Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Merlin or the movie Pretty Woman.
Warning: Non explicit attempted non-consensual sex, it doesn't go very far but just as a warning. Sexual situations coming up.
Part 4/4.
Arthur smiled at the sight Merlin made, lying opposite him in the bed, face serene with a happy little smile on his face as he daydreamed. Arthur lay opposite him watching the emotions fly across Merlin's face. Merlin stirred eyes seeking Arthur and smiling at him brightly.
"The first person I was in love with was a girl named Morgause, she was a total nothing. The second person was a guy named Aredian who was even worse. My mum called me a jerk magnet; she said that if there was a jerk in a fifty mile radius of me I would be attracted to them. That's how I ended up here; I followed jerk number three, Nimueh. So there I was, no money, no friends and no jerk." Merlin spoke softly, he had accepted it a while ago, but he did regret ever dating Nimueh and Aredian; that had not been a good time for him. And if Merlin ever met them again he wouldn't want to miss punching them in the face at least once but that part of his life was over now.
"So you chose this as your profession." Arthur said with a wry slightly questioning smile. Merlin smiled sadly eyes unfocused as he recalled his past.
"I worked at a couple of fast food places, parked cars at wrestling. But I couldn't make the rent. I was too ashamed to go home, I'd cut my ties. That's when I met Gwaine." Merlin smiled, Gwaine was an amazing friend.
"He was a hooker and made it sound much more...glamorous than it is. So one day I...did it. I locked myself in the bathroom afterwards and cried for hours. But then I got some regulars and well...It's not some childhood dream or anything but..." Merlin trailed off shrugging.
"You could be so much more." Arthur sighed; Merlin (when he paid attention) was clever, he could do anything he set him mind to. Merlin smiled wistfully.
"People put you down enough you start to believe them." Merlin said sadly.
"I think you're a very special, very bright person." Arthur said fondly.
"The bad stuffs easier to believe." Merlin smiled regretfully.
xxx
Arthur left his office earlier than usual; he hoped Merlin would enjoy their time tonight. Edwin caught him as he was leaving.
"Arthur you need to sign this-" Edwin began but Arthur cut him off.
"Don't panic Edwin, Bayard will keep till tomorrow. I'll be back here in the morning." Arthur said turning to the receptionist.
"Did you send the tickets to the hotel?" Arthur asked nodding in satisfaction when the reply was positive.
"Where are you going?" Edwin asked walking after Arthur.
"I have a date." Arthur replied brusquely.
"With the hooker?" Edwin said incredulously. Arthur froze before turning around slowly.
"Be careful Edwin." Arthur said frostily before turning around and leaving the building. Merlin was so much more than a prostitute.
xxx
Merlin fiddled with his tuxedo nervously while Arthur looked him up and down.
"Hmmm. Something's missing." Arthur said with a mischievous smile on his face. Merlin looked at himself panicking slightly as he tried to find what was missing. Arthur chuckled in amusement pulling out a box.
"Now don't get too excited this is only a loan." Arthur warned as he opened the box. Inside was an expensive looking watch and a pair of sapphire cufflinks. Merlin looked at the items askance.
"Am I supposed to wear them?" Merlin asked. Arthur rolled his eyes; he had expected gratitude, not Merlin looking slightly annoyed he had to wear the expensive items.
"But what if I lose them? How much would that be?" Merlin asked looking wary as he put on the frippery.
"About quarter of a million." Arthur said with a smile. Merlin groaned.
"I'm going to spend the whole evening worried about the silly expensive trinkets now." Merlin groused good naturedly. Arthur smiled, a mixture of exasperation and fondness crinkling his face. He should have known that such a show of wealth wouldn't impress or do much for Merlin whose tastes were much simpler. It was rare though, that a gift (or semi gift) from him was met with less than fervent gratitude, it was refreshing in a way but Arthur made a mental note to try and work out what gifts would actually please Merlin.
"Where are we going?" Merlin asked as they got into the lift to get to the lobby of the hotel.
"It's a surprise." Arthur replied. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"If I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight." Merlin said with a slightly mischievous but overall sweet smile twisting his lips. Arthur swallowed dryly but sent a fond amused grin back to Merlin.
