Merlin was pacing back and forth in his living room, biting his thumbnail. He didn't know what to do now, he hadn't heard from Gwaine since their encounter three days ago. Nothing had happened between the two of them, or well, nothing too serious, but he still couldn't let it go without talking to Gwaine about it.

Merlin was making himself crazy with his thoughts and made himself sit down on the couch. He leaned forward until his head was almost touching his knees and his hands clung into his hair.

Merlin knew he didn't like Gwaine that way, he just liked the guy as a friend and he was worried he had screwed it up by drunk kiss him. He just wanted to have a conversation with the guy, to clear everything up, but he didn't want to just show up at his door like that.

Merlin sighed. He'd figure it out sooner or later. He'd take a hot shower now and then make himself ready for tonight's party, Will is supposed to pick him up in about an hour.

Merlin stood in front of his wardrobe closet for the last ten minutes, wearing nothing but boxers so far. He didn't know what to wear, should he do casual or wear a button down. He had to decide soon though, he had only twenty minutes left before Will would come.

He finally settled on a blue buttoned shirt with some dark jeans. Just when he was in the process of putting it on, there was a knock on the front door. He wasn't expecting someone, but curiosity took the better of him. Merlin opened the door with his buttoned shirt still hanging open.

Gwaine's mouth changed into a small 'o' shape as he saw Merlin opening the door, Merlin's hair still damped from the shower and his toned torso peeking out from beneath the shirt. Merlin extended his hand silently and Gwaine walked in, closing the door behind him and following Merlin to the kitchen.

Merlin didn't found it appropriate enough to go to the living room where it all had started. He buttoned his shirt and sat down opposite to Gwaine.

Merlin let his fingers slide over the table top. "Sooo…"

"So." Gwaine repeated. Then he breathed in. "Merlin, I came here to apologize. I shouldn't have kissed you back in the first place, you were drinking and I had a few drinks myself and one thing led to another... don't worry!" Gwaine threw his hands out in Merlin's direction. "Nothing happened between us. I think we both passed out as soon as we ended up under the covers. When I woke up the next morning, I felt bad and panicked. I know I shouldn't have just left you like that. I shouldn't even be with you in the first place."

Gwaine lowered his head. "It's not that you're not good enough or something, but there is someone else. I think I was just frustrated last night and wanted to forget him by using you. I shouldn't have. I'm really sorry."

Merlin let it sink in for a moment. At least Gwaine didn't want to go further with him, so that was good since Merlin wasn't looking for a relationship with Gwaine. Hopefully they could just stay friends after all this.

"Gwaine." Merlin waited until Gwaine looked at him. "It was a stupid mistake, a stupid drunk mistake. I think I was using you too to get over that guy, so we're both screw-ups. Let's just start over and be friends, alright?"

"I'd love that. Friends." Gwaine held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Gwaine."

Merlin snickered and placed his hand in Gwaine's. "Merlin."

They both laughed until the moment got interrupted by Merlin's phone going off. The name on the flashing screen told him that it was Will.

"Sorry, I have to take this." Merlin stood up from the chair and pressed the green symbol. "Hey Will."

"Merlinnnnn, I'm just calling to say I'm at your building in give or take fifteen minutes. So be ready!" Merlin rolled his eyes, if there was one who always had to wait, it was him, not Will.

"Anyways," Will continued. "I thought I'd play a bit modest this evening, so I took the Aston Martin instead of the Lamborghini."

Merlin cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, and make sure that cock of yours is ready for tonight, I hear there are some pretty guys wandering around at the party."

"Will!" Merlin hissed through the phone, his face turned bright red, and it didn't help that Gwaine was looking at him questionably. "Will, I am not having this conversation with you right now. See you in a bit." Merlin cleared his throat when he put his phone back in his pocket. "That was, uhm..."

"You're going somewhere?" Gwaine interrupted.

"Yeah, to some party from a friend of my friend. Leon or something was his name, he lives near the hills."

"No way! That's where I was also going to."

"Really?" Merlin was surprised. "Well if you're going anyway, you could ride with me and my friend Will if you want?"

"Nah, it's fine. I'll just get my own car. You know what, I'll just meet you there. How's that?"

"Perfect!" Merlin almost clapped his hand against each other but refrained from that at the last second. "We don't want to feel weird again now don't we." He added with a nervous laugh.

"No, that would be most unfortunate." Gwaine joked. "Well see you in a bit then. I'll just wait in the front of the house, okay?" Gwaine said, standing up.

Merlin walked Gwaine to the door. "At least I have someone else to talk to then. Once Will had had some alcohol, he can be pretty weird, but he's a good lad."

