A/N: Someone asked if I would do a third part to this story. Honestly I was surprised they didn't think it was going on too long but if people want that and I can think of a story line for it, I'd love to do a third. Maybe a trilogy would be nice. Let me know what everyone else thinks and give me any requests or ideas for it to get me started if that's what you want. :D

Chapter 18

"Before everyone goes," Arthur said at the end of their staff meeting, "Could I have a word? I got a letter this morning, telling me that unless either Morgana or I inherited them, my father's hotels would all be sold on to someone else."

Morgana nodded, "I got the same thing."

"Well, I don't know what you think," Arthur said to his sister, "But I don't want to see the buildings turned into something else and be owned by someone else. He spent his life creating them. Equally, remaking them all as hotels for us would be too much for us right now. So, Merlin had the idea to keep some, the most special, the most important, and make them into other recreational or leisure centres. All accessible to everyone."

"So what are we talking about?" Leon said, "Restaurants? Cafés?"

"Anything," Arthur said.

"Having the hotels is all well and good," Merlin said, "But all they really provide is somewhere to sleep. And eat if you're staying here, I guess. What about everything else people deserve in their life? Fun? Relaxation? People deserve that without being gawped at."

"But won't it be more work?" Percival asked, "It'll be more expensive. They're all hotels already. If we kept them on as hotels, we'd just need to make adjustments and find the staff. To do anything else, the entire buildings need redoing."

"We said right from the start that all our hotels, if we ever expanded, would be in the countryside. Only one, maybe two of my dad's hotels aren't in the city. I'm not talking about keeping all of them. Even just one or two to keep my memory alive. Camelot's rebuild, maybe, for example."

"Even just that one would be enough," Morgana said, "We could do something different on every floor. Everything they'd need for relaxation or fun all in the same place. Everyone deserves that, Merlin's right. We have the money and the popularity and the reputation to provide that."

"I think it's a good idea," Lance said simply.

"So do I," Gwen agreed.

"I think we need to leave it for a while and really consider it but it's definitely worth the thought," Elyan said.

"It'll be a lot of work," Percival said, "But we could probably do it."

Gwaine nodded, "I'm down."

"Excellent," Arthur grinned, "Everyone think about it for a few days and we'll plan a proper meeting when we've all had some time."

While the rest of their friends left, Arthur looked at Merlin, "We need to be heading off soon. I've just got a couple of things to finish."

"Alright. I did everything before the meeting so I'll get the dogs and meet you in the car?"

"Ok. See you in a sec. I'll get your stuff from the office if you want."

"Thanks."

Merlin made his way over to the lift and just managed to hop in before the doors closed. Lancelot whistled, "That was close."

Merlin grinned, "Are you on reception?"

"Yeah. Morgana asked me to because she's got calls to make that apparently, might involve arguing. She says I'm too nice to deal with them so we've switched."

"Oh, are they about the gardens?"

"I think so."

While they'd been away, a group of teenagers had wondered onto the hotel grounds from the back and, claiming they didn't realise it was private property, vandalised the area, left litter everywhere and even set up a campfire. When the mess had been found by another guest out for a walk, they'd immediately reported it to Freya but there was no sign of the people who were responsible. They'd only managed to find out who had done it because they had cameras on the fencing around the property.

"Where are you off to?" Lancelot asked while they were getting out the lift and smiling at a couple of their guests who got in after them, "You're not on welcome desk duty as well, are you?"

"No, I'm heading off. We've got to take the dogs to the vets. We want Killi's leg checked and Aithusa's been really shaken up from it. She hates being in a room with the door closed."

"Are you in tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

"Tell me how it goes."

"I will do. See you later." Merlin made his way outside and whistled for the dogs. They were both well enough behaved to spend the day outside exploring. Neither of them ever went far and they'd been trained not to cross car parks without a lead on so couldn't get out onto the road. Usually they spent their time outside playing with each other, sitting in the office upstairs with the people they knew, or bugging the guests for affection. It could sometimes be a little bit of effort to find them both if one was upstairs and the other was in the woods at the back of the grounds but neither would ever ignore Merlin or Arthur's call.

So, soon enough, two balls of fluff were trotting towards him happily, just as Arthur came down from the hotel.

"That was quick," Merlin said to Arthur while he attached their leads.

"Elyan said he'd finish it all for me," Arthur shrugged, "He said finishing one thing often leads to starting another and we can't be late."

Arthur handed Merlin his coat and Killi's lead while he held onto Aithusa's and they all made their way to the car.

"I think everyone liked the idea," Arthur said once they were on the road.

"They're right though," Merlin mused, "It'll be a lot of work."

"It'll be worth it though. I'm proud of you."

"Why?"

