Chapter 3: Terrible Teaspoons!

Entertaining it most certainly was not, for Merlin at least, everyone else got endless joy out of it.

For the next six weeks, Merlin was run off his feet looking after the prat. The man didn't seem to be capable of doing the easiest of things. Merlin had to get his breakfast on the way in, remind him to go to lunch and constantly inform him so he could escape if Uther or Morgana were seen in the vicinity.

Merlins day was from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, and on most mornings Arthur was already in the office before Merlin arrived and often Merlin left for the night with Arthur still behind the desk with no signs of leaving. Merlin had strong conjectures that he just didn't go home some nights – the idiot.

While Arthur was still a condescending, self righteous part, Merlin found himself becoming fond of the Pendragon heir. There were those within the company that bitterly commented about nepotism and easy paths, but Merlin knew that was all bullshit. No one worked harder than Arthur and the bar of expectation was so much higher for him than any other employee. While the comments had lessened as his dedication and work proved itself, there was always some jilted asshole with an opinion. But the majority of the employee's loved Arthur, he didn't lord over them with the iron fist and fierce temper his father did and therefore the respect was earned rather than commanded. He was a good man, and while Merlin couldn't ever see himself as close as Gwaine and Leon were to Arthur he had started to consider him a friend.

They still argued like two monkeys sizing each other up in the jungle but it was more banter now, Merlin learnt to take the insults on the chin and give as good as he got.

Arthur soon became the most significant person in Merlins life, he spent five days a week only a few yards from the man and then seeing him socially some evenings and at the weekends – this sadly meant Arthur could always find him when he wanted something asinine. Really, it wasn't Merlins job to go to the video shop for the lazy git, just because Merlin had a key to Arthur's penthouse apartment (in case of emergencies, i.e. when he ran out of teabags and couldn't be arsed walking to the shop himself).

So Merlin's life, much to his horror, had become pretty Arthur-centric and this didn't help his crush on the blond prat.

Arthur, Merlin discovered, didn't show a preference for either sex and was a complete manwhore – he pulled every weekend and Merlin wasn't blind to the girls and boys going into the office with the door and blinds closed behind them. Merlin wasn't jealous, not at all! Though his own sex life had become pretty dry, he did have a fumble in the boiler room with a man called Owaine from the accounts department, but not something he wanted to repeat, especially since Arthur had laughed and tucked his shirt back into his trousers for him leaving Merlin hot and flustered.

Yes, definitely not entertaining for Merlin. Damn Gwaine and his knowing smirks.

oooOooo

Merlin had forgotten his phone and was cursing himself while he was hurrying back down the corridor to the office – he had been halfway home when he realised and now he was tired and crabby.

The light in Arthur's office was still on and the door was ajar, Merlin was about to poke his head in to tell the prat to go home – it was Friday night for Christ sakes and there was a quiz on in the pub that night. Everybody was going and they needed Arthur for all his knowledge on random crap that no normal person should know, Merlin found it slightly adorable that Arthur was such a dork.

He stopped when he heard voices, Arthur's and... Lance's... what was he doing here?

They had once, apparently, been great friends – but the betrayal still hung heavy between them, just as it had fractured Morgana and Gwen's friendship. Morgana and Gwen had been best friends for years – they were still great friends but Morgana hated liars and when Arthur had caught Gwen and Lance in bed together she had been furious, but even more so when it emerged that the affair had been going on for months.

By the time that bombshell had been dropped Arthur had been in New York. Even though Morgana and Arthur fought like cats and dogs, she was fiercely protective of him – he was her baby brother after all.

The fallout had, apparently been horrific according to Gwaine. Morgana had screamed, threw things and probably would have physically attacked the two if Leon and Percy hadn't been there. Leon had stood behind Morgana, like the loving man he was and didn't speak to Lance for weeks. Gwaine had punched Lance and called him a few choice words but that was all, he'd handed Lance a beer and that had been that. Percy on the other hand, being a good friend of Lance's, had for the most part stayed silent, but was disappointed in his friend and horrified at Gwen's actions.

However that had all been over a year ago and all was forgiven, Arthur himself saying Gwen and Lance were great together but the men never hung out alone like in the old days.

Merlin paused not sure if he should go in or just sneak back out of the building but the tone of Arthur's voice made him listen.

"I don't understand why you're telling me..." Arthur trailed off.

"I just wanted you to know," Merlin heard Lance sigh, "I thought it would be best if you heard from me."

"Very well, I appreciate it."

"Uh oh," Merlin thought, polite talk from Arthur, that was usually reserved for his father and the board.

"You coming to the pub tonight?" Lance asked.

"Maybe."

"Arthur, please."

He heard Arthur sigh and could imagine him running his hand through his hair, making a mess of it.

"Of course I'll be there, I just have some stuff to finish up here."

"Right, I'll leave you to it so." Merlin heard the sound of someone standing up and retreated around the corner, standing in the dark hallway.

A few minutes later, he saw Lance walk to the elevator.

He stood at his desk for a few minutes looking at the door to Arthur's office, not sure if he should go in or not. In the end he decided to bite the bullet.

"You still here?" he asked cheerfully opening the door and paused. Arthur was sat behind his desk, his head in his hands. He looked up sharply.

"What are you doing here?"

"I left my phone behind..." he trailed off.

"Oh," Arthur leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hands over his face.

"Everything ok?" Merlin asked walking to the desk, Arthur looked at him with a shrug and Merlin took that as an invite and sat down.

