CHAPTER 17 : HOME SWEET HOME

"Did the doctor say how soon you would be able to have sex?"

Arthur started to laugh and then clasped his chest as he could feel twinges of pain. "Merlin, I'm hardly in the door and you are already asking me that! No, he didn't he just said, 'Take it easy!' with a twinkle in his eyes and raised eyebrows."

"You made that up. Maybe something is written on the instruction sheets they gave you before you left. On second thought, I'm sure that a gentle welcome home kiss couldn't do any harm." He placed the discharge envelope on the table saying, "Where do you want to sit? The sofas are lovely but might be a problem when you want to stand up." He looked around as Arthur propped himself against one of the chairs next to the kitchen island. "You know the dining room chairs are a good height and easier to get out of. Wait a minute!" He disappeared and returned with the desk chair. "It has a high back and is very comfortable, the seat can also be raised. I think this is a solution to your problem."

"Have you ever thought of going into nursing, I think you'd be good at it."

"No way! I'd be too nervous that something would happen to my patient." He ran his index finger, then his tongue up the outer curve of Arthur's ear and noted the shiver which went through him. "As I went out the door, I would worry that something bad would happen while I was away." He allowed his fingers to run up the back of Arthur's neck into his hair marvelling at its golden colour and weight. "As I closed my eyes to sleep, I'd be afraid something bad would happen during the night."

His fingers caressed his cheek and then traced his lips. "If I turned away from them for a moment, I would be afraid that something bad would happen!"

Arthur interrupted him with, "Something bad will happen if you don't kiss me soon!"

So, Merlin complied…

-0-0-

By the time Laurence returned, everything was arranged, the desk chair was at the dining room table, Arthur was ensconced on the sofa with pillows, a table beside him with his phone and iPad, alongside an empty glass which had obviously held whiskey as the bottle was on the counter...and curled up beside him was Merlin.

Laurence smiled saying, "Well, you look better today than you did the last time I saw you."

Merlin quickly said, "Thank you, Laurence, I didn't think you'd notice."

Arthur laughed and ruffled Merlin's hair before saying. "I am feeling better, for one thing being home and the pills are working and if I'm careful the pain is sporadic and certainly less than yesterday."

-0-0-

Arthur slept much better at home. He woke Merlin up once by gasping for breath as he turned, having forgotten about the incision and the bruising. Merlin almost jumped out of his skin. Arthur told him he was all right but it took him time to settle again. He felt guilty as if they hadn't gone to the hospital, Baxter wouldn't have been able to get at Arthur.

He was almost too afraid to touch him but Arthur had said, "Don't worry, I'm not going to break. I will probably just gasp and smack you across the back of the head!"

"Better not let anyone hear you say that or they might believe you."

"...and you don't?"

"I know you too well, Arthur, with all the silly things I've done, you seldom even blink an eye. I trust you with my life. I trust you absolutely…" he paused and Arthur knew there was going to be a punch line, "…or until someone makes me a better offer!"

Arthur came back with, "Better not let anyone hear you say that or they might believe you."

"But you don't, do you?"

"Merlin, I know you almost as well as I know myself. I have utmost confidence that in years to come you will still be trying to shock me with the things you come up with as an affirmation of our love for each other."

"I love you, Arthur Pendragon!" Merlin said smiling into the darkness.

"Me, too!" Arthur said with a laugh.

-0-0-

Arthur woke well rested with Merlin curled into his left side. He lay still enjoying being in his own bed in a room which wasn't lit by overhead fluorescent lights, full of strangers and humming machines. He let his right arm curl around Merlin and ran his fingers through his hair. He loved him, he didn't know if Merlin understood the depth of his love but the love was so intense that he would give his life for him. When in that millisecond, before he'd hit the floor and tied the pain in his chest with Baxter, he had thanked God that it was him and not Merlin.

Merlin stirred and Arthur whispered, "Good Morning, Handsome!"

"Morning, sexy!" Merlin said with a chuckle reaching his head up to receive a kiss. "Did you sleep well?"

Arthur hummed, "Yes...with you beside me I always sleep well. How about you?"

