Author's Note: Warning! More slash, and many truths are discovered in this chapter. Sorry if the writing doesn't meet standards. Thanks for all the reviews, hits, followers and favourites so far. Enjoy!

Dawn was breaking in Ealdor, the sun just peaking over the horizon. A slit through the curtains could instantly tell you this, as well as Merlin's cat, as it padded it's lazy self up the stairs, through the gap of Merlin's bedroom door, and jumped straight on the bed; the cat probably was begging for food.

One thing Merlin was to learn that morning, was that Arthur was by no means a morning person. Merlin felt the extra weight on the mattress, and slightly nudged the lump with his one foot. The cat, named Colin, rose to his feet, stretched himself, and curled up again at the end of the bed. Merlin blinked the last few winks of sleep away, and noticed Colin curled up and purring. Using his elbows to gather himself in a sitting-position, Colin prodded it's way up the bed, and meowed at Merlin, rubbing it's face against Merlin's neck and jaw. Merlin glanced over at Arthur, who was still in a peaceful mode, completely infested with sleep. Two minutes away wouldn't hurt, so Merlin threw back his side of the duvet, and went to feed Colin, making two cups of tea at the same time.

Whilst Merlin was out of presence, Arthur noticed the warmth on the other side of the bed as he rolled inward, but no body. Remembering where he was, he called out to see if he wasn't dreaming. "Hmm Merlin?" No answer. "Merlin!"

A call came from the foot of the stairs. "Arthur, what's the matter?"

No dream then as it seemed, Arthur groaned into the pillow, Merlin having clear instincts on what the other wished for. "Come back to bed. Too early to get up!"

Merlin huffed a sigh of frustration, but ideally, Merlin had no intention of getting up just yet, and wouldn't mind settling back into the warmth of Arthur for just a little longer. "I'll be up in a minute!" Carrying the mugs, and placing one on the bedside table for Arthur, and one at parallel's end for himself, Merlin slipped back under the duvet, with Arthur searching for the body, and drawing him in once he hit contact. Merlin was too awake to drift back off, so he propped himself up on an elbow and began stroking the strands of Arthur's hair back where they'd flopped over his eyelids.

Merlin leant down to whisper in Arthur's ear, still brushing the strands away. "Went to feed the cat, and I've made you tea Arthur."

Arthur shifted a little, pushing closer into Merlin. "Thank you." Even if Arthur was awake, or half-awake at least, one can't just lay about all day doing nothing, so Merlin gingerly poked Arthur in the ribs, mouth still hovering near the ear. "Come on Arthur, time to wake up love."

Arthur clenched hold of the duvet, pulling it up further to block out the daylight, trying to drift back off. "Mmm no Merlin. Time to sleep. Sleep with me Merlin." If Arthur was to wake up one way, it would be through a direct approach. Merlin removed the duvet off himself, and went to the curtains. Merlin counted himself in, "1..2..3" and then tore the curtains apart, sun hitting the room, and Arthur wailing.

"Merlin! Stop it!" Merlin returned to the bed, kneeling on the mattress near Arthur, and both would wrestle each other, Merlin to get the quilt off Arthur, and for Arthur to stay under it. Eventually, Merlin gave up tugging and just tickled Arthur instead, Arthur soon letting go. With Arthur's insides aching from obscene giggling, Arthur blinked his eyelids open to find a wide-grinning Merlin above him, Merlin leaning down to trail kisses up Arthur's chest to terminate at his lips.

Arthur remembered the actions from the night before, and noticed he was still stark naked, and had slept all night next to Merlin, who was also bare. A crimson red blush creeped up Arthur at the thought of being so close together, and then noticed his and Merlin's sticky self. "I reak!"

"So do I!"

"We need a shower," Arthur stated.

Merlin formed a sly grin and tugged Arthur's wrist to jolt him out of bed, Arthur giving a plain expression in return. "You said shower, so let's go."

Merlin managed to get Arthur out of bed, but Arthur was twitching on his own feet, unsure of Merlin's statement. "You mean, together?"

