CHAPTER 14 : BEST KEPT SECRET

Merlin was full of the joys of Spring, he was confident that he had done well on the interview as the professor had said as much.

In the second part which pertained to the actual course, Merlin had praised the organisers, mentioning the tutors who went out of their way to see that their students were well prepared and had every opportunity to progress. He said they had never been treated any way other than as regular freshman but added that while he understood the value of having the AC students together in Magdalen instead of with the other freshers at Waynflete, it had led to a feeling of isolation from students their own age. He touched a little on the fact that not all the other Cloisters residents were happy to have freshers with them.

He was pleased to see that Professor Whiscombe did not seem unduly offended by his comments. When asked if he would overall recommend the course, Merlin had smiled and said, "It has been a wonderful opportunity and I would highly advise that if at all possible it is continued."

The professor then stood, "Thank you for being frank, we are proposing that the course be offered at Durham next year." Again thanking Merlin for being willing to talk to him he added, "I wish you best of success with your finals." He shook Merlin's hand and left. Merlin sat down and took a deep breath, realising that he had not been entirely truthful about the problems faced by the four of them in Magdalen. His mind flashed to Beth and the fact that she had not yet made any contact with Tina and then he remembered the poor cat.

He returned to his room and continued sorting his stuff into two piles one for home on which Teddy perched and one for the condo. There was a knock at his door and Toby wanted to know if he'd like to go out for an ice-cream. He immediately agreed remembering Gawaine and his passion for ice-creams, he'd get back to packing later on.

They nodded at Drake as they left. They walked around with their ice-creams it was a bit of a letdown after the stress of the mornings interviews. Toby's interview had been with a Professor McKnight from Liverpool. Merlin had laughed saying, "I would have felt quite at home with him."

Toby smiled shaking is head, "Well, she happened to be a her! I felt she really listened to me and was seriously interested in the AC courses. She's in the Faculty of History, I wonder if Gawaine knows her."

"Knowing Gawaine, if she is a looker, he will certainly have set his sights on her! He's on the outs with his girlfriend. I didn't think it would last as I can't see Gawaine settling in life much before he's in his forties. He's having too much fun and is not serious enough."

"He'll grow up but not soon enough for Professor McKnight as she was already sporting a wedding ring."

"Then we won't bother raising his hopes and let the lady live a peaceful life without him," Merlin added laughing.

"Where's Arthur this afternoon?"

"Said he had a meeting with someone about summer courses, he's trying hard to make up the years he missed because of his father and Bruxelles. Did you mention to your parents that you'd been invited to Liverpool for a couple of days?"

"Yes, and they said that I could go but only if I promised not to let the family down by behaving recklessly."

Merlin laughed, his mother when he was younger used to say to him as he left the house, 'Remember who you belong to!' it was a veiled threat that if he did anything awfully bad that he would have to face her and Gaius. It was said lovingly so he also interpreted it to mean that regardless of what a mess he made of things, he could still count on his family to be at his side.

Tina joined them at supper and told them her interview was with a Professor Wiesz who was very nice and she had enjoyed both the interview and talking about her life in the AC.

They made their ways upstairs and Toby and Merlin propped their doors open so that they could talk as they packed up their rooms. Merlin thought that when the full quota of students were present he would never have risked doing that.

Arthur phoned and they made their way to Tina's and then the bar. He ordered drinks all around telling them this was a celebration as they had for all intents and purposes completed Hilary. Toby and Tina both had beer, Arthur his usual whiskey and Merlin opted for a light cider. He had no intention of taking anything stronger in case he made a fool of himself and fell asleep. Shades of Gawaine's place in Liverpool drifted through his mind.

They sat around talking and then decided they should turn in as three of them still had a half day on the Friday.

Arthur dropped by Merlin's to check on the packing and laughed when he saw the pile with the dinosaur balanced on top. "Guess, that's going to the condo," he said.

"Wrong, as Teddy told me he would like to spend some time in Liverpool as he misses his home."

