Part 24: link
“Gwen, I’m freaking out,” Merlin’s frantic whisper comes through the receiver.
Gwen sighs. “First, stop whispering. Second, you’ll be fine, I promise. Mr. Gaius is a great person, I promise.”
“But he’s Will Fucking Gaius, Gwen!”
“Well, I don’t recommend Ты addressing him thusly when Ты meet him, but he’s actually very down-to-earth. Not superior или posh at all. I promise. So breathe.”
“Okay. Okay. Okay. Leon has ordered me to stay out of the pub, Ты know. He’s afraid I’ll break something.”
“Wise move. Now Merlin: your hair is… down?”
“Of course it is. I will be looking quite respectable today; Ты won’t even recognize me.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. My mum is coming over and everything to make sure.”
Gwen laughs, slapping her hand over her mouth. Another line starts flashing and beeping. “Merlin, I have to go. Be here at 1:45.”
“My appointment is at 2…”
“1:45.” she repeats sternly and hangs up on him. “William Gaius’ office, Gwen speaking, may I help you?”
“Good morning, this is Marcus Ryan. Is Will available?”
“Hold, please.” Shit. Fucking shit. I’m only four chapters into his manuscript and he calls. Gwen hits the intercom button.
“Yes, Gwen?”
“Marcus Ryan on two, sir. Are Ты in?”
He sighs. “Yes, I suppose so. And so are you.”
“What?”
“Transfer the call and come in here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“One moment,” she says to Marcus and transfers him back. Then she hits the вперед button, takes a deep breath, and quietly enters Gaius’ office.
“—you’ve дана my manuscript to whom? Your bloody receptionist? What are Ты playing at, Will?” Marcus Ryan’s irate voice is shouting from Gaius’ speakerphone.
“Marcus, I’ll thank Ты to watch your tone. I can still pull the plug on this book of yours, Ты know, contract или no.”
“But…”
“And Ms. Degrance is now with us, so I’ll also ask Ты to watch your language. Guinevere, I trust Ты are familiar with Mr. Ryan?”
“Yes, sir. Mr. Ryan, it’s a pleasure to be working with you,” she says politely. Gaius rolls his eyes and smirks, but gives her a thumbs-up.
“Yeah, sure. Look, I don’t know what kind of game Ты two are playing with me, but if Ты bollocks up my novel the way Cooper did, I’ll…” he pauses, searching.
“Yes?” Gwen asks, waiting to see what kind of threat he can come up with. We are holding all the cards. This man is an idiot.
“I’ll take my manuscript to Knighthood, that’s what I’ll do!”
“Well, Marcus, if that’s how Ты feel…” Gaius says indulgently, calling the man’s bluff. Knighthood is no threat.
There is silence on the line.
“Mr. Ryan, are Ты still with us?” Gwen asks gently after a moment.
“Yeah.”
She looks over at Gaius, who gestures for her to continue. “Speak your mind, dear, it’s okay,” he whispers.
“I was only just дана your manuscript yesterday, and while it is a bit rough, it has potential.”
“Potential??” he sputters, incensed. “Look, missy…”
“No, you look,” Gwen says, losing her temper with this weed much quicker than she expected. “Just because Ты had one successful novel doesn’t mean Ты are Charles bloody Dickens! Now, I may be new at this, not even officially an editor—”
“Yet,” interjects Gaius, loudly enough for both of them to hear.
“But I know the written word. Probably better than Ты do, judging by this manuscript. So either Ты let me Редактировать your manuscript and take the Совет I give to try and salvage this… thing you’ve written, или I throw in the towel and use your manuscript to line my cat box, because as it currently stands, that’s pretty much all it’s good for!”
Her mouth snaps closed, and suddenly she realizes what she’s just said. She claps her hands over her mouth and looks at Gaius with wide, frantic eyes.
He is shaking with silent laughter, tears streaming from his bleary eyes, a handkerchief to his face.
The phone is silent. They know he’s still on the line is because it hasn’t gone dead with its tell-tale buzzing noise. And they can hear him breathing.
“Okay.” One word comes through the speaker. One defeated, gloomy word of assent. Gaius gives her a thumbs-up again.
“Very good. You’ll be hearing from me again when I’ve completed my first pass of your manuscript.”
“Okay.” He sounds like a chastised little boy. This must be what power feels like, Gwen thinks. I could get used to this.
“Good morning, Marcus. We’ll be in touch,” Gaius says, and promptly hangs up the phone. He raises an eyebrow at Gwen.
“Sorry.” She doesn’t know what else to say.
“What for? Ты were brilliant, Gwen! I thought I was going to have a stroke from trying to keep my laughter contained!”
