CHAPTER 18 : PROGRESS WITH A KISS AND A CUDDLE

Arthur's saying, '…a locked door and on their own!' made Merlin smile at the same time feeling a little uncomfortable. He trusted Arthur but he was so scared that if they progressed any further without his explaining that he would be out of his depth, Arthur might say, 'For heaven's sake, Merlin, what's wrong with you, he needed to have that talk before they got further along in the relationship. On one side was the fact that he had never been with anyone and Gawaine's references to Arthur being a man of the world was on the other. He had decided that if they were sitting side by side on the couch, it might have been a good place to discuss things. However, Uther had put a kibosh on that by breaking Arthur's arm, bruising him and putting an advance in his therapy on hold.

Merlin wasn't stupid, he had a good idea of what Arthur might want to do, he blushed but trusted Arthur and wasn't against it but he felt that he had to make himself clear before that.

Arthur suddenly said, "Merlin!" Getting no response, he tried again, "Earth to Merlin! Are you there?"

Merlin blinked and came back to earth, he'd been miles away.

"You don't have to stay on your knees all day, come on get up!" Arthur liked the feel of arms resting on his knees but he knew that Merlin's knees must be getting uncomfortable. Merlin shuffled to his feet grinning. Just being with Arthur made him happy and when Arthur smiled he was likely to mirror it immediately.

-0-0-

Arthur had seen Dr. Mooney that morning and brought him up to date on the police situation. He would see him again in two weeks or before that if he felt he needed to. It was good being able to talk to someone about the mess his life had suddenly become. He relished Merlin's company more than anything but recently Merlin had been hinting that he needed to find a job if only to keep Spot in cat food.

They'd had a long discussion and Arthur had once again offered to look after him financially until he was on his feet. "I have a solution but I know before I say it that the chances that you will agree are pretty slim."

Merlin had said, "Go ahead, I'm all ears and it won't cost me anything to hear you out, will it?"

Arthur had explained that his house was empty. "I would be happy for you to move in. The house would look occupied and I'd know that you were safe. Ellie and Tom are in the lower flat but you won't have to deal with them. One day, you're going to move in, aren't you? Well then, why couldn't you do it now? You told me that your lease was coming up this month." Merlin went to speak but Arthur said, "Don't say anything now think about it."

Merlin knew that should their friendship continue, Arthur would ask him to move in but that would be when Arthur lived there. He'd feel strange living there by himself. He'd never been in the place however, he had one day walked down to see what it was like and he was surprised. He liked the area with the park in the centre of the square, the window boxes and the little ornamental trees on the upper storeys. Nonetheless, the house looked huge certainly too big for one person.

No, he couldn't move there just yet. He looked over at Arthur and smiled, "It's very tempting…but not alone. If the time comes that we consider moving in together, I want to do it with you as a couple. Do you mind?"

"No, it's just that I thought you might as well make use of it…"

Merlin knew that Arthur was disappointed that he'd refused his offer. To lighten the situation Merlin laughed, made a grandiose gesture of encompassing Arthur's room and said, "Arthur, I'd rather move in here with you!"

-0-0-

About a week later, they were sitting on the terrace off the sunroom and were interrupted by Arthur's phone. He said, "Now what?" He took the call and then he raised his eyebrows grinning at Merlin. "Thank you, Nigel! Yes, he's here, I'll tell him immediately." He put the phone back down on his lap.

"So tell me!" Merlin said, "I can't take the suspense…"

"My father has upon second thought decided that his actions regarding your dismissal were premature. He has sent you in Nigel's care, a letter of apology and a cheque."

Merlin was shocked that something about which he had worried so much had come to such a swift conclusion. He sighed, "Well, that's a weight off my mind!" He ran his fingers through his hair and said seriously, "Do you think that he has been approached by the police yet?"

