Notes: Story is unbetad so just bear with me here, and of course feel free to correct me... I love hearing from you guys to know whether or not your liking my story or not, so reviews are welcome! Thanks for reading!

Merlin sat on his bed, pulling out a comic book. Gwen had just left and he was ready to enjoy having the house to himself, as his mom was off having a girl's night out with her friends from work. He looked down at his phone as he got a text.

'Arthur Pendragon was standing outside of your house pacing and looking ready to run, I sent him up… there might have been some shoving involved, it's for your own good. Have fun :) Love you.
-Gwen'

Merlin read, just as he heard the door click shut downstairs and someone walking in. He shot up, silently cursing Gwen as he tried to tidy his room, shoving his boxers into the closet along with his seasons of doctor who and the gay porn magazine Gwaine had bought to embarrass him. What was Arthur doing here anyways? Was his last thought before hearing a soft knocking on his bedroom door, as though someone was hoping he wouldn't answer.

"Um, come in," he called, sitting back down on his bed.

Arthur strolled in, as though it were completely natural for him to be in Merlin's house, "Your friend said I could come in," he said confidently, showing none of the nervousness Gwen had suggested. He walked around the small room, carefully examining everything. Merlin was suddenly aware of every flaw, he had never notice that small crack in the wall, or the way the paint chipped near the bottom, or even the water stain on his ceiling, but then again he's never had one of the richest guys in school in his room before.

Arthur continued to stand around, not saying anything, and Merlin was quickly getting impatient.

"What are you doing here?" Merlin finally asked, bluntly, but hey he had reason to be confused. Arthur had never talked to him before except to tease him, and then there was that whole prank thing. Merlin didn't exactly have the utmost confidence in him.

Arthur looked surprised, "I came to see if you were okay, you should be grateful."

"Arrogant prat," Merlin muttered, "It took you a month to check up on me? Traffic must have been hell," Merlin said sarcastically.

"Hey! You can't talk to me like that; I'm the one that carried you home in the first place!" Arthur shot back, even as his inner voice told him to just swallow his pride and apologize. To beg for Merlin not to hate him.

"And why were people beating me up?" Merlin asked.

Arthur just threw his arms in the air, mumbling about trying to do the right thing, and turned to storm out, only to have the door swing open on its own.

"Oh! Arthur, right? You startled me," Hunith said, as she stood in front of Merlin's door, "I didn't realize you had company honey. Lucy got sick so we called it a night. Have you eaten yet?" she asked.

"Um, no" Merlin said without thinking, Arthur still standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Well then I'll make us up something, and of course Arthur can stay," she said as she walked out of the room, ignoring the protests of both boys. She actually looked offended when Arthur tried to leave, thinking that it was because he didn't want to put her out.

And so began one of the most awkward dinners of Merlin's life. Arthur and him refusing to meet eyes or talk as they ate a casserole, that Merlin wasn't really sure was in it, and was afraid to ask.

"Merlin, can you help me out in the kitchen?" Hunith asked suddenly, in the middle of the meal, and Merlin jumped at the chance to leave Arthur's company.

"Honey, if you have a boyfriend you don't have to pretend for my sake," she said unexpectantly, handing him a pitcher of juice.

"No! Arthur's not my boyfriend, he's not even gay, or…" my friend, he almost added, but was cut off.

"It's okay honey, I get that you don't want to talk about things with your old mom. Just be smart and use protection, now I'm going to leave you boys alone. There's pie in the fridge," and just like that she walked out of the kitchen and upstairs.

It was then that Merlin remembered just how thin the kitchen walls were. Merlin walked out, cheeks red but looking defiant, to see Arthur picking at his plate.

"Hey, um there's pie, and it's store bought so you don't have to worry," Merlin said, sitting the pie on the table.

"So… you're mom… is that about…. Did she hear about the thing at school?" Arthur asked awkwardly, leaving Merlin looking confused for a second.