For a second, Arthur's heart fell, was Merlin telling him in a roundabout way that he did not intend to come back to Oxford for Trinity. Merlin laughed, "Arthur, you look as if you have seen a ghost, what's up?"

"I just thought that you might have left him at the condo so he would be there to greet you when you returned."

"But then he would have missed the hustle and the bustle of the train and the fun of seeing Mum.' Arthur said nothing knowing that the four of them and Teddy would be returning to Liverpool in the Land Rover.

"Can I stay in your condo on the weekend and then take the train on the Monday? Only say yes, if I am not going to be in the way. What time do you have to leave for London?"

Arthur smiled to himself as things were, he had at least a week before moving out. He grinned as he said, "I would be quite happy if you were in my way everyday, of course you can stay over. However, won't your Mum expect you back on Saturday?"

"Well, I never specified which day I was coming back. I just said that once the term was over."

Arthur shifted over on the love seat as Merlin looked as if he had enough of sorting things. "You seem to have an awful lot of stuff," he commented.

"I wouldn't have if a certain chap I know would stop giving me presents. That box over there is full of souvenirs." He lowered his voice and tried to sound like Arthur saying, "Merlin, I thought you would like this little punt as a souvenir of our time on the Cherwell."

Arthur laughed, "You don't have to keep them, just throw them out! I can buy you another once next term."

"…and this tea towel from our visit to Mattworth House and Gardens?" Merlin said, aiming it at him.

"Well, you can always use a teacloth to dry your dishes. Anyway," Arthur said picking it up, "the drawings of the sheep and flowers are rather nice."

Giving up and sitting beside him, Merlin said, "I really like this room, do you think that I will be able to have it again next year?"

"You don't even know if you will have to be in residence next year."

"True, but I know that my marks will falter if each day, I return to you at the condo. For one thing…I will be sleep deprived!"

"Sounds lovely," Arthur said as he turned his head to kiss him.

In the end, Merlin decided that the bed would be much more comfortable than the love seat and suggested that they relocate. For Merlin, the idea of having Arthur in his bed was wonderful. How many nights had he lay there thinking of Arthur? It was smaller than a king so they were more in contact with each other even just lying side by side.

Merlin smiled, cuddling with Arthur in his own bed was special and as things became more intense, it was even better. He'd have memories to last him for some time.

Arthur finally said as the clock on the church tower struck one, "I really should be creeping back to my room, I would hate for Drake to burst in on us right now."

Merlin felt the same as he knew he would never be able to look the man in his face again. But as he wanted Arthur with him, he said, "Stay over, let's live dangerously…"

"Two provisos, one that you do not fall out of bed." Merlin grinned as Arthur continued, "Secondly…"

"Arthur, I promise I'll cling onto you so I don't fall and I'll be as quiet as a church mouse."

Arthur grinned, he was ready to stay, something which he would have liked to have done on many other occasions. He thought of the size of the double bed and decided that variety was maybe the spice of life. He looked at Merlin and decided to make this a memorable night with no need to buy something so that he would remember it.

-0-0-

When the church clock chimed seven forty-five, Merlin opened his eyes and smiled as he saw the mullioned windows, he then realised the bed seemed smaller than usual and glanced to his left to see Arthur still dead to the world. He yawned before saying quietly to himself with a smile, "There goes your chance of creeping back to your room unnoticed!" Arthur stirred so Merlin said, "Morning Handsome, having a one nighter?"

Hearing Merlin's voice Arthur wasn't surprised, until he open his eyes and saw he wasn't in his condo. Merlin was grinning at him, he smiled back and said, "Was I a good overnight guest?"

"Best I've ever had!" Merlin said as he extricated himself from Arthur and the blankets and put his feet on the floor.

-0-0-

After breakfast, Merlin and friends went off to their final tutorials planning to meet up for lunch. Arthur sat around talking to the group of Canadians all graduates of Oxford and all intending to relive their youth for a week.

