Hello all!

So first and foremost I just wanna say a huge and heartfelt thank you everyone who left a comment, I love reviews they always make me smile. Andrea, the update made your morning but your comment made my day *hugs*! And to all who put this fic on their alerts, thank you, thank you, thank you! Love you all 3

Now, some housekeeping. So there are 13 chapters to this fic. I'm almost finished writing, just have to tidy up 13 and write *shifty eyes* 12... I skipped ahead of myself and I'm having a bit of trouble hopping back but it will get done and hopefully soon!

So, this fic was supposed to be a little thing but it took on a life of it's own and I've really enjoyed writing – I'm opening up the floor to requests! If anyone has one, can be anything – maybe something that was mentioned but never written or any background stories... I don't wanna be finished writing so if anyone has something that's like written don't hesitate to put an idea forward! You can put them in the reviews or PM me!

Disclaimer: I don't any of them, and no profit made!

Chapter 8:

Steam engine!

"Give me your credit card."

"Well hello to you too, Merlin," Arthur said, sitting back in his chair, "I would love a cup of coffee, thanks for asking."

"Credit card, Arthur," Merlin walked over to the desk, waving his hand in the air.

"Oh yes, a sandwich would be lovely."

"Arthur, I don't have time for your nonsense today!" Merlin walked around the desk, pushing Arthur forward and taking his suit jacket off the back of the chair and looking in the pockets.

Arthur looked bemused as Merlin threw the jacket on the sofa and came back over.

"Merlin,"Arthur gasped as Merlin started patting his thighs, looking for the wallet. Arthur stood up and moved away, hands in the air. "What do you want?"

"Credit card, Arthur, credit card!"

"Yes, I got that. But why?"

"It's Percy's birthday tonight."

"I am aware."

"I have to get him a present."

"And you want to use my money?" Arthur looked incredulous.

"Obviously, I'm not going to pay for it, you clotpole. You have enough money." He looked at Arthur like he was being obtuse on purpose.

"Excuse me?" Really, the insubordination was unbelievable.

"Present, Arthur!"

"Merlin," Arthur rubbed a hand over his face, sometimes talking to Merlin was like chasing his tail. He was never going to catch up, "why am I paying for your gift for Percy? And really, you're at work, you can't just run off to go shopping when you feel like it."

"What?" Merlin looked up, startled, "I've already got him something. I'm going out to get something for you."

"Why?"

"I always get them for you."

"No, you don't."

"Eh... Yes I do, you dollophead."

"Merlin!" Arthur sat back down.

"Arthur, just give me the credit card and do you need me to go get a change of clothes for you?"

"My god, you're like another mother hen. I've already got Morgana, Merlin," Arthur huffed, closing his laptop. "I've already got a present for Percy, and I'm leaving early to get ready."

"Oh," Merlin looked surprised, "wouldn't it have been easier to tell me earlier." He walked out and closed the door to the office.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted, "Get me a coffee!"

oooOooo

"Who's the girl?" Arthur asked, weaving his way through the group in the pub, heading back to the table, carrying a few pints.

"Freya, friend of Merlin's," Gwaine trailing behind, shrugged, spilling some beer onto the floor, "think Percy's sweet on her!"

"Sweet on her?" Arthur laughed, "Jesus, what's that woman done to you?"

"You're just jealous, man," Gwaine smirked, sitting down beside Elena.

"Right," Morgana said brightly, "time for pressie's!"

There were whoops of delight from round the table, Percy blushed and dipped his head. Freya smiled sweetly, touching his arm lightly.

"Okay," Merlin spoke up, "Arthur bought it himself, I'm dying to see what it is!"

"What?" Gwen laughed, all heads turned to Arthur. "You always do that!"

"Thank you!"

"No, he doesn't!" Arthur protested.

"Oh please, darling," Morgana smirked, "he does everything for you, buying presents, picking out your clothes, feeding you..."

Everyone laughed, Arthur looked outraged.

"So? What you get?" Lance asked, looking intrigued.

Arthur huffed but pulled an envelope out of his pocket. They all laughed.