Gwen suddenly laughs. “I don’t know what came over me, sir, I just…”
“It was when he called Ты ‘missy,’ wasn’t it?”
“I think so.”
“Let me see what you’ve done so far. With the manuscript.”
“Now?”
“Yes, go get it please.”
Gwen jumps up and scurries from the office, snags the manuscript, open on her стол письменный, стол (removing her special pen lovingly from it first, of course), and shoots back into Gaius’ office.
“Thank you. I’ll let Ты know when Ты can come get it back.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And Guinevere?”
“Yes?” she turns back.
“I loved the cat box comment.”
She giggles. “It’s actually Arthur’s cat, but he likes me better.”
“Of course he does.”
Gwen sinks back into her chair, her сердце still thumping with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Talk about trial by fire, she thinks, looking at the phone. No, I’ve been using the phone for personal calls far too much already. I’ll tell him later.
Half an час later, Gaius’ voice comes through the intercom. “Gwen?”
“Yes?”
“You can come get this.”
“Thank you.” She enters his office again, and he holds it out for her.
She takes it from him, and he only nods at her. Approval? He’s so bloody cryptic sometimes.
“Gwen, page Ben Cooper for me.”
1:43. The lift dings and the doors slide open. A tall, slender man emerges in tailored black trousers, a crisp white рубашка open at the neck, and a dark grey sport coat. A black attaché case hangs easily from his hand. He has shiny black hair and shiny black shoes, and he looks completely dashing, even with the oversized ears and goofy grin.
“God, Merlin, Ты look incredible!” Gwen gushes, coming out from behind the desk, embracing him in a tight hug, which he returns with his free hand, squeezing her hard.
“Thank Ты so much, Gwen, Ты have no idea how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me,” he whispers raggedly in her ear, the softness of his voice not disguising the emotion overcoming him at all.
She pulls away and wipes his eyes with her thumbs. “Now Merlin, Ты can’t go in there looking like a giant puddle,” she smiles, joking to keep her own emotions in line, so touched is she by his admission and free affection.
“Okay,” she continues, squeezing his elbow. “Have a seat. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Gwen returns to her сиденье, место, сиденья and Merlin sits on a brown leather sofa Далее to a potted plant. He watches as Gwen hesitates a moment, then presses the intercom button.
After a moment, Gaius’ voice comes out of the little speaker. “Yes?”
“Merlin Emrys to see you, sir.”
“Excellent. Five minutes.”
“Very good.” She looks over at Merlin.
“I heard.”
“Merlin,” she says, motioning him over.
“What?” he asks, wondering what’s up.
“He’s in there with the editor I may be replacing,” she whispers.
“He’s getting sacked?” Merlin whispers back.
“I don’t know. I’ve been dying out here since I got back from lunch and found out he was in there. They talked on the phone this morning, but he didn’t come up till recently.”
“So I’m not the only one spending the день on pins and needles, then.”
“You’d better have a pint ready for me as soon as I walk through the door this evening.”
Merlin smiles. “We’ll both need one.”
“Or three…” she says, fidgeting with her new pen. The phone rings and she jumps. Merlin waves and goes back to his сиденье, место, сиденья to let her work.
“William Gaius’ office, Gwen speaking, may I help you?”
“I’m sorry, he’s in meetings until at least three. Is there a message?”
She picks up another pen and a розовый notepad and writes a name, number and message on the pad.
“Got it. Thank you, he’ll be in touch.”
She tears the sheet from the pad and places it in a tray to her left just as Gaius’ door opens. Merlin looks up to see a shaken-looking man emerge. He looks like he’s seen a ghost. Or has just been sacked, he thinks, trying not to grin.
Guinevere, to her credit, keeps her eyes trained studiously on the manuscript in front of her, twirling the pen between her fingers as she reads. или pretends to read.
Ben Cooper strides to the lift, not looking at either of them, head вперед and slightly downcast as he agitatedly stabs the down button.
There is a ding and the doors slide open.
“Merlin, quite a pleasure to meet you, young man,” Gaius says, stepping forward. Merlin sees that the older man uses a cane and stands immediately, coming up to meet him, saving him the walk.
“It is an honor, sir, a real honor,” Merlin says, trying not to gush as he reaches вперед to shake the offered hand of the man he hopes will become his mentor.
“Please, call me Will,” Gaius says as he ushers Merlin towards his office door. “I presume there are еще manuscripts in that case?” he asks.
“Yes. I have two more, sir. Will,” he corrects himself, feeling awkward doing so. He glances at Gwen briefly. Her head is still bent over her manuscript, but she is grinning from ear to ear now.
