CHAPTER 9 : KISSES SENT AND CAUGHT

They continued across the bridge to the Globe. They only queued for a few minutes and then were taken inside, he could tell by the look on Merlin's face that the interior impressed him. They stood where the groundlings watch the plays and glanced around, it really was impressive. The three storied balconies, the beautiful carvings in the roof over the stage were a photographer's heaven! The set was for the evening production of Henry lll.

The tour guide explained that the first Globe was built in 1599 then rebuilt after a fire in 1614. This present building was erected in 1997 by the American-born Sam Wanamaker, an actor and director. The Globe site also housed the candle-lit Sam Wanamaker Theatre which was opened in 2014 and resembles a seventeenth century Jacobean theatre.

Arthur found the tour excellent and was pleased that Merlin had enjoyed himself. "I've seen so many pictures of this but I have never actually been in the theatre until now. Thank you, Arthur, for the opportunity. I intend to persuade my mother to come to London again, as I know she would love this."

"Bring her as my guest, she can stay at the condo and we can show her all things we enjoyed seeing this weekend."

"She's be afraid of the glass walk in Tower Bridge," Merlin said with a laugh.

They made their way to the gift shop and Merlin got Gaius a Shakespeare Bath Duck, explaining to Arthur that his uncle could share it with his dog. Arthur laughed as it was certainly too cute to share with any dog. For his mother, he had chosen a silver ring, a copy of one which had been found in the excavations prior to building the new Globe.

Arthur bought his father nothing, knowing only to well that he would be critical of Arthur's wasting money. He left him paying his bill and walked outside glancing at his watch, it was already gone one o'clock. He was dying for a coffee. Merlin joined him and he mentioned that they could go to the little restaurant on the site if Merlin didn't mind the crowds.

"Let's go somewhere quieter…" he said as he took another photo of the roof line and flags.

Arthur decided to go to the restaurant where he had gone with Gawaine and his school friends when they had visited the Globe. It was next to Drake's Golden Hinde and Merlin would be able to take more pictures.

That was the right choice and after Merlin had taken photos to his heart's content, they found a table and sat down. Arthur had grinned at Merlin who had said, "Arthur, I promise you I don't always hide behind a camera."

Arthur laughed saying, "I hope not!"

Arthur had given him a few facts about The Golden Hinde replica but it was the restaurant which appealed to them both at the moment. He nodded at Merlin as he asked for a table in a quiet area and the owner recommended the section in the corner overlooking the ship.

"Beer, or coffee?" Arthur asked.

"I think I'd prefer a coffee…"

The waitress came over and they placed their drink and food order. Arthur adding an order of mini fish cakes with Merlin asking for sweet Thai sauce on the side if at all possible. Their choices were good and every time they caught each other's eyes they smiled.

They talked about all sorts of things, Arthur reminiscing of the school trip he had made to London with Gawaine and their friends and the fun that they'd had.

Merlin told him of a school trip to Edinburgh which ended with one of their group in police cells. "Not me, thankfully!" he added with a chuckle. "The rest of us eventually travelled back to school and Richard's parents had to bail him out and face the wrath of the headmaster before he was allowed back into school. Mind you, that escapade had taken him a few rungs up the ladder in the minds of most of the scholars. For year's after, whenever anyone said anything about Scotland someone was sure to say, 'Pre or post Richard?"

Merlin decided that Arthur was probably one of the more handsome blonds he had ever met. He also felt comfortable with him and felt little fear. This was a big step for him in dealing with someone he liked. He had no problems with his confreres at the university but he still had difficulty trusting men socially. He was always on guard in case someone came on too strong.

He smiled at Arthur, who had not raised any red flags as he'd asked for nothing in return for his friendship. Merlin felt quite at home with him even when he had been alone with him at his place. He sighed, he could really get to like this man.

One day, if the friendship continued he would have to tell Arthur about his misadventures with Neil whom he usually referred to as 'that man'. He realised now that he felt more comfortable with misadventures than terming it as sexual abuse and life threatening behaviour. Adam had helped him immensely but Merlin knew that he wasn't completely over it. For the longest time he felt that he had been irreparably damaged with no hope of a future. His confidence had been compromised and he had needed constant work at regaining it. He was still worried that he would never again be the person he had been. He sighed…

He was conscious of someone speaking to him and he snapped out of his reverie. Arthur was saying, "Earth to Merlin!"

