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magog_83Hello everyone :) I have pretty much vanished from fandom the past couple of months, and I will probably be only half there for a while yet (grr to the thesis), but I'm trying to at least keep my hand in with fic. Today it's a Love and Menswear extra scene, but if anyone has any extras or missing scenes from any of my fic they would be interested in seeing, please let me know and I'll try and give them a go! My huge WIPs are out of the question at the moment, but shorter scenes I think I can manage :D Ven has already requested 'meeting the parents' from 'Merlin Emrys' Biggest Fan', so that's up next I think!
Wordcount: 1,200
Rating: PG
Summary: Arthur attempts to do his Supervisory Timetable. Merlin is a bit distracting.
A/N: This is a little extra scene I wrote for A Story of Love and Menswear, and which has again been edited by Arthur forsap clarity. It's set about a month after the end of that fic.
Arthur knew he would have to speak to Merlin soon about the hand holding. It wasn’t that Arthur was averse to holding Merlin’s hand, in fact he liked it more than he had ever expected to, and with Merlin being such a tactile sort of person, he got plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. But he was fairly sure that holding hands behind the till was inappropriate, especially when Arthur was attempting to fill out the daily timetable and having to balance his rubber band ball on the paper to stop it moving, in lieu of the use of his left hand. When the paper skidded sideways for the fifth time, he knew he had to say something. Unfortunately for Arthur’s sanity, Merlin chose that very moment to swing their joined hands happily back and forth, his thumb moving gently over the palm as he smiled at Arthur in a way that made Arthur feelbreathless extremely disapproving.
“Merlin,” he cleared his throat for added authority, it always seemed to work for his father. “We shouldn’t do this now.”
Far from looking upset or any of the things Arthur had beenworrying about expecting, Merlin just wiggled his fingers free and sighed. “I know, I know. Pants to tidy. I am a slave to my job.” Then he leaned across before Arthur could so much as blink and kissed him, smiling against his mouth. “And anyway, we’ve got time later.”
If Arthur found himself returning Merlin’s kiss for a brief moment, it was only because of the shock. “You’re still coming over then,” he said in ahopeful uninterested sort of voice.
“Of course I am.” Merlin was looking at Arthur like he was considering another inappropriate display of affection, so Arthur gave him what he hoped was a suitably professional look and reminded him he was sorting pants until half past eleven. Merlin rolled his eyes (which was what happened when you let your staff take liberties with your person) then added, “I won’t be round until after nine though.”
“What? Why?” It was possible Arthur's question had come out somewhat louder then he'd intended - he still blamed the shock.
“I have to go round uncle Gaius’s with mum, it’s his birthday,” Merlin said apologetically. “I’ll come straight over afterwards though and you can save me some pizza.”
Arthur struggled for a moment with thecrushing disappointment inconvenience. “Won’t it be too late by then? The roads are rather busy and you’ll hardly have arrived before you have to go again.” Arthur said this in a very reasonable tone, the kind of tone anyone would use when pointing out potential traffic difficulties and attempting to do the right thing. Unfortunately Merlin (as usual) somehow read his reasonable tone as something else entirely and actually looked pleased.
“I don’t mind the drive. It’s worth it.”
Arthur wondered if they’d been messing with the heating again, he was suddenly feeling a little warm. “Oh, ok then. Good.” He looked round for something to do with his handsthat didn’t involve reaching for Merlin and settled on his rubber band ball. “Morgana will be pleased, she’s got a new film for us that she says is very good.”
“And I was thinking,” Merlin said in a rush, when Arthur had barely finished speaking, the flush that Arthur had come toadore tolerate, spreading across his cheekbones. “If the film finishes really late, maybe I could, uh, stay over. In a spare room of course,” he amended quickly. “That way I could drive you to work tomorrow as well and we could have more time together tonight.” He stopped and looked at Arthur, looking even more hopeful than he had when Arthur had been nominated for Weekend Employee of the Month. And it wasn’t as if the thought of Merlin being able to stay late and still be there tomorrow morning was unwelcome. Arthur prided himself on his unfailing honesty and saying goodbye to Merlin at 11.30 sharp on a Saturday night was always horrible less than ideal. But if Merlin stayed, he might get used to it, and then Arthur might get used to it, and then he might never want Merlin to go home, and it wasn’t as if they had even done anything much yet (no matter what Morgana said about them needing a room). Not that Arthur didn’t want to do more, he just... didn’t have any much experience with that sort of thing and if he was going to disappoint anyone, he didn’t want it to be Merlin of all people. All of which went through Arthur’s mind in the time it took for him to realise that he was still standing there, saying nothing, and gripping the rubber band ball a little too hard, and Merlin’s flush was turning a dull red and his hopeful expression leeching away in a manner that was absolutely not acceptable.
