It's been a while, hasn't it? My apologies, as always. Had to sort through a few particularly troublesome plot points, but I think I have them all figured out now (ended up having to do a mind map actually). Thanks so much for your continued support. It's great to hear what you all think about the story. And yes, MamzelleHermy, welcome to the party xD

Bad news, I'm afraid. I'm going away for a week tomorrow, so no updates from me. Really sorry. If it helps, I changed this chapter slightly so it wouldn't end on a cliffhanger for that very reason. See? I can be nice. Sometimes. And I should at least get chances to write while I'm gone, so I can hopefully upload something as soon as I get back.

For Arthur Pendragon, it was a relief to finish school that day. It had been a ridiculously long week, completely messed up in the middle with what had happened with Merlin, and the last couple of days had been strained, to say the least. But now, finally, the weekend was here, and things could start getting back on track.

He hoped.

The first thing he did when he got home was to head straight to Merlin's room (foregoing his own, which was just before it), his backpack still dangling from his right shoulder. He had done the same yesterday. He couldn't help it; Merlin, having been given the rest of the week off school, was not in Arthur's sights as much as he would have liked after what happened at the dance on Wednesday night, and while he was glad his brother was getting respite at home, he was also a bit relieved to not have to leave him again tomorrow.

Arthur paused in surprise when he saw Lancelot sitting in Merlin's room at the end of the bed. It seemed like they had been having a rather intense conversation, from the way Lancelot was glaring angrily at the ground and Merlin was looking slightly concerned for his friend. There wasn't the hostility Arthur had first felt towards Lancelot; after how he had helped on Wednesday, it was a bit difficult for Arthur to be suspicious of his intentions. But still, he had to ask, "everything alright?"

Merlin looked at him and allowed a small smile. "Yeah." Then looked back at Lancelot, who was still death-staring the carpet. "Well. Relatively."

Dropping his bag, Arthur stepped into the room and leaned against Merlin's ridiculously full bookcase. "Are you angry about the suspension?" he asked Lancelot. "Because I agree it was dumb, you were protecting Merlin, and thanks again for that by the way, but - "

"I just told him," Merlin interrupted, looking sheepish. "About… you know. Before." With another apologetic look to Lancelot he added "I don't think he's taking it very well."

"You… oh," Arthur said in surprise. Merlin barely talked about what happened with Arthur, and he had been there for god's sake.

"It's just…" Lancelot muttered, "how… how can someone be so awful?" And with that he stood and started to pace around the bedroom, as if turning all his anger into frustrated energy. "That… that bastard!"

Arthur saw Merlin wince slightly and stepped in, putting a hand on Lancelot's arm. "Yes, that's one way of putting it," he commented drily, because he'd certainly used other words to describe Oswald before. And yes, even now he could feel the same anger building up within him, but he had learnt long ago to keep it hidden, and under control - in front of Merlin at least. "But we don't have to deal with him anymore." His eyes found Merlin's. "He's been expelled."

Merlin sucked in a shocked breath of air and Lancelot stared. "He what?"

"Officially, as of today. Leon overheard everything." Still he didn't look away from Merlin, showing him just how serious he was. "He's gone for good."

A huge grin broke out onto Merlin's face, but he quickly tried to cover it and looked away. "Oh. Oh, that's… that's good."

Arthur frowned slightly. "Lancelot, would you mind giving us a moment?" Lancelot nodded with an encouraging smile to Merlin and walked out. Arthur took his vacated spot on the bed next to Merlin. "It's okay, you know. To be relieved. I know I was."

Merlin nodded, a failed attempt at nonchalance pasted onto his face. "Uh-huh. I know."

Arthur's frown increased and he scooted closer. "Merlin. It's okay." Merlin didn't answer, and Arthur sighed. "Look… Oswald… had an effect on you. He scared you. And that's alright," he quickly added when Merlin opened his mouth to argue. "It's alright. I know he scared you, but that doesn't make you weak, or… or anything. You're not weak, Merlin."

Merlin looked downcast. "I let him get to me."

Arthur leaned forward and brought an arm around his brother's shoulders. "You didn't let him do anything. Which is exactly what makes you so strong." He ducked slightly so as to make sure Merlin was looking him in the eyes when he spoke next. "You are not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know." He paused, and with a mischievous smile pinched Merlin's skinny arm. "Emotionally, at least. We might have to work on physical strength a bit."

Merlin snatched his arm back with a small smile of his own, but it quickly fell as his face crumpled. "I… I was scared, Arthur."

Arthur nodded and leant forward until his forehead rested on Merlin's. "So was I."

Merlin looked up at him in surprise. "You were?"

"Oh yeah," admitted Arthur. He had been scared. Terrified, even. Of what Oswald would do, of what would happen to Merlin, of how it would affect him… oh yes, he had been scared. "I don't ever want to feel that kind of fear again."

Morgana paused just as her feet reached the second landing. There was a teenage boy leaning against the wall of the bathroom, just a few metres from Merlin's closed door. Arthur's new friend, she recognised him from the shopping centre. With a narrowing of her eyes she continued on her way to her own bedroom, ignoring the fact his eyes were suddenly on her. She could feel him looking at her and a sneer slithered onto her face. Luckily she didn't have to pass him to reach her own room, which sat opposite Arthur's, and she slammed the door behind her upon entering.

