CHAPTER 17 : PROMOTIONS AND PARTINGS

Merlin looked flustered that Wednesday at lunchtime. Arthur nodded at him as he went across the cafeteria to get his meal but he only nodded back with a hint of a smile. Coming back, he sat beside him saying, "Something up? Can I help?"

Merlin shook his head, "We can talk about it later."

Arthur decided to do a little detective work and after lunch he phoned Lance wanting to know if anything had happened which would have made Merlin so quiet. Lance said that he knew he'd had a meeting with one of the heads but everything had seemed amicable when he's seen Merlin with him afterwards. Arthur realised he'd just have to wait until later to find out what had transpired.

Arthur received a text from Merlin stating, 'See you later. Have to work late.'

He texted back, 'OK'

Around nine-thirty, Arthur heard the key in the lock and came into the hall as Merlin was taking off his coat. He looked cold and tired. Arthur made an instant decision not to say anything and let Merlin explain when he felt like it. "Did you get any supper?"

"Yes, we ate at Le Fouquet. We should go there one day…"

"Merlin, what's up?" Arthur could have bitten off his tongue; the question seemed to hang in the air like a barrier. He'd done exactly what he had previously decided not to do.

"I...I'm…" Merlin suddenly looked older than his years.

Arthur didn't think twice but stepped forward and put his arms around him. "Merlin, whatever it is, you're not alone we can get through this together."

"But that's just it, Arthur, we won't be together. They've advanced my transfer to next week. I leave for Geneva on Friday."

Arthur knew that Merlin was to go to Geneva but he had thought that it would be much later. He felt slightly sick. It had been the furthest thing from his mind that Merlin might move on and he'd be left in Paris without him. He wouldn't agree to it… and then he realised that it had nothing to do with him. This was Merlin's career and he had to make the decision and because Arthur felt so strongly about him he knew that he would put his feeling aside and agree to whatever Merlin decided and support him regardless as to how much he regretting having to let him go.

Merlin was worried. They had only just found each other and now they were going to be separated. True, physically they would only be three hours apart by high speed train but even if they visited each other on weekends, it wouldn't be the same. He'd got used to having Arthur close by. He didn't think that he could bear to be so far apart.

They sat silently side by side on the couch staring at the blank TV screen. Merlin finally said, "I don't know…I can't get my mind straight, I have to pack and clean my flat. They offered me some days off and I can't remember whether or not I accepted it. I should phone home…" He trailed off into silence. Turning to look at Arthur he said, "I can't afford not to take the promotion. There are people who would die for this opportunity and I'm quite capable of doing the work but…"

Arthur said, "It's a great opportunity for you. I think you'll like Geneva, Gawaine did."

"Gawaine would like anywhere were there were woman. I'm not like that Arthur. I have lots of acquaintances but few real friends. I wish I could just tell them to keep their job but I need to work and all this experience will be invaluable. Why couldn't we have met sooner?" He turned to Arthur and said, "Can you wait for me to return? Arthur, please say yes even if you don't think that you can, I can't bear to leave knowing that everything we had together meant nothing to you."

Arthur turned to him and wrapped his arms around him. "Merlin, I didn't get this far in my life alone. I've had other friends but no one meant to me as much as you do. Try to keep me away from you! It won't work, I'll be here waiting for you. You will leave anything that you don't need in Geneva here in my flat." He smiled, "I'll be the custodian of your belongings and you will consider this apartment in Paris your home."

"…and I can appear on your doorstep anytime and you'll be happy?"

"Merlin, I will be waiting every night for the sound of your key in the lock. We'll burn up the phone lines between the two cities and every chance we get to visit each other we will."

"Arthur, I can get the six thirty on Friday after work and be at the Gare de Lyon before ten o'clock or you can get the six o'clock train and I can meet you at the station in Geneva around nine."

"I love you, Merlin…" he smiled, "Do you know all the times of the trains leaving the stations in Paris?"

Merlin grinned, his first time since Arthur had seen him at lunch as he said, "No, Arthur, I spent the afternoon scanning time schedules just in case you still wanted to be friends."

