Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the BBC show Merlin, the characters, plots, or actors/actresses.

Arthur walked into the lobby of his block of flats and into the lift. He set his grocery bags down on the floor and hit the number for the fifth floor. Saturday afternoons were rapidly becoming the time he did his food shopping. The lift dinged and the doors opened to his floor. Arthur reluctantly picked up his multiple bags and stepped off the lift into the hall. He made his way to his front door where he had to fumble to pull his keys out of his pocket without dropping his grocery bags at the same time.

He finally managed to unlock and open his door and walked in, kicking the door shut behind him. Dumping his bags on the kitchen table, Arthur started to empty them and put things away. His mobile rang while he was emptying bags. He pulled it out of his pocket, hit answer without looking at who it was, shoved it between his left ear and shoulder and said, "Hello?" He picked up a carton of milk and headed over to open the fridge.

"Hey, Arthur? It's Merlin."

Arthur almost dropped the milk carton. "Hey, Merlin, what's up?" They'd texted a lot since the party a month ago, but hadn't really managed to get together more than a couple times since then. He wondered what Merlin wanted.

"So, you know that James Bond film that just came out?" Arthur thought Merlin sounded a little nervous as he closed the fridge and leaned against the counter.

"Yeah, Skyfall, right?" It was actually on Arthur's list of new movies to see.

Merlin said, "Yeah, well, the guys and I-I mean, Gwaine, Lance, Will and I-are going to see it this evening and I wanted to know if you wanted to come? We haven't really had the chance to hang out and I thought, well, do you want to see it?" He sounded really hesitant and nervous now. Maybe he thought Arthur would say no?

Arthur was actually secretly thrilled that Merlin would ask him to join him and his friends. "Sure, I'd love to go see Skyfall with you, but are you sure I wouldn't be intruding on your time with your friends?"

Merlin said softly, "You are my friend, Arthur."

Oh, well, can't say no to that. Not that I was going to say no, anyway. There was a pause as Arthur made sure that he didn't have any plans with his father or anyone. He came up blank just as Merlin started to babble, trying to take the invitation back. He must think I don't want to go. Idiot, you waited too long to answer!

Arthur interrupted Merlin and said, "Don't even think about taking the invitation back. I've been wanting to see it and I'd be happy to hang out with you and your friends. Just tell me where and when to meet you."

He wasn't positive but he thought he'd heard a sigh of relief before Merlin said, "We're meeting outside the Mercian Cinema at 7:00 p.m. The movie starts at a quarter after."

"Cool. I'll meet you there," Arthur said and they hung up. Arthur smiled as he continued to put his groceries away.

Merlin set his mobile down on the table, thrilled that Arthur had agreed to come. He looked up at Lance across the table from him and said, "He's coming. He'll meet us in front of the cinema. You're sure, though, that it's okay if Arthur comes?"

Lance said patiently, "Yes, Merlin. You like him, right?" Merlin nodded and Lance continued, "It's obvious from the way he acted at the party and the way he looked at you that Arthur likes you too. And since he's most likely going to be spending a lot of time with us and become a permanent part of our group, we should get to know him as best as we can. It'll make him more comfortable as well, which is only a good thing. Gwaine agrees with me, by the way."

Merlin was still unsure. "I know you and Gwaine are okay with it, but I'm worried about Will. We haven't really gotten on well since the break-up and I know he doesn't like that I like Arthur."

Lance shook his head. "We just want you to be happy. Don't worry about whatever Will says or does because he is just jealous that you've found someone other than him that makes you happier than he did. Friends are supposed to make space in the group for their friends' significant others and that's what we're doing."

Merlin relaxed, convinced that he was panicking for no reason. The phrasing of Lance's last reassurance hit him and he teased, "So are we supposed to make space for Gwen one day, too? Just like you guys are doing now for Arthur?"

Lance blushed and mumbled, "Maybe." He took a sip of his coffee. Recovering, he added, "It'll all work out tonight, Merlin. Don't worry. We'll all go to the movie, then out for coffee or something and hang out, get to know each other."

Merlin nodded and they changed topics, finishing their coffees.

Merlin stood out in front of the cinema with Will when Gwaine and Lance showed up. He thought that it was funny how often the two of them showed up together, given that neither of them wanted anything other than friendship from the other. He checked his watch as Will greeted them. 7:05 p.m. Arthur was late. Granted, so were Lance and Gwaine but Gwaine was always late. Gwaine put a hand on his shoulder.

Merlin looked up and was surprised to see that Gwaine looked serious for once. Gwaine told him, "He'll be here, Merlin. I don't think tardiness is something those rich blokes do often."

Merlin sighed. "Thanks, mate. I'm just nervous. Should I be nervous? I mean, it's not like this is a date or anything; just friends seeing a film, right?" He laughed a little.

Lance came to stand in front of him. "It's understandable to be nervous, especially since you haven't spent any real time with Arthur since the party. Texting and phone calls aren't really the same."

Gwaine grinned. "Speaking from experience, there, Lance? Merlin, what was that girl's name that Lance fancied at the party?"

Merlin grinned as Lance turned pink. "Gwen, Gwen Thomas."

Will snorted. "Don't see why you had to invite that rich bloke to come with us, anyway, Merlin."

Merlin's grin fell. Why are you being like this, Will? Sometimes I wish we didn't try to stay friends. He didn't say that to him, but it turned out that he didn't have to.

Gwaine rounded on Will, pissed, and said, "You know, Will, we didn't have to invite you, either. And stop being such an ass just because Merlin's found an awesome guy and you're lonely. So either shut up for the duration of the night or go away because I am not going to have you ruin Merlin's first sort of date with Arthur, got it?"

Will scowled, but reluctantly said, "Fine. I'll keep my opinions to myself, since I'm the only who feels that way apparently. Can we go in yet? All the good seats will be taken already."

Merlin glanced at his watch again. It was almost ten after and still no sign of Arthur. With a sigh, he said, "I suppose we should head in." Lance gave him a sympathetic look but Merlin just turned away, not wanting to think about the fact that he may have just been stood up.

They had just reached the doors to the cinema when Merlin heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw Arthur running down the sidewalk to them. He slid to a stop in front of Merlin and his friends, gasping for breath, and said, "Sorry I'm late. I had a little trouble finding the place."

Merlin shook his head, relieved. "It's okay, there's still a couple minutes before it starts."

Arthur smiled apologetically and Will asked, "Why didn't you ask for directions?"

Merlin shot Will a warning look and said meaningfully, "It's fine. Everyone's here now so let's go in." Arthur looked slightly confused but fell into step next to Merlin as they all paid for their tickets separately and went into the theatre.

Gwaine led the way down the aisle, heading for the exact middle of the middle section of seats and sat down. "Perfect spot to watch the film from, am I right?"

Lance made sure to put Will between him and Gwaine so Merlin wouldn't have to deal with his sour mood the whole time and Merlin was grateful for it as he sat down between Lance and Arthur.

Arthur leaned over and said softly, "I really am sorry for showing up late, but it never occurred to me to call and ask for directions. The bus schedule kind of confused me."

Damn it, Will, now you've made him feel bad, Merlin thought with a mental sigh. Out loud, he told Arthur, "Don't worry about it; Will's just in a bad mood, is all. I am glad you made it, though."

Arthur flashed him a quick smile. "Me too."

The theatre lights shut off just then and the opening music started to play. The conversations stopped and the movie started.