Shifting from two people crammed into a one bedroom flat to three people in a spacious penthouse apartment certainly wasn't easy. Mordred had taken to his new surroundings like a duck to water, his eyes wide as saucers any time he was confronted with a new gadget to play with. It took all of Merlin's energy to drag Mordred away from the five hundred channel TV in the evenings. Not only had Mordred developed a habit for breaking all of the gadgets he came across but he left a trail of clothes and food wherever he went, meaning Merlin spent most of his time apologising to Arthur and crawling around on the floor scrubbing chocolate out of the carpet.

"Merlin you should be resting," Arthur reminds him, stepping through the front door to be greeted by the sight of Merlin on his knees, his plastered wrist cradled to his chest and his other hand gripping a damp cloth.

Arthur takes the cloth and helps Merlin to his feet. "I have a cleaner you know, who actually gets paid to do it."

"I am a cleaner, and you do pay me," Merlin reminds him.

Arthur's hands slide around Merlin's waist and pulls their bodies together. "To clean the office, not the flat. I don't want you to feel like you have to clean like some kind of payment for living here."

"Arthur, don't tell me you don't mind the pigsty your home has become since me and Mordred moved in. The kid is like a tornado, leaving disaster wherever he goes."

"He makes life interesting," Arthur agrees with a laugh. "But at least this place looks lived in now."

"That's one way to describe it."

Arthur smiles. "Guess what?"

"What?" Merlin says with a roll of his eyes.

"We're alone. Mordred's not back from his friend's party until seven."

Since moving in three weeks ago, Merlin had kept to his bedroom and Arthur had kept to his. Not only was Merlin's wrist still recovering but it was awkward trying to get some time alone with Mordred in the house. Arthur might have expected them moving in together would mean more time together but it had probably had the opposite effect.

Merlin waves his bright green plaster-cast in Arthur's direction. "You want to do all the work?"

"I think I'm up to the challenge," he murmurs in response, leaning forward to press kisses across Merlin's neck and jaw.

"Smooth," Merlin croaks. He hooks a finger into Arthur's belt loops and tugs him forward. "Bed, now." Merlin nearly breaks his other wrist in their rush to get to Arthur's bedroom.

Merlin is tucked into Arthur's side, his head resting on Arthur's shoulder. His immobilised wrist rests on Arthur's chest and their legs are tangled up under the thick duvet cover. Arthur wraps his arm a little tighter around Merlin's waist and presses a kiss on the crown of his head. Merlin's eyes droop, letting sleep drag him under.

"Tell me something," Arthur says, his voice hoarse.

"Hmm?"

"What were you studying at uni before you dropped out?"

Merlin opens his eyes slowly he lifts his head to look at Arthur. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Arthur explains.

Merlin rests back against Arthur. "What does it matter? That was like a whole lifetime ago. I'm a whole different person than I was back then."

"Tell me."

Merlin says nothing for a long time. He runs his index finger up and down Arthur's arm hypnotically. "I wanted to be a teacher, primary school."

"Yeah?"

"It's silly." Merlin tries to shrug, feeling a little uncomfortable with the topic of conversation.

"No, it's really not," Arthur says seriously. "I think you would make a great teacher."

"Maybe one day, when Mordred's off at uni."

"God Merlin, you shouldn't have to wait. After everything you've given up, everything you've gone through, you deserve to have what you want now."

"I don't have a fairy godmother Arthur, or a silver spoon stuck in my mouth."

Arthur pokes Merlin. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Merlin sighs, "It means I'm playing the cards life dealt me." Arthur's mouth opens and closes, looking completely lost for words. "Hey, I already got one thing I wanted."

"What's that?"

Merlin rolls his body on top of Arthur's, sliding between the V of Arthur's legs. "You."

A smile forms slowly across Arthur's face. "That was so cheesy."

Merlin huffs. "Well see if I ever-"

Arthur doesn't let him finish, flipping him over until Arthur is on top and pressing their lips together. Merlin submits easily, moaning into Arthur's mouth.

Merlin's forced to rush to collect Mordred from the cinema where he and his friends had spent the afternoon, his hair still wet from his shower. He waves at the accompanying parents as Mordred crosses the car park and climbs into the passenger seat.

"Nice time?"

Mordred shrugs. "Was okay."

Merlin resists the urge to roll his eyes at Mordred. The young boy was becoming more and more like a teenager every day. Merlin dreaded to think what his nephew would be like in a few years time if this is what he was like now.

