Merlin sat down at the kitchen table not sure what to do next. Then he heard the front doorbell. He ignored it there was no way he was opening it, the locksmith wasn't due for an hour. Then he heard footsteps go round the side of the house and a knock on that door. Merlin made himself take some deep breathes. Just as he was about to stand he heard his mobile go off. Then his phone stopped ringing and he heard a call "Merlin are you in? It's Arthur" then door was knocked on once more. Then a face peered through the kitchen window.
Arthur was headed back to the pottery, far later than planned, something had come up at another of his businesses that needed his attention. Before he had left London Arthur had rung Gwaine and the brunette told him that Merlin had gone to stay with Gwen and Elyan overnight. He also told Arthur what he had learnt from Elena. "The man's bad news" Gwaine told his boss.
Arthur was concerned "I pass the turning for his place I'll drop in on the way past, make sure he's OK."
"Good idea Princess, you sure you don't have a thing for our potter? He's just your type after all and your Mum likes him" he teased.
"Shut up Gwaine, I'll see you later" Arthur said curtly. He hadn't bothered to deny it because it was true. As soon as he has seen Merlin for the first time he knew he was in trouble. Then when he had spoken to him, well it had made matters worse. But he had made it his unwritten rule never to fraternise with employees. That way if things didn't work out there was no awkwardness. So there was no point in taking it further. But it was the hardest thing he had done to distance himself from Merlin. Then when he had seen the scene on the beach his protective instincts had kicked it. And the kiss had finished the job, Arthur knew he was fucked. Merlin had felt so good in this arms, like he belonged there. Knowing Merlin was gay and single took away Arthur's last defences. He had decided not to visit the pottery unless absolutely necessary. Then of course Gwaine had had to tell him the story and how Merlin had been treated. All his good intentions went out of the window, he knew he had to check on Merlin and make sure he was safe.
He arrived at the cottage, although he had not visited before he knew he was in the right place from Gwaine's description. The whole place was just so Merlin. It suited the younger man's personality and Arthur immediately loved it. Knocking on the door and getting no answer he decided to do what he should have done before and ring. As he waited for a reply he walked round the side of the house. As he reached the side door and knocked, he could hear a phone ringing. As he cancelled his phone the one inside stopped. So he knocked on the door and called out. "Merlin are you in? It's Arthur"
Getting no reply he went to the window and looked in, he saw Merlin sat at the kitchen table looking at him. Something was wrong Arthur felt it. "Merlin can I come in?"
Merlin having been caught, and realising Will must have gone, went to the door and unbolted and unlocked it. He opened the door and stepped away. Arthur frowned as he heard the bolts slide across. It wasn't as if Merlin had just got up, what had caused him to shut himself in his home so securely. As the door opened he saw Merlin move back. So he stepped in. "Is it alright if I come in Merlin?" He asked the retreating figure.
As he didn't get an answer he followed Merlin into what was clearly the kitchen. The raven haired man still hadn't spoken. Arthur walked closer and could see Merlin was shaking. He walk up to Merlin and placed his hand gently on Merlin's shoulder saying "What happened Merlin?"
As his hand connected Merlin jumped away and twisted round, for a brief moment Arthur saw fear in his eyes, but it was gone and a guarded expression took its place. "I was about to make a cup of tea do you want one?" then not waiting for and answer he continued "What did you want?" Merlin's words came out in a muddle and Arthur noticed his shaking was worse.
"Let me do that sit down." He said gently, taking the kettle from Merlin. As he took the kettle he noticed red marks on Merlin's wrists. Putting the kettle down on the table he took Merlin's arm and looked at his wrist, he could see clear finger marked bruises appearing. He felt a surge of anger. "Merlin what happened? Has Will been here?"
Merlin didn't answer but the start at Will's name told Arthur all he needed to know, as did the rapid pulse under his fingertips and Merlin's dilated pupils. Arthur steered Merlin out of the kitchen across the corridor where he could see the living room. He made Merlin sit on the couch and sat next to him. Looking at Merlin carefully and keeping his voice as calm as he could he asked again "What happened Merlin are you hurt anywhere else?"
Merlin took a deep breath, he felt such a fool "I'm fine" he said quietly. "Just being silly." Taking another deep breath he started to speak "I got home with my shopping, the door was unlocked I thought I hadn't locked it. He was here, he still had his key. He crept up behind me and grabbed me…. I told him to leave" Merlin stopped and was clearly remembering what had happened.
"What did he do Merlin?" Arthur prompted gently.
Merlin hadn't intended to tell anyone, but the gentle tone from the other man seemed to make him want to tell someone, as if then it would go way. "He was angry, he wanted to come back and I said no, he went mad he grabbed me he kissed me and….I hit him" Merlin looked down at his shaking hands and tried to stop them.
Arthur feared the worse "Merlin did he force you?" he couldn't say the word that crossed his mind.
