Chapter 3

Merlin had to stay in hospital for an extra three days just to make sure his broken bones were recovering in the correct way. Arthur slept there every night in the visitors room, Hunith stayed one of the days too. Will came and visited him and they had a bit of an epic fangirl moment about how Merlin had actually managed to win Arthur for himself. Arthur had watched them from the doorway, nursing a cup of coffee from the machine in the corridor and smiling as his dark haired boy laughed and smiled with his best friend.

As Merlin lay on his side to go to sleep Will bent over and kissed his hair, pulling the blanket higher up as he did so. He left Merlin to rest and joined Arthur in the doorway, smiling and nodding at him.

"Merlin told me that you guys are together. I'm really happy for you. Merlin's been besotted with you forever." Will whispered to Arthur as they watched Merlin turn over in his sleep. Arthur looked sideways at him and nodded, a fond smile coming to his lips.

"Thanks, man. I was too wrapped up in all the stupid band stuff to see how he actually felt." Arthur replied as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. Will patted him on the shoulder.

"He was pretty good at keeping it hush hush. He also mentioned that you thought he and I were…uh together?" Will asked as a blush skittered across his cheeks. Arthur scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and looked up at Will in embarrassment.

"Sorry. I just assumed you guys were dating. You are really close to Merlin. I didn't mean anything bad by it. I just didn't want to ruin a relationship if I were to tell him I loved him." Arthur explained. Will turned to him and just stared at him with an unreadable look on his face, Arthur wasn't sure whether to expect a punch in the face or a hug.

"Who knew you were such a sensitive soul? Merlin and I are best friends, but never anything more than that. That also extends to the fact that if you even think about hurting him you won't survive to remember it, okay?" Will added in a monotone voice, levelling Arthur with a heated stare that had the blonde believing the threat completely.

"Of course. Wouldn't dream of hurting him. After all this drama I'm never letting him out of my sight." Arthur replied sincerely, watching as his new boyfriend pulled the blankets closer to him and nuzzled into his pillow. Beside him Will nodded firmly and patted him on the shoulder again. With that Arthur was left alone to watch Merlin sleep as Will returned to the waiting room to talk to the doctor about when Merlin could go home.

The moment came when Merlin was released from hospital, the doctor had insisted on him borrowing a wheelchair until his leg was properly healed, much to the brunette's chagrin. So, Lancelot had his car waiting outside to return Merlin, Arthur and his mother to the Emrys home. Hunith wheeled Merlin outside, and thanked all the doctors and nurses who had helped her son.

"Mum, Arthur is coming back to ours, right?" Merlin asked in a whisper as she helped him into the car, Arthur walking around to talk to Lancelot. Hunith watched as Merlin buckled his seatbelt and stroked the back of his head gently.

"Of course, love. Even if he wasn't invited, I'm sure he would have insisted on making sure you got home okay." Hunith replied as she leaned forward and kissed Merlin's forehead, causing him to smile fondly. Once they were all bundled into the car the drive home was relatively uneventful. Arthur was resolute that he wanted to sit in the middle next to Merlin rather than a seat away.

While they waited in a particularly long traffic jam trying to get out of London Arthur pulled his guitar out and started to play some chords, Merlin listened contentedly with his eyes closed. Arthur then proceeded to teach Merlin the finger placements on the guitar arm, while he strummed the strings. Hunith watched them as they laughed and snuggled close together, knowing that Merlin really was happy with Arthur.

It was dark when they returned to Ealdor, Arthur's guitar discarded into the empty seat as he slept peacefully on Merlin's shoulder, the brunette stroking soothing circles into Arthur's palm, their fingers loosely slotted together. Hunith thanked Lancelot by kissing him on the cheek, and Merlin and Arthur shook his hand to convey their gratitude. They trundled into the house feeling lethargic but content to be home.

"Are you staying over?" Merlin asked a still-sleepy Arthur as they huddled together on the sofa, while Hunith busied herself making tea for them in the kitchen.

"If that's okay? I can sleep on the floor and you take the bed." Arthur replied as he leant his head on Merlin's shoulder and yawned widely. Merlin looked at his pretty blonde and smiled.

"Nah, we'll both sleep in the bed. I can't let you sleep on the floor." Merlin assured tilting Arthur's head up and kissing him gently on the lips.

"Me and you in a bed together? Won't that just ensure you dying of sexual frustration though?" Arthur chuckled and nuzzled closer to Merlin's warmth, joining their hands.

"Probably, but my stupid broken leg will do a fair job of that on its own. Besides in the hospital we weren't allowed to sleep in the same bed. At least here we can wake up together, regardless of the non-sex situation." Merlin whispered, raising Arthur's warm hand to his lips and kissing it gently.

