"Just give me a call?" Arthur said, once Lancelot was safely out of range.

"Oh, please," Merlin replied with a stiff yawn. "He didn't mean it like that."

"And what did he mean it like?" Arthur inquired, squirting a waterfall of organic maple syrup onto his plate.

"Hell, the gallery- I never got the chance to explain. Arthur, Lance and I are not a couple-"

"Relax," Arthur chuckled. "Gwen enlightened me on that subject days ago. So what was that all about, then?"

"He knows the White Horse was a lie."

Arthur suspended his fork in mid air, a drop of syrup dribbling down his hand.

"Don't worry," Merlin said, wolfing the cold ruins of his own pancake tower. "He doesn't suspect. He thinks you tried to beat me up last night."

Arthur sucked the sticky pearl of syrup off his index finger. "He wouldn't be entirely wrong. If memory serves, I did spend a fair amount of last night on top of you."

Merlin swallowed.

"So he's digging for dirt, huh? Can't say I blame the guy. If he could prove I kicked your scrawny ass, it would certainly help his chances with Gwen."

The pale man choked, tea dribbling down his chin. "You know?" Merlin squeaked, grabbing a paper towel to blot his face.

"He's pretty transparent in his affection. We could teach him a thing or two about being discreet."

"And you're not- mad?"

"No. Why would I be?"

"Because you practically ripped my head off when you thought I was hooking up with your girlfriend!"

"That was different," Arthur replied, toying with Merlin's feet underneath the table. "That was you. You think I could stand the idea of anyone getting their hands on you before me?" Then he rubbed his calf against Merlin's leg, stopping when the pale man blossomed into a spectacular blush. "Although I admit," Arthur continued, lowering his voice. "Visualizing you during sex, even with a woman, was an incredible turn on for me."

Merlin sucked in a breath and said weakly, "You promised no flirting-"

"That wasn't flirting, it was statement of fact. And you can't expect me to behave when you tempt me." Arthur smiled, signaling to Merlin's open shirt.

The raven-haired man hurriedly did up his buttons. "Temptation dissolved. Now seriously, we need to get ready for class."

"When do your studio's finish today?"

"Seven, why?"

"Can you get Gwen to leave with you? I want to have a talk with Nimue."

Merlin's face dropped. "I could try. I have work at eight. With all the rain, Gwen might be willing to give me a ride if I asked. But Arthur, I don't think talking with Nimue will help. She's a nasty piece of work. Studio supplies disappear around her, she talks back, even to the teachers. To be honest, I don't like the idea of you being left alone with her-"

"Nimue is my problem," Arthur said sternly. "Let me take care of her."

A shadow crept up into the dining room, silencing the two men. Lance's shirt had been righted. His wavy hair brushed clean. He stared at Merlin and Arthur then said, "Merlin, do you have any deodorant I can use?"

Merlin licked his lips. "Um, there's Tom's Of Maine in the-"

"Don't bother," Arthur interrupted. "Unless you want to smell like a tree hugger all day. I've got Axe spray under the sink."

"Thanks."

"Lancelot," Arthur continued, stabbing what was left of his meal. "I feel terrible about my girlfriend dragging you out of bed to drive in that storm."

Lancelot paled. "It was nothing-"

"No, it may have been unnecessary, but that doesn't make it nothing." Arthur replied briskly. "Gwen's a lucky woman to have such a good friend. Thank you again, Lance, for helping her."

Lancelot looked so startled, one would assume he'd just been punched rather then complimented. "Um… you're welcome," he finally managed.

"Arthur, did you actually apologize for something?" Merlin asked once they were alone again. "I didn't think you knew how."

"I'm not a complete tool."

"Debatable." The black haired man grinned.

"Your friend Lance, he's alright," Arthur replied, making certain the brown haired man was really in the bathroom. He shoved another bite of the grainy pancakes into his mouth. "Not bad looking either. Nothing compared to you of course, but I can see why she'd call on him. Maybe you should invite Lance over more often, Merlin, you know, when Gwen's around-"

Merlin gulped. "You're not thinking-"

"Oh no, I've nothing specific in mind." Arthur smirked, ruffling Merlin's hair as he cleared their dirty dishes. "But what could it hurt to nudge the two of them a little closer together?"

"There is something seriously wrong with you, Arthur."

"Agreed," Arthur replied, kissing Merlin on the cheek before he had a chance to object. "It's got messy hair, mousy ears, and is brooding at the table as we speak."