"A gift voucher?" Gwen asked, shaking her head.

"You know," Gwaine sneered, "maybe you should've let Merlin take care of it."

"Shut up," Arthur snapped, handing the envelope over to a still blushing Percy.

"Thanks, mate."

He ripped open the paper, taking out the card and opening it. His eyebrows shot up and then he looked up at Arthur beaming. Arthur smiled hesitantly.

"Like it?"

"Wow," Percy gasped, "it's great!"

Gwaine grabbed the card out of Percy's hands, looking at the slip of paper inside. He snorted.

"Ballroom dancing lessons?"

They all looked at Arthur in surprise.

"See?" He looked triumphant, "I can do things myself!"

"Yes, maybe," Leon smiled, "but you still need Merlin to pick out your socks!"

They all laughed.

"Right," Gwaine shouted, "Mine next," he handed a glittery bag over, "it's from me and Ellie."

Percy took the bag with a smile, taking a swig of his pint, looked in the bag and choked, beer coming out his nose. Freya peered in the bag.

"Oh," she exclaimed, blushing slightly.

Morgana took the bag and laughed.

"Really? Gwaine, you're intolerable," she put her hand in and pulled out a box of condoms, then a bottle of lube and a cock ring, shaking her head. "It's endless," she laughed, "what did you do? Buy everything in the local sex shop?"

Arthur stood up, leaning over the table to look in the bag. He snorted, pulling out a mini vibrator. Percy blushed deeper.

"Going to ship you off to Sex Addicts Anonymous, and let them deal with you," Arthur laughed, looking at Gwaine.

"Oh no," a soft voice whimpered. Arthur turned to look at Elena, a look of horror on her face.

Gwen laughed, putting an arm around her.

"Don't worry," Lance cooed, "he wouldn't really. He loves Gwaine and his sex escapades."

"Who doesn't?" Elena smiled, Gwaine kissed her forehead, smirking at Arthur.

Arthur rolled his eyes, and sat back down.

Freya smiled at Percy, slipping her hand into his, "Could be fun," she gestured, minutely at the pile on the table. Percy smiled sweetly at her, before leaning in to kiss her lightly on the cheek.

Merlin rolled his eyes, but smiled indulgently at them. He loved Freya, she was sweet, gentle and shy. Even though Percy, was a big mountain of a man, his quiet ways suited the timid girl. She was someone for him to take care of.

Leon pushed at brightly wrapped gift across the table.

"Arthur," Elena spoke up, a few minutes later. He looked up, taking a drink and raised his eyebrow at her, "would you be interested in a threesome?"

Beer flew across the table, from both Arthur and Gwaine.

"What?" The two of them stared at the little blond, her smile bright and eager.

"Well it's just, I know Gwaine loves shagging you and I thought..." she trailed off, while everyone burst out laughing, Gwaine looked outraged and Arthur looked troubled.

"And that's my cue to go to the bar," Arthur stood up, Leon joined him.

A few minutes later, Freya and Percy got up to join the boys at the bar. Leon came back with a fresh round of drinks.

"Amazing," Merlin said, looking at Percy's arm around Freya.

"Jealous?" Gwaine asked.

"Nope," Merlin shrugged, "it's just unbelievable, is all."

"What?" Gwen asked, looking confused. "Two, lovely people, getting together is unbelievable?"

"No," Merlin shook his head, taking a big gulp of his pint, "s'not that. It's just how easy it was." He waved his hand in the air.

They all looked at him concernedly.

"I mean, this is the second or third time they've met," he shrugged, "and you two," he pointed at Gwaine and Elena, "met at a club and suddenly bliss!" he groaned and put him head on the table.

"Merlin?" Lance asked, looking concerned.

"I'm ok," he looked up and smiled softly.

"You'll meet someone," Morgana said, touching his arm, looking surprisingly tender.

"Yeah," he looked up at the bar. They followed his gaze, seeing Arthur laughing.

"Ah," Gwen said.

"What?" Elena said, looking confused.