He shook his head apologetically, "Sorry, I was miles away…"

"Hope it wasn't because of the company," Arthur had laughingly replied then turned serious as he said, "You seemed not only distracted but rather worried."

"Nothing to be worried about, just random inconsequential things that sometimes interrupt my train of thought." He thought to himself whenever had that time ever been considered random. 'Let it go,' he told himself, 'don't ruin a lovely day by letting that man get the upper hand.'

Arthur checked his watch saying, "We really should be going back to my place for our bags as we have to leave there by three-fifteen." He'd rather be at the station a little early as he had no intention of arriving late and leaving Merlin waiting at the station for a later train while he went to get his.

He stood up, "I guess you do have a lot of things on your mind what with your job and all the students. By the way what are you planning to do over the holidays or do you have another term starting in the summer?"

He followed Arthur out the door and said, "No, this year I'll be free until September. Looking forward to a couple of months off, mind you I'll keep myself busy. I'll certainly be staying with my mother and then giving Gaius a hand and you know doing all the things you promised yourself you would if you ever got a few days off."

"Might that include another trip to London?" Arthur suggested with a slight smile.

"Maybe…if something or someone catches my interest!"

-0-0-

They walked along stopping for Merlin to take more photos of Norman Foster's City Hall. Arthur entertained him by telling him that when it was built it was referred to as a motorbike helmet and a deformed egg among others. However, it was the less flattering nicknames for the building that had stuck in people's minds. The former Mayor had referred to it as 'a glass testicle' and the current Mayor had called it The Onion.

Arthur had laughed as he had pointed to another Norman Foster designed building across the river, officially called 30 St. Mary Axe but known to everyone as The Gherkin. "We've the makings of an interesting meal between the two of them."

Merlin had said seriously, "One day, I really intend to tour both buildings. They look so interesting."

"Maybe during your summer holidays?" said Arthur over his shoulder as he walked along to his own building.

Once again Arthur was acknowledged by both the doorman and the concierge. Merlin said, "You can't get in here without anyone knowing."

"True but they would never reveal to anyone on the phone or even in person at the desk, as to whether or not I am on the premises, part of the security for flat owners. Mind you, I'd leave strict instructions that they would tell you…" Arthur said with a cheeky grin.

"Thanks! At least, that takes a weight off my shoulders!" replied Merlin equally seriously.

As they got into the lift, Arthur handed Merlin the plastic keycard and told him to insert it and punch in four specific numbers. "You shouldn't do that, Arthur, it's something that you should keep only to yourself."

"But I trust you!"

"Still it seems wrong!"

"Just go ahead and push the numbers will you, you'll have forgotten them in five minutes."

However, Merlin knew that his mind didn't work that way and the numbers 7363 would stay with him, "I have a very good memory for numbers, Arthur."

"Not to worry I will change them again. It's just a matter of going onto my computer." But Arthur had no intention of changing them, they were a secret link to Merlin and every time he used them, he'd think of him.

The lift stopped at Arthur's condo and walking across the small entry hall, he opened his front door. "How are we time wise?" Merlin asked.

"We've got about thirty minutes," he turned on the BBC and checked the headlines. He plunked himself on the sofa and patted the place beside him.

Merlin joined him saying, "Arthur, I've had a lovely weekend because of you. You were the best guide as you made everything so easy."

"You could have figured it out yourself."

"Maybe, but you were there to talk to the whole time. I've never felt time pass so quickly, I'd be happy to stay in London all week."

"Alone?" Arthur said turning his knee slightly towards Merlin's.

Merlin either didn't notice or wasn't bothered by it. "I could have done it alone, I'm sure I could but I would have been checking google and schedules the whole time and…" he paused before adding, "I would really have missed your company…!" He looked at Arthur with a slight smile on his face reminding Arthur of a puppy which had come bounding across the floor only to stop seeking permission before launching itself against his legs.

