The protest group was standing outside the building, chanting and waving their flags and banners, when Merlin turned into the car park.

"Wow," breathed Gwen.

"Hmm?" Arthur asked, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror.

"I always knew that this was a big deal, but it was easy to ignore when holed up in our houses." She blinked a few times, and frowned. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Merlin shrugged. "Should have warned you. Getting involved with Arthur means getting involved with the Pendragons and their family problems."

"This has nothing to do with my family problems," said Arthur sharply, even as he knew it had everything to do with his family issues.

"If you say so," said Merlin mildly. "I remember having to break into Uther's home by climbing through a second storey window to retrieve Morgana's things once."

Arthur bit back a grin. "You have to admit, it was pretty fun."

"Maybe for you. I don't even know why I was involved in the great pregnant Morgana drama. It's not like I was Sarah's father."

"Who is Sarah's father?"

"She calls him Alvarr."

Merlin scoffed. "She calls him the jerk."

"That too. He's some guy she was with briefly. I think he volunteered at her non-profit. Turns out that volunteering at non-profits doesn't prevent you from being a jerk." Arthur shrugged. "I think she's happy now though."

"Sarah is a darling," said Merlin. "I almost miss having her around."

The car parked, Arthur got out, pulling the door open for Gwen. She brushed against him as she exited, sending that now familiar shiver through him.

"Got the documents?" He asked.

Gwen nodded and patted the folder she was clutching. "All here. Let's do this."

"Yup," said Merlin as he locked the car. "Let's go make our lives even more complicated."

A small group of protestors stood at the reception counter. Arthur supposed they were hoping to bring their protests indoors. A young lady broke away from the group when they spotted them.

"Gwen!"

"Janet!" Gwen took a step forward. "Hey."

"Why are you here? When you didn't come for the last meeting, I thought that you wouldn't be at today's protest. Have you brought – oh." The look in Janet's eyes cooled. "You're Arthur Pendragon."

Arthur smiled. "I am. This is Merlin."

"Janet Lee." Her returning smile was brittle and she yanked Gwen away almost immediately.

Merlin looked at him and Arthur shrugged. They were still early enough. As Janet and Gwen had their whispered conversation, the noise from the protestors outside increased. Arthur glanced outside, then groaned.

"Dad's here. He never ever submits his bids personally."

"He must have known you were lying," said Merlin. "What do you want to do?"

"Honestly? I want to run away and hide." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll go get Gwen, then we can get this over and done with."

"Too late," murmured Merlin. "The press has followed your father."

Arthur sighed as he watched his father and his trailing press enter the building. Thankfully, there seemed to be only one press team. Probably because his father bidding on yet another plot of land was really nothing newsworthy. "Brilliant. I suppose we won't be able to disappear without them noticing."

"I'm afraid not. I'm going to let you handle this." Merlin shoved him gently. "Good luck."

Under his breath, Arthur swore at Merlin, then pasted a smile on when the news team spotted him and stalked towards him.

"Arthur Pendragon! Are you here to repair your relationship with your father?" Arthur recognized the reporter – she was the one he'd spoken to about his concerns about Pendragon Holdings.

He widened his smile and stretched out his hand. "Isabel Ruiz from the Albion Post. I'm amazed this is worth covering."

Her grip was firm as she shook his hand, and there was a predatory look in her eyes. "With all the changes in your family, I thought it wouldn't hurt to take a look. Are you here to support your father's bid?"

"Actually I am not. I am about to put in a competing bid." For a while, Arthur savoured the surprise that crossed Isabel's face. He wasn't oblivious – he knew that many people believed that he'd been riding his father's coattails to the top – Arthur just found it easier to let them keep thinking that, always believing that eventually he'd prove them wrong.

Ever the consummate professional, Isabel quickly hid her shock. "Pendragon versus Pendragon. I admit, I didn't expect this of you. Is this a symbolic bid or do you think you're in with a chance?"

From the corner of his eye, Arthur saw Merlin gesticulating wildly, Gwen next to him, looking more unsure than he'd ever seen her. Merlin tapped his wrist.

"I'd love to talk more but I'm afraid I need to put in my proposal before the deadline passes." Arthur nodded, then walked back to where Gwen and Merlin stood. "Let's go."

"Why are the press here?" Gwen asked. And as steady as she kept her voice, Arthur could hear the undercurrent of nerves.

Without thinking, he took her hand and wrapped it in his. It fit perfectly. "Anything we do is big news. You know that," he said softly.

"I knew, but I didn't know." She smiled up at him, gave his hand a squeeze then dropped it. "Come on. Let's get inside to drop off the proposal. Don't want to be late."

"Arthur." Of course his father would be waiting for him in the office.

"Dad. This is Merlin, as you know and this is Gwen."

Uther's smile was insincere. "Gwen Thompson of Thompson Architect. I've seen your work. It's good but not quite on the scale that this project is."

Arthur never realized what it was like to be proud of someone until he watched Gwen stand firm in front of his father. No matter what, Uther Pendragon was still a huge figure in Camelot and coming face to face with him was not something people usually looked forward to.