"This masochist here, has fallen arse over tits for his Highness," Gwaine smirked.

"Well yes, we all know that." She smacked Gwaine lightly.

Merlin glared at her.

"There are monks in seclusion in Tibet, who know that," Leon put in.

"Shut up, Leon," Merlin moaned.

"What I don't get," Ellie said, scrunching her face up in confusion, "is why you don't just go and jump him?"

"That's why I'm moaning," Merlin shrugged.

"Oh, so there's a point to it, this time?" Morgana laughed.

"Quiet you," Merlin pointed at her, "what I was trying to say was, it was so easy for you two," he pointed at Gwaine and Ellie, "and those two," he gestured at Freya and Percy, "but we've," he waved his hand back and forth between the bar, "been dancing around each other for months, I propositioned him and still nothing's happened! We're doomed!" he dramatically finished, banging his head on the table.

Leon patted his back, looking bewildered.

"But it's Arthur!" Gwaine pointed out.

"That's no excuse," Ellie put in.

"Thank you," Merlin smiled at her.

"Actually, it is," Morgana said, "nothing's ever easy with him."

"True," they all nodded, sipping their drinks quietly.

"Kiss him," Leon said, after a few minutes.

"Huh?" Merlin looked up.

"Just walk over there, grab him and kiss him senseless!" Ellie beamed.

"Yeah," Merlin rolled his eyes, "not likely."

"Why not?" Gwen asked, a soft look on her face.

"He'd probably punch me."

"Oh go on, just do it!" Lance said.

"No," Gwaine chimed in, "I mean, yes," he gestured in the air before leaning over, a wicked gleam in his eyes, "kiss him, but then bend him over that bar stool and bugger him silly!"

Merlin burst out laughing, "Sure."

"No, really, he'd love it!" Gwaine nodded, like the all-knowing sex deviant he was.

"Yeah, just..." Gwen looked about, searching for the right words, "take charge," everyone looked at her, "I mean, don't fuck him here, now, obviously, but like, em, go... you know, do it," she finished lamely. Lance chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"Yeah! Save the fucking for later," Ellie smiled.

"Exactly," Gwaine smirked, he pointed at Merlin, "he loves having his nipples played with."

"Be careful though," Gwen butted in, "he's a biter."

"Yes," Gwaine punched the air, "but he loves..."

"Right," Morgana said loudly, standing up, "that's my little brother, so I really don't need to hear this. I'm going to the ladies."

oooOooo

"They're all looking at us," Freya said quietly.

Percy looked over at the table, and sure enough the whole lot of them were staring at them, well not them, more specifically Arthur.

"Not us, sweetheart," he said fondly, looking pointedly at the blond, perched on the bar stool.

"Never bodes well when Gwaine has that look on his face," Arthur said, looking concerned. They watched Morgana get up and head to the restrooms.

A little while later, a whoop from Gwaine caught their attention again. Arthur looked over to see Merlin stand up, straighten his shirt, Gwaine punch the air, Ellie and Gwen to clap quietly and Leon and Lance to smile hugely.

Merlin turned to face the bar, the look of determination on his face causing Arthur to place his fresh pint on the bar, by his elbow and sit on the edge of his seat.

"Guard your loins, dude, that man's on a mission," Percy laughed, moving to stand at Arthur's shoulder, Freya took a few steps back.

Arthur panicked, Merlin looked like a little stream engine, rolling straight for him. He was moving incredibly fast and had tunnel vision. Arthur slid forward, till only a sliver of his arse was on the stool, one foot on the floor when the engine collided.

If Merlin had stopped a step back, he could easily have put on a hand on Arthur's waist, another behind his head and kissed him. As it was, he hit Arthur with such force, that he was propelled backwards. Arm reaching out to grab something, anything, finding the sleeve of Percy's t-shirt, the other arm flailing and knocking, not only his but a few other glasses to the floor. The stool tipped dangerously, and with a crash, Arthur fell backwards, head hit the edge of the bar first, and then the solid brass foot rail along the bottom of the bar, before landing on the floor amid the spilt alcohol and broken glass.