"When you're not fidgeting you look stunning and very tall." Arthur said aside to Merlin as they walked through the lobby. Merlin laughed, he was about a cm taller than Arthur and Arthur had said that sounding slightly put out.
"We're late." Merlin commented as they walked swiftly into the opera house.
"No, we're fine. Opening night never starts on time." Arthur replied leading Merlin to their seats. Merlin grinned as they were shown to seats that were above the ground, there was even a balcony type thing.
"Hey come over here! You've gotta look at this." Merlin called to Arthur leaning slightly over the edge.
"It's alright I've already seen it." Arthur said looking visibly uncomfortable and keeping his gaze averted from the edge.
"If you're afraid of heights then why did you get seats this high up?" Merlin asked settling into the seat closest to the edge so Arthur wouldn't have to sit there. Arthur bit back the immediate response that he wasn't afraid, heights only made him uncomfortable.
"Because they're the best." Arthur responded dryly.
"If it's all in Italian how will I understand what's going on?" Merlin asked fiddling with the opera glasses trying to get them to stop collapsing. Arthur took the glasses from him with a smile and set them so Merlin could actually look through them.
"It's very expressive; you'll know what's going on." Arthur reassured him.
"There's a band!" Merlin said pointing to the musicians. Arthur couldn't hold back a smile of amusement; he would bet the orchestra would take offence at being called a band.
When the opera started Arthur had to actually force himself to watch the stage rather than Merlin's expressive facial features as they ran through every emotion.
Arthur caught himself staring at Merlin far more than actually watching the opera. In the dimmed lights Merlin looked positively ethereal, pale skin flushed with emotion, blue eyes glittering. Arthur fought to keep his hands to himself as his eyes traced Merlin's form. Merlin was in a slightly unconventional way beautiful, long limbs, pale skin that almost glowed with vitality, stormy eyes and contrastingly dark hair. But it was Merlin's emotions, the expressions on his face that kept Arthur entranced.
Arthur fought the urge to crush Merlin to him, to make sure he had him in his grasp, to make sure Merlin couldn't slip away like mist in the morning. To make sure he was actually there. Merlin was almost to fairytale to be true and Arthur almost needed tangible proof that he was sitting there, right next to him.
xxx
"No that's-"
"I moved the queen, I like the queen." Merlin responded with a grin over the top of the chess board still dressed in his tuxedo from the opera. Arthur shook his head with a wry grin.
"You can't move it there..." Arthur informed him; they chuckled companionably when their eyes met.
"Why don't we finish this tomorrow, it's really late and I have to work in the morning." Arthur suggested with a glance at his watch.
"Why don't you not go to work tomorrow, take the day off." Merlin suggested long fingers toying with one of the chess pieces absently.
"Me not work?" Arthur asked incredulously, he would be the first to admit he was somewhat of a workaholic.
"Yes." Merlin said gazing at him steadily.
"I do own the company..." Arthur trailed off distracted by Merlin's wide smile.
xxx
Edwin peered at the paperwork in front of him absently. He nearly jumped when his secretary entered the room.
"Mr Pendragon called." She said putting the paperwork he had asked for on his desk.
"What did he say?" Edwin asked.
"He said he's taking the day off." She answered.
"He's taking the day off?!" Edwin parroted.
"That's what he said." The secretary said shaking her head with a smile as she left the office.
xxx
Merlin walked on the edge of the fountain sure of his balance. He yelped when Arthur shoved him lightly and went with a splash into the water pulling a laughing Arthur with him. They sat up in the fountain giggling like school boys completely drenched. Arthur eyed his suit ruefully while Merlin laughed uncaring about the state of his jeans and t-shirt, even if they were a designer brand.
Merlin pulled Arthur out of the fountain wide smile not diminishing even as he shivered slightly. It was a sunny day but they were soaked and their body temperatures were cooling rapidly. Merlin spied a burger van nearby and dragged Arthur over to it.
"I'm hungry, let's grab a burger and a hot chocolate and dry off in the sun on the grass over there." Merlin suggested reaching into Arthur's pocket and nicking his wallet to pay for the burgers and hot chocolates. Arthur mock scowled at Merlin's presumption but joined him in laughing as the poor man in the burger stand accepted the soaking wet paper money with a grimace.
