There was an uncomfortable atmosphere around the table, with the two men obviously unhappy at the other one being there. Lance and Gwen did their best to try to talk about Merlin's trip to Australia, keeping on general topics but they were not having much success. In the end things came to a head in a dramatic fashion. Lance put his foot well and truly in it when he asked if they had managed to have any social time.

"We went up the Eureka Tower on the first day which was fantastic, and another day we went to a park to see the Koala bears and other native animals." Merlin said "I have some photos to show you later." He missed out the meal, as that was a date.

"We also went to a lovely restaurant on the last evening, great food wasn't it Merlin?" Arthur asked it was clear to everyone that this wasn't the same sort of thing as the others when Merlin blushed.

"Yes it was great; we tried lots of different courses." Merlin glanced at Arthur which Gwaine picked up on immediately.

"A date was it?" he asked.

"No" said Arthur which was ruined as Merlin said nothing, but looked uncomfortable.

"Not sure are we?" Gwaine said sarcastically "Not being honest Arthur?"

"I don't think that's any of your business." Arthur snapped back.

"Stop it you two, Gwaine I asked Arthur not to say anything until we were sure what was going to happen. Please don't spoil it." Merlin was clearly upset.

"I just need to know Merlin; I came here today to ask you out. I didn't expect Arthur to have taken advantage of your trip away."

"That was uncalled for Gwaine! I did not take advantage of Merlin! We went out for a meal." Arthur's voice was getting angry in tone.

"Stop it you two, I'm not a bone to be fighting over! How did I know you both wanted to date me! And Gwaine it's Arthur's and my business what happened and not yours. So stop it." With that he wheeled himself away and into his bedroom.

"I suggest you two leave and calm down, Merlin doesn't need this…" Gwen started to say.

But Arthur took no notice and followed Merlin. He went into the bedroom and went towards Merlin who was at the window.

"Sorry Merlin, he got under my skin. I was surprised to see him here and got jealous, I knew he fancied you, and I didn't want to lose you before we had even started." He walked until he was in front of Merlin and knelt before him. "Please don't be upset."

Merlin looked at Arthur "I didn't know he fancied me I thought he was a good friend, and I didn't know he was coming today." He said in a quiet voice.

"I know."Arthur pulled Merlin gently towards him and gave him a hug. "I realised that, do you want to change your mind about us, do you want to date Gwaine? If you do I'll step aside, I only want to see you happy." Arthur waited, dreading Merlin's answer.

"No, I want to try us, I want us to work. But I don't want to lose Gwaine as a friend either. Is that wrong?" Merlin lent into Arthur's arms.

"No it's not, and I'm sure once Gwaine sees that, he will want that to."

There was a knock on the door; Arthur looked up to see Gwaine standing there.

"I came to make sure you're ok Merlin, I heard the last bit of what you said, and I would be honoured to be your friend. And more, if ever you want me to be, like Arthur I just want to see you happy. Look I'll go now and see you at work when you get back, and don't worry I'll keep quiet." Gwaine gave Merlin a sad smile as the other man turned round. "I just wasn't quick enough that was all." Gwaine turned and walked out of the flat.

Gwen and Lance followed him, leaving Arthur and Merlin to talk. Once the others had gone Merlin and Arthur sat together on the sofa just having sometime quiet time together. The older man put his arm across Merlin's shoulders and pulled him into his side. After a while he kissed the top of Merlin's head.

"OK now?" he asked

"Yeh, I just don't like arguments and fuss. I'm sorry for being such a baby." He looked up at the blonde man, his head was on the other mans shoulder.

"Hey, you're my baby, so that's no problem. I don't like confrontation either. I'm only glad I beat Gwaine to it. Would you have dated him?" Arthur was still unsure of his position.

"Probably, but then I don't know. I hadn't thought anyone would want me like this, let alone the two best looking men in the company."

"Don't run yourself down Merlin, you have a lot going for you, and anyone that can't see past the obvious is an idiot. Anyway I think you're the best looking man in the company!" Arthur grinned. "Then me of course."

For the first time the men spent some time cuddling up enjoying the intimacy. Merlin had to go to the bathroom mid evening, and then they sat together watching some television. At nine o'clock Merlin started to yawn, all the upset to his time clock as well as the events of the day had tired him.

"I'd best be off sleepy head, and let you have a good night's sleep. Do I get a kiss before I go?" Arthur was hoping the answer would be yes.

"What happened to going slow?" Merlin asked a twinkle in his eye.

"We have been cuddled up for several hours." Arthur pointed out.

"OK you can have a kiss." With that Merlin gave Arthur a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"That wasn't what I had in mind you tease." Arthur pulled Merlin round to face him and ran his hand down Merlin's cheek bone and the let his thumb run along Merlin's bottom lip, before putting his hand at the back of Merlin's neck and drawing him closer. All the time giving Merlin the chance to pull away, his head went down and he kissed Merlin full on the mouth gently parting the other mans lips with his tongue. It wasn't a chaste kiss but he moved away before deepening the kiss. After all he promised to go slow.

Merlin looked up shyly at the man in front of him and smiled, he understood why Arthur had stopped and appreciated it. He hugged the broad muscular chest once more, and then pulled away and started to lever himself into his wheelchair. Arthur seeing what he was doing quickly stood up and lifted Merlin the rest of the way.

"I'd better go before I go any further. Can I ring you tomorrow?"

"You can, but before you go I've got you a present, I brought it in Australia it's to remind you of me." Merlin wheeled himself into his room and came back with a small parcel. "I know it's corny but I wanted to get you something."

Arthur took the gift and opened it. Inside was a Mouse mat with a picture of Arthur and Merlin at the wildlife park.

"The photo was taken by the man who took the one of me with the Koala; he let me have this one as well. Then I got it made into a mouse mat for you."

"Thank you Merlin, I will treasure it."

"At least it was better than the Kangaroo Scrotum bottle opener I got Gwaine. I didn't realise it was a real scrotum!" he laughed.

"Oh he got a present as well did he?" Arthur said in mock indignation. He no longer worried about Gwaine, he was with Merlin, not the other man and that was enough. "I real scrotum you said! I'll have to watch out for that at his parties. And to think you were squeamish about eating Kangaroo."

"I didn't know it was a real one when I brought it." Merlin pulled a face. "Speak tomorrow you said?"

"I'll give you a ring about ten o'clock, don't forget work the next day!"

"Spoil sport!" Merlin moved closer once more and squeezed Arthurs hand "Thank you for everything."

As Arthur left he was met by Lance, who was coming down from his flat. "Hello Arthur, I've been listening for you to leave. I just wanted to have a word. I know it's none of our business but we care deeply for Merlin and he's had a lot to cope with. We don't want him hurt. Give it some real thought before you go too far with Merlin please."

"I don't intend to hurt him and I appreciate your concerns. I will take care I promise. Can you tell me one thing, I meant to ask Merlin but somehow it didn't seem the right time. Where is his spine broken? Only I want to look up more about it." Arthur asked.

"I don't suppose that's a problem, he has a complete T11 break. If you need to know more ask Merlin."

"I will and thank you." Arthur shook Lance's hand and went home.

When he got back he started to look up T11 breaks on the computer so he knew what to expect. He wanted to go into this fully informed it was only fair on Merlin.

That night Merlin led in bed thinking. It was nice with Arthur but how far could it go? Had Arthur thought about what it would entail having a relationship with a paraplegic? He hoped it wouldn't prove too much in the end. Merlin was already developing strong feelings for the other man.