Part 6a: A perfectly imperfect view

“It was a date, right? I was right. I know Percy had a huge loooovebite on his neck. I have my sources!”

Merlin sighed. “It wasn't a date. It wasn't me.”

Arthur's face fell. In fact his whole being deflated. But Arthur's voice left no room for argument.

“His loss entirely.”

Merlin swallowed thrice before he could speak again. He hoped that hanging up his suit jacket made a plausible excuse for his silence. He folded the tie around his hand and felt the soft silk underneath his fingers before he returned it to Arthur.

“Thank you,” he said, not really talking about Arthur lending him the tie. Then he drew a deep breath and let it out, hoping to shake the sadness clinging to his bones.

“I'm gonna hit the shower and see if this stuff you two put in my hair will ever go out. Cement and glue, was it?”

Arthur shrugged as he carefully returned the tie to it's place in his wardrobe.

“T'was something with a lot of micro plastic and a terrible carbon footprint.”

“Aha! So YOU do listen to me!”

“Never!” Arthur gasps in mock shock. “That's what it said on the tin.”
Merlin chuckled softly.

Gwaine's concoction of hair products did prove fairly resilient to shampoo and water. But that is not why Merlin was crying large, silent tears of self pity in the shower.

-

Days later, Merlin still wasn't sure of what to make of the situation. Owain had been very happy with the feedback from the prom night event. The tradition would most likely continue, unless next years prom committee had other plans. People had spoken kindly of Merlin too, which did make Merlin feel a little bit more like part of the team rather than just the comic relief.

Percy himself seemed rather elusive. All of Merlin's texts went unanswered. Not that Merlin bombarded him with texts, but usually there would be at least one mindless conversation going. Not even a single cat picture came Merlin's way. The silence did made sense. If there was a boyfriend thing happening, then why would Percy care about Merlin's babbling?

He counted the pros and cons of sending yet another message. This would at least be a real topic. The college had made some changes to their part time study program, which Merlin thought would fit Percy and his situation better. He had gathered brochures and application forms for it, just in case, so he could bring it with him if Percy was interested. It was hardly urgent news though and he should get started with packing to go home for the Christmas holiday, rather than over-contemplating a text.

He made the wording very brief and to the point, and pressed 'send'. A moment later, Merlin nearly jumped out of his skin as a text came in reply. The wording was a bit unusual, but it was from Percy's number.

'Am home. Bring it here.'

Merlin gave his unpacked bag a stare before he texted back.

'Around 8?'

'K'

-

Merlin ran the first flights of stairs, then calmly walked up the last one. The memory of the sweater failure was still vivid in his mind. He didn't need to add arriving sweaty and out of breath to the list, waving a folder around. He might be the college's gay faerie unicorn, but he wasn't the Pony Express.

Merlin checked the time on his phone just to be sure. It took a little while before Percy opened the door. He looked like had jumped right out of the shower. A towel was thrown over his shoulders, his shirt was unbuttoned, he wore jeans, but no socks. It would be a great- no rather perfect - look if not for the frown on Percy's face. He was holding on to the door, Merlin got the distinct impression that Percy didn't want him to see inside.

“Hey, uh, sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone.”

“You invited me?” Merlin waved his phone and quickly checked the time to see that yes, it was past 8 and he hadn't lost his mind.

Percy opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. An arm came from behind him and curled around Percy's waist, caressing the grooves of Percy's six pack, brushing not so accidentally over the the light trail of hairs leading the way down to an area Merlin shouldn't think about. Merlin tried to look away. Another arm snaked around Percy's chest with a hand sliding underneath the open shirt. It was a strong man, nothing like Merlin. More like Gwaine, more like the type Percy liked. Percy wasn't looking at Merlin and his wandering eyes, he was staring stone faced over his shoulder, mumbling something between clenched teeth. Merlin felt like he had been kicked in the gut when he recognized the face of the man fondling Percy. Dark curls and a sugar sweet smile, but his eyes seemed ice cold as they pinned Merlin in a silent challenge.

“I invited him, Percy. I wanted to meet your little friend.”