What could he do, his father had died a week ago and the will had been read, it was a disaster. He knew his father was a hard man but to kick him in the teeth from the grave was a bit much even for Uther Pendragon. Arthur had been working for his father's company since he left university, and had worked his way up to Vice President. Two years ago he had told his father he was gay and since then the old man had been determined to get his son to see things his way and marry. Uther had paraded a constant stream of suitable girls in front of him ever since. Now from the grave it was to continue. Arthur had to marry within six months or the company and his father's estate would go to his Uncle Agravaine, the most obnoxious man Arthur had ever met. What's more if he separated or got divorced within five years he would still lose everything, even his job, and before that time the assets would be held in trust.
Arthur had asked his friend, and brother in law, Leon, who was a top lawyer, to look into the will, but there were no lop holes, however Leon did have one point to make that made things a bit easier. Same sex marriages had been made law just before his father had died. The old man hadn't stipulated that he needed to marry a woman, so all he needed to do was find a man to marry, and in six months. Easier said than done, shit what a mess, he was damned if he would loss the company that he had worked so long and hard to help build up. Since he had joined his father the company had doubled in size and mainly due to his efforts. Losing it just wasn't going to happen.
The evening after Leon had told him about the possible way out, Arthur was sat trying to think who he could ask. He was running through his friends to see if he could cope with living with any of them for five years. It would have to look good even if the relationship wasn't real. His Uncle would be keeping a very close eye on him. Leon, Percy and Eylan were married and anyway they were straight. Lancelot was in love with Gwen and no doubt they would be getting married soon. Gwaine was bi but there was no way Arthur could live with him, even if Gwaine could appear faithful for five years, highly unlikely. He had several gay friends, but not close ones and none that he trusted enough to tell the truth to. His half sister was coming round to see him soon; she had been at the will reading as was as unhappy about the situation as he was. Morgana had been left a house and some shares in the company, having pleased her father two years earlier when she had married Leon. Not only was he a lawyer but he was also a Knight, a well established family in the city. But she was livid that her father was still trying to control Arthur from the grave.
When Morgana arrived Arthur was going through his contacts list in a vague hope he had forgotten someone. He was sat in his lounge his jacket and tie thrown over the back of the chair, his pristine white shirt undone at the neck. His blonde hair was sticking up in different directions where he had been rubbing his hands through it. She thought her brother looked more stressed than she had ever seen him. Arthur looked up as his sister used her key to come into his flat. As usual she was smartly dressed, he couldn't remember the last time he's seen her anything but immaculately turned out.
"Oh Arthur! You look a mess darling, don't let the old goat get to you, we'll sort something out." Morgana set a box in front of him "Your favourite comfort food"
Arthur opened the box to find three chocolate éclairs complete with fresh cream. "Thanks" he held out the box "I know at least one of them is yours."
Morgana grinned and took one "Ok, if you insist, but the other two are yours" she paused. "I've had an idea…you might not like it….but hear me out."
Arthur looked up sharply "I don't think I'm going to like it at all, if it's your idea, but as I'm fresh out, so carry on."
"Gaius Williamson" Morgana said, before she got any further Arthur shouted.
"He's nearly eighty!"
"Not him exactly, you idiot, his great nephew. I saw Gaius a few weeks ago, he was telling me about his niece in America she's very ill, her son is having problems meeting her health care costs. Gaius was talking about putting his home on the market to send her the money, but evidently she said no. Her son must be about our age." Morgana paused "We met him once don't you remember those blue eyes? He's gay. Gaius tells me he's distraught about his mother. If you met his mother's expenses….."
"Gaius was a friend of Uther's he won't have his family getting involved." Arthur protested.
"Oh come on, Gaius always disapproved of Uther's prejudices, anyway he needn't know" Morgan told her brother. "Aren't you due to go to New York next week? You could make enquiries"
"What was the boys name again?" he asked reluctantly, it was his only chance at the moment.
"Merlin Emrys, he's in his early twenties and was in university until he dropped out to get work to try to make enough for his mother's medical costs. I understand he's working as a courier during the day and has a job in a bar at night. If he's holding down to jobs he's not lazy, that's in his favour."
"You have it all worked out then." Arthur snarled "What was he doing at University?"
"He had a scholarship at Harvard Medical School and was nearing the end of his second year. I understand they were so impressed with him they've said he can go back to finish next year if he's able." Morgana said "It was such a shame he couldn't finish, but his mother came first. His father isn't on the scene I think he died when Merlin was a baby."
Morgana put her arm round her brother "Look him up, what do you have to lose, you could pay his mums fees and he could finish Med school here, he wouldn't be a drain on you and you would be helping each other."
"I'll think about it." Arthur told her, picking up an éclair and taking a big bite. "But how do we convince Agravaine it's not a set up. Paying his mothers medical fees would be suspicions even if this Merlin did agree."
"We can sort out the details if the boy agrees, after all what would be more natural than helping out your mother in law. You go to America often enough you could have known him for some time."
"I'll think about it" Arthur said.
"Good I'll see Gaius and find out Merlin's contact details, discretely of course. It couldn't be easier from what I understand Merlin is living in New York at the moment as that's where his mother is being treated."
Arthur found himself travelling to New York the following week, with more than just business on his mind. On the evening of the third day there he was heading for Tenth Avenue and the Fairytale Gay Bar so he could 'bump' into Merlin at work. Arthur was dressed in his favourite black slacks and red shirt and was with Elyan Smith who was working in New York as well as a good friend he was also Gwen's brother. Although Elyan wasn't gay he had offered to show Arthur the New York night scene.
