The next day after work they all turned up at the Dragons Lair as usual. Merlin was once again only staying for the first part of the evening. He was intending to go and see a concert later; he had tickets to see some live music at one of the clubs. Will had been going with him, but had gone down with the flu. So he asked if any of the others wanted to use the ticket. Arthur jumped at the chance, and as no one else admitted to wanting to go, the two men set off together.

Arthur continued to be as charming and restrained as he could. The venue was packed and they ended up standing very close together. As the crowds jostled Arthur put his hands on Merlin's hips to stop them getting separated. By then Merlin had had a couple of drinks and was very relaxed, and Arthur found the other man leaning back into his chest so he carefully move his hands and put them around Merlin's waist.

As he did so he leaned forward "Sorry Merlin, but were going to get pulled apart if I don't."

He was surprised to hear Merlin say "s ok."

Arthur was finding it difficult not to pull the other man closer as the evening progressed. He found the smell of Merlin intoxicating and he felt so perfect in his arms, did he dare try to progress things or was Gwaine right. He decided to wait to see how Merlin reacted although he was finding it very difficult. Not least to keep his hands still.

It came as a shock later in the evening, as the band finished playing, when Merlin turned round and took the blonds face in his hands, before giving him a very chaste kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for coming, it's been a great night."

"The pleasure was all mine." Arthur said resisting the urge to return the kiss. "I've enjoyed it. Do you fancy going for something to eat?" Arthur didn't want the evening to finish.

"I'd love to but I ought to go back and check on Will. I wasn't coming out but he insisted." Merlin looked guilty before smiling "But I'm glad I did"

Arthur stomach did a flip when Merlin smiled at him, boy did he have it bad. "Look I'll get you a taxi, as a thank you. I don't want you going on the tube this time of night."

"Na that's ok, but thanks anyway." Merlin was used to travelling on the tube and it didn't worry him. "It's a waste of money, taxi's cost a fortune this time of night and I've got my oyster card."

As they walked out the club Arthur flagged down a taxi and opened the door. "In you get, no arguing it's on me as a thank you."

Merlin rolled his eyes but to Arthur's surprise got in, Arthur got in after him. "We'll drop you off first then I can go home afterwards."

Merlin had no idea where Arthur lived so didn't argue, he would have had he realised that Arthur lived nowhere near him. As the taxi pulled up outside Merlin's block of flats Arthur got out and opened the door for Merlin.

"I'm not a girl Arthur I can open a door for myself."

"Oh I know you're not a girl don't worry" Arthur grinned. "And thank you again for a lovely evening. Good night." Arthur got back into the taxi and was soon home.

It took both men awhile to fall asleep that night. Arthur at least thought he was one step closer to getting Merlin to date him. Late the following morning Merlin's mobile rang. He was in the local corner shop getting some fruit juice and paracetamol in for Will who was still feeling rough. He was surprised to see it was Arthur.

"Hello Arthur."

"Hello Merlin, I've just got in from work and just wondered how Will was this morning."

"Still rough I'm just getting him something to make him feel better. I'll tell him you phoned." Merlin was surprised he didn't think the two men got on that well.

"Are you free later? Only it's a lovely day and I was going to take a trip to Regents Park and wondered if you'd like to come. I owe you a trip out." Arthur was doing his very best to sound casual.

"Thank you Arthur that sound nice, but I ought to look after Will." Arthur thought Merlin sounded tempted. So he had an idea.

"When we were at the Dragon Lair I heard Gwaine say he was going to see Will. If he turns up give me a shout. I'm not planning on leaving for awhile."

"Ok will do, I could do with some fresh air." Merlin put the phone down cursing himself. Why had he said that? Well he was safe Gwaine was never up on a Saturday much before mid afternoon.

As soon as Merlin had ended his call Arthur was on the phone to Gwaine. It took several rings before the brunette answered. "Pendragon this had better be good you woke me up you bastard."

"Get up Gwaine I need a favour mate." Arthur pleaded.

"Get up you must be mad it's the weekend." Gwaine sounded like he wasn't going to help.

"Gwaine please, I need you to go and see Will, I asked Merlin out and he won't leave Will. I told him I heard you say you were going to see him this morning. Please I'll owe you one."

"Tell me why am I doing this?" Gwaine asked.

"Because it's all part of your great plan to get Merlin to go out with me." Arthur was getting desperate. He hated asking favours but this was a good cause. "I'll pay your bar bill next Friday."

"For the next three weeks." Gwaine demanded.

"Ok anything, just get round there and don't let on I rang you." Arthur said before putting the phone down.

Arthur left it an hour and when Merlin hadn't rang him back he drove round to Merlin and Wills flat. He parked and ran upstairs and rang the door bell. Gwaine answered and winked.

"Hello Arthur what are you doing here?"

"I came to see Will, only Merlin said he was still groggy."

"Hello Arthur, Wills asleep at the moment." Merlin said as he spotted Arthur at the door. It looked like Merlin had just got out of the shower his hair was still wet.

"Ok, I also called in on the off chance that you could come to the park after all Gwaine's here." Arthur was doing his best not to appear too eager.

"Go on mate, get some fresh air, Wills going to be rough all weekend get a break while you can." Gwaine said to Merlin. "You're in that office all week it will do you good.

Not having any excuse Merlin had to agree, he couldn't be rude and after all it was a lovely day. Within ten minutes he found himself changed and getting into Arthurs car without really knowing how it happened. They parked in Arthur office bock and caught the tube before setting off across the park together.

"Come on lets go to the boating lake." Arthur was hot and wanted to get out on the water, and what could be more romantic.

"I can't row!" Merlin protested.

"Well I can I'll teach you, come on."