They settled in the sun and Arthur rang up his secretary to check on the goings on quickly. Merlin rolled his eyes as he pulled Arthur's shoes off as well as the still soaking socks.
"...Read the first two pages." Arthur ordered his secretary. Merlin stood up and plucked Arthur's phone from his grasp and cancelled the call ignoring Arthur's protests and putting the phone away with a pointed look.
xxx
The next day Arthur also decided not to go into work so Merlin suggested they go paintballing, something that was an absolute success despite the fact neither of them had ever been before.
Arthur was a good tactician but Merlin excelled in sneaky attacks so while when they paired up they were great against other people when they pitted themselves against each other it was absolutely thrillingly amazing. Arthur even relaxed enough to ditch the suit and wear a shirt and trousers and much to Merlin's delight Arthur wore the shirt with the top three buttons undone, something Arthur had never done before.
Both came away with a collection of various bruises.
Bruises that they explored in great detail later in the privacy of the hotel room.
xxx
On the third day that Arthur was skipping work and spending time with Merlin they drove near to where Arthur had first picked Merlin up.
"Arthur could we stop here for a second so I can go and talk to my roommate?" Merlin asked hesitantly.
"Sure." Arthur said telling the driver to park outside the club they were driving next to.
"I'm just gonna go see if Gwaine is here, I'll be back in a minute. I hope they don't spot the limousine..." Merlin said as he walked into the club.
Merlin searched for Gwaine ignoring the looks and comments sent his way, he was wearing clothing that made him stand out, designer brands weren't exactly common in the club. Merlin sighed when he couldn't find him and made his way to the bar instructing the barman to give Gwaine the number he wrote down if Gwaine came to the bar and to call him or come to the hotel Merlin was staying at.
Merlin walked out of the club to find Cenred and his gang advancing onto Arthur.
"What's going on out here?" Merlin asked cautiously making his way to stand next to Arthur.
"I don't know. You left and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of Westside Story." Arthur quipped.
"I think you owe me some money, Merlin." Cenred said stepping forward menacingly.
"£200." One of Cenred's gang piped up helpfully.
"Don't you have school tomorrow?" Arthur said condescendingly.
"I hear you got yourself a new job." Cenred said raking his eyes over Merlin's form.
"Let's just leave." Merlin said attempting to shrug past Cenred.
"You're going nowhere." Cenred said advancing onto Merlin.
"Hey!" Arthur exclaimed planting himself between Merlin and Cenred. Merlin bit down the annoyance that surged, he could take care of himself. One of the gang members lifted up his skateboard a knife coming out of the end. Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Right. So you believe that this person-" Here Arthur gestured to Merlin. "owes you money."
"That's right."
"Why?" Arthur asked keeping the knife in view.
"Because this is my block." Cenred said. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"His block?" Arthur turned asking Merlin for clarification.
"He's a drug dealer; it's to do with Gwaine. Let's just leave, Arthur." Merlin said exasperated.
"Arthur. So how's it feel to be a trick." Cenred said.
"I am not a trick. This is a trick." Arthur gestured for his driver to reveal the gun he had on his person. Cenred and his gang backed away slowly.
"Isn't that incredible and he does have a permit. Don't you ever go near Merlin again." Arthur warned crowding Cenred eyes flashing with suppressed rage.
xxx
Merlin excited the bathroom wearing one of Arthur's shirts it hung off him slightly, Merlin was far slighter than Arthur's strong frame but about the same height. Merlin paused staring at the bed and smiling softly.
"He sleeps." Merlin muttered. Arthur barely ever actually slept; Merlin had never seen him asleep because when Arthur usually fell asleep Merlin was already deep under. Merlin felt a surge of tenderness and love well up in him as he looked at the slack facial features and the chest bare above the covers.
Slowly, silently Merlin sat next to Arthur's slumbering form eyes tracing the handsome features with a different sort of hunger than lust. Merlin leaned forward eyes locked on the soft lips. Gently, oh so gently Merlin pressed his lips to Arthur's in their first kiss of the lips. He felt Arthur wake up but Arthur stayed still, lips moving minutely against Merlin's. Merlin smiled into the kiss and Arthur tenderly cradled the back of his head before deepening their kiss.