After ten minutes of complete silence, Mordred finally speaks up. "Merlin?"

Merlin spares a glance in Mordred's direction before returning his gaze to the road. "What's up?"

"Is Arthur your boyfriend?"

Since meeting Arthur, Merlin hadn't known how to broach the subject with Mordred so had taken the cowardly way out and said nothing at all. "Is that okay?"

"Do you love him?"

"I - uh -" Merlin frowns. "I don't know, I certainly care about him."

Mordred nods. "I like his flat, it's much better than ours."

"Yeah, it is," Merlin agrees.

"I suppose he's not too bad either."

"No, he's not too bad," Merlin smiles.

Later that night, with Mordred fast asleep in his own room, Merlin slips into Arthur's bedroom and climbs under the covers.

"Merlin?" Arthur mumbles sleepily as Merlin wraps around Arthur like an octopus.

"Mordred gave us the thumbs up," Merlin explains. "You want me to go back to my own bed?"

"You nuts? I'm moving your stuff in here tomorrow." Arthur holds on to Merlin tightly and shuts his heavy eyes. A long moment later Arthur's eyes snap open, a startling thought waking him. "He's not going to burst in here in the morning is he?"

Merlin snorts. "He's eleven, not an idiot."

Arthur stretches luxuriously, his toes curling into the mattress, the feel of Merlin's lips across his chest and collarbone pulling him from his slumber. "Morning," he murmurs, snuggling back against the other man, warm and content.

"Do you know what today is?" Merlin asks into Arthur's neck.

Arthur cracks open one eye. "Are you one of these people that celebrates every miniscule anniversary? If so happy uh...nine weeks?"

Merlin slaps Arthur's shoulder and continues. "I get my cast off today."

"It's also exactly a week till Christmas," Arthur reminds him.

Merlin groans. "Don't remind me, Mordred's been begging me for a wii. All his friends at school have them and when he looks at me with those wide blue eyes of his..."Merlin trails off. "You got plans for Christmas?"

"Well Morgana will want me to pop over at some point so I can force her abysmal homemade mince pies down my throat and tell her how delicious they are. Other than that I was planning on spending it with you...and Mordred of course."

"Yeah?"

"I mean, I was just assuming and hoping..."

"No, I mean yes, I'd like that." He lifts his head and presses his lips against Arthur's. Arthur quickly reciprocates and the gentle kiss turns heated within seconds.

After a trip to the hospital to replace Merlin's cast with a wrist brace, the rest of the day was spent buying a tree and decorations, both men leaving the actual decorating to an excited Mordred.

Christmas comes up suddenly with Merlin finishing his Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Sharing bills instead of paying rent has eased Merlin's money worries enough that he could spend a little more on Mordred than usual, and find a little something for Arthur. It had taken him ages, searching a million shops for just the right present.

Christmas morning starts early for Merlin and Arthur with Mordred knocking loudly on their door. Arthur grumbles loudly as Merlin forces him out from underneath the warm covers and into the cold air, only shutting up once he's dressed in warm pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers. Merlin thinks Arthur looks like an octogenarian, hunched over and shuffling sleepily towards the door but resists the urge to voice his opinion.

They find Mordred sitting in a pile of ripped up wrapping paper, the little presents from his stocking piled up beside him.

"Woah, slow down Mordred, you've got the whole day to fill," Merlin reminds him. He bypasses the living room and enters the kitchen, heading straight for the fridge to begin making bacon sandwiches for the three of them, a Christmas tradition of his and Mordred's that Arthur was enthusiastic to become a part of.

The smell of coffee and bacon wakes Arthur up properly and he promptly joins Merlin in the kitchen for a proper morning kiss. His arms wrap around Merlin's waist and presses kisses to the back of his neck until he turns around in the embrace. "The bacon will burn," Merlin warns him.

"I like it crispy," Arthur replies before brushing his lips against Merlin's.

A simple "Yuck!" from Mordred breaks them apart and Merlin laughs.

"Definitely yuck," he agrees. "Morning breath."

Arthur pokes Merlin in the side in retaliation and disappears back into the lounge with Mordred. Merlin hears the TV turn on and the tell-tale fragmented sounds of channel surfing. Returning to his task, he quickly fills three bread rolls with layers of curled bacon. He adds ketchup to Mordred's and brown sauce to Arthur's, leaving his own plain and carries them on a tray into the lounge.

