This is the end of it! Thank you very much for everyone who left comments. Hope everyone had a good Christmas

Arthur puts his foot down later in the day and insists on taking Merlin and Mordred shopping for new clothes. They compromise with Merlin choosing Topman and the men's section at Debenhams rather than Arthur's preferred high end labels like Gucci and Prada. Between the three of them they accumulate a selection of jeans, tops, jumpers, shoes, socks, pyjamas, coats and a soft scarf Arthur tells Merlin makes his blue eyes look bluer. Even though they chose the high street, Merlin's eyes nearly pop out of his skill when he sees the total flash up at the till, amazed when Arthur doesn't even look at the total before handing over his credit card.

"How much money do you have?" Mordred asks, receiving a swat on the head from Merlin in response.

"You don't ask people how much money they have Mordred, it's rude."

Arthur chuckles, unoffended by the question. "It's okay, let's just say I have more than enough to look after you and your uncle," he answers, winking at Merlin.

"Idiot." Merlin rolls his eyes. "No idea why I put up with you."

"Must be my dazzling good looks" Arthur grins, "and toned body," he adds under his breath so Mordred can't hear.

"It's certainly not your ego," Merlin retorts, quickly dodging out of Arthur's way before he can retaliate with tickling.

"Last one back to the car is cooking dinner!" Arthur cries, racing off down the pavement. Mordred's face splits into a manic grin and he charges off after the blonde.

"Not fair!" Merlin shouts at them, as they left him carrying most of the shopping bags which weigh him down. When he finally reaches the Jaguar, Mordred and Arthur are sat inside, a little out of breath and laughing. Merlin pauses for a moment and watches out of sight. He never thought he'd find someone who didn't run a mile when he met Mordred, especially someone like Arthur. Seeing them together having fun makes Merlin smile uncontrollably and he lets himself think about a future with Arthur.

Merlin stirs the pasta sauce in hypnotising circles, so oblivious to everything around him he startles when Arthur's arms slide around his waist and lock them together.

"Ah! Stop doing that!"

Arthur chuckles and Merlin shivers involuntarily the back of his neck is warmed by the hot breath. "I have a confession."

"Uh oh," Merlin laughs. He lifts the wooden spoon out of the pan and aims it in Arthur's direction. "Taste," he orders and Arthur obeys, pulling the spoon into his mouth.

"Nice."

"Just nice?" Merlin raises an eyebrow.

"Amazing?" Arthur tries, unsure what he should say. Merlin hums and turns back to the oven unsated. "So," Arthur continues, "I hold a new year's party every year, and it completely slipped my mind but Sophia already sent out the invites and Morgana's organised all the food and music so I can't exactly cancel."

"The kind of party filled with snooty rich people?"

"Hey! I'm a snooty rich person," Arthur cries, pretending to be offended.

"Yeah, but I like you enough to look past your snootiness," Merlin teases.

Arthur sticks his tongue out childishly at Merlin. "The party?" he says, trying to get them back on topic.

"There will be alcohol, right?"

"Lots, I promise."

"No fancy dress?"

"Who do you take me for?"

"Okay," Merlin sighs. "But nothing too loud; Mordred's a pain in my arse when he has had no sleep."

"You have nothing to worry about. I throw the best parties." Arthur kisses Merlin. "And now, thanks to our shopping trip today, you have the perfect outfit to wear." Arthur pulls away to start setting the table.

"Perfect," Merlin mutters. He knows the party is important to Arthur but the idea of Arthur's equally rich friends looking down at him like some kind of 'project' of Arthur's… Arthur might not listen to the comments behind his back but Merlin won't be able to ignore them. Although, he supposes, if things do get bad he can always hide in his bedroom.

Two days later their home is invaded by florists, caterers, a DJ, two decorators and Morgana herself who micromanages the entire operation. Merlin's plan to hide in his room starts early afternoon to get away from all the noise and people cluttering up the place. Lying back on the bed, he switches on the TV and finds an old black and white film he hasn't seen in years to watch.

Arthur finds him there hours later, fast asleep, the movie finished and replaced by the news blaring quietly in the background. Merlin wakes to delicate kisses across his face and with his eyes still closed he grabs hold of Arthur and pulls him back for a proper kiss. Arthur doesn't protest and only pulls away when it's time to get ready for the party.

As Merlin fiddles with his tie, Arthur shakes his head, chuckling softly, "Stop looking like you're going off to battle Merlin."

Merlin says nothing and lets Arthur lead him out into the already busy party crowd. The room has been decorated with glittery lights and oversized silver baubles, while waiters walk around the room with trays of filled champagne glasses and canapés. Everyone Merlin sees is dressed in sharp suits or gorgeous gowns and Arthur's sister is no exception. His eyes fall on Morgana as the other guests part to let her through. Her gown, which Merlin guesses costs more than a house, is dark and sleek and fitted in all the right places to make any hot-blooded straight male fall over themselves to get to her.