Gwaine laughed. "Can't wait to meet the guy. He sounds my kind of guy."

Merlin opened the door. "Well, I'm not sure if you're his. I think you have a little bit extra hanging down there." Merlin's eyes wandered down to Gwaine's crotch. "He's about as straight as they come."

Gwaine snorted. "I meant as a drinking buddy."

Merlin blushed. "Oh…"

"Never mind." Gwaine said. "See ya in a bit."

Merlin closed the door with a small smile and his phone beeped by an incoming message.

I'm here, hurry up!

~oOoOo~

"Is this your way of being modest Will?" Merlin mockingly asked, when he got in Will's all-black Aston Martin Vantage.

"What? Not good Merls?" Will waited until Merlin had fastened his seatbelt before driving away with screeching tires. He always did that when Merlin was in the car with him, because he knew that Merlin hated it when he did that. Tonight wasn't any different.

Merlin looked absolutely terrified, he grabbed the handle and clutched on to it with his dear life. "S-sure, it's fine. It's totally you." He said with a shaking voice. "But please slow down now."

Will smirked and started to drive the normal speed again and Merlin could finally relax. Than he started to hit Will's left arm.

"Ow! What you do that for?"

"You know what that's for, you little scofflaw." Merlin finally stopped hitting Will. "For being the total jerk you are."

Will only laughed and stopped in front of the red traffic light.

"Oh and before I forget." Merlin said when they started to drive when the traffic light went to green. "There will be this guy waiting for us at the party. I hope you don't mind."

Will almost crashed the car. Surprised of what Merlin just said. He was quick to control the car again.

"Jesus Will!" Merlin exclaimed, his hard clutching his chest.

"I'm sorry Merls, I was just surprised to hear you have a date! Who's the lucky guy, do I know him?"

Merlin shrugged. "Not really."

"What do you mean not really. It's a simple yes or no question."

"Fine, it's Gwaine." Merlin ultimately answered. He was just waiting for his remark and didn't had to wait long.

"Gwaine… Gwaine! That fucker who used you and then just left without a word." Will's hands tightened over the steering wheel. "Oh he will be sorry to be ever born… why the hell did you invite him!"

Merlin sighed and almost regretted telling Will about what had happened a few nights ago. "Will, it's not a date, we're just friend now. And he did not use me, you know I told you that we hadn't done it."

"He still kissed you."

"Yeah, but not before I kissed him first." Merlin looked to the side towards Will. "Just leave it, okay? He has explained why he did what he did and we both were equally guilty. So just drop it, and please be nice to him, okay?"

Will was still being a bit agitated. "Merlin, you're my best friend. I just don't want to see you getting hurt, that's all."

"I know." Merlin said, now looking out the window. They were just driving through the gates and up the driveway leading up to Leon's mansion.

"Okay, now there's Gwaine." Merlin saw Gwaine casually leaning against his black Ferrari with his arms crossed.

Will huffed. "That car is so last season." He murmured.

"Ah shut it Will and just come to meet him. And be. nice!" Merlin gave his friend a pointed look, at which Will just eye rolled. They both got out of the car and walked up to Gwaine.

Will wasn't being nice like Merlin asked him too. He acted like Gwaine wasn't even there. Gwaine however took matters into his own hands. He reached forward and grabbed one of Will's hands into his own. "The name's Gwaine."

"What the f-"

"Will…" Merlin said with a cautious tone.

Will looked at Merlin, Merlin's eyes didn't look at him all too friendly and Will grumbled. "Let;s just go inside." Will replied with a sigh. He started to walk up the steps leading up to the door.

"What's up with him?" Gwaine nodded in Will's direction.

"Nothing, he's just being Will. He'll come around soon enough."

"I hope you're right, Merlin." Gwaine retorted.

~oOoOo~

The party was in full swing. Arthur stood at one of the tables with Leon, watching how all the people were walking around and chatting with each other. Leon wasn't lying when he said that he invited men, Arthur guessed that at least seventy per cent of the people were males.

Arthur leaned over to the side to whisper in Leon's ear, "I still can't believe you've organized this… dating show."

"It's not a dating show Arthur. Just think of it as a friendly gesture. And come on you never know what will come out of it." He brushed his shoulder against Arthur's.

"Well I still think it's stupid." Arthur grumbled.

"Now come on, turn that frown upside down. The men don't want a sourpuss to look at, and to be frank, neither do I. So come on where is that smile of yours?"

Arthur feigned a big grin.