The door closes and Gwen drops her head onto the manuscript. She honestly has just been staring at the page, not Чтение at all.
Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God…
“Gwen, would Ты bring in some чай for Mr. Emrys and myself?” Gaius’ voice emanating from the intercom snaps her out of her moment of panic.
“Of course. Biscuits? It’s a bit early, but…”
There is a pause. “Yes, thank you.”
Guinevere enters Excalibur at the end of the day, a raw bundle of frazzled excited nerves. She is excited and terrified, thrilled for Merlin and for herself, but overwhelmed for them both as well.
“Guinevere! What is it?” Arthur asks, wiping his hands on a towel and coming over.
She throws herself into his arms, holding tightly.
“What’s wrong? Merlin сказал(-а) his meeting went well, but he wouldn’t say anything else except you’d have news. I’ve been having a series of сердце attacks all afternoon waiting for you; what is it, Sweet?” he asks anxiously, holding her, stroking her hair, and giving her small soft kisses as she clings to him. He can feel she is ready to just jump out of her skin.
“Ben Cooper was sacked today,” she says quietly.
“What?” Arthur pulls back gently and looks into her wide eyes. By this time Gwaine and Phyllis have stopped what they were doing as well, and all eyes are on Guinevere’s small form in Arthur’s arms.
“Ben Cooper. Mr. Gaius gave him his walking papers.”
“So that means…” he leads her, excitement growing in his voice now.
She nods. “Thursday, officially.”
Arthur wraps his arms around her and picks her up with a shout, spinning her in his arms.
“Arthur!” she exclaims with a laugh, forgetting herself, forgetting that she tries to use his preferred nickname when his Друзья are around.
He sets her down and studies her. Why isn’t she excited? “Guinevere, this is amazing! This is exactly what Ты wanted; why do Ты look like Ты just walked in on your parents having a shag?” he asks, brining his hand to her cheek.
“It’s… so soon! I am completely overwhelmed.” She holds up her hand. “Look, I’m shaking.”
He takes her hand and lifts it to his lips, Поцелуи her fingers. “Let’s go get Ты some гиннес, guinness, гиннесса and something greasy to eat,” he says, bending to Kiss her lips now.
They turn to leave and Gwaine grabs her hand as she passes him. “I get to congratulate you, don’t I?” he asks.
“As long as Ты behave yourself,” she says, smiling.
“Well, I never do that,” he says, but he gives her a warm hug and a chaste Kiss on the cheek while Arthur watches under an arched brow.
“Thank you, Gwaine,” she says. Phil steps вперед and takes her hand for just a second, giving it a squeeze before dropping it and walking away.
“I can see Ты smiling, Phil,” Gwen calls after her, earning her a raised middle finger from the other woman.
“Hey, she’s officially initiated now!” Gwaine cheers.
Arthur and Gwen laugh and head Далее door to the pub. Justin opens the door quite respectfully for Gwen, and she cannot help noticing that the new bouncer looks like he is seeking approval from Arthur for his actions.
“Justin,” Arthur nods as he walks past.
“Hey, Drag. Miss Gwen,” he greets them.
“Miss Gwen?” Arthur asks her once they are inside.
“Don’t ask me, I’m as surprised as Ты are,” she says. “Oof!”
Gwen is nearly tackled by a black blur that turns out to be Merlin, throwing his arms around her again joyously before he impulsively kisses her flush on the lips.
“Wow, um, hello, Merlin,” she says, stunned and blinking.
Arthur appears equally stunned rather than angry, and Merlin flushes bright red, realizing what he’s just done.
“Sorry, sorry… I don’t know what came over me! I’m just so ridiculously happy right now…” he stammers, and suddenly both Arthur and Gwen start laughing.
“Well, Merlin, considering I just kissed Drag not two минуты ago, Ты kind of just kissed him, too.”
“Gah!” Merlin exclaims, running behind the bar and grabbing a bottle of vodka. He bends his head over the sink, pouring some of the strong alcohol over his lips.
“That’s a bit excessive, I think,” Arthur Комментарии as they sit at the bar.
“Merlin, I know a lot of famous writers were drunks, but aren’t Ты kind of putting the тележка, корзина before the horse?” Leon Комментарии casually, emerging from the kitchen.
Merlin stands again and puts the водка back, wiping his face. “No one here drinks this shit anyway,” he Комментарии absently.
“Merlin?” Gwen asks sweetly, smiling at him.
“Yes?”
“I seem to be not having any Guinness,” she says, indicating the empty expanse of bar in front of her.
Arthur laughs as Merlin scurries to grab a glass for her. “Leon,” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“What’s on the menu tonight, my good man?”