"Honestly, don't know but I think you should deposit the cheque quickly in case in the light of the police visit, he changes his mind. Merlin, you deserved the settlement and more importantly, he now has acknowledged that he was in the wrong and the fact that he had an ulterior motive made it even worse. We should celebrate…how about a trip downstairs after my whirlpool session and we can pretend we're on a date."

Merlin laughed, "You're on! I could park you at the table and then wander around and pretend we had arranged to meet there. On second thought, not such a great idea as some other bloke might come along and you might decide to have a date with him instead."

"As if that's going to happen!"

"Not even if he was stunningly handsome with fabulous features…and…and a body that would put Michelangelo's David to shame."

Arthur laughed as he said, "You, My Dear Friend, have just described yourself …"

Merlin burst out laughing. He wheeled Arthur to therapy and sat watching. He could see that he had certainly become more flexible, you could see the definition of the muscles on his calves as he walking up the stairs. He turned and waved to Merlin when he had completed the exercise; Merlin could tell that the therapist wasn't impressed but he had grinned back anyway.

Arthur then had to spend time in the whirlpool. Merlin had smiled when he had seen him as he was wearing a sleeve of plastic on his left arm; it covered it completely, from his fingertips right up to his shoulder and protected his cast. It reminded him of what a vet might wear if he were doing internals on horses or cows. Merlin could only stay in specific areas and the immediate area around the whirlpool was out of bounds, shame really as once a therapist supervised Arthur's leg exercises; he was left alone to continue them for another fifteen minutes.

Finally, he reappeared in his sweats and Merlin stood up going over to get him. "What did you think of me on the stairs? Pretty good, eh!" Arthur said.

"I could really see an improvement. You'll soon be running up them. I loved your outfit for the whirlpool; it reminded me of a vet."

Arthur had grinned, "A vet…?" adding confidentially, "That was my condom!"

Merlin had burst out laughing and had received a disapproving look from one of the therapists who was trying with a helper to move a rather stout man from his wheelchair onto the exercise table. He said, "Sorry!" He knew that the only reason he was allowed in that department was because as an able bodied man, he could deliver Arthur there, releasing one of the workers to help another patient.

They made their way to the food court with Merlin chuckling every now and again.

-0-0-

The daily routines seemed to pass quickly. No further news had been received from the police. However, one morning Graham arrived to tell Arthur that he would be having his cast off that afternoon. Arthur was thrilled, he had managed to keep it dry but it was itchy and he would love to be able to get back in the pool and learn how to negotiate a couch.

He'd been working hard at rising from a sitting position using only his legs, sometimes they rebelled but it was getting easier as the days passed.

Merlin had trouble realising that the man whom he had first seen lying in a coma was the same man whom he was watching walking in physio assisted with only a cane. Agreed, he couldn't go long distances yet but he was able to walk. His spirits were great and the more effort he put into his exercises, the closer he was to being released.

Wednesday, he had an appointment with the Chief of Therapy and he'd been told that he was recommending a move to a private rehabilitation centre affiliated to them but in a country location. This would allow him to take exercise outside and work on everyday challenges. At first, Arthur had wanted to refuse as he felt safe at St. Swithin's, knowing the routine and the staff. However, the doctor had listed the pros and cons and said that his progress showed that he no longer needed the hospital milieu. He needed Arthur's decision within twenty-four hours.

Arthur's one thought was Merlin. He would have to travel miles to visit him. He was feeling very sorry for himself when he came back to his room. Merlin was there and saw that he was upset.

He said, "What's up?"

Arthur murmured, "Nothing…!"

"Arthur, how long have I known you…six months? I know you better than you know yourself." He smiled kindly and sat beside him taking his hand, "…and when I say, 'What's up?' I expect a truthful answer."

"They want me to move." Arthur then repeated the specialist's conversation and waited for Merlin to respond.

"But that is great, it's the next step to getting home! It'll be fun, we'll be able to walk in the gardens and maybe even go to the local shops."

"You'd come with me?"

"Of course, I can pitch a tent in the gardens and be with you as much as I am now."

