"Watch the show tomorrow, please. For me. Arthur."

Merlin lay there on his bed, staring at the text on his phone. Even after reading it for the twentieth time, it still didn't make any more sense. Was Arthur just being cruel, wanting Merlin to tune in just to see him be fine, or worse, to talk about Elena. He assumed they were together now, she'd been at the party with him the other night after all. There had been one moment where Arthur had looked at him and there was something in his eyes, that gave Merlin some notion of hope but Elena had walked up and clung to his arm like a bloody limpet. Well, he wasn't going to give Arthur the satisfaction. He put his phone on the table and rolled over, closing his eyes.

Naturally, he woke at 7am. He groaned looking at the time, willing himself back to sleep. However, the bright light radiating through the curtains combined with the fact that his body was so used to early mornings by now, meant that he seemed incapable of a lie-in. With nothing else to do, he got out of bed and traipsed into the kitchen, flicking the kettle on. He made a cup of tea quietly, making one up for Gwen as well, knowing she would be up soon. A quick glance to digital clock on the cooker told him it was now 7:18. He planted himself on his usual spot in front of the television, determined not to turn it on. He blew on his tea to cool it before taking a small sip. He caved, switching the telly on at the point then using the remote. He flicked channels aimlessly, finding nothing worth watching on any of them. He paused when a familiar face appeared on screen. He was surprised to see Lance on screen for a second, until he remembered Morgana telling him that Lance would be filling in for him until they could find a permanent replacement. She said they were starting the interviews this week but Merlin had a feeling that she was still holding out hope that Merlin would accept the permanent contract.

Merlin's hand was still paused on the remote as the camera switched and Arthur's face filled the screen. Merlin's heart jumped as Arthur introduced himself with a smile.

"Don't do this to yourself," came Gwen's sympathetic voice from behind him. On screen, Lance and Arthur were introducing themselves.

Merlin didn't take his eyes off the screen. "I'm watching for Lance," he replied, not even convincing himself. Gwen sighed as she went to grab the cup of tea from the kitchen.

"So, good morning everyone," Lance said, sounding slightly anxious, as the camera panned back to show both of them. "So first up this morning, we'll be talking about the Royal Wedding which, as you all know is coming up next friday." The camera zoomed in on Lance. "I'm quite excited, are you Arthur?"

The camera shifted back Arthur. "Yes," he said with a smile. "It should be quite an event." The sound of his voice made Merlin's insides flip-flop and he cursed himself for still loving Arthur, despite all that had happened.

Lance seemed to have calmed a bit now, after the initial welcome bit. "And, from what I hear, you yourself might be hearing wedding bells soon as well Arthur? Elena is very lovely."

Merlin held his breath as the camera shot back to Arthur's face. Arthur paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, his face relaxed and Arthur seemed to make a sudden decision. He straightened the papers against his knee, which Merlin knew to take as a sign that he was nervous. "Elena? No, Lance. I'm not dating Elena, I'm gay."

Even Lance seemed a little thrown by that one. There was a collective silence, both in the studio and in Merlin's flat. He knew Gwen had heard as well as he'd heard her spoon clatter loudly against the counter.

Arthur acted as though nothing had happened. "But yeah, the Royal Wedding. I am very excited - will you be watching?"

Lance collected himself, sounding only the teensiest bit flustered as he replied in the affirmative and the show continued, as Merlin sat dumbfounded, trying to process the fact that Arthur had just outed himself on live television. And he wasn't dating Elena.

Gwen slowly walked over and sat next to him, placing her tea on the table. "Did you know he was going to do that?" she asked quietly. Merlin shook his hair, still unable to form words. "Do you still love him?" she continued. Did he? Arthur had hurt him; he had hidden their relationship from Uther, from everyone. Then again, Arthur had also just come out on national television for him.

Merlin slowly turned to look at her. He nodded silently. She picked up her mug and leaned back against the back cushion. "What are you still doing here?" she asked finally.

"I don't know," Merlin whispered. Gwen took a sip, observing him calmly.

Merlin's brain finally started working properly and he stood up quickly, spilling his tea on his pyjama's as he did so. He looked at Gwen for a split-second before running into his bedroom to frantically get dressed.

Arthur felt like an idiot. What the hell had he been thinking? Telling the entire nation he was gay in some vain attempt at getting Merlin back. He didn't even know if Merlin had watched the show, let alone if he even cared. Thankfully, nobody had bothered to come up after the show to tell him quite what an utter moron he actually was. He could do that by all by himself. Morgana had beamed at him like she was proud and Leon had given him a jerky clap on the back, then Arthur had bolted, wanting nothing more to get out of the building and look into emigrating as soon as possible.

He tapped his foot repeatedly, waiting for the elevator to arrive on the ground floor. When the doors finally opened, he barged past the people in front, ignoring the hostile looks and tuts of 'How rude' they gave him, only concerned with getting away. He wasn't even looking where he was going as he rushed through the lobby, which was why it was unsurprising that he collided into somebody. Hot coffee spilled down his shirt and he swore under his breath, looking up with anger. "You stupid-" He stopped when he saw who was standing in front of him.

"That was your fault," Merlin said, with a rueful smile. He also had coffee down his thick green jumper but appeared completely unconcerned.

Arthur gaped. "I-uh…" He trailed off and Merlin rose an eyebrow, his smile widening.

"Eloquent as ever," Merlin said. "I watched the show," he added, after taking in Arthur's confused face.

"Oh," was all Arthur could say. Merlin nodded, his eyebrows raised.

There was a beat in which they both stared at each other. Then -

"Well…kiss me then, you absolute prat," Merlin said impatiently.

Arthur finally found his voice and smirked at Merlin. "Bossy," he chastised and Merlin rolled his eyes. Arthur laughed and drew Merlin into his arms and when he finally brought their lips together, it was like coming home. He kissed Merlin deeply, unable to stop smiling against the kiss.

"I love you," he whispered in Merlin's ear, when they broke apart. Merlin pulled back, a tender blush spreading across his cheeks and Arthur thought he'd never seen something so beautiful.

"I thought you hated me," Merlin said, shy for once in his life, causing Arthur's heart to ache at the thought that Merlin actually believed that.

Arthur took Merlin's hands in his, clasping them to his chest. "I did," he said. "You were insolent, audacious, not to mention staggeringly incompetent-"

"Not really wooing me here," Merlin interjected, with an amused frown.

Arthur placed his hand over Merlin's mouth, continuing, "But then I thought: maybe that's what real love is; not hating somebody when you have every reason to."

Merlin tugged Arthur's hand away from kiss mouth, placing a sweet kiss to the palm as he did so. His eyes were glistening ever so slightly and he threw his arms around Arthur, holding him as close as humanly possible, yet it still wasn't close enough. "I love you too," he replied, "Now, lets get you out of that wet shirt." He pulled back, a wicked smile playing against his lips. Arthur smiled, pulling Merlin's mouth back to his own.

The End