“Actually, that’s why I came out. I wanted to tell Gwen that I tried one of the recipes in the cookbook she got me.” He looks at her now, smiling.
“Oh, good! This is turning out to be quite the day, indeed,” she says, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
“Be right back,” he says, heading back to the kitchen.
Arthur looks sideways at Gwen, giving her a knowing smirk, then says, “Merlin. We need to celebrate both of your successes. Thursday, we’re going out.” He declares this as if making a royal decree.
“Oh, we are, are we? Where?”
“That is up to Ты and Guinevere.”
“Szechuan Palace,” Merlin suggests.
“Chez Pierre,” Gwen suggests.
“Do I look like I’m made of money, woman?” Arthur asks, laughing as he lifts his glass to his lips.
“I was kidding.”
“I know.”
“Grenadier’s,” she tries another option.
“I hate that place,” Merlin makes a face.
“Really?”
“My mum got sick from their Еда once.”
“Perhaps not, then. Um, Luigi’s.”
“Maybe. Drag: tie-breaker. Italian или Chinese?” Merlin asks.
He glances at Gwen, wishing he could ask her which Freya would prefer.
“Merlin, can Ты help me?” Leon pokes his head out.
“Yeah, sure.”
Arthur looks at Gwen. “Thank God. Which one would Freya prefer, do Ты think?”
Gwen sighs. “I really want some pasta, but Freya loves Chinese food.”
Arthur smiles and kisses her.
Leon and Merlin come out with plates. “Chili dogs,” Leon declares, setting the two plates he has in front of Arthur and Gwen.
“Oh my God, these look sinful,” Gwen gushes. Merlin sets their plates down on the bar as Leon disappears again, coming out with a tray filled with condiments.
“I didn’t know what Ты all liked, so we’ll do it this way,” he says, setting the блюдо down in the middle of them. It has chopped onions, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and hot peppers each in their own little dishes.
Guinevere immediately reaches for the cheese and bacon, Arthur chooses cheese and бекон, бэкон as well as the tomatoes, and Merlin dives immediately for the hot peppers. Leon has everything.
Gwaine saunters in just as they tuck in, the lads picking theirs up and biting messily while Gwen takes the tidier option of a нож and fork.
“Ah, I see Ты waited for me like one pig waits for another, as usual, and what on God’s green earth is that?”
Leon sets his dog down and disappears for 30 seconds, emerging with a plate for Gwaine. “Is your sister coming over?” he asks quietly.
“Don’t think so, sorry. She was grumbling something about her back and a hot bath,” he says, Загрузка his chili dog up with all the toppings, heavy on the peppers.
“Still giving her trouble, hmm?” Leon asks, frowning.
“It always will, mate.”
“What happened?” Gwen asks.
“Car accident a couple years ago. Bloody lorry driver was falling asleep and sideswiped her, sending her into a wall. Wrecked her lower back,” Gwaine explains, his mouth full. “Holy shit Leon, I think I need to change my pants,” he adds, closing his eyes as he chews.
“How terrible,” Gwen says, taking a drink. “And yes, Leon, these are really good.”
“Phil was lucky, though, if he had been going faster, she would have hit harder and she probably wouldn’t be able to walk now,” Merlin adds.
“Oh, God, that’s awful,” she says, wondering if her recurring pain contributes to her less-than-sunny disposition.
“I know what you’re thinking, and she was already Mary Sunshine before the accident,” Arthur says. Leon flicks Arthur’s ear for that comment.
“Gwen! Oh, shit! I didn’t get to tell you!” Merlin suddenly exclaims.
“I know, Ты haven’t told me anything about your meeting,” she says, turning towards him again.
“Sorry! Ты were right, he is so amazing. Like Ты said, not posh at all. Old, but sharp as a tack. And funny, I couldn’t believe it!”
“So it went well, then?” Gwen smiles, knowing that it did indeed go very well. She saw the contract.
“You know it did, Gwen. But I, um, insisted that Ты would be my editor. Only you. That was my one stipulation.”
Gwen nearly spits a chunk of hot dog across the bar, and Arthur pounds her back while she coughs, recovering.
“It’s on the contract,” Merlin adds.
“Merlin! Ты didn’t have to do that!” Apparently I should have looked closer at the contract.
“Yes, I did. I saw your edits, Gwen; he showed me. Ты are brilliant and I trust you, therefore yours is the only red pen that will touch my work.”
Gwen leans across the bar and hugs him. “You will be much еще enjoyable to work with then that twat Marcus Ryan,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “Oh! Speaking of him, I have to tell you…”
Part 26: link
“Gwen, I’m freaking out,” Merlin’s frantic whisper comes through the receiver.
