Merlin kept looking at the pavement for a moment, then without raising his head looked at Arthur, so all the other man could see were his cerulean eyes through his long eyelashes. Merlin had no idea how sexy Arthur found that look.
"You know Gwen?" Merlin said quietly.
"I've known Gwen for five years or more, like I said I work with her brother, she's also friends with my sister Morgana. So we're as good as friends as well aren't we?" Arthur was doing his best to put the other man at ease.
Arthur was usually accused of being a bit arrogant by his friends, but he had a good heart, he could see Gwen hadn't been lying about the other man's shyness. It was something he'd love to break through. Merlin was just the type of man he liked slender, but strong, pale skinned and dark haired. As soon as he had seen him in the café he had wanted to get to know him better, and now he had the perfect chance.
"Come let's get going and make the best of the weather, winter will be on us soon enough." Arthur walked towards his car and opened the door for Merlin.
"Can't be long" Merlin said "I start work at five and I have things to do."
He did however get in the car, much to Arthur's surprise. After they set of into the surrounding countryside Arthur turned his head slightly towards Merlin, still keeping his eye on the road.
"Do you mind me asking what that was all about back at the café?" he asked "You don't have to say"
"No, but I suppose you deserve to know. Camelot has just been bought by Ms Lake, the woman at the café. She wants to change our contracts and make us work other places. Your sister was looking to see if we could do anything." That was more than Merlin normally spoke to strangers but he felt Arthur had helped him.
"But why was my sister so keen to make it look like we were together?"
"She wants me to go out with her." Was all Merlin said. He wasn't about to tell a stranger anything else.
"You are gay? Only I don't want to be going somewhere you aren't interested." Arthur asked just too clear things up. He was sure Gwen had mentioned he was.
"I told her, she thought she could change me." By now Merlin was going red once more.
"Ah, one of those you haven't met the right woman types. We've all met them. I can't remember how often I've had that said to me." Arthur chuckled hoping to break the ice. "Well hopefully she got the message. Look I'd quite like to see you again, and it wouldn't hurt if we were seen together, for your new boss I mean, so will you come out sometime?"
"You don't need to do that." Merlin muttered "I don't need a pity date."
Arthur pulled up into a lay by, then he took of his seat belt and faced Merlin. "It wasn't meant as a pity date. You're a good looking man and I would like to see you again."
Merlin was feeling awkward; he looked out across the fields, refusing to look at Arthur. He didn't want to let the man know how much he wanted to say yes. It would be too embarrassing, after all what would a man like Arthur what with him.
Arthur leant across and took Merlin's chin in his hand, and turned Merlin's head toward him "Look I realise you're shy, but don't knock yourself. I wouldn't have asked out of pity, like I said you're just my type and I really would like to see you again, and I think you'd like to see me. I'm not wrong I know I'm not, that kiss in the café wasn't just for her benefit, and both of us enjoyed it. So will you please see me again?"
Merlin looked up at Arthur surprised at the sincerity he heard. He took a deep breath and committed himself. "Yes I will, I only have Mondays and Tuesdays off." He looked down at his hands "I work the hours everyone else has off."
Arthur laughed "Except for firemen! I work shifts as well, but we'll fit something in even if it's in the daytime. Look I have next Monday off, why don't we go out for the day? I could pick you up about three. That will give you chance to recover from the day before."
"If you mean it, I won't be cross if you change your mind." Merlin replied.
"I won't, now give me your phone." Merlin handed over his mobile without thinking. "There you have my number." Arthur smiled at him, "Now let's get you back." Arthur started up the car and headed back to town.
Once there he drove to Camelot and parked up. "I'm going to see you to your door. Then I'll know where to come Monday" without waiting for Merlin to agree he got out and waited for Merlin to join him.
Arthur then put his hand in the centre of Merlin's back as they walked around the back of the building and up the stairs to the flats. Merlin's was on the left above the kitchens. The other one was normally empty unless it was rented out to holiday makers. Merlin opened the flat door and turned to Arthur.
