Merlin felt Arthur's tears on his neck then felt him shake as he started to sob. His heart started to melt and he it had been something he had done, something that had driven Arthur away. Merlin slowly turned over to face Arthur and looked into the other mans eyes as if to read his mind. Arthur looked back unflinching.

"Darling you've always been the one for me… I've never needed to look elsewhere…. please believe me….. I love you, every inch of you." The blond said between sobs.

"Why Arthur, why all the looks and laughing, I see you whispering to each other why?" Merlin asked his voice flat.

"I don't look at him, I talk and laugh with them all Merlin. I'm sorry if I have given you reason to doubt me. Please believe me; I can't stand us like this." Arthur moved his head forward to kiss the other man.

Merlin pulled his face away out of reach. He looked at his husband for a moment then looked at the ceiling.

"I wouldn't blame you, not really. I'm a wreck, your worth far better than me. But be honest please…. I don't want you staying with me for pity…I'd rather you were happy." Merlin's voice was devoid of emotion, he sounded completely resigned.

"Merlin what do I have to do to convince you! I love you and only you I have since I first saw you. You mean everything to me…..don't do this." Arthur sat up and leaning on his elbow moved his head until it was over Merlin's "Look at me Merlin, look into my eyes, I LOVE YOU."

Merlin turned his head away and looked out of the window. "I wish I believed that, but I don't." with that he stood up and walked out of the room.

Arthur led there for awhile totally lost. How could he convince Merlin? Arthur was scared what the other man would do; he looked so beaten, as if he'd lost all hope. Arthur got up and went out of the room. There was no sign of Merlin anywhere. He saw Colin who said Merlin had gone into the annex. Arthur was going to follow him but instead went to find Gwaine.

Arthur went across to Gwaine cottage and found him there. "Gwaine what can I do, he won't believe me. I'm scared he'll do something daft."

"Where is he now?" Gwaine asked.

"In the annex, I can't leave him like this, but he won't let me in, he won't believe me. Why did I have to make the changes we were ok until then."

"Look Arthur let him think for a bit. Hunith will talk to him I'm sure and I'll come over and stay with him, give him time. I've spoken to Colin he understands, he's had dealing with PTSD and what it does to people. He said he'll leave if he needs to. I'll talk to Merlin again….you know Colin has a girlfriend he's straight that might make Merlin think. Just give him space." Gwaine shock his head, he felt so sorry for the pair of them.

"Stay over here a bit, I'll go over." Gwaine stood up and left to go to the bungalow.

Hunith was surprised to see Merlin, he didn't look very happy and it didn't take her long to get him to speak to her. She was amazed at what Merlin had to say. Not for a moment did she believe that Arthur would do this to her son. They were so much in love. Hunith let Merlin talk himself out, she was worried he was so flat, no emotion, as if he was resigned to losing Arthur.

"Look Merlin, are you sure? Without any doubt what so ever. Because son you need to be sure." Hunith asked him.

"I'm sure."

"Have you asked Arthur, what did he say?" Hunith was determined to get this sorted.

"He says he loves me and it isn't true. But I know it is." Merlin looked at her. He was broken.

"Come on Merlin, come and lie down you look awful. Have a rest and we'll sort it all out my boy." She led him into her bedroom and made him lie down.

She sat by his side until she was sure he was asleep. Then she quietly went to her sitting room and rang the bungalow and asked to speak to Arthur. Gwaine came to the phone. They spoke and then tried to find a solution. Both men clearly loved one another, but equally both men were stubborn. Gwaine agreed that Merlin was at risk of doing something silly. Gwaine said he would ring the CPN for advice in the mean time Merlin would stay with Hunith for as long as possible.

By the time Hunith got back to check on Merlin he had gone, she went back towards the bungalow to spot him going out the door in his wheelchair with the dogs. At that moment Colin came though to check who was opening the door. Hunith said it was Merlin. Now Colin had a problem, if he went after Merlin would it make things worse, but he couldn't leave him. Percy came in to ask why Merlin was out on his own. Colin asked Percy to follow him while he quickly spoke to Arthur.

Percy was surprised but did as he was asked. Colin went looked for Arthur but found Gwaine first. Gwaine then went after Percy and Merlin and left Colin to go and talk to Arthur.

Percy caught up with Merlin who just ignored him. Percy just walked along beside the wheelchair and let the other man settle down he was clearly upset. Then he heard someone running after them. Looking round he saw Gwaine. Gwaine caught up with them and stood in front of Merlin stopping him. He bent down and looked Merlin straight in the eye.

"What the fucking hell are you up to? Don't act like such a stupid idiot and get yourself back home."

"No! I need to get out of there; I can't be in the same house as them!" Merlin was angry. "I'm not a child I can do what I want. Anyway it doesn't matter anymore does it, Arthur would be better off with me gone."

Percy looked at the pair in amazement wondering that had happened. Gwaine took Merlin by the shoulders and was about to shake the man before getting hold of himself.

"You idiot! Arthur loves you; don't do this to him Merlin. He's not being unfaithful I promise you. Now let's go back and sort this out."

"No the dogs need a walk, and I'm not going back yet. Get out of my way Gwaine."

Gwaine stood up and let Merlin continue and the two other men followed. They were out for nearly two hours before Merlin decided to go back, by then he was calmer but still not talking.