"How was it?" Will asked as Merlin opened the passenger door and clambered into the car.

"Yeah, all right. Nimueh's okay but..." Merlin shrugged and reached for his seatbelt.

"She's not Arthur," Will concluded for him. Merlin shrugged again. "Was it okay last night?"

"Yeah. I made aubergine bake."

"Oooh, lovely," Will inhaled.

"The aubergine needed severe resuscitation. Arthur is not good with vegetables... of the grown in the ground variety anyway."

"Huh," Will said, as he usually did when he didn't want to negatively comment back to Merlin, and couldn't think of anything else.

"I'll show you the portrait when we get home. I did Dragoon," Merlin said, sounding immensely pleased.

"Really? What like properly?"

"Yeah," said Merlin sounding overly pleased, but clearly intent on saying nothing more about it. Instead, Will listened as Merlin chatted about a few people at the hospital, including the fact that Percival and Elena were going on a date on Friday and he had met Gilli, who seemed okay, but Merlin's voice showed some reticence. Then he bitched a little about the fact that Gaius might go to assess Mordred, but Uther wasn't letting Arthur anywhere near, which Merlin agreed with and Arthur didn't.

"Arthur kissed me," Merlin said. Whether it was coincidental or strategy on Merlin's behalf that made him say it just as they were stopped at a set of traffic lights that took forever to change in your favour, it meant Will could put the handbrake on, leave the car in neutral and look at Merlin. Merlin kept an eye on the traffic.

"What you meant like...?"

"On the lips, no tongues," Merlin said, deflecting the outrage. "But he did it when we went on that walk on Boxing Day, and I thought he was doing it to do something..." Merlin waved his hands.

"Mind meld like?"

"Yeah, but he said he didn't and kissed me again last night to make the point."

Will stayed silent for a moment, tempering the outrage, thinking Arthur was taking advantage of Merlin, with the fact that Merlin looked utterly calm. Will had known Merlin's leanings for years, without them ever having talked about it. For years Will had concerned himself with the fact that he had been the object of Merlin's affections, but he himself liked girls, and couldn't change, even for Merlin, who he loved. And it worried him that Merlin didn't seem to think anyone else might be suitable, but now and again Merlin's head turned, and Will figured someone would come along eventually. And he made his feelings clear about girls, he was always chasing them.

However, any that disliked, or said anything remotely disparaging about Merlin, were dumped soon after, be it seconds or days depending on what was said, and how they said it.

"So are you saying... you want him to?" Will said.

"I don't know, Arthur's... Arthur."

"Well, that was clear," Will huffed paying attention to the road as one flow of traffic started to slow. He put the car in gear and waited for the lights to change.

"I don't want to have sex, not yet. I mean that's still a bit of a..." Merlin said, paused and his hand clenched. Will tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I don't want to."

"Arthur won't make you," Will said. Arthur didn't seem the type and he'd be aware of Merlin's trauma. More aware than anyone.

"Of course he won't," Merlin snapped crossly. "I just..."

"Merlin, things progress in their own time, if they are meant to happen."

They fell silent. Merlin musing over Will's words, which for someone who could go though girlfriends like he could socks seemed interesting. Not that Will broke people's hearts. He was very clear about what he wanted, that it started casually, for him and for the girl. And despite appearances, he didn't end up sleeping with all of them. Will was cautious about that.

"You don't mind going shopping then?" Will asked as he took the turning to the large shopping centre.

"No, I need to get some stuff from the craft shop. I don't have anything to work with. Mum gave me some money, but I need to..."

"I've got my credit card, if you go over we can put it on that and just pay me the difference later."

"Well, I don't want to..."

"Why not? We used to do that," Will said, a little sharply.

"I know but I was working then and... I'd have enough to pay you back, eventually."

"Merlin," Will growled. "It doesn't matter. I've got a pay rise, more responsibility as well, so I'll buy you something."

"I need to get more pastels, for Arthur. I used most of his last night."

"And I bet he didn't mind," Will said.

"No, course he didn't. But I'd like to buy him something, he bought me Athusia."