"We all have to start somewhere," said Gwen, looking steadily into Uther's eyes. "And your son has been very helpful."

"My son." Uther's eyes flickered over to Arthur. "The man who was too cowardly to tell me he was submitting a competing bid."

Arthur lifted his chin. "I didn't think it was strategic to tip you off."

This time, his smile was more genuine. "Good thinking. Unfortunately, Arthur, as you are well aware, I don't like losing. You've always thought more with your heart than your head. Merlin. Gwen."

And then he was walking away. Arthur closed his eyes and tried to get his emotions under control. He hated how small his father could make him feel, as if he was still that little boy who never got anything right.

"Good luck, Dad."

Uther turned briefly. "You too, son."

The moment Uther was out of earshot, Merlin let out a breath. "That went well."

"Your father is worse in real life," muttered Gwen.

Arthur ran a hand through his hair. "He's not so bad. He's just angry with me."

"Ok, we've done something pretty amazing for three people – two of whom are unemployed. So, how about some ice cream?" Merlin said.

"Sounds brilliant," said Gwen. "Come on, Arthur."

Isabel pounced on them the moment they walked out of the office. Alluding to having spoken to his father, she demanded details of his decision to bid on the city hall.

"I had a different vision for the building from my father," he said firmly.

"And these two with you, they are working with you?" Isabel gestured to Merlin and Gwen who had hung back.

Arthur paused. "The details of our proposal will be made public within the week. I'm sure you can get whatever information you need then."

"Mr Pendragon –"

Ignoring Isabel, Arthur quickly ushered Gwen and Merlin to the lifts. When they finally reached the car park, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"You did it!"

It was Thursday morning and in the business section of the Albion Post was the large headline trumpeting he and his father going head to head for city hall. Arthur had barely scanned the article when Morgana called.

Clasping the phone between his ear and his shoulder, Arthur sighed and tossed the newspaper onto the sofa. "I'm not deaf, Morgana."

"I honestly didn't think you had it in you to go against Dad."

Arthur paced in Merlin's small living room. "Well I did."

"How does it feel? What happens next?"

"Well, the plans are going to go public in a few days, then we have the presentations to do to the city officials and whoever wants to see. Then, I guess it's the vote."

"How confident are you?"

"I think, considering our resources, we did pretty well. Gwen's designs are brilliant." Arthur flopped onto the sofa. "But Dad won't lose without a fight."

"And he doesn't always fight fair."

Arthur didn't need Morgana's reminder. "No, he doesn't."

"I'm proud of you baby brother," said Morgana and he could hear the grin in her voice.

"Yeah."

"I got to go. I can hear Sarah waking up. You take care. And keep an eye on Merlin and Gwen."

"Yes, yes. And they're adults. They can take care of themselves." But even as he said those words, worry sat heavily in his stomach. "Say hello to Sarah for me."

Arthur glanced at the clock after he put down on Morgana. Picking up the newspaper again, Arthur read it a bit more carefully. The usual spiel of all the things his Dad had achieved in Camelot – how he single handedly revived the economy led the article, followed by the usual questions of Arthur's capabilities. He smiled as he read about how this move of his was 'brave' and 'impressive'.

His phone beeped.

Gwaine is picking me up at 7. We'll meet at The Fox and The Horse?

Damn. He'd forgotten about the double date with Gwen and Gwaine. When Gwen had asked again, chewing on her pencil and looking so eager and worried, Arthur found himself unable to say no, even as some part of his brain told him that it was a bad idea. He didn't even know why it was a bad idea. Elena had certainly thought it was a great idea when he asked her.

Ok. See you there at 7:30.

Gwen's reply was a smiley and Arthur smiled at the phone, then dropped it next to him on the sofa.

"God, you're up early." Merlin padded into the living room. He yawned then stretched, before sitting on the sofa next to Arthur. "What are you doing today?"

"Watch some television, think about how we should approach the presentation then I have the double date."

"Huh," said Merlin. "Sounds fantastic."

"What about you?"

"I'm not sure. It's been a while since I've not had to go into work." In one movement, Merlin put his legs on the coffee table in front of them. "Maybe this is a good time for me to do some packing."

Arthur laughed. "You mean unpacking? You've been living here for months and there's still a wall of boxes in your guest room."

"Yeah that. Or I could sleep some more."

"You're such a bum. Come on, go get changed and let's get some breakfast." Arthur pushed himself off the sofa then snagged Merlin's arm, pulling him up as well. "Go."

As Merlin trudged to his bedroom, grumbling under his breath about Arthur being a pain and how he should really throw Arthur out, Arthur's eyes fell on his phone again.

Don't suppose you want to join us for breakfast? My treat.

It took Gwen a full ten minutes to reply, ten minutes which he spent staring at his phone, wondering why her agreeing to breakfast was so important to him. Finally, his phone beeped.

Sure. Gimme half an hour.

Arthur heart leapt and he grinned at his phone.