Chapter Text
For @elletromil
First it was the mug. It had appeared out of nowhere. But what was most peculiar was that it had the insigna for FC Bayern Munich, a team Merlin secretly cheers for. Nobody knew that, even Harry. He took it home so no one would know.
The neck pillow was next. Merlin just opened a drawer and there it was. He didn’t understand why, but when he put it on, it propped up his neck so it didn’t hurt so much when staring at the computer screen. But how did it get here?
Merlin looked at the security tapes and found nothing. When he asked the tech team about the missing minutes, they told him it was the random daily security reboot. No still no answers.
The handsoap, that had him flummoxed, it just appeared in his personal half bath one day. Again, he looked at the security footage and nothing. He did not use the soap until one day he was tinkering with his inventions. It took all the soot and grime off, even under his fingernails.
He looked at everyone who worked with him. The tech team, the agents, even fucking Harry, and nothing.
But wait a second. Merlin went back to his team and asked if when they did the daily security reboot, did they cascade it? He found out they did. Ah. So which areas were completed before his began. Outdoor, armory, vehicles, top floor, second-
Wait. Top floors. Thats where specifically Percival’s quarters were. He didn’t like being around others. Merlin crossed reference when the gifts arrived and when the agents were on premises and there it was. Percival. Percival who he has known for years. Percival who was more observant than Merlin, apparently.
Percival probably was replacing a mug. Merlin constantly shattered them at work. He also probably saw the score of the football match before he reduced the window. Percival chatting with Merlin when he cricked his neck. Percival noticing the grease really came off his hands as much as he washed them. Okay his turn.
When Percival came home that evening, he saw his table set, and a curry takeaway waiting for him. The note on the table said your turn now.
Percival smiled and pulled out his phone.
“Hello, Merlin. I was wondering if you fancy some curry? I have enough for two"?