Gwen sighs. “First, stop whispering. Second, you’ll be fine, I promise. Mr. Gaius is a great person, I promise.”
“But he’s Will Fucking Gaius, Gwen!”
“Well, I don’t recommend Ты addressing him thusly when Ты meet him, but he’s actually very down-to-earth. Not superior или posh at all. I promise. So breathe.”
“Okay. Okay. Okay. Leon has ordered me to stay out of the pub, Ты know. He’s afraid I’ll break something.”
“Wise move. Now Merlin: your hair is… down?”
“Of course it is. I will be looking quite respectable today; Ты won’t even recognize me.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. My mum is coming over and everything to make sure.”
Gwen laughs, slapping her hand over her mouth. Another line starts flashing and beeping. “Merlin, I have to go. Be here at 1:45.”
“My appointment is at 2…”
“1:45.” she repeats sternly and hangs up on him. “William Gaius’ office, Gwen speaking, may I help you?”
“Good morning, this is Marcus Ryan. Is Will available?”
“Hold, please.” Shit. Fucking shit. I’m only four chapters into his manuscript and he calls. Gwen hits the intercom button.
“Yes, Gwen?”
“Marcus Ryan on two, sir. Are Ты in?”
He sighs. “Yes, I suppose so. And so are you.”
“What?”
“Transfer the call and come in here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“One moment,” she says to Marcus and transfers him back. Then she hits the вперед button, takes a deep breath, and quietly enters Gaius’ office.
“—you’ve дана my manuscript to whom? Your bloody receptionist? What are Ты playing at, Will?” Marcus Ryan’s irate voice is shouting from Gaius’ speakerphone.
“Marcus, I’ll thank Ты to watch your tone. I can still pull the plug on this book of yours, Ты know, contract или no.”
“But…”
“And Ms. Degrance is now with us, so I’ll also ask Ты to watch your language. Guinevere, I trust Ты are familiar with Mr. Ryan?”
“Yes, sir. Mr. Ryan, it’s a pleasure to be working with you,” she says politely. Gaius rolls his eyes and smirks, but gives her a thumbs-up.
“Yeah, sure. Look, I don’t know what kind of game Ты two are playing with me, but if Ты bollocks up my novel the way Cooper did, I’ll…” he pauses, searching.
“Yes?” Gwen asks, waiting to see what kind of threat he can come up with. We are holding all the cards. This man is an idiot.
“I’ll take my manuscript to Knighthood, that’s what I’ll do!”
“Well, Marcus, if that’s how Ты feel…” Gaius says indulgently, calling the man’s bluff. Knighthood is no threat.
There is silence on the line.
“Mr. Ryan, are Ты still with us?” Gwen asks gently after a moment.
“Yeah.”
She looks over at Gaius, who gestures for her to continue. “Speak your mind, dear, it’s okay,” he whispers.
“I was only just дана your manuscript yesterday, and while it is a bit rough, it has potential.”
“Potential??” he sputters, incensed. “Look, missy…”
“No, you look,” Gwen says, losing her temper with this weed much quicker than she expected. “Just because Ты had one successful novel doesn’t mean Ты are Charles bloody Dickens! Now, I may be new at this, not even officially an editor—”
“Yet,” interjects Gaius, loudly enough for both of them to hear.
“But I know the written word. Probably better than Ты do, judging by this manuscript. So either Ты let me Редактировать your manuscript and take the Совет I give to try and salvage this… thing you’ve written, или I throw in the towel and use your manuscript to line my cat box, because as it currently stands, that’s pretty much all it’s good for!”
Her mouth snaps closed, and suddenly she realizes what she’s just said. She claps her hands over her mouth and looks at Gaius with wide, frantic eyes.
He is shaking with silent laughter, tears streaming from his bleary eyes, a handkerchief to his face.
The phone is silent. They know he’s still on the line is because it hasn’t gone dead with its tell-tale buzzing noise. And they can hear him breathing.
“Okay.” One word comes through the speaker. One defeated, gloomy word of assent. Gaius gives her a thumbs-up again.
“Very good. You’ll be hearing from me again when I’ve completed my first pass of your manuscript.”
“Okay.” He sounds like a chastised little boy. This must be what power feels like, Gwen thinks. I could get used to this.
“Good morning, Marcus. We’ll be in touch,” Gaius says, and promptly hangs up the phone. He raises an eyebrow at Gwen.
“Sorry.” She doesn’t know what else to say.
“What for? Ты were brilliant, Gwen! I thought I was going to have a stroke from trying to keep my laughter contained!”