“I would like that,” Arthur blurted, before he could think better of it, and was immediately rewarded by Merlin’s beaming smile. Arthur’s heart pounded uncomfortably fast at the thought of what he was about to do, but it wasn’t as though the guest room was at all suitable for someone like Merlin, it was too big and empty and Merlin hated floral wallpaper anyway. He swallowed, “You can just stay in my room if you like, Morgana says no-one should be forced to stay in our guest room anyway, it’s horrible, and my bed is a double.” He felt his face heat as he realised what that sounded like, but didn’t take it back. He could do this, he’d once signed up four new store card account customers before lunch.
Merlin blinked at him, mouth opening and closing in a totallyendearing stupid way. Then he grinned again, foolishly, and said “Ok, then. Ok, I’ll bring my toothbrush,” and then stood there some more before seeming to remember he was actually at work (honestly, was it only Arthur?) and turning round and walking into the till, before muttering “oops” and shuffling around it and making it half way across the floor before he realised he’d forgotten his sticker gun.
Arthur watched him go (for the second time) and hoped that his sudden burst of courage wasn’t going to have a detrimental effect on the productivity of the department. It was already causing his stomach to flip flop in a highly unsettling way and his skin to feel prickly and hot with the thought of Merlin curled beneath his duvet, probably looking warm and sleepy like he had at the cinema two weeks ago when he’d fallen asleep in the middle of the important exposition scene and dribbled all over Arthur’s new shirt. His fears over productivity were hardly improved when he looked across the floor ten distracting minutes later to see Merlin still smiling at him and quite clearly not doing any stickering of any kind. He made a gesture that he hoped conveyed the need for imminent stickering. Merlin waved back and then wandered off to arrange some golf socks, whilst still managing to sneak looks at Arthur at least twice a minute (not that Arthur was staring, but as a Supervisor he needed to be keep an occasional eye on his staff).
Arthur could tell it was going to be a long day, and he hadn’t even finished colour coding his timetable.
The end.
Wordcount: 1,200
Rating: PG
Summary: Arthur attempts to do his Supervisory Timetable. Merlin is a bit distracting.
A/N: This is a little extra scene I wrote for A Story of Love and Menswear, and which has again been edited by Arthur for
Arthur knew he would have to speak to Merlin soon about the hand holding. It wasn’t that Arthur was averse to holding Merlin’s hand, in fact he liked it more than he had ever expected to, and with Merlin being such a tactile sort of person, he got plenty of opportunities to enjoy it. But he was fairly sure that holding hands behind the till was inappropriate, especially when Arthur was attempting to fill out the daily timetable and having to balance his rubber band ball on the paper to stop it moving, in lieu of the use of his left hand. When the paper skidded sideways for the fifth time, he knew he had to say something. Unfortunately for Arthur’s sanity, Merlin chose that very moment to swing their joined hands happily back and forth, his thumb moving gently over the palm as he smiled at Arthur in a way that made Arthur feel
“Merlin,” he cleared his throat for added authority, it always seemed to work for his father. “We shouldn’t do this now.”
Far from looking upset or any of the things Arthur had been
If Arthur found himself returning Merlin’s kiss for a brief moment, it was only because of the shock. “You’re still coming over then,” he said in a
“Of course I am.” Merlin was looking at Arthur like he was considering another inappropriate display of affection, so Arthur gave him what he hoped was a suitably professional look and reminded him he was sorting pants until half past eleven. Merlin rolled his eyes (which was what happened when you let your staff take liberties with your person) then added, “I won’t be round until after nine though.”
