Gwaine went and knocked on the bedroom door and went in without waiting for an answer. He found Merlin led on the bed staring into space.
"What's up mate?" Gwaine sat on the bed next to his friend.
"Nothing." Came a mumbled reply "go away"
"No, I'm not, now what's up you two never shout at each other."
"Ask him! Now leave me alone…..Get out!" Merlin's voice rose to a shout.
Gwaine stood up and left going straight to the office and again without knocking walked in. Arthur was sat at his desk his head in his hands.
"What was that all about Arthur?"
"It's none of your business Gwaine, go away and leave me alone."
"No I'm not going to, you two don't shout and even when you do you don't just walk away from each other. Whatever it is go and talk to him." Gwaine was determined to sort this out.
"Gwaine just go away, it's none of your business, leave it be." Arthur looked at Gwaine his eyes full of unshed tears.
"Arthur don't be daft, you're both my friends that makes it my business. Now do I have to get Hunith?"
Arthur sighed "Merlin thinks…he's got it in his head…."
Gwaine waited quietly or Arthur to continue.
"Merlin thinks I fancy Colin…..he thinks I'm after a 'newer, better model' those are his words not mine. I've told him he's imagining things but he won't listen. I can't not talk to the man, and I can't just get rid of him because Merlin is insecure."
"Ah, well that would do it. Trouble is Arthur, he does look a bit like Merlin did when he was younger, and he is just your type. Not that I'm saying there's anything in it." Gwaine could see the problem clearly now.
"Gwaine! He's young enough to be my son! And I love Merlin, I wouldn't be unfaithful, you know that."
"Yes I know that but Merlin has very little self esteem, he's scared of losing you. Don't walk away from him Arthur you'll make it worse, go and hug him make him understand. He loves you he always has, you know that. Don't forget he spent two years being told you didn't care and had moved on."
"Gwaine that was over twenty five years ago!" Arthur looked at Gwaine as if he were mad.
"We both know that means nothing to Merlin, his mind still goes back there you know that. Just cut him some slack please. Go and reassure him, hug him and if necessary get rid of Colin. At least tell Colin what he's up against. If you all work together you can get over this if you want to. Just make sure you don't speak to Colin alone in here or Merlin's mind will work overtime. I'll have a word with Colin if you like."
Gwaine put his hand on Arthur's shoulder "I know Merlin isn't always easy, but he's worth it." Gwaine left the other man to think.
As Gwaine went to leave, Arthur turned to him. "Thank you Gwaine, for caring." Tears started to fall down Arthur's face.
"Go on speak to him. I'll speak to Colin." Gwaine went off and found Colin stood outside the master bedroom.
"Colin could you come with me a minute, Arthur's coming to see Merlin and they want some privacy." Gwaine gave the younger man a smile.
Colin looked you the corridor and saw Arthur heading towards them, so went with Gwaine down towards the gym. The two men sat down on windowsill.
"Look Colin this is a bit difficult so I'll come straight out with it. You know about Merlin's kidnap and some of what happened. Well it left Merlin with a lot of psychological issues as well as the physical ones. He is very insecure."
Colin looked at Gwaine and waited for him to continue.
"Well, he gets lots of flashbacks, it's like he's still there even after all these years."
"I realise he has PTSD I've seen some of the men from Afghanistan come back with it. My uncle had it from the Falklands so I do know a bit about it." Colin said "It wrecks lives"
"Good then you'll understand Merlin can't help how it makes him act. You're looks are very much like Merlin was before he was captured. He was told for two years that Arthur had moved on, he's got it in his head that Arthur fancies you. Merlin is very insecure; those two men love each other so much it's sickening sometimes but that's what's happening at the moment. So if you could just make sure you're aware and make allowances until Merlin gets to know you."
"Sure no problem, I knew he didn't like me but it's good to know why. If it remains a problem I'll get reassigned elsewhere. I'll make sure Mr Merlin knows I'm not interested. I'm engaged anyway and to a woman so that might help. Thanks for letting me know"
"Thanks for understanding. Merlin is a great guy when you get to know him. I don't think all the changes have helped. The other guys were with him since his rescue, he doesn't do changes well. I'll tell Arthur we've spoken." Gwaine was relieved it had gone so well. Now it was just a case of getting Merlin and Arthur back on speaking terms.
Arthur went back into the bedroom and taking of his shoes led down on the bed next to Merlin. Merlin moved away towards the edge of the bed and said nothing. So Arthur moved closer, then putting his arms around pulled Merlin closer to him careful to turn Merlin onto his back a bit.
"Merlin I love you, nothing's changed, and we'll get rid of Colin if you want. Please speak to me." Arthur started to nuzzle into his husbands neck. "I wouldn't look at anyone else, why should I."
Still Merlin said nothing.
"Love please, don't be like this….I need you love" Arthur let his tears fall onto Merlin's neck and he sobbed.