Merlin shuddered at the intimacy, lips seeking more, groaning out loud when Arthur's tongue gently traced the seam of his lips and parting under the gentle pressure. Arthur sat up slightly repositioning them so Merlin was seated firmly on his lap.
Hands wandered while their lips stayed welded together. Arthur divested Merlin of the too large shirt he was wearing all without separating their lips. Kissing was so much more intimate than sex, kissing meant you could see the other persons eyes up close and watch the emotion flicker past, kissing could be tender in a way sex just couldn't be.
And when they came, together, mouths fused; drinking in each other's moans and eyes locked...it was indescribable.
When they were sated, drowsy, Merlin wrapped in Arthur's arms Merlin's whispered 'I love you' wasn't such a shock and both Arthur and Merlin fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
xxx
Merlin woke up in the bed alone as usual although for once Arthur had actually slept in the bed too. Merlin wrapped himself up in one of the dressing gowns wandering out to the room where the dining table was set out. He smiled as he saw Arthur seated at the table eating his breakfast.
"What are you thinking about sitting at the table by yourself?" Merlin asked curiously drifting closer not resisting when Arthur pulled him onto his lap.
"The fact that this will be our last night together then you'll finally be rid of me." Arthur commented slowly. Merlin's smile was a little painful around the edges.
"Well you've been pretty tough to take." Merlin said elbowing Arthur and grinning cheekily.
"My business is almost over so I'll be going back to Edinburgh." Arthur paused. "I'd really like to see you again." Arthur said toying with a fork. Merlin pecked him on the cheek getting off Arthur's lap and sitting on a chair next to him instead.
"You would?" Merlin asked, a smile blooming on his face.
"Yes. Yes I would. I've arranged for you to have an apartment, a car, everything's done." Arthur stated pleased with himself. Merlin felt the smile slide right off his face.
"What else? Are you going to leave some money by the bed when you pass through?" Merlin asked rubbing his temple. Arthur looked so pleased with himself about the offer; couldn't he see how insulting it was?
"Merlin it really wouldn't be like that." Arthur said smile fading when he saw his offer wasn't being taken well. Merlin turned to face Arthur.
"How would it be?" Merlin asked fingers twisting hidden by the table.
"Well for one thing it would get you off the streets." Arthur stated. Merlin snorted without amusement.
"That's just geography." Merlin snapped standing up from the table and wandering out to the balcony. Arthur sighed and followed him staying away from the edge.
"Merlin, what is it you want?" Arthur asked exasperation lacing his words.
"What do you see happening between us?" Arthur asked hands in his pockets.
"I don't know." Merlin sighed shrugging his shoulders and eyeing the cars below despondently.
"When I was little, my mother would lock me in the attic whenever I was bad, which was quite a lot and I would daydream. Not once in the daydreams I had of me and my future partner did they ever say 'come on, I'll put you up in a fancy apartment'." Merlin said a slightly bitter twist to his mouth.
The phone rang interrupting the tense silence between them. Arthur hesitated for a second before answering the call.
"I had to call, I just got off the phone with Bayard, get this." Edwin's voice came through the receiver. Arthur gazed at Merlin's still form still by the balcony resenting the interruption.
"He wants to meet with you, today."
"What about." Arthur sighed looking away from the oddly mesmerising view of Merlin's melancholic features.
"He wouldn't say. Arthur, I think we've got him. His heads on the block, we got him. Look he's really caving in, I can get him in for a meeting this afternoon."
"No, if he's really caving in I can get to a meeting this morning." Arthur said hanging up when Edwin agreed.
"I have to go now." Arthur said shrugging on his jacket facing Merlin. "I want you to understand, everything I said, it's all I'm capable of right now. It's a very big step for me." Arthur said as Merlin picked a hair off of Arthur's jacket absently.
"I know." Merlin said swallowing. "It's a really good offer for someone like me." Merlin said with a shallow smile.
"I've never treated you like a prostitute." Arthur said before heading for the door. Merlin smiled without rancour.
"You just did." He whispered to the empty air.
xxx
"Gwaine!" Merlin grinned as he saw Gwaine's unmistakable mop of hair in the lobby. Gwaine whistled when he caught sight of Merlin.
