Merlin thought long and hard about the proposed outing and when Arthur came to see him and asked him for his decision his answer didn't come as a total surprise to Arthur.
"I don't know if I can do it Arthur, I have never liked lots of people you know that and for them to see me like this…well they would all be staring at me." He told the blonde.
"I know you're shy Merlin and I wouldn't expect you to be the centre of attention. You could have a corner table, and we wouldn't let people know you were there. But I know the guys from the restaurant would love you to be there on the day. Leon and the boys could make sure you wouldn't be bothered. If you really wanted we could set up a table in the office area just for us." Arthur pleaded.
"That would be better, if you do that I will go, but I know I won't want to come back afterwards." Merlin told his fiancé.
"Hopefully it won't be to long now Merlin, you are doing so well. Mr Kilgarrah wants you moving better and maybe had another small operation."
"I know he told me but we're still talking weeks." Merlin sounded so miserable that Arthur felt deeply for him.
"I know love, but you need to be better, I want you home to you know."
"Why? I mean I'm all scarred and everything, I'm a mess why are you still here? Please don't stay because you think you have to." Merlin whispered.
Arthur was staggered by what Merlin had just said. He took the other mans hands in his "I love you Merlin, a few scars won't alter that, anyway I have a few of my own you know, my leg looks like a shark has had a bite out of it and my back has a scar and my wrist. I know you don't care about my scars so why should I worry about yours. I would rather it hadn't happened but it doesn't change what I feel about you." Arthur lent forward and kissed Merlin "I love you, the inside you, nothing will change that."
The two men sat and hugged one another, it had been a long hard road for them and Arthur thought that the trip home, even if it was only for a few hours would help them. As he left that night he spoke to the nurses and told them that Merlin would be going out for the restaurant opening. They promised to start putting things in place.
The next day Will turned up to see Merlin with someone for him to meet, her name was Isolde and she was a chef. She was looking for six months work and Will thought it might be a good idea to have an extra chef until Merlin was back. Arthur had already talked to Merlin about her and so he knew she was coming. He had read her CV and liked the sound of her. Once he met her he like her straight away, she had a no nonsense approach that he liked. Isolde was highly qualified and had worked in some very good restaurants and was looking for a short term post before she emigrated. As everyone else liked her and Morgana had checked her references Merlin agreed to take her on. It would help Will and Mary no end. Without her it would have been very hard to cope. Will was temporarily head chef as Mary hadn't been interested, so Merlin left it to him to sort things out. Will was pleased that Merlin had agreed to come for the opening, and promised that the table set up in the office would be a romantic setting for Merlin and Arthur to dine in. Merlin insisted in approving the menu for the night and was pleased with the dishes chosen.
Meanwhile Merlin's physiotherapy went ahead at a pace. He was now able to walk a few steps with the Zimmer, and so had his catheter taken out. That had seemed like a major milestone to Merlin. Even if it did mean that his walking was practiced more and more until he could walk the few yards to his toilet, but only with two nurses or physios. His legs were now slightly bent all the time from the contractures, but he was wearing splints at night to try to stop them getting worse. He was now only having the nasogastric feeds at night so he had more of an appetite in the day; his weight was very slowly improving.
Two days before the opening Morgana turned up with her hairdresser Simon, and Merlin had his hair cut and Simon was also able to trim Merlin's facial hair and then give him a very gentle shave, although it did make his face sore, and he wasn't allowed aftershave. Merlin's hair was shorter than normal but it did look nearly all the same length. Merlin felt more human afterwards. Morgana had also brought him some clothes to wear for the opening. She had had them made for him and they were very soft fabric and would hide his thin frame and make him look better. Merlin was touched by her thoughtfulness.
On the day of the outing the Physios let up on him a bit, and he rested during the afternoon. Arthur didn't visit as Merlin would be leaving at five to give him time to get home and look around before the meal. Merlin tried to get the nurses to remove his nasogastric tube ,and replace it when he got back, but they wouldn't so he 'accidently' pulled it out just as he was leaving, much to the nurses disgust. He hadn't wanted people to see it that evening, wanting to look as 'normal' as possible. He was led down on a trolley for the trip and it took less time than expected. Once at the restaurant the ambulance staff transferred him into the wheelchair and took him inside.