Arthur simply nodded and grinned to himself. He had the best boyfriend in the world.

Hunith returned with the tea and handed them both a large mug, sitting opposite them in a squishy red armchair.

"You boys both look exhausted. You should head up to bed soon. Merlin has spare pyjamas, if you'll be needing them Arthur." Hunith said as she herself tried to stifle a yawn.

"Yeah, thanks Hunith. Come on Merlin, let's get you all bundled up in bed. Give you a chance to take the weight of that leg and rest your pretty head." Arthur murmured as he slowly pulled himself up form the sofa and extended his hand to Merlin. The brunette smiled and allowed himself to be pulled upstairs.

Merlin hobbled his way up the stairs behind Arthur, his eyelids heavy and his body aching all over. He slid past Arthur into his bedroom and started removing clothes until he was just in his boxers. That was when he noticed that Arthur hadn't been following him, he was standing in the hallway looking nervous.

"Arthur, aren't you going to come in here with me?" Merlin asked gently, watching Arthur shuffling his booted feet and blushing a pale pink colour.

"I wasn't sure- I didn't want to overstep-

"Just come in here, Mr. Rock Star. You aren't overstepping anything." Merlin replied, reaching out and pulling Arthur forward by his hips and dipping his head to kiss the blonde on the lips.

"Right, sorry love." Arthur murmured as Merlin sat himself on the edge of his bed and looked up at Arthur expectantly. The blonde crouched to unlace his boots and on the way up he unbuttoned and unzipped his fly, slipping the skinny jeans he was wearing down his long legs. He stepped out of them and the big t-shirt he'd had tucked into them fell to his mid thigh, covering up his black boxers. He ran his fingers through his hair and yawned widely. He hadn't noticed that Merlin had been watching him the entire time, surreptitiously licking his full lips at the slowly-revealed skin.

Merlin lifted his broken leg gently onto the mattress, shuffling over to make room for Arthur. The blonde hadn't ever felt this awkward with any of his other bed mates; he just didn't understand why he was acting like a fourteen year old at the idea of sleeping next to Merlin. It wasn't even like they were going to have sex or anything. But this was an odd phase of their relationship, they were barely comfortable and if Arthur messed this up it could be all over in a second, or so he thought anyway.

He lay down next to the brunette and closed his eyes in defeat, losing a hard battle with his body to try and stay awake. When he felt Merlin's cool hand stroking down over his t-shirt-covered tummy and resting there, while he nuzzled into the blonde's warm shoulder, Arthur let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding, and his worries melted away. This would be fine. He had no reason to fear. He stroked down Merlin's bare side gently and kissed the top of his head, careful not to do any damage to his boyfriend's injury. That was how they fell asleep, arms wrapped around each other and nuzzling together for warmth.

They were unceremoniously awoken the next day by Arthur's loud ringtone, blaring out some rock song Merlin wasn't awake enough to recognise. Arthur slid out of bed and out of Merlin's warm embrace to answer it. He rubbed at his bleary eyes with the heel of his hand and lifted it to his ear.

What followed was a harshly whispered argument between Arthur and his father, Merlin picked up a few key themes; Arthur apparently was useless and lazy and spent too much time messing around and not enough time working, Arthur's father didn't deserve to have any say in Arthur's life when he hadn't shown any concern to anything other than how good a citizen he was being. Merlin watched as Arthur started to pace about the room, frowning and hissing angrily in response to his father's audible shouting.

Hunith poked her head around the door and smiled and waved at Merlin, Arthur was over by the window slowly knocking his head against it. Hunith looked over at him and silently asked Merlin what was happening, the brunette did his best to mime a phone and mouth 'dad'. Without another word Hunith disappeared out of the room and left the boys alone. Merlin limped over to where Arthur was standing by the window and sat against the frame, leaning against the blonde's warm chest to try and offer any comfort he could give him.

Arthur cut his father off as he went into another tirade, chucking his phone across the room towards his rumpled up jeans.

"Are you alright?" Merlin asked as he stood up and wrapped his arms around Arthur, the blonde smiled at him and nuzzled close.

"Yeah, just my dad whining at me as usual. It's rare to go a week without getting a call like that." Arthur explained as he kissed Merlin's collarbone.

"I'm sorry baby, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" Merlin asked in a sweet voice. Arthur pulled back slightly and looked at Merlin with raised eyebrows. Was he really suggesting what Arthur thought he was?