"You clean up real nice." Gwaine said with a grin as Merlin led him to the pool side, the hotel gardens.
"It's easy to clean up when you've got money." Merlin remarked dryly.
"So, when does he leave?" Gwaine asked flicking his brown curls out of his eyes.
"Tomorrow." Merlin sighed.
"You get to keep the clothes?" Gwaine asked tipping his chair back so it was balancing on two legs.
"Yeah. Arthur asked me if I wanted to see him again but I think definitely no. It would just be another week right?" Merlin said running a hand through his hair.
"Definitely no." Gwaine repeated tipping forward and staring at Merlin searchingly.
"Oh no. You like him, you love him." Gwaine said looking at Merlin ignoring Merlin's pitiful denial. "Did you kiss him? On the mouth?" Gwaine asked. Merlin nodded silently eyes avoiding Gwaine.
"Have you forgotten everything I taught you?" Gwaine sighed. "You like him? You really like him?" Gwaine asked seriously for once losing his easy smile.
"Well he's not a bum, he doesn't seem to be a jerk, he's a rich classy guy. You could do worse." Gwaine grinned. "It could work, it happens." Gwaine said optimistically.
"When does it happen, Gwaine? Give me one name, someone we know where it's worked out for them." Merlin said leaning back in his seat.
"Cinder-fucking-rella." Gwaine retorted swiftly, joining in with Merlin's laughter.
xxx
Arthur paced by the windows of the board room mind racing over the possibilities. Either he brought the company and sold it in pieces or he helped Bayard and they make ships together. Short term profit against long term profit.
"I've reconsidered the proposition you put to me. I'm not so concerned about myself but the people working for me." Bayard said a worried frown wrinkling his forehead more so than usual. He looked defeated.
"Excuse me. Gentlemen, I'd like to speak to Mr. Bayard by myself." Arthur interrupted coming to a decision. He ignored Edwin's protests and waited until everyone was out of the room before turning to Bayard.
"I've change my mind..." Arthur began.
xxx
Arthur called the others back in and left the room saying they could finish off without him. He smiled as he heard Edwin's questions about what was going on. He moved away from the door and wandered outside the building, pausing before he got into his car and deciding instead to wander over to the nearby fountain for a while.
xxx
Merlin set the bag he was packing down when the doorbell went. Much to his confusion and slight unease it wasn't Arthur at the door but Edwin.
"Well, well. Hello again. I'm looking for Arthur." Edwin greeted looking past Merlin and into the room. Merlin frowned.
"Arthur's not here. I thought he was with you." Merlin said frowning.
"No, no. Arthur is definitely not with me." Edwin said bitterly as he invited himself in. Merlin closed the door slowly his confusion evident.
"No, if Arthur was with me, when, when Arthur was with me he didn't blow of billion pound deals. No, I think that Arthur's with you." Edwin said unbuttoning the top button of his shirt and pouring himself a glass of the whiskey that was on the side.
"Mind if I have a drink?" Edwin asked already raising his glass to his lips.
"No." Merlin muttered wandering over to the sofa and away from Edwin.
"You?" Edwin offered holding out the glass.
"No thank you." Merlin responded politely if a bit coldly.
"I'll just wait here." Edwin said seating himself at the small bar in the room.
"Arthur will be home any minute now." Merlin said pulling out a small notepad and a pen.
"You know...This is not home. This is a hotel room and you are a hooker." Edwin said sitting uncomfortably close to Merlin and placing his half drunk whiskey on the table.
"A very good hooker maybe." Edwin gave him as Merlin tried to discretely edge away.
"Maybe if I do you I wouldn't care about losing millions of pounds. I have to be very honest with you, right now Merlin, right now I really do care and right now I'm really pissed off, you know, right now I am freaking out." Edwin stroked on the exposed skin of Merlin's hip, Merlin was less discrete in his attempts to create more space between them this time.
"So maybe if I screw you and take you to the opera then I'd be a happy guy just like Arthur." Edwin said forcing apart Merlin's thighs with his hands. Merlin wriggled trying to escape the surprisingly strong grip.
"Get off me!" Merlin exclaimed pushing at Edwin and trying to get away which was not easy when he was in the corner with no ready escape routes, Edwin was blocking his way.