"Why not?" Merlin then had the desire to quirk an eyebrow at Arthur, giving him that seductive wink straight afterwards, giving Arthur an endless list of thoughts of how a morning shower could easily go. Since Arthur showing him last night, Merlin felt much more comfortable about himself, and had the confidence within him. Arthur beamed, eyes darkening and giving Merlin a seductive look back, passing the trail of dirty thoughts along, and followed Merlin's path into the bathroom.

Arthur wouldn't return home until later that afternoon, having the least of a care on his families reaction of Arthur sneaking out late the night before. The remainder of the morning and early afternoon would be Arthur helping Merlin in the garden, followed by a good lunch, an introduction to Colin the cat, who took a liking for Arthur, and Merlin and Arthur snuggling on the sofa together watching a movie.

It was the most blissful thing Arthur ever had the chance to do. The one place, with the one person where Arthur could just be himself, and put all worries aside. Merlin often noticed a change in Arthur's behaviour, and problems could be easily be talked over. Knowing he had to return home at some point, Arthur would draw the day out to the best of his spontaneous planning.

Arriving around four that afternoon, Arthur slipped his key into the lock, hearing footsteps inside, knowing this might not turn out the greatest, and would have much explaining to do. Arthur pushed open the front door, and dusted his trainers off on the welcome mat, before kicking his feet out of them, and chucking them in the closest, trying to keep the area half-tidy so say the least.

Not caring who was where, Arthur continued straight through the kitchen and into the laundry room, where Arthur dunged the white's into the washing machine, and the remainder into the washing basket for the next load. Arthur zipped up his overnight bag, and threw it over his shoulder, returning back to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of milk and then make his way up to the room.

Vivian was on her way down the stairs, and hovered Arthur back in the direction he had just made, collecting a glass herself. Not looking at Arthur, she began her possessive paranoid talk. "Where have you been?"

"None of your business!"

"Yes it is Arthur! Don't you lie to me!"

"It's not your choice where I go. I'm a free man."

"You're also a man-whore!"

"That's enough Vivian!"

"So what have you and Merlin been up to this time then? Getting each other off is probably the answer." The more Vivian approached the topic, the more Arthur found it difficult to deny it. He just wanted to come out and everyone either support or walk away. Lies just led to more lies. Arthur couldn't find a care in the world of who found out now, with Vivian pressing the buttons just too many times. Vivian wasn't exactly expecting Arthur to admit it though.

"Yeah alright! I went to Merlin's and we shared."

"Shared what?"

"Everything. I had him begging for it, on his knees, pleading for me to rock his world."

"Oh my god!" Vivian made an expression as if she were to be sick, and darted out of the kitchen, completely forgetting about the glass. Arthur muttered 'bloody shit' under one's breath, forgetting that now he'd admitted it to Vivian, she could easily let on to Uther, and that meant deep water for both Merlin and Arthur.

It was then that Uther bolted down the stairs, Arthur trying to hide his face, knowing the music. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"

Arthur titled his face away from the window, quickly glancing at Uther, and then retreating it within seconds. "Out."

"I CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT!"

"If you're so interested, I went to Merlin's. It's one place where I can have some sanity, and gives me a break from you lot."

"I"VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR ATTITUDE ARTHUR!..." Uther was then brought to a stop by Catrina, who glanced at Arthur. "Arthur, can I have a word with your father for a minute?"

"Of course." Arthur picked up his glass and a banana, bag still over the shoulder, and padded upstairs to his room, leaving the mature ones alone.

Catrina crossed the distance, pecking Uther and sitting Pendragon Senior down. "Uther, don't you think you're being a little harsh to Arthur?"

"Who are you to tell me how I raise my son?"

"Well, I'm your lover. I know he's not my son and that's fair enough, but he's a grown lad. He's gonna want some freedom from the house at least."

"I know. But I worry Catrina."

"All parents do."

"It's not like that..."