"Slept like a baby! I felt safe, was warm and someone was watching over me."

"Merlin, that's a lovely thought."

"Thought you'd like it. Pretty good for first thing in the morning, I'm on a roll. However, it wasn't you, it was my Guardian Angel."

"If I didn't have a hole in my chest, I would do something to you which no guardian angel would ever consider."

-0-0-

Arthur knew that the he was avoiding the uppermost thought on his mind. As long as he was talking or listening to someone, he could concentrate on the conversation but at any moment that his mind was unoccupied, thoughts of what had happened over the last four days barged in. For the third time this year, his mind was as far away from his studies as possible. This would be one academic year which he would never forget. He knew that anybody talking to him would say that he was surprisingly calm but they didn't have access to his mind which he felt was racing and filled with a muddle of thoughts which he knew he needed to prioritise.

Merlin was in the bathroom as he was determined to go to his tutorials saying that he had to keep up as with too many absences he might lose his place as an AC. Arthur was ready to convince him that these were the college's failure to look out for him, this would be taken into consideration. If not, he intended to take it up with the Dean of Selections herself, as the college had been remiss. He knew that he could count on Dr Ellis's support.

They had withheld no information regarding Bater's actions from the college. The reports had been made but the college had let them down. Baxter had outwitted them. He would not fault their Porters who had been supportive but hampered by one determined student who had for want of a better word a vendetta.

Arthur decided to return to college on Monday but understanding that Merlin needed to go today, he carefully got up to start the coffee and make toast and scrambled eggs. Mrs Lynch would be there by nine and would stay until either Laurence or Merlin relieved her.

"Arthur, I don't have time for breakfast," Merlin insisted but Arthur was having none of that, he checked the clock telling Merlin he had an hour plus to walk twenty minute and anyway, Arthur insisted he would be taking a taxi.

Later, as he saw Merlin out the door, Molly Lynch was early and coming down the corridor. Arthur called after Merlin, "Make sure you have a proper meal at lunchtime. I'll be checking with Toby this evening."

"Yes, Mother!" Merlin said flashing him a grin and blowing him a kiss which Arthur caught and dramatically held close to his heart.

He tried to put on an untroubled attitude in front of Merlin as he felt that he was doing the same. One godsend was that he would be safe at college today as Baxter would presumably still be hospitalised.

-0-0-

Merlin met up with the others in the tutorial. He was still not back in his room and the only saving thing was that all his work and photos had been backed up on USB's. He was at the moment taking notes but he knew that he would finally have to arrange for a new computer. An expense he wasn't looking forward to. Toby had been taking notes at tutorials he had missed and willingly shared them with him. The tutors were understandably shocked if they hadn't already heard that he had been kidnapped and held on the fourth floor.

"I know it's quiet up there but it never dawned on me that while I slept," Morris said, "you were tied up in a wardrobe. Someone's going to pay for that stunt. Are you back in your own room yet?"

Merlin shook his head, "Wheels turn slowly here and as damage was done to my belongings, it's off limits. Should hopefully hear this afternoon if I can get back in over the weekend."

"And your papers and work?"

"Luckily all backed up. The computer itself will be replaced by the college but who knows when. Dr Ellis lent me this one and I'm getting used to it."

"Not the same though…!" Morris said as he started the class and Merlin smiled sadly.

Lunch came and Merlin had a sandwich and sweet potato chips, showing it to Toby in case Arthur did check up on him. Toby laughed and said, "Send him a photo. Let me take it!"

The others laughed and Beth said, "He's worse than a nurse in the hospital who tries to get you to eat something that not only tastes awful but looks disgusting." She suddenly stopped and looked sad, memories rushing to mind, and Merlin who was beside her reached for her hand and held it until she seemed to come back to the present and whispered, "I think, I've forgotten all about it and then out of the blue, it suddenly comes back." She looked at Merlin, squeezed his hand before dropping it as she said, "Thank you!"

-0-0-

Merlin checked during the day that Laurence would be home early. He explained that he'd been asked to attend a meeting with some of the powers that be at Dr Caruthers' invitation.

