Merlin allowed himself to be led away and into the restaurant where Arthur asked for an extra chair to be brought to their table. He also ordered Merlin drink of brandy. As everyone sat down Arthur handed Merlin the drink, he even paler than normal. "Drink that Merlin" Arthur ordered the shocked man.
Merlin took a sip and it caught in the back of this throat and made him cough. He then looked up as if only just realising where he was. "Oh" he looked at the group "I'm sorry I'm intruding" he went to get up.
Arthur's hand went to his shoulder one side and Gwaine's on the other, simultaneously they said "Sit down and stay where you are"
Merlin looked at them both "Thank you for what you did, but I must go" he looked at Ygraine "I am sorry to intruded on you birthday, I will leave you to it"
Ygraine smiled "They are right you know please stay with us. For one I think you have had a bit of a shock, and I also welcome the chance to get to know you better. I have a great respect for what you do and welcome the chance to talk to you" she paused "Also that rather insufferable man is outside and you will make us all look like liars if you leave now"
Merlin resisted the temptation to look round and see for himself "You don't need to get involved in this, I mean thank you but it isn't your problem."
"He is the bloke from the photo isn't he?" Gwaine asked
Merlin felt he owed them an explanation "Yes that's William, we grew up together, inseparable in fact, he spent more time with my mother and myself than at home. His father was away a lot and his mum couldn't cope. Then we realised we were in love and took it to the next stage, and lived together. But when Mum died my grief took me over, it wasn't his fault I wasn't good for him. So he left and now he's back." He hesitated "Look I have to face him sometime, the break up was my fault, you must think me a right idiot he caught me unawares that's all."
Arthur gave Merlin a reassuring smile, even though he was sure they hadn't heard the true story. "Please stay and eat with us. No Matter what happen between you he must have realised it was a hard day for you. Face him another day, let him wait."
"In fact I insist" Gwaine said, also smiling. "I want to get to know you away from work"
"And I want to know what made you become a potter" Ygraine added with a smile. "You are so talented I wondered how you started after all you aren't that old yet."
Merlin looked at Ygraine and decided he would at least repay their kindness by answering a few questions. "I started playing with clay before I started school" he explained as the waiter arrived with the menus. After selecting their food Merlin continued. "My mother was a potter, she made pots from home. I sort of followed on from her. She used to sell a few pieces and also teach classes. I never had a dad on the scene, and mum needed something she could do from home. Before I came along she worked for the pottery. Some throwing and some decorating. Her parents had also worked at the pottery so it's in the blood."
Ygraine was fascinated "Do you have any of their pieces?"
"I do, the decorated pieces are easy to identify as they have the paintress's marks on the bottom, a left over from piece work. By Grampy's pieces are harder. He was a potter and until recent years potters didn't mark pieces. But he also threw a few at home for home use, Granny painted them and they got permission to put them in the kilns at work."
This fascinated the others and they spent the meal talking and finding out about each other. As they finished their meal Arthur glanced out the window and saw Will partially hidden, it was clear he was waiting for Merlin. Arthur paid the bill, ignoring Merlin's protest. As they left the restaurant Arthur turned to Merlin "How are you getting back home?"
"I have my car in the car park over the road" Merlin said, he was feeling much better than earlier. It had been nice talking about his mother and to people that seemed to be genuinely interested. "I'm going up to the cliffs for a bit, I try to visit all our favourite places"
Arthur gave a smirk "In that case I will walk you to your car" He grinned at Merlin's reaction before adding "Your friend is still watching so let's give him something to think about"
Merlin resisted looking over where Arthur had indicated with a slight nod of his head. "It wasn't his fault you know"
"Maybe not, but he hasn't been very kind to you today" Arthur said firmly. Merlin started slightly as Arthur put his hand in the small of his back as they crossed the road. As they got to the car Arthur gave Merlin a slight smile "Shall we make this look good then he might take the hint and leave you alone."
With that Arthur moved so he was in front of Merlin and leaned in for a kiss. As Arthur's lips met his, Merlin felt nervous, he hadn't kissed anyone, except for the girls at work, and then only a peck on the check, since he had split with Will. Arthur increased the pressure and Merlin found himself returning the kiss. Arthur's arms crept round Merlin's waist and he pulled Merlin into him. Merlin lifted his arms around the blonde's neck. As Arthur pulled away from the kiss he whispered "That wasn't too bad I hope"
Merlin looked at Arthur something incredibly sad in his eyes. Arthur wasn't sure what to make of that statement so he Arthur leaned back in and this time the kiss was firmer and more demanding, just to show how he had enjoyed it. It was Merlin who pulled away first, he was shaken by the reaction his body was giving him.
In order to lessen the awkwardness of kissing his boss he smiled then he fumbled in his pockets for his car keys. "Thank you for a lovely dinner, will you thank your mother and Gwaine for me" Merlin tried to get things back to normal.
"I will, see you soon" Arthur turned away and went to his car. When he got there he turned round and waved as Merlin drove past. The raven haired man had wasted no time in getting away.
Arthur turned and got into his car, his mother by the side and Gwaine in the back. They drove back to the pottery where Ygraine collected her charger and other purchases and said goodbye to Gwaine. Gwaine grinned at Arthur "That was a good show you put on mate."
Arthur looked innocent Arthur turned to Gwaine "Will was hanging around. I hoped it would make him leave Merlin alone, his presence clearly upset Merlin. I have to get mother back can you make sure Merlin is alright? Give him a ring later?"
Gwaine grinned "I will do better than that, just leave it to me"
With that Arthur and his mother headed back to London. Once they were out of the town and travelling on the main roads Ygraine turned to her son "You could do a lot worse you know, he's a nice young man"
"Mother! I was helping him out that's all, don't start matchmaking I get enough of that from father"
"At least I'm taking note of you preferences." Ygraine said quietly, it was no secret that Uther wanted his son to marry a 'suitable young woman'. "I'm not pushing you Arthur but you aren't getting any younger, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