Merlin bit, scratched, kicked and hit at Edwin. He managed to get just away from him when a glancing blow from Edwin sent him sprawling. Merlin cried out as his head hit the corner of the coffee table. He crumpled to the floor like a marionette with its strings cut. Blearily Merlin felt Edwin climb on top of him and fumble with the zip of his trousers before Edwin's weight suddenly disappeared.
Through slightly double vision Merlin watched from the floor as Arthur chucked Edwin out but not before sending a firm blow to Edwin's nose. Merlin hoped it was broken. He struggled to sit up clutching his head as his vision swam and his stomach rolled nauseously.
Shakily Merlin made his way to the sofa his head pounding unmercifully and vision blurry.
xxx
Arthur was absolutely spitting mad. Edwin had come into his hotel suite and tried to...tried to...he had hurt Merlin! Blinded with fury Arthur had pulled Edwin off of Merlin's distressingly still from, an ominous dark bruise forming on Merlin's forehead. Arthur had dragged Edwin to the door of the hotel room before pushing him towards the door.
"He's a god dam whore Arthur!" Edwin exclaimed. Arthur scowled not even thinking as he drew his hand back and punched Edwin square in the nose sending him to the ground. Arthur winced shaking out his knuckles; he had felt the cartilage give way under his fist.
"I've been working with you for eight years! I've devoted eight years to you, Arthur!" Edwin protested as Arthur threw his brief case out of the open door.
"Bullshit! That's utter bullshit! I've made you a very rich man doing what you love!" Arthur shouted pushing him out of the door without further ado.
xxx
Carefully Arthur wrapped a napkin round some ice and placed it gently on the swelling lump on Merlin's head. Merlin winced at the icy coolness on his tender head but he didn't flinch away.
"I heard about what you did with Bayard." Merlin began toying with the ice wrapped around Arthur's own knuckles.
"It was a business decision." Arthur stated dismissively. Merlin tried to raise an eyebrow but winced at the action.
"It was good." Merlin said smiling at Arthur with fond pride.
"It felt good." Arthur admitted, but not half as good as the way he felt when Merlin looked at him like that. Merlin shrugged the ice off and sat up from his reclining position on the couch trying to ignore his throbbing head.
"I'd better get going." Merlin said avoiding Arthur's gaze.
"Yes, I'd noticed you've packed. Why are you leaving now?" Arthur asked. Merlin stood up from the couch running a hand through his hair carefully avoiding the lump.
"Look you made me a really nice offer and a few months ago no problem but now everything is different. You changed me and you can't change back...I want more." Merlin stated simply. A few months ago he wouldn't have minded being offered a deal where he was given an apartment, a car and spending money but now, being given that and being within reaching distance of Arthur but without his love...that would kill Merlin.
Merlin wasn't one to sit alone in a house and pine for a man he only saw every few months.
"How much more?" Arthur asked standing up also. Merlin smiled wistfully drinking in Arthur.
"I want the fairytale." Merlin said referring to the conversation he and Gwaine had had where Gwaine cited that Cinderella got her happy ending with her prince.
Merlin sat on the floor pulling on his shoes. Arthur sat down heavily next to him and handed him the money. Merlin took it with a smile fiddling with his shoes.
"Thank you." Arthur said quietly.
"You're welcome." Merlin responded subdued.
"If you ever need anything, expensive unnecessary watches or cufflinks..." Arthur and Merlin shared a short chuckle over that.
"Seriously if you ever need anything just ring this number." Arthur said handing over a card with his personal phone number.
"I had a good time." Merlin said bumping his shoulder against Arthur's.
"Me too."
They walked to the door together, Merlin's arms full with the bags. Arthur reached for the door handle then paused looking into Merlin's eyes.
"Stay. Stay for the night, not because I'm paying you but because you want to." Arthur entreated. Merlin smiled sadly.
"I can't." Merlin said seriously and with no little despair. Arthur nodded reluctantly opening the door and holding it open so Merlin could walk through. Arthur shut it softly behind Merlin's retreating back and he leaned against it sighing in resignation.
xxx
Merlin put his bags on the desk in the lobby and walked over to Gaius.
"Hi, Gaius." Merlin greeted Gaius with a warm smile.