He phoned Arthur to say that he'd be a little late and why and asked, "Feeling any better?"

Yes, But come as soon as your can, I'm going out of my mind here all day.

"Did you not think of studying?"

"Not at all, as I was busy as Molly and I cooked something for supper."

Merlin laughed, "I won't say no to a home-made meal."

-0-0-

Claudio met him outside the office. "Hi, Merlin! This is nothing official, it is just for identification purposes. Dr Caruthers will have photos and ask you if you recognise, people or objects. By the way, how's Arthur?"

"Glad to be alive. It could have been much worse, he had surgery to close the incision and arrived back at the condo yesterday afternoon. You know Arthur, he'll be all right but he's climbing the walls as they want him to stay at home for a few days."

A gentleman Merlin didn't know came out of the office and invited Claudio and him in. He directed them to two chairs at the table.

Dr Caruthers was at the table and the other man sat beside him. Caruthers introduced him as Dr Amherst the Discipline Council Secretary. Bates and the Head Porter were also there. In front of Dr Caruthers were stills obviously from the college cameras and also from the one in his own room. He showed him the head on photo of Baxter from the little camera in his room. "Is this the man who released you from the cupboard?"

Merlin said, "Yes, Sir..."

"Do you know his name?"

"Yes, Sir, he's Baxter Waynflete-Carter."

"Have you had other run ins with him?"

Merlin glanced at Bates before saying, "Yes, Sir."

Caruthers then placed other photos on the table, Merlin recognised the chap called Barkley and two others who were in Baxter's group.

Caruthers asked how he knew them. Merlin told him that they sat at the next table in the Dining Hall and were in Baxter's group of friends. Caruthers nodded and then showed Merlin a selection of photos of his room. He cringed when he saw his computer, thanking God that everything had been backed up. The phone which Arthur gave him after he fell or was pushed off the kerb was flattened.

He had not been in his room since he had been taken early Monday morning. Arthur had gone in supervised by a Porter, to get a change of clothes for him and his shoes but he'd never mentioned to Merlin what he had seen.

He said, "Do you have any photos of my shelves? Is my good camera there?"

Bates spoke up, "Mr Emrys, your camera was not damaged and is in safe-keeping in our lockers."

Dr Caruthers glanced at his file and said, "Your room is once again liveable. I'm sorry that you had to deal with all this. I heard that Mr Pendragon was attacked in the hospital. When he is well enough, I will be seeing him." He turned to Claudio saying, "Thank you, for being here with us and I hope, Mr. Emrys, this will be the end of your distractions for the year. I have heard some very commendable remarks about your academic progress. Bates and Bradshaw, I'd like you to stay a little longer."

Merlin and Claudio left and once in the corridor, Claudio said, "Well, you've made a favourable impression. Guess they want to keep you here and not have you running off to one of the other colleges."

Merlin laughed, "I think it is more likely that they are paving the way for a non-litigious settlement as Arthur would say. Thanks, Claudio, for being there, it helped seeing a friendly face."

"Were you at Radcliffe?" Claudio said as they walked across the Quad and Merlin nodded. "Didn't happen to bump into my brother, did you?"

"We were only in A&E and then in constant care for a short time with Arthur. What's his name?"

"Forbes, Brian..."

Merlin laughed, "Yes, I know him. He has seen to me on two occasions! Nice chap! Really like him, he's got a good bedside or should I say cot side manner and seems to remember peoples' names."

"Because of our Christian names most people don't make the family connection. My parents are avid travellers and each one of us has distinctive names. Brian arrived after a trip to Ireland, I was the result of two weeks in Italy as is my twin Sienna and Winston arrived after a trip to London. How about you?"

"My father was a fan of history and his grandparents came from Wales. His grandmother filled his head with historical legends. When I arrived, my mother says, they knew that I was special and grinned at each other and said, 'Merlin!' My mother laughs as she says that if I had been a girl I would have been Myfanwy!" Thinking of his parents made him feel warm and happy.