He phoned Hunith to see that they had been all right overnight. He reminded them that Merlin and he would probably arrive at the condo not any earlier than four o'clock. "He's amassed a lot of stuff this term, half he's leaving in the condo and the rest he'll be carting back to Liverpool."

When Hunith told Gaius what Arthur had said, he'd smiled as he'd remembered the large bronze replica of a carter's horse on the quayside outside the Liverpool Museum. Called 'Waiting', it was a memorial to the dockside carters and their horses over the years. Merlin had loved it and somewhere there was a photo of him as a youngster with it.

Hunith had said that she and Gaius intended to take a cab the Carfax Tower and have a little wander around but promised to be back at the condo before four. "Do you think he will be surprised?" she said.

"I know he will as he was only talking about you yesterday, something about remembering to whom you belong."

Hunith had laughed, "That takes me back years, my mother used to say that to me and I just continued on with Merlin."

"If you are looking for a cafe for lunch, there's a little place not far from the Tower that makes delicious sandwiches and homemade ice-cream. It's called 'My Gran's'. They make an excellent cup of tea as well as coffee. Anyway, better get off the phone, see you after four."

-0-0-

Finally Merlin's room was empty, all that remained were the clothes and supplies he had in his locked wardrobe and three bags which the two of them would take turns carrying down to the Land Rover. Once everything was done, Merlin did the final sweep of the room, taking a brief moment to recall all the good things which had happened there. He then dropped across the way and said goodbye to Toby who was doing the same with Gord.

"I'll speak to you next weekend and then we'll set a date for your visit. Phone me when you get back from Germany, take care and don't do anything I wouldn't do..." Merlin said with a grin digging Toby in the ribs.

Arthur nodded at Gord and took a bag and Merlin's camera which he hung it around his neck.

"Hey! How about one last photo to celebrate finishing Hilary." They laughed; the two of them then stood arms across each other shoulders and Arthur took the shot. Merlin turned to Toby and said, "The chance of it being any good is slim, he's not the greatest with my camera."

Gord heard him grinned and pulled out his phone to get a backup shot.

They parted company and Merlin led the way down the stairs, he handed his key to Dunn who checked his name off the Returned Keys Register and had him sign it telling him he'd see him in Trinity. Arthur nodded at him and they left.

By now Arthur was excited that Merlin should enjoy the surprise he had planned. He was sure he would and he knew that Hunith would be thrilled to see him.

They pulled into the parking garage and Merlin said, "Do we have to take everything upstairs or can I leave the stuff for Liverpool in the car?"

"No use dragging it upstairs and then bringing it down again. Just make sure that it is covered and not visible, encouraging someone to break into the car."

They had commandeered the cargo lift for the rest of Merlin's stuff and divided it up to carry it down the hall into the condo. There was still a box and one bag left beside the lift and Arthur said, "You got your key handy? "Merlin nodded fiddling in his pocket. "Well, you open the door, I'll dump this here and go back down the hall for the rest of the stuff..."

Merlin put his bags on the floor and slipped the key into the lock. The door opened and he turned to grab the bags and backed into the condo. He then reached for the others leaving one to prop open the door for Arthur who he could see coming back along the hall.

A voice said, "Merlin Love!" And he turned and there in Oxford, in Arthur's condo was his Mum. His face broke out in a grin and he ran to her lifting her off her feet and swinging her around as she insisted, "Put me down, you might drop me!"

He then saw Gaius standing near the counter and grinned at him. He held his mother at arm's length and stupidly said, "However did you get here?" As if she had suddenly materialised in Arthur's living room.

Gaius laughed and said, "By train...!"

Merlin heard Arthur laugh and turned, he walked over to him and wrapped his arms around him saying lovingly, "You bastard, you kept this a secret!"

Arthur laughed saying, "The last time you spoke to your Mum she was here in the condo not in Liverpool."

Merlin turned to her and said, "Really?"

"Really..." Hunith said nodding.