Will raised his eyebrows. Unlike Merlin he had seen the stall where it had come from, and how much it had cost. Not that he had told Merlin, he had just admired the ornament, and decided that someone who could afford to splash presents like that around was a spoilt bastard. Which Will knew was unfair to Arthur, but he didn't entirely like him, so it was fine to think that.

"I don't think Arthur was thinking about you buying him something back. You don't have to do that with 'I saw it and thought of you' presents. It's some sort of rule or something."

And despite the cost, he knew why Arthur had thought to buy it for Merlin. And Arthur had bought it because he had liked it, and it was appropriate for the recipient, whom he also appeared to like.

"I know. I know he just bought it because it was a dragon, and you buy dragons for me," Merlin said. "But..."

"If it makes you feel better you can use the cash to buy the pastels and I'll buy you something of yours if you don't have enough money. Stop being pedantic Merlin, we'll sort it out and I'd rather enjoy you being out with me and shopping like we used to than you fretting over stupid stuff."

Merlin pouted, and Will waited, knowing at the sight of the pout he was probably going to get his own way. He paused at the barrier and reached out of the open window to get a parking ticket from the machine. As he moved through the car park, negotiating his way into a space.

"If the wind changes you'll stick like that," Will informed a still pouting Merlin.

Merlin stopped pouting and laughed, relaxing back into the seat. Will knew by that he was winning, he parked up and clambered out of the car. They didn't speak as they headed into the shopping centre, but Will became very aware of Merlin bumping into him, as he got as close as possible to Will while they moved through the crowds. Reaching down he took Merlin's wrist, and pulled him to a quieter section of the thoroughfare, letting a group of school kids trundle past before carrying on, leading Merlin through the shopping centre to the computer shop. Merlin relaxed a little within the confines of the shop, which was a little calmer, despite the music and noise of games. Will carefully released his grip on Merlin's wrist, but felt the tug as Merlin took hold of the hem of his sweatshirt.

"Come on, I already ordered the game so I can just pick it up."

"Don't you want to look at other things?" Merlin asked.

"No, I don't want to spend too much, you know what I'm like."

"But you always look," Merlin pointed out. He had often been employed to ensure that Will looked and didn't buy. But he always had a quick browse around whatever his budget.

"All right, I just thought you might want to make it a short trip."

"No, I want it to be a normal trip."

"Right, I only have a spare twenty pounds, so I'm not to put more than thirty on the card."

"How does that work? If you only have twenty, then spend twenty," Merlin said.

"Because I won't have to worry about it until the bill comes in and I can put my twenty aside and then take the extra ten from next month. It's perfectly logical," Will informed him loftily.

"Right," Merlin said.

"Hey Gary," Will waved at the staff member working at the counter. He waved back.

"Hi, you're game is here, I'll wait until you've finished browsing."

"I've got my good influence fairy with me," Will said, nodding at Merlin. "Let's check the bargain rack anyway."

There wasn't much, but they studied a few games, looked over some equipment and Merlin curtailed Will's spending, which wasn't hard, as Will felt acutely aware that his money could go on something for Merlin, and even Arthur, if he had to.

Then they jaunted off to the craft shop. Merlin again hung by Will as they walked through the shopping centre, but relaxed as they reached the shop, which was always quiet at this time of day.

"Hello, Love, how are you?" The sales assistant looked extremely pleased to see Merlin.

"Fine, Eira, thank you," Merlin said.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"I need to get some pastels," Merlin said with determination. Eira raised her eyebrows.

"Seems to be the day for them," Eira commented. Then Merlin jumped as Elena popped up from behind a row of shelving.

"Hello Merlin! How are you?!"

"Hi Elena, I didn't know you liked art."

"I don't," she announced, then shrugged. "Well, I suppose I do to look at, but not to do. Arthur asked me to get them." She held up two packets, which Merlin deduced was one for him and the other to replace the ones of Arthur's he had used. Merlin held his hand out.

"I'll get them!"

Elena frowned. "Arthur gave me the money."

"I used all his pastels the other night, he's buying one to replace them and one for me. I was going to buy him some anyway."

"Oh, did you draw something?"

"I did a portrait of one of my story characters. I'm going to do some more," Merlin said. Elena handed over the pastels without a word. She gave Will a smile.

"Hello, I'm Elena," she said.

