocent kisses and then they both drew away. Merlin shivered and hugged himself. "Sorry. You must be cold." Arthur said. He held Merlin close to him and kissed the tip of his cold nose. Merlin made a little happy noise and cuddled closer to him. They walked together, holding each other close.