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

[ayoungboy]

"Yup. Good space, not too far from campus. I'll call her back." Merlin smiles, a little excited. "Did you hear from the other one?"

[royalpratness]

"Yeah, just a few hours ago but they said it's already taken." Arthur rakes a hand through his hair. "Do you want a cup of tea?"

[ayoungboy]

"I'd love one." Merlin nods appreciatively. "Well, if we don't like this one, we can just watch the market for new listings, yeah? There's no real rush."

[royalpratness]

"Oh there is plenty of rush." Arthur frowns. "I just had to clean up the whole flat after one of my flatmate's parties."

[ayoungboy]

"He did what now?" Merlin blinks in surprise. He didn't think Arthur's roommate was that obnoxious.

[royalpratness]

"Threw a party for about fifty of his 'closest friends'." Arthur scoffs.

[ayoungboy]

[ooc: Sorry love, been getting ready for a big presentation and falling asleep at 8:30 every night T_T ]

"You're kidding." It's clear from Arthur's tone that he isn't. "That's - wow. Wow."

[royalpratness]

[not a problem! :) ]

"Yeah, that's why I'm somewhat desperate to get out of here as soon as possible." Arthur sits down on the edge of a kitchen chair. "I've considering checking into a hotel until we've found something suitable."

[ayoungboy]

"Well - " Merlin thinks a moment. "We could probably make room in my room for a bit. I don't think Charles would mind."

[royalpratness]

"No, I couldn't impose. It's fine, I'll manage." Arthur shakes his head, smiling.

[ayoungboy]

"No, really," Merlin offers, almost insisting, really. "It's no trouble. It won't be for long."

[royalpratness]

"What about your flatmate? I'm sure he wouldn't be to happy about it."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shakes his head. "I doubt he'll care, honestly. I can go talk to him about it now. He's doing some music theory something or other."

[royalpratness]

"I really wouldn't want to impose." Arthur folds his hands, thinking that he'd much rather stay on Merlin's couch for the time being than return to his own flat.

[ayoungboy]

"Enough about it." Merlin smiles brightly at him. "Can't have my future roommate out in the cold. You're staying."

[royalpratness]

"If you insist." Arthur grins up at him. "Thank you."

[ayoungboy]

"I absolutely insist." Merlin smiles back warmly. "Anytime. Pack your things, I'll go and let Charles know right now."

[royalpratness]

"Thank you, Merlin. Really." Arthur beams at the prospect of getting away from his current flatmate. He squeezes Merlin's shoulder. "I'll go pack my stuff. See you later!"

[ayoungboy]

"See you," Merlin waves and heads back towards his room.

[royalpratness]

Arthur goes back to his place, stuffs his few belongings there into two bags and leaves a note for his flatmate, letting him know that he has moved out.

Two hours later, he's back at Merlin's apartment, carrying his things and a six pack of beer.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin has cleared the extra bunk in their room of their things, carefully setting Charles' papers - mostly compositions - on the desk and clearing his own books to a shelf. He's sprawled across his own bed when Arthur knocks, thumbing through Atlas Shrugged idly.

[royalpratness]

"I come bearing gifts!" Arthur announces with a grin, holding up the beer as he steps into the room, closing the door behind him.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs, surprised, and gestures grandly to the room. "Welcome to my humble abode."

[royalpratness]

"Thanks." Arthur walks over to the bed and puts down his bag, hanging Merlin a bottle of beer. "Did you talk to your flatmate?"

[ayoungboy]

"He said it was fine, but if he asks you what you're doing here three times before he remembers who you are, don't worry about it. He's a bot absent-minded." Merlin accepts the beer gratefully, cracking the top off on the foot of his bed.