"Thank you" he gave Arthur a small smile.
Arthur had seen the face in the other flat's window as they reached the top of the stairs, and recognised Ms Lake. He winked at Merlin which made the other mans knees go weak. "We have an audience so let's make this good."
With that he pulled Merlin in closer and leant in for a kiss. The kiss became deeper and Merlin found himself responding and the two men leant in together. When they came up of air both looked flushed.
Arthur let Merlin go and said in a voice just loud enough to he heard by their watcher "See you Monday love, I'll speak to you every day."
Then he turned and went to the stairs before turning and blowing a kiss at Merlin, who was still watching him before heading to his car. Merlin stared after him before closing the flat door. He sat down and touched his lips a smile on his face, had he really got a date with such an Adonis, all because of his new boss and her unwanted attentions. He looked at his phone and checked the number then he texted: 'thank you' so Arthur would also have his number. He was surprised when he got an almost instant reply.
'Looking forward to Monday "
He put the phone on the table and went to make himself something to eat before going to work. His body had got used to eating at strange times; he always ate before going on duty, never sure if he would have time for anything before he got home. He had just sat down while he waited for his pasta to cook, when his door bell rang. Getting up he opened expecting it to be Lance and Gwen but was surprised to find Nimueh stood there. She pushed passed and into the flat. Merlin was so surprised he didn't even try to stop her.
"You weren't entirely truthful now were you Merlin." Nimueh sneered at him "With a hunk like that you're trying to tell me you're still a virgin."
"It's none of your business, but I don't lie." Merlin said fed up with his woman coming to his home uninvited.
"What a waste, that's all I can say. Anyway I've come to tell you the offer still stands, you can bring your boyfriend if you like."
"I can't, I just can't" Merlin stuttered.
"Either way you have two days to think about it." She moved closer to Merlin until she had him backed against the table. "In the meantime here's something to make you blush so prettily."
She leant just a bit closer and kissed him, he tried to pull back ,but short of pushing her with force there was little he could do, then she put her hand to the front of his jeans fondling him through the material. Then the door of the flat opened with a bang.
"What the hell is going on" Arthur was stood there, looking every bit the jealous boyfriend.
Nimueh looked at Arthur completely unashamed "Just testing the merchandise, such a sweet thing don't you find." Then she turned to Merlin "remember two days darling." She walked towards the door to be stopped by Arthur.
"Listen I won't have you threatening my boyfriend, or coming here again, you may be his boss, but he is entitled to his privacy. Stop this and stop this now, or I will have a harassment order put on you." Arthur glared at her.
"Oh come now do you think your sister frightens me. She's small fry, my lawyers could make mincemeat of her. As for your 'boyfriend' don't think for one moment that matters, Merlin knows what I want, and what he'll get in return. You are little fish and I'm used to dealing with sharks, so back off and mind your own business. You can have him back once I'm done." Nimueh shook off Arthur's hand and she walked out of the door.
Merlin stood there shaking he felt violated, how dare she touch him like that. He was shaken out of his thoughts by Arthur taking him by his shoulders.
"Are you alright" he looked at Merlin, he was so angry at what he'd heard. "I saw her watching when I left, and thought I'd hang around, when I saw her come in I listened outside, sorry I didn't come in earlier." Arthur pulled Merlin into his arms and hugged him. "You can't stay here, come and stay with me, no strings I've got a spare room."
"No, no that's ok, I've got a job to do, and I'll be ok." Merlin turned and went to the cooker and took off his pasta "I haven't burnt anything for years" he said as he threw his meal away.
"Merlin I mean it you don't have to take this. A chef like you can get a job anywhere."
"This isn't about me! It's about my friends, people I work with. I can't let them down. Now keep your nose out of my business, just go away! Go on get out!" Merlin shouted angrily "Just leave me alone."
Arthur turned a walked out not really knowing what to do next. Merlin was right it wasn't his business, but he wanted it to be. No one should have to put up with what Merlin was having to.