Arthur smiled, "I liked your company too. I'm sorry that I was so rude to you when I first met you. I was thrown off guard finding someone I didn't know with Heather and in a rather compromising situation at that."

"Yes," agreed Merlin, "Practically, flat on my face in a box stall with an assistant, both of us supervised by your father's stable manager!"

Arthur had had to laugh, before continuing more seriously, "…and then I was shocked when you came to supper and I could hardly put two words together. Gawaine twigged and that was why he invited you to supper after work on Friday. Thank God, he did. As I don't know that I would have been brave enough to phone you out of the blue or would just have waited until Gaius and your mother came for supper later in the summer. I'm not usually so indecisive about something but this is different. I'd really like to be friends but can understand if you have reservations. I know, this is only the fifth time we've met…"

"Keeping count are you, Arthur?" Merlin said.

"Only in the nicest way, if you are agreeable I would really like to see you again." Arthur shifted on the sofa and then realised how close their legs were, he went to move away but Merlin put a hand on his knee and left it there.

"I'd like to see you again as well. Would you like to come up to Cambridge one weekend…soon? I can't offer you a beautiful home like this," he glanced around, "but there are nice hotels in the area and we'd have my car to get around."

Arthur was a little disappointed that Merlin had mentioned a hotel but he knew that rushing into things, wasn't the best move. He face broke into a smile as he said, "I'd be honoured to travel up to Cambridge for a weekend."

"Me too!" said Merlin and leant in and kissed Arthur. The kiss lengthened until each of them had to break apart to breath and then Merlin looked embarrassed, "I told myself to wait for your to make the first move and I didn't…did I?"

"Well, you missed it by only a couple of seconds," Arthur said beaming before leaning in for another kiss. His watch pinged and he said, "Damn, that three ten. We should have come back here earlier…sorry I don't mean that, I mean…Merlin, I really don't know what I mean at this point."

"I do, I have a feeling we are going to possibly be a little more than friends one day," He said standing up.

Arthur said, "I need to go to the bathroom, I have a horror of station and train washrooms, unless it's an emergency. There is another one off the guest room." He turned and walked to his bedroom.

Merlin smiled to himself a man after his own heart, his mind flashed back to when he was little and ready to go out, his mother had always said, "Young man, before we go, have you been to the toilet?"

They picked up their bags and Merlin glanced once more at the living room. He wanted to be able to describe it to his mother. Kidding himself really, as he wanted to be able to envision Arthur in this room when he got home and all during next weeks until he got to see him again.

-0-0-

Arthur swung his bag strap on his left shoulder, leaving his right hand free so that he could slip his fingers into Merlin's hand, he felt the corresponding squeeze and squeezed back. Merlin had to stop and take a photo from the roadway up to the corridor between the two towers and the glass walkway. Maybe, not the best shot but another one to add to his memories of London. He slipped his hand back into Arthur's and they continued on their way.

They reached the station and made their way to Merlin's platform. Arthur offered to get him a coffee but Merlin refused saying that if he wanted one, he could get one on the train.

The train was announced and it drew into the station. Merlin turned and gave Arthur a smile and a prolonged hug, holding him for maybe a few more seconds than was normally acceptable between two men allowing Arthur to say quietly, "Phone me when you get home or I will worry all night!"

Merlin gave him a peck on the cheek. Hitching his bag on his shoulder, he got on the train, occupying a window seat. Nodding at Arthur and since he was standing alone, he grinned and nonchalantly blew him a kiss.

Arthur was left on the platform laughing out loud as the train pulled away. "Cheeky minx!" He said and turned to go to Platform 12, where he'd get the fastest train that stopped at Ashford.

His train was boarding so he found his seat and sat back, smiling to himself when he thought about Merlin's kiss. He was so spontaneous that was something he liked about him. His mind was buzzing and he went over the things they'd done earlier in the day. Finally, the train pulled away and he had just over a half hour to get himself into business mode for his meeting with his father once he get home.

The family had always considered Throgmorton Manor home and their London or Edinburgh houses as just residences for when they were in those cities. Arthur had pleasant memories of growing up there, entertaining his schoolmates and just generally running wild unless they had business guests when his life became more disciplined.

