In a way, this is sort of the beginning of a separate story, or book, to the other chapters. They're not in France anymore, and it's more about sustaining a relationship rather than building one. So I'm guessing finding plots will be harder.

And someone, (I don't know if I can mention names) said about my plot going all awry, I'm sorry, but it is my first. I'm hoping consistency will come with practise. And also, that thing with writing down my plots, I tend to get bored and then give up. I prefer to just let myself write what I want to and when I want to. Sorry if it's kind of ruining it for you.

Oh, and thank you for the reviews! You make me the happiest person alive!

Chapter Eleven

"Gaius!" Merlin peered out of his bedroom door and down the stairs towards the kitchen, where his Great Uncle Gaius was washing up after breakfast, and yelled, waiting for the script-like reply,

"Yes, Merlin, what is it now?" he called back, not turning in the boy's direction,

"I was wondering..."

"That's always a worry," he cut him off, chuckling to himself.

"No, listen." he pointed a stern, but unseen finger at his uncle, "I was wondering if I could have a friend over later, y'know... for dinner," he thought about the prospect for a moment, and then raised his eyebrows. Contemplating how it sounded. Did boys have friends over for dinner? Was that the done thing? No, it didn't matter. This was just friends getting together for dinner. Just Arthur and Merlin. Alone. Eating dinner... It did sound like a date...would Gaius see it like that? He dearly hoped not. At least not yet. Not until he'd had a chance to say it properly. This evening was just to see how they got on, see if Gaius approved of Arthur. Although, frankly, Merlin found it inconceivable how anyone could help but approve of Arthur. One smile and he should have his uncle in the palm of his hand. But, then, Gaius wasn't gay. But wouldn't that be another interesting twist, If a little repetitive.

Merlin had gotten so distracted he'd forgotten he was supposed to be listening for an answer. Gaius' voice snapping him back into the white-walled reality. "Well, that might be a but of a nuisance. Hunith is coming for dinner..."

Hunith...

Perfect, he could gauge his mother's opinion as well. He'd always had an inkling that his mother knew about his sexuality, he'd just never pursued it before. "Mum won't mind,"

Gaius was making his way up the stairs, and Merlin cursed. He wasn't dressed, his mind had wandered and he wasn't anywhere near ready, "She may not tell you that she mind's, but don't you think some time alone with your mother would be good? After all, she hasn't seen you in two weeks."

Merlin had darted into his bedroom and was stood holding the door closed whilst trying to shake off his pyjamas, "Two weeks isn't very long," but really, his rational, sensitive mind had just been overruled by the instinct to bring Arthur into the family, to make him congregate with those close to him. And decide whether eloping would be necessary in the future...okay... So that's a little too drastic... But he had considered it. Should the worst come to the worst.

"Well, if you think so..." he paused, "Merlin, why aren't you in the study sorting out your books?" Gaius rapped four fingers on the young boys wooden door, before trying the handle...

"Because..!" he frantically looked around, stopping the old man in his tracks in fright at the loudness of his explanation's start, before seizing his coat off of his bed and shaking it in the direction of the closed door, "Because I forgot my coat was up here!"

"Merlin, you coat is always in there... Honestly." Gaius shook his head, "and why do you need it to sort out your bag?"

"God! What is this?! An interrogation?!" he yelled back, becoming increasingly nervous, but still unsure of why he was getting so stressed about it... As if Gaius would be angry.

The old man sighed, "You weren't dressed were you?"

"No."

"Well get a move on, I've got to pick up Katrina from the station and take her into the main Practitioners, as a favour for Edwin. I don't want to keep her waiting," he turned and walked away, feeling the mildest bit annoyed,

"You can leave, I'll catch the bus!"

"Don't be ridiculous. The half-seven one left at exactly that, and the next bus doesn't pass the bus-stop until ten, and I won't have you being late for your lessons."

Merlin scrabbled together his coat, forgetting to buckle-up the belt on his jeans and he didn't even touch his hair.

Gaius raised an infamous eyebrow when he saw him, ruffled and untidy,

"What?!"

Gaius just walked out of the front door. Not finding the energy to argue.

―

Now, to tell Arthur the good news.

He ambled into school with the assertion of a mouse, his arms hanging loosely at his sides and a look in his eyes that said, 'don't mess with me... Please...' and he could hear it in his breathing. The past four days had been long enough for him to get used to the lack of eye contact people gave him, or the too-intense eye contact others would. The only people who weren't ignoring him were Gwen, Morgana, and then of course, Arthur. But it would have been plain strange if he'd been ignoring him. Oh, and then there was Freya. She didn't seem bothered. He'd spoken to her a few times and she seemed nice enough, but then, for all he knew, she was laughing behind his back as well.

He saw him by the lockers, pulling out book after book, and replacing them with books that looked almost identical to the ones he'd pulled out, and stuffing them into his bag with a non-existent respect. He had to hold back a sigh of adoration just from looking at him. The way he had to flick a lock of golden hair from in front of his eyes made his chest bubble with excitement, an unreasonable and nearly inexplicable excitement. But one that Merlin enjoyed.

"Arthur," he said, approaching the boy, and revelling in the beaming smile that burst into existence on Arthur's face as they made eye contact.

"Merlin," he looked around him, before sighing at Nimueh, who was watching quite intently. He felt too uncomfortable when she was around. Although he knew he shouldn't have to worry, he still did. Morgana had told him the sort of person she was, and how easily she could be pushed too far.

"I've got good news," he started, although the girls presence was taking the joy out of him. He was finding it hard to show just how excited he was,

"Gaius said 'yes'" Arthur deduced,

"Pretty much, but only to dinner, he doesn't know about..." he glanced over at Nimueh again, "us,"

"Oh well, no big deal. You can tell him when you're ready," Arthur kissed the shorter boy on the lips, just gently. In full knowledge of what hell could potentially break loose with Nimueh stood so close, but he needed Merlin to know he was behind him all the way (Careful again!) and that was the only way he knew how.

They walked half-heartedly, as if they had all the time in the world, their feet freely dragging them along the corridor that lead to their form room, but neither had any intention of going in. They would just walk slowly until the bell went, both thrown into silence in the few minutes that passed before that familiar ring, as if the hazardous eyes that had previously watched them had pushed them dangerously close to a mutual unease. Although, Merlin knew that one girl shouldn't be enough to pull them apart. Not a girl as lonely as her. Well... just not a girl.

Arthur tugged Merlin's waist, pulling him closer, getting that heady rush as he felt Merlin's skin underneath his t-shirt. Then kissed him on his cheek, before turning down the next corridor. The pale boy promptly blushed, watching Arthur for a moment, admiring the strong, confident gait with which he walked, and wishing the he could be as self-assured.

He twisted marginally, and right on cue, Gwen winked at him. He followed her beckoning hand over to her locker, and leant against one of its neighbours, still staring down the path that Arthur had taken. "Morgana said it's strange," she looked at him, smirking, "how you've been the only one to turn Arthur's head for years, apparently he barely looked at anyone, not even the Swedish exchange boy Jorge," she laughed, "although, that means nothing to me... I don't even know what he looked like, only that he stayed with the family next door to Arthur and Morgana... And had brown hair..." she rambled on,

Merlin felt positively giddy, he'd been the only one.

He'd spent the beginning of the week apologising to Gwen for not speaking to her very much when they were in France. But after three days, he'd realised that she wasn't at all put out by it, in fact, she'd said they weren't exactly good-enough friends for her to miss him. He'd been slightly offended, claiming that he'd thought they were at least on miss-able terms. But apparently not. So all was forgotten.