Gwen suddenly laughs. “I don’t know what came over me, sir, I just…”
“It was when he called Ты ‘missy,’ wasn’t it?”
“I think so.”
“Let me see what you’ve done so far. With the manuscript.”
“Now?”
“Yes, go get it please.”
Gwen jumps up and scurries from the office, snags the manuscript, open on her стол письменный, стол (removing her special pen lovingly from it first, of course), and shoots back into Gaius’ office.
“Thank you. I’ll let Ты know when Ты can come get it back.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And Guinevere?”
“Yes?” she turns back.
“I loved the cat box comment.”
She giggles. “It’s actually Arthur’s cat, but he likes me better.”
“Of course he does.”
Gwen sinks back into her chair, her сердце still thumping with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Talk about trial by fire, she thinks, looking at the phone. No, I’ve been using the phone for personal calls far too much already. I’ll tell him later.
Half an час later, Gaius’ voice comes through the intercom. “Gwen?”
“Yes?”
“You can come get this.”
“Thank you.” She enters his office again, and he holds it out for her.
She takes it from him, and he only nods at her. Approval? He’s so bloody cryptic sometimes.
“Gwen, page Ben Cooper for me.”
1:43. The lift dings and the doors slide open. A tall, slender man emerges in tailored black trousers, a crisp white рубашка open at the neck, and a dark grey sport coat. A black attaché case hangs easily from his hand. He has shiny black hair and shiny black shoes, and he looks completely dashing, even with the oversized ears and goofy grin.
“God, Merlin, Ты look incredible!” Gwen gushes, coming out from behind the desk, embracing him in a tight hug, which he returns with his free hand, squeezing her hard.
“Thank Ты so much, Gwen, Ты have no idea how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me,” he whispers raggedly in her ear, the softness of his voice not disguising the emotion overcoming him at all.
She pulls away and wipes his eyes with her thumbs. “Now Merlin, Ты can’t go in there looking like a giant puddle,” she smiles, joking to keep her own emotions in line, so touched is she by his admission and free affection.
“Okay,” she continues, squeezing his elbow. “Have a seat. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Gwen returns to her сиденье, место, сиденья and Merlin sits on a brown leather sofa Далее to a potted plant. He watches as Gwen hesitates a moment, then presses the intercom button.
After a moment, Gaius’ voice comes out of the little speaker. “Yes?”
“Merlin Emrys to see you, sir.”
“Excellent. Five minutes.”
“Very good.” She looks over at Merlin.
“I heard.”
“Merlin,” she says, motioning him over.
“What?” he asks, wondering what’s up.
“He’s in there with the editor I may be replacing,” she whispers.
“He’s getting sacked?” Merlin whispers back.
“I don’t know. I’ve been dying out here since I got back from lunch and found out he was in there. They talked on the phone this morning, but he didn’t come up till recently.”
“So I’m not the only one spending the день on pins and needles, then.”
“You’d better have a pint ready for me as soon as I walk through the door this evening.”
Merlin smiles. “We’ll both need one.”
“Or three…” she says, fidgeting with her new pen. The phone rings and she jumps. Merlin waves and goes back to his сиденье, место, сиденья to let her work.
“William Gaius’ office, Gwen speaking, may I help you?”
“I’m sorry, he’s in meetings until at least three. Is there a message?”
She picks up another pen and a розовый notepad and writes a name, number and message on the pad.
“Got it. Thank you, he’ll be in touch.”
She tears the sheet from the pad and places it in a tray to her left just as Gaius’ door opens. Merlin looks up to see a shaken-looking man emerge. He looks like he’s seen a ghost. Or has just been sacked, he thinks, trying not to grin.
Guinevere, to her credit, keeps her eyes trained studiously on the manuscript in front of her, twirling the pen between her fingers as she reads. или pretends to read.
Ben Cooper strides to the lift, not looking at either of them, head вперед and slightly downcast as he agitatedly stabs the down button.
There is a ding and the doors slide open.
“Merlin, quite a pleasure to meet you, young man,” Gaius says, stepping forward. Merlin sees that the older man uses a cane and stands immediately, coming up to meet him, saving him the walk.
“It is an honor, sir, a real honor,” Merlin says, trying not to gush as he reaches вперед to shake the offered hand of the man he hopes will become his mentor.
“Please, call me Will,” Gaius says as he ushers Merlin towards his office door. “I presume there are еще manuscripts in that case?” he asks.
“Yes. I have two more, sir. Will,” he corrects himself, feeling awkward doing so. He glances at Gwen briefly. Her head is still bent over her manuscript, but she is grinning from ear to ear now.