All three sandwiches are consumed within minutes, all of them too busy eating to talk, with Mordred popping Smarties from his stocking into his mouth in-between bites of his bacon sarnie

"That's disgusting," Arthur finally speaks, grimacing. Merlin snorts and shakes his head.

Mordred downs the last remaining Smarties from the tube, crunching them loudly before speaking. "Can I open my presents now?" he asks, his mouth full of brown, slimy chocolate.

"Finish your food before speaking," Merlin chastises. Mordred rolls his eyes and chews fast before swallowing and opening his mouth at Merlin to prove it's empty. "Okay, go crazy."

Mordred grins and dives into the pile of presents under the tree. The first couple are from Merlin who receives hugs for the stationary set and books. Arthur then opens a pristinely wrapped present from Morgana; a shiny leather briefcase with Arthur's initials on the side in gold lettering.

Will's present to Merlin is another ridiculous gag gift which he is used to receiving and the dancing Santa gets thrown behind the sofa with a chuckle.

The next present to be opened is Arthur's from Merlin and he holds his breath as the blonde rips open the paper.

"A photo frame," Arthur says with a smile, gripping the varnished wooden frame.

Merlin shrugs ."You don't have any photos around, I just thought..."

"I love it, thank you Merlin." He leans over and kisses Merlin chastely.

"Urgh, are you two going to be soppy now because there are a few more presents to open?" Mordred moans.

Merlin rolls his eyes. "Continue."

Mordred sticks his tongue out at Merlin and pulls out the biggest box. . He reads the tag. "It's for me, from Arthur" Merlin raises an eyebrow in Arthur's direction. He certainly hadn't told Arthur to get Mordred anything and he hopes Arthur didn't feel like he had to.

Mordred sheds the present of its paper with ease and his eyes widen. "It's a wii! Merlin, Arthur got me a wii!" Mordred puts the box down and launches into Arthur's arms. "Thank you!"

Arthur laughs. "You're welcome, I knew you wanted one. There's also some games and accessories under the tree to go with it."

"It's the best present I've ever got!"

"Hey Mordred, why don't you start setting that up in your bedroom," Merlin suggests before pressing his lips together tightly.

Mordred grabs the box and scrambles to his feet. It's only when Mordred's bedroom slams shut that he looks at Arthur. "Really? A Wii?"

"What?" Arthur shrugs.

"You don't think it's a little extravagant?"

"He wanted one and I could get it for him. What's the problem?"

Merlin sighs. "Nothing, never mind."

"Come on, open your present," Arthur says, quickly changing the subject and reaching under the tree before handing Merlin his gift.

Merlin opens the present cautiously, worried about how much had been spent on him but finds himself pleasantly surprised by the simple leather diary he finds. "This is lovely," he says softly.

"Open it," Arthur prompts.

With a click the clasp opens and as Merlin opens the book a piece of paper flutters out and onto Merlin's lap. He picks it up and stares for a long time at the cheque in his hand.

"This is fifteen thousand pounds."

"I know."

Merlin meet's Arthur's eyes. "Why have you given me fifteen thousand pounds?"

"It's so you can go back to uni and finish your degree," Arthur explains.

"And you thought I would just accept this no questions asked?" Merlin demands, a frown forming across his face. "If so you don't know me at all." Merlin rips the cheque in into pieces. "I can't believe this, I thought you understood."

"Well I obviously don't because I thought you'd be happy to go back and finish your degree."

"Not everything can be solved by money Arthur. You can't just throw it at a problem and make it all go away!"

"Why not?" Arthur asks. "As far as I see the only thing standing in the way of you being happy is you. You refuse to let yourself have anything you want and I don't know whether your self-esteem issues are so bad you think you're not worthy or you're too fucking scared to go after what you really want in case you fail."

Merlin's eyes glisten, the hurt visible. "Low blow," he breathes.

Arthur sags, the fight inside him gone. "Merlin…" He reaches out but Merlin pulls away.

"You should go...visit Morgana." Merlin quickly pulls himself to his feet and disappears into Mordred's bedroom.

Arthur leaves reluctantly, worried that he'll find an empty flat when he returns. But, when he returns hours later, a little drunk and feeling sick from being force-fed inedible mince pies, Merlin is still there. It doesn't matter that Merlin's moved back into his own bedroom and is refusing to talk to him.

"Happy Christmas," he sighs, head pressed against the wooden door between him and Merlin.