Summary: Three years later Arthur is living in Wales, with Merlin. Arthur is 'out', and their relationship is still platonic. Then someone comes along who tests their friendship.
Unborn Butterfly (Part 14: Partners) by frostygossamer
Arthur was NOT wearing a gown, even though Merlin had dared him too.
"There are places you 'dress' and places you don't", he insisted. "In a government office surrounded by neanderthal rugger pals and shockable relatives, that is NOT the place."
"Shame", Merlin said. "I'd have loved to see you in a bridal gown."
"You can sing for it", Arthur retorted, but he couldn't help smiling at the thought.
They all gathered at the local Register Office. Lancelot was there with Gwen, who had finally buried the hatchet with Arthur over their separation, Morgana, who claimed to represent their father, although Arthur doubted it, Merlin's mother Hunith with her gentleman beau Dr. Gaius and, surprisingly, Percival with a few more of the old rugby team, because they could never resist an excuse for a stag night. As Percival liked to say, inappropriately, "Queer beer is still beer".
When the young female Registrar pronounced them both Civil Partners, Merlin and Arthur shook hands. Their guests and witnesses were all a little surprised. The Registrar swallowed the usual non-gender-specific equivalent of "You may now kiss the bride" and, instead, just smiled sunnily, and led a round of applause.
After the ceremony, they all piled out of the Register Office, and reconvened for dinner and champagne in a smart local restaurant, where the waiters stood around muttering, obviously amused. Arthur didn't care. He was happy and so was Merlin. The rest of the world could go hang anyway.
Much to everyone's surprise, Gwen even stood up and proposed a toast.
"Arthur. I have to say that I am sorry that things didn't work out between us. But I'm very glad to see that your new life is working out for you. And I hope the future holds good things for you both."
"Merlin. I hope he makes you as happy as I know he wanted to make me. You deserve it."
"Arthur and Merlin!"
Everybody raised their glasses and cheered. Merlin gave Arthur a reassuring pat on the back. He knew that the memory of Gwen's rejection still hurt.
At the end of the night, the various guests returned to their various hotels, and the newly-partnered returned to their flat, a little tiddly.
Arthur turned around from locking the flat's door to find Merlin standing in the middle of the living room, arms outstretched and grinning like a loon.
"We're married, Arthur", he beamed. "Married. To each other. Isn't it wonderful?"
Arthur smiled affectionately, and walked into Merlin's arms for a long hug. Yes, it was wonderful. After several minutes of contented silence, he finally whispered...
"Why don't we just go to bed and consummate this thing?"
Merlin leant away from Arthur to search his face, his eyebrows raised in astonishment.
"Because we're not gay, you prat", he answered back.
Arthur chuckled. "True", he said. "But, come on, let's just bunk together anyway. I don't think you're supposed to sleep alone on your wedding night. It's unlucky or something."
Merlin's expression morphed into a silly grin.
"Race you", he said and, grabbing Arthur's hand, dragged him off to the master bedroom.
('o')
A little later, they were lying six inches apart in Arthur's bed, in their jammies.
"Well, this is different", Merlin observed, casually.
Arthur leant up on one elbow. "What do you mean 'different'?"
"I mean, I don't suppose you would have expected your wedding night with Gwen to have been like this. Just chummy", Merlin chuckled.
Arthur hit him with a pillow. "Bloody Gwen!", he growled.
He threw himself onto his back, laughing. Then he turned his gaze towards Merlin and studied him intently for a moment.
"I never got you a wedding present", he remarked.
"Ah, but I got you something", Merlin chuckled naughtily and then whispered, "Look under the bed, Precious."
Arthur's curiosity was piqued. He leant over the side of the bed and felt underneath. There was a large flat cardboard box. He pulled it out, laid it on the bottom of the bed and opened it. It contained a full lingerie set in bridal white.
He sucked in an appreciative breath. "Merlin, you really are my hero, you know that? No wonder I love you."
Without thinking, he flung his weight on top of Merlin and squeezed him, until the younger man made comic choking sounds. Then he quickly let him go.
"Sorry", he apologized. "I got carried away."
"It's OK", Merlin gasped, then his eyes twinkled. "You blinking perv", he joked fondly.
"Go to sleep, idiot", Arthur ordered, settling down again and fighting back a smile.
Arthur switched off the light and they were quiet for a minute.
"I would, you know", Merlin said into the silence. "If you ever really wanted to."
"I know", Arthur replied.
They fell asleep holding hands.
('o')
Months later, Merlin was sorting through their post, as Arthur sat on the sofa, painting his toenails 'Midnight Lavender' and munching on a piece of toast.
"Oh look. Here's one from your dad", Merlin exclaimed. He flexed the envelope. "It feels like a card."
Arthur nearly choked on his chunky marmalade. "Give it here", he demanded.
He opened it swiftly, using his buttery knife.
"It's an invitation", he exclaimed in surprise.
"Well, it's your dad's birthday soon, isn't it?"
"It's been his birthday every year since we left London. We've never had an invite before."
"We?", Merlin queried, doubtfully.
"It says 'and partner'", Arthur confirmed. "'Mr. Uther Pendragon cordially invites you to celebrate his birthday with him at Pendragon House.'", he read, "Smart casual. Wonders will never cease."
Merlin picked up the discarded envelope.
"There's a letter in here too", he pointed out.
Arthur unfolded the sheet of pink notepaper.
"It's from Morgana. I suppose she got the job of doing the invitations", he said. "She says I have to turn up. She says it may be my last chance. Whatever that means. It sounds bad."
Merlin nodded. "It doesn't sound too good", he agreed. "We'll have to go."
('o')
Uther Pendragon's birthday party was a very formal affair. The guests were mostly business acquaintances. Merlin felt very out of place. Arthur fidgeted uncomfortably in his male mufti.
After the sumptuous dinner was cleared away, Uther gestured for Arthur to follow him into his study for a private confrontation. Neither man spoke for several minutes, then Arthur broke the ice.
"How long?", he asked.
"Hmm?", Uther pretended not to understand, but then he relented. "Less than a year", he replied, impassively.
Arthur sighed sadly. "It shouldn't have taken this to make you want to talk to me", he said.
"Oh, this wasn't my idea", Uther declared. "Morgana insisted on it. Personally I don't know how I can be expected to have a serious conversation with a man in lady's underwear."
"You've probably done that more often than you know", Arthur told him.
Uther grumbled. "Why couldn't you have just been gay? That would have been bad enough", he complained.
"Because I couldn't be JUST anything, Father", Arthur retorted. "And you didn't want me to be. I had to be everything I could be. That's how you brought me up. But you expected me to be like you. I'm nothing like you. I'm better than you. You couldn't see that. You didn't want to. Merlin did. He saw what I needed to be. And he helped me to become it."
Uther growled. "That man...", he began.
"That man?", Arthur repeated. "That man saved my life. He made the bad things bearable. How long do you think I could have gone on living a lie? Where do you think that was going to lead? It would have been Hell on Earth. I don't think I could have done it. And without 'that man', I would probably have ended up slitting my bloody wrists."
"No", Uther groaned, "No, Arthur, I don't believe you would have done that. You're not a coward."
"No, Father, I'm not a coward. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing now. That's why I'm living my life as I need to live it. My own way."
Uther took his old head in his hands. "I just wish we could have mended this rift", he muttered.
"Then mend it, Father", Arthur replied, calmly. "It's not me that's angry with you. Not anymore. And if you change your mind you know where to find me. With Merlin."
With that Arthur walked out of the study.
TBC
A/N: Uther has bridges to mend. Final chapter next time.