FIC: Wonderful Christmastime
Dec. 22nd, 2021 08:09 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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winterknightsTitle:Wonderful Christmastime
Pairing(s): pre Merlin/Percival
Prompt: Character A gets invited for the Christmas holidays by friends. There they meet Character B and fall in love. Get out all the tropes you like: snowball fights, warm cocoa, cooking together, getting snowed in, whatever you enjoy.
Word Count/Art Medium: 1355
Rating: G
Contains (Highlight to view): No warning apply
Disclaimer: Merlin characters are the property of Shine and BBC. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary Merlin and Gwen are invited by Arthur, son of Earl Pendragon, to spend a few days in his mansion after Christmas.
Link to AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35546497
“Can you believe it, Gwen? Invited by the Earl Pendragon himself for Christmas holidays!”
“Son of the Earl.”
“But still!”
“Yeah, I must admit it’s quite cool!”
“Gwen! It’s way more than cool!” Merlin exclaimed. “Look at that house! And it’s only a third residence or so!”
The house was indeed impressive. Merlin could stop watching it as he helped Gwen take their suitcase from the boot of her car.
“You’re right! And Arthur is still so nice!”
“He’s a posh prat!”
“You’re being partial, here!”
“As you are! Don’t tell me the prospect of spending four days in the same house as Lancelot hadn’t played a part in you accepting Arthur’s invitation?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! And if you don’t like Arthur, why did you come then?”
“Free food, of course! And who knows, I can end our stay being the sugar baby of a very rich viscount or something!”
“You’re so shallow!”
Gwen and Merlin laughed as they pulled their suitcases in the gravel alley leading to the mansion.
***
When Merlin and Gwen arrived in the drawing-room, there were already a few other guests but no sign of Arthur. Geoffrey, the butler, had welcomed them and showed them their rooms before telling them to meet in the drawing-room at seven.
And so there they were. Gwen immediately spotted Lancelot and went to greet him. Merlin looked around and noticed a few people he knew. There was Gwaine who was in the same business course as he and Arthur. There was also Leon, another friend from Arthur who Merlin had already met at the pub. Merlin also spotted Morgana, Arthur’s sister. They had never met but he had seen pictures of her in the newspapers.
Then, Merlin met someone’s eyes. The guy was quite tall and muscular but he gently smiled at Merlin before answering the girl who was talking to him. Merlin had never seen him around, neither at the university nor during one of their pub nights with Arthur. He looked a little older. But really handsome.
“Merlin!” Gwaine’s voice distracted Merlin from the tall guy.
***
After a first relatively calm evening, Arthur had suggested, during breakfast, a morning walk in the countryside.
Nearly everybody had agreed but Merlin had preferred to stay inside. The night before, Arthur had told him about his library and Merlin was curious about it and all the old books it contained.
So, when everyone was getting ready to brave the cold, Merlin asked Geoffrey for tea and retired into the library.
He looked around at all the books. The walls were literally covered with shelves. The ornate leather spines were glowing with the lights. It felt surreal, like in a movie or that Beauty and the Beast scene.
He finally chose an old edition of “A tale of two cities” with beautiful pen illustrations.
He was so engrossed in his reading that he lost track of time. But his teapot was now empty so he decided to go back to the kitchen for a refill.
He managed to find the way quite easily but was surprised to find he hadn’t been the only one to skip the walk.
“Hey! Merlin, is that it?”
“Yes, Percival!”
“You can call me Percy!” he answered with a large smile.
He was the tall guy Merlin had spotted the night before. Arthur had introduced him as Percival, an old friend.
“So, you’re not fond of walking around in the snow either?” Percival asked.
“Not really and Arthur told me about his library yesterday. I had to see it.”
“It’s impressive indeed!”
Merlin noticed then that Percival was busy chopping something and as he tried to see what, Percival asked him “I’m making hot chocolate. Do you want some?”
“Oh yeah!” Merlin answered enthusiastically before realising he had probably been a little too excited. “I mean, yes, I’d like that”.
Percival smiled then. “It’s okay. I may be an Earl but here I’m just Percy you know.”
“You’re an Earl?”
“Arthur hadn’t told you?”
“No… He just said you were an old friend.”
“Oh, I see.”
It was so strange for Merlin to be surrounded by noble people like that. He knew that Arthur and his friends were not from the same world as he but with Arthur and Gwaine he often forgot about it!
“In fact,” Percival started to explain as he put the milk to boil, “it was our fathers that were friends first. So I knew Arthur since he was a baby. As we grew up, he was like a little brother to me. Then my parents died and I had to take the lead of the family. Arthur and his parents helped me a lot back then…”
“Oh… “ Merlin didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected Percival to confess so easily.
“So, you’re… eh… older than us?”
“A bit yes.” Percival smiled again and Merlin realised he quite liked that smile. “But tell me about you, then! How do you know Arthur? Where are you from?”