Dropping her bag on her bed, Morgana made her way straight over to the box window at the other end of her room, sitting down on the edge and curling up to gaze down on the street below. People were always looking, always judging, she knew they were. She hated it. She couldn't stand it. It was like… it was like they knew. It was like they all knew about her, and saw her as vile because of it. Paranoia had slowly grown its way around her like vines on a tree; she had felt it happen, and she couldn't shake it off now. Only Morgause was there for her, only Morgause really understood.

A small part of her, a very small part that niggled at the back of her mind, whispered that there was someone else who would understand. Merlin would understand. Morgana quickly shook her head to rid herself of the traitorous thoughts. Merlin didn't understand. Hell, Merlin didn't care. He'd already proved that to her. After all the times she'd been there for him, Merlin had turned his back on her.

Really, who could blame her for doing the same?

There was a strong discontented air to Merlin as he dug through his locker, looking for his maths text book. His shoulders were hunched, his stature was rigid, and his head was so far in the locker it was as if he was trying to get it to swallow him. Really, though, he felt his current mood was justified. Happy as he had been to come back to school, there was something he had not counted on, that he really should have.

The looks. The stares. The whispers that followed him through the halls and into every damn classroom. They surrounded him like a spiderweb he'd walked into and couldn't shake. The events of last week were obviously still fresh in people's minds. And Merlin just wished they could all forget. He just wished everyone would leave him be.

"'Scuse me, coming through."

Merlin's eyes widened at the familiar voice. He turned and a huge smile split across his face. "Will!"

His oldest friend grinned, continuing to make his way over, and gave Merlin a quick hug. "Hey Merlin, how're you doing?"

"When did you get back? How long have you been home?" Merlin spluttered.

"Just last night. Would have texted you, but…" Will shrugged, still grinning. "Wanted to surprise you, I guess."

"It definitely worked," Merlin replied with a laugh. "Welcome home."

Will nodded. "Good to be home."

The two shared most classes together and began heading to their maths room, Will telling Merlin all about his trip to Australia. "It was so hot there, Merlin, I'm telling you. And that was just Spring for them! So glad I wasn't there for Summer…"

They found their seats next to Freya, who Will greeted happily before continuing with his stories. "...And I swear, as big as my hand! In the bathroom for god's sake! I freaked out and I'm not even scared of spiders, so you can imagine how mum reacted - "

Will was cut off by the teacher clearing his throat with a pointed look. He gave a sheepish smile and leaned back in his chair. But as soon as the teacher had his back turned, Merlin and Will were passing notes, catching up, and suddenly it wasn't like Will had been gone for two full months. It was just like old times. Freya even passed a few notes of her own - with very frantic glances to the front of the room, of course.

Afterwards Freya had to leave them for music class, while they had science. If Merlin watched her go just a little bit longer than was probably normal, well, no one saw. He finally turned to see Will staring right at him, looking way to pleased with himself. Oh. Someone did see.

"You guys still not hooked up yet?" Will asked mischievously.

"Will!" Merlin hissed, elbowing his friend in the ribs.

"What?" Will said, feigned innocence in his voice. "It's about time, isn't it? I mean yeah, she likes you, but I don't think she'll wait forever - "

"Wait, what?" Merlin cut in, staring at him.

"Well you're not that special Merlin, she'll move on eventually if you don't - "

"You think she likes me?"

Will actually stopped mid-step and stared incredulously. "You're kidding, right?" Merlin blushed but kept walking, encouraging Will to keep pace. Will didn't let it go. "Of course she likes you, mate! I would have thought that was pretty obvious!" Merlin just shrugged in response. He'd hoped, obviously, but really… "Geeze, Merlin, you can be bloody thick!"

"Shut up," grumbled Merlin, shoving him lightly. They continued walking, Will smiling and shaking his head, Merlin thinking hard. Eventually, he spoke again; "do you really think she does, though?"

They had reached their class. Will rolled his eyes and stepped in, ahead of Merlin. "Yeah, Merlin. I'm sure of it." And in a quiet mumble, he added "as is the rest of the school."

Merlin was too deep in thought to notice.

Maybe… maybe Will was right. They'd had fun at the dance, after all, before everything had gone to hell. In fact, they always had fun, or at least Merlin did. Freya always seemed too as well, though. They spent practically every day together, and the way she smiled when she would see him approaching…

But then again, Freya was kind, and beautiful and friendly. Maybe she smiled like that with everyone. Maybe… Maybe…

Maybe I should just suck it up and go for it, Merlin considered it. What could be so wrong about asking her out? They could go to the park, or the movies, or just spend time at the arcade, or… Or something. He'd figure out something. If he actually got around to asking her in the first place. And if she said no, well, then he'd know. He'd know he had been mistaken, he'd feel like a total idiot - maybe call Will an idiot too, just for good measure - but if she said yes… Well. That had to be worth the risk, didn't it?

Tomorrow. He would ask her out tomorrow, after school, while they were walking to the old theatre (the original Frankenstein was playing and they'd been wanting to see it for weeks), and maybe, just maybe, she would say yes.

Maybe this time things would go his way.

Hmmm, anyone else think it's not going to be that simple? Guess you'll have to wait and see... ;)