"Merlin, we're more than friends, we're in a relationship which will grown until the day we die. One day, we are both going to be working in the same city again and we will be settled in our own flat. This separation is just a little bump in the road but it will prove to us that we really do belong together." Arthur had no doubt that they would weather the storm and their love might even benefit from the forced separation.

Merlin knew that he would wait for Arthur forever and the look in Arthur's eyes convinced him that he felt the same. He said, "Hold me, Arthur, so I can never forget the feeling of your arms around me." He dropped his head on Arthur's shoulder and let his mind take him away from these sad times to future happiness.

-0-0-

He did contact his mother the following day. She was thrilled to hear of his promotion. Hunith a little worried said, "…and your friend Arthur how will he manage with you so far away?"

"Mam, don't you mean, how will I manage with Arthur so far away?"

"I didn't want to sound like a fussy mother. Of course, I know that you really like him and I'm looking forward to meeting him one day. Leon assures me that he is a gentleman and that I shouldn't worry about you…but I do…"

Merlin smiled, "…and I wouldn't want you to do otherwise, would I? But I'm grown up now and I'm making my own decisions and standing by them come what may. I promise that I will bring Arthur to meet you one day and Mam, I think the phrase 'I know that you really like him' might actually be 'I know that you really love him', because I do. Hang on…!"

He handed the phone to Arthur and Arthur smiled and said, "Hello, Mrs. Emrys, it is nice speak to you. Let me put your mind at rest, it will be very difficult for me to let Merlin go off the Geneva but he has already set up the schedule for visits including train times and I will be keeping an eye on him from afar. He's still with the same company so we won't have to pay for long distance calls. Even so, accounting might notice a spike in calls between Paris and Geneva."

"Thank you, Arthur, that makes me feel better. Swansea is a long way from Geneva, Gaius and I will feel better knowing that someone closer will be keeping an eye out for Merlin."

Merlin came back on the phone and said, "Better hang up now. Will keep you up on things…Good Night and God Bless!"

"God Bless, Merlin, and keep yourself safe. Arthur seems perfect for you, take care. Bye…"

-0-0-

Thursday was Merlin's last opportunity to visit Jack's. He sat with the others and Gawaine said, "I saw the posting on the board this morning. Hope you'll like Geneva…shame you have to go so soon as you and Arthur are really in the early stages of a relationship. Tough luck!"

Merlin went to say something and Arthur interrupted him with, "Gawaine, there are some times when you spout nonsense. Merlin and I are rock solid, these are just extenuating circumstances which make it difficult to see each other every day."

Gawaine grinned, "…and sleep together every night!"

"The way you're going, you will be one person whom Merlin won't miss…right, Merlin?"

Merlin grinned at Gawaine saying, "Right!" while putting his arm around the man's shoulder and giving him a one armed hug.

"I'm not trying to be negative as knowing Merlin he will be faithful and, Merlin, rest assured that I will take it upon myself to intercept any young men who look at Arthur the wrong way." He added, "Ow!" as a bread roll sent from Arthur's direction hit him on the side of the head.

Tom and Lance laughed with Lance saying, "I'll miss you, Merlin, any idea how long you'll be away?"

Merlin's face fell, "Six to nine months, according to Andrew. I have a company flat there and it should have enough floor space, that you can all come to visit."

"But not on my weekends!" said Arthur with a grin. "He will be booked solid with no time to entertain anyone…"

"Wouldn't think of it," said Tom, "If I go to visit him, I want to see him not you."

Suddenly, Merlin felt sad, he was going to miss them all. His flat was packed up and tomorrow he would hand the key into the concierge and IntVest would later assign it to a newcomer. He'd enjoyed his stay in Paris and would miss it. He thought, 'Thank goodness, I took so many photos.' Then he thought of that first evening when he had met Arthur and had taken a photo of him in the firelight in this very room.

"Cheer up, Merlin! Just think, new sights to photograph and you will be closer to the mountains," said Lance.

It was getting late and the others had a full day of work ahead of them. Gawaine stood up and gave him a hug whispering, "I was serious, I'll keep an eye on him. Probably won't have anything to report but at least he won't be all by his lonesome."

