Disclaimer: Merlin and its characters do not belong to me.

Author's Note: Merlin moves to a new apartment and Arthur just happens to live there too. Love is in the air.

Merlin surveyed the empty flat for the last time and smiled wistfully. He would miss this place, this home where he had lived happily for so long. Grabbing his satchel, he walked away from his past and to his future. Feeling a hand grab his, he looked up to see Lance smiling and taking the key, locking the door for him.

"Go on Merlin, I'll hand this in for you and meet you in the car." The tender tone to the deep voice made Merlin smile up at his friend and he nodded, his thanks shining bright in his eyes.

Merlin heaved a sigh of relief as the car pulled up outside the tall, mirrored building and shook his head at Lance's laughing face. Just because the car was made for 120 mph, it did not mean that Lance had to drive that fast, Merlin almost thought that he'd die before even getting to his new home. His thoughts circling back to that of the building in front of him, he studied the upscale block of flats, though that was not an apt enough description. A building made entirely of glass and mirrors was the posh home of Merlin's best friend and once lover, Gwaine, and now flat mate, he mused ruefully.

With a further sigh, Merlin got out of the car and grabbed a load of bags, leaving the heavy things to Lance, the muscled fire fighter. Lance groaning at the weight of one of the suitcases threw Merlin a glance of accusation. Grinning mischievously, he looked away and pressed the button to open the door and waited for the elevator, shaking his head in exasperation as Lance started up the stairs, his impatience clear.

"Its fine, you show off, I'm going to make sure I don't put my back out." Merlin shouted after him, laughing at the grunts. His smile wide and happy froze on his face as the elevator doors opened to reveal a blonde man staring at him. Realizing what a fool he must look, Merlin smiled uncomfortably at the stranger and offered his hand to him whilst introducing himself. However before the man could respond the doors of the lift began to close and the stranger cursed before jolting forward to catch the edge of one of them, moving the same time as Merlin resulting in his hand laying over the smaller, pale one. The shock of flesh against flesh had Merlin freezing staring at the difference the tones of their skin made. The other man pulled away and stepped out of the elevator forcing Merlin to back up.

"Uh hey, so uh, I'm Merlin. I'm moving into one of the flats upstairs."

The man looked confused, his beautiful face creasing slightly as his piercing blue eyes studied Merlin. His voice when it came was arrogant yet endearing in his obvious annoyance.

"I wasn't aware there were any empty flats in this building... Merlin" The hitch in his voice before he used Merlin's name struck him as rather rude, as if he could not believe someone had named a child such a medieval name. Merlin felt a wave of irritation on his mother's behalf but let it slide, too busy mocking the man in his mind. Hmm, probably spends hours getting ready, the right clothes, perfect hair, carefully coloured t shirts to show off his eyes, shorts to emphasis the power of his thighs... Realizing he was staring at the man's legs, Merlin forced his eyes up, blushing, not wanting this arrogant stranger getting the wrong idea, being handsome did not mean that everyone who saw him wanted to jump him or force him into the elevator for a quick tumble against the wall. Cursing his wayward thoughts, Merlin blushed furiously and decided it was time he found out who this man thought he was.

"Well maybe you don't know everything then..." He paused, waiting for a name to be offered. He was rewarded with a brilliant smile.

"Ahh I'm sorry, my name is Arthur. I live here too. As for my knowledge, I know enough to get by." He winked with the last statement, and Merlin felt his heart fluttering. The man who had just been an ass was now flirting with him. This truly was a day of surprises. Opening his mouth to reply, he turned as his name was called and Gwaine grabbed him for a hug. He almost squealed as he was squeezed tightly but held it in, conscious of Arthur watching them. Pulling back, he pushed Gwaine away, gasping for breath.

"A little less force next time please" He joked, smiling at the dark haired, handsome man winking back at him. Gwaine reached out and curled an arm around him shoulders, his touch natural to Merlin after years of friendship and intimacy. He allowed Gwaine the contact knowing that at the start of their relationship, touch would have been a rare occurrence other than in the bedroom. Looking over at Arthur he smiled and debated whether to inquire if they knew each other or not, after all Gwaine had lived in the building with Arthur for at least a year. Before he could speak, Arthur smiled tightly at them both and hefted his bag over his shoulder.

"Well it was good to meet you Merlin but I should be going now. It looks like you're busy and I've kept you long enough."

He swept past Gwaine, and headed around the corner away from the main reception.

Once out of sight, Gwaine turned to Merlin grinning.

"Hmm, it's been five minutes and you've already got your sights on someone. Talk about a fast mover eh!" Merlin blushed but did not rebuke him after all his mother had brought him up to not lie. He thought of the encounter with Arthur and smiled, maybe the move would be more enjoyable than he thought. Grabbing his bag he dragged Gwaine into the lift and up to the flat where Lance was probably wondering where they were.

Arthur cursed himself as he headed to the gym, the delay making him late for his meeting with Percy. His mind conjured up images of Merlin, the thin yet muscular frame, the messy hair and cheeky grin. He had been so shocked to have the elevator doors open and to come face to face with a stranger but perhaps more shocking was the feelings inspired by the man. Arthur had been attracted to men before, but never so fast or strong. He had been so rude to Merlin, an impulse he could not deny yet instead of anger him; it had only made him smile. The secret grin had taunted Arthur especially when it was bestowed upon the dark haired newcomer who had felt comfortable enough to touch Merlin intimately. Arthur's teeth mashed together again as he thought of what the obvious connection suggested: that the one man who could stir him up like no other was already in a relationship with someone else.

Lost in his thoughts as he was, he did not notice Percy who stepped in front of him and walked straight into the hard rock that was his friend. Grunting, Arthur stepped back, tempted to rub the pain in his shoulder but refusing to show weakness even to the man who knew him as well as he knew himself.

"You're late." Percy rumbled, surprising Arthur with the obvious statement. Percy did not often talk unless he had something important to say. Shrugging at him, Arthur stepped around him and into the gym, forