Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the BBC show Merlin, the characters, plots, or actors/actresses.

So...got my first mean review the other day. Not super mean, but was enough to bring me down. Why do people feel the need to do that? Did their parents never teach them that if they have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all?

You guys don't hate my plot, do you? I hope you still read it and like it. Sorry that last one was short, but I hope it's still holding your interest.

Anyways, here's the next installment.

With a sigh, Arthur crossed off the last name on his list and reached for his coffee. Over a dozen companies on that list had lines through them. He hadn't realized before how tough it would be to get a new job. Almost four days of job hunting and Arthur was getting really frustrated. Of all the jobs out there, he was over-qualified for pretty much everything out there and the ones he wasn't didn't want him because they'd heard-wrongly, he had to add-that he had purposely ruined a business deal for his father and the company. Three guesses as to who spread that rumor, he thought sourly.

He took a sip, leaned back in his chair and reviewed his options. He was fine for money for the moment. He was a saver, and actually had quite a bit saved up for a rainy day, plus Morgana had offered to let him move in with her and Leon if he needed to. As awkward as that sounded, Arthur was seriously considering it if he couldn't find a job anytime soon. He'd need to save as much as he could.

Arthur was about ready to call it quits on jobs he was actually qualified for and just settle for working at some fast-food restaurant somewhere. His last resort was to beg favors from friends. Which was, obviously, the last thing he wanted to do. Who could he call, though? Morgana and Leon work for Pendragon, Inc.; Percival worked at the miniature golf course; Elyan was a teacher…That left Gwen.

Arthur reluctantly pulled out his mobile and called her. She picked up after a couple rings.

"Arthur?" Gwen asked, confused.

"Um, hi. Wow, this is awkward," Arthur said.

"What is it, Arthur?"

"I was just wondering if your museum had any job openings?"

"What happened? Don't you already have a job?" She sounded even more confused. Apparently the news hadn't spread as quickly as he'd thought it would.

"I guess you haven't heard. I quit, a few days ago."

"Oh my gosh! No, I hadn't heard. Why? Are you alright? Do you need anything?"

Arthur smiled. "I couldn't go through with the engagement, Dad refused to call it off so I quit. I'm doing okay, for now. Job hunting is the worst. I get an interview with most places just because of who I am, but I'm way overqualified for everything, apparently." Gwen made a sympathetic sound as he continued, "That's kind of why I'm calling you. Would you mind checking to see if there's anything open? I could really use some good news before I'm forced to move in with my sister."

"Of course I'll check! And if there is, I'll definitely put in a good word for you."

"Thanks."

"So how are you and Merlin?"

Arthur dropped his head into his hand. "He won't talk to me. I've tried and tried and his friends keep telling me to go away…I don't know what to do next. I don't want to lose him but…"

Gwen said sympathetically, "Don't give up hope. He just needs some time to work through things."

"I'll be lucky if Merlin ever agrees to see me, let alone talk to me."

"Tell you what," Gwen said cheerfully. Honestly, when was Gwen not cheerful, Arthur wondered absently. "How about I talk to Lance and try to convince Merlin to talk to you?"

He sat up straight. "You can do that?"

She giggled. "I can get Lance to do anything. But he really does think you two were perfect for each other and I'm sure he can get Merlin to see you."

"I could kiss you right now, Gwen! This is brilliant!" His heart felt lighter than it had in days.

"I don't think Lance would like that, but thank you. Give me a day or so to talk to Lance and check out the openings here, okay? I'll give you a ring as soon as I can."

"Gwen, thank you. Thank you so much," Arthur said, his tone heartfelt.

"It's no problem, Arthur, really. Merlin's my friend, too. I just want you both to be happy. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay. And thanks again, Gwen." Arthur set his mobile on the table and leaned back in his chair. So, last resort was actually a good thing. He might get a job out of it, but he was much happier about the possibility of finally being able to explain things to Merlin.

Gwaine found Merlin a few days later, sitting on his bed looking at pictures of him and Arthur. Gwaine sat down next to him as he stared at a photo from their bowling double date with Lance and Gwen. He didn't even know they were taking the picture. It showed him and Arthur sitting next to each other, holding hands and laughing.

Gwaine didn't say anything, just sat there next to him. Merlin said softly, "I miss him." He sighed and dropped the picture onto the bed, near the others.

Gwaine remained silent and after a moment Merlin felt the need to break the silence. "I don't know what to do."

Gwaine said, "You look happy in that picture."

"I was." Odd thing to say…

"You still could be."

Merlin looked over at him briefly before turning back to the pictures. "I thought you didn't like him?"

"As your best mate, I'm supposed to hate people you hate but that doesn't mean you can use me as an excuse, Merlin." Gwaine said.

"But Will-"

Gwaine interrupted him, "Will is an ass who's just upset that you're not pining over him like he wanted. Instead, Arthur's pining over you and you just keep retreating further into yourself. Besides, if you like him, who are we to stand in your way? We didn't the first time, and we won't now."

Merlin couldn't look at him. He couldn't make up his mind. "When he came over the other day, he said what I wanted to hear but, what if he was just saying it because he knew it was what I wanted to hear and…I don't know. I didn't want to see him. It's just, I feel like there's this hole in my heart, where he's supposed to be but isn't."

"It was what you wanted to hear, because it was what you deserved and what he meant. Took him long enough to get his ass over here, though." Merlin snorted at that but Gwaine gently nudged him and said, "Maybe you weren't ready to hear it then?"

Merlin swallowed, blinked back a few tears.

Gwaine added, "But maybe you're ready to hear it now."

Merlin met his friend's gaze. "What if I said I didn't want to talk to him?"

"Then I'd say you're letting the best thing that ever happened to you disappear without a fight, and I'd be disappointed," Gwaine said without hesitation.

Merlin turned away. A friend's disappointment in you was almost as bad as a mother's disappointment. But maybe Gwaine was right about him not being ready to listen. He had thought about it a lot since then, wondering if Arthur was being sincere and Merlin gradually came to the conclusion that he believed Arthur meant it. This was one of the more difficult moments of his life, struggling with his emotions, trying to figure out what he wanted and what he was pretending he did or didn't want. Quietly, he said, "I think…I think I might be ready to listen, now."

Gwaine smiled at him. "Call him."

"No. No, I can't do that. Not after blowing him off for so long. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to talk to me again."

"Oh, I doubt that. But if you're sure you want to listen-"

Merlin nodded. "I think I finally am."

Gwaine continued, "Then leave it to me and Lance. We'll figure something out."

"Thanks. You're the best, Gwaine. I don't know how you've been able to put up with me for so long. I've been a right mess since…just, thanks." Merlin managed a small smile for his friend.

"Well, it has been hard getting you to do things since you've been depressed, and there have been times I wanted to shake you and shout Snap out of it! Especially when I needed somebody to go drinking with," Gwaine teased. "But you are my best mate and I'm glad to have been able to help when you needed it."