AN: Hey, sorry, I know I need to be more consistent with my updates! I don't know where the time goes at all anymore. I have finished my dissertation, though, so there are now fewer distractions :)

Thanks for your continuing love and support, hope you all like this chapter and stay safe everyone! Thanks for the lovely comments from The Magic Arts, Mirror Kyaw, MerlinEmrys88, Raven White Fox, GuestM, mersan123, and ninagayler - really grateful for all of them :)

Arthur let his hand rush through his hair, frustrating the tidiness he had gone for that morning. Appearances didn't matter at that moment, though, because he had bigger things concerning him. Well, mainly one thing, but it made him nervous enough. Putting his hands in his pockets, trying to prevent them from messing his hair further, he picked his fingers inside them, pursing his lips as he waited for his father to show up.

The week had been and gone in… he wished it had been a flash, really, but it had dragged on for some time. It had carried as he had expected it to, though. People bothering him, mostly the same three: Morgana, Gwaine, and Richard. Morgana and Gwaine he had learnt how to tolerate, sort of, but Richard continued to turn his glare to ice and caused his heart to fall when he cheerfully entered the room. His presence was a constant reminder of the decision he made just as the week began, and he had enough of time thinking about that outside of work.

I won't wait forever.

The reminder ran around in his head tormenting him, as well as all the other conversations he and Merlin had had during the brief time they had together. Because, it had been quite brief, hadn't it? Did that mean what he felt – or didn't feel – wasn't real? It was impossible to make any decision about Merlin when the rest of his life was in such disarray, when he hated everything he did.

Although nervous, a feeling he convinced himself he had never felt before, he felt sure of himself for once in his life. Everything needed to be re-evaluated, not just what he had with Merlin. His life followed the same pattern over and over, never moving because he was safe where he was, despite it never bringing him any real happiness.

This was the moment, though. His father had sent him a text, he was almost there. Warning him beforehand, because he obviously didn't trust Arthur enough to have things ready for when he arrived. He might be right, because Arthur had barely done any work himself this week, and he felt a strange sort of excitement at the thought of his father's reaction at finding out. It felt odd, going against him, not fighting for his approval, but there was a new, lighter sensation within him that made him sure it was the right way to go.

The door opened, Arthur gulped, took a breath, then plastered on a fake smile to greet his father. Uther, as usual, returned the smile for less than a second, until his face turned sour again and he glanced around the room, checking to see if there was something obvious Arthur might have slipped up on. Rolling his eyes, Arthur leaned against the desk, crossing his arms, waiting.

"How was your week?" Arthur decided to ask, attempting to have some sort of connection with his father. Once Uther had been less severe than he was now, but ever since his mother died, he only grew sterner with each passing month, until it became each passing day.

Uther shrugged, still inspecting the office, grabbing at some documents on the desk, "my mind was focused on other things." Arthur knew what that was supposed to imply, but Uther stared him in the eye, just to drive the point home. Another day, it might have stung, but Arthur was used to it all by now.

The time dragged on, Arthur waiting, at first patiently, but slowly getting more and more anxious to just get out what he was holding in. Eventually, though, Uther looked up at him with a proud smile, something Arthur was not so used to seeing.

"This all looks excellent," the proud smile stayed, but the tone sounded somewhat surprised. Of course, Uther never actually expected him to do so well on his first trial week. "Perhaps I was wrong to only give you the week,"

"You might have a little faith in me, father." Arthur wasn't completely sure why he decided to play along, but it felt good to say that, reassuring himself he had faith. He would certainly need it.

"You must understand my concern, I have built this company up from nothing." Uther once again turned serious, ready to spar.

"Well, you shouldn't have worried," Arthur smiled, some mischief playing on his lips as his confidence grew a little, "I got the best person for the job to look after it."

The confusion playing on his face was not instantaneous, but when it came, it was quite a sight for Arthur to see; his father, never usually puzzled by anything, let his brows drop in a furrow. There was a hint of a smile on his lips, as if he hoped Arthur might be playing some sort of trick, but unfortunately for Uther, this was no prank.

"What do you mean?" Uther finally spoke, having waited too long for his son to elaborate.

"Well, you were right all along, father." Arthur pushed himself off the desk, edging a little closer into Uther's personal space, but not so much that he would make himself more anxious. His heart was beating faster with every word he said against the man, but he tried to focus on his feet firmly on the ground. "I have no interest in this business, and turns out, I'm not all that good at it."

"But, this work, it's good." Uther tried, seeming to grasp at whatever he could, "give it another month or so and I will be happy when you take my place."

"That work is good, perfect even, because it's not mine." Arthur took a small amount of pleasure in the drop of Uther's expression as he finished, "it's Morgana's."

"Why would this work be Morgana's?"

"Because, it turns out, she is much better at this than me. Than anyone here, actually. She offered to help, and at first, I might have said no. I wanted to prove myself to you. But, then, I realised, I don't want your approval." His own smile fell, as he became serious himself, his eyes never leaving his father's own as he stood his ground, "and there's no weakness in accepting help."

Uther was silent for a long moment, but Arthur's gaze did not falter, despite the anxiety he felt throughout his body.

"Morgana did everything?" Uther spat, "are you so incapable?"

Arthur shrugged, "I want to move on from this, father."

"What are you talking about?"

"I will not stay here."

"Arthur?"

"I quit."

