the last waltz did somersaults (3)
Sep. 2nd, 2012 12:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
casualtheatrics2| < < previous part |
Friday 15th October 2014, 2.30pm
Present: Arthur Pendragon, Leon Bailey, Morgana Le Fay, Gwaine O’Shea, Lancelot Lake, Gwen Thomas, Tristan Lyons, Mithian Rogers, Isolde Doherty, Percival Fisher, Freya Marlowe.
Apologies: None
Minutes taken by: FM
Agenda:
1. Rebranding
MLF, GT, GO discussed options for new colour scheme. Scarlet & Gold was agreed upon as primary spectrum, secondary spectrum to include: pinks, pale yellows, browns. FM to source appropriate paints for reception/hallways, and offices. TL expressed desire for office not to be pink. AP seconded this, as did LB, GO, LL, PF and ID. Secondary colour spectrum scrapped, and replaced with colours: blues, bronzes and browns. MR expressed concern that it was too much like Hogwarts. AP found this hilarious, and insisted yellow, black, green and silver are also incorporated. Motion seconded by GO and ID. Motion passed. [see Appendix 1 for colours]. MLF not happy with “childish display of ignorance, Arthur” (and requested this be noted in the minutes).
TL has rebuilt website and demonstrated to all present. All agreed it was much better. New adverts have gone out to local and national papers. PF has arranged for respraying of vans/lorries.
New logo of “boat on water with sunset” was proposed by GO/ID and approved by MLF and GT [see Appendix 3].
2. Repairs and restoration
AP explained plans to rebuild kitchen/dining area. LL and LB approved this.
AP informed all that all floors bar first floor are now repaired and fit for use. The hard work of the janitor was commented on by all.
AP provided information about “painting party” (date: 16/10/14) [see attached Appendix 2] and this was approved by all present.
LB outlined budget for the remaining repairs and restorations. It was noted that, due to the hard work of the janitor, hiring extra staff had been unnecessary, and therefore some budget was left over to be invested in further repairs or restorations. GO suggested giving the money to janitor. Motion denied by MLF, who suggested a local artist to paint a mural on the wall in reception of the logo. Motion seconded by MR and GT. FM to investigate local artists and hire one with MLF approval. AP would like it noted in the minutes that MLF is “over-extending [her]self, [the] harping bitch”. MLF would like it noted in the minutes that AP has a
3. Restaffing
It was agreed by all to hire William Farmer as kitchen manager once restoration of area was complete. Job offer to be extended by MLF early next week.
MLF informed all present that deadline for appeal by previous staff was Thursday 21st October. Job adverts for new staff would be going out Monday 25th October. GO to organise this.
AP informed all present that Elena Godwin would be commencing work on Monday 18th October as a part-time receptionist, MLF to agree hours to work with her. FM to organise induction.
MLF suggested team could be restaffed by early November and shipping recommencing by end of November. All present pleased with this.
4. Assignation of offices
AP informed all present that private offices were now available. It was suggested by AP that the offices were assigned as below:
- 5th Floor: CEO & CFO
- 4th Floor: IT & Legal
- 3rd Floor: HR and Logistics
- 2nd Floor: Advertising and Conference Room
- 1st Floor: General staff
- Ground floor: Reception and Canteen
All present approved this. Move to be made week commencing 18/10. GO would like it noted in the minutes that TL muttered “Thank God for that” when the news was announced.
5. AOB
AP informed all present that there would be a Christmas Party to take place the week before Christmas. All senior staff to be present. FM and AP to organise it.
--
Arthur walks into the freshly painted Reception on Monday morning and pauses, smiling at what he sees. Jo, his old friend from the café, is sketching the company logo onto the long scarlet wall.
“Jo!” he exclaims, and she turns, her face melting into a pleased grin.
“Hey, Arf!”
“What are you doing here?”
“Morgana called me, and offered me a few weeks’ work painting murals around your building. She remembered I’d moved up this way after my last exhibition.”
Arthur wraps his arms around Jo and squeezes tightly. “It’s good to see you!”
“And you,” she pats Arthur’s back and then steps away. “You seem to be doing well for yourself.” Her sweeping arm takes in the whole building. “You’re finally the boss.”
Arthur blushes. “It’s been a bit tricky,” he admits, shrugging his shoulders. “If it hadn’t been for Merlin and Freya on that first day, I think I’d have given up.”
Jo frowns. “Freya’s your secretary, right?” At Arthur’s nod, she says, “I don’t think I’ve met Merlin though. Which one’s he?”
