alwaysserving | London Calling for chivarlyideal

The next week passed quickly, but the trip to London was always in the back of Merlin's mind. He would be meeting Arthur's father for the first time in this millennium, but Merlin suspected the king would dislike him as much now as he had back in Camelot. Especially if he suspected that Merlin and Arthur were anything more than friends. However, worries aside, Merlin had packed (and re-packed to add a few certain things in a small bag buried in the bottom of his suitcase) making sure he had anything he might possibly need for the weekend.

The morning of their departure, Merlin had fretted and paced as he waited for Arthur's text to alert him that the car was there to pick him up on the road. He checked the magical wards that protected his cottage as he left, walking quickly to the main road and climbing into the back after the driver had stowed his bag.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

chivarlyideal

Arthur is already in the car, waiting for Merlin. "Good Morning. Ready to go?" He's grinning but there's a nervous undertone in Arthur's expression. He's not looking forward to attend the hospital opening later that day and he's worried about what his father will say about Merlin.

From:

alwaysserving

"All set," Merlin takes the seat next to him, though he restrains himself from kissing Arthur in greeting. Though he really wants to press himself up against the prince, he instead covers Arthur's hand with his own to give it a gentle squeeze of reassurance. "How are you today?"

From:

chivarlyideal

Arthur glances down at their hands and gives Merlin a smile. "Not too bad." Leon and one of his drivers were sitting in the front of the car, keeping Arthur from telling the truth.

From:

alwaysserving

Merlin laces their fingers together and returns the smile before he looks forward again. "How long is the trip to London usually?"

From:

chivarlyideal

"About two hours, more or less. Depends on the traffic on the motorway." Arthur squeezes Merlin's hand and watches the scenary go by.

From:

alwaysserving

"Oh." Merlin turns to face turned out the window, but even with their fingers entwined he rubs his thumb in small circles over the back of Arthur's hand and then to the inside of his wrist in lieu of giving him a proper hug. He wants to reassure Arthur that the trip will be alright, but it's impossible with the two other men right there.

From:

chivarlyideal

The vast part of their ride to London passes in silence. They obviously don't enter Buckingham Palace from the front entrance but the driver pulls up in a small alley. "Here we are." Arthur lets go of Merlin's hand and waits for Leon to open his door and gets out of the car.

From:

alwaysserving

Merlin follows, a bit more nervous and uncertain now that they've arrived. It's been almost a century since he last stepped inside Buckingham Palace, and back then it was as a servant rather than a guest.

From:

chivarlyideal

Arthur squeezes Merlin's shoulder as they walk inside the building. The meeting with the King is quick and pretty painless. He awaits the two of them as soon as they come up the giant staircase and Arthur introduces Merlin. Uther looks Merlin up and down, gives him a nod and a handshake and disappears back into his study.

From:

alwaysserving

Merlin is almost surprised, and a bit unsettled, with how easy the introduction to the king is. It's strange seeing Uther there, once again in the flesh because he had spent so many years with Arthur after the death of his father that he'd grown accustomed to life without Uther in it.

"Where to now?" Merlin asks quietly, a small smile for Arthur as he does so.

From:

chivarlyideal

"How about we put your stuff into the guest room first?" Arthur slings an arm around Merlin's shoulder and leads him up another set of stairs.

From:

alwaysserving

"Alright," Merlin leans into the touch, reveling in first real contact he's had with Arthur today. He can't help but tease a bit, "I'm at your mercy, after all."

From:

chivarlyideal

"Don't worry, I treat my inferiors well." Arthur winks at him, leading the way through seemingly endless corridors. "Here we are. I manage to get you a room almost opposite to mine." He swings open the door and reveals a huge guest room with a queen sized bed.

From:

alwaysserving

The size of the room almost dwarfs the size of the bed, giving an indication of the level of luxury and wealth associated with the palace. "Wow," Merlin is always impressed by the extravagence, even of one of the guest rooms. Nothing will ever compare to Camelot in his mind, though. "This is huge."

From:

chivarlyideal

"Wait til you see my room." Grinning, Arthur walks over to the window and draws back the curtains, revealing a few onto the park.

From:

alwaysserving

"I look forward to it," Merlin teased and followed him into the room, dropping his things and making his way to the window as well. "Quite a view."

From:

chivarlyideal

"Not as nice as the one at your place." Arthur steps away from the window again, taking them out of sight, pulling Merlin against him. "I believe we didn't say 'hello' properly yet."

From:

alwaysserving

"You're just saying that." Merlin wraps his arms around Arthur and smiles. "But I agree. I like the lake."

Merlin kisses him softly and murmurs quietly, "Hello."

From:

chivarlyideal

Arthur wraps his arms around Merlin's waist, smiling as he kisses him back. "I'm glad you came here with me."

From:

alwaysserving

"I'm glad I came too," Merlin happily cuddles up to him for another kiss. "But I might change my mind if I don't get my full tour later."

From:

chivarlyideal

"You will, don't worry." Arthur cranes his neck to look at his watch. "We have all afternoon before I have to leave to that opening."

From:

alwaysserving

"Good," Merlin smirks, "because I haven't forgotten our plans before you leave. I've looked forward to that."

From:

chivarlyideal

"Oh, me too." Arthur smirks. "How about I we find ourselves some lunch, then I give you an actual tour of the place and then we head to my room for some privat time?"

From:

alwaysserving

"Perfect." Merlin seals the deal with a lingering kiss, filled with all the promises of how their 'private time' will be spent. "Because I have to say I'm famished."