"And you just… left?" Leon laughed, baffled, completely surprised.

Arthur nodded, sharing the chuckle, his heart still beating fast despite the fact that he was now with a friend enjoying lunch, knowing he no longer had to go back to his father or the work he despised. He was sure it hadn't actually properly sunk in yet, because, if it had, he would not be laughing. Right now, though, he was happy to let the bliss of ignorance lift his spirits with a friend as they shared a toast.

"I can't…" Leon shook his head, still wrapping himself around it, "I can't believe you actually, finally did it!"

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"After I've been telling you for so long!"

"Yes, I know. You can't claim this victory, though, I'm pretty sure Morgana already has her eyes on it." He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink.

He lowered it slowly, though, when he noticed a small, knowing smile spread on Leon's face, as the man watched him carefully.

Arthur frowned, eyeing him suspiciously, "what?"

"Was it Morgana? Who finally convinced you?"

"She certainly wants to think so," Arthur joked, hoping it was enough.

Leon's answering stare, with the same smile covering his face, suggested it was not so.

"What?"

"Well, what was it, then?" Leon raised an eyebrow, "or should I ask, who?"

The pair stared at each other for a matter of seconds, but it felt longer to Arthur, who was trying to decipher what on earth his friend was talking about. When he realised, however, he wished he could simply play dumb, but Leon noticed the realisation dawning on his face.

Sitting back, Arthur's eyes darted to his drink, his fingers playing on the side of the glass as he hummed, "it was a lot of things."

"Right," Arthur could practically hear Leon roll his eyes as he scoffed, "but there was perhaps one thing, or person, in particular…?"

Arthur stayed quiet, hoping his friend might leave off the topic if he did so.

He did not. "Come on, we've been trying to persuade you for years now to leave that job. Then, there's only one change in your life, and suddenly you leave, no hesitation."

"There was some hesitation," Arthur murmured, taking a swig of his drink, preparing himself for the inevitable revelation.

"Just admit that it was Merlin who finally convinced you. I won't be annoyed that this man you met not long ago has more influence than I do," Arthur looked up to see Leon smirking, too happy for his own good.

"Maybe," he shrugged, his voice losing the happiness it had possessed at the beginning of lunch. Still, he had been feeling this weight in him all week, reminding him how callous he had been.

"Arthur?" Leon spoke, his voice taking a less than cheerful tone, "what did you do?"

Unfortunately, his friend could read him like a damn book.

"What do you mean?" He looked up sheepishly, causing Leon to bury his head in his hands, groaning.

"Why can't you have nice things at the same time?" He complained into his hands, "it's like you want yourself to be miserable one way or the other."

Arthur watched him with some sympathy and couldn't help but feel exactly the same. Maybe Leon was on to something. Why did he let himself meet Merlin for lunch that day, when he was aching from a hangover and had dealt with Richard and his father right before? It was a huge mistake, and he had lashed out at the wrong person. Even that lingering sense of jealousy left him during his training week, and he was left with nothing but guilt.

"You might as well tell me what happened," Leon's head finally came out from his hands as he gathered himself for the inquisition. "You know if Gwaine finds out, he will fight you." His attempt at levity sunk hard, and Arthur held his head up with his elbow pressing uncomfortably into the wooden table.

"Fine," Arthur sighed. "Richard saw him out with another man,"

Leon squinted, "Richard? How can you trust him?" He scoffed.

Taking a breath, Arthur sat up straight, nodding firmly, "Merlin… he's not… he's…"

"Arthur,"

"Merlin's an escort." He rushed, wondering if Leon caught it, hoping he wouldn't have to say it again.

Leon stared at him for a long time, making Arthur feel irritated under his gaze. "O…kay, not what I was expecting."

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"So, your whole relationship was fake? Everything?"

"I don't know," throwing his hands up, Arthur shook his head, "it was at first. But then, I don't know when, it just… wasn't."

Again, Leon was silent for a moment too long. "Were you faking it at my party?"

Arthur thought about it, considering, "I'm not sure. I think, maybe, that's when it started to… not be?"

"Right, so, when you met his friends, that was all real?"

Arthur nodded this time, sure of it, "it wasn't a booking, or anything."

Leon hummed, scratching his beard in thought. "So… when Richard told you he saw Merlin with someone else…?"

"Merlin told me he was on a job,"

"And you don't believe him?" Leon tilted his head to the side.

"No, it's not that," he scratched his head, his fingers wrapping around his drink, "it was just that, Richard got so much pleasure telling me about it. It was embarrassing, and what if it happened again? Or what if someone else saw him with a client?" Arthur felt the embarrassment rising in him again, his cheeks reddening, but he felt more guilt at the accusations now than when he had confronted Merlin with them a week ago.

"Is that it?" Leon rolled his eyes in irritation, sitting back, "so, what did you tell Merlin?"

Arthur's eyes darted to and from his friend, and he noticed when the realisation hit, Leon sitting forwards again, leaning across the table.

"You asked him those questions?" He honestly looked angrier than his father had that morning, "and you think Merlin's the idiot?"

Arthur wanted to defend himself, was close to doing so, but caved under Leon's glare. "He said he'd give me time, to think about what to do."

"Maybe he is an idiot,"

Arthur shot his friend a glare, receiving only a shrug in return.

"But he must still like you, then."

Arthur couldn't help the hint of hope rising within him.

"Do you like him, though, Arthur?"