Arthur didn't go back until Sunday. He felt that showing up like he had was a bad idea. He had been planning to not go at all but then the doc had called him.

"Arthur, can you come in tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"Merlin has progressed a lot but he will need to go back to school so he's going to need a lot of support to stay away from Jasper."

"He should go somewhere else away from him."

"No, he's made good friends there. Settled in well. He needs to face Jasper or live in fear. To do that he needs help."

"Okay, I'll try to come."

"How are you getting on Arthur?"

"Better since I came in. I don't feel like a complete bastard any more."

"Good see you soon then."

"Bye."

The place hadn't changed but this time the doc led him straight in to his office and Merlin was there. The two boys stood and starred at each other a moment before they both spoke at once.

"I'm sorry for shouting…"

"I'm sorry for being a bastard…" The word bastard floated in the air. Both boys smiled and left their apologies alone.

"I ask Arthur to come in because. You need to go back to school tomorrow. I realise this is difficult after last time you went back but I had an idea. I'm suggesting you have a bolt put on your door so you don't have to worry at night, the rest of the time it's a matter of saying no."

"If that was all there was too it…" doc held his hand up to stop him.

"It will be easier to say no if you have the ability to move away from him, to deny him access to you. That's where Arthur comes in. I was hoping you would be able to provide Merlin a sanctuary. You have a large space and if Merlin has somewhere to go where Jasper would not come after him. I know you are not maybe as close with each other as Merlin is with Gwen or Mr Gaius but obviously it is not always possible for him to go to Gwen such as at night and Mr Gaius lives off campus I'm told."

"That's it just let him in to my room when he needs me too? I can do that."

"Not just that. You need to make sure you let Merlin fight his own battle let him say no, but if the worst comes to the worst then Merlin will have an emergency bracelet similar to those epileptics sometimes wear. Since most likely if it is needed it will be difficult to deal with someone has to have the receiver and sort out a response."

"So, if he's being raped you want me to step in."

"He knows not to cry wolf with this and to be honest I never though this is the sort of thing I would ask of anyone but these are very unusual circumstances." Arthur thought for a second glancing at Merlin who refused to look at him as he considered his response.

"I'll do it. I owe it to Merlin."

The next day Merlin returned in the morning, after lessons had started. He was arriving at ten. Arthur looked around at his politics lesson and noted Jasper sat in the room as he entered. He had no chance of getting away with out his knowing and Arthur planned to keep an eye on him all of the school day and Merlin was to return to his duties straight away so he would be out of his room that evening.

All went to plan and Arthur smiled to see him waiting in the room. H handed over his bag from which Merlin extracted his appointments book and then handed it back pointing to the desk, reminding Arthur to do his homework. The evening was quiet until both of them had finished their work and Arthur invited Merlin to join him on the play station. He hadn't used one much in the past but was good at it. He and Arthur battled on for a few hours before it got late.

"I need to get back and do some homework."

"You should have brought it with you."

"Arthur I can't spend all my time here."

"I know. You want me to walk you back?"

"Would you? I'm just scared of him being there." Arthur nodded and stood up. They went out and walked up the stairs in a comfortable but uneasy silence. As they approached the room their footsteps slowed noticeably. Merlin pushed gently on the door and quivered at the face he saw waiting on his bed. Arthur stood to one side out of sight and let Merlin face this not quite alone.

"Merlin, I missed you last week."

" I didn't miss you Jasper. Please leave."

"Oh, are you cranky this evening. Did Arthur work you to hard? Don't worry I'm sure we can work out those kinks."

"No, we won't because you are going to leave my room right now."

"I'm starting not to like your tone boy."

"I don't care what you think of my tone." Said Merlin feeling empowered by Arthur's hidden presence. "Get. Out. Of. My. Room."

"I will tonight, my love. It is late and I have been waiting a long time but I'll be back tomorrow and I expect you to be more agreeable then." Merlin stepped back blocking Arthur from view as Jasper walked out the room. They both watched as he retreated down the corridor.

"Thanks for staying Arthur. I don't think I could have done that otherwise."

"No worries. He's sick, I can't fight your battles for you but I'm always here as emotional support."

"Do you want to come in for a minute or two?"

"Yeah I'm not sure I want to walk back on my own straight after that." They sat in the room and Merlin drooled in secret over Arthur's regal features knowing that Arthur would never know how he felt. "So, your gay aren't you?" asked Arthur. Merlin panicked thinking he'd been spotted. "The doc mentioned that you dated him a couple of times."

"Yeah, I did. Last summer before year 11 I met him in town. He asked me out and well, you've seen him. He's not bad looking so I said yes. We went to this bar in town and had some drinks. After that everything fuzzed up he slipped me something and then he took me in to the back room and I wanted it.

"The next day I regretted it but I blamed my self for getting drunk. He told me I had come one to him and I believed him except the next time I struggled and he forced me, which I remember perfectly. After that he used to wait outside school near holidays. Until finally he came in and cornered me in the toilets. He had locked the door behind him but that lock didn't work and some year eights walked in. The school of course got the police involved and they just sort of said that it might be best for everyone if I didn't come back particularly for the year eights." They sat in silence for a while.

"I have to say Jasper being gay worries me?"

"Why scared one of us will ask you out?"

"Jasper, yes, I don't want him asking me out. You don't worry me though."

"Because you know I never would?"

"No because I wouldn't mind you asking me out."

"How come?"

"I wouldn't mind going out with you."

"Arthur?"

"Yes."

"Will you go out with me?"

"Definitely." Arthur pulled him towards him and kissed him hungrily.