I'm not here looking for absolution

[ayoungboy]

Merlin had been trying to ignore it for quite a while. People weren't supposed to stick with you like this, were they? You met them, you made acquaintances, and unless they became your friends, you forgot them. Right? Right.

So why the hell was he still thinking about the blond boy in 232?

Merlin groaned and buried his face in his pillow. He met him at the dorm mixer maybe a month and a half ago, and he still couldn't get that stupid face out of his head. Sure, he was attractive - but that wasn't even what was bugging him. It's one thing to drool over a hot guy, but another entirely to be infuriated as you try to remember where in the hell you know him from.

Because he did. He knew Arthur, somehow, some way. And they'd spoken for maybe 5 minutes tops.

Merlin was going crazy.

When he walks down to the washing machines that tuesday, he almost does a 180 and leaves the way he came. Naturally, Arthur was standing there next to the only open machine. Of course.

Comments

[royalpratness]

Shoving several dirty football t-shirts into the washing machine, Arthur turns around when he hears someone enter the room. It takes him a second to remember where he knows him from. "Hi.. uhm, Merlin, right?" They had met at a party at the beginning of term. He remembers the guys odd name and rather large ears.

[ayoungboy]

"...yeah." Is he staring? Maybe he's staring. Arthur remembered his name; and nope, he's not assigning meaning to that. Maybe he could try to ask casually? Yeah, because he was good at casual.

"Yeah I'm - that's me. You live just down the hall, right?" Merlin avoided eye contact by messing with the change machine.

[royalpratness]

"Yeah, I do. I think we briefly met at that party a few months back." Arthur can't help but remember a handsome face. "What are you studying?" Merlin probably told him but Arthur can't remember that particular detail.

[ayoungboy]

"Yeah, think we did." Know we did. Totally know we did and can't stop thinking about it.

"Biotechnology. Starting to regret it a bit though. I might have to change." Merlin glanced over at Arthur subtly. "How about you?"

[royalpratness]

"Politics and international relations." Arthur replies, turning on the washing machine. "What's so bad about Biotechnology?"

[ayoungboy]

"Bit too much math. Interesting as hell though. All about combining biology and modern technology to advance cures." Merlin deposits a few coins in his machine before measuring out the soap. "Politics, huh? Am I looking at a future prime minister?"

[royalpratness]

"Ah, got it. I'm not a big fan of math myself." Arthur leans against the washing machine, grinning. "Maybe, if everything goes according to plan."

[ayoungboy]

"What's your last name again? Pen...dragon?" Merlin pretended like he didn't remember. "Prime Minister Pendragon. Well, it suits you."

He chuckled, dumping his clothes in the machine. "What made you decide to go into politics?"

[royalpratness]

"Why thank you, Merlin. Are you after a position in my cabinet?" Arthur grins as he watches Merlin load the washing machine. "Rebellion. My father owns a company and wanted me to take over but I refused. I want to do something worthwhile, you know?"

[ayoungboy]

"Not bloody likely." Merlin laughs. He doesn't have the fortitude for it. "Yeah? Well that's good on you, following your own path."

[royalpratness]

"Try explaining that to my father." Arthur says, dryly. "He's not a fan of my decision."

[ayoungboy]

"I'd think not. But it's your life, right? Should be your decision."

[royalpratness]

"Should be, yes." In an ideal world, Arthur thinks. "Well, good luck with your laundry." He gestures towards the washing machine and grabs his laundry basket.

[ayoungboy]

"Wait! Uh," Merlin scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "Just wanted to ask - have we met? Before the mixer, I mean. Something seems familiar about you."

[royalpratness]

"Do you say that that to every handsome man?" Arthur asks, unable to hide his grin. "No, I don't think we've met before."

[ayoungboy]

"Don't flatter yourself." But this is accompanied by a chuckle and warm smile. "No? Just me then. Maybe that's your natural politician."

[royalpratness]

"Must be." Arthur smirks, noticing how Merlin hasn't denied the idea of hitting on him. "See you around, Merlin."

[ayoungboy]

"See you," Merlin smiles back a little, and nope, he didn't even noticed he hadn't denied it. But he can't shake the feeling that he knows Arthur.

[royalpratness]

The next time they run into each other, it's late in the evening in the small, cozy coffee shop on campus. Arthur looks up from his newspaper, smiling when he spots Merlin and lifting his hand in greeting.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin smiles, taking the greeting as invitation and settling in front of Arthur, dropping a textbook onto the table. "Hello. How are you doing this fine evening?"

[royalpratness]

"Hi." Arthur puts down his newspaper. "Slightly disgruntled. I got kicked out of my room 'cause my flatmate wanted to make out with some girl." He rolls his eyes. "How about you?"

[ayoungboy]

"Ah, that stinks." Merlin makes a face, flipping open his textbook. "Have to do some revising. Pop quiz tomorrow and I'm behind. Didn't want to keep my roommate up."

[royalpratness]

"Now that's what a considerate roommate is supposed to be like." Arthur sighs, resting his chin on his hands.

[ayoungboy]

"You don't get along very well with yours?" Merlin's head tilted, observing Arthur pensively.

[royalpratness]

"I hate him but I think that's mutual." Arthur sighs, running a hand over his newspaper. "Philosophy student."