Title: Bohemian Rhapsody (2b/?)

Author: elirwen
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin, other pairings in later chapters
Rating: PG (for now)

Genre: high school AU
Word Count (this chapter): 1080
Beta: none
Warnings: none for this chapter
Summary: Two weeks in Czech Republic, two oblivious boys and bunch of their classmates. What could go wrong?
Masterpost: http://elirwen.livejournal.com/5532.html
Notes: One of the used images is mine, the rest I found on internet. If you click on it, it will lead you to original page. :)

“Give it to me!” he told Val, trying to stay calm.

Gaius talked about history of the town and didn't forget to mention the rumour bound to Frantisek, the statue of little boy standing in the middle of the main colonnade. The believe said that if young woman touched the toe of the statue, she'd conceive a child before a year would pass. Of course, Arthur took it as a chance to tease Merlin again.

 

 

“What do you think would happen if you touch it? You're practically a girl after all.“

“Again with the girl thing? You could at least try to be original.”

“I won't believe you're not one just because you tell me.”

“Is this some elaborate plan to get into my pants?”

Strange expression flashed through Arthur's face, but was gone too soon for Merlin to interpret. He blurted 'In your dreams.' and strode off. Merlin blushed at the truth hidden in the statement.

* * *

They had half an hour to themselves, so Merlin just wandered around the main colonnade, enjoying the afternoon sun. He spotted Val's group nearby. They were all laughing at something Valiant was performing. He was ready to turn away, when he saw Valiant imitating throwing up, absolutely sure of the source of their amusement, but then he saw the familiar box in Valiant's hand.

He felt the anger rise inside of him and crossed the distance between him and the group.

“Give it to me!” he told Val, trying to stay calm.

“And why would I do that?”

“Because it's mine. Give it back.”

“Take it, if you can.”

Merlin made a move to grab the box from his hand but Val tossed it to one of his followers. The series of unsuccessful attempts to retrieve his pills followed, as they formed a circle around him and kept throwing it among themselves.

He fought the tears of humiliation, that were threatening to spill, and shoved into one of the guys. He was shoved back and they started to crowd around him uncomfortably.

“Give it back to him and let him go!” Arthur's voice rang through the air.

“Or what?” went Valiant's answer.

“Just let him go. No need to get in any trouble.”

Few seconds of silence.

“Give him the box back, Alvarr.” said Valiant and he grudgingly did as he was told.

“Pendragon's pet,” he grumbled low, leaving.

When the group dissipated from around him, he found not only Arthur there, but his three friends too. Gwaine was first to get to him. He clasped his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“I'm fine.” Merlin looked at Arthur. “Thanks. But I could handle them myself.”

“Of course.” Arthur snorted. “We all saw, how well you managed. Let's go back.”

* * *

The camp was nice and tidy. They divided into groups of five and got their keys to the bungalow (Arthur and Gwaine argued who would get them, so Leon took them instead) and simple plan of the area.

As soon as he tossed his bag on the floor, Merlin went out to the reservoir. He sat on the beach and watched the surface of water, light of setting sun reflecting on the small waves that run over it.

The pair of strangers had a blanket laid out closer to the water. He tried not to stare but couldn't help to glance in their direction once in a while. They were snuggled close, the man lying on his back stroking the woman's back slowly, her head was pillowed on his shoulder and arm wound around his waist. The picture of domesticity.

He thought about his chances of getting something like this. About what would it feel to have someone to fall asleep with and wake up to. About his huge crush on Arthur and that he was the one he wanted to share the moments with.

* * *

Merlin's plan was to go to sleep early, but his roommates had a different idea.

“This is a school trip, Merlin. We're supposed to have fun,” said Gwaine and pulled a bottle containing some clear liquid out of his bag.

“We had fun during today.” Merlin pointed out.

“Merlin, don't be a spoilsport.” Arthur slung an arm around his shoulders. “At least one drink.”

Merlin couldn't think too clearly while drowning in sensation of Arthur pressed to his side, which resulted in him saying “Alright then, but only one.”

Merlin wondered if Gwaine had any clothes or practical stuff in his bag as he watched him pulling five glass, limes and saltbox from it. The equipment clearly said that the liquid must have been tequila. Gwaine poured them all a generous dose.

God help him.

He watched Arthur licking his wrist before sprinkling it with salt. His traitorous mind let him think of totally different parts of his own body that tongue could be sliding over and one of them was getting really interested, making his jeans uncomfortably tight. He fought the urge to sit down and cover his lap with something and hoped the room was dark enough.

* * *

“As it's a beginning of this fantastic tour I suggest the toast to what you expect of this trip.” Gwaine announced. “I'll start. To adventure. Of every kind.”

He looked pointedly at Merlin when saying the last line and Merlin wanted to bury himself deep under ground and never ever come up as he contemplated the suggestion Gwaine might mean by it.

“To the joy of traveling,” Lance contributed.

“To all the beautiful ladies,” added Leon.

“That's my man,” Gwaine showed his approval.

“To the magic of the land,” said Merlin.

Arthur chuckled.

“ You and your fantasy worlds.”

He looked down for a moment and then straight to Merlin's eyes.

“To revelations.”

Shiver run down Merlin's spine at the intensity of the glare and the tone of Arthur's voice.

They clung their glasses together and at Gwaine's “Bottoms up.” licked the salt, downed the drink and bit into the lime.

Tequila burnt through Merlin's throat and the sour taste of lime made him screw his face, but the warm feeling of alcohol in his stomach wasn't bad. Soon he was starting to feel just a little bit fuzzy. They coaxed him into the round two. And then three and four. And five and six. Probably.


A/N: That camp really exists, but it's pages are only in Czech and German over here. 

Day Three