"Mr Merlin." Gaius said with a tilt to his head.
"I wanted to say goodbye."
"I assume you won't be accompanying Mr Pendragon to Edinburgh then?" Gaius said kindly.
"Come on Gaius, you and me live in the real world. Most of the time." Merlin quipped grinning.
"Have you arranged for transportation?" Gaius queried raising a questioning eyebrow.
"I'll just call a cab." Merlin shrugged.
"Please, allow me." Gaius entreated calling over the man who had driven Merlin and Arthur the other day.
"Please take Mr Merlin wherever he wishes to go." Gaius asked the driver. Merlin held out his hand to shake and Gaius grasped it in a deceptively strong grip that belied his age.
"Do take the time to come and visit us again." Gaius suggested with a smile, far cry from when he had said they would never see Merlin again. Merlin grinned in agreement.
"Take care." Merlin departed feeling a strange sense of loss. He looked back once when the limo drove away from the hotel.
xxx
Arthur watched from the balcony (not stepping near the edge) as the limo drove away, Merlin with it.
xxx
Merlin packed his things with Gwaine watching despondently from a chair.
"You sure you want to go to America? San Francisco?" Gwaine asked once again. Merlin smiled sadly.
"I want to finish my education, get a job." Merlin said once again. Gwaine jumped up clutching Merlin in a surprise embrace.
"Take care with you." Gwaine said stepping back. Merlin tucked some money into the pocket of Gwaine's leather jacket.
"What's that for?" Gwaine asked confused.
"That's the beginnings of a scholarship fund. You've got a lot of potential." Merlin said straightening Gwaine's jacket. Gwaine's smile bloomed brown eyes gleaming.
xxx
Arthur made his way to the reception desk at the lobby.
"You don't have any messages for me, do you?" Arthur asked Gaius hoping he didn't sound as pathetically hopeful as he was.
"I'm afraid not, Mr Pendragon." Arthur nodded.
"Call me a car to take me to the airport, would you?" Arthur asked absently.
"Of course, Mr Pendragon."
"One last thing, could you return these to Morgana's jewellers." Arthur asked putting a box on the desk.
"Of course, may I?" Gaius question indicating to the box and opening it at Arthur's nod. There nestled in the boxes foam was an expensive looking watch with matching sapphire cufflinks to the side.
"Must be difficult to let go of something so beautiful." Gaius said not referring to the watch or the cufflinks.
"You know the driver, Percival, also drove Mr Merlin home yesterday." Gaius informed Arthur. Arthur looked at Gaius in silence.
"I'll take care of it." Gaius said indicating to the box.
"Thank you." Arthur inclined his head and turned leaving the lobby.
Arthur sat in the limo the different possibilities running through his head. The weather outside seemed to reflect his mood, it was a dreary rainy day and Arthur watched the drops hit the window and run down the glass with a despondent glance.
"The plane is leaving on schedule sir; you should be back in Edinburgh in no time." Percival informed Arthur breaking the silence as they drove on route to the airport.
xxx
Merlin looked at the clock and sighed hoisting up his rucksack. A car horn beeping from outside made his pause, it couldn't be for him, he was going to take a bus to the airport. When the car horn sounded again Merlin sighed damming his curiosity as he went to the window.
"Merlin! Merlin!" Arthur's voice called and Merlin watched laughter bubbling in his throat as he saw a limo driving down the street with Arthur standing up, his upper torso through the window in the roof of the limo. Merlin couldn't suppress a wide grin as Arthur hopped out of the limo not bothering to wait for the door but jumping out the top.
Merlin walked over to the balcony leaning against the rail and watching as Arthur drew near.
"Had to be the top floor." Arthur called up looking up at Merlin.
"It's the best!" Merlin quipped back his wide grin not diminishing. Arthur edged up the flights clinging to the wall when he could and staying as far from the edge as physically possible. Merlin decided to help the man a little and walked down one flight to meet Arthur.
Arthur grabbed him meshing their mouths together with earnest desperation.
Merlin just laughed as they stood there exchanging kisses and getting soaked from the rain.
They may not have been perfect, it wasn't much of a fairytale with their broken pasts but Merlin knew he wasn't going to let this chance, this man slip through his fingers.
Fortunately Arthur was of like mind.