They left as soon as Morgana and Leon had arrived to babysit, Megan was already asleep so shouldn't be any trouble. Arriving at the restaurant they found they had a round table which made it easier to all talk and helped with the seating, Arthur had already been thinking if it would be best to sit next to Merlin or opposite him. With how they were it solved the problem. As they ordered Lance asked for a jug of water rather than wine Merlin looked up and said in a rather loud voice "Don't be so stupid! Just because I can't drink shouldn't stop you, order wine for Christ sake!" he was genuinely upset by what had been intended as a sympathetic gesture.
So they others had wine with their meal. Merlin then remained very quiet for most of the meal and picked at his food rather than enjoying it. Arthur wasn't sure how to break the silence but the whole idea of going out was to talk and begin to rebuild their shattered lives. Gwen chatted on about Morgana's party and her preparations for Christmas with Lance joining in. Arthur made a couple of comments but felt very awkward. The Merlin looked up and straight at Arthur "Sorry I'm a grouch"
"No problem Merlin, it's difficult to know what to talk about, by the way are you going to be seeing George and his boys again over Christmas. Because if you are I'd like to invite them to the flat for a small party as a thank you for caring for you"
"Don't know" Merlin relied before he even thought about it "They said they might visit."
"Do you mind if I call them and ask? Only I haven't really got to know then and I'd like to"
"Why? They aren't your sort of people" Merlin muttered.
Gwen looked at Merlin "What do you mean Merlin?"
"Well they run a scrap yard, it's a dirty job and none of them went to college or university, don't get me wrong they're the best just not the sort you lot mix with" Merlin glared at them defiantly.
"Then perhaps I ought to start" Arthur said "They are loyal. Kind and help people a lot of the people I know wouldn't have helped you like they did. I'm not a snob Merlin, many of my men in the army came from similar backgrounds"
"Yes your men, not the officers!" Merlin realised what he had said and looked embarrassed.
"Merlin I don't know what you think of me but my men were important to me, I wasn't one of those officers who looked down on his men you know" Arthur sighed "I wasn't joking I want to know the Blacks better"
For that he got the best smile from Merlin that he'd had since he had found him again. Arthur smiled in return "can I have their number please?"
"Sure" Merlin started to eat his meal. When puddings came round Merlin ate all his chocolate mouse and enjoyed clearly it.
As the meal finished Arthur looked at Merlin "Fancy a mammoth film session, like we used to? Or I've got all last sessions Dr Who we could watch? I could get us in some pizza and we could get together on Saturday. Gwaine and Percy might be free"
Merlin looked at Arthur speculatively and nodded "Only if you boys have your beers, I don't want everyone pretending just for me, I'm not a baby you know"
"Great I'll ask them. It will be fun" Arthur reached out unconsciously and took Merlin's hand in his "It's been a long time since I've done that"
As they left the restaurant Arthur insisted on paying for everyone "My treat after all you weren't expecting to come out. It's been good" He helped Merlin put on his jacket and held the door open for Merlin putting his arm around his waist once they were out on the pavement. Merlin looked at him but Arthur laughed "its cold I don't want you suffering" but he withdrew his arm feeling slightly awkward about what he had done. Arthur found the distance between them so difficult to cope with.
He made a point of not seeing Merlin before Saturday but rang up in the morning to check Merlin was still intending to come. When Merlin said yes Arthur said "Gwaine offered to pick you up as he comes your way, he'll get there about two is that ok"
Merlin felt better with Gwaine picking him up, somehow it seemed less of a threat, more comfortable. Gwen made him a chocolate cake to take and wished him good luck Both her and Lance had noticed an improvement with Merlin, the antidepressants had started to work and with the counselling Merlin was beginning to feel more positive.
When Gwaine turned up Merlin was ready and waiting. He found he was actually looking forward to spending the afternoon with his friends, he realised he had missed the comradery and with a group felt less threatened. When they got to Arthur's Merlin got tense once more. Gwaine noticed and sat in the car for a moment before turning to Merlin "What's up Merl?"
Merlin looked up at his friend "It's the flat, I never thought I would come back here"
Gwaine kicked himself he hadn't considered that Merlin had lived there before he went missing. "It's just a building mate, we'll all be with you, come on you're doing well"
Merlin nodded and got out of the car and walked towards the familiar doorway, as he got there it opened and Arthur was there to greet them, he was dressed in the red shirt Merlin had always loved so much. Merlin felt a lump in his throat and his mood plummeted. Gwaine looked at Merlin "Come on in you get it's perishing out here" as they went in Gwaine whispered to Arthur "Go easy, he's finding coming here difficult, old home and all that"
Arthur took their coats and the cake from Gwen, Percy was already sat down and eyed the cake "Oh that's mine" he said with a big grin on his face.
"Get your paws off you great lump" Gwaine protested "Merlin wouldn't let me start it in the car so we all get dibs"
They all started with a coffee and were soon settle in round the TV, Merlin had been doing his best not to look round at his old home, but Arthur had insisted he check on the condition of the sideboard. Tears weld up as he looked at it, memories of his mother coming to the fore. Arthur gave his arm a squeeze "I'll keep it safe as long as you need me to"
Merlin looked round at the one or two decorations Arthur had put up. "Mum loved Christmas, We're going to decorate Gwen's tomorrow"
With that they went and sat down as Percy put on the first Doctor Who of the afternoon. Percy sat on the floor with Gwaine in the armchair that left the sofa for Merlin and Arthur. They started the afternoon well separated but gradually got closer as the afternoon progressed. As tea time approached they were all starving "I've put in an order it will be here soon" Arthur reassured them "Lots for everyone". Merlin had stuck to cola's all afternoon but the others had had beer at Merlin's request. As he said he wasn't an alcoholic as such he drank to kill emotions and memories once a week, just too much at a time, and he only wanted drink when he couldn't cope otherwise, he knew it was a crutch.
The doorbell rang and Arthur asked Merlin to get the door "It will be the pizzas I'll get my money, Gwaine get the plates out, Perc clear the table" Arthur asked. AS Merlin opened the door he got the shock of his life to find George and two of his sons outside the door.
"Let us in boy or the food will get cold" George told him, winking at him "Let Jim and Fred in as well, I guess he didn't tell you then?" Gwaine took the pizzas of George as the older man grabbed Merlin and hugged him "Only the three of us this time boy, but I had to come and see you"
Percy went off and found a couple more seats and everyone settled down once both Jim and Fred had hugged Merlin. The raven haired man has tears in his eyes, he looked at Arthur and smiled "Thank you this is a lovely surprise."
George looked on "That's what I've wanted to see a smile, you're a different man when you smile Bill, or should I say Merlin"
Merlin hugged George once more "Bill or Merlin I don't care"
"I'd say Merlin, Bills the miserable git" Fred told him. The men recognised Fred as the first man they had met at the scrap yard months ago, he was George's eldest son. "And like I told you when you visited with Lance, you scrub up well, now let's eat while it's hot"
The group sat and talked as they ate the pizzas and the TV was forgotten, Bill and his sons were in London for two days at Arthurs request and would be staying in a local travel lodge having refused Arthur's offer of accommodation as being too crowded. The plan was to visit Merlin at Gwen and Lance the next day and also take Merlin out for lunch before heading home.