"You outdid yourself this year," Arthur tells her.

She smiles. "Not that I'll get the credit. I really should insist these things are hosted at my place."

"You'd have to pay for it."

"Maybe not then, my shoe collection couldn't handle it." She grins. "Arthur, you need to come meet some friends of mine."

"Okay, Merlin?"

Merlin shakes his head. "You go, I'm going to find myself a drink."

"Don't go too far." Arthur kisses Merlin quickly and reluctantly follows Morgana back into the crowd, leaving Merlin alone to search for alcohol. He passes women with sparkling diamonds and men with equalling dazzling grins to find a waiter and downs the glass of champagne as soon as it's in his hand. He imagines Arthur's horror at someone swallowing vintage champagne like its water as he puts the glass back on the tray and picks up another one, choosing to drink it at a slower pace.

He stands with his back against the wall, watching everyone enjoy themselves including Arthur. He catches sight of Arthur across the room, deep in conversation and unaware of Merlin's boredom. He's never been more thankful for his anonymity, saving him from making forced conversation with people that mistake him for one of the waiters. He didn't grow up in this life, mingling is a foreign concept to him. The kind of parties he went to at Uni involved cheap beer, twiglets and pizza.

By the time his second glass is finished, his head is beginning to feel fuzzy from the alcohol. Depositing the empting glass in the kitchen, he disappears into his bedroom and heads straight for the bathroom. As he closes the door behind him, the thump of the music, the clanging of glasses and high spirited conversation lowers to a hum. He splashes cold water over his warm cheeks, pats it dry with a towel and looks up at himself in the mirror. Never in a million years did he think this would ever be his life: going to parties, drinking champagne and dating a man with more money than sense.

Stepping back out into the party, he scans the room once again for his boyfriend, his shoulders sagging when he can't see Arthur.

"Looking for me?" a voice asks and Merlin pivots, coming face to face with an attractive man who is smiling seductively at him. The man is the complete opposite of Arthur with tanned skin, dark piercing eyes and shaggy hair. He holds out a hand towards Merlin. "I'm Gwaine, and you're gorgeous."

Merlin takes the hand and shakes it. "Merlin," he replies politely "And I was looking for my boyfriend."

Gwaine doesn't seem to be put off by Merlin having a boyfriend, his grin only widening. "I can help you look for him if you like," he offers. "We could try the bedroom first."

Merlin raises an eyebrow. "Does that really work on people?"

"There's always plan B."

"Which is?"

"Well, I step a little closer," Gwaine begins, doing just that until Merlin can feel the other man's warm breath on his face. "Then I put my hand, just here." Gwaine lifts his hand and places it on Merlin's bicep, squeezing gently. "Then I say, I can't believe I've been hear the entire evening with all these beautiful people and only just noticed the most beautiful of them all."

Merlin's face splits into a wide smile. "And then I say, nice try but I'm not interested."

"I don't give up easily."

A hand slaps down hard on Gwaine's shoulder. "Gwaine, go whip your hair and flutter your eyelashes at someone who you might have a chance with," Arthur tells him firmly.

Gwaine's hands fly up in surrender and he steps back enough for Arthur to step in between them. He slides a hand around Merlin's slim waist and pulls Merlin away, sending a victorious smile back at Gwaine.

"You were jealous," Merlin laughs as he's led through the room and out onto the balcony.

"So what if I was?" Arthur responds defensively.

"It's okay." Merlin wraps his arms around Arthur's neck and pulls them together tightly, using their body heat to keep warm in the winter air. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm a one man man," he says, his breath visible in the cold.

"Yeah? Me too." Arthur relaxes against Merlin.

"It's nearly midnight and here we are alone," Merlin grins.

Arthur looks around. "So we are."

"Don't tell me you didn't plan this."

Before Arthur can open his mouth they hear the assembled party goers inside start counting down.

"Ten! Nine!..."

"Not long now." Arthur lifts one hand to cup Merlin's cheek.

"...Seven! Six!"

Merlin's heart thumps in his chest as their lips draw together, stopping when they're a hair's-breadth apart. "Arthur," he whispers, his eyes sliding shut.

"Four! Three!"

"I love you Merlin," Arthur whisper back just as the crowd reaches one. Merlin's not given the chance to respond before Arthur bridges the gap and joins their lips together. All Merlin can do is show Arthur how he feels and he instantly deepens the kiss. The celebrations of the New Year are ignored, the fireworks and singing Auld Lang Syne the last things from Merlin's mind. Arthur's tongue requests entrance and Merlin submits, moaning at Arthur's taste, the way his tongue massages Merlin's has Merlin wishing the flat wasn't filled with people so they could continue this in the bedroom.

