Merlin leant back into the chair and Arthur took the risk and put his arm across Merlin's back. "Thank you for telling me Merlin, I would never have understood without you doing that. You're always so confident when you're with the group."
"I can deal with most things, I'm always letting my month run off to help others but, well, I suppose it's different, Gwaine, Will and Freya have always said I was good looking but all I see is a skinny man with big ears, I really don't see what anyone would want to go out with me for."
"If I didn't know you better I would think you were fishing for compliments Merlin, you are the most stunning man I know and I love your ears….and your eyes and your body." Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes and started to lose himself in their depths.
Merlin looked at Arthur and started to blush. "No I'm not, now you, you're like a Greek god." He stuttered as he found his face moving towards Arthurs. All of a sudden the two men found their lips touching and Merlin put his arms round Arthur's waist. Arthur immediately responded and he move his arm from Merlin's back to his neck and pulled Merlin closer as he deepened the kiss. His other arm curled round Merlin's hips. Eventually the two men came up for air.
"I'm sorry Merlin" Arthur said wondering if he had ruined things once more.
"Why didn't you want to kiss?" Merlin asked a small shy grin on his face.
"Oh yes." Arthur breathed and he pulled Merlin closer once more and placed a gentle kiss on Merlin's lips. "You're meant to be kissed." He took a deep breath and moved away. "But I promised to let you make all the moves."
"Well I did move first." Merlin said looking up at Arthur through his long eyelashes. He didn't realise just what he was doing to Arthur.
"Well if I'm going to keep my promise I think I best be moving away from you a bit."
The two men looked at each other knowing that their relationship had just made a major shift, and it would never be the same again. They sat next to each other and watched the sun set over the city before Arthur offered to take Merlin home. For once Merlin accepted without argument, and they drove back to Will and Merlin's flat. As Merlin went to get out of the car he looked at Arthur and smiled.
Arthur looked back at him before speaking "Do I get a kiss goodnight?" he asked.
"I think so" Merlin leaned toward Arthur and the two kissed once more before separating.
"I'll phone you tomorrow." Arthur said, wishing tonight wouldn't end.
"Ok" Merlin smiled and got out of the car and ran indoors. As he got to the door he turned and waved before going in.
Arthur decided not to phone, but to go to Merlin's office at lunchtime with some lunch for him. He rang his sister to find out when Merlin would be having his lunch, and made sure he was free to pop round. It earned him a lot of questions from Morgana and from Leon when he disappeared from their office. He was preparing a case for the next day, but could always stay late. On his way across the park Arthur called in at a small deli and collected a couple of luxury sandwiches and some strawberries and cream, He went up to Merlin's office and walked in, closing the door quietly behind him. Merlin was at one of the filing cabinets, his back to the door and he was talking on the phone and looking for a file at the same time. As he put the phone down and closed the draw Merlin turned and spotted Arthur for the first time.
"Oh hello, I didn't hear you come in. Sorry Arthur I've got a lot to do I can't stop." He smiled ruefully.
"Yes you can, I have spoken to your boss. I've bought you some lunch, so sit down and eat with me." Arthur started to empty his bag and handed Merlin his sandwich. "I wanted to take you out, but Morgana said I didn't have time. So eat up. I got your favourite three cheese and spring onion with rocket followed by strawberries and cream for afters."
Arthur sat opposite Merlin and started to eat his bacon sandwich. "Now don't say you haven't got time!"
They ate their sandwiches and then Arthur fed Merlin the strawberries before Arthur stood up. "I have to go back and I promised Morgana I'd be out of here with half an hour." He looked at Merlin "I couldn't go all day without seeing you." He leant across the table and used his thumb to remove a small smear of cream from Merlin's lip. "What you doing tonight?" he asked.
"Would you believe washing my hair?" Merlin asked "No? I'm ringing my mum and having an early night. I can't go out every night you know. Why don't you come over tomorrow night and we could watch a film. Wills going out, so we'll have the place to ourselves."
Arthur was disappointed, but then he wasn't expecting to see Merlin every day, not yet anyway. "Ok I'll see you then." He leant forward and gave Merlin a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks for the dinner, my turn to buy next." Merlin grinned.
Arthur walked back to his office feeling on top of the world; Merlin had even suggested seeing him tomorrow, so things must be getting better.
By the Friday the two men had seen or talked to each other every day. They were beginning to realise their feelings for each other and although they had only exchanged a handful of kisses, Arthur was feeling more positive. They had arranged to meet up with the group as usual, but nothing else had been arranged. Arthur arrived early and tried to position himself so he could keep the place on the bench next to him empty, without making it obvious. As it happened Merlin wasn't far behind with Will and Gwaine. Merlin sat down next to Arthur which made both Gwaine and Will look at each other. Neither was aware that the two men had been getting much closer. Once everyone was sat down and chatting Arthur slipped his hand onto Merlin's knee, and gave it a gentle squeeze. Merlin was please the lights weren't too bright as he was sure he was blushing just a bit.
Although the two men thought their new status was a secret, everyone round the table noticed and in the end it was Morgana who spilled the beans.
"So where are you two of you going later?" she asked Arthur. He glared at her, and then looked at Merlin before answering in his most innocent voice "What do you mean?"
"Oh come on Arthur, one you have dinner with my PA this week, then your phones engaged most of the time. Now you two are sitting as close as you can, and unless I'm wrong your hand is on Merlin's knee right now." Morgana looked at Merlin who was now as red as a beetroot. "You also keep making eyes at the poor man."
"You sister, are a harpy, keep your nose out of things ok." Arthur said "If we'd wanted things advertised we would have done it ourselves." Arthur looked at Merlin. "Since the bitch has ousted us, let's get out of here before we get the third degree from the rest." Arthur stood up and as Merlin followed he put his hand in the centre of Merlin's back and walked out by the side of him. Once they were outside Arthur turned to Merlin.
"I'm sorry about that, where do you want to go?" Arthur said.
"I don't mind, anywhere's is ok with me." Merlin replied. He was a bit put out by what happened.
"Come on then, let's get a take away and go to my place. I recorded Sherlock last week and I haven't watched it yet." Arthur said.
"Can we have Thai? I haven't had that in ages." Merlin asked.
"Thai it is." They found a good takeaway and then got a taxi back to Arthur's. They ate their meal and then sat down and watched the CD together cuddled up on the sofa.