The door closes and Gwen drops her head onto the manuscript. She honestly has just been staring at the page, not Чтение at all.
Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God…
“Gwen, would Ты bring in some чай for Mr. Emrys and myself?” Gaius’ voice emanating from the intercom snaps her out of her moment of panic.
“Of course. Biscuits? It’s a bit early, but…”
There is a pause. “Yes, thank you.”
Guinevere enters Excalibur at the end of the day, a raw bundle of frazzled excited nerves. She is excited and terrified, thrilled for Merlin and for herself, but overwhelmed for them both as well.
“Guinevere! What is it?” Arthur asks, wiping his hands on a towel and coming over.
She throws herself into his arms, holding tightly.
“What’s wrong? Merlin сказал(-а) his meeting went well, but he wouldn’t say anything else except you’d have news. I’ve been having a series of сердце attacks all afternoon waiting for you; what is it, Sweet?” he asks anxiously, holding her, stroking her hair, and giving her small soft kisses as she clings to him. He can feel she is ready to just jump out of her skin.
“Ben Cooper was sacked today,” she says quietly.
“What?” Arthur pulls back gently and looks into her wide eyes. By this time Gwaine and Phyllis have stopped what they were doing as well, and all eyes are on Guinevere’s small form in Arthur’s arms.
“Ben Cooper. Mr. Gaius gave him his walking papers.”
“So that means…” he leads her, excitement growing in his voice now.
She nods. “Thursday, officially.”
Arthur wraps his arms around her and picks her up with a shout, spinning her in his arms.
“Arthur!” she exclaims with a laugh, forgetting herself, forgetting that she tries to use his preferred nickname when his Друзья are around.
He sets her down and studies her. Why isn’t she excited? “Guinevere, this is amazing! This is exactly what Ты wanted; why do Ты look like Ты just walked in on your parents having a shag?” he asks, brining his hand to her cheek.
“It’s… so soon! I am completely overwhelmed.” She holds up her hand. “Look, I’m shaking.”
He takes her hand and lifts it to his lips, Поцелуи her fingers. “Let’s go get Ты some гиннес, guinness, гиннесса and something greasy to eat,” he says, bending to Kiss her lips now.
They turn to leave and Gwaine grabs her hand as she passes him. “I get to congratulate you, don’t I?” he asks.
“As long as Ты behave yourself,” she says, smiling.
“Well, I never do that,” he says, but he gives her a warm hug and a chaste Kiss on the cheek while Arthur watches under an arched brow.
“Thank you, Gwaine,” she says. Phil steps вперед and takes her hand for just a second, giving it a squeeze before dropping it and walking away.
“I can see Ты smiling, Phil,” Gwen calls after her, earning her a raised middle finger from the other woman.
“Hey, she’s officially initiated now!” Gwaine cheers.
Arthur and Gwen laugh and head Далее door to the pub. Justin opens the door quite respectfully for Gwen, and she cannot help noticing that the new bouncer looks like he is seeking approval from Arthur for his actions.
“Justin,” Arthur nods as he walks past.
“Hey, Drag. Miss Gwen,” he greets them.
“Miss Gwen?” Arthur asks her once they are inside.
“Don’t ask me, I’m as surprised as Ты are,” she says. “Oof!”
Gwen is nearly tackled by a black blur that turns out to be Merlin, throwing his arms around her again joyously before he impulsively kisses her flush on the lips.
“Wow, um, hello, Merlin,” she says, stunned and blinking.
Arthur appears equally stunned rather than angry, and Merlin flushes bright red, realizing what he’s just done.
“Sorry, sorry… I don’t know what came over me! I’m just so ridiculously happy right now…” he stammers, and suddenly both Arthur and Gwen start laughing.
“Well, Merlin, considering I just kissed Drag not two минуты ago, Ты kind of just kissed him, too.”
“Gah!” Merlin exclaims, running behind the bar and grabbing a bottle of vodka. He bends his head over the sink, pouring some of the strong alcohol over his lips.
“That’s a bit excessive, I think,” Arthur Комментарии as they sit at the bar.
“Merlin, I know a lot of famous writers were drunks, but aren’t Ты kind of putting the тележка, корзина before the horse?” Leon Комментарии casually, emerging from the kitchen.
Merlin stands again and puts the водка back, wiping his face. “No one here drinks this shit anyway,” he Комментарии absently.
“Merlin?” Gwen asks sweetly, smiling at him.
“Yes?”
“I seem to be not having any Guinness,” she says, indicating the empty expanse of bar in front of her.
Arthur laughs as Merlin scurries to grab a glass for her. “Leon,” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“What’s on the menu tonight, my good man?”