The pub fell silent.

Percy was staring, open-mouthed at his friend on the floor. Freya had her hands over her mouth, looking at Arthur, then at a horrified Merlin. Merlin looked like he had run head first into a wall.

"Merlin, you really are a complete idiot, aren't you?" Arthur moaned quietly, holding his head. Tiny dots of blood, appearing from all the cuts caused by shards of glass.

"Arthur!" Morgana screeched, running over.

Suddenly there was a lot of noise.

"Well shit," Gwaine said, watching Percy pick Arthur up. Freya had her arm around Merlin.

oooOooo

"You know what I think?" Gwaine laughed, wiping bits of glass off Arthur's back.

"I've no idea what rattles around that little head of yours," Arthur winced, pouring cold water over his arms to wash off the blood.

Percy dapped at the cut on his forehead, smiling slightly.

"I think," Gwaine continued, shooting Arthur a dirty look in the mirror, "that it's your turn."

"My turn for what, exactly?" Arthur asked, batting Gwaine's hand away as he tried to sort Arthur's hair out.

"To make a gesture," Percy supplied.

"A gesture?" Arthur asked disbelievingly, "This was Merlin making a gesture?" motioning to his less than perfect appearance.

"I'll admit, his execution wasn't exactly great," Gwaine smirked. Arthur snorted. "But I do believe," Gwaine continued, "that he was attempting to kiss you, you flutebox!"

"Well his technique leaves a lot to be desired!" Arthur snapped, but a soft smile touched his face.

"So it would seem," Gwaine said, "but that boy's magic," he pointed at Arthur in the mirror, "and if you're playing, you're playing for keeps."

"Pretty much a done deal, anyway," Percy patted Arthur on the shoulder.

oooOooo

"Oh God, Oh God!" Merlin moaned, head on the table.

"Here, drink this," Morgana put a glass of whiskey in front of him. Merlin gulped it down, wincing at the bitter taste.

"It's not that bad," Lance said, trying not to smile at his friends distress.

"Not that bad?" Merlin gaped, "He could have brain damage!"

"Nah," Leon smiled, taking a drink, "he has a really thick head."

"I'm going to be fired," Merlin groaned, head back on the table.

"Oh give over, with your delicate sensibilities, already," Morgana rolled her eyes. "He's fine. Save a few cuts and bruises."

Ellie and Gwen put their arms around Merlin.

"I wonder if they'll give us the CCTV," Leon, ever helpful, put in. Ellie laughed.

"Piss off," Merlin muttered.

Lance cleared his throat and Merlin looked up. Morgana gestured over to the bathrooms, where Percy was heading over to the bar and Gwaine was looking at Arthur a little apprehensively.

Merlin looked panicked, but stood up and stepped away from the round table. Freya grabbed his fingers and gave them a tight squeeze and Leon grinned dopily at him. He took a step towards Arthur who was walking over slowly.

He stopped a few feet away. Merlin grimaced when he saw a bump already rising on Arthur's forehead, just above his eyebrow, with a slightly purple hue.

"I'm so sorry," he gushed, looking at Arthur's stony expression.

"Do you hate working for me so much, that you thought it'd be easier to kill me?"

"I'm so so so so sorry," Merlin panicked, "you have to believe me, that was not how it was supposed to go."

"Really?" Arthur smirked, "and what exactly was supposed to happen?"

"Well, I, you see," Merlin trailed off, looking at the floor. Suddenly Arthur's shoe's were in his line of sight, he looked up and Arthur was right in front of him. He gulped.

"Really, Merlin," Arthur smiled, "when you're trying to kiss someone," he put a finger under Merlin's chin, "it should go, more like this." He leaned in the last few inches and pressed his lips to Merlin's.

A round of applause sounded around the bar, with some catcalls and wolf whistles being issued from the table to their left.

Arthur smiled into the kiss, then took a step back looking at Merlin's shocked face.

Then Merlin grinned, "Where do you think you're going?" he said, before pulling Arthur back in and cupping his head so there was no escape.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry, Sorry!"