"What sort of thing were you thinking?" Arthur asked in a choked voice, running a thumb across Merlin's cheekbone. Merlin slid his mouth to Arthur's ear and licked and suckled on the earlobe for a second or two.

"Well, I was thinking you and me, in bed, wearing less clothes, and I think you can imagine the rest? I mean if you want to…I don't want to rush anything- Merlin started off in a deep seductive voice, but it faltered once he realised he'd assumed Arthur would want to sleep with him. They hadn't been dating even for a week yet. He didn't want to come across as horny or needy.

"Believe me, I want to. Are you sure you're up to it though? With the leg and everything?" Arthur asked, rubbing soothing circles into Merlin's warm back.

"Yeah, I'll find a way to make it work. Is it okay if we wait until my mum goes out to work? It's not that I'm embarrassed of you or anything I just don't want-mmph Arthur had leant forwards and stopped Merlin's speech with his own lips.

"That's fine, love. However you want to go about it is okay with me." Arthur replied sweetly.

"Shall we go back to sleep for a bit then? Or go out and do something? Coffee at Starbucks?" Merlin asked as he walked them over to his bed and they sat down together.

"Starbucks sounds pretty good, babe." Arthur replied as he pulled his skinny jeans on and zipped the fly. Merlin walked over to his cupboard and pulled out a clean t-shirt and jeans, and his favourite leather jacket. Within ten minutes they were both ready to go, after Arthur had turned this way and that in Merlin's hallway admiring his reflection in the mirror and Merlin had hobbled downstairs and out into the morning air on his crutches. At the last minute Arthur darted back into the house and grabbed up his guitar, swinging it onto his back and joined Merlin again.

The Starbucks shop was about a fifteen minute walk from Merlin's house, so they made it there in no time, even with Merlin and his broken leg. Arthur started to hum parts of the song he had been writing while Merlin was in hospital, making the journey most enjoyable.

"Lover so far away from me, can't you just come back? I want you in my life but I can't tell you that if you keep those lovely eyes closed from me. Like that but with an acoustic guitar rhythm, you know?" Arthur said just as they turned into starbucks. Merlin smiled at the blonde, warmth uncoiling in his stomach at the words of the song written for him.

"Sounds great. I can't wait to hear the finished version. Can you order me a hazelnut hot chocolate, babe? I need to get the weight of this leg." Merlin replied, leaning in and kissing Arthur lightly on the lips before limping his way to a small table by the window. He rested the crutches against the wall and sat on the comfy chair waiting for Arthur. The blonde ordered their drinks and a cookie-looking thing that looked like a rocky road and a packet of smarties had exploded and created a lovely chocolate baby.

When he carried their orders over precariously, balancing the plate on his forearm he saw Merlin make grabby hands towards him. He wasn't sure if Merlin wanted the chocolate thing or himself, but he assumed it was the chocolate. And fair enough really, it did look pretty delectable. Arthur sat across from Merlin and inhaled the smell of his caramel-syrup induced coffee, watching as Merlin dipped his little finger into the squirty cream atop his hot chocolate and licked and sucked at it almost obscenely. Arthur squirmed in his seat and dropped his eyes from Merlin's fluttering eyelashes and lapping pink tongue.

"You know you were talking about dying of sexual frustration before?" Arthur asked in a hushed voice, leaning over the table. Merlin nodded and smiled around his cream-covered fingers.

"I'm seriously close to that if you keep licking your lovely long fingers like that, love. And then I'll be dead without trying any of that chocolate smartie-marshmallow thing with you. I would be sad if that happened." Arthur answered, gesturing to the thing in question.

"Sorry, didn't realise you were that easy to turn on. I'll keep that idea in mind for later." Merlin chuckled and withdrew his fingers, wiping them on the little green napkin. Arthur spluttered on his mouthful of coffee for a moment at Merlin's comment, blushing lightly.

Looking up at Arthur through his dark eyelashes Merlin split the chocolate thing into two halves and pushed Arthur's half towards him.

"So, have any of the other guys been writing anything new?" Merlin enquired as he dipped a piece of the cake-thing into his hot chocolate and brought it to his lips. Arthur nodded absently as he watched a rivulet of chocolate drip down Merlin's lower lip. This not-having-sex thing was slowly killing him.

"Uh…yeah Lancelot was telling me he had this riff stuck in his head and had to write it down before it drove him mad. He got together with Percival and they wrote an entire song in an afternoon. I haven't heard it but they say it's good." Arthur commented biting into the orgasm that was the cake-thing and groaning his enjoyment of it.

"That's really cool. I'm sorry you guys are on hold because of me. I really feel bad about it." Merlin replied, frowning and running his thumb around the rim of his mug.