Catrina placed her palm above Uther's resting one. "Then what is it then? You can tell me."

"It's Arthur and Merlin. I sometimes think that Arthur and Merlin have too much of a strong bond, that they act a little too friendly. That they're something more."

"Well, Arthur wouldn't cheat for one, and Merlin and Arthur are just close friends. Arthur is lucky to have Merlin, otherwise think of how reckless he'd be now. Heck, before Merlin came along, Arthur would turn the other cheek on me, now he confides in me when he can't talk to anyone else."

"I suppose you're right."

29th August

(Phone ringing)

"Hello? Arthur, what's happened?"

"Merlin. I'm so sorry for not speaking so soon. I've just had my phone re-allocated."

"What do you mean?"

"I was grounded. After I came home the afternoon after spending that night with you, dad grounded me."

"For spending the night with me?"

"Yeah, well, for going out and not telling him."

"Well, what was his verdict of it?"

"He said that I should always tell him in advance. I can't help it them lot drive me up the wall."

"Don't worry about it. As long as I know you're okay."

"I'm fine, and for what I was in trouble with, it was well worth being able to spend the night with you. Listen, dad and I are fixing up the old treehouse at the bottom of the garden on Saturday. Wanna come over?"

"Won't your dad be mad?"

"No, I didn't mean that. I mean't now, that's if you're not busy or anything?"

"No, I'm free. I'll be over in about twenty minutes."

"Good, oh and wanna come over on Saturday as well?"

"I can't build tree houses."

"Still. Dad said to me earlier that if we help out, we get to sleep in the tree house on the night. Might as well use it before the cold weather rolls in."

"Hmm..."

"Don't worry, you'll be gladly rewarded."

"I'll take that up as an offer then."

"Goody! Anyway, better not run out of credit. See you in a bit honey."

"Honey? Alright then sweety."

With Arthur taking a quick shower, even if it were the middle of the day, it would be Morgana who answer Merlin's call. "Greetings Morgana."

"Nice to see you Merlin. Arthur's still in the shower so he'll be done in a bit." Morgana motioned Merlin to follow her into the front room, Merlin growing flustered at the thought of Arthur showering, entering his own bubble, as Morgana clicked him back into reality.

"Oi! Step out of it! Dad's still here so keep it low."

"Sorry."

Merlin slipped into thought on the sofa waiting for a pampered Arthur to join the scene, Arthur clobbering on through a good five minutes later with towel dry hair, a loose tee and jeans. Arthur shut the door to, and then joined Merlin on the sofa, leaning into warm, toned arms as they spent a good few minutes sharing a long-deserved hug, followed by endless amounts of kissing.

"I missed you," Arthur grinned in between kisses.

"As did I. Now don't get yourself in a frenzy next time."

"I'll try."

Morgana huffed, wishing Gwen was here to give her the same satisfaction, and then halted their heated moments. "I missed you too Merlin!"

"That's nice to know. How's you and Gwen?"

"We're good, and keeping it low unlike Arthur here, who just can't control himself."

"At least I know what I want."

"So do I. I want Merlin, if that's okay with you, to help me with this song I'm doing."

"What song?"

"Ugh, here she goes again. She knows the lyrics. It's a duet, but she can't get the piano part right. So she's asking you to be the pianist, and I play on guitar, covering the other half of the vocals."

Merlin glanced at both Pendragons, Morgana was literally pleading to help, and Arthur pleading to lay it off. "Yeah I'll join."

"Merlin..." Arthur whined.

Morgana grinned at Arthur, who threw his hands up in the air, annoyed, but personally happy it if meant spending time with Merlin, and after being seperated for a while, one song was worth it. "Off you go."

A few minutes later, Merlin was sitting at the paino, a little tensed, as this belonged to Uther, and was in no place to come close to damaging it; he wouldn't be able to repay the costs. Morgana was perched on the edge of the piano seat, and Arthur was perched on the arm of the sofa, all quite close into contact.

"What's the song called then?"

