Merlin was up and waiting when Arthur picked him up at five o'clock on Monday morning, he had taken quite a bit of stick, from Gilli his flatmate, about going on holiday. Not that Merlin had told him where he was going. They might be flat mates but they were hardly friends, probably because they hardly saw each other. Both until recently had two jobs and both worked funny hours, Sunday being the only day they always had off together, then usually one of them went out. Their flat just wasn't big enough for two men to comfortably share, unless you were partners. Gilli was working hard to get some money together so he could move out into somewhere better anyway. Merlin hoped it would take him a bit longer as he didn't fancy having to go through the process of finding a new flatmate before he moved out. It was also rented in Gilli's name so that would add complications Merlin didn't need.

Merlin had borrowed his mothers suitcase and packed his few clothes, not that he had much, he did go out and buy a new pair of jeans, a shirt and a couple of t shirts with some of the money from Agravaine. He sent the rest to the hospital in case his mother needed anything when he was gone. He hated leaving her, but try as he might, he hadn't been able to convince his mother he should say. Putting his case in the boot of the car he jumped in and put his seat belt on. The hadn't seem much of Arthur since the meeting with his mother, except for a short meeting on the Sunday to go through things to make sure they got their stories matching.

"I hope you've packed your suit." Arthur said to him as he looked at Merlin's old jeans and t shirt.

"Yes but I didn't think I'd wear it just to travel. I wanted to be comfortable." Merlin relied.

"Do you have something else you could change into before we board?" Arthur asked

"Why, what's wrong with what I've got on."Merlin demanded.

"We are flying business class!" came the snarky comment "You are a bit scruffy"

"Oh, well I have a new pair of jeans and a shirt in my case."

"Good, change as soon as we get to the airport, I'll book us in." Arthur told him.

As soon as they got to the airport Merlin opened his case and got out his new jeans and a shirt. "If you wait a minute I'll put these in." Merlin ran to the toilets and quickly changed, then put then other in his case. They then checked in and went through to the discharge lounge.

"You were lucky you know I only got my passport last year, me and mum were going to go to London to see Gaius, and then she got diagnosed." Merlin told him. "Mind you if I didn't have one you couldn't have bullied me."

"I'm sure we could have got you an emergency passport." Arthur told him. "Now I suggest we spend the next seven hours getting to know all about one another. Oh and don't forget London is five hours ahead of us so change your watch at sometime before we land."

As they sat in the departure lounge Merlin was pleased Arthur had made him change. Most of the passengers were very well dressed and even in his new cloths he felt a bit out of place. Arthur of course was in one of his Armani Suits and looked immaculate. Once on board the two men did as Arthur suggested an spent the journey talking, making sure to exchange all sorts of personal information that would normally be exchanged during dates, they both felt they knew the other much better by the time they landed in London.

Once they had disembarked and collected their luggage they went through to the arrivals area, when they got there a woman came up to them and through her arms around Arthur and kissed him before looking at Merlin with interest. She was a very well dressed woman about the same age as Arthur with long dark hair and green eyes.

"This must me Merlin, Welcome to London I'm Morgana, Arthur's sister" she held out a hand with perfectly manicured nails.

"Hello Morgana, nice to meet you" Merlin said before looking at Arthur.

"As I explained this harpy is my half sister, and is to be treated with caution, she bites" Arthur smirked.

"Like you then" Merlin quipped

"Oh I like him" Arthur "You need someone to keep you in your place." Morgana laughed. "Come on Leon's in the car let's get you home, I thought you could stay with us tonight, that way you can get your food in tomorrow before going home, anyway we have lots to talk about."

Once they were back at Morgana's London home it was nine o'clock in the evening, even if Merlin's body clock told him it was a lot earlier. But even after eating the in flight food Merlin was starving and very pleased that Morgana had supper waiting for them. He was introduced to Leon, Morgana's lawyer husband who would be writing their pre nuptial agreement. The first thing Arthur asked him to do was arrange for Hunith's entire medical bill to be met.

"She is to have anything and everything she needs" he looked at Merlin "She's a good woman and deserves the best."

Merlin gave Arthur such a smile Arthur felt it was worth every penny "Thank you, you're right she does. I just wish I could have provided for her better from the beginning."