"Hey hey. Don't feel bad about it. It was our choice. Okay?" Arthur lifted Merlin's chin and leant forward and placed a light kiss on the brunette's down-turned lips. Merlin couldn't keep the smile off his face but he nodded his assent. Arthur swung his guitar into his lap and started to idly strum at the strings, Merlin watching him intently. As he started to strum out the melody to 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' Merlin started to quietly sing along with him, drumming his fingers on the edge of the wooden table. Arthur watched him through his blonde lashes, amazed that he had managed to snag such a wonderful young man. The rest of their time in starbucks was spent in the same way, both of them sipping at their cooling drinks, Arthur playing melodies from songs and challenging Merlin to recognise them and sing along. It was the most fun Arthur had ever had in a Starbucks. They were getting a few looks from some of the other patrons, but mostly they were happy to allow their fun to continue. The barista was caught singing along to at least three of the riffs Arthur was playing. When Arthur pulled Merlin into his lap and guided his fingers to the strings the people sitting next to them made a bit of a scoffing noise, but they were too engrossed in each other to notice.

They left the shop after about an hour; Arthur's guitar swinging against his back as they walked down the street, passing by the bustling businessmen and a young-looking busker playing a penny whistle, Arthur tossed some money towards the boy's bucket and smiled at him.

"I've been there, people just walking past and ignoring you while you freeze your ass off." He commented as they continued walking. Merlin looked sideways at Arthur and just admired his profile for a moment before responding.

"It obviously paid off, though. Seeing as you are playing the O2 and stuff nowadays." The brunette leant against the nearest wall to rest a moment. The muscles in his arms really were too weak to hobble around on his crutches for extended periods of time.

"I could carry you if those crutches are bothering you? I could easily lift you up bridal style." Arthur chuckled, imagining how indignant Merlin would be if he even attempted to carry him anywhere. The wrinkle-nosed look he got in response from Merlin was answer enough. That was when Merlin noticed the sign.

Singer/band needed to play a midday slot at The Giraffe Bar on Weston Street. Rock music preferably. Go to bar to register.

Merlin nodded his head at it and smiled encouragingly. Arthur frowned at him, confused.

"The sign, on that red door over there. It sounds perfect." Merlin finally explained, pointing to the door in question.

"Oh, I don't know, Merlin. I mean you aren't fully recovered yet and we couldn't play without you-

"Oh hush, of course you can. I'll be backstage cheering you on. It would be really good for you to get back together for this." Merlin cut him off, nodding enthusiastically.

"But we haven't played in a while, what if we're terrible?" Arthur countered, although Merlin knew he was wearing the blonde down.

"You won't be terrible. It's impossible for you to play terribly. It's my fault you haven't played for so long, because I was stupid and got hurt. Please Arthur?" Merlin threw the puppy dog eyes out there, staring through his eyelashes and letting his lips fall into a pout. Arthur was fumbling nervously with his guitar strap, knowing how much he itched to play with the guys again.

"But… but we haven't rehearsed or planned out a set list or anything." The excuse was feeble, and it sounded weak even to his ears. Merlin moved forwards on his crutches, until he was right in front of Arthur, smiling his winning smile and cocking his head just so. Arthur felt his resolve crumble to dust.

"You know that doesn't matter, love. The boys miss you and they'd love to get the chance to reform as Camelot." Merlin replied in a sweet gentle voice that had Arthur's heart melting.

"Ok, I'll give the guys a call. But I thought after we had coffee we were going to…uh…you wanted to- Arthur attempted to explain with hand gestures, but was unable. Luckily Merlin understood what it was Arthur couldn't get his mouth to convey.

"I know, but that can wait, right?" Merlin responded, touching his hand to Arthur's and smiling at him. Arthur nodded in a distracted fashion. Merlin leant in close to his ear and whispered in the huskiest voice he could muster.

"If you play this gig then I promise we can fuck all night afterwards." Arthur's eyes widened and his jeans tightened considerably at the suggestion.

"Wow. Um…right. You are so hot." Arthur's brain had short circuited, and he whispered the latter half of the sentence just as he dialled in Lancelot's number.

In a matter of minutes the band had been rallied and they were all on their way into the small town. Arthur and Merlin waited on a bench outside the giraffe bar, having registered to play a few minutes earlier.

Arthur was fluffing his hair and applying a liberal amount of eyeliner to his eyes. Merlin sat next to him, strumming out a few notes on Arthur's guitar.

Ok need to break up this chapter because it is getting long.

The next chapter will have the gig and the sex scene. Then a bit more character development.

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