"What?... No. Well she heard about some of it obviously, knows about the whole me getting beat up… but she just assumed it happened because I actually am gay, thought the bullies figured it out somehow or just made assumptions on their own. I never corrected her."

"Oh," was all Arthur said, and it was a moment before Merlin realized that he had just come out to the most influential guy in school, which pretty much ruined any chance he had of going back and not getting beat up.

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, although it was strangely less awkward than before. Maybe because before Merlin didn't understand where he stood with Arthur, and now it was obvious. Arthur hated him, which was somehow more comforting than uncertainty.

Which is why Merlin was shaken up when Arthur offered to stay and help with the dishes, even though it was obvious that Arthur had never washed a dish in his life.

"You boys don't have to do that, I'll take care of it," Hunith said as she walked back into the kitchen, no doubt coming to check on Merlin, "why don't you two go watch a movie or something?"

"All done," Arthur said, his charm shining through as he smiled at Merlin's mom, drying the last dish.
"Arthur was just leaving," Merlin hurriedly said, before his mom could suggest something else for them to do.

"Well that's too bad, sure we can't talk you into staying for a bit?" she asked.

"Nope, he has to g…" Merlin was cut off.

"Actually I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second… alone," Arthur said to Hunith, ignoring Merlin's look of confusion.

"Of course," Hunith said, curiosity coloring her voice. "Merlin, please excuse us for a second."

"But…" Merlin started.

"We'll only be a second," Arthur said, cutting him off as Hunith shooed him out of the room.

Merlin sat in his room for what felt like an eternity, trying to listen through the walls, but failing. What could Arthur possibly have to say to his mom? Merlin wondered for the hundredth time, it just didn't make sense. It's not like he could be outing Merlin, because it was obvious that she already knew, but maybe he was trying to convince her that there was something wrong with Merlin, something wrong with being gay.

"So, I've got to go," Arthur said as he burst into Merlin's room, without knocking, "see you at school on Monday," he said before walking back out. Merlin heard the front door slam shut as he sat there stunned, before running down to the living room.

"Hey honey," his mom said from the couch, her voice thick with emotion.

"Mom… what was that about? And why does Arthur think I'll be at school on Monday?" Merlin asked.

""Take a seat, honey." Hunith patted the couch, "Arthur explained everything," she said as he sat down.

"Huh?"

"What he did, and why those kids attacked you, aside from being assholes," she said.

"Momm!" Merlin chided, surprised at his mom's language, "Wait, he did?" Merlin asked, Hunith's words finally catching up to him.

"Arthur's a good kid, obviously not the brightest since it took him so long to realize how special my little boy is. Although he's finally come around, so maybe there's hope for him after all."

"I'm not so sure about that, besides Arthur doesn't think I'm special," Merlin said.

"Mhmm," Hunith hummed, like Merlin was missing the obvious.

Merlin scrunched his eyebrows in confusion, "so what exactly did he say?" he asked.

"Well, what happened of course, and how sorry he is," Merlin rolled his eyes in disbelief, he couldn't imagine Arthur apologizing to anyone. "And that his friends and he never meant you any harm," Hunith continued, "and that now that he's seen the light, he can personally guaranty that no harm will come to you at school."

"…and you believed him?" Merlin asked. As much as he liked to see the best in people, this was high school, and the most popular guy in isn't about to help out a nerd out of the kindness of his heart. Arthur had to have something planned.

"He gave me his word…" Hunith paused, "and of course I asked for all of his father's information. So if anything happens to you I can make sure that Arthur faces the consequences," Hunith said with a smile.

"So… Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Merlin asked.

Hunith just nodded, smirk on her face, "You can go back to school, if you still want to."

"Yesss!" if Merlin's answering shouts of joy were anything to go by, he still wanted to.

Merlin was still wary of Arthur, and the entire school really, but he wasn't about to back down and let them win.