"It's called Down by Jason Walker."

"Hmm, don' think I've heard of that one before. Know the artist though."

Nonetheless, Merlin soon picked up the melody of the song, stretching himself into position, Arthur tuning in his acoustic. "You play Arthur?"

"Yeah, not much though. Although I know this one off by heart, thanks to the little monster."

"Shut up Arthur."

Merlin counted the trio in, starting off the piece, where within the first notes in, he instantly recognised that this was a sad piece. It would be Arthur who would begin the lyrics, starting off with: 'I don't know where I'm at. I'm standing at the back, and I'm tired of waiting. Waiting here in line, hoping that I'll find what I've been chasing.'

Morgana then joins in, making it a duo, 'I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I'm gonna fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Never know why it's coming down, down, down.

Not ready to let go
Cause then I'd never know
What I could be missing
But I'm missing way too much
So when do I give up what I've been wishing for.

I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I'm gonna fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Never know why it's coming down, down, down.
Oh I am going down, down, down
Can't find another way around
And I don't want to hear the sound, of losing what I never found.

I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I'm gonna fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
I never know why it's coming down, down, down.

I shot for the sky
I'm stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I'm gonna fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Oh it's coming down, down, down.'

The song finished with Merlin rounding it off on the piano, Uther clapping at the end. "Well, it seems you've finally achieved that one then."

"Yeah, thanks to Merlin," Morgana beamed.

"I've heard quite about you Merlin on your talent in music. Many applauded your's and Arthur's performance back at camp. Unfortunately, I was unable to witness it myself."

"Well, you know..." Merlin flustered.

"I'd like to hear a solo from you."

"Of course." Morgana sat in a comfortable position, focusing on Merlin, as Uther plonked himself down on the other end. Merlin shot Uther a glance, asking in question. "Is this is the only Jason Walker song in here?"

"I don't know Merlin, it's Morgana's book."

"There's the majority of his compositions in there, he's a great artist you know."

"Yeah, I kinda get that. There's one that I love, it's sad, but it has so much meaning."

"What's it called?"

"Shouldn't Be A Good In Goodbye."

Morgana gave a grin, hinting that she knew the song herself, and must've attempted it herself. "It's in there."

Merlin found the correct page, as all waited for Merlin to kick off his first solo performance of many more to come. The piano opened up the song, as many always do, and then Merlin began to sing, Arthur purging on from crying, and yet Merlin hadn't even sung a note yet. Merlin would to have to perform an acoustic version of the song, due to no drums nearby, and Arthur filling in the remainder of the notes through his guitar. As Merlin began to play, he eyed Arthur, words no need to be spoken. Words of 'this one is for you Arthur.'

'After the silence, after the last words.
Caught in the silence. Caught in between.
After the madness. After the slow shock.
Before the wave hits, the flood comes rushing in.

This is the bad before the worse.
This is the storm before the storm
I haven't even hit the bottom of this ocean floor.
This is the bend before the break.
This is the mercy not the grace.
This is the proof and not the faith i try to find.
There shouldn't be a good in goodbye.'

That first half would just contain piano and vocals, Arthur being introduced into the song afterward. Merlin turned his to Arthur on the next verse, as if he were saying the words to Arthur.

If I never loved you, if I never felt your kiss.
If I never had you. I know that I...I still would have mourned you.
I would have missed your smile.
If it wasn't so worth it, this wouldn't be...
Oh this wouldn't be the bad before the worse and the storm before the storm.

I haven't even hit the bottom of this ocean floor.
This is the bend before the break.
This is the mercy not the grace.
This is the proof and not the faith I try to find.
There shouldn't be a good in goodbye.

I know this is gonna get better ohh.
I know this is gonna get better ohh.
I know.

This is the bitter not the sweet.
This is the take and not the keep.
And I haven't even reached the bottom of this ocean floor.

This is the bend before the break.
This is the mercy not the grace.
This is the proof and not the faith I try to find.
There shouldn't be a good in goodbye.
Yeah. There shouldn't be good in goodbye.