Gaius laughed, "Arthur spoke to us last weekend and suggested that we spend a week here as you now know the place pretty well and you can be our tour guide." He leant forward and ruffled his great-nephews hair then hugged him.

Merlin was thrilled, his Mum, Gaius and Arthur in Oxford. He knew that Arthur planned to go to London on Monday but they would have the rest of the weekend together.

"Why don't we put this stuff into the office? Arthur said pointing to the baggage that had been dumped in the hall. Gaius, Merlin and he made quick work of it while Hunith put on the kettle.

Merlin was surprised to see that the sofa bed had been made up and was open. Gaius said, "Arthur kindly gave us the two main bedrooms and said that you'd been relegated to the guest room." Gaius then left to help with the tea.

Merlin turned to Arthur, "Where are you going to stay? I can't see us sharing the single sofa bed, anyway I don't think that my mother is ready for that eventuality. I feel as if we've chased you out of your home."

Glancing over his shoulder and not seeing Hunith and Gaius, Arthur leant forward for a kiss saying, "So, who's the clever boy then?"

Merlin laughed, "Very funny but now you're sleeping on the sofa!"

"Actually, I'm not, I have my room in Magdalen for another week."

"How long ago did you plan that?"

"When I reserved a guest room, I wasn't too sure how long to book it for so, I took it for three weeks. Then I was glad I had, as it allowed me to turn my condo over to Emrys and Co!"

"It was very generous of you..."

"Well, when my boyfriend is happy then I am on the receiving end. I also figure I am scoring Brownie Points with your Mum and Gaius."

"Surely, it's Scout Points."

"Haven't a clue but I will be scoring something, I'm sure."

Merlin glanced at him and laughed.

"Boys, Hunith says that the tea is ready," they heard Gaius say.

Merlin had the time to ghost his lips over Arthur's before heading into the kitchen.

They sat around the table, Hunith had found some biscuits and Arthur offered Gaius a beer so in the end it was tea for two, for mother and son. Every time Merlin caught his Mum's eye he grinned. This was one of the best surprises ever.

"Wait till, Gawaine hears about this! He'll be so jealous!" Merlin said as he laughed, "He'll want to be Arthur's next house guest."

"Have a feeling that Laurence might have other ideas,"Arthur said.

-0-0-

The week passed quickly, Arthur was an excellent chauffeur and they even went to Cirencester. They ate out every other night and Merlin felt all his problems had disappeared.

He missed not having Arthur to himself but having his mother and Gaius around and still being able to steal kisses and play footsie under the table at restaurants helped.

They took the time to see each other alone which was dependant on the time they arrived back at the condo. Some days, if it was late, Arthur would drop them off at the Millrace Building and be on his way back to the college residence.

Other evenings, if they'd eaten in or arrived back early and he'd joined them upstairs, Merlin would see him down to his car and they would be able to have a few moments alone.

"Just going to see Arthur to his car!" He'd say to his Mum or Gaius whomever happened to be handy. His mother always reminded him to take his keys in case they turned in.

It worked out well, however he hadn't realised how much he craved physical contact with Arthur, no fleeting touches, no nearness of his body. They took their time walking to the car mentioning highlights of the day until they reached the subdued lighting in the garage and they allowed themselves the pleasure of a few stolen kisses and bodily contact.

Arthur had complained that it was never satisfying and Merlin had teased him saying, "Agreed, nothing could beat a good bed and a solid door.

"I beg to differ," Arthur managed to say between kisses, "...secluded sand dunes and the sports supply cupboard in the cricket pavilion at school."

"The cricket pavilion...really?"

"Many a fond memory," then grinned while adding, "Well, it was with the groundsman's daughter!"

Merlin not to be outdone suggested, "...on the deck of a boat moored off shore, with nothing but the sky above, the sound of the seagulls and the gently lapping waves..."

"To begin with..." Arthur interrupted with a knowing look.

Merlin adding , "Possibly..."

"Until one of the sea gulls poops on you and we drift onto the rocks and a RNLI lifeboat has to come and get us."