“What? Why?” It was possible Arthur's question had come out somewhat louder then he'd intended - he still blamed the shock.
“I have to go round uncle Gaius’s with mum, it’s his birthday,” Merlin said apologetically. “I’ll come straight over afterwards though and you can save me some pizza.”
Arthur struggled for a moment with the
“I don’t mind the drive. It’s worth it.”
Arthur wondered if they’d been messing with the heating again, he was suddenly feeling a little warm. “Oh, ok then. Good.” He looked round for something to do with his hands
“And I was thinking,” Merlin said in a rush, when Arthur had barely finished speaking, the flush that Arthur had come to
“I would like that,” Arthur blurted, before he could think better of it, and was immediately rewarded by Merlin’s beaming smile. Arthur’s heart pounded uncomfortably fast at the thought of what he was about to do, but it wasn’t as though the guest room was at all suitable for someone like Merlin, it was too big and empty and Merlin hated floral wallpaper anyway. He swallowed, “You can just stay in my room if you like, Morgana says no-one should be forced to stay in our guest room anyway, it’s horrible, and my bed is a double.” He felt his face heat as he realised what that sounded like, but didn’t take it back. He could do this, he’d once signed up four new store card account customers before lunch.
Merlin blinked at him, mouth opening and closing in a totally
Arthur watched him go (for the second time) and hoped that his sudden burst of courage wasn’t going to have a detrimental effect on the productivity of the department. It was already causing his stomach to flip flop in a highly unsettling way and his skin to feel prickly and hot with the thought of Merlin curled beneath his duvet, probably looking warm and sleepy like he had at the cinema two weeks ago when he’d fallen asleep in the middle of the important exposition scene and dribbled all over Arthur’s new shirt. His fears over productivity were hardly improved when he looked across the floor ten distracting minutes later to see Merlin still smiling at him and quite clearly not doing any stickering of any kind. He made a gesture that he hoped conveyed the need for imminent stickering. Merlin waved back and then wandered off to arrange some golf socks, whilst still managing to sneak looks at Arthur at least twice a minute (not that Arthur was staring, but as a Supervisor he needed to be keep an occasional eye on his staff).
Arthur could tell it was going to be a long day, and he hadn’t even finished colour coding his timetable.
The end.
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Date: 2010-09-22 06:01 pm (UTC)Then he grinned again, foolishly, and said “Ok, then. Ok, I’ll bring my toothbrush,”
I could exactly picture and hear how Merlin would say that, what he would look like. And god, your Arthur... They'll be so good for each other that night ♥
Thanks for this! *happy sigh*
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Date: 2010-09-23 04:15 pm (UTC)Now all Arthur has to do is hoover his room AND stop Morgana from following him around the house (all the better to smirk and make comments). I'm sure Merlin is well worth it though :D
Thanks so much for reading and leaving such a lovely comment!
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Date: 2010-09-22 08:07 pm (UTC)I've missed your writing. It's always so warm and just fun to read.
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Date: 2010-09-23 04:18 pm (UTC)I'm happy you enjoyed this one though, I had great fun revisiting Arthur and his editing :D
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Date: 2010-09-22 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 04:22 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-09-23 12:05 am (UTC)But much love for the sheer adorableness all the same. *g* Hope the thesis is going better than your grr indicates!
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Date: 2010-09-26 11:11 am (UTC)The thesis is just being loooong and drawn out and won't be finished until Christmas. And all I want to do is work on my Merlin WIPs, alas :( But I will get there eventually!
Thanks for commenting :)
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Date: 2010-09-23 02:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-26 11:12 am (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-09-23 07:32 am (UTC)also, [*waves frantically*] missed you, bb, but i totes understand.
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Date: 2010-09-26 11:15 am (UTC)Glad you liked this one!! :D
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Date: 2010-09-23 01:05 pm (UTC)But he was fairly sure that holding hands behind the till was inappropriate -- Awww they're so sweet. I started grinning when I reached this part and stayed that way till the very end of the story. They're just so adorable together. *squishes Arthur and Merlin together*
And I'd love to read an extra scene from Red Window Frames. That 'verse can never not be adorable.