There shouldn't be a good in goodbye.'

Finishing off his performance, Uther and Morgana clapped Merlin, Arthur practically in tears. "You're really good Merlin. You know, you should sign up for the talent show."

"I am."

"Good. I'd look forward to watching you. You were good too Arthur."

"Thank you father."

"Do you perform Uther?"

"I used to back when I was younger. I was in a band, but we got nowhere, so it's just for recreational fun now. I perform for charities gala's sometimes."

"I'd like to hear you play sometime."

"Well, I'm afraid not today. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an important meeting to attend." Uther grabbed his briefcase, already dressed in a suit, and headed for the main door, leaving the teens on their own.

Merlin phoned Hunith later that evening to say that he'll be staying over at Arthur's that night, and would be back by midday the day after. Carrying up hot chocolate for the pair, Arthur knew that Uther would at Catrina's for the night, giving Arthur and Merlin the comfort of being alone. Setting them down on the bedside tables, Arthur pulled off his t-shirt and jeans, leaving his boxers on. Merlin glided out of the bathroom, to find Arthur preparing the bed for the night.

For a moment, Merlin ogled the sight of Arthur, no confidence lost so far. Treading across the bedroom, Merlin wrapped his arms around Arthur's waist, and kissed a trail up Arthur's spine, allowing his head to rest on Arthur's shoulder, Merlin slightly swaying the both. "You're a brilliant guitarist Arthur."

"You're a fabulous singer, and I mean it."

"I know you do."

Arthur spinned so that he was facing Merlin, and began to sing softly, placing one hand on Merlin's hip, and the other in Merlin's hand, swaying them slowly to the words. Merlin joined in singing, and that so they were performing a slow dance, Arthur adding the spark to it by pressing their bodies together, causing the friction of their both almost naked selves to rub against each other.

Arthur slid his hands to the back of Merlin, cradling his arse, rubbing small circles over the cheeks, before removing his underwear, pooling to Merlin's ankles, and Merlin simply stepping out of them. Merlin performed the same action to Arthur, but also backing Arthur into the bed, Arthur falling back into the mattress, Merlin singing the words. 'If you wanna know if he loves you so, it's in his kiss.' Not that Merlin would usually sing a Cher song, but it was the first thing that came to Merlin's noggin.

"You really know how to turn a man on," Arthur growled, pulling Merlin down by iconic black chain which always hung around his neck, seductively smirking under darkened eyes, to filthily kiss him.

"You... and your singing... and your sexy self... could take me apart any day," Arthur moaned as Merlin was doing palatable things to Arthur with his tongue.

"Kindly," was Merlin's reply, as Arthur began to writhe under him.

"Please Merlin. I need you in me."

"Okay okay! Calm down you aroused nutter! All in good time!"

"No time. Need it now! Want you so badly."

Merlin fumbled in the draw for the lube and box of condoms, grabbing whatever was in reach. Applying a generous amount, Merlin hesistated. He'd never done this before, and wasn't sure of whether Arthur had or not. Feeling a little embarrassed, Merlin uttered. "I've never done this before."

"Neither have I, so we're equal." Going on his instincts, Merlin slipped one finger near Arthur's hole, dancing his finger around the tight area, teasing the blond. "C'mon Merlin."

"Okay, keep your knickers on!"

"Can't if I'm about to be fucked."

Merlin slipped a finger in, pushing past the tight ring of muscle, gently going in to save Arthur any discomfort. "Keep going."

Merlin then added a second in, slightly finger-fucking him, Arthur feeling the slight burn as his hole compressed Merlin's fingers. Merlin then added a third in, scissoring Arthur, working him open. "Merlin!"

Feeling that Arthur was ready, Merlin slipped his fingers out, and applying more lube to his aroused prick. Aligning their hips together, Merlin slowly hit Arthur's entrance, the tip invading it's way. "Jesus Arthur! So tight!"