Merlin managed to laugh saying, "Arthur, you have no heart!"

"I most certainly do, but all I can see is my big bed, Teddy, you and me."

"To anyone listening that sounds quite R-rated."

Arthur responded by saying, "Well, if we were in our own room, it would be none of their business."

Merlin gave him one more lingering kiss before pulling away and said, "Now, be a good boy, go back to your academic cell and do whatever is necessary until the morning comes."

He gave him another kiss but this time a quick one and waved as Arthur drove away. He remembered to smooth down his hair where Arthur's hands had messed it and took the lift back upstairs.

His mother was just putting away the last of the dishes and she smiled as her son wrapped his arms around her saying, "l could have done those."

"The least thing I can do after Arthur let us stay here. Do you think he's regretting it? "

Merlin smiled and said truthfully, "No! He's happy you were able to come and visit. He's fine in the residence, you saw his room, it's all he really needs."

"Yes, but not as luxurious as the one he gave up...! His bed is very comfortable and so big."

Merlin refrained from saying anything but just thought, 'Yes, his bed was very comfortable and big enough for the two of them including Teddy!'

They had visited the Cloisters and seen Arthur's room and were able to dine one night in the Dining Hall sitting at Merlin's regular table. He was also able to show his Mum his door but not actually inside the room.

The weather cooperated, Arthur insisted that Hunith went on the river in a punt as Merlin took photos to record the event. Gaius loved being back in a college milieu as he relived his visit to Oxford and he had many tales of days in Cambridge.

Arthur arranged for a wonderful surprise when Gaius received a call from his friend Bob Wilson who invited him to his college for lunch. Hunith was thrilled and gave Arthur a hug for his thoughtfulness.

But every holiday comes to an end Arthur was out of his room at Magdalen on Friday. He opted to spend two nights on the sofa even though Merlin wanted him to take his bed in the study. They were able to kiss and cuddle to their hearts' content once the others turned in but Merlin refused to go any further out of respect for their house guests. He whispered sexily, "Wait until I get you in a hotel in Liverpool..."

Sunday after the four of them had gone to Church at the Newman Centre and had lunch, they packed the Land Rover and made their way back to Merlin's home ground.

-0-0-

It slipped Toby's mind that he had placed the parcel for Merlin in his cupboard until he was two weeks into his holidays. He had inadvertently brought it back with him to his own place. His mother was helping him move things and found it saying, "Did you forget to give this to Merlin?"

Toby looked at the packet and said, "Shit!" His mother raised her eyebrows. "Sorry! It was left outside his door by one of the other students but he was spending the weekend with Arthur so I put it for safe keeping in my cupboard and must have packed it. Damn!"

Gord who had just walked into the room said, "Luckily, it wasn't an incendiary device," getting some satisfaction out of the horrified look on his brother's face. His mother glared at him and he said, "I'm kidding!" He lifted it and weighed it in his hand and figured it was a bottle but why would anyone be giving that to Merlin. "Can't it wait until next term? I doubt that it's something important."

Toby shrugged and his mother said, "I'm sure it will keep, you can take it back after the holidays and then it will be a surprise." She ruffled her son's hair,

"Alway's been Mum's favourite," said Gord as he left laughing.

Later that evening Gord and his mother were watching TV, his father was out and Toby was messing upstairs, his mother said, "Gord, how do you find Toby?"

"Well, he seems to be less jumpy than he was, he'd accepted his own collision with the lamppost as being unlucky but then he found out after Merlin's fall that his had probably been part and history of the same plan. He's certainly been better these last two weeks.

"I know you'd like him home every night but he is very faithful to his friends and wanted to stay. I could quite happily throttle the individual or individuals involved. I'm not that happy either with the laisser-faire attitude of the college. Everything has been reported to them and yet nothing happens even with Dad's getting involved."

He knew his mother was very protective of Toby following Luca's death and it was causing her a lot of stress. "You'll be leaving for Germany mid-week and I think a few weeks away from here will do him good."