Leon rolled his eyes. "Hopeless, absolutely hopeless." Leon eyes fell on the people that just walked through the door and recognized Will. The other guy with black hair and blue eyes lingered a bit at the door entrance. Leon saw Will looking around and then Will's eyes looked in his direction and Leon gave a small wave. Will soon made his way to their table, while the guy who came with him kept standing at the door, looking into the hallway as if he was waiting for someone else.

Leon nudged Arthur's arm, but Arthur didn't respond to him. He instead kept staring into his glass out of boredom. Leon nudged again, a bit harder this time. Arthur still didn't look up, but Leon started to talk to Arthur anyway. "Arthur that guy I had talked about earlier this week is here. You know the one I met on the airport, I told him about my awesome party which, as you know now, was secretly a cover to be looking for potential partners for you." Leon gave a little wink towards Arthur who still thought that his glass is more fascinating than Leon's story. "Anywho, He told me that he has a gay friend who happened to be single, so I told him that he'd just bring him along as well and tadaa, it looks he did. Ah come on Arthur, just look at the guy, it's the one with black hair standing at the door."

After a deep sigh, Arthur finally decided to glance up and right that moment his heart skipped a beat. "No way." He whispered.

"What's that Arthur?"

"No way." He said a bit louder now and placed his hand on Leon's shoulder. "Leon, I could kiss you right now!"

"Err… okay, why?"

"That's the guy, that doctor, I told you about!" Arthur's eyes sparkled with joy when he turned around again to look at Merlin. His heart did a small flutter.

Leon looked between Arthur and Merlin. "what! No way. That's your dream doctor?" Leon turned his gaze back at Merlin to take a better look at him and nodded approvingly. "Well I can see why you're attracted to him. If I were gay I'd tap that." Leon smirked slightly when Arthur glared evilly at him. Leon pushed his shoulder hard against Arthur's, making Arthur take a step forward.

Arthur frowned back at him. Leon just ignored the look and made a shooing motion with his hand. "What are you waiting for Arthur, stop fidgeting and start mingling with him!"

At that moment Will arrived at the table and shook Leon's hand and clasped him on his arm. "So this is the infamous Arthur you organized this party for?" He turned towards Arthur and held his arm out to shake hands, but Arthur was a bit too occupied by staring at Merlin.

"Arthur" Leon poked him in his side.

"Oh sorry." He put his hand onto Will's. "Arthur." He replied curtly, not taking his eyes of his target. "Please excuse me for a moment."

Just when he took a step he heard Will saying. "You won't believe who Merlin brought with him. He's such a bag of dicks."

Arthur turned on his heel and walked forward until he was right in front of Will. "Who… who did he bring?"

"Look for yourself." Will nodded towards the corner where Merlin was now standing with his accompanist. The guy was leaning a bit too close to Merlin for Arthur's liking. Whispering stuff into his ear that made Merlin laugh out loud with his head thrown back.

And then Arthur realized who it was.

"Gwaine." He spat out through clenched teeth.

"Oh god, no." Will heard Leon saying. "Arthur, he's not worth-" But before he could finish his sentence Arthur was already on his way.

Leon was quick to follow and pulled Arthur back at his arm, turning him around. "Arthur, don't. Just don't. Just come back to the table. Don't let Gwaine get this satisfaction of seeing you winding yourself up, it's probably his intention all along."

Arthur jerked his arm free of Leon's hold but thought about what Leon said for a second. He glanced towards Merlin who was still enjoying himself very much with Gwaine. He never even noticed that Arthur was there. He dropped his head and inhaled deeply through his nose, before following Leon back to their table.

"Okaaay… What was that all about?" Will asked.

"Don't you know who that is? And what the hell is he doing with Merlin! He has to stay away from Merlin, or I'll make him stay away from him!" Arthur growled.

"Arthur, calm down." Leon whispered, pushing a new beer into his friend's hand.

"I don't really know him." Will shrugged. "Well, I know that his name is Gwaine and he lives in the same building as Merlin."

"What! He lives in the same- oh well that's just the fucking cherry on top of this fucking cake" Arthur threw his hands up in desperation.

"Ermh, I'm still lost. I know Gwaine is a dick for the five minutes I've had now known him, but what has he done to you?"

Arthur's about to give Will a whole tantrum about Gwaine but just in time Leon intervenes. "It's complicated." Leon said. He explained how Gwaine and Arthur were both professional motorcyclist and told him that they used to be in a relationship, but things went wrong. Leon didn't specifically told Will what Gwaine had done to Arthur, he knew that the subject was still a sensitive point for Arthur.

Will didn't elaborate on it too much, he sensed from the tone that Leon used that he didn't really wanted to talk about it. All he did was stare at Arthur with his head tilted from the left to the right side and then up and down, biting his under lip in the process.