They only pull apart when the need for air becomes important and Merlin sucks in two cold breaths before smiling giddily at Arthur. "Say it again," he demands.

"I love you."

Merlin laughs and yanks Arthur back towards him, wrapping his arms around Arthur tightly and holding on for dear life. He presses his face into Arthur's neck, feeling Arthur's hands slide around his waist and Merlin's never felt safer. Pressing his lips to Arthur's ear, he whispers "Best present ever."

Epilogue

Arthur stands in the door way and watches Merlin pack quietly. Since being with Merlin, it's become one of his favourite hobbies, just watching Merlin, and has driven his boyfriend up the wall on more than one occasion. Three months have passed and Arthur still isn't tired of just staring. Every facial expression, every smile and every frown, makes Arthur love him that little bit more.

"I know you're watching me." Merlin twists his head around and raises an eyebrow at Arthur. "It's creepy you know."

Arthur startles and steps into the room. "Just getting my fill. I'm not going to see you for two weeks."

"Oh no!" Merlin gasps dramatically. "How on earth will you survive?"

"Stop it," Arthur pouts. "I'm going to miss you."

"Hey," Merlin pulls Arthur to him and hugs him tightly. "The two weeks will fly pass I promise and I'll be back with my childcare qualifications and I'll never have to pick up a mop again." They kiss chastely. "By the way," Merlin continues after they pull apart, "Morgana will let me know if you feed Mordred only chips and pizza. He needs vegetables." Arthur opens his mouth to speak but Merlin gets there first. "And no, tomato ketchup does not count."

"Spoilsport."

Merlin smiles. "It's the first time he's been looked after by someone else for any length of time since Freya died. I hope he'll be okay."

"How could he not with me looking after him," Arthur jokes. "Seriously, when I promised I'd look after you, that included Mordred. You're a package deal; I knew that."

Merlin stares wide eyed at Arthur and doesn't say anything for a long time.

"What?"

"Nothing," Merlin replies with a shake of his head. "Just wondering what amazing things I did in a previous life to get you in this one."

"And people think I'm the soppy one in this relationship."

Merlin pulls away with a roll of his eyes. "Stop distracting me from packing, you'll make me late for my train."

"Not yet. I have something for you first." Arthur walks around the bed and pulls a wrapped present out of his top drawer, returning to Merlin's side with it held in his hand.

"Hmm let me guess, a gold plated, diamond encrusted pencil case," Merlin jokes.

"Here." Arthur hands it over, almost bouncing with excitement.

"What's it for? Are you one of these people that celebrates every miniscule anniversary? If so happy uh...five and a half months?" Merlin parrots Arthur's own words back at him.

"You're hilarious," Arthur replies dryly. "Open it," he instructs.

Merlin rips at the paper at the corner, pulling away enough to see the same photo frame he'd given Arthur for Christmas. "I know I said you don't need to spend a lot on me, but giving me exactly the same present that I got you wasn't exactly what I meant."

"Keep going!"

Merlin sighs and rips at the rest of the paper; it's only when he sees what's inside the frame that he pauses. "How?" is all he can ask as he stares at the photo. It's of him and Arthur at New Years, holding each other and looking into each other's eyes like nothing else matters.

"Morgana emailed it to me the a couple of weeks ago."

"Thank you," Merlin croaks. "I love it."

"And it didn't cost the world," Arthur says. "You should be proud of me." He puffs out his chest and grins.

"Maybe when I get back we could take some more photos, some with Mordred in too...all three of us."

Arthur's grin only widens at the suggestion. "I'd like that." It certainly hasn't been easy, being with Merlin. They've had their fair share of fights and misunderstandings but neither was willing to give up easily and worked hard to get to where they are. This was just proof that Merlin thought of Arthur as family. As far as Arthur is concerned, Merlin and Mordred aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

He sinks down onto the bed as Merlin returns to his packing and once he is finished, watches as Merlin places the frame inside his travel bag before zipping it up. "Call me when you get there."

"I will," Merlin promises.

"And call me if you need anything."

"I will."

"And-"

Merlin covers Arthur's mouth with his hand. "I'll be fine." He quickly replaces his hand with his mouth. Arthur does this thing with his tongue, slides his hands over just the right spots and the next thing Merlin knows he's lying underneath Arthur, mostly naked and definitely late for his train.

"You're a bad influence," Merlin groans as Arthur sucks kisses into Merlin's neck.

"Just take the Jaguar," Arthur mumbles against soft pale skin.

Merlin laughs. "A very bad influence."

Arthur lifts his head and smiles down at Merlin. "It's what you like about me right?"

"Nah." Merlin shakes his head and Arthur's smile fades away. "It's what I love about you," Merlin corrects. Arthur's smile returns, quickly matched by Merlin.