“He’s the janitor,” Arthur scowls. “Did Morgana not introduce you?” Jo shakes her head and Arthur’s scowl deepens. “I’m getting sick of this.”
“Of what?”
“Of people ignoring Merlin. He’s done so much for us all - even found us an estate agent that doesn’t want to murder Morgana, which, trust me, is a miracle - and people just overlook him.”
“I don’t need thanks,” the voice in Arthur’s ear makes him jump. Jo smiles warmly at Merlin, who has appeared at Arthur’s shoulder.
“You must be Merlin,” says the artist, extending her hand.
“Yes, I am,” Merlin smiles back and shakes her hand. “And seriously, Arthur, I don’t need thanks. Or recognition, or praise. I just like helping out and working for you. You’re a good boss.”
Arthur is touched by Merlin’s declaration, but still...
“But nothing,” Merlin replies firmly. “I’m here to do my job, and you’re here to do yours. If I can make your life a bit easier, then it all works out in my favour. Besides, every time I’ve helped you, it’s been one of my friends who has benefitted. Will got his business back running and then a job, Mary got the letting fees, Elena’s got employment...you’re helping me out far more.” And with that, Merlin turns and walks across Reception to the kitchen area, where, by the noises from within, Arthur can tell the restoration has begun.
Jo quirks an eyebrow at Arthur. “I see why you like him,” she says quietly. “He doesn’t take your crap.”
Arthur shakes himself. “He’s an excellent employee,” his voice is firm. “We’re lucky to have him on the team.”
“Yes,” Jo laughs, as she resumes sketching the logo. “Employee.”
Arthur huffs and marches to the lifts. Can’t a man ever get some damn respect in his place of work?
--
Elena Godwin is, as it turns out, the clumsiest person Arthur has ever met. She’s been working in Reception for three days now, and she’s already managed to break two phones, a vase and three computers. Arthur discovers the latter when several members of the team barge into his office. Tristan is clutching the remains of a monitor to his chest, Morgana has a Hello Kitty! plaster on her finger and is holding a newspaper-wrapped bundle, and Gwen, unflappable Gwen, is unable to take her eyes of the toner-splattered papers in her hands.
“That woman is a monster!” Tristan hisses, kicking the office door shut with his foot. “Three computers! Three, Arthur!”
Arthur takes a deep breath and puts down his pen. “Elena is a lovely person, Tristan. I’m excited to have her on board the team. But yes, she is a little accident-prone.”
“Accident-prone?!” Morgana’s voice reaches pitches formerly only heard by dogs. “She broke a vase! By looking at it!”
“A little accident-prone,” Arthur says firmly, “and a lot unlucky. The vase could have gone at any time.”
“It was vintage crystal!” Morgana shrieks. “From my mother!”
“Then it was foolish to bring something with such sentimental value to work,” Arthur says firmly, wincing internally.
“This was the only copy,” Gwen is whimpering on repeat. “The only copy. The only copy. This was it. And it’s ruined. I can’t read this. The only copy!”
Arthur rounds his desk, and guides Gwen to a chair. “Sit down, Guinevere. It’ll be fine.” He extracts the pages from Gwen’s stained hands and opens his office door. “Freya?”
Freya spins round in her chair and smiles at Arthur. “Yes?”
“Could you possibly try and salvage any useful information from these pages please?”
Freya looks at the pages and sighs. “Another Elena incident?”
Arthur raises an eyebrow. “How did you guess?”
“Merlin warned me she might be like this. She’s a bit nervous, you know. I heard Tristan earlier and I had to head her off from the coffee machine this morning.”
Wincing, Arthur just nods at the paperwork. “Salvage what you can.” He returns to his office, and closes the door gently behind him. Morgana has sunk to the sofa, staring fixedly at the wall. Tristan is cradling the monitor and cooing at it.
“Folks, I’m sorry you’ve all been upset by Elena.”
“That’s an understatement,” snarls Morgana.
“She’s nervous. And we’re bustling around like we have all the answers. Can I remind you that a week ago, we didn’t have offices? And that we still don’t actually have any staff? We can’t pick on Elena, just because she’s the clumsy new girl.”
“But...the monitors,” gasps Tristan, horror still etched into the lines around his mouth. “The computers!”
Arthur takes a deep breath - in through his nose for five and out through his mouth for seven, just like the counsellor taught him. “I’m going to ask Mithian if she will work down with Elena for a few days. Mithian is calm, she’s organised, she’s methodical, and she’ll be able to handle anything Elena throws at her.”