Merlin was pleased to see what had been done. It was just as he remembered his drawings. The restaurant area was classic in style and understated rather than flashy. After all he wanted the food to be the star. The kitchens looked great although he didn't go in as everyone was busy getting ready for the evening. All the staff was really pleased to see Merlin and he was glad he agreed to come. Then he had a surprise when Gwaine and Percy came in with a carrying chair to take Merlin upstairs so he could see the flat. Merlin stood up and transferred with Gwaine stood by his side and once in the chair he was strapped in and the two men took him upstairs. Once there Leon brought up the wheelchair. After getting in the wheelchair once more Arthur and Merlin were left alone to look round.
Merlin was pleased with the flat but wondered why Arthur hadn't moved in. "Because I wanted to wait for you." Arthur told him.
Merlin told him not to be daft and Arthur agreed he would move in the next day. Once they had looked round the rest of the flat Arthur took Merlin to the bedroom. He had a wicked twinkle in his eye.
"We have half an hour before we need to be downstairs. Why don't we have a cuddle?" Arthur said to Merlin "And I do just mean a cuddle. It's been a long time since we could get really close to one another."
Merlin grinned and taking his jacket off he transferred onto the bed, Arthur making sure he was safe. Then Arthur joined him and laying side by side they cuddled into one another and just held on to each other. Arthur was right it had been a long time. Yes they has kissed and hugged but not like this. All to soon there was a knock on the flat door.
"Come on boys, we need to get Merlin downstairs."Morgana shouted.
"Ok Morgana, give us a few moments and we'll be ready" Arthur shouted back. "Come on Merlin your public awaits." Arthur kissed Merlin once more "Up you get"
Merlin pulled a face "Can't we have our meal in bed?"
"Don't tempt me come on" Arthur got up and helped Merlin to sit up and transfer back into the wheelchair. Carefully putting Merlin's jacket back on and trying to brush out the creases from their clothes Arthur went to their door and let his friends in to carry Merlin downstairs once more. It had been a lovely interlude and had helped both the men to feel closer to one another.
Once back downstairs, Leon and Morgana managed to convince Merlin to sit at one of the tables in the restaurant. He was sitting with Arthur's crew and at the back end of the dining area. Soon the restaurant was full of the invited diners and guests. Tristan gave a short thank you to everyone for coming and explained how the restaurant was hoping to attract customers. Then Arthur stood up and on behalf of Merlin and himself said a few words.
"I would like to thank you all for coming here this evening, Over half the people here tonight helped in some way in the events that led to the fire just down the road, and of the rescue of Merlin and myself that night. Before those events Merlin and I had already purchased this restaurant to run as a business, and Merlin drew the plans for what you see here today. As you know he has been in hospital since then, and without the help of the staff here and our friends this day might not have happened. I hope all of you enjoy your meal enough to come back again and tell your friends to. On behalf of Merlin and myself I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and it seems a pity they can't join us tonight to celebrate. Thank you also to the St John's Ambulance who brought Merlin here today so he could be with us. Please enjoy your meal and evening.
Arthur sat down and held Merlin's hand as the rest clapped. As soon as he sat down the waitresses came out with the first course and the meal began. It all went to clockwork and was very well received. Even Merlin managed to eat far more than he normal did. The evening was a success. Merlin was the first to leave as the ambulance had to get him back to the ward. The kitchen staff came out and said goodbye and he thanked them. Then the rest of his friends went out to see the ambulance leave. Arthur said his goodbyes and promised to visit the next afternoon.
No one noticed a lone figure watching from across the street, as Merlin was put in the ambulance, nor did they notice how the figure watched until the vehicle went out of sight. And even if they had they probably wouldn't have thought anything of it. After Merlin had left the opening party continued for nearly an hour before the night wound up and everyone went home. The Dragon's Lair was now open for business.