They walked into the bar, even midweek the place was busy, they headed to the bar to get some drinks in and were served by a man dressed all in leather, his trousers were so tight and the leather thin and supple enough that nothing was left to the imagination. He had on a leather vest that was designed to show off his chest rather than cover it. "Hi guys, here as tourists or work" he asked hearing their accents.
"A bit of both" Arthur told him "Is someone called Merlin working here tonight?" he asked hoping it wasn't the man they were being served by.
"You don't want that twink darling, I'm far more of a man." The bartender looked Arthur up and down.
Arthur looked at the leather clad man before saying "I don't think so a twink sounds better, could you point him out to me please." as he put an extra note down on the bar.
"Pity, Merlin is the guy waiting at the tables, with the black hair that looks like he's put his fingers in an electrical socket." The man said as he snatched up the money.
Arthur turned round to scan the room and spotted the man he thought he was looking for. From the back view the man was very slender and seemed to be all limbs, as he turned round Arthur smiled the man was just his type, black hair and cheekbones that could cut glass, his ears were a bit large but seemed to fit his face, he looked almost too young to be working in a bar. He had on what appeared to be the uniform for the table waiters, of a slinky black t shirt and tight black jeans. As the man walked closer Arthur put out his hand to stop him.
"Are you Merlin by any chance?" he asked. The man looked him up and down before smiling. His smile lit up his whole face and it was then that Arthur noticed the man's cerulean eyes and long eyelashes.
"Why you asking?" came the reply.
"I was hoping to meet him here, my name is Arthur Pendragon." Arthur told him.
"Then that's me. If you find a table I'll come over when I get the chance." He smiled at Arthur nervously.
About twenty minutes later Merlin arrived at the table to take their order. He whispered to Arthur "Look it's not going to be practical to talk here, why don't I meet you after I've finished my shift. I finish at eleven tonight."
"Ok I'll stay here until then." Arthur smiled. As he walked away Elyan laughed "That's the biggest smile I've seen on you since you got here. Do you want me to stay or shall I buzz off"
"Whatever" Arthur told him.
"In that case I'll go, this place isn't my scene and I think you're a big enough boy to look after yourself. Just watch that bartender I think he fancied his chances."
"What you mean leather man, no thank you; I reckon he's got a kink or two." Arthur said. Several men approached Arthur but he soon got rid of them although he did dance for awhile enjoying the anonymity of being away from London.
At eleven Merlin came up to the table and grinned. "Hi shall we go somewhere quieter? I understand you want to talk to me."
"I think that will be a good idea, do you know somewhere open this time of night or do you want to go back to my hotel.?" Arthur asked.
"No, how about we go back to my place my flat mates away this week. It's not far away." Arthur agreed and followed Merlin from the club. Once out on the streets Arthur kept close to Merlin the younger man seemed vulnerable somehow. It wasn't long before they were on the subway and back at Merlin's flat. It was a small place with an open plan living area barely big enough for two to live in. "It's not much but it's cheap." Merlin told him.
After Merlin had made a coffee he sat down opposite Arthur "Your sister told me you have a business deal you want to speak to me about. My great uncle knows you I understand." Merlin went straight to the point. "Sorry, but I'm tired, and I need to get up early for my other job in the morning."
"I do, it's a delicate matter and either way I want your assurance you won't let anyone else know what I've asked you." Arthur said.
"Yeh I kind of guessed that, you have my word." Merlin took a drink of his coffee.
"My father died recently and left a strange but legal clause in his will. I have worked in the company since I left Uni and helped double its size, but if I don't marry within the next six months, and stay with my partner for five years my Uncle gets everything. My father wanted to force me into marriage, what he hadn't taken into account was the new law in the UK that was passed a couple of months ago, saying same sex couples can marry. I am gay, my father couldn't accept that." Arthur looked at Merlin before continuing. "So I need a husband, the deal is if you marry me then all you mothers medical expenses will be paid and you can finish you studies in the UK. I will also sign a pre nup giving you a large sum after the five years. If you agree you must not have any relationships in that time. We must live in the same house and as far as everyone else is concerned, we will be in love and a true couple."
"Oh" Merlin was shocked. "So this relationship is only for other people, you aren't expecting anything from it?"
"Not unless we both decide to change that, then no." Arthur told him.
"Don't you have any friends that will do it for you?" Merlin asked.
"Most of my friends are straight, I have a bi friend but he's not suitable nor are the gay men I know and I wouldn't ask any of my female friends I wouldn't feel comfortable with that, nor would that be believable."
"Not suitable, god you sound like a right prat! Have you listened to yourself? What makes me suitable?"
"I'm not sure that you are, if you agree would need to get to know one another better, we will be living together for five years after all." Arthur told him "I am in a high position at work, and I need to be certain you could cope."
"You are a right clotpole aren't you; just because I need the money doesn't give you the right to lord it over me. If my mother didn't need more help than I seem to be able to afford I'd throw you out now!" Merlin looked angry "I was studying at Harvard and that place is full of opinionated idiots like you, there because daddy can afford the fees. I don't need to buy a wife!"
"Look I'm trying to be honest here, what right do you have to speak to me like that!" Arthur said standing up.
"I might be poor but I have my pride as well you know, the only reason you're still here is because I love my mother more that I detest you." Merlin told him "Now if you want to I will think about it and let you know, let me have your number then please leave!"
Arthur took a card from his wallet and threw it on the table "I'm not in New York for much longer so don't take too long." With that he walked out and called for a cab.