"I saw Lance walking out." He left it at that and sat patiently waiting on Arthur to talk, one thing Merlin had learnt about the man was you couldn't force him to talk about what was on his mind, Arthur had to come to it in his own time.

Merlin settled in for a wait. Arthur gazed out the window, Merlin studied him – he looked tired and was frowning but he was still beautiful.

"He's going to ask Gwen to marry him, just thought I should know so it wouldn't be sprung on me," he chuckled humourlessly.

"How do you feel about that?" Merlin asked quietly, Arthur sighed and ran his hands through his hair, Merlin couldn't help but smile – it was standing up in disarray.

"They're a great couple and they're so in love," he paused, "I'm happy for them, I really am," he looked at Merlin and shrugged. He looked so vulnerable, not a common look on Arthur Pendragon and Merlin wanted to go around and pull him into his arms and kiss the frown lines away.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Merlin couldn't look away from his eyes.

"Come on," Merlin said abruptly, standing up, "We need shots and the quiz starts in two hours, plenty of time to get drunk and change before stumbling to the Dragon."

Arthur laughed and stood up.

"Sounds good," he said walking around the desk and Merlin put his hand on Arthur's lower back leading him out of the office.

oooOooo

Leon looked back and forth between the two men on the couch, unsure if he should speak or not.

Gwaine looked like he had run head first into a wall again and Arthur... well Arthur looked like someone told him he was running for president of the US – confused and not entirely sure how that could even be probable.

Leon really had only himself to blame, he was the one who had produced the bottle of whiskey once the poker game had started. He just hadn't expected them to start doing shots.

And now he was stuck with two very drunk and extremely confused men. Not to mention it was only bloody ten o'clock. This didn't look likely to be the all nighter Leon had been hoping for.

Gwaine leaned forward eyeing the table like it might bite him.

"I just don't understand."

"I know." Arthur shook his head.

What was confusing them was beyond the capabilities of Leon's drunk mind. Gwaine stretched out his hand to have it viciously slapped by Arthur.

"Don't touch it!" Gwaine nodded, and didn't stop. "We don't know anything about it – could be dangerous," Arthur said very seriously.

Leon looked at the table and back at the men, both were frozen again – staring at God only knew what.

The door banged open and the two of them jumped and yelped grabbing each other's arms – terrified. Merlin froze eyeing them suspiciously, closing the door slowly.

"Hi..." He looked at Leon who shrugged, taking a gulp of beer. Arthur relaxed and let go of Gwaine.

"Merlin!" He smiled; big and dopey, "my Merlin." He pulled a funny face and then frowned, Leon smirked. Gwaine slapped him over the head.

"He's my Merlin!"

"No he's not."

"Yes, he is – he's mine. I found him!" Gwaine straightened up like a proud champion.

Merlin walked forward slowly, a little wary smile on his face.

"You found him..?" Arthur asked confused and then smiled, "like in a treasure hunt?"

"Kind of," Gwaine said seriously, "but more like a little present sitting on my doorstep."

"Awww..." Arthur cooed, "like a little lost monkey."

"Just like that!" Gwaine nodded, "and he loves bananas!"

"Perfect" Arthur exclaimed happily, "I never find anything good on my doorstep," he pouted.

Merlin sat down on Leons lap – never taking his eyes off the pair, who seemed to completely have forgotten he was there and Leon for that matter. He picked up and took a slow drink from the beer on the table.

"What's wrong with them?" he whispered.

"I've no idea."

"That's too bad, mate," Gwaine said patting Arthurs knee, shaking his head in disbelief at his friends bad luck.

"Yeah. Damn I really want my own monkey now."

"I am not a bloody monkey!" Merlin shouted, startling the two – they looked at him and then at each other.

"Well I suppose we could share him?" Gwaine said smiling.

"Like joint custody?" Arthur looked thrilled.

"Yeah! Brilliant," they high fived and Merlin spluttered.

"I am not..."

"Shush Merlin. Ah now look he's getting agitated," Gwaine shook his head.

"We should get him a banana," Arthur said while reaching for his own drink, his gaze fell on the table and he froze with a horrified look on his face.

He grabbed Gwaines arm.

"It's still there."

"I'd forgotten about it," Gwaine said looking ashamed.

"Don't feel bad – it's all mind games... it wants us to forget," Arthur pointed out seriously.

"I just don't understand how it got there."

"And what it's doing there," they both fell silent and stared at the table apprehensively.

Merlin looked at Leon.

"Don't ask – I've no idea!"

Merlin clapped his hands, startling the two idiots again.

"What's the problem?"

They looked at each other and then nodded at the table, Merlin and Leon leant forward trying to see what it was that was so terrifying.

"I'm still confused," Merlin said as he sat back.

They looked at him like he was simple.

"The spoon," Gwaine said. They all leaned forward again, now staring at the small silver teaspoon on the table.

"What about the spoon?" Merlin asked slowly.

"Where did it come from?" Arthur asked, looking worried.

"The kitchen?"

"But how did it get here?" Gwaine asked, "I cleared the table for the cards."

"Oh," Leon said, they all looked at him. Merlin giggling at the serious looks on the two gobshites faces. "It was down the side of cushion, I found it... and threw it there."

"Oh!"

Arthur picked up the deck and started shuffling.

"Merlin, you playing?"

The scary teaspoon completely forgotten.