"Are you... Okay?" Arthur asked, some concern coming through his voice.

"Well…" Will tapped his fingers on his mouth. "First let me ask this, how exactly do you know Merlin?"

"Oh! Uhm well you see my father had to go to the hospital because of a painful shoulder and Merlin was the attending doctor. I met Merlin when the appointment was finished and I went to my father to ask him if he was ready so I could drive him back home. Then the other day I saw him in the park and we had talked for a bit on what he demands is his bench and then I gave him a li-"

"Lift on your motorcycle!" Will finished with a gleeful tone. "Well be damned, you are mystery man!"

"Excuse me, who am I?"

"Mystery man… or well that's how I call him. Merlin hasn't shut up about a guy he met this week, but for the life of him he wouldn't give me his name. I tried everything to find out who it was. i even touched his neck! Normally he always succumbs when someone touches his neck, but nope, not this time." Will playfully shook his head.

"But wait, he also said something about the guy not being gay, but it has to be you. Who else could it be? certainly not Gwaine." Will pulled a disgusted face. "Oh wait wait wait, I know how I can be sure. What's the colour of your motorcycle?"

Arthur was a bit shocked and confused by this wave of information. "Erm. Black, with yellow stripes."

Will squeaked, realizing too late that it sounded very unmanly. "It is you! Oh please go to him… and don't forget to mention your gay, it will probably speed up the process." He slapped Arthur on his butt at which Arthur started to blush.

"Oh don't get exited pretty boy." Will said. "I don't play on your team. But seriously you have to talk to him, call it destiny for all I care. I'll take care of the Gwaine issue, just give me a few minutes." Before Arthur, or Leon, could say anything else, Will was already on his way towards the spot where Merlin and Gwaine stood.

"Okay, what the hell did just happened?" Arthur turned to Leon with big eyes and confusion was written all over his face. Leon chuckled at the sight.

"Well it seems that you are going to talk to your prince charming now, pretty boy." Leon smirked when Arthur rolled his eyes.

Arthur looked back to the place where Merlin stood and saw that Will dragged Gwaine away. He saw that Merlin started to protest to it, but Will didn't want to have any of it and just waved his hand up and down to his friend.

"You can do it Arthur. I know you can." Leon told his friend and placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders, giving them a short squeeze.

Arthur took a few deep breaths and squared his shoulders.

Two more steps, almost there. Arthur thought to himself, his hands were starting to feel all sweaty and his breathing became a bit more rapid. Arthur swallowed when he was standing right in front of Merlin, but Merlin didn't seem to notice him. He just kept looking down to his cup, swirling the contents of it around.

"Hi."

Merlin startled and his head jerked up, "Arthur!" Merlin said, but it came out a bit too squeaky. He quickly coughed and cleared his throat, trying to cover up his exclamation. "I mean, what are you doing here?"

Arthur laughed. "Well this party is kinda organized for me, so it seems necessary that I would be here. You see, my best friend Leon over there," Arthur pointed towards Leon who casually waved back, "decided that it was time to find myself a guy again."

Merlin's mouth gaped open.

"Something wrong Merlin?" Arthur asked, with a slight sarcasm in his voice. He knew exactly the look that's on Merlin's face. It was usually the someone would give him when they would find out that he was gay.

Within seconds, Merlin's expression turned from one of shock to one of relief and happiness, like hearing that he was gay was the best news he ever heard.

Merlin however, acted casually about it. "No, nothing's wrong. It's just, erm how to say this nice. Well I didn't knew you were gay, that's all."

"That's all?" Hard to keep his face straight, Arthur laughed out loud. "Well thanks for the support mate." Arthur said, clapping him on the arm and leaving his hand there.

Merlin looked down at the hand on his arm, he started to blush. Arthur stepped closer, his hand slid down on Merlin's arm until it reached Merlin's hand and after a moment of hesitation he entwined their fingers together. He looked deep into Merlin's eyes and was happy to see that Merlin did the same.

Merlin momentarily forgot his surrounding, because right then it was just him and Arthur. Was he dreaming right now?

Arthur leaned forward and whispered in Merlin's ear, "Are you okay with this?"

Merlin nodded slowly. "You have no idea how much I want this." He breathed out.

A small smile appeared in the corner of Arthur's lips and he closed the distance between him and Merlin completely, starting to press soft kisses on Merlin's neck and slowly working his way up to Merlin's mouth.

Merlin's breath caught in the back of his throat and he closed his eyes, this was the moment he was waiting for. However, he never felt those butter soft lips on his own lips, instead he felt a breath encircling his ear.

"Not here." Arthur whispered in his ear.