“Just as long as it’s not any more vases,” Morgana snaps.
“It’s not ideal, no, but we need our Receptionist to be up to scratch by the time we get round to hiring the rest of the staff. A little care and attention and I’m positive Elena will be an asset.”
He stands up, and opens his office door. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Please go back to what you were doing, and I’ll go and talk to Mithian and Elena.”
The trio file out of Arthur’s office. Freya stops Gwen, and hands back the pages. “They’re not perfect,” Freya apologises, “but they’re readable.” Gwen hugs Freya, and walks to the lift, a tear trickling down her cheek. Arthur would put money on her muttering ‘Thank God’.
“I’m going to find Mithian,” Arthur says grimly. “And Elena.”
--
Mithian is her usual co-operative, amiable self. “I’d be happy to help,” she says gently. “Elena seems lovely, if very nervy.”
Arthur pats Mithian’s hand. “I do appreciate it; thank you. I’ll take you down and introduce you.”
--
Arthur and Mithian find Elena frantically trying to reattach a mug handle to a mug. “Oh, why won’t you stick?” she hisses, moving her hand away from the mug and discovering she has super-glued the handle to her fingers, instead of the mug. “Oh, God.”
Arthur clears his throat. “Everything alright, Elena?”
She jumps several feet in the air, raises a hand in greeting and then realises that the handle is still superglued to her fingers. The hand whips behind her back faster than lightning. “Oh, fine,” she says, voice shrill with tension. “Everything’s great!”
Arthur just nods. “This is Mithian.” He gestures between the ladies. “Mithian heard you were new here, and have a few teething troubles and asked me if she could help. Everyone needs a bit of help when they’re starting a new job, so I thought I’d accept her offer on your behalf.”
Elena gulps and nods. “Am I in trouble?”
“Not at all,” Mithian lies smoothly. “I’m at a bit of a loose end at the moment, since my department isn’t up and running properly yet, and I thought rather than twiddle my thumbs, I could help you get Reception organised. I do enjoy making order out of chaos.”
Slumping in her seat, Elena wails, “I cause so much chaos!”
Mithian rounds the desk and puts an arm around Elena’s shoulders. “Don’t worry about it. We will have this place shipshape in a way you can control in no time.” Straightening up, Mithian smiles confidently at Arthur. “Thank you, Arthur, for the introduction. We’ll see you later.”
Arthur feels utterly dismissed, and slinks back to his office, avoiding Morgana on the way.
--
It’s dark outside when Arthur finally looks up from the pile of letters from disgruntled former employees of Avalon Shipping. Most are arguing that they weren’t told they were ‘vital to the continuing functionality of Avalon Shipping’ and had acted accordingly, removing themselves from the office until further notice. Arthur is cross-checking every employee with the emails sent out by Catrina. Most emails informed staff that they were to remain at their desks until further notice was sent. A small handful told staff they could leave their desks and expect full pay until further notice. Clearly Uther’s idea of vital and the staff’s idea of vital differed dramatically.
Sighing and sitting back from his desk, Arthur doesn’t notice the knock at the door, and jumps when Merlin’s face appears in the gap.
“Hi. Am I interrupting?”
“Yes,” says Arthur, “but you have no idea how welcome you are.” He waves his hand to beckon Merlin into the office.
Merlin grins. “I brought takeaway,” he says, holding up a carrier bag. “I thought you might not have eaten.”
“Merlin, you wonderful man, bring it over to the sofa, I’m starving.”
They tuck into some really excellent Chinese food, and Arthur is amazed that Merlin got his order almost exactly right. The conversation flows easily and Arthur almost forgets that he’s at work with his employee.
“Is it all going well?” Merlin gestures to Arthur’s desk which is strewn with papers.
“Just going through all the employee re-applications,” Arthur chews a mouthful of noodles. “Most people have abandoned their posts, so they’re not eligible for rehiring.” He dumps the takeaway container on the coffee table. “I just feel...”
Merlin puts his container down too, and leans forward to rub Arthur’s shoulder.
Arthur sighs and tips his head onto Merlin’s shoulder. “I’ve made people unemployed. People who probably have families and bill to pay, and I’m not giving them a real chance to prove their value to the company. But I kind of don’t want people here who are so...”
