The next time Merlin met Arthur it didn't go any better. Arthur was in his sister's office when Merlin took a contract for her to sign, for Jonathan. When he got there Morgana noticed there was a page missing and asked Merlin to fetch it. As Merlin was going out of the door Arthur turned to his sister and Merlin heard him say:

"Surely he should have checked that before he brought it to you. It seems to me you need to kick his ass a bit."

"I thought it was you who liked his ass." Morgana replied a chuckle in her voice.

Merlin was mortified, he was usually so careful, how did he miss that. Then to hear his boss and the prat talk about his backside. Well it was too much. He got back to his office just as Jonathan walked in a piece of paper in his hand.

"Sorry Merlin I just found this, I forgot to put it in, could you run over with it?"

Jonathan was so nice to work for he immediately forgave him. But that didn't alter the fact that he now had to face them again. He might have been happier if he had heard the rest of the conversation the sibling had had.

"I do like his ass, in fact I like him altogether, you know me I'm just teasing him." Arthur grinned at his sister.

"Well I'd change your approach if I were you, it's no wonder you can't ever find any nice dates. Merlin is a good guy, just be nice to him." Morgana couldn't understand Arthur. He was a great guy underneath but his social skills were zilch. How he managed to do so well in his chosen career amazed her.

"Oh came on it's not that bad. OK, bring him on Friday and I'll behave." With that Arthur left the office. As he walked along the corridor he was pasted by Merlin hurrying back towards Morgana's office.

Arthur stopped him. "Hi Merlin, Sorry about that, Morgana pointed out I was out of line. Hope you'll forgive me?" as he looked at Merlin he was struck once more by the man's looks. He really was just his type.

"Yes you were, but then I expect that from you, I must go I have work to do and your sister's waiting." Merlin hurried off. Still embarrassed by the comments he had overheard before.

On Friday afternoon Morgana went to see Jonathan, and asked Merlin if he was coming to the pub later.

"I don't think so Morgana, I think I'll go clubbing instead. I don't think I fit in, but thanks anyway."

"Nonsense Merlin, if it's my brother that bothers you he's a nice man under that exterior, you just need to get to know him. Please come." Morgana had a way of getting what she wanted.

"Alright, but I won't stop long I really do want to go clubbing. I haven't had chance to explore the night life much yet." He agreed reluctantly. At least he had an excuse to leave early.

That evening Merlin turned up at the Dragons Lair by himself. Will had a hot date, and went out on his own and Merlin hadn't managed to get hold of Gwaine. As he entered the pub he saw Gwaine at the bar and walked up to join him.

"Hi Gwaine." Merlin said in Gwaine ear as the other man chatted up a red headed barmaid.

Gwaine turned and smiled as he saw who it was "Hi to you Merlin, come to give us another go."

"Morgana asked me to come, but I'm not stopping long, I'm off clubbing." Merlin smiled "Not much point in being in London if I don't have fun."

"Where you headed?"

"I've heard of several good gay clubs, thought I'd have a look." Merlin knew it wouldn't be any point in getting to any of them to early.

"You're not going alone I hope, look mate that isn't safe. You need to get together with someone else." Gwaine looked at his friend. He was genuinely concerned.

"Oh yeh, like I know loads of people to go with, that's the whole point Gwaine, I want to meet people."

"Merlin, look I'll go with you as your wing man, I'm not joking you aren't going alone. Some of places are targeted by the thugs and anyway it's not safe to wander the clubs by yourself." Gwaine looked serious. "Come for a meal with us and we'll go afterwards, no point in going to early."

"If you're sure, then thank you." Merlin was wise enough to listen, once he knew more people he would be ok, but Gwaine was probably right he needed to be safe.

He bought Gwaine a drink and they went over to the table and said hello to the others. It seemed they were off for a Chinese in about an hour, so Merlin settled in to wait. He sat between Gwaine and Leon and tried to ignore Arthur, not only was the man a prat, but Merlin thought he was most likely straight anyway. Merlin had met several of his type in University and they'd all been the same. Merlin made sure to nurse his one drink until they left for the restaurant. He had a low tolerance for alcohol, and if he was clubbing later he didn't want to have too much now.

They were on their second course at the restaurant when Morgana asked Merlin what he had planned for the rest of the weekend.

"Probably sleeping, I'm off clubbing later so I don't expect to be home until the early hours." Merlin was looking forward to his night out.

"Oh to be young! I don't think I could stay up all night anymore. But we could come for a while." Morgana sounded interested.

"I don't think it will be your scene…." Merlin started to explain.

"And why on earth not Merlin, unless you're going to some strange perverted place." Arthur said, speaking directly to Merlin for the first time.

"No, well I don't think it is, but I'm sure you would, I'm going to a gay club to find some friends." Merlin was on the defensive straight away. He just knew Arthur would be a homophobe.

"Don't make assumptions, Merlin. I have no objections to Gay clubs." Arthur said with a smile. He had just had a question answered and was pleased his gaydar hadn't been wrong.

"You haven't!"

"Quite the contrary I've been to several myself. Would you like company?"

Merlin began to think this was some sort of joke. "No that's alright ,Gwaine is going with me as my wingman." He replied knowing Gwaine wouldn't mind.

"Gwaine! That's a strange place for you to go. Or are you swinging both ways now." Arthur asked "Or perhaps you've run out of women."

"No Princess, Merlin here was going alone and I'm not letting that happen. The drink will taste the same wherever I go." Gwaine answered in a lazy tone. He had no problem with his sexuality or Merlin's. He also knew Arthur was gay, something he was sure Merlin didn't know.

"I can easily go with him, that's if he doesn't mind my company. Do you Merlin?" he looked at the younger man. Perhaps this would be his chance to get to know him better.

"Why would you want to go, just to have a laugh?" Merlin was beginning to get cross, why wouldn't the prat drop it.

"Why not, I am gay Merlin and as Gwaine isn'tI thought you might be more comfortable if I went with you."

Merlin's mouth fell open. That was the last thing he expected.

"Cat got your tongue Merlin? Don't tell me you're still making assumptions about me, I told you I had no objections to Gay clubs."