"I'm Will."

"Ah," said Elena with bright tactlessness. "You were rude to Lancelot."

"Was he?" Merlin said, looking at Will sternly.

"Oh yes!" Elena said. "The first time he brought your mum to visit you. It takes a lot to piss Lancelot off, you did a brilliant job."

"There is no need to sound so happy about it," Merlin told her, while scowling at Will. Will glowered back.

Elena shrugged. "I missed most of it, I was with Vivian at the time picking out dresses."

"Why were you rude to Lancelot?" Merlin asked Will.

"Which one was Lancelot?" Will asked.

"Yey high," Elena said. "Dark-hair, good-looking, sorta sexy."

"I hope Percival doesn't hear you talk like that," Merlin said.

"He's a different kind of sexy, and speaking of which I'm supposed to be finding a new outfit, never mind buying pastels."

"Want some help?" Merlin asked. Will stared at him in surprise. "If you don't mind waiting until I've done my shopping here."

"Sure," Elena said. "I don't mind being escorted by two gentlemen, well one gentleman and one rude man but." She gave a shrug and a bright smile. "What are you looking for?"

"I need some drawing paper, and a new pack of pencils and I've got the pastels and..." Merlin went off. Will raised his eyebrows at Elena who smirked at him and turned to follow Merlin, linking her arm with Will's in a friendly gesture.

"We could be here a while," Will said as they tailed after Merlin. With a smirk Eira went back to the till, she didn't need to advise Merlin on anything, he knew exactly what he wanted. Elena and Will followed him with baffled amusement.

"So what's your next story then?" Will asked.

"Not telling," Merlin said.

"But I presume it involves Dragoon."

"Not telling," Merlin said.

"Who's Dragoon?" Elena asked.

"Merlin's mystical story book character, normally he's all shrouded in shadow,"

"And now he's not?" Elena asked.

"Not telling!" Merlin announced raising his voice. "Now I need A4 and A3 paper and some of those, and... do I need more paints?"

"Yes," Will said. "Most of them are wrecked, your mum threw them out."

Merlin stared at him for a moment. "Right."

"God, he's in his element here," Elena remarked. She glanced at Will and pulled a face, causing him to laugh. Merlin turned to glower at them. Will and Elena continued to giggle as they trailed in his wake.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Too much?" Elena asked.

"Where exactly is this date?" Will asked.

"The cinema, and maybe a takeaway on the way home," Elena said. She looked down at the low cut top and short skirt.

"Keep the top, and you need a pair of jeans to go with," Will said. "Probably a pair of bootcuts, and some heeled shoes or boots."

Elena listened to him avidly, and looked down at what she was wearing. "Right," she announced before turning back and heading into the changing room. Merlin looked at Will.

"When did you become an expert on women's fashion?"

"I look at women," Will said. "A lot."

"She dated Arthur for a bit," Merlin said.

"Really?"

"I don't think it was very serious."

"Maybe Arthur hadn't got his brain around what he wanted. He seems very clear now."

"He wants me."

"Sounds like it," Will said, lounging back on the chair and looking out at the shop, and the people browsing rather than Merlin. He didn't mind someone being interested in Merlin, but he also minded it, and not because Merlin was vulnerable, and didn't seem to know his own mind. Merlin has been his for a very long time, and nothing has seriously challenged his place in Merlin's affections. Arthur was a serious contender, there was something between him and Merlin which Will could understand in some ways, but in others, he couldn't. He hated it, but it was hardly something he could complain about.

"You don't sound very approving."

"Merlin, it's not that I don't approve. You can see who you bloody like," Will informed him.

"Thank you. I like Arthur, and..."

"And..." Will turned to look at him, waving his hand to prompt Merlin along. However, they were both distracted at Elena came out of the changing room. She handed the skirt to the sales assistant, and then carried the top out with her.

"I have jeans," Elena said. "I think I just might wear my old boots, they go fine with them and I can't be doing with heels, I just fall flat on my face."

Will raised his eyebrows. "If your date..."

"Percival," Merlin prompted.

"If this Percival spends his time looking at your shoes, then there is something seriously wrong with him."

Elena grinned. "Trust me, if those are your parameters, there is nothing wrong with him."