“Lazy,” supplies Merlin, sliding his arm around Arthur. “Listen, Arthur, the instructions were clear enough. We all got those emails. And I was here, you weren’t. I heard people talking about how they were going to take advantage of senior management being gone. You’ve made the right decisions, and I know it feels weird, but, you’re making this company better. You’ve got a team of people who are committed to making this work with you. And when people start coming back to work for you, they’ll see how great a boss you are, and will work hard for you.” His free hand strokes the hair back from Arthur’s forehead, and his voice drops to a murmur. “I’m not saying they’ll be amenable to you, and I’m not saying they’ll be friendly. They’ll be hostile, and suspicious, and wary, because the last lot of managers bollocksed it all up for them. But they’ll come round.”
Arthur sits upright and smiles at Merlin. “Thank you for the pep talk,” his voices comes out a whisper.
“You’re welcome,” Merlin whispers back.
Arthur lifts his hand and cups Merlin’s cheek. “Merlin...” It comes out on a breath as Arthur leans in and presses his lips to Merlin’s. The hand that’s resting on Arthur’s shoulder slides up his neck to clutch the hair at the base of his neck and Arthur gasps into Merlin’s mouth. He clutches at Merlin’s waist, licking the taste of sweet and sour pork from his mouth.
They kiss for long minutes, tongues entwining and hands sliding over clothed backs, drawing each other close.
When they finally draw back for breath, Arthur breathes in deeply and opens his eyes. Merlin is flushed, lips red and swollen, looking debauched and pointedly not making eye contact with Arthur.
“I’m sorry, did-” Arthur stammers, “Did I-- was that-- did you want, I mean, was that OK?” His hands tighten involuntarily into fists against Merlin’s back.
Merlin’s eyes fly to meet his. “Of course,” he says, horrified. “I just...you’re the boss,” Merlin shakes his head. “I’m just the janitor.”
“So?” demands Arthur. “Do you not understand how important you are? Without you, we wouldn’t have a building! We wouldn’t have food at lunchtimes, or homes to live in, or toilets that aren’t flooded. Without you, on that first day, Freya and I might well have turned the car around and gone back to London.”
Merlin chuckles and slides forward to press a kiss to the corner of Arthur’s mouth. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Seriously, Merlin. You’re the heart and soul of this company for me. I spend all day wanting to check things with you. Morgana can drive me potty, Tristan can be all weird and computer-y, Elena can smash a hundred vases, as long as you’re there to roll your eyes and talk to me.” Arthur pauses, blushing,
Merlin is beaming, hands stroking Arthur’s hair and he is edging his way onto Arthur’s lap. “I’m that important to you?”
“Yes,” says Arthur, impatiently, rolling his eyes, “you are.” He drags Merlin onto his lap the rest of the way and dives back in for another kiss.
--
They agree to keep it private for now. Not that Arthur is ashamed of dating the janitor, but Merlin thinks it might be wise to keep it quiet, until everything is re-established. He’d prefer to be known as the janitor, and not as “the boss’s boyfriend.”
Arthur doesn’t like secrecy, doesn’t trust it - “After all, the last secret that got exposed was Morgana, and I wish my father had managed to keep that one most of the time...” - but he understands Merlin’s need to be acknowledged for himself, and his need to not be pigeonholed. He agrees on the condition that they sneak off to Merlin’s office at least once a day to make out - “Make out, Arthur? What are we, twelve?” - but judging from Merlin’s happy grin permanently welded to his face, Arthur suspects his boyfriend doesn’t mind too much.
Freya, because she is both magical and Merlin’s flatmate, works out what’s going on quite quickly. As in, she walks into Arthur’s office one morning and discovers them kissing on the sofa.
“Oh!” she exclaims and backs out of the office. “Carry on! Don’t mind me! I saw nothing!” There’s a pause and then she says, “I suppose this is why you haven’t been home so much, Merlin?”
Arthur can’t stop breaking out into laughter for the rest of the day.
--
Arthur and Morgana rehire about fifteen of the original office staff. They all seem friendly, and slightly horrified by the mass walkout that occurred. They also, with Percival’s input, rehire about thirty delivery drivers, and with the new team vaguely starting to take shape, they commence trading again.
It’s slow going, and the senior management team often find themselves working late into the evenings, hunched over desks and sipping cups of coffee long gone cold. Things go wrong, frequently, and Arthur has to distract Tristan from braining someone with a keyboard on more than one occasion. He also has to mediate between Gwen and Morgana - a situation that surprises him - when they fall into arguing over some of the HR policies.