'Like me…' thought Merlin suddenly feeling even more sad.

The others said their goodbyes and only Arthur and he were left. He stared into the fire and wished he was home in Wales. They made their way slowly to Arthur's flat and lay together in the bed holding each other.

-0-0-

"Maybe in my holidays I'll whisk you away to an isolated chalet and have my way with you."

Merlin smiled sadly, "I'll keep you to that…" Silence reigned but neither slept and Merlin suddenly said, "This isn't the end is it, Arthur?"

"No Love, this is not the end. You and I have a long way to go together and tomorrow night, we'll sleep in your new flat and you will then have happy memories about the place."

Merlin sat upright, "Tomorrow?"

"Yes, I sent Tom out to get me a ticket on the same train as you. I checked your tickets with personnel; I couldn't get the seat next to you but we'll both be on the train."

"But work?"

"I managed to talk my boss into letting me have tomorrow off but I promised to work late all next week."

Merlin lay down beside Arthur and then the tears started. "Hey!" said Arthur, "That was supposed to make you happy not sad."

"These are tears of joy, that someone up there has been looking out for me and sent you to share my life." Arthur put his arms around him and pulled him closer.

-0-0-

Merlin woke first that Friday morning. He decided it was nerves as today was the big day. He'd been happy in Paris but all that would change. He'd finish around noon so all he had to do was empty his desk of the few things that remained and visit personnel to sign some papers and pick up travel expenses, train tickets, information about his accommodation and the location of his new workplace. He was taking the afternoon train, he felt excited and warm inside as Arthur was going with him.

Arthur rolled over and glanced at Merlin. He was going to miss a body next to him in bed. Life was going to be very different come Monday morning. He glanced at his watch it was still early. He lifted his head and saw that Merlin was awake.

Merlin turned to him and grinned, "Arthur, you're awake. I have a brilliant idea…"

Arthur smiled Merlin's early morning brilliant idea always involved the two of them and some very enjoyable moments. He listened carefully to Merlin's proposal. "But we'd be better here."

"Arthur, just listen, we've never used my flat for anything. I always come here; I'm inviting you up to my place. In the future, we will be able to say that we loved each other in a garret as well as a great flat in Paris." They dressed and went upstairs, Merlin grabbing his camera as he left.

Opening the door, Merlin stood in front of Arthur and ran his hands down his chest. "I want some photos to take with me to Geneva, something a little risqué that will only be for the two of us." He put the camera down to concentrate on Arthur. "This is in return for agreeing to come up here." He held him against the closed door and slowly and deliberately loosened buttons and the like.

"Merlin I've never posed in the nude."

"Arthur, it's only me and my camera. Come on, there is no need to pose just be your usual self."

Arthur shrugged, Merlin could be very persuasive. "All right, but then I get to take photos of you."

Merlin's favourite photo was of Arthur looking regal and tempting at the same time, standing looking out the window, his body in the shadows, "You know one of your best features are your shoulder blades," Arthur had to laugh and turned toward him as Merlin's camera again clicked. Gone were his reservations and he was looking forward to seeing what Merlin would come up with next.

"I have decided that this is what we will do in all the hotels or homes that we live in across the whole world."

"Like a Fodor's or Lonely Planet's Travel Guide?" Arthur said.

Merlin grinned at him, "Exactly but only for us and anyone else we might wish to share them with."

"Merlin, you said that this was just between you, me and your camera," said Arthur raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, that was the plan but if you become really famous and I ever need money, I will make a beautiful book called Merlin's Guide to Arthur and make a little money on the side." Merlin handed the camera to Arthur and had him laughing as he posed for Arthur's photos. "My uncle Gaius never had a chance to really see my flat and now I have loads of pictures which I can show him."

"Merlin, you wouldn't?"

"Well, maybe not but it was a thought." Arthur was soon a shuddering mass and for a fleeting moment he remembered the shy young man he had laid with on his couch in London. Merlin had really come into his own and Arthur relished the thought that it was all for him. Merlin had never been with anyone but him.