"Hey," Arthur greeted when he entered the apartment.
"Oh, look who's back," Merlin rose from the couch. Arthur smiled. " How was your conference?"
"Better than I anticipated. " Arthur hung his coat up. "There's still some work to do for the expansion but we should have it ready in the next six months."
"Woah, wait, where are you expanding?" Merlin asked.
" We're making a new Wales branch" Arthur said. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and his tie hung loosely around his neck.
"New South Wales, Australia?" Merlin questioned.
"No, like Newport." Arthur explained.
" Oh." Merlin breathed.
"Disappointed I'm not moving to Australia?" Arthur teased.
"No, someone's got to help with Mordred." Merlin retorted.
Arthur looked past Merlin to the green crib where the baby in question slept. "How was he?"
"Fine, he just tried to eat everything." Merlin looked over his shoulder. " And he fussed a little before bed."
"I've watched a lot of night news with him because he fussed too much." Arthur said. They both leaned over the side of the crib.
"Anything interesting?" Merlin asked.
"Not really, " Arthur replied. His eyes were focused on the sleeping child. " I think he gets bored with it too so he goes to sleep."
"Makes sense." Merlin looked over to Arthur then back at Mordred.
"You miss me?" Arthur tugged on Merlin's sleeve. Merlin was wearing a Navy t shirt that was very much so not his.
"No." Merlin denied. " Just got used to you."
" Then why'd you steal my shirt?" Arthur teased.
"Want it back?" Merlin asked.
"Not yet." Arthur said. " I'll get it back later." When you realize I'm here to stay.
"I suppose you expect me to wash it?" Merlin asked.
"Obviously Merlin."
"Well then maybe I'll keep it." Merlin taunted.
"You'd steal one of my three t-shirts?" Arthur pressed a hand to his chest and pretended to look offended.
Merlin shrugged, "You'd steal mine if you weren't so fat."
"I am not fat." Arthur protested. True, there was a size disparity, but Arthur knew it to be all muscle. Even the t-shirt was too large for Merlin, it hung loosely from his arms and draped his torso to mid-thigh.
"Yes you are." Merlin turned to Arthur with a big grin.
"I am not." Arthur denied.
Merlin looked back down at Mordred. "Only a little then."
"It's all muscle," Arthur argued.
"Suuure it is," Merlin pulled on each syllable to stretch the word out like taffy.
Arthur placed a hand on either side of Merlin's torso and lifted him up in one swift motion. "It is." Merlin dangled in the air.
"Put me down Arthur." He laughed.
"Not until you say I'm not fat." Arthur slung Merlin over his shoulder.
"But you are." Merlin laughed.
"Not." Arthur added.
Merlin readjusted himself to look at Arthur. It only half worked, but the side of his head was better than his back. "I could get used to this, being carried around thing."
Arthur smirked and dropped Merlin on the couch. Merlin laughed but reached out for Arthur. "Fine you're not fat," Merlin agreed. "Just gracefully chubby."
"Gracefully chubby?" Arthur asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, I think the description suits you." Merlin beamed. He knocked Arthur's knees, sending the blond toppling over and onto the 's hands pressed against his starched white shirt.
"Missed you two." Arthur sighed.
Merlin moved his hands to hold Arthur's face, "I know. We did too."