“People must be allowed to act as themselves!” declares Gwen.
“We must protect our staff!” retorts Morgana.
It takes Arthur ten minutes of them both shouting and raising their voices over each other before it becomes clear what the problem actually is. The Personal Relationships At Work policy is causing some hassle, as Gwen feels having one is unnecessary (“It impedes people’s right to a personal life! What if you fall in love with someone at work?”) and Morgana feels having one is vital (“What if your boss takes a fancy to you, and you don’t want to, but you don’t know how to say no, and then you’re coerced into a relationship you don’t want?”). Arthur is torn. On the one hand, he agrees with Gwen, on the other, he worries constantly that Merlin wants to keep their relationship a secret because he doesn’t really want it.
He calls an emergency staff meeting. All the staff in the building are required to attend. It’s not ideal, but he wants as many people’s opinions as possible. They meet in the conference room on the first floor.
--
Wednesday 8th November 2014
Present: Arthur Pendragon, Leon Bailey, Morgana Le Fay, Gwaine O’Shea, Lancelot Lake, Gwen Thomas, Tristan Lyons, Mithian Rogers, Isolde Doherty, Percival Fisher, Freya Marlowe, William Farmer, Elena Godwin, Merlin Emerson.
Apologies: None
Minutes taken by: FM
Agenda: The discussion of a Personal Relationships At Work policy.
AP opened the meeting, explaining that all staff were required to have input to the decision. He outlined the proposed policy relating to inter-staff dating.
MLF outlined arguments in favour of policy. GT outlined arguments opposing policy.
LL stated that he agreed with GT. MLF stated this was because they were in a relationship. AP expressed surprise at this. LL and GT confirmed their relationship status (and ME would like it noted in the minutes that the facial expressions they wore can only be described as “sheepish”).
AP congratulated LL and GT on behalf of the company. TL stated that he would also like congratulations, as he and ID had been dating before they moved up here, and a few days ago, ID agreed to marry him.
AP congratulated TL and ID on their impending nuptials. MLF stated that these revelations made it vitally important to have a policy in place. LB asked her why she was so set on this. MLF shouted back that LB “bloody knew why” and...
“Freya, stop taking notes.” Arthur’s voice is icy.
Freya puts the pen down, and looks up to see Arthur eyeballing Leon.
“What does that mean, Leon?” Arthur speaks softly, but the words clang into the room like falling bells.
“Er, well,” Leon stammers and goes pale. “It means...er...”
“Oh for God’s sake, Arthur, it’s none of your business, but we’re dating,” Morgana snarls across the table.
Arthur leaps to his feet and bellows, “WHAT?”
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you!” Leon bleats in panic. “Morgana thought...”
“It was none of my business, I know, I heard her,” Arthur takes several deep breaths. “How long has this been going on?”
“Since March,” Leon mutters, unable to maintain eye contact with Arthur.
“So when you told me we needed Morgana’s HR savvy here, what you actually meant was ‘please let me bring my girlfriend with me’?”
Leon nods and shuffles his chair a little closer to Morgana, who stands up and shouts in Arthur’s face, “You’re just jealous because you’re alone!”
“I am not alone!” Arthur bellows back. “I am in a very happy relationship with...oh, shit.” He falls silent, and fights not to glance at Merlin and give the game away.
Merlin stands up, and moves to stand next to Arthur. “Arthur and I have been seeing each other for a few weeks. Now, this is obviously not quite the meeting we all intended to participate in, so why don’t we end it now, and have a chat about who’s dating who instead?”
Arthur takes Merlin’s hand. “I think that’s a good idea.” He kisses Merlin’s cheek.
“Oh, gross,” Morgana pulls a face to indicate disgust, but it’s a half-hearted effort, and the corners of her mouth are twitching, rage dissipating away. “I don’t need to see that.”
Freya clears her throat. The table turns to look at her. “I’ve been seeing Will,” she offers, and Will beams proudly and nods his head. “It seems to be going well,” Freya rolls her eyes.
“That’s lovely!” Arthur says, delighted for his secretary. “I’m so happy for you!” He clutches his hand to his heart.
“You’re so camp, Arthur,” Morgana snipes, linking her fingers with Leon’s, but she smiles gently at Freya and mouths “Good for you”.
Tristan and Isolde are lost in each other’s eyes, and Lance and Gwen seem content to just sit together and hold hands, but Arthur looks around the rest of the table. “Are you all OK with this?” he asks, anxiously.