"More Merlin!" Merlin went deeper, slowly pushing through until he was fully in, Arthur feeling the burn and allowing him to adjust to the new sensation. Merlin started off slow, trying to build up a rythym that worked for both, as Arthur threw his eyelids closed, melting beneath Merlin. Arthur's neglected member throbbed and twitched, Arthur wrapping his hand around and beginning to pump, as Merlin was pumping his way through Arthur. With the pace quickening, Merlin batted Arthur's hand away, dealing with both pricks, pumping the one, and slamming the other into his lover, watching Arthur come undone.

"So beautiful Merlin."

"God Arthur!"

"Faster Merlin." That's when Arthur could feel himself coming, Merlin hitting Arthur's prostate, "Right there Merlin. Faster and harder." Hitting on the same spot, a couple of more thrusts, and Arthur leaning up to taste whatever skin was available on Merlin, Arthur screaming out Merlin's name as ripples flowed through Arthur, Merlin continuing until Arthur was completely spent, Merlin coming soon after, repeatedly moaning out Arthur's name.

Body aching, Merlin detached the condom off himself, and chucked into the bin, flopping onto Arthur's side, completely weak, and knowing he would probably have a limp in the morning. As for Arthur, he knew he'd end up with a sore arse in the morning to say the least, that's when as they turned the lamp off and snuggled up together, Morgana banged on the wall.

"About flipping time! Do you mind shutting the hell up now!"

"If you're so hasty, go and have some sex of your own," Arthur roared back, as they all settled down.

September

Summer was nearing its end, well, for the students anyway. The climate on the otherhand was still fairly decent, sun baking the Pendragon's, Merlin and Gwen as they re-built the tree house. Uther and Arthur would be sawing the wood to the correct size, and Merlin, Morgana and Gwen would be nailing the planks together. Catrina was inside the kitchen preparing lunch, which would result in an afternoon swim later on, once the house was finally built.

As Merlin and Arthur were nailing the final planks together, creating a ladder, and Morgana and Gwen had switched to the task of the interior to the house, Uther grabbed his mug and whisked himself back into the kitchen. He sighed as he prepared himself a cup of tea, Catrina asking what was bothering him.

"I'm still convinced that Arthur isn't truthful to Vivian."

"Your going against your son?"

"I don't want to. It's the way he expresses himself when he's around Merlin. They constantly tease each other, give long glances toward one another, doesn't it seem a bit too friendly?"

"That's what friends do. You're worrying yourself too much."

Following a decent-sized lunch, the remainder of the afternoon would be spent in the pool. The Pendragon's had an outside pool, where when you sit at the entrance of the tree house, if you leap far enough, you'll end up in the pool.

Arthur used this as the perfect diving board, climbing up the ladder, and then threatening to bomb himself straight in. Morgana, Merlin and Gwen had also joined the blond for a swim, Catrina and Uther taking a relax on the sun loungers. Uther noticed Arthur up on the ladder, building up the energy to launch himself off. "Don't you dare Arthur!"

"Arthur! You're going to get us soaked!" Morgana and Gwen squealed.

"So what? You're already wet anyway."

"Arthur, I'm warning you, get down from there!"

"Okay then."

"Noo..." At Uther's request, Arthur jumped from the highest ledge of the ladder, and straight into the pool, not only getting Merlin and the girls soaked, but Uther and Catrina also.

"ARTHUR!" Arthur rose to the surface, spluttering water as he noticed a drenched Uther, and floated in the water, laughing with glee at the sight. "We shall speak about this later." Uther trodded inside the house, dripping wet from head to toe, as he turned and glared at the teens. "Everyone out of the pool."

Catrina followed Uther inside to sort him out, and Gwen and Morgana followed suit, climbing out of the pool and heading inside to change. Merlin was about to make his way out, but a hand gripped Merlin's foot, causing him to stay. The grip loosened when everyone was inside, and Arthur rose to face Merlin. "Arthur, we need to get out."

