Merlin had no problems with his neighbors. No crying children, barking dogs, or deafening music at two in the morning. In fact, he rarely even encountered anyone in the hallway (excluding that dashing blond whom he almost knocked over this morning, and whom he had seen at least twice before). If not for the cheerful glow of windows greeting him late at night, and the quiet coughing of a chain-smoker on the balcony a floor above, Merlin might think he lived in the building alone.
He had no problems with his neighbors until one beautiful Saturday morning when he was literally thrown up in bed by a loud buzzing sound right above his ear. It was an utterly unprecedented event.
Merlin was so disoriented and unprepared that he flailed around the room, finally tangled in the blanket still wrapped around his right leg - and fell right onto the carpet.
Who thought it was a good idea to drill the wall at... 7:43 AM on a weekend?!
Forty minutes and two cups of coffee later, that dreadful racket finally stopped, but there was no sleep in either eye. Sighing, Merlin decided to turn his misfortune into fortune - and do all the dull housework he had been postponing for the third week: drop off two covers at the dry cleaners, finally repaint the wall above the TV, stroll through the stores and buy a birthday present for Gwen. And no one’s canceled the usual household chores like laundry and cleaning either.
The day was eventful, so it was no surprise that by eleven o'clock in the evening, Merlin collapsed onto the bed, completely exhausted. "Well, at least I'll get some sleep tomorrow," he thought before drifting off.
But that was not to be.
This time, his neighbor graciously waited until half-past eight - and then resumed his drilling.
Merlin groaned and stared with reddened eyes at the ceiling. This was unacceptable. Yes, he had snagged a whole nine hours, but first, the jerk with the drill couldn't have known that, and secondly, after such a busy week when he managed only three or four hours of sleep at night, that was catastrophically NOT ENOUGH!
But Merlin wasn't in a hurry to start a fight. Yes, it was unpleasant, but he had lived in this house for a year, and during all that time, he had no reason to complain. So, even if someone decided to take advantage of the summer season when most neighbors were away on vacation or at summer houses - and conduct cosmetic repairs, it was something he could overlook. Provided, of course, that the neighbor would finish hanging all his pictures and shelves today - and stop drilling the wall and Merlin's brain.
Throughout the following week, Merlin, as usual, woke up to his alarm, went to work, and even attended a party where he handed Gwen a provocative t-shirt and an art book with works by her favorite artist. No one disturbed his sleep again, and he even managed to forget about the incident.
Until the next Saturday - and the screeching of metal biting into brick once again exploded the morning tranquility.
Merlin threw off the blanket - and dashed out to the landing, not caring that he didn't look very impressive in a t-shirt and pajama pants. Let that bastard's conscience torment him.
The buzzing continued - leading him to the right apartment, like a goddamn guiding star.
Approaching the door where the infernal sound was particularly loud, Merlin first rang twice, then started pounding heavily with his fist on the smooth wooden surface.
The drill emitted a mournful fading "vzzzzz!" - and went silent, and a couple of seconds later the door swung open - revealing that very blond, whom he had tried so hard not to drool over at every encounter.
However, he didn't seem so attractive now. Even in a black tank top that showed off slightly tanned muscular arms. Even with wet hair after a shower. Not attractive at all.
Merlin pulled himself together.
"Well hello there, asshole with the drill," he gritted through his teeth, trying to look as stern as possible, although tousled hair and protruding ears hardly helped him in this task.
At that moment, the neighbor beamed as if Merlin had said the right password.
"Finally!" he exclaimed - and, grabbing him by the t-shirt on his chest, dragged him into the apartment.
"I was beginning to wonder when you'd finally give up on politeness - and come up to me? Tea?"
Merlin blinked.
"So... you did all this just to meet me?" he asked, feeling stupider with each word. It was just nonsense!
"Well, everyone left, and I thought I was completely alone - but then I ran into you last week. I don't know which apartment is yours, so I just decided to smoke you out. I'm Arthur, by the way."
"Merlin," he introduced himself automatically, then added for some reason: "You do realize you could have just found me by the glowing windows?"
"There’s no fun in that," replied his neighbor - Arthur - and smiled disarmingly, making it tempting to forget the sheer surrealism of the situation - and happily chirp in response.
Merlin decided to stick to that strategy.
"I must say, this is the strangest pickup I've ever experienced," he cast the bait and, holding his breath, waited for Arthur's reaction.
Arthur slowly turned around, demonstratively gliding his gaze over Merlin's body, then smirked playfully.
"Yeah, that's my style."
With those words, he turned away and started clinking cups, preparing tea.
Merlin's lips involuntarily stretched into a smile. Life was looking up.