"You always want the best for other people. You come up with an idea or you do something and it's never, ever for your sake. Always for someone else."

"You've given me the best life I could possibly dream of," Merlin said, "Other people aren't that lucky. So if we can help them, why shouldn't we?"

Arthur smiled, "You're right. But not everyone shares that same opinion."

"No, I guess not. But I know what's it's like. A bit. There are people out their longing for someone to do something to help them. I want to help them."

"We will," Arthur promised, "You know we've already done more than most people? With the hotel and all the charity work."

"We can still do more."

"You're amazing," Arthur took the opportunity of being stopped at a red light to take Merlin's hand.

"You know," Merlin said, "The dogs are likely to be upset after the visit to the vets. They'll probably want some cuddles."

"Let me guess. You want to sit on the sofa for the rest of the day and binge Doctor Who?"

"Well, since you suggested it. And since I'm so amazing."

"You'll be asleep in ten minutes," Arthur laughed, "I know what you're like."

"If I fall asleep, you can put something else on," Merlin said.

"Alright, deal."

At the vet, Merlin stayed with Aithusa while Arthur stayed with Killi. Their appointments overlapped so they were forced to divide and conquer. The only issue either had was when the vet seeing to Aithusa came in and instinctively closed the door. Of course, the dog went insane and launched herself at Merlin, cowering in his arms. Both the vet and Merlin were full of apologies and the door stayed open for the rest of the consultation.

The vet decreed that there was nothing physically wrong with Aithusa, she was probably just traumatised by the experience. Arthur and Merlin just had to work through it with her and make her feel safe again. He also explained that they were right to have brought her in.

When Arthur found Merlin waiting in the reception area a bit later, he said Killi was fine too. He'd had some sort of injection for a reason Arthur hadn't quite understood and his cut had been dressed properly but it wasn't serious.

Once they were back in the car, Merlin gave both the dogs a healthy amount of treats. He was also sitting in the back with them so he could give them lots of attention on the way home. Aithusa sat stubbornly in his lap the who time while Killi opted more for a wining and swatting Merlin with his paw technique. Arthur had to carry both the dogs inside when they got home while Merlin went to make lunch.

Then, they settled on the sofa and put the tv on.

"Which episode are we on?" Arthur asked.

"Ten," Merlin told him distractedly while burying himself in a blanket.

"Series four?"

"Yeah," Merlin confirmed.

Arthur threw the remote down and put his arm around Merlin, covering himself in part of the blanket too.

"I still think that guy looks like you," Arthur nodded at the screen.

"He looks nothing like me," Merlin shook his head, "He's practically a foetus."

"Yeah, but you when you were younger."

"I didn't look like that," Merlin persisted.

"Bet you did."

"I'm not an emo!"

Arthur laughed.

"Shut up. We don't look alike."

"Whatever you say."

They spent the rest of the day lazing about on the sofa, even ordering a takeaway for dinner so they didn't have to move. The dogs were more than happy with this plan. They loved the attention they were getting.

Before they went up to bed, they went out into the back garden and sat together silently and looked up at the stars. After about half an hour, it started to rain heavily but neither of them moved. So, when they retreated inside over an hour after that, they were soaked to the bone and shivering. To warm up, they made themselves a hot chocolate each and after making sure the dogs were settled and alright, they went upstairs.

They got ready for bed and cuddled up next to each other.

"You're shivering," Merlin laughed, "I think we need to purchase an umbrella."

Arthur hummed, "Probably. How have you managed to stay so warm?"

"I was wearing a coat. Because I'm not stupid."

"That was uncalled for."

"Was it?"

Arthur scowled at him.

"Come here," Merlin clung onto Arthur like a koala and wrapped all his limbs around him, "I'll be your human blanket."

"I can't move," Arthur chuckled.

"That's a shame."

Unfortunately, they seemed to have sat in the rain for no reason. Merlin woke up halfway through the night after having the worst dream he'd had in a very long time. It took Arthur hours to calm him down and even after all that time, Merlin was still shaking.

Needless to say at work the next day, they were both downing cups of coffee and falling asleep at their desks.

"Busy night?" Gwaine had asked suggestively.

Arthur had practically growled at him.

A few days passed and so did Merlin's nightmares. It was ridiculous. One second morning he woke up just as tired he'd fallen asleep and the next he woke up refreshed and calm. It was both a relief and a mystery at the same time. Some part of his subconscious was reminding him for a few weeks every year what a horrible past he had. It had put him in a bad mood for quite a while afterwards.

Once he was starting to feel more like himself, everyone organised a meeting to discuss the prospects of expanding their business. They spent a whole day in the offices throwing ideas and numbers back and forth between them. Morgana spent a lot of time on the phone, Lancelot spent a lot of time doing maths and they all spent a lot of time debating. They left looking extremely frazzled and stressed but happy with what they'd achieved. Once again, they were going to wait a little while, come back together again and talk once more.