Mithian takes Elena’s hand. “We are fine with it,” she says, emphasising the words with a shake of their hands. Elena blushes and nearly falls off her chair.
“Oh!” Arthur is momentarily taken aback. “Oh, right. Well, good for you two, then.” Elena tips her head sideways onto Mithian’s shoulder.
He smiles weakly at Gwaine and Percival. “Anything you two want to tell us?” He crosses his fingers and prays quite hard.
Percival shakes his head. “I’m married. Molly, her name is. She’s looking for some part-time work, and I said I’d speak to you actually.”
“Oh, lovely, lovely,” says Arthur. “Get her to phone Morgana.”
Percival acknowledges this, and then asks to be excused back to the depot. Arthur waves him off. As he leaves, a quiet falls over the room.
“So, Gwaine, you seeing anyone?” Will asks awkwardly.
“Not a chance,” Gwaine laughs. “I’m going to shag all the uni students, I don’t want to be tied down!”
Everyone barks out laughter in surprise at his declaration.
“So,” Arthur says after an awkward pause. “I guess that’s a ‘No’ to the policy then?”
Morgana rolls her eyes. “Oh let’s just have one, in case anything does happen.” She meets Gwen’s eyes, and says, “Sorry.”
Gwen shrugs. “Me too.”
“Right then,” Arthur stands up and pulls Merlin after him. “Now there’s no need to hide this from anyone, I’m going to take my boyfriend into my office for a very important meeting, and I don’t want to be disturbed.”
Merlin giggles as Arthur drags him to the lift, and lets the doors close behind them whilst they kiss enthusiastically all the way to the fifth floor.
--
Epilogue: One Year On
“Arthur, come on,” Freya says, smiling at him from the office door. “Everyone’s downstairs.”
Arthur looks up, and grins at her Santa hat. “I like your hat.”
“Thanks,” Freya pulls a funny face and poses. “Will got it for me.” She straightens up, and says, “I’ll meet you down there?”
Arthur nods. “Yeah, I’ll only be a sec.”
The door clicks closed behind Freya, and Arthur turns his attention back to the screen. He can hardly believe that it’s been just over a year since they resumed trading. The first months were difficult, yes, but it’s been a success. It’s been, dare he say it, fun.
He scans the figures once more, and then attaches the file to an email to Uther.
From: a.pendragon@avalonshipping.co.uk
To: ceo@pendragon.com
Subject: Avalon Shipping Figures For The Year
Attachments: avalonfigs201415.xls
Dear Dad,
I thought you might like to see the figures for the year we’ve just completed. I think you’ll be delighted to see we’ve managed to break back into the black, and in October, we actually made a profit!
Re: Christmas plans. Morgana and Leon should be with you about lunchtime tomorrow. Merlin and I will be with you the next day. Really looking forward to seeing you.
Love,
Arthur
Arthur Pendragon
Chief Executive Officer
Avalon Shipping
Arthur presses ‘Send’ and then closes down his computer properly. He opens his desk drawer and takes out the small black box. It jabs him in the thigh as he walks across the office, flicking out the lights.
He reaches the conference room, which is decorated with more tinsel that Arthur thought was on sale in York, and copious bunches of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. He waves at Will, who pours him out a large glass of mulled wine - “Anything for the boss!” - before making his way across the room to Merlin, who is laughing with Gwen and Elena.
The box jabs him in the leg again, and Arthur smoothes his hand over it, adjusting the position. The movement catches Merlin’s eye; he lifts a hand to wave at Arthur. He mouths something, but Arthur can’t read his lips through all the flashing, twinkling fairy lights. He shrugs, miming confusion and Merlin tips his head to the side, laughing at Arthur, before crooking his fingers in a come-hither gesture.
Arthur goes willingly, smile on his lips and his hand reaching out to lace his fingers with Merlin’s.
~the end~
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2012-09-02 05:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 01:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-03 02:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-05 06:25 pm (UTC)It's also great that Arthur and his team have succeeded so brilliantly and now it looks like Arthur and Merlin are going to have some happy news to share with the family on Christmas.
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Date: 2012-09-07 08:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-23 05:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-11-24 10:40 am (UTC)This was so lovely - your characterisation of Arthur as a boss was so perfectly done - that's what he's like to his knights. But then we all secretly know that Merlin is the one who does everything :p And awesome happy ending fluff-ness, hehe.
Great story, thanks!! :D
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Date: 2013-02-11 07:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-10 08:26 pm (UTC)