Merlin continued to look at his hands, he knew what Arthur was asking "He was going to, he was so angry. I grabbed the wine but he caught my hands and I dropped it. I asked him if he was going to r…." Merlin paused "Then he left, he said I would grow old alone"
"Merlin did he force you, did he rape you?" Arthur asked again.
Merlin shock his head. "I'm sorry I am being silly, nothing much happened." Then Merlin seemed to pull himself together "I'm getting the locks changed" He stood up "I'll make you a drink"
"Merlin sit down, I'll make the tea, and you've had a shock, look we need to ring the police"
With that Merlin glared at Arthur "NO! No police, nothing happened, he didn't break in he had a key. I'm OK just a couple of bruises, but so has he. Just forget it!" he paused seeing the outrage on Arthurs face. "I won't be made to look a fool again. I was surprised that's all. I'm not some girl that need protecting!"
Reluctantly Arthur agreed as Merlin walked into the kitchen and filled the kettle and put it on, looking around he found a couple of mugs. As Merlin bent to get the milk from the fridge Arthur noticed a small amount of blood on the side of Merlin's hoody.
The kettle had boiled Arthur got a couple of mugs from the side and Arthur made the tea taking the milk from Merlin's hand. Then he made Merlin sit down to drink it.
Merlin looked at Arthur for a moment "Thank you, but you didn't answer my question earlier, why are you here?" he was proud that he had managed to calm himself and stop the shakes. He now felt embarrassed he had let Will get to him so much.
Arthur smiled "I was passing and thought I'd drop in and see how your leg was and if you were ok otherwise. Also to thank you for mother's charger, she was so thrilled with it and meeting you all. Also she asked me to give you something. I'll get it from the car now I know you are here."
Merlin had forgotten all about his bruised leg with everything else that was going on. Arthur went out to the car and opened the boot. He took out a carefully wrapped parcel and took it inside and handed it to Merlin. "Mother thought it would be better in your possession."
Merlin opened up the parcel and found a vase from the 1940's looking at the base he found his grandmother mark. It was a vase decorated by his grandmother! His eyes watered at the kindness he had been shown "Thank your mother for me, this is a very generous gift. It is only the second piece I have, that was made at the factory, of hers and I will cherish it"
"It's a pity your grandfather didn't mark his pieces." Arthur said then trying not to push Merlin he asked "You have blood on your hoody, what happened?"
Merlin ignored him and instead asked "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"Merlin I am the boss, I can be at work when I want" Arthur said "Now let me look at why you are bleeding."
"It's not much, I fell over and cut myself on the broken bottle, I've had a shower it's OK. I'm used to looking after myself you know!" he snapped
Not to be put off Arthur looked at Merlin "Please let me check, it's not in an easy place for you to see, and it's still bleeding I can at least put a plaster on it for you."
Merlin very self-consciously pulled up his hoody and let Arthur look. Arthur was surprised by what he saw, Merlin appeared very slender, thin almost but without a shirt Arthur could see the muscle definition in the other man. He was more muscular than first appeared. Forcing himself to the matter at hand he noticed there were several small cuts on Merlin's back. But Arthur was more concerned about the bruises that were forming. There was one across the centre of his back and hand prints coming from his hip area. Arthur checked the cuts and they didn't appear to have any glass in them. Then Merlin handed Arthur a box of band aids from the cupboard and Arthur applied some inspecting the bruises as he did so. "I see you have more bruising, you really should report this"
Arthur was pleased to see that Merlin didn't flinch at his touch so assumed that Merlin had been telling the truth and it attack had not been more serious. Merlin shook his head. "No, I told you he didn't break in he had a key, and I hit him as well just leave it"
Give Arthur a problem to solve in business and there was no one better. But he knew he was useless at emotional stuff. So he dropped it for now. Then the doorbell rang. Merlin jumped nervously. "I'll get it" Arthur told him and walked out to the door. Finding no one outside the side door he walked round the front. There was a locksmiths van on the road and a man with a work box at the front door. The man turned and saw Arthur "Hi Mr Emrys? I've come to fix your lock"
"Mr Emrys is inside I'm his friend Arthur Pendragon. Come on round it's the side door he wants doing." Letting the man in to see Merlin, Arthur stays close by as support.
Merlin stood up "Thank you for coming today, It's this door I need doing"
"My name is George" he showed Merlin his badge "So you know who to quote if you need to." He looked at the lock. "This is working perfectly, a little stiff but I could oil it for you, or provide you with a better lock. One that the insurance company will be happier with"
"I want it changed please" Merlin said immediately.
"Are you sure Sir, it will do you for a few more years, but you do need to get in the habit of oiling it occasionally" George was clearly a stickler "I wouldn't want you to think I am selling you something you don't need, our company doesn't work that way."
Arthur butted in at this point. "Just change it, Mr Emrys needs new keys for his doors rather than locks"
"If you say so, do you need the front door doing as well, only the biggest charge is the call out." George asked.
