A week after Uther signed the documents of transfer; Arthur went to visit Merlin at lunchtime as usual. Merlin thought that if it wasn't Arthur he would have said the other man look nervous, but Arthur was too confident for that.
"Merlin when you get discharged willyoumoveinwithme."
Merlin was shocked "Speak slower, did you say what I think you said?"
Arthur went red "Yes I did, well will you?"
Merlin grinned "Ask me again, so I'm sure what I'm answering to."
Arthur glared at Merlin "Will you move in with me?"
"Yes. Or rather you can move in with me, your flat is on the third floor, you might have lifts but you can't use them in a fire, plus my flat has wider doors and is set up for my wheelchair." He gave Arthur one of his widest happiest smiles which turned Arthur knees weak.
"Oh I didn't think of that, your flat is smaller than mine. I'll move in but we will need to look for something bigger for the two of us." Arthur felt a fool he hadn't thought things through properly, but it didn't matter Merlin had said yes!
"Most of the flats my size had two people in, just because you have so many suits and gadgets." Merlin protested.
So it was decided Arthur would move in with Merlin, on Merlin's discharge from hospital then they would look around for something bigger. Arthur would keep his flat on for now, to store all his stuff. Uther still didn't know about Merlin and Arthur planned to keep it that way. Not because he was ashamed, but he didn't want to subject Merlin to anything Uther might do. As soon as the newlyweds had left on their honeymoon he would let his father know. That way he would have time to calm down before they returned to the UK.
The day had finally arrived, and Arthur left work at three o'clock to go and collect Merlin from hospital. He had moved some of his things across the day before. Merlin was sitting in his wheelchair waiting when he got there, and the nurses gave them all the instructions and follow up appointments, and they were off. Arthur had used Merlin's blue badge and parked just outside the hospital door and Merlin was soon in the car. Arthur put everything in the boot, glad his car was big enough to take the wheelchair.
Merlin was happy to see his flat once more and was quickly indoors. This time it was different, he was now sharing his space for the first time. Arthur had stocked the fridge the night before, and after giving Merlin a kiss put the meal, he had already prepared, in the oven to cook.
"I hope I've not invaded your privacy too much, but I've taken half the wardrobe and the lower draws for my things. Hopefully we'll be moving somewhere bigger soon." Arthur said looking lovingly at his partner.
"That's fine; I haven't got that much anyway, so there should be plenty of room. Just make sure you don't leave the cap of the toothpaste and wet towels on the bathroom floor and we'll be fine." Merlin grinned at Arthur.
"Making demands already are you! Well in that case don't leave dirty clothes everywhere, and don't drink straight out of the juice and milk containers!" Arthur moved towards Merlin and ruffled his hair.
"Why do you do that? My hair won't stay where it should at the best of times." Merlin complained.
"I like the just got out of bed look on you, mind you it's even better when you're in bed." Arthur smirked. "We have time before the foods cooked, how say you we christen the bed."
"We've done that already remember." Merlin replied grinning.
"Ah, but not as a co habiting couple, that's new." Arthur laughed. "The food will be ages yet." He leered.
"You forget Lance is coming to visit, behave, we have all night."
"I don't think I'm going to like having friends as neighbours." Arthur made a sulky face.
Merlin laughed back "I'm going to sort myself out, and then we can have a cuddle on the sofa." With that he wheeled himself into the bathroom.
He still hadn't returned when the door bell rang. It was Gwen and Lance.
"Hi, we've come to welcome Merlin home." Lance said.
"He's sorting himself out, come on in and take a seat. He won't be long." Arthur smiled, trying to be polite.
"I should also say welcome to your new home, I saw you moving in last night." Lance said "It will be a bit different for you living here. I expect you're used to something bigger."
"The only real difference is I'm sharing for the first time. It doesn't matter where I live as long as I'm with Merlin." Arthur was going to be polite if it killed him.
"I suppose so. Well it will be nice for Merlin." Came Lance's reply,with that Merlin came into the room.
"I thought I heard voices, hi guys, has Arthur offered you a drink?"
"Not yet, they've only just got here." Arthur protested. He hadn't intended to offer them one, hoping they wouldn't stay long. He wanted Merlin to his self.
Lance at least had taken the hint. "Don't worry Merlin we only popped in to say hello, we'll stay longer another time, after all you guys probably need some time to settle in."
"How about we come down tomorrow evening I'll make you a meal and bring it down." Gwen offered speaking for the first time.
"There's no need Gwen, I can cook, why don't you pop down in the afternoon for a chat. I expect Merlin will have a lie in tomorrow morning, and we have plans tomorrow evening." Arthur said before Merlin could comment.
"That would be nice." Gwen said clearly unhappy.
"Sorry Gwen, but we need time to ourselves; once Arthur has settled in we could all have a meal together, like we used to." Merlin was trying to be the peacemaker.