Arthur raised a hand, and glided it up the one side of Merlin's chest, leaving it to rest of his shoulder. "I know, but not just yet." The tension around them was growing thicker as Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand, and pushed his way through the water to the one edge, where from downstairs, this part of the pool could not be seen due to the branches, so none needed to worry.

Merlin was backed to the edge of the pool, Arthur returning his hand on Merlin's chest, ghosting, as the windows were open. "Not much longer and the tree house is ours."

"So?"

"We can do lots of things Merlin, things which can only be done when we're alone."

"Oh I see."

Arthur leaned into Merlin, kissing any part of skin that he could lay his hands on, soft and slow. Arthur trailed a hand below the surface and down Merlin to where his length lay, pressing his hand and rubbing slowly. "Arthur, we can't do it here!"

"No, but we could start it off."

"The tree house is just above, so we can easily finish it up there."

"You and your dirty mind."

"Yes but my dirty self is used only for you." This led to some more kissing, and Merlin climbing out to begin climbing, Arthur following. What neither knew was Morgana and Gwen had already claimed the house, as Merlin went to peek his head inside through the small hole, only to retreat straight back out. "Merlin! Go inside! You aren't backing out of this now!"

"Oh yeah we are."

"Not we're not, we're going in there and we're gonna have the time of our lives. It's gonna be hot and sweet."

"I don't if hot and sweet are the correct words to use Arthur."

"Merlin? What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, other than your sister has claimed our territory."

Arthur pulled a face and shoved Merlin to the side, Merlin clinging on for dear life, as Arthur poked his head through the hole himself, noticing the same picture. "Oi! Morgana! We agreed!"

Morgana froze and leant up, Gwen arching her head to the other side. "Arthur! Have you ever known never to walk or climb in at times like these?"

"We agreed that I get first night."

"I know why, but we got here first."

"And since when did Gwen say she's staying over?"

"The minute I said she could. Sorry boys! Better luck next time."

"And where are we supposed to sleep?"

"Your room of course, or the grass."

"Ugh!" Morgana crawled to the entrance and shoved both lads out, closing up the entrance for the night. Both took a leap and dived back into the pool, swimming to the edge. Grabbing the door handle, Arthur tried to open the back door, only to find it locked. Arthur kicked the door in fury. "Bloody shit! We're locked out! Come on, let's try the front."

"Shut up a minute." Merlin whispered foreign words of Arthur's knowledge, and the door unlocking itself, opening up for Merlin and Arthur to enter. "What the hell was that?"

"My magic. You always said 'show us your magic Merlin', and now I've shown you."

"You can unlock doors with magic?"

Merlin hit a smirk at Arthur, turning his head as he entered first "I can do all sorts of things."

Well, a few years ago, Merlin could do all sorts of things. Since his magic had begin to weaken, Merlin only used it in small quanities, and tried to avoid using it at all costs. If his powers diluted till there was no magic left in him, it could, in serious cases, kill him.

Both clambered up the stairs and into Arthur's room, getting themselves prepared for bed. With Arthur closing the bedroom door, he tiptoed over to Merlin, and whispered, as the walls were thin. "We're gonna have to be quiet."

"Then let's not do it tonight then. We don't want another climax of an argument."

"No, you're right. Me sneaking off when I found out the news of marrying Vivian was bad enough. We'll keep it calm tonight."

Even if there was to be no sex that night, both still slept together fully undressed. It was part of the way through the night, and Merlin and Arthur were underneath the duvet, soft and slow kisses being shared between them, hands re-discovering each other's body, even if they knew every inch of each other by now. The magic that Merlin had used was still tingling within him, and Uther bolted up from the bed into a sitting position, panting; a cold sweat building up. The loud gasp coming from Uther woke Catrina up, her hands on Uther, trying to soothe him.

"Honey? What's wrong?"

Uther's sensitive side soon turned cold and grim, anger bursting out from him. "Magic!"

"What? Uther, it's probably a bad dream."

"No. It's magic. I can sense it, and I have an idea on who it is."

