CHAPTER 13 : SCATTERED LIKE LEAVES

His phone buzzed at ten fifteen; it was Arthur. "I'm home, exhausted and hungry. I don't feel like cooking, have you anything left over from your supper that I could eat?"

"Give me a few minutes and I'll be down." Merlin opened his fridge and pulled out the second piece of chicken and some veggies which he was going to eat tomorrow and made his way downstairs. He tapped on the door.

Arthur opened it to a smiling Merlin holding onto a bulky bag, "Room service, Sire!"

"You're a sight for sore eyes, come on in! We were given a supper break but I couldn't take it as a client was on the phone ranting and raging. I often wonder if they realise the numbers of accounts we deal with."

Merlin went into the kitchen, "Microwave or oven, fast or slow?"

"You chose, I just want to change into something more comfortable and I'm too tired to make decisions…"

Merlin smiled and walked to the microwave, he also put on the kettle in passing and checked the fridge for milk. He set the little table in the kitchen and ran Arthur's plate under the hot water tap to warm it. He himself hated cold food and warming a plate helped keep it all hot. He'd also brought a couple of yoghurts and packet of porridge. He knew that once Arthur started eating, he'd feel hungry too.

He half turned as Arthur came into the room and soon felt Arthur's arms around him. He could honestly say that for years he had never realised the importance of hugging. He got his fare share of hugs from his Mam and Gaius. He hadn't missed being hugged but now, hugging was so meaningful and downright wonderful. He smiled as Arthur's hair tickled his nose. "Come on, sit down, it's ready and the kettle is boiled. Tell me, how was your day."

"One word or a litany of words? It was shit! The phones rang incessantly as we tried to isolate the damage already done and then reassure clients that everything was under control…when it really was not! Merlin, they've really screwed the company and if Tokyo hadn't picked up the spike in sales, we'd have been hit even harder. It's times like this that you realise why they pay the big money… I thought Gawaine was going to have a heart attack as one of his clients if we can't recoup the money, has been wiped out. How about you and Lance?"

"Well, less involved with the actual clients but we're just working at containing the problem until they can really see how insidious it is. It's a lot of checking the legal aspect of the accounts in question. However, it is going to be a cut to the core for more than a few companies, some of them our best clients."

As Arthur tucked into his meal, he said, "What time did you get home?"

"Around eight, I made something to eat and spoke to my mother. Figured I'd at least let her know that up to now, I am still gainfully employed."

"Don't worry, I'll employ you if you get laid off."

Merlin laughed, "What as a chief cook and bottle washer? Though, I could do some light dusting and house keeping…"

Arthur mentally added bed-warmer and lover but standing up, he said, "That's a deal, but leave the dishes in the sink. I'll get around to them tomorrow."

Arthur took Merlin's hand and led him to the living room and pulled him down beside him on the leather sofa. He had no sooner put his arm around his shoulders than his phone rang. He reached forward and checked the numbers, saying, "I have to take it…it's work." He stood up and walked across the room, leaving Merlin to listen to a one-sided conversation.

"Yes…I could. Very well, see you at five forty-five tomorrow morning…" He turned around looking more tired, "It was Rachel Slater, we're going to Zurich tomorrow as something has turned up at their office. I have to pack, I'm sorry, Merlin, I brought you here for nothing."

"You go and pack, I'll do the dishes and let myself out…and it wasn't nothing Arthur, we had at least an hour together. How long will you be gone?"

"A couple of days…I'll phone you when I have time probably in the evenings. This wasn't how I planned it, Merlin."

Merlin had the dishes done in no time; he tidied up the kitchen and looked around. He could get used to working in this space. He grabbed his bag and walked into the hall. He didn't want to disturb Arthur so he didn't say anything just put his hand on the door knob to let himself out. He felt arms around him and the door was pushed closed. He turned and Arthur smiled saying, "Didn't think I'd let you go without a goodnight kiss, did you?"

Merlin relaxed into Arthur's arms and accepted the proffered kiss, allowing it to intensify into a good-bye kiss as he'd be Arthurless for a couple of days. Arthur had been smiling when he'd pulled away, "A quick learner I'd say…" He whispered softly, "Don't go yet, I'm too wired to sleep, sit with me…that is…if you want to!"

