⁕ continued ⁕

Swirling snow kissed ruddy cheeks the moment they stepped outside, the wind tousling their hair playfully. Merlin only realised how desperately he needed a haircut when the wind whipped untidy raven strands into his eyes - shuddering, he indicated to the notice board, involuntarily envying the blonde's thick parka.

The Notice Board; almost a tourist attraction itself - or so Gaius thought - it was reverently protected by a sturdy wooden frame, upholding a thick sheet of glass. This enduring, dutiful guard shielded the board from the worst of the weather that regularly plagued the coastal town.

Hooking the keys from his pocket and fumbling numbly with the lock, Merlin let his eyes drift over the various notices. They ranged from bizarrely detailed and jovially coloured, to meagre and fleeting notes that had evidently been scrawled in impatient haste.

---------------------

☞ TINTAGEL COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

GORDON'S GREENS
Find Me Opposite the Square!
FRESH WINTER VEGGIES;
CHARD, LEEKS AND SPINACH

FOR SALE; Red strong Bicylcle.
hardly used. call number below

LOST; Pet Ball PYTHON
Very Tame. 5 ft Long.
Call this number if sighted;

Community Park Event;
Teddy Bear's Picnic and Fundraiser BBQ
25th July 2012

Job Offering -Lemon Tree Tea Rooms
Waiter and Pot Washer - good social skills necessary, Monday - Thursday
Please pop in for a chat!

---------------------

After a desperate, muddled moment - where Merlin twisted the key to and fro, praying he didn't make a fool of himself - the lock clicked. He stepped back jubilantly, quiet satisfaction promptly turning to bashful shyness as the customer remained motionless.

"L-left side is events, right is advertisements, th-the top is... um, community notices and the bottom is whatever you want it to be." He recited falteringly. It took Merlin a long moment to realise - he had fallen prey to the piercing gaze of the customer, who appeared to study his company with great interest.

The pair stood in silence - Merlin swaying slightly to keep warm, though beginning to burn under the intense stare; the man fearlessly raking his eyes over the employee's features. Finally he dragged his gaze away and turned to mount a poster without a word.

Now it was Merlin's turn to gawk admiringly. He wore a thick slate parka and fitting black jeans - making the steely blue that flashed within his eyes twirl mesmerizingly. High, carving cheekbones framed his face and a tumble of golden fell as he worked - it was this that hounded Merlin as he felt the indescribable tug of lust pluck at his throbbing heart.

"I-I need to know your name." It came out wrong, almost sounding like some pining child - Merlin frowned and bit his lip, before quickly adding, "If people ask about the poster then we can refer them to you."

It was a good save - a complete lie - but at least he didn't sound like some crazed fangirl now.

The boy nodded slowly, evidently dubious - seeming almost to enjoy dragging out the moment as the white flakes billowed about them, settling in their hair. As he stepped away from the board, Merlin was finally granted a chance to read the man's banner.

Starving eyes flickered incessantly, growing suddenly cold as they processed the words upon the poster.

"Arthur." The man announced resolutely, with a heightened air of importance. Merlin raised an eyebrow, turning steely, calculating eyes upon the man's handsome features, now twisted into a knowing smile that danced on his lips. "Pendragon."

That made sense. A Pendragon; filthy rich, uptight and righteous, and... undeniably complete pricks.

Merlin shook Arthur's outstretched hand stiffly, the air suddenly seeming a great deal colder than before.

"Daddy's out of town for the weekend then?" He asked haughtily - surprising himself, he wasn't usually this irritable - as he jerked his head at the poster, which detailed 'THE BEST HOUSE PARTY OF THE YEAR' in blaring, obnoxious capitals.

Arthur Pendragon's eyes briefly clouded over, a rueful look pulling on his features as he looked at his trainers, damp with slushy snow.

Merlin felt a twinge of regret. He didn't know this guy - just that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth - and had already presumed the worst about him: that he was an arrogant jock, an immature prat, a Junior Uther Pendragon.

However, whatever regret Merlin had felt quickly dissolved when Arthur tilted his head and replied with a sly smirk, "Yep. It's gonna be wild. Got the whole house just to myself- and anyone else who wants to come. Except a couple people - I'll let the doorman know names."

Arthur grinned charismatically and hoisted the rolls tighter under his arm as Merlin bristled indignantly, biting his tongue to prevent a sharp retort. It wasn't in his job description to teach lessons, after all.

It seemed like eternity, as the pair stared each other down - confident and composed battling resentful and betrayed - before Merlin briskly turned away, the cold gnawing on his exposed skin.

"Thanks for your help!" Arthur called cheerily, as though nothing had happened, already pulling his hood over his dusted crown.

Merlin seethed in stony silence, thrusting his weight against the pharmacy door. It slammed open, crashing into a small, faux Christmas tree, adorned with merry baubles and crumbling candy canes that bounced gaily about the floor, the sound tinkling joyfully.

"See you around, Merlin!"

20:47

Merlin
I met this guy today

Gwen
aww! Did you get his number?

Merlin
nononono it's not like that. He just wanted some help at the pharmacy. thats all

Gwen
Come on Merlin, I know you well enough - you never usually tell me about your day so he must be special! ;-) Name, number?

Merlin
classified information

Gwen
Aww! He must have been really hot for you to be acting so secretive about it.

Merlin
mmhmmm

Merlin
but he seemed like an absolute asshole and possibly the straightest person I've ever met

Merlin
so gooooodddbyyyee feelings

Merlin
its a shame, he really was really attractive ;//

Gwen
Well, keep me updated. Maybe google him or something. I know you don't have the nerve to call him.

Merlin
thanks

Gwen
welcome ;-) x

23:02

Gwen
Hey Merls, guessing you're asleep. :o Sorry I didn't mention this earlier, completely forgot - just wondering if you wanted to go to Arthur Pendragon's party next weekend with me?? :-)

Gwen
I don't suppose you've heard about it yet...

Gwen
I know you don't like strangers and meeting new people but you never know!! he could be the one!!

Gwen
Please, just give it a go. for me?

(Read, 23:04)

~ will I ever continue this? Who's to say ~

a/n - Thank you so much for reading! This was a long one-shot - and pretty experimental too - considering this is my first modern fic, with quite a different writing style to Heavy is the Head!! :D

Someday I may continue, but for the moment I want to round up HITH and finalise the plans for more stories and shots :)

happy reading x