Arthur had to laugh at Merlin's positive attitude. "I have a prospectus if you would like to see it."

Merlin looked at it. He was impressed. It was a former manor house with modern additions built to reflect the original architecture. The gardens were beautiful and there was even an outdoor Olympic-sized heated pool which he knew Arthur would love. He continued glancing at the list of facilities and saw a reference to limited accommodation for visitors. "Arthur, it even says here that guests are invited to stay over.

"…and look it has private roads on the property, maybe you could start driving again?" Merlin felt Arthur stiffen and he said quietly, "Well, not immediately but in a little while…"

"Merlin, I never thought to ask you, do you have a license? I know you don't have a car but can you drive?"

"Can I drive? Let me tell you, I used to help the local milkman during the holidays when I was nine and he let me drive his little electric van. …and even if I say it myself, I was good at it and then my mother decided I should take driving lessons when they were offered through school and I'm a regular Lewis Hamilton. My mother has a Mini and I actually enjoy driving it. Why?"

"Nothing, I just wondered if you could drive." The wheels were spinning in Arthur's head, if he was going to be outside the city why couldn't he have one of his cars there too and a chauffeur to boot.

Arthur decided to make the move to Nonsuch Manor Rehab and the doctor's receptionist later notified him that she would start the transfer process and would contact him once she heard back from them.

Merlin had done a little checking on his own and googled the site. He was impressed until he went further into the site and saw the fees and charges. The guest accommodation costs were exorbitant. A single room with ensuite was ₤125 per night including food and a parking space. Merlin was shocked, he still wanted to accompany Arthur however; maybe he could find a local Bed and Breakfast at a more reasonable rate. He would discuss it with Arthur, once the move was finalised.

-0-0-

The next day, they both received phone calls that their complaints against Uther Pendragon had been filed. Mr. Pendragon would be notified of the complaints and officers would be visiting him. Merlin had asked what the chances of his having a case against Mr Pendragon and the officer had said that the documented medical condition made the charge of an aggravated assault legitimate. He was unwilling to say more.

Midmorning Merlin walked into Arthur's room to find him showering while Graham sat reading on the couch. The door to the wet room was open and Merlin could hear Arthur singing in the shower. Graham laughed and said, "It's better if someone is here, he deserves privacy but he knows that I am here should he need me."

"He's coming along quickly now, isn't he. I can't believe how energetically he does the stairs in therapy. He also walked half way back to the lift once he was finished his session yesterday."

"He's ready to be a little more independent but accidents can happen when people overexert themselves so he will still need to have someone on call. Has he set a date for his move to Nonsuch?"

"No, he is waiting for confirmation that he will be going there. They said he'd be in by the weekend however, the guest accommodation at the rehab centre is rather expensive and limited so we'll see about my staying there."

"Merlin, he'll do better if you are there. He's progressed well but I think he needs someone he knows and trusts with him."

"Maybe they have reduced weekly guest rates if you vacate your room over the weekend when I would think that the majority of visitors come. Well, I don't mind staying in a B&B if it will save money."

Graham nodded and he wondered if Merlin actually knew how much Arthur was worth in his own right. Then he decided that he must as he had worked for the same firm.

"Arthur is even talking about having a bit of a get-together for his friends, Gawaine is going to organise it at one of the local hotels and Arthur will be able to attend. I really want him to be able to walk unassisted into the room even if we have the wheelchair as a backup."

"Do you know any of them?" Graham asked.

"Well, only through Gawaine. They seem a nice bunch and very sports inclined especially football. It will do Arthur good to see them all away from the hospital. I'm going to keep an eye on him as he is quite competitive and the next thing they will be kicking a ball around and Arthur will want to have a go too."

Graham laughed as Gawaine had one day, entertained him with all the things that Arthur and their friends had got up to during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Gawaine had said, 'Can't see us going to Qatar but who knows maybe the location will be changed in the face of all the bad publicity.'