"Don't worry Merlin; you're doing something for me that will more than repay me. Now I suggest in the next couple of days, while I'm at work, you use the money Agravaine gave you to sort out your wardrobe." Arthur said smugly.

"I can't! I left it with the hospital in case mum needed anything." Merlin told the blonde.

"Well in that case let me know how much and that can be your budget." Arthur turned to Morgana "Can you supervise Merlin; he has appalling taste and looks for bargains! You should have heard him squawk when I spent six hundred pounds on a suit for him."

"I don't need supervision, just because I have been brought up to be careful with money" Merlin said "and I don't squawk!"

"Don't worry brother dear I'm sure we'll get on fine" Morgana turned to Merlin "It's good you know the value of money but my brother has more than enough, and he's right for once you will need a decent wardrobe. After all you are marrying a wealthy man. And I love shopping!"

"Yes especially with someone else's money" Leon said "Take my advice Merlin, make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes on."

The two men turned in early to get over their jet lag. Merlin was given a bedroom as big as his flat and a mattress so comfortable he didn't think he would be able to get out of bed in the morning. He liked Morgana and Leon, even if Morgana did scare him a bit. Despite all that was going through his head he was soon asleep. The next morning he was woken by Arthur who was just leaving for work.

"Get up sleepyhead, Morgana is making you breakfast, then you're off shopping. I've given my sister a list. We will be going out tonight with some of my friends, so best behaviour" Arthur grinned "and a pre-warning, since you asked, there will be public displays of affection." With that Arthur left.

Merlin's day was hectic, he had never been in so many shops, nor spent so much money in one day, what had he got himself involved in? Morgana was relentless and refused to stop except for lunch. He had so many bags by the time they had finished they could hardly get them into the car. When they finally finished Morgana drove to Arthur's London home.

"He will be back soon, come on in and have a look around." Morgana told him as she opened the door. Merlin looked round at the flat and was surprised at how big it was. All this for one man, it suited Arthur's personality, everything was in its place and there was splashes of red among the mainly black and white decoration. It was very tastefully decorated. The only room he didn't look in was the master bedroom. His room had its own on suite, so there would be no embarrassing moments in the mornings when they got up. In fact they could probably send all day and not need to meet each other.

During the course of the day Merlin had found that Morgana was relentless in whatever she set herself to do, she already knew more about him than Arthur did and had 'persuaded' him to buy clothes he would never have considered. She also terrified him when he complained about the cost of some of his clothes.

"You wait until your married, how much do you think Arthur's suits cost! I doubt he's got one that cost less than fifteen hundred pounds. Even his shirts are about two hundred." Merlin's jaw dropped, to him that was ridiculous money and he had no intention of allowing Arthur to spend that sort of money on him.

Morgana had found herself really liking Merlin, she thought he was just the sort of person who could make her brother happy, and was already planning on them staying together after the five year period. She was worried he would be a gold digger, but instead found a sweet and kind man who would be the perfect foil to her brother. In fact she was patting herself on the back for suggesting him.

Arthur got home to find Merlin and his sister in one of the guest bedrooms filling the wardrobe and chest of draws with clothes. "I see you were successful" he said as he watched them.

"Oh yes, we got everything on the list, but we overspent a bit" Morgana told him as she went into her handbag and handed over the receipts "You owe me six hundred pounds."

Merlin looked at her "We spent nearly three thousand pounds? That's ridiculous do you know how many clothes I could have bought for that!"

"No, that was your budget Arthur's was always higher, we spent four thousand six hundred, I told Arthur your budget was insufficient; now stop moaning it wasn't your money. You look drop dead gorgeous in some of those clothes. I've left the ones out for you to wear tonight, so make sure that's what you wear" Morgana told him. "I must be going; I'll see you both later." With that she disappeared out of the door.

"Come on Merlin you look shattered, I know what it's like shopping with the harpy, let's have a cup of tea and then you can have a long soak before we go out." Arthur looked at Merlin with sympathy. "I have a couple days off at the end of the week, before you go back, I promise we will go and see Gaius. As you've finished the shopping today tomorrow you can recover."

