They sat together cup of tea in hand letting their food settle. Arthur had to admit Merlin was by far the better cook, but to be honest although he could cook and did it was often easier for him to go out and eat, it wasn't like he couldn't afford it. It was nice sitting and relaxing, the cottage wasn't big but it was full of personality and warmth. Merlin found himself begin to relax, it had been a traumatic day for him all round.

"That was great thank you, how are you feeling?" Arthur asked

Merlin looked at his boss, sadness deep in his eyes. "I feel empty, we were friends all our lives and then lovers, now I feel we have lost everything. I would have liked to have been friends again one day, but not now. He was all had left from my childhood, all my memories including the ones with mum had Will in them." Merlin swallowed back his emotion. "Even my last photo of Mum has will in it, now I don't know if I can even look at that"

Arthur wasn't sure what to say "Can I see it? I know a man that is an expert in photo manipulation he could probably do something for you"

Merlin went and got the photo "When Will left I was going to try and rip him out, but couldn't do it."

"Can I take this? I promise to keep it safe"

"Yes, I can't bare to look at it now anyway" Merlin Looked at Arthur "Do you have anyone"

"No, not me. Up to now I have avoided relationships, but lately I have been changing my mind. I want something settled, I'm fed up with a different face every week."

Merlin snorted "So just like that you'll find someone, mind you I except you will. You're a good looking man after all."

Arthur looked at Merlin in shock "I didn't mean it like that, what I should have said is I think I might have found the other half I have been looking for. My mother says I have commitment issues and almost impossibly high standards"

"And do you? Sorry that was personal, lets change the subject" Merlin blushed to think how personal he had just got.

"No I'll tell you, my parents are very much in love, I sometimes wonder why, my father isn't an easy man, but I want what they have. If that's wrong then yes I do have impossibly high standards, but not in any way other than feelings, I just haven't felt that spark before."

"I'm not sure if I ever did with Will, I have been thinking about it, did I just drift into a relationship because everyone expected it to happen? Will said I will be a lonely old man if I don't go back to him, and I probably will be, I don't do people very well. Friends yes, I have very good ones. But I just don't seem to have what it takes to find someone. I mean who would want someone like me?" Merlin didn't sound self-pitying just resigned. "It's not easy being gay in a country area and the thought of going to gay clubs just doesn't appeal." Then realising what he was revealing Merlin closed up. "Sorry you don't want to listen to my insecurities. Did your mother enjoy her trip?"

From then on the conversation stayed on safe topics until Arthur looked at his watch "Well I'd best get going, I will see you tomorrow for the BBQ I'll bring some wine and maybe some strawberries or something for a sweet"

"Thank you, you don't need to. I suggest you park down the road a bit where the lane is wider or come with one of the others. They normally bundle into a couple of cars. And Arthur thank you for today, it was a great help having someone here and I'm sorry to have messed up your day. Please thank your mother for me for grannies pot"

"I'm glad I could help, if you need help just ask Merlin. And if he bothers you again call the police." Arthur was reluctant to leave Merlin alone but at least he now had new locks. "Your phone has my personal phone number on it where I tried to ring earlier just call anytime"

"Thank you, but you have done more than enough. See you tomorrow"

Once Arthur was gone Merlin locked up and also pulled the bolts across he knew he didn't need to but he would sleep better he knew. It had been nice having company that evening, it had helped him to calm down, even if he had made a fool of himself talking so personally. He went up to bed and eventually fell asleep. His dreams were not of Will but of Arthur and he woke up feeling he needed to sort himself out, having a crush on his boss would be worse than his best friend. And would not only be inappropriate but unobtainable. He wouldn't let himself be fool enough to believe anything else. But at least it showed he was moving on from Will.

Merlin spent the morning cutting the lawns and making sure everything was ready. He got the outside tables and chairs from the garage and cleaned them. At first when the others had suggested the BBQ he had been reluctant, after all it was a bad week for him. But Gwen had talked him into it saying his mum wouldn't want him to be miserable. Now he was glad as it was stopping him thinking of the events of the day before.

The first to arrive was the team all crammed into one car as usual. They unloaded the car then Elyan went and parked it further down the road. They each hugged Merlin and said nothing about the recent events. Until that is Elyan spoke up "I hear Gwaine and Arthur are coming. And that you had problems yesterday"

Gwaine had warned Elyan when he saw him that afternoon, so he would know that Will had been causing problems. Elyan had told the others on the way over. "Yeh I did but it is sorted now" Merlin's voice had an edge to it that told the others not to say more.

They were just getting the meat on the BBQ when Arthur and Gwaine arrived each carrying a bag of bottles and some strawberries and cream. After Gwaine had put the bottles down he walked up to Merlin and gave him a hug. "How's your injuries?"

"They were nothing Gwaine, Arthur shouldn't have told you all"

"Yes I should, these are your friends and they want to be there for you" Arthur said. He handed Merlin a smaller bag. "Hope that suits"

Merlin opened the bag and inside was the photo of his mum with Will gone instead Hunith was stood next to the tree in the garden. "How?" Merlin said amazed

"I took some pictures on my phone yesterday and my friend used them." Arthur admitted.

Merlin gave Arthur a hug "Thank you it was her favourite place in the garden and were she is now"

Arthur was pleased at the response and hugged Merlin back, enjoying the feel of the slim man in his arms. Then Merlin felt Arthur tense and released him quickly "Sorry" he muttered.

Arthur pulled him back "Don't be an idiot, I just saw Will though a gap in the hedge, and he's coming this way so stay where you are."

Sure enough Will entered through the gate, he paused as he saw everyone, but then stepped forward a brown envelope in his hand. "I don't want trouble I have just come to give this to Merlin."

Merlin went to step forward but found Arthur moving with him. "You've got a damn cheek" the blonde growled "You're lucky I would have called the police after yesterday"

Merlin's friends all glared at Will who ignored them. He held out the envelope and Merlin took it. Then Will moved away "I won't drop this Merlin, I have rights" then he turned and walked away.

Gwaine went to follow him but Merlin called out "Please leave it Gwaine"

He opened the envelope then when pale before walking towards the house. Arthur caught up with him and put his hand on his shoulder "What is it Merlin?"

Merlin looked up at the blonde "Nothing, I'll just put his indoors and then we must eat"