Uther climbed out of his bed, opened the door and darted to Morgana's room, having the sense that Morgana had discovered her powers, and that she was using magic, something that he hadn't quite planned out in her life, and maybe this was a turn of event. Slamming the door open, almost so that the door came off it's hinges, he flickered the light on. What he found was that the room was lifeless. All of Morgana's belongings were still here, the curtains were still open, and duvet contained no creases. With her disapperance, Uther searched Arthur's room to see if she'd somehow wandered in there. Reaching Arthur's door, his mind buzzed, as it so seemed, where he'd be sure he could hear mumbling and panting, making the situation the more curious.

Even if Morgana had a new lover, what would she be doing in Arthur's room? Curious, Uther slipped open the door, where all the lights were off. He first heard the one voice, which were of a male's, quite familiar to be fair, just much more huskier, and then another, which was Arthur's. Uther turned even more cold, trying to stay on two feet, shocked, but knowing that Arthur had not only betrayed the Pendragon family, but also had cheated on Vivian. The one person he could trust goes and backstabs him. Uther reached out and flicked the light switch on. The two bodies underneath the bed froze, Arthur whispering in Merlin's ear "Shit, bloody stay still!'

Uther, not wanting to see the sight underneath, gripped hold of the duvet and slightly pulled it back, only to reveal the heads. Tearing the duvet away, Merlin and Arthur squinted their eye-lids shut, knowing that it wasn't going to make any difference.

"ARTHUR PENDRAGON! WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS?" What Uther found was a certain Arthur Pendragon plastered atop of Merlin, both of their ruffled, and both coated in sweat, one of Arthur's arms in Merlin's hair, and another firmly pressed to Merlin's chest. Both, from what Uther could tell, were at least half-naked, if not fully. Merlin's arms were wrapped around Arthur, and both sets of lips were red, wet and swollen.

To make sure, Uther rounded the bed, and noticed both sets of clothes pooled on the floor, underwear included, as well as Arthur's feet and ankles poking out at the bottom, Merlin's curled around Arthur's. Uther backed away from the bed towards the door in horror. "Oh my god! Oh my god!"

Slowing easing himself downstairs, through the kitchen to help himself to a glass of water, and fetching the keys to the back door so that he could get some air, Uther dined at the picnic table outside. Merlin's and Arthur's gasps were not the only ones he could hear though, and the whole outcome was beginning to haunt him. He was sure he could hear more gasps from the treehouse, where Arthur was supposed to sleeping that night, he'd made a deal with Morgana... "Oh my goodness no!" Uther muttered to himself, as he dropped the glass onto the table, and worked his way towards the tree.

Steadily climbing the ledges to reach the top, Uther knocked against the wood, just to test things out. The pants became silent, and some shuffling could be heard. "MORGANA PENDRAGON! GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!" Morgana unlocked the latch, and opened up the entrance. Before Morgana could ease herself down, Uther poked his head through, a torch shone inside. Morgana was kneeling with a blanket wrapped around her, Uther knowing she was hiding something. "Don't," Morgana pleaded, knowing she was going to be in a lot of trouble, possibly kicked out of the house.

Disregarding that, Uther still searched the remainder of the hut with the torch, a figure in the corner, hiding oneself with another blanket. Uther crawled into the house, gripping onto the blanket that the figure was hiding themselves with. Uther took notice of the figure through their fingers. The figure had darkened skin, so possibly the figure was mixed-race or black. The fingernails were well-kept, so unlikely a male it were to be, which Uther feared for the worst. "Let go, you know the game is over."

Gradually, the grip on the blanket eased, and Uther tugged down the blanket to find Gwen cowering in the corner, slightly sobbing. Uther was gobsmacked. Two in one night, finding out that his children were in the same boat. Uther backed away from the girls, glaring at Morgana "God will punish you all." Not realising his tracks, Uther misguided the entrance, and fell from the tree house, Morgana screaming 'DAD!", as Uther dropped to the Earth.