His father had never minded having extra boys around as long as they stayed out of his way. Any high jinks they got up to where usually covered up by Mrs. Burns and her staff. Mr. Burns whom Arthur called Major Dromo after a stay in Italy, was the head of the household staff and responsible for running the place but everyone knew that Mrs. Burns was highly involved in daily operation of the manor. However, it was Dromo as Arthur and his friends called him who laid down the law if they got overly rowdy.

He wondered what Mrs. Burns would think of Merlin, he hoped that she liked him. She was an important person in his life and in private, he called her Peggy. Often, during the school year it was Peggy and Dromo who came to his school for various events as his father had always been too busy.

Of course, Gawaine who was a frequent visitor also starting calling Mrs. Burns Peggy. Arthur had apologised saying that Gawaine wasn't being rude he just liked her. Within a couple of years, Peggy it was to all Arthur's friends. She was quite happy as she had never had a family and she looked upon Arthur and his closest friends as her children.

One young lad had called her Mrs. Pendragon much to her embarrassment and Dromo' amusement. She had explained that she was Mrs Burns, the Pendragon's housekeeper, the boy was surprised as he later told Gawaine, "I thought that Peggy was Arthur's mother. She acts like a mother towards him."

Gawaine passed the information on to Arthur who realised that if it came down to it, Peggy was the mother he'd never had. He loved her and in later years, he was to bequeath to her and Dromo their own home on the Throgmorton Manor property.

Arthur had been reminiscing and he came to as the train pulled into Ashford Domestic. Dromo had a car waiting and he was whisked off home.

-0-0-

"Have I missed anything important?" He asked as they left the station.

"Not really Peggy's mother is here for a few days and Mr. Pendragon only came down on Friday. Supper is at seven sharp!" Arthur laughed as Dromo liked things organised and his father found this one of the man's better traits. "The thatch had been repaired on the East wing and your father told me to tell you that you will be leaving for your flat at five o'clock tomorrow morning to pick up your luggage and then to be driven on to Heathrow, that car will also pick up your PA."

Arthur laughed, "My whole life had been planned out for me!"

"As it should be, Sir!" said Dromo with a wink.

They continued on in silence. Arthur was happy to see the gates and the drive leading up to the original tudor house with various additions which had been brought together sympathetically over the years. As they pulled to a stop, a couple of Mastiffs and Peggy's whippet rushed for the door and Arthur stepped out to be greeting by the canine welcoming committee.

"How they know when it's you, I don't understand? They never do that when you father drives up, they just stand wagging their tails not making a sound. He turned to the dogs saying, "That's enough now! I know that Arthur is here and he's very happy to see all of you."

Arthur smiled making a fuss of the dogs, "Well, I like it as it is a lovely welcome home!"

Peggy had joined the group near the car and Arthur had hugged her. "How is your mother, doing well, I hope?"

"She is, Arthur, not as energetic as she used to be but still up to putting the fear of God into the rest of the staff."

Arthur laughed, "She always reminded me of a boarding school Matron, good in dealing with boys, however not putting up with any of their silliness."

He walked toward the door and Dromo insisted on taking his overnight bag, "I'd go right in to see your father. He was in the library when I left. Kitty has made some of your favourite snacks just in case you're hungry."

Hungry he wasn't, he really just wanted to go to his room and have time by himself to think of this past weekend, however he knew that Dromo's suggestion to join his father was the result of his father probably saying, "Collect Arthur from the station, then tell him that I want to see him as soon as he arrives!"

He left Dromo carrying his bag upstairs and made his way to the library. It was a beautiful designed room and the collection of first editions made it more interesting. His father was near the fire and he walked over, a cat which had been sitting on the hearth, stood up and curled itself around Arthur's legs as he walked. He bent down to it, "Mr. Mistoffelees, good to see you!"

"Stupid name for a cat. Better he had been called Tom!" grunted his father.

The cat an Abyssinian, gave his father a glare and with its tail held high, stalked out of the room.

"Now, you've hurt his feelings," Arthur said, before adding, "…and how are you today, Father?"