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Date: 2010-09-26 11:18 am (UTC)I shall definitely add Red Window Frames to the list then :D I have half a missing scene already knocking about, but is there anything in particular you would like to see? Or just any random scene??
Thanks for reading!!
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Date: 2010-09-26 11:33 am (UTC)They are so adorably awkward together, aren't they? Especially Arthur, like he doesn't quite know what to make of this situation. *pets him*
Yeyeyey! Hmm...that missing scene wouldn't be that time Merlin accidentally disappeared his shorts, would it? *imagines flustered!Arthur's face* Ahaha! Anything you add to Red Window Frames would be great. And if you can sneak in some ~~sneaky~~ cuddling in there, that would really make my day. :DDD
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Date: 2010-09-23 08:11 pm (UTC)I really love this verse and OCD!Arthur is such a weakness of mine ♥
Lovely!
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Date: 2010-10-02 07:16 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-09-25 12:56 am (UTC)Haha! Merlin, you clever thing, you! I knew it was coming, and when Merlin said If the film finishes really late, maybe I could, uh, stay over. I did a fist pump. I'm very proud of him.
Reading Arthur's thoughts is wonderful. I am so very glad that you're continuing with this universe. I will happily read every little snippet you write. ♥
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Date: 2010-10-02 07:28 pm (UTC)Hahaha I am very happy to have inspired a fist pump!! Merlin was just waiting for his chance, and trying to word it in a way that wouldn't cause Arthur to run away to the stock room to obsessively fold jumpers. But he should have remembered that Arthur can't resist him, not really ;)
Thanks for reading!!!
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Date: 2010-09-26 10:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-02 07:32 pm (UTC)Glad you enjoyed it!!
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Date: 2010-09-27 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-03 11:24 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-09-28 01:27 am (UTC)Thanks for returning to this verse! I love it so much! (Go back to Percy soon; I miss the hapless knight of Camelot!)
Good luck with your thesis! Sounds awful, but you can do it!
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Date: 2010-10-08 07:23 pm (UTC)And thank you for your lovely comment :D I'm sorry grumpy!arthur attracted a bit too much attention (although it could have been worse, I once had someone walk into the postgrad office when I had KINK ME MERLIN emblazoned on the screen, that was pretty embarrassing), but I suppose he's quite used to the attention, being an Executive Supervisor and all ;)
I certainly intend to return to Percy at some point. As soon as this thesis is done, I have two Percy fics, a kmm prompt fic and a schoolboy WIP to get finished and I can't wait!
Thanks for reading!
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Date: 2010-09-29 01:21 pm (UTC)Oh my god, what a joyous surprise!!! More put upon menswear!Arthur ♥
I still love Merlin's blatant adoration for him, even if Arthur's a bit thick about it! And Merlin falling asleep during the explode-y bits during the film! (Someone was a bit too excited about seeing Arthur to sleep the night before hey? :D)
Brilliant ending! OCD Arthur is my favourite :D
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Date: 2010-10-06 05:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-10 02:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-10 11:14 pm (UTC)\o/
follow-up? ♥♥♥
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Date: 2010-11-02 02:53 am (UTC)Thanks for sharing this, it was just lovely! x
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Date: 2011-08-08 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-30 04:28 pm (UTC)I love those two guys to bits, I wish you'd write a big multi-chaptered and very long fic about them.
This is adorable, funny and sensual.
He could do this, he’d once signed up four new store card account customers before lunch.
*snort* Poor Arthur's not going to know what's hit him. It's Merlin.
“Ok, then. Ok, I’ll bring my toothbrush,” and then stood there some more before seeming to remember he was actually at work (honestly, was it only Arthur?) and turning round and walking into the till, before muttering “oops” and shuffling around it and making it half way across the floor before he realised he’d forgotten his sticker gun.
Aw, it's so cute to see that for once, Merlin seems as affected as Arthur.
This is one of the best Modern AUs I've ever read, and I'm not a big fan of them to begin with.
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Date: 2011-10-30 04:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-30 04:37 pm (UTC)Here it is! I had to go through my archive bit of my LJ to find it.
Thank you for your lovely reviews of these btw, they are so nice to get! I have a great fondness for this particular verse and emotionally constipated Arthur. Not to mention a setting I know very well of course!