"If you can do that one first, now would you like a cup of tea" Merlin asked. He wanted an excuse to leave,
Arthur realising what was happening said "That's sounds great Merlin I'll look after George."
As soon as Merlin had left Arthur turned to George. "Put on the best locks you have, and do the front door but I want you to send me half the bill. Just charge Merlin for this door." He handed George his card,
"This is most irregular Mr Pendragon, I need to leave an invoice."
"Send it to me, or give it to me I don't care which. As long as Mr Emrys isn't aware. He has had a traumatic time recently and I don't want him stressed more" Arthur was well able to deal with jobs worth's and win.
George looked at Arthur and made a decision. "I will invoice Mr Emrys for the lock I use on this door and the rest to you. But it will need paying today. If you ring the company and pay that will suffice"
"Good glad we have that sorted." Arthur said with a smirk. Merlin arrive with the tea and then went back to the living room, grateful that Arthur was dealing with the locksmith.
George got on and replaced the lock then Arthur showed him the front door. "Ideally Mr Emrys should consider changing his doors. He also needs new window and locks if security is important to him. My company also installs burglar alarms and I can recommend a company for the rest. All work is done to the highest standard."
Merlin walked up the hallway at that moment "No thanks, the doors are listed as is the house and I don't need anything else. Now how much for the front door lock?"
"I can do both for eighty pounds as I am already on site. I have fitted a five level dead lock to your back door and can do the same here. They are the best." George told Merlin his tone was patronising but polite to a fault.
Merlin thought for a moment, he had looked at the finished job on the back door and the man seemed to be very good. "Ok go ahead. You do take a cheque?"
"I can Sir, if you have a guarantee card" George immediately got on with his work. "Can you make the cheque out to "Locksafe Limited"
In less than an hour Merlin had new locks on both doors and George had cleaned up after himself, having had to remove some more wood from the doors to fit the locks. "I will leave the old locks with you for disposal, the new locks come with three keys each. If you keep a note of the security numbers you can order more if needed. You will not need the bolts now. Do you want me to remove them?"
"No leave them" Merlin told the man handing him the cheque and his card. As George handed back the card he also handed Merlin some brochures for window locks and also new windows. "In case you reconsider. The company is able to comply with listing requirements." Picking up his bag he smiled at Merlin "Thank you for your custom Sir and good day" Nodding to Arthur he handed him another brochure "In case you also need something doing Sir"
Arthur put the papers in his pocket, realising he had just been given the rest of the bill. After George had driven off Merlin looked at Arthur "Is it me or was he weird?"
"Pompous more than anything I think, but he did a good job and that's the main thing." Arthur said.
"Well I suppose the price wasn't too bad, I was going to do the front door myself but in fairness I wouldn't have done such a tidy job, and I can rest easier now"
Arthur went to the toilet and while there looked at the rest of the bill he had a further two hundred to pay as it had been an emergency call out. He wasn't worried it was almost small change to him, less than he spent on many meals out in the capital. But he knew for Merlin it would have been difficult. He texted his PA to pay the bill from his personal account immediately. Going back into the kitchen he decided to try and get Merlin out and hopefully stop him brooding.
"Look now he's been why don't I take you to town to replace that wine?" Arthur said "I'd rather you didn't drive, you've been thought the mill lately. I only have to book the hotel as I'm staying here for a few days I can go in work tomorrow" he looked at his watch "I don't think Gwaine would be happy if I turned up now"
Merlin knew what Arthur was up to and although he appreciated it he felt he had already wasted too much of Arthur's time. "That's Ok I don't need the wine urgently, it was for you as a thank you for the meal. Look if you like I can cook you a meal instead. After all you do keep helping me." Merlin gave a weak grin, he hadn't cooked for anyone recently and it would be nice to cook for someone other than himself. "Also the others were coming over tomorrow for a BBQ, Elena was going to ask Gwaine and Percy to come. You are invited as well"
Arthur smiled "I'd love to, but as long as I'm not putting you out."
"I have to cook for me anyway and tomorrow everyone brings something, we just use my garden" Merlin would be glad to have someone about if he were honest with himself, he didn't want to be alone just in case Will came back, not that he would let him in.
"That would be great I'll just ring then and book my room then I'll give you a hand."
Merlin looked at Arthur "I didn't have you down as someone who could cook"
"I live alone Merlin, of course I can cook." Arthur said indignantly "Does my mother give you the impression she would let her children leave home unable to look after themselves?"
"No I suppose not."
Arthur grinned "That's settled then".
The two men worked together in companionable silence as they got the vegetables ready. Merlin then cooked their meal. Slowly Merlin began to relax, he didn't realise just how wound up he had got. After they had washed up the dishes Merlin got some things out of the freezer for the BBQ the next day before sitting down on the small sitting room. Arthur decided to try to find out some more about the potter before he headed to town and bed.