But the basic plan was to keep three of Uther's biggest and most popular hotels, completely strip them of their old interior and redo every floor as something new. Most of the hotels had at least five or six floors so there was plenty of room for creativity and design. They'd had loads of ideas: restaurants, clubs, gyms, libraries, bowling alleys, swimming pools, spas, cinemas. Not all of their ideas were entirely practical but it was still extremely early days. It would take months to make any progress at all.

From that day, though, they split into groups. Half would continue the work for the pre-existing hotels while the others worked on expanding. They'd taken on three of Uther's old hotels. Firstly Camelot, or the building which had replaced it, then one further north and finally one in Wales. The rest had all been sold but the good thing was that Morgana and Arthur got most of that money. It went straight into the business for development plans.

They'd be doing each building one at a time. If it wasn't a success, they didn't see much point in spending so much money on more. They were going to start with Camelot. It was the closest property to them so they could keep a really close eye on everything that happened. From the building works to the publicity and response from the people. Then, when it eventually opened, they'd know exactly how successful it had all been.

The day the work started in Camelot, Gwaine demanded they go out to celebrate. They'd spent all day at the site watching things being destroyed and chucked into skips. Naturally this resulted in most of them getting extremely drunk. They'd all found babysitters for their children so weren't worried about getting back quickly. Gwaine and Lancelot had made it their personal mission to get Merlin as drunk as possible. Apparently he was no fun on nights out anymore. When he'd been ill and on lots of medication, Merlin had avoided alcohol and since recovering, he'd never got back into the habit. Merlin always used to be one of the main drinkers before Camelot had burned down.

Arthur definitely drunk more than he was intending to. They'd both come in a taxi so it didn't matter that he'd had some but he didn't entirely trust Gwaine not to end up giving Merlin alcohol poisoning. Leon and Gwen were the only ones who limited themselves to one drink. Only Leon was driving but Gwen didn't fancy returning to William when both his parents were off their faces. Eira was staying at a friend's house, Percival had said when the issue was raised.

Arthur had been forced to carry Merlin into the taxi. He was much too off balance to walk for himself.

"You've lost your mind," Arthur laughed as he watched Merlin try to crawl up the stairs, insisting all the time that he could. When Merlin slipped back down to the bottom from only the fourth step and stared at Arthur hopelessly, Arthur laughed, "You have got options, you know. Stairlift on your left, me right here. Either of those would be more successful than this technique."

"You're drunk," Merlin accused with a slur.

"Yeah, I'm not the only one."

"I'm not letting you carry me when you're drunk."

"Right. Well it's the stairlift or you're staying here to sleep."

Merlin studied the stairlift with the highest level of distrust imaginable.

Arthur sighed and marched forward in as much of a straight line as he could manage and picked Merlin up easily.

"Weeee!" Merlin said, apparently not really caring that Arthur was carrying him. They stumbled up the stairs, Arthur tripping a few times. Merlin just giggled.

They woke up the next morning with awful headaches. They were in the spare room instead of their actual bedroom, something neither of them could explain, and they were very much naked.

Merlin groaned when he woke up, took in their surroundings and situations, and shrugged. Arthur was still asleep, breathing heavily. His hair was ruffled, his cheeks flushed. Merlin rolled over and checked the time. He wiggled out of bed and shuffled across the room to pull on some trousers and get his crutches. He then went downstairs and let the dogs outside. He wrestled his prosthetic leg on so he could carry up two cups of coffee and a glass of water. He was never one for suffering hangovers, somehow. Arthur, however, would have a day-long headache after half a glass of wine, no matter how drunk he actually felt at the time.

Merlin put the drinks down on their bedside tables and heaved the curtains open, "Rise and shine!"

Arthur didn't respond at all.

Merlin raised an eyebrow and said a bit louder, "Up and at 'em!"

This time, Arthur peeled an eye open and glared at him, "Close the curtains."

"Nope."

Arthur groaned, rolled over and stubbornly faced the wall. Merlin walked around and sat on the edge of the bed.

"You're not wearing a shirt," Arthur noted.

"Your powers of observation are truly outstanding."

"Lie down," Arthur commanded.

"Hang on," Merlin took his leg off again and got back into bed. Arthur immediately began tracing the muscles on Merlin's surprisingly well-toned chest and stomach.

"I'm naked," Arthur said.

"Correct."

"Did we-"

"I think so."

"Interesting."

Merlin chuckled, "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I don't remember it."

"Neither do I."

"Guess we should try again, then. Make it more memorable?"

"Our coffee will get cold."

"Well, we'd better be quick."