True to his word Arthur made sure Merlin had time for a long soak before he had to get ready to go out. Once Merlin put on the clothes Morgana had set out for him he looked at himself in the mirror. He had on a blue shirt that matched the colour of his eyes and a pair of dark blue trousers that showed off his bum. The jacket was a better fit than he was used to; he was too thin and long limbed for most to fit him properly. He had been tempted to wear the jeans and shirt he had bought before leaving America but decided he didn't want to cross Arthur's sister. He tried to get his hair to settle down but gave up, his previous boyfriend Will, had always said he had hair that made him look like he has just got out of bed. Merlin's mood fell as the memories came to him and he tried to shrug then off. No good came of going down that road. Never again would he allow himself to be back in that place. Merlin put on his new shoes and went down stairs to wait for Arthur.

Arthur was already waiting; he looked poised and confident, as well as very good looking. His red shirt brought out the gold of his hair. Merlin found himself wondering once again why this beautiful man hadn't been snapped up long ago, but then if his father was so homophobic perhaps it explained a lot.

Arthur looked at Merlin and was surprised at how good he looked, it would be easy to pass of Merlin as the love of his life, after all the young man fitted his type in every way, it was just a pity Merlin was so young, it seemed wrong to him to be marrying a twenty year old, when he agreed to look up Merlin he had thought he was a few years older and even that had seemed young. With Merlin so many years younger than him and he felt like a cradle snatcher. The good thing about it was that Merlin would still be young enough, once their agreement was over, at twenty five, to make a good life for his self. For the first time Arthur wondered if he was doing the right thing.

Arthur had booked a taxi so they could both drink. They were having a meal then going on to a club. He wondered looking at Merlin whether the young man had identity on him but decided not to ask, he was sure Merlin was used to being asked his age, when he smiled he looked so young. If not he was sure the Pendragon name would do the trick it usually done for most things. When they arrived at the restaurant they were soon settled at a table with Arthur's friends, this time there was no Agravaine and Merlin felt more relaxed from the very beginning. One of Arthur's friends openly flirted with Merlin, who if he hadn't been Arthur's 'boyfriend' may well have flirted back. Arthur glared at the man and put an arm possessively round Merlin; after all it wouldn't do to let the charade slip.

"Gwaine keep your flirting to unattached people if you don't mind" Arthur growled.

"Keep your hair on Princess, young Merlin here might prefer me" Gwaine replied winking at Merlin.

"Sorry Gwaine, too late" Merlin grinned. That made the rest of the group laugh. As well as Morgana, Leon and Gwaine, Merlin was introduced to Percy, Lancelot, Kay, Gwen, Mithian and Kara. Elyan was also there. They were all good friends as well as work colleagues with the exception of Leon and Morgana. Merlin thought it must be nice to work with people you got on so well with.

The meal was very enjoyable and as it was a set menu Merlin didn't have to make any choices. Once they had finished they moved on to a night club where the fun continued. Merlin loved to dance and found himself out on the floor with Arthur on several occasions. Arthur got surprisingly handsy during the slower numbers. When Merlin asked him what he was up to Arthur smirked "We are supposed to be all over each other Merlin! Remember PDA" as he nuzzled into Merlin's neck.

At one stage Gwaine walked passed and said "Get a room you two" which made Merlin blush. After that Merlin decided to sit out a few dances but found he was no better off as Arthur sat next to him and made a point putting his arm round Merlin and pulling him into the occasional kiss.

By the time the evening was over Merlin was feeling slightly uncomfortable. It was when Arthur made him feel special, but he knew it wasn't real. Unfortunately his body didn't seem to know the difference and during once close dance Merlin had been mortified to find himself going hard as Arthur ground their hips together. He nearly hit Arthur when the blond had whispered "Hormones playing up Merlin" He thought he could get his own back later giving Arthur a passionate kiss but all he got in return was Arthur's hands clutching at his backside and pulling him closer, that did nothing for his libido.

But as soon as they got into the taxi and on the way home, Arthur reverted to his more distant self. Merlin decided he was going to find the two Arthur's difficult to cope with. Merlin decided there and then he was going to have to try to keep Arthur at arm's length as much as possible. He told himself it was only because he hadn't had a relationship for three years and nothing more.

Once they got back to Arthur's flat Merlin went straight to his room. He had a poor night's sleep as his brain wouldn't settle. Memory's he had buried came flooding back, and when he did sleep it was to have a bad dream. He was glad when he got up next morning to find Arthur long since gone. The blond had left a note in the kitchen next to the kettle together with a key.

