Returning to scouts for the last few months, in Merlin's case, Uther and Aglain gathered the scouts together for the first meeting discussion. With Uther detesting Merlin and Arthur's relationship, Merlin sat in between Gwaine and Mordred, where Arthur was in between Uther and Percival.
"Evening all. A few notices before we begin tonight. First of all, I'd like to introduce you all to our newest members. Tonight we have Shayne, Emma and Anton." Everyone made them welcome. Uther continued. "Also, we have our first trip coming up. It's a charity event, which will cost £5. Letters will be handed out later tonight?"
"What's the event in particular?" One scout asked. Merlin kept quiet, unsure of what trip this was.
"A group of performers will be entertaining you all. There is gymnastics of all sorts, and pole dancing. It's next Saturday, so I need your forms returned by next Monday."
Merlin stilled, knowing that this was the event that he was performing in.
Following the usual sessions, Uther handed out the letters at the end of the night, Merlin purposely not taking a letter and passing the pile on. Uther eyed Merlin's actions and wondered why he hadn't bothered.
Following departure, Merlin was called by Uther.
"Merlin, how come you didn't take a letter with you?"
"I can't go. I'm elsewhere on the night."
"Fair enough."
Merlin left the building, knowing that Arthur was intended to stay behind, following Uther's rules. Merlin exited the community hall and began walking towards the gates onto the main road, where Arthur grabbed his wrist, led him in to a darkened alley, and kissed him.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Breaking the rules. I know the event which the trip is to be held, which means I don't get to see you alone now."
"Shh, there are people around. Can we talk about this tomorrow at college?"
"No. Again, I'm breaking the rules. I intend to. Remember, I'm to move to Mercia in anti-gay camp within a few weeks, and I want to see as much of you as I can. Problem?"
"No. And you'll get to see me perform, alone, sometime."
"When?"
"Spoilers."
"You are not River Song."
"Fine then. It's a secret. You'll find out."
Knowing that Uther and Morgana would soon be on their way back home, Arthur intended to stay away from home as long as possible. Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand, and then pulled him along, towards Arthur's house. "Arthur, what are you doing?"
"Doing something I should have done a long time ago."
"And that is?"
"Grabbing all of my things I can carry and moving into yours. I can't live at home anymore. You said that once I'm eighteen, I can do what I wish. Okay, I'm not eighteen yet, but I'm close to it. So I'm leading my life."
Running into the house, Merlin and Arthur bounded up the stairs to pack. Catrina came in and found the boys packing, concerned, she asked questions.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Catrina. I'm moving out and don't you dare try to stop me."
"Arthur, it's your life, therefore your choice. I know why you're moving out, and I respect you. Morgana will need help though."
"I wished I could take her with me, but we don't have enough room."
"She's planning to move in with Gwen at some point."
"I need your help though. Get everything that I regularly use, or that I'll need in the next few days, and drop Merlin and I back home. Bring things over when you can."
"Of course."
Heading home, Merlin called Hunith to tell them of his plans, which she accepted. Hunith knew that Arthur was a good man, and that Arthur was the right choice for Merlin. She also knew of Arthur's tough background with Uther and the absence of Ygraine.
"Where do you exactly propose to place all of your things?"
"We'll find room."
With Catrina driving back to Camelot, the three began to carry things up to Merlin's room, Merlin having to create space to plant Arthur's objects in here, including a sacred photograph of Ygraine, Morgana and himself. Merlin eyed the photo, and knew that Arthur still missed her.
"Don't break that, Merlin."
"I wouldn't dare. She's beautiful, Arthur."
"She was a very attractive woman indeed."
"A beautiful woman made a beautiful son."
"And a beautiful son fell in love with a beautiful man." Leaving the objects to one side, Arthur picked up Merlin and placed him onto the bed, Arthur climbing atop, and undressing the pair for bed, devouring Merlin at the same time.
"A.. Arthur. We haven't finished unpacking your things!"
"Can't do it all in one go. And we need sleep, and you were standing there. You're too tempting Merlin, and now I have all the time in the world for you Merlin. No more hiding."
"Indeed, no more hiding."
Catrina arrived back to Camelot just before Morgana and Uther did, Uther in his usual mental state. "IS HE HOME?"
"No. I thought Arthur was with you. You clearly told him when he came home from college earlier that he wasn't to wander off."
"I BET HE'S WITH THAT... MERLIN. THE SOONER ARTHUR SEES SENSE, THE BETTER."
"Uther, no offence to you, but it's Arthur's life. He can love who he wants. If he loves Merlin, then he loves him. He's probably loved Merlin for ages."
"HE'S CURSED. IT'S SORCERY. MERLIN HAS PUT ARTHUR UNDER A SPELL!"
"Now your just being rash. You know he's in love with him, and you know you can't change that. You can't force him to marry Vivian."
Uther grunts and turns to Morgana, who's trying to escape upstairs. "I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING, BECAUSE I'M SENDING YOU TO MERCIA AS WELL YOUNG LADY. I'M NOT HAVING A LESBIAN FOR A DAUGHTER!"
"I'M NOT A LESBIAN! AND I'M NOT UNDER ANY SPELL! I'm bisexual dad, get used to it. And I'm not attending Mercia."
"DON'T ARGUE WITH ME!"
"I'm not. I'm stating a fact."
The morning after, Catrina bought some more clothes for Arthur, and sat down with him in the dining table, Merlin making coffee as the pair talked.
"He knows, doesn't he?" Arthur began the conversation.
"No. He doesn't know where you are. You're still to attend Mercia though, and so is Morgana."
"When?"
"After the half-term. Providing that you pair can prove that you're straight as a ruler, then they'll let you out."
"And Vivian?"
"You're still marrying her."
"Which means I can no longer attend scouts then?"
"No. You're barred from going, well, under the Camelot division anyway. You'll continue in college for the last two weeks, and then you're off. You finish on the Friday and you'll be in Mercia by Saturday afternoon."
"So I can't celebrate my birthday then?"
"Not unless you have an early Birthday present."
"That means I can't see Merlin perform."
Merlin then butted in. "Yes you can. I can get you a VIP ticket, which means you'll sit in the VIP box for the duration of the show. Once the show is over, I'll meet up with the scouts and talk to them. Once they've gone, it's just you and me."
"Your dad would like to speak to you at some point before you attend Mercia."
"I have every right not to speak with him, and I intend not to speak with him."
"Fair enough. I tried. He still thinks you're hypnotised."
"He can believe what he wants. One question, will I ever get to see Merlin again?"
"We'll find a way."
"He plans to sham our marriage."
"And how exactly do you plan that Mr Emrys?"
"With the help of our patrol. Gwaine and Morgana are to deal with Vivian. Morgana is going to steal the dress and give it to Gwen to make a replica of the dress in my size. Then I'm to wear a veil and such and be in Vivian's place. Then show myself later."
"Then?"
"Then me and Arthur are to collect our things and move away."
"Odd plan, but okay."
"Well, we haven't got long before Arthur moves away and the wedding is held, so we better be getting on with it."