“I’m from Addington and I’m in the same business course as Arthur and Gwaine.”
“Studying business, are you?”
“Not really. I’m studying English literature but I took these courses as an option. I’d like to manage a library or something so I thought it could be useful.”
“A library? Do you know I work at the British Library!”
“What? Really?”
Merlin has now forgotten about his initial awkwardness.
“Yes, my Father had been part of the Chairman’s Circle for years. I was fascinated by the treasures of the LIbrary since I was a child… But my Father pushed me to do business and IT studies… Still, I managed to find my childhood dreams back. I’m the head of the digitalisation department, now.”
“So you can see all the manuscripts?”
Merlin's eyes were shining with excitation now.
“Let’s take the chocolate to the Blue study. Geoffrey had lit a fire there. And I’ll answer all your questions!”
Percival took the cups and led the way.
“I hope I’m not bothering you?” Merlin asked, still a little bit impressed by Percival.
“Absolutely not! I love people who are as thrilled as I am talking about books. And you’re cute when you’re excited.”
Merlin was glad he was walking behind Percival so the older man wouldn’t see his cheeks burning red.
***
Merlin and Percival were still in the study when all the other guests came back from their walk.
They had talked animatedly for nearly two hours. About books, of course, but they had also talked about themselves. Merlin had told Percival about his life with his mother and that father he barely knew, about his Uncle Gaius who gave him his love for books and stories. He even confessed his dream of becoming a writer one day. Something only his Mum knew about.
Percival had told Merlin about the car accident that killed his parents and his sister. About his lonely life since then and the pressure of having to be the heir of an important noble family. About his want for a simple life balanced with the gratitude for the comfort, his wealth brought him. About his charity work to give access to books to all the children.
It was Geoffrey who finally interrupted them to announce the lunch was served.
As they went back to the dining room, Merlin felt like in a dream. For two hours, he had felt so good, understood, at ease like he hadn’t felt before. Not only was Percy handsome he was also gentle, funny, and the way he had kept touching Merlin’s arm while talking… Merlin could still feel the ghost of these touches and he couldn’t stop hoping for more.
As they joined the other guests, Percival gently lead him with a firm hand on his back to they sat next to each other.
“So we can continue our delicious conversation,” Percival whispered as they sat.
Merlin smiled and daringly touched Percival’s leg with his knee under the table.
Percival’s face lit up and he pushed more firmly against Merlin’s leg.
These few days were definitely going to be interesting.
Pairing(s): pre Merlin/Percival
Prompt: Character A gets invited for the Christmas holidays by friends. There they meet Character B and fall in love. Get out all the tropes you like: snowball fights, warm cocoa, cooking together, getting snowed in, whatever you enjoy.
Word Count/Art Medium: 1355
Rating: G
Contains (Highlight to view): No warning apply
Disclaimer: Merlin characters are the property of Shine and BBC. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary Merlin and Gwen are invited by Arthur, son of Earl Pendragon, to spend a few days in his mansion after Christmas.
Link to AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35546497
“Can you believe it, Gwen? Invited by the Earl Pendragon himself for Christmas holidays!”
“Son of the Earl.”
“But still!”
“Yeah, I must admit it’s quite cool!”
“Gwen! It’s way more than cool!” Merlin exclaimed. “Look at that house! And it’s only a third residence or so!”
The house was indeed impressive. Merlin could stop watching it as he helped Gwen take their suitcase from the boot of her car.
“You’re right! And Arthur is still so nice!”
“He’s a posh prat!”
“You’re being partial, here!”
“As you are! Don’t tell me the prospect of spending four days in the same house as Lancelot hadn’t played a part in you accepting Arthur’s invitation?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! And if you don’t like Arthur, why did you come then?”
“Free food, of course! And who knows, I can end our stay being the sugar baby of a very rich viscount or something!”
“You’re so shallow!”
Gwen and Merlin laughed as they pulled their suitcases in the gravel alley leading to the mansion.
***
When Merlin and Gwen arrived in the drawing-room, there were already a few other guests but no sign of Arthur. Geoffrey, the butler, had welcomed them and showed them their rooms before telling them to meet in the drawing-room at seven.
And so there they were. Gwen immediately spotted Lancelot and went to greet him. Merlin looked around and noticed a few people he knew. There was Gwaine who was in the same business course as he and Arthur. There was also Leon, another friend from Arthur who Merlin had already met at the pub. Merlin also spotted Morgana, Arthur’s sister. They had never met but he had seen pictures of her in the newspapers.
Then, Merlin met someone’s eyes. The guy was quite tall and muscular but he gently smiled at Merlin before answering the girl who was talking to him. Merlin had never seen him around, neither at the university nor during one of their pub nights with Arthur. He looked a little older. But really handsome.
