Merlin looked at the building and felt uncomfortable, although he had worn his suit he knew he would stick out like a sore thumb. But then figured that he would never meet anyone again so he had nothing to worry about.

A waiter brought the coffee and Agravaine indulged in general conversation, about the pottery and the changes "I realised my nephew purchased the company as my sister collects the stuff, but I was surprised he put so much into it."

Merlin looked at him in surprise "Arthur doesn't seem the sort to buy something on a whim, I'm sure he believes the pottery as a sound economic future."

On hearing Merlin call Arthur by his given name his eyebrows shot up "I can see you have become very friendly with him."

"We all have, he's very approachable" Merlin said in defence.

"I'm sure" came the scathing reply "I was very surprised when he had all the contracts changed. I think I see why now" he looked at Merlin as if he was trying to see inside him. "What hold do you have on him I wonder?"

Merlin realised they had come to the reason for the offer of coffee and didn't like the other man's tone. "I have no hold, what do you mean?" he demanded

"You mean you don't know, oh my…. The free legal advice it was added at the last minute, and has never been offered before. What trouble are you in I wonder? Is that the cost of a tumble with you, you look like his type but I never thought he would have to pay for it, are you playing hard to get? You do realise it won't lead to anything don't you?" Arthur's uncle looked at Merlin in undisguised scorn. "My nephew has real commitment issues"

Merlin paled not wanting to believe what he had just heard "I have no wish to have a 'tumble' as you put it" Merlin snapped

"Oh wanting something more permanent are you? Well I warn you, you are wasting your time. Arthur can have the pick of who he wants, what chance would a twink like you have. No Arthur won't keep you around for long, he likes a challenge that's all. I'm sorry to break it to you but you are nothing but a quick lay, not someone he wants to grow old with. Make the most of it while it lasts. When the time comes he will settle down but not with someone like you"

Merlin stood up and pushed his chair back with a crash "So this is a warning off is it? Well for your interest I'm not….interested, that is in Arthur or anyone else. And if what you say is true then he can find himself a new potter, why don't you tell him that for me"

Merlin stormed out the older man's words hitting a raw nerve, how dare he talk of growing old together Merlin already knew he would be, and he didn't need it rubbed in. And what did he mean by the contracts? As Merlin walked the streets he thought about what Arthur's uncle had told him and get out his phone and rang the lawyer.

"This is Merlin Emrys, you are off the case and tell Mr Pendragon I don't need his charity nor his job I would rather lose my home than my pride"

Once he had vented his temper he walked disconsolately to the railway station and caught his train. The journey back was a miserable one. Why had Arthur done that to him? Why was it he always picked the bad apples? Merlin didn't fool himself he knew he had been more than half way in love with the blonde, but he had never fooled himself that anything would come of it. Had Arthur picked up any vibes? Is that why he had been so helpful? Just to get a lay? Now he would lose his cottage and job in one swoop. Well he would move away and start afresh, somewhere where no one knew him.

When he got home he wrote a letter of resignation and posted it. He would forfeit the money he was owned but he was damned he would go in again. Then he started to pack the items that meant the most to him, he would have to leave most behind as he had nowhere to keep it. Then as the reaction set in he felt tears form behind his eyes. Walking up to the apple tree he sat down and looking at the photo of his mother he spoke to her.

"Mum I'm sorry I've lost the place, I know it meant a lot to you but I can't do this anymore. I need to get away. I hope you have nice new owners who will look after the garden and house. Maybe there will be kids running round under this tree like me and Will used to. I'm a failure and have let you down. Why did he do it Mum? I knew Arthur would never return my feelings but to do that, just to use me and go, he played he played me like a fish, why can't I find anyone?" he swallowed "I have to write some letters to the team, I can't face them not now but I will come back some day promise"

Merlin sat with tears running down his face, in his distress he hadn't seen the figure watching him nor footsteps approaching. In fact he had no idea until he felt strong arms go round him and pull him in close.

"Hush my love" Merlin pulled away and looked up

"Arthur what are you doing here?" then realisation dawned "How much did you hear?

Arthur smiled down at him "Pretty much everything, look you idiotic fool did you really think I would do that to you?" Arthur ran his thumb along Merlin's cheekbones to wipe away a tear. "The lawyer rang me and told me what you had said. He also told me you had been seen with my uncle. What did he tell you?" the smile vanished and Arthur looked savage.

Merlin pulled away "Was it true? Did you alter the contracts so you could pay for the lawyer?"

Arthur looked resigned "I did, but listen to me Merlin it wasn't just to bed you! If all I wanted was someone in my bed I could have found a cheaper way"

"Are you saying I'm easy! Why Arthur tell me that I thought we were friends at least. Why the subterfuge?"

"I never assumed you would be easy! As to the subterfuge, you are an independent man and wouldn't have let me help you, because I wanted to let you keep you pride and your family home. But most of all because you have found a home in my heart. I don't know what my uncle told you but I can guess, something like I wanted to sleep with you but you would never mean anything that you would never keep me. Am I right?

Merlin had continued to move away as Arthur spoke but he stopped "Why?"

"Why what? Why do I love you, god knows I gave up a long time ago on finding my special person. I wasn't willing to settle for second best." Arthur looked puzzled.

"Why did your uncle tell me all those things?"