Claudio laughed and added, "Well, next time you see Brian, ask him about his actual first name. Whenever he was in trouble my mother referred to him as Padraig Brian Forbes and we used to call him Paddy."

They reached the door so they parted, Claudio going his way and Merlin back to Arthur's for a home cooked meal…

-0-0-

Merlin liked Fridays. They usually entailed early finishing tutorials, going to the condo, maybe socialising with friends for a meal and then two nights together.

The home-made meal was excellent. It was difficult to pin down Arthur on what part had been his expertise as he kept saying, "And then we did this and did you know that you can set the stove to come on all by itself during the day to start cooking your meal so that it is ready when you finally come home?"

Merlin had to laugh thinking, 'Oh the life of being brought up with staff, especially cooks!' Arthur could have been self sufficient with hot and cold water taps, electrical outlets and various kitchen utensils not forgetting the all important phone and list of takeaways. He was however, a dab hand at making scrambled eggs and toast and had mastered a microwave.

"What are you laughing at?" Arthur suddenly asked.

"Nothing really just thinking that you could live quite happily without a kitchen, couldn't you?"

"Well, yes, but I'd still need a sink as I prefer to eat off china with proper cutlery and I can't stand plastic glasses except at picnics and sporting events."

Merlin smiled as he felt the same way. He left Arthur checking the TV remote for something to watch. He arranged a plate of leftovers for Laurence should he come in later and put it in the fridge. He rinsed everything else off and left it soaking in the sink.

Arthur had given up on the TV and was idly watching him. He was as far as he was concerned the best medicine around. He patted the sofa and Merlin joined him. "Now you can tell me what happened at your meeting with Caruthers."

Merlin made him laugh by saying, "Professor or Doctor Caruthers to you, Pendragon!" He mentioned all the important facts including that Claudio was there which he appreciated. "Dr Caruthers said that he would be seeing you once you were up and around."

"Well, let's hope that they have learned something from this mess. Doesn't give me much confidence in their abilities of organisation if someone like Baxter can throw the whole place in disarray especially that Internal Mail Department."

Merlin nodded, "They probably paid more attention to the security on their computer systems than the physical aspect of doors left open, dissatisfied staff and a student's determination." There was a moment's pause before Merlin added, "Oh by the way, I can get back in my room anytime after noon tomorrow."

"How do you feel about that?"

"I don't really know...I want to see all my things but it will be strange to be back there again."

Arthur understood and suggested, "We could take a taxi or ask someone to drive us there. I'm not supposed to drive."

He was happy that Arthur had not insisted on driving as he knew that he still had twinges and he's been told that he could expect them to continue for up to a week.

"Then, it's decided we'll be independent, so we can return whenever we want," Merlin said. Arthur then started making suggestions as to why they might need to return in a hurry. He had Merlin in stitches. "I don't believe you, you made that one up for sure! Where do you come up with these ideas?

"I'm well read!"

"Well, you must be reading books which on not in the Bodleian," Merlin commented. They were lying against each other on one of the sofas. "If I wasn't so comfortable here, I'd crawl off to bed. What time is it?"

"Don't know and don't care as Laurence said he wouldn't be back until morning as he's staying in a caravan which his friend's family have on their farm."

"Have you ever stayed in a caravan? I did once with Mum and Gaius in Wales. I must have been nine or ten, it was really nice, as the beach was below us and all the caravans where like little houses perched on the side of a hill overlooking the sea. The week had been arranged through the church and lots of my friend were there. I remember that we didn't always spend the night in our own caravan but bunked in with friends."

"If I had been there," Arthur said, "I would have invited you to stay over in mine. We would have had a lot of fun."

"Arthur, I would only have been nine and you would have been thirteen. I don't think my mother would have given me permission to stay over."

"We wouldn't have done anything just kissed and cuddled!"

Merlin snuggled into him and said sexily, "My nine year old self would have said, 'Yuck!' but my nineteen year old can see the merit of that."

Arthur took that as an invitation saying, "Help me up!" Merlin did so as Arthur said, "If I could I would now whisk you up and carry you off to the bedroom but I can't, so I will have to rely on your following me…!"