Merlin's eyes lit up, "Only on the understanding that if I fall asleep on you, you'll wake me and sent me back to my own place."

"Agreed…" said Arthur as he again sought Merlin's lips.

But he didn't…the couch was comfortable and the presence of Arthur's body comforting and when Merlin finally came to, it was past one o'clock. He tried to extricate himself from Arthur without waking him. He had to get back to his own place as he knew Arthur had to be up by five. Arthur's hand caught his wrist and he said, "Merlin, don't go, stay with me tonight. I promise I will behave myself, 'Scout's Honour'…"

"What…Be Prepared?" said Merlin with a chuckle.

Arthur got up and walked Merlin into his bedroom. He pulled back the covers and collapsed on the bed, Merlin was sure that he was asleep even before his head hit the pillow so he pulled the blankets over him and stood debating returning to his own flat and then he looked again at Arthur and walked around the bed and slipped in beside him. He'd be safe, Arthur had said so…

-0-0-

He woke to the sound of an alarm and realised where he was. He was cuddled into Arthur who had an arm across him. It felt right. He leant over and said, "Arthur, it's time to get up. You have to shower, dress and be ready to walk out of the flat by five thirty. Don't want to keep the taxi and Mrs. Slater waiting."

Arthur was not a happy morning person and he groaned. He suddenly opened his eyes and saw Merlin and smiled, "Good Morning, Handsome! Did I behave myself?"

Merlin smiled, "You were dead to the world as otherwise I might have had second thoughts on sharing your bed. Come on get up…" Merlin watched as a sleepy Arthur headed off for a shower. Merlin lay there, smiling to himself, he'd spent the night with Arthur and he was still crazy about him. One part of him wished that they could have just stayed here for the morning but another part of him was worrying. He felt unsure about himself and the future.

Suddenly Arthur came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. He grinned unabashedly at Merlin saying, "Sorry, I forgot to take my clothes."

Merlin had never imagined Arthur would have looked so good in a towel. His body was muscular but not overly so. He looked like an athlete, muscles well defined and…well, just beautiful. Merlin blushed, he was staring. He must have been because Arthur had turned and said, "Like what you see?"

Merlin ducked his head under the covers. He could hear Arthur chuckling and then felt weight on the bed as Arthur crawled towards him and kissed him on the forehead saying, "One day, we will do this properly!" He felt as the weight lessened on the bed and turned down the covers. Arthur was smiling at him as he pulled on a shirt, tucking it into his trousers before zipping them up. "You don't have to go racing off, go back to sleep for a couple of hours."

"I don't think, I'd be able to…anyway we've been asked to come in earlier as well."

Arthur checked in the mirror that he was respectable and grabbed his overnight bag. Merlin was standing by the door as Arthur left, he leaned forward and Arthur put his arms around him saying, "Don't leave me, Merlin, promise?"

…and then he was gone. Merlin heard the lift door clang and he leant against the door and tried to take in everything which had happened since the ten o'clock call the previous night. He walked into the kitchen to get his bag and kept thinking, 'I spent the night in Arthur's bed…I can't believe it…I spent the night with Arthur and I wasn't scared or embarrassed. Well, technically, I slept with him but not really…' He carefully locked Arthur's flat intending to come back after work and make the bed and tidy the room as he'd found out that Arthur wasn't the tidiest of people and his bedroom had clothes everywhere. He smiled opening his hand, Arthur had slipped his flat key into it as he'd kissed him goodbye.

He was in a daze but managed to arrive at work by seven thirty and sat at his desk buzzing on the inside but to all intents and purposes looking cool, calm and collected. Lance walked by and he nodded at him, not trusting himself to say anything in case he began to babble like an idiot.

-0-0-

But babble he did and it wasn't to Lance but to Gawaine who had come wandering into his department supposedly to deliver a message to one of the department heads. Instead of leaving immediately, he sat on the edge of Merlin's desk and chatted, "Arthur isn't here, you know he had to go to Zurich. Be back in a couple of days as far as we can figure out." Merlin nodded as Gawaine added, "I'm supposed to leave for Geneva this afternoon, being seconded to another office for a week. Hope the girls are attractive." Merlin laughed and Gawaine said, "You knew about Arthur, didn't you?" Merlin again nodded almost biting his tongue to keep control over it.