“Merlin!” Gwaine’s voice distracted Merlin from the tall guy.
***
After a first relatively calm evening, Arthur had suggested, during breakfast, a morning walk in the countryside.
Nearly everybody had agreed but Merlin had preferred to stay inside. The night before, Arthur had told him about his library and Merlin was curious about it and all the old books it contained.
So, when everyone was getting ready to brave the cold, Merlin asked Geoffrey for tea and retired into the library.
He looked around at all the books. The walls were literally covered with shelves. The ornate leather spines were glowing with the lights. It felt surreal, like in a movie or that Beauty and the Beast scene.
He finally chose an old edition of “A tale of two cities” with beautiful pen illustrations.
He was so engrossed in his reading that he lost track of time. But his teapot was now empty so he decided to go back to the kitchen for a refill.
He managed to find the way quite easily but was surprised to find he hadn’t been the only one to skip the walk.
“Hey! Merlin, is that it?”
“Yes, Percival!”
“You can call me Percy!” he answered with a large smile.
He was the tall guy Merlin had spotted the night before. Arthur had introduced him as Percival, an old friend.
“So, you’re not fond of walking around in the snow either?” Percival asked.
“Not really and Arthur told me about his library yesterday. I had to see it.”
“It’s impressive indeed!”
Merlin noticed then that Percival was busy chopping something and as he tried to see what, Percival asked him “I’m making hot chocolate. Do you want some?”
“Oh yeah!” Merlin answered enthusiastically before realising he had probably been a little too excited. “I mean, yes, I’d like that”.
Percival smiled then. “It’s okay. I may be an Earl but here I’m just Percy you know.”
“You’re an Earl?”
“Arthur hadn’t told you?”
“No… He just said you were an old friend.”
“Oh, I see.”
It was so strange for Merlin to be surrounded by noble people like that. He knew that Arthur and his friends were not from the same world as he but with Arthur and Gwaine he often forgot about it!
“In fact,” Percival started to explain as he put the milk to boil, “it was our fathers that were friends first. So I knew Arthur since he was a baby. As we grew up, he was like a little brother to me. Then my parents died and I had to take the lead of the family. Arthur and his parents helped me a lot back then…”
“Oh… “ Merlin didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected Percival to confess so easily.
“So, you’re… eh… older than us?”
“A bit yes.” Percival smiled again and Merlin realised he quite liked that smile. “But tell me about you, then! How do you know Arthur? Where are you from?”
“I’m from Addington and I’m in the same business course as Arthur and Gwaine.”
“Studying business, are you?”
“Not really. I’m studying English literature but I took these courses as an option. I’d like to manage a library or something so I thought it could be useful.”
“A library? Do you know I work at the British Library!”
“What? Really?”
Merlin has now forgotten about his initial awkwardness.
“Yes, my Father had been part of the Chairman’s Circle for years. I was fascinated by the treasures of the LIbrary since I was a child… But my Father pushed me to do business and IT studies… Still, I managed to find my childhood dreams back. I’m the head of the digitalisation department, now.”
“So you can see all the manuscripts?”
Merlin's eyes were shining with excitation now.
“Let’s take the chocolate to the Blue study. Geoffrey had lit a fire there. And I’ll answer all your questions!”
Percival took the cups and led the way.
“I hope I’m not bothering you?” Merlin asked, still a little bit impressed by Percival.
“Absolutely not! I love people who are as thrilled as I am talking about books. And you’re cute when you’re excited.”
Merlin was glad he was walking behind Percival so the older man wouldn’t see his cheeks burning red.
***
Merlin and Percival were still in the study when all the other guests came back from their walk.
They had talked animatedly for nearly two hours. About books, of course, but they had also talked about themselves. Merlin had told Percival about his life with his mother and that father he barely knew, about his Uncle Gaius who gave him his love for books and stories. He even confessed his dream of becoming a writer one day. Something only his Mum knew about.
Percival had told Merlin about the car accident that killed his parents and his sister. About his lonely life since then and the pressure of having to be the heir of an important noble family. About his want for a simple life balanced with the gratitude for the comfort, his wealth brought him. About his charity work to give access to books to all the children.
It was Geoffrey who finally interrupted them to announce the lunch was served.
As they went back to the dining room, Merlin felt like in a dream. For two hours, he had felt so good, understood, at ease like he hadn’t felt before. Not only was Percy handsome he was also gentle, funny, and the way he had kept touching Merlin’s arm while talking… Merlin could still feel the ghost of these touches and he couldn’t stop hoping for more.
As they joined the other guests, Percival gently lead him with a firm hand on his back to they sat next to each other.
“So we can continue our delicious conversation,” Percival whispered as they sat.
Merlin smiled and daringly touched Percival’s leg with his knee under the table.
Percival’s face lit up and he pushed more firmly against Merlin’s leg.
These few days were definitely going to be interesting.
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