tenth person

Chapter 5

During the conversation, Merlin learned that Arthur was a barrister with an impressive success rate and was considering becoming a Crown Counsel.And his sister Morgana owns a weekly magazine, which happens to be the one that Merlin glances at from Gwen's desk from time to time, a professional magazine focused on women's rights and fashion, and Merlin can't help secretly wishing that Gwen knew that he knew the "Avalon" What would the female editor-in-chief look like?

"So, Merlin, why did you come to Camelot? It's not popular with young people here, it's too dull." Morgana waved her slender fingers with scarlet nails, completely ignoring that Gaius was standing not far away, laying eyes on her, in fact the whole bar All the men are watching her, but she is as indifferent as a queen who is used to being looked up to.

"Uh, I guess it's due to making bad friends by mistake." He shrugged.

"Unusual choice, huh?" Morgana nodded at Merlin. "You must look good in a magazine. You said what you do?"

"Well, the Albion Daily, I do the letters and history quizzes for it..." Merlin shrugged, "nothing serious, I mean, just... I write in my spare time, that's what I do, I guess .”

"I'll check out your column," ignoring Merlin's terrified dissuasion, "show me your 'job' sometime, Merlin, I can't stay too long," she pulled out a business card and handed it over, " Call me if you want."

Will's eyes lit up, and he turned to his friend to stare at him jealously, wondering whether Merlin would have strangled him for daring to call, or if he had dared to strangle him for not calling.

Merlin accepted the business card, "I will," Will followed the small piece of paper into the inner pocket with envious eyes.

"I have to go," the glamorous queen stood up, her brother raised her eyebrows, Morgana wanted to say something else, but just picked up her Kun bag, "It's nice to meet you (you)." She smiled and said to Merlin made a "call me" gesture, "Good night Gaius." She kissed the old bartender's cheek again as she had come, and left with a thump on her high heels.

Will slumped his shoulders again, "She likes you," he said plaintively to Merlin.

"She likes pets." Arthur blinked, and Will muttered, "I don't mind being a pet."

So her brother laughed, teeth gleaming in the light, just teeth, Merlin thought.

"Gosh Will, trust me, you're not going to enjoy being her pet! No! Absolutely!"

Merlin just watched him fascinated.

In the next few days, Merlin would go to Camelot when he was free, and Will laughed at him like a young girl in love, "You can't be like this Merlin, yes, I encourage you to fall in love with someone, but..."

Merlin didn't bother to argue, they've only known each other for a few days!like? !That's too early!And he didn't! !

"No stone in the well will believe your words, not a single word, Merlin." Will rolled his eyes, "If you ask me what I have discovered over the years, it is that no matter what age, love can happen in an instant, you I know. You don't need time, you don't need anything, it's dangerous for you to do this."

Merlin stared at his closet, thinking he should go buy something decent, but he likes comfy old clothes, even though he knows he's wrapping himself in unfashionable stuff so people don't think more of him. Much anticipation, he's avoiding attracting anyone, avoiding falling into a relationship.

"Come on Will, you only kissed once and you taught me." Merlin also rolled his eyes, "I keep pace with the times! You are the kid who wears the skin of modern society and lives in a castle inside!" Will shouted, "Don't go down the road of no return, Merlin! I've seen too much in my life."

"Yeah yeah, if that's what you count as 'living'." Merlin was so annoyed by him that he pulled out a jumper and threw it over his body.

Will disappeared from his apartment without a word. Merlin felt he had slipped, but he had to wait for Will to come back on his own.They have known each other for a long time. When Merlin was a little freak at school, Will was the only one who could talk to him. Maybe he really talked too much. When Will comes back, he must Apologize.

"Are you alone today?" And the slightly childish smile of the man in the bar never let him down.

Almost every night he met Arthur, the blond man seemed to be waiting for him at the bar, and Merlin was addicted to it, even though he knew he shouldn't.

Arthur loved history, he didn't think of history as a relic like many people do these days, and Merlin couldn't have been more sympathetic to history as wealth.They talked endlessly about those classic battles and the wise maneuvers of politicians.At times like this Arthur would sit with him at the bar all night until closing and Merlin would hope that the evening would never end.

But sometimes he just said hello to Merlin and left without even ordering a drink, and nights like that followed.

Merlin couldn't hide his frustration.During this period, he has become acquainted with Gaius, and now the bartender will lower his head and only look at him when he appears, "Did you call Morgana?" After the third time Arthur met and left, Gaius asked.

"Uh, no?" Merlin replied, holding his customary all-malt beer.

"Call her." Gaius was not very talkative. Merlin found.

When I met Arthur that night, it was raining outside, and Merlin ran into the bar without an umbrella. Washed together Merlin? So creative."

Arthur smiled meanly, "It's raining bastard." Merlin rolled his eyes and sat down next to him, stroking his wet hair, couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, he was not surprised to find that he didn't feel offended.

"That's what umbrellas are for," Gaius said.

"The weather can't explain you, Merlin, do you still want whole malt?" The blond bastard knocked on the table at Gaius, and the bartender poured the beer with a straight face as if he was not satisfied with the arrival of the guests.

"Thank you." Merlin took the glass and finally sat down, and then began to look at Arthur carefully.

He was still wearing the gray suit from that day, of course it was dry, with a dark red tie that was loosened, and his blond hair was still there, but his face was tired.

"Are you okay?" Merlin asked in a low voice while Gaius went to the counter.

Arthur turned to look at him, and said after a moment, "Did you see Adam? He was sitting there the last time he was here." His chin nodded to Merlin's left, where there was only one empty chair.

"I've seen him all summer, but today he's gone." Arthur looked a bit disappointed, and Merlin reassured him subconsciously: "Maybe it's just that I don't want to drink tonight."

"Really? All summer, just tonight?" Arthur grimaced, baring his canine teeth.

Merlin nodded. "Maybe there's something important," he whispered ramblingly.

"Maybe, hopefully nothing happened to him." Arthur sighed, putting down his glass. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

Merlin looked back as he was heading out the door to see Gaius staring at him.

Arthur was waiting for him outside the door, and the blond man seemed to be lost in thought as he walked past.

"Are you okay?" Merlin made another exception, putting his hand on Arthur's back.The touch wasn't great as usual, but it wasn't the same as the handshake with Arthur that night, and Merlin guessed from experience that he was in a bad mood.

The other person turned around, looked at him and blinked, "Your hands," Arthur said, "I thought your hands were cold when we first met, given your small body." He tilted his head Looking at Merlin, they were about the same height, Merlin noticed, and the gesture made Arthur look a little more cute.

But Merlin knew instinctively that you mustn't say "cute" as a compliment.

"Oh, did it burn you?" Merlin cocked his lips, he rarely joked like that, but right now he wanted to make Arthur feel better.

Arthur grimaced, "You're 'hot', but you'll have to work harder to set me on fire, buddy," he gave an ambiguous look, and smiled playfully.

Merlin walked behind him, to hide his red ears.