"The two of you are as thick as thieves. Stayed over yet?" Gawaine could tell by the look on Merlin's face that he had hit the proverbial nail on the head. He started to laugh, punching Merlin in the arm and saying, "You so and so! Going to keep it a secret from me, were you?"

"Well, there's really no secret, he didn't get in until after ten and I brought him something to eat and then we sat talking and fell asleep."

"Don't worry, next time he might even invite you into his bed." Gawaine looked at Merlin's face and realised he'd hit pay dirt. "He did…didn't he?" He slapped him across the back saying, "Congratulations, he's a great catch and the two of you will be perfect together. The blond haired wonder…great in bed is he?"

Merlin could only blush and shrug his shoulders, "Gawaine, it wasn't like that. He was really tired and he was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I almost left but I was so tired and it was late and sleeping beside him couldn't hurt…anyway he was up at five and left the flat at five-thirty."

"Well, one little suggestion, make sure that he is well rested before you next accept his invitation to join him in bed, I can vouch that it will be more fun for both of you." He stood up, nodding at an approaching figure and left Merlin with the words, "I'll be checking up on the two of you when I return."

Merlin said, "Safe trip, Gawaine, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do!"

"And wouldn't that limit my Swiss experiences? Regardless of what you did or didn't do, I think you have our mutual friend completely at your beck and call." He turned back to the other man who had come for him saying, "What's the fuss about? My flight isn't until four!" He grinned once again at Merlin and left.

-0-0-

Having got it off his chest, Merlin was no longer buzzing just feeling happy inside. Arthur did like him and he hoped that he got a chance to speak to him tonight. His department had calmed down a bit since yesterday and Lance and he had their regular lunch hour. As it was a nice day they walked to one of the local take outs, found a bench and sat watching the tourists. Lance assured him that it would be just the same in London, tourists everywhere regardless of the season. Merlin thought of home where late spring to early autumn brought most visitors.

The weather held and after work he walked home stopping to buy food as he'd given his supper to Arthur the night before. He felt relaxed and picked up some mail in the lobby. He went upstairs, changed and cooked his meal, eating as he watched the BBC news just to keep up with the world. Reference was made to the group of brokers who had caused all the trouble and it was reported that the leaders were in police custody in Zurich. His mind immediately flipped to Arthur and he missed most of the rest. He made his way down to Arthur's putting away a few of Arthur's clothes. He buried his nose in his tee-shirt and picked up his scent. He sat on Arthur's side of the bed daydreaming. Finally, he got up made the bed, looking at the room again, he saw that it was well decorated but seemed void of personal affects and he noticed that there were no photos. He decided he must have them in his office and left it at that. He plumped up the cushions on the sofa, checking that the kitchen was clean and tidy; he closed the door being very careful to lock it behind him.

He had almost reached his flat when his phone buzzed, he grabbed for it and it was Arthur. He unlocked the door and sat on the floor with his back to the closed door. Once again his chest felt as if his heart had tripled in size. It was just wonderful hearing his voice, after what had it been...sixteen hours?

A voice on the phone said, "Merlin, are you still there? Is everything all right, you're very quiet…"

"I'm great…I was just happy hearing your voice. How was the flight?"

"Flight was good, office is as big as the Paris branch. The city is crowded with church spires and steeples and from where I am standing I can see the Alps. We'll have to come here one day for a holiday, it's fantastic. But, forget me for a moment…"

Merlin thought, 'As if I could!'

"What about you? Is it as busy at the office? Did you hear that some of the masterminds have been detained?"

"Yes, it was on the news tonight. Gawaine has been sent off to help in the Geneva office, but how much of a help he will be is debateable."

"Don't let him kid you, he might look as if he spends his time socialising at work but he is very highly thought of in our department. When is he due back?"

"He thought maybe a week…by the way, Arthur…thank you for the key…"

"Merlin, I bet you blushed as you said that. It just seemed to make sense as you can get in to do your laundry and things while I'm away. I'll try to speak to you tomorrow. Now, get a good night's rest and remember I'm thinking of you and I wish you were here in Zurich with me."

Merlin turned off his phone and remained sitting on the floor. He also wished that he was in Switzerland.