In the days that passed things became much easier around the house. Merlin insisted upon sleeping in the living room now, instead of Arthur's bed and honestly, he wasn't that bad of a guy, apart from being crazy. But he really wasn't that crazy at all, sure, he was a bit out of it, but he actually had a lot in common with Arthur, to Arthur's amazement of course.

On the day that Merlin had been there an exact week, Arthur walked into the house, after a rather rough environment class to be welcomed by the most wonderful spells he had ever smelt. He stepped into the kitchen, confused, but hungry already. He saw Merlin standing there, some random huge, red pot sitting on the stove.

"I made chicken soup," Merlin explained, smiling over at Arthur. "I thought you liked it, even out of a can, "he made a face and Arthur grinned. "So, I made some homemade."

"Wow, that's…" he trailed off, as Merlin brought a spoon to his lips, full of the yellowish liquid. Arthur sipped it from the spoon and almost choked. Damn it was good, now if only Merlin was an old lady. "I might make you my old lady."

"Excuse me?" Merlin asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Well, that didn't come out right," he blushed. "I mean was, oh forget it," he sat down at the table, hungrier than ever. "Can I have a bowl of that, please?"

"Well, it was for dinner but…"

Only seconds later Merlin brought over a huge bowl full, big chucks of chicken and celery and carrot. Arthur was in love with this soup, it was perfect; if it was a girl he would marry it, and make sweet love to it on a regular basis. Merlin sat down next to him, with a bowl of soup for himself, granted a lot smaller in size, but Arthur was still happy he was eating. Merlin glanced at him amused.

"What?"

"I just wanted to see if you liked it."

"Like isn't the word, Merlin."'

Merlin smiled then, fishing for a carrot out of the soup with a spoon and bringing it to his lips. Arthur watched him just for a bit of proof, that yes, he was eating. Merlin did this a few times, taking small bites, but hell, those small bites were more than Arthur had seen him eat in the first days he was there. After finishing his soup, Arthur slumped against his chair; nothing like a bowl of soup on a cool day to make you happy.

"I was watching your DVD's today, I hope you don't mind," Merlin told him, casual. As he got up and took his and Arthur's bowls to the sink. Checking on the settling chicken soup in the red pot, before turning on the faucet. Arthur hardly expected him to keep house for him, but being a lazy sod…

"I don't care, what's mine is yours, I told you yesterday," Arthur, told him, resting his hands on the back of his head, as he relaxed into the chair. "As long as you don't touch my girlfriend."

"I don't think you've got to worry about that," Merlin said, turning back with a small smile. Arthur blushed again. He really had to stop doing that.

"Oh," he muttered. "Yeah...I forgot."

"That's alright."

"So uh…" Arthur stuttered, trying to change the subject. "What did you watch?"

"Thor," Merlin told him, from over his shoulder, as he washed the dishes. Arthur watched a soap bubble rise into the air, dancing above Merlin's dark hair. "I love Thor."

"Me too!" Arthur said, surprised. "He's my favorite superhero."

"Really?" Merlin asked, Arthur couldn't see his face, but he sounded happy about this. "We should watch it together sometime."

"Absolutely," Arthur agreed, sitting up now. "I was thinking, we should hang out somewhere, outside of the house too."

He watched as Merlin's shoulders slumped.

"I'm not much for going out, Arthur."

"Ah, come on, old men can have fun too!"

Merlin laughed along with Arthur, but still shook his head.

"I think I'll pass."

"We don't have to go out on the town," Arthur said. "We could go to the movies or hang out in town; they have a great book store."

"I know, I've been there a few times, "Merlin told him. "You like to read?"

"Yeah, I do, surprised?" Arthur smirked.

"A little, you seem like the rough and tough kind…"

"Well, I am...I guess," Arthur shrugged. "But reading is nice on a rainy day or late at night."

"I agree."

"Do you read?"

"No, I can't read, never learned," Merlin stated. "I just slump along asking people if they can read those little markings on the white stuff."

"Don't be an ass!"

Merlin laughed, "Of course I read, all the time."

"We should go to the book store then," Arthur said, standing up. "And I'll take you to watch me play; you're not truly my friend until you've seen that."

Arthur wondered into the sitting room then, leaving Merlin to wash dishes. Once again neglecting his homework, he picked up Mr. Noodles, who had been resting on blankets, (that Arthur could only assume were Merlin's,) and he set the cat on his lap, petting his head. He flicked on the TV and turned on the sports channel, not paying all that much attention to the babbling man on the screen. Arthur closed his eyes and nearly fell asleep, until he jerked awake from the sound of a shuffle. He looked over and saw Merlin walking out of the kitchen, drying his hands on a dishtowel, before slinging it over his shoulder. He grinned at Arthur.

"When do you fancy taking me to watch you play?"

"I don't know," Arthur shrugged. "Training starts in a few weeks."

Merlin nodded and sat down on the couch. Mr. Noodles then promptly got up and got on Merlin's lap instead, Arthur gasped in offense.

"Fine way to treat your owner!" Arthur said, pretending to be hurt. Though, he might have felt a bit of a real sting in there somewhere. Merlin laughed, petting the cat down the back, with long, gentle fingers.

"He just likes me because I always pay him so much attention."

"He's a user!" Arthur spat.

"Don't be silly, he loves you, don't you, Noodles?" Merlin cooed and the cat looked up, purring loudly. "See, that was cat for 'yes, I love Arthur very much.'"

"You're full of shit, Merlin."

"Yeah, I know I am…"

(A/N: I think I was meant to update yesterday, but my net was out, but I'm here now! This was sort of a filler chapter. Comment and what not!)