Merlin,

Here is a key in case you wish to go out today, either way help yourself to anything you need from the flat and enjoy your rest. When I get back we are going to go out for a meal so please don't eat. If you need to contact me for anything important you have my mobile number. I will be back at five thirty.

A.

Merlin looked through the cupboards and found some cereal and had a breakfast before having a shower and getting dressed in his old joggers and t shirt. He fully intended to have a lazy day in front of the television. Due to the lack of sleep the night before he soon dozed off, but once again his dreams weren't at all restful. Once he woke he decided to phone his mother to make sure she was ok. As soon as he got through and started to speak to his mother she knew all was not well with her son, and wouldn't let it rest.

"Are you getting your nightmares again?" she asked him.

"Only once, we went out for a meal last night and I ate rich food." Merlin told her "I'm fine"

"Merlin, have you told Arthur? Because if you haven't you should, I'm sure he would help you get through it. After all it is the first time you've dated since….."

"No I haven't and I'm not going to, I told you I will be fine. Please don't worry, concentrate on getting better." To change the subject he said "We're going to see Gaius at the weekend, I'm going to ring him later and let him know, do you what me to past on any messages?"

Hunith knew exactly what her son was doing went along with it, after all her son was an adult now. "Yes give him a hug for me and tell him I miss him. Now this call is costing you a fortune so I'll say goodbye and see you soon, look after yourself and love you."

"I love you Mum and I will see you on Monday."

Once Merlin put the phone down he found Gaius number and left a message on the old man's answer phone to say he would be visiting at the weekend and he would be in touch as soon as he knew the day and time. Then he decided to go and decide what to wear that evening.

By the time Arthur walked in the doo Merlin was back on the sofa watching television. "You look comfortable, if rather tatty" Arthur told him looking at the old cloths Merlin was wearing.

"They're comfortable and no one can see me." Merlin snapped "We can't all be dressing like a model all the time."

"I swear Merlin once were married I am going to burn all those old clothes. You have a decent body, why don't you at least try to look good. You have a wardrobe of other things. I can't believe I paid money to have those flown across the Atlantic." Arthur said in exasperation.

"Just for that I think I'll wear these out tonight." Merlin quipped.

"You won't I will strip you off if you even dare try. In fact I will go and select what you are going to wear." Arthur stomped off to Merlin's bedroom and began to sort through the cloths.

Arthur put a pair of slacks, a shirt and tie on the bed as Merlin stomped into the room. "There wear those, and don't make me dress you. We leave in an hour and a half." He turned to walk towards his own room.

"I'll wear what I want! Or not go out at all. You don't get to own me!" Merlin shouted.

"Merlin don't be so infantile, just calm down. I'll see you later I'm going to have a soak I've had a long day and I'm fed up with dealing with fools and idiots."

Merlin sat on the edge of his bed and stared down at the clothes laying there, he felt so miserable, he knew it was partly due to his bad dreams but he was also homesick and, not for the first time, wondering if he had done the right thing. It had seemed so easy when Arthur had suggested the marriage, but Merlin was beginning to realise it was going to be anything but easy.

In his bath Arthur was calming down and feeling sorry he had snapped at Merlin, but he couldn't understand the younger mans attitude, after all with all the nice cloths he had why did he choose to be such a bum. But at the same time Arthur realised he hadn't handled it well, he had a meeting with Agravaine just before coming home and took out his frustration on Merlin. He just hoped that Merlin had calmed down before they went out.

Merlin had indeed calmed down although he didn't put on the cloths that Arthur got out for him, he did however put on some of his new ones so Arthur decided it best to ignore the change. They went to one of the restaurants that was favoured by the younger better off Londoners and Merlin soon found himself enjoying Arthur's company. At least there wasn't too much opportunity for open displays of affection although Arthur did guide him to his seat with a hand at the small of his back and paid him an almost excess of attention during the meal. As they left Merlin was surprised to find they had their photograph taken. Arthur pointed out that there was several television stars in the restaurant and the paparazzi had probably been taking pictures of everyone just in case.

The next day they were both surprised find that one of the tabloid newspapers had printed the picture under the caption 'One of London's most eligible bachelors seen out on Gay date'