Once the episode of Sherlock had finished Arthur stayed cuddled up to Merlin, he liked being his close. He moved his head sideways and nibbled Merlin's earlobe and gradually started putting small kisses down Merlin's neck, as he reached the edge of the other mans t shirt he started to follow along the neck line until he reach Merlin's Adams apple. Then he moved up to capture Merlin's lips and pulled at the lower lip with his teeth. Merlin sat there gradually getting tense; as he felt Arthur's hand go up under his t shirt he went rigid. Arthur realised that he had gone too far, and gently removed his hand and moved away.

"Sorry Merlin, but you're so hot." Arthur looked into the other mans eyes and saw the fear lurking. "Hey relax; I won't do anything you don't want." Arthur smiled and stood up. "Do you fancy another drink?"

"No thank you, I think I ought to be going home. Thank you for great evening." Merlin looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

"You don't need to go Merlin, please stay a bit longer." Arthur asked he knew he had pushed Merlin farther than he was comfortable.

Merlin looked at Arthur and swallowed before answering "Look Arthur I'm sorry I…I just can't ok. I'll speak to you tomorrow." He stood up and went to the door.

"No wait! I'll give you a lift." Arthur didn't wait for an answer but grabbed his car keys and followed Merlin.

They drove back in silence until they reached Merlin's then the younger man turned to Arthur. "I'm sorry Arthur, I'm just screwed up, you're better off without me."

Arthur grinned "You won't get rid of me that easily, I said I'd give you time and I will. If I do something you're not comfortable with just tell me." Arthur leaned across and gave Merlin a gentle kiss. "Don't worry I've got all the time in the world and so have you."

Merlin was upset with himself, why had he acted so stupidly? All the other man had done was touch him, he was acting like a girl. That night he dreamt of Arthur and wanted to turn back time.

The following afternoon Merlin took the bull by the horns and texted Arthur, asking if he wanted to meet up somewhere. It was two hours before he got a text back, agreeing to a meet. Arthur suggested he pick Merlin up at seven and they go out for a meal. The blonde thought that was a safe venue where there would be less risk of doing anything to upset Merlin.

Arthur had booked a table at a Peruvian restaurant, he had never tried the food before, but they had vegetarian choices. It was a very smart and upmarket venue that made Merlin feel a bit uncomfortable, but Arthur soon had him relaxing and by the end of the evening they were back on good terms, the events of the evening before forgotten. Arthur knew he had to take care with this budding relationship and it was something he wasn't used to.

He was beginning to feel frustrated, and he knew he had never gone so long without sex since he was at college. Even Leon was muttering about his blue balls and moods swings. He also knew that if he did go and find a one night stand, it would finish any chance with Merlin. He also didn't want that sort of relationship anymore. He tried to play it was cool as he could, but once he got Merlin in his arms he had to fight to behave.

After the meal they went for a walk, before Arthur took Merlin back. Merlin instigated a kiss that got quite passionate before Merlin got out of the car. They chatted several times on the phone during the week, but Arthur had a mass of work to do towards his call to the bar in a couple of weeks. Then he had another six months before he could call himself a Barrister. If all went well he would be the youngest ever to qualify. So it was Friday before he met up with Merlin again.

This time they stayed with the group and they all went out together for a meal. Merlin suggested they go and see War Horse at the theatre on Saturday night. Their friends now all realised they were a couple, and were waiting the next development with interest. Gwaine even had a betting ring going as to when Merlin would move in with Arthur.

The following Friday Arthur and Leon were officially called to the bar and that evening they all celebrated. They had six months before they could call themselves Barrister's, but they had already been offered jobs with the barristers they were doing their pupillage with. Arthur asked Merlin to go out with him on the Saturday to celebrate together. He booked another meal and then they went up in the London Eye again. But this time it went far better than before. They ended up in Arthur flat and this time the romance went further than kissing. Both ended up shirtless and Merlin had several love bites by the evening end. Arthur made sure not to make the same mistake again and let Merlin lead. Both men ended up hard but Arthur accepted that he would have to deal with his by himself once Merlin went home.

It was a further four weeks before the two men finally ended up actually getting into bed together but even then they stopped short of fully sex. It was clear to Arthur that Merlin had been badly scared by his previous experiences. Merlin and Arthur had now admitted they were in love, and told each other frequently. Arthur was determined that before he was a fully fledged barrister Merlin would be his in every way. He has six months.

It would be sooner than he thought they spent the whole of the following weekend together only separating at night. The following Friday after the group meeting they went out to the clubs and then went back to Arthur's penthouse. That was the first night that Merlin stayed in Arthurs bed the whole night. Merlin finally relaxed enough for them to cement their relationship in every way. It took a great deal of patience from Arthur to overcome Merlin's fear.

What Arthur hadn't fully appreciated was that Merlin was a virgin. It made their first time extra special and Merlin told him that he wanted his first person to be his only one. Arthur wished he had waited but Merlin said it was good that one of them knew what to do. When he said that he blushed, which Arthur found adorable. They spent the whole weekend together in the penthouse and Merlin had relaxed totally with Arthur. He had managed with Arthur patience to bury the past.

The following Friday it was clear to everyone that Arthur and Merlin were truly a couple. Gwaine laughed congratulated the pair both, he also told Arthur that if he ever hurt Merlin he would kill him slowly. Arthur promised if he did then Gwaine would be welcome to.