"Graham?" Arthur called from the wet room and Graham immediately changed into work mode.

"I'm right here! Just stand still…I'm coming, hang on!"

Merlin walked over to the door and he heard Arthur say, "Damned towel, I got dried and then it fell on the floor and I don't think I can step over it." He breathed a sigh of relief and then realised that Arthur couldn't have leant over to get it unless he had something to hang onto as he might have tipped over as his balance wasn't what it had been. It was improving and he could pick something up off a chair but any lower than that he knew his limitations and wisely asked for help.

-0-0-

In early Spring, Gawaine had been going on about Arthur's wonderful athletic ability and one evening Merlin had gone to Gawaine's place for dinner and he'd played a couple of DVD's of Arthur on the university sport's team. Merlin had watched and something inexplicable had happened and tears had started to run down his cheeks and in the end he was staring at the screen but sobbing unable to see the picture anymore.

Gawaine had put his arm around him and said, "Merlin, don't cry for what was, look forward to what will be. You'll see our Arthur will one day be on a sports field running and shooting at the goal." He smiled continuing, "Maybe he won't be professional calibre but he'll be enjoying himself, maybe we'll even get you out there as well."

Merlin managed a smile and wiped away the tears, "Don't tell Arthur I cried when I saw him. It just suddenly brought home how devastating the affects of the accident had been."

"You've been through a lot..."

Merlin shook his head, "Gawaine, I've been through nothing compared to Arthur."

"But you have as you've been there continually and have experienced the stress associated with visiting someone you love in hospital. People who are caring for family members or loved ones often need to stand back to get their own lives in order. Exhaustion creeps in and that is why they have respite care. If you ever need an evening off let me know and I'll make sure I'll be there for Arthur."

Merlin smiled sadly saying, "Thank you but I know deep down that I need to be with him even more than he maybe needs me to be there."

"No, Merlin, he needs you…believe me!"

He came back to the present as Arthur walked into the room. His hair was still damp and his face was flushed. He stood in front of the couch and with Graham at his elbow turned himself in position and lowered himself down. He patted the cushion beside him and said, "Merlin, would you like to join me?"

Merlin was grinning from ear to ear; Arthur was sitting on the couch. True, he had pillows at his back and was sitting on a wooden slatted form but he was sitting on the couch.

Graham smiled saying, "You have fifteen minutes in that position and then I will be back." He grinned at Merlin saying, "Page me if you need me before then." He turned and left the room closing the door.

Merlin sat down beside Arthur afraid that he would unbalance him but Arthur said, "Merlin, I'm not going to break. My muscles are warm from the shower and I was damned determined I was going to sit on this couch."

Merlin slid close to him and felt the warmth of Arthur's body next to his. He turned and looked at Arthur and then carefully placed a chaste kiss on his lips. Of course, Arthur had to retaliate less than chastely and in no time they were breathless. Arthur slipped his hand along Merlin's shoulders and Merlin cuddled into him, placing his head on Arthur's chest as Arthur wrapped his other arm around him. They stayed like that awhile until Merlin broke the mood by saying, "Arthur, I can hear your heart…and feel its thump in my fingertips."

"I jolly well hope so as if not, we'd have a slightly bigger problem than my inability to walk."

Merlin cuddled even closer to Arthur, he smelt of lemon hair shampoo and sports soap. "You smell luscious!"

"Well, I've been called sweaty and even refreshing before but never luscious." Arthur then started kissing Merlin's ear, in no time Merlin felt that his brain was playing tricks as he was certain that he could feel the sensation in his stomach. He turned and lifting his head slightly claimed Arthur's lips again.

Arthur whispered, "I could stay here forever!"

Merlin smiled and sitting up decided to place a line of kisses down Arthur's neck…then suddenly, there was a tap on the door and Graham's voice saying, "May I come in, time to see if you can get off that couch…"

Arthur had time to run his fingers tentatively along Merlin's leg before Graham walked in, wedging the door open.