"That sounds nice, well welcome home Merlin, come on Gwen, let's leave these to lovebirds alone." Lance smiled at everyone before guiding Gwen to the door.
"Bye, see you tomorrow Gwen." Merlin said giving his friend a smile and hug.
"See you then, give us a ring when we can come down, we wouldn't want to impose." Gwen hugged Merlin back before leaving.
"That was a bit harsh Arthur." Merlin said once the others had left.
"I'm sorry Merlin but it's our first evening together and our first weekend. I want it to be for us. Special you know." Arthur looked at Merlin. "I know they're used to just dropping in, but now were together we do need our own space."
"You're right of course, but it will be hard for Gwen she's used to just dropping in." Merlin looked wistful.
"You're not changing your mind are you? About us I mean." Arthur asked putting his hands on Merlin's shoulders.
Merlin shook his head: "No of course not."
"It will soon work out, and once we have a new place it won't be so hard. I'm sure we'll have plenty of visits from people, just not this weekend." Arthur smiled down at Merlin. "I think our meal might be cooked, come and eat."
The two men had a good meal which surprised Merlin "I didn't expect you to be able to cook."
"Why not did you think I bought everything in? I've lived by myself since I went to university. I've been looking after myself for over ten years I think I would have been dead by now if I couldn't look after myself." He looked at Merlin and grinned.
"Now who's being sarcastic, old man, just because you're older and therefore must be wiser and more talented? I'm only seven years younger than you. I know Gwen cooks for me most of the time, but I can cook. Not as well as you, I grant but I can cook." Merlin looked at Arthur and laughed. "I hope you can wash up. I've just come out of hospital."
Arthur started to laugh and then something Merlin said sank in. "Hang on a minute did you say seven years younger, just how old are you?"
"Twenty three, I know you're thirty I was your PA remember, I had to find your passport when you lost it."
"How can you be twenty three you've got a degree and worked for Essetir for nearly four years?" Arthur asked in disbelief.
"I went there straight from college; I did my degree in the evenings, in my own time, from Open University. Not all of us could afford University you know. Why does it matter? Anyway it's my birthday next month so it will be only six years younger then." Merlin replied with a grin.
"It doesn't matter, you're just young than I thought that's all. I'm almost a cradle snatcher!" Arthur grinned to show he didn't mean it.
"I grew up fast remember, anyway if you're a cradle snatcher you're my sugar daddy."
The two men laughed together. Arthur went to load the dishwasher and then realised Merlin didn't have one.
"What no dishwasher! I'll wash you wipe, fair division of labour." Arthur retorted.
By the time they had finished to two men were laughing and joking about everything. The then decided to have an early night. It was a good job Arthur told Gwen not to visit until the afternoon as neither of them was dressed before one o'clock
The weekend flew passed as they settled in together. Arthur was up at six thirty on Monday to get ready for work. Merlin got up with him and prepared breakfast as Arthur showered.
"Yummy scrambled eggs on toast, which makes a change from a quick bowl of cereal. I might keep you around." Arthur kissed the top of Merlin's head. "Don't do too much today I'll bring us a take away back tonight. I should be back by six. If you need anything ring my mobile ok."
"I'll be fine; Gwen will call in at lunchtime. She said she would. Don't worry."
"Just make sure you get on the bed every three hours for an hour, you heard what the doctors said. We don't want you back in hospital." Arthur was worried about Merlin. He would have liked to pop back at lunchtime but he knew he wouldn't have time, due to meetings.
Merlin gave Arthur a kiss before he left for work. Then went and washed up, before having his shower.
Arthur drove to work and soon settled in to the routine. He had loved the weekend and hoped that Gwen took the hint and didn't keep turning up unannounced. But then she was popping in to check on Merlin in the day, so he supposed he should be grateful. He got his PA to contact all the agencies to see about wheelchair friendly places for sale in the area. He didn't mind travelling as long as it wasn't too far.
Mid morning he had a phone call from Cenred King who said he was ringing to congratulate Arthur on his new status. However Arthur knew better and it wasn't long before the other man had swung the conversation to other matters.
"We are doing very well at the moment. I dispatched of a multi million pound order early last week, and it looks like we'll be getting repeat orders. You missed out on that one, too distracted by your twink and missed the boat didn't you. Good job Uther got rid of him from all accounts." Cenred sneered down the phone.
Arthur couldn't resist replying."Was that the Eastern European deal? No I didn't miss it. I did some checking it looked like they didn't have the funds in place to pay. We try not to collect bad debts. Thank you for some of your regulars; they contacted us when you couldn't fill their orders in time. It looks like we might keep them to."
It went quiet on the other end, and before Cenred had time to recover Arthur added. "Oh and Merlin will be back, he's just been in hospital, he's too good to lose. Look I'd better get going; I've got lots on today. Bye." Arthur grinned to himself. He wondered whether King had believed him, but he was sure the other man worry. Cenred would know for sure, when he didn't get paid.