"My Uncle is a strange man, but he is my mother's brother so I have kept him around. He wants me to marry his daughter he always has, he wants my fortune, the fact that we're first cousins hasn't stopped him, and after all it's legal in the UK. Even the fact that I'm gay hasn't stopped it. I don't know how he found out about my feelings for you, or that he knew you were in London but I intend to find out." Arthur steeped forward and took Merlin's hands in his "Look you numpty will you let me help you? No strings attached, you can't lose this place you love it too much, it's to you"

Merlin looked at Arthur unsure whether to trust him or more importantly trust himself. "He said you wouldn't want to grow old with me, Will said the same thing, that I would never find anyone and I would be a lonely old man" Merlin looked up at Arthur "I've just posted my resignation and I've packed."

Arthur stepped into Merlin's personal space once more and rested his hands on Merlin's waist. "One I can't promise that we will see old age together, but I want to give it a try, please don't compare me with Will. And two I don't accept your resignation and you can easily unpack so that's no excuse. Merlin will you go out with me? Get to know me? If it means anything my mother thinks we make a good couple" Arthur smiled at the raven haired man. "We don't need to rush anything we have all the time in the world."

Merlin was torn, he had no idea what to think anymore, he just looked at Arthur all the indecision plain to see.

Arthur smile "Come on cup of tea, my mum says that cures everything." He took Merlin's hand and led him indoors. "Look Merlin whatever happens let the lawyers do their job, I don't want to see that brute get this cottage or money from it, he doesn't deserve it for what he did to you. If you want to pay me back later you can. With luck costs will be awarded against him and he will pay. But I rather think when he knows you will fight and his solicitor realises who he's up against he will fold. You have the best lawyer in his field, it is Leon's brother in case you didn't realise." Arthur sat Merlin down and put the kettle on.

After Merlin had drunk his tea Arthur looked at him "Well will you let me help?"

Merlin closed his eyes and collected his thoughts. "OK but on one condition, well two. I pay you back and you don't change the contracts"

"Done! I thought it would be harder than that. Now will you go out with me?" Arthur gave Merlin a wistful smile.

"I don't know, I need to think"

"Fair enough, now will you be alright and can I rip up your resignation? I can't do without my potter"

Merlin gave a rueful grin "You can, but I wrote it to Gwaine so you'll have to get it off him" he looked at the blonde "About the rest I do need to think, I don't know if I am any good at being with someone"

"Take all the time you need Merlin, but one thing I can tell you, you are not meant to be alone"

Arthur left Merlin reminding him to lock up and saying "You have my number call me"

After he had gone Merlin sat there and thought through everything. He wanted to believe Arthur but he still had that niggling doubt in his mind. He also wasn't sure he wanted to have another relationship, he couldn't stand the heartache.

The next day at midmorning there was a knock on the door. Looking out the window Merlin saw Gwaine so went and unlocked at took him thought to the kitchen. "Shouldn't you be working?" he asked his boss.

Gwaine grinned "I am, I opened the post this morning and before I read this Arthur snatched it out of my hand and ripped it to sheds and told me to drive out and say it was refused. He then told me that the creep Agravaine had spoken to you. He also told me that Agravaine had been sacked. All I can say is thank you the man was a menace."

Gwaine looked at Merlin "The princess didn't say much and he won't. He's tighter than a clam when he wants to be, so I'll ask you, are you two an item yet?"

"No, look Gwaine I don't want to talk about it" Merlin said stubbornly

"Ok keep your shirt on" he paused "I know it's none of my business but you are good for him. I don't know how Agravaine got involved and what happened but I do know that Arthur is concerned about you, you've got to him like no one else ever has done, and I know you like him so…."

"I don't know Gwaine alright just leave it" Merlin glared at him.

Gwaine held his hands up "OK, but remember I consider you a good friend, the best, so if you need anyone come and find me" he paused "See you at work tomorrow?"

"You will, will he be there?" he didn't think he needed to say who.

"Nope back to London tonight, now be a nice lad and call him" Gwaine looked at Merlin's expression "Alright I get it, butt out"

Later that evening the phone rang it was an unknown number, answering it expecting it to be a salesman he was surprised to hear Ygraine Pendragon's voice. "Hello Merlin Look I know it's a cheek but I took this number of off Arthur's phone"

"That's alright Lady Pendragon, Thank you so much for the vase by the way it is in pride of place" Merlin was puzzled as to why she had rung

"That's alright dear and please call me Ygraine. Now I expect your wondering why I rang. Well first off Arthur doesn't know I stole your number from him. I rang to have a word about the pair of you." She paused

Merlin had no idea what to say but before he collected his thoughts Ygraine continued "I am sorry about my brother he had no right and I have told him so, he is sulking but it serves him right, he has been pushing Arthur for far too long. Look my dear I wanted to put your mind at rest. My son thinks the world of you and I have told him he needs to ask you out before someone else gets their hands on you. You are good for my son, he needs that special person and you my boy are it. So forget any nonsense you might have in your head and grab happiness, I know you will both be happy and I would love you for a son in law"

"Thanks" Merlin stuttered not sure what else he should say. "Don't you think you're rushing things a bit we haven't go out yet."

"But you will my boy, just make him ask more than once it will be good for him. They say suffering is good for the soul." There was a chuckle down the phone "Get Gwaine to flirt with you that should do it"

"Gwaine is seeing one of my friends!" Merlin exclaimed "I can't do that!"

"What is it down there, all that sea air all I hear poor Lance talking about is Gwen, who's Gwaine got his eye on?" Ygraine chuckled "Never mind Merlin I hope to see you for Sunday lunch soon, bye"

Merlin smiled to himself and wondered what he was letting himself in for, because he knew if Arthur asked him out again he wouldn't be able to say no. He went to bed feeling better than he had done in a long time, since his mother told him she was dying in fact.