“Actually, that’s why I came out. I wanted to tell Gwen that I tried one of the recipes in the cookbook she got me.” He looks at her now, smiling.
“Oh, good! This is turning out to be quite the day, indeed,” she says, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
“Be right back,” he says, heading back to the kitchen.
Arthur looks sideways at Gwen, giving her a knowing smirk, then says, “Merlin. We need to celebrate both of your successes. Thursday, we’re going out.” He declares this as if making a royal decree.
“Oh, we are, are we? Where?”
“That is up to Ты and Guinevere.”
“Szechuan Palace,” Merlin suggests.
“Chez Pierre,” Gwen suggests.
“Do I look like I’m made of money, woman?” Arthur asks, laughing as he lifts his glass to his lips.
“I was kidding.”
“I know.”
“Grenadier’s,” she tries another option.
“I hate that place,” Merlin makes a face.
“Really?”
“My mum got sick from their Еда once.”
“Perhaps not, then. Um, Luigi’s.”
“Maybe. Drag: tie-breaker. Italian или Chinese?” Merlin asks.
He glances at Gwen, wishing he could ask her which Freya would prefer.
“Merlin, can Ты help me?” Leon pokes his head out.
“Yeah, sure.”
Arthur looks at Gwen. “Thank God. Which one would Freya prefer, do Ты think?”
Gwen sighs. “I really want some pasta, but Freya loves Chinese food.”
Arthur smiles and kisses her.
Leon and Merlin come out with plates. “Chili dogs,” Leon declares, setting the two plates he has in front of Arthur and Gwen.
“Oh my God, these look sinful,” Gwen gushes. Merlin sets their plates down on the bar as Leon disappears again, coming out with a tray filled with condiments.
“I didn’t know what Ты all liked, so we’ll do it this way,” he says, setting the блюдо down in the middle of them. It has chopped onions, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and hot peppers each in their own little dishes.
Guinevere immediately reaches for the cheese and bacon, Arthur chooses cheese and бекон, бэкон as well as the tomatoes, and Merlin dives immediately for the hot peppers. Leon has everything.
Gwaine saunters in just as they tuck in, the lads picking theirs up and biting messily while Gwen takes the tidier option of a нож and fork.
“Ah, I see Ты waited for me like one pig waits for another, as usual, and what on God’s green earth is that?”
Leon sets his dog down and disappears for 30 seconds, emerging with a plate for Gwaine. “Is your sister coming over?” he asks quietly.
“Don’t think so, sorry. She was grumbling something about her back and a hot bath,” he says, Загрузка his chili dog up with all the toppings, heavy on the peppers.
“Still giving her trouble, hmm?” Leon asks, frowning.
“It always will, mate.”
“What happened?” Gwen asks.
“Car accident a couple years ago. Bloody lorry driver was falling asleep and sideswiped her, sending her into a wall. Wrecked her lower back,” Gwaine explains, his mouth full. “Holy shit Leon, I think I need to change my pants,” he adds, closing his eyes as he chews.
“How terrible,” Gwen says, taking a drink. “And yes, Leon, these are really good.”
“Phil was lucky, though, if he had been going faster, she would have hit harder and she probably wouldn’t be able to walk now,” Merlin adds.
“Oh, God, that’s awful,” she says, wondering if her recurring pain contributes to her less-than-sunny disposition.
“I know what you’re thinking, and she was already Mary Sunshine before the accident,” Arthur says. Leon flicks Arthur’s ear for that comment.
“Gwen! Oh, shit! I didn’t get to tell you!” Merlin suddenly exclaims.
“I know, Ты haven’t told me anything about your meeting,” she says, turning towards him again.
“Sorry! Ты were right, he is so amazing. Like Ты said, not posh at all. Old, but sharp as a tack. And funny, I couldn’t believe it!”
“So it went well, then?” Gwen smiles, knowing that it did indeed go very well. She saw the contract.
“You know it did, Gwen. But I, um, insisted that Ты would be my editor. Only you. That was my one stipulation.”
Gwen nearly spits a chunk of hot dog across the bar, and Arthur pounds her back while she coughs, recovering.
“It’s on the contract,” Merlin adds.
“Merlin! Ты didn’t have to do that!” Apparently I should have looked closer at the contract.
“Yes, I did. I saw your edits, Gwen; he showed me. Ты are brilliant and I trust you, therefore yours is the only red pen that will touch my work.”
Gwen leans across the bar and hugs him. “You will be much еще enjoyable to work with then that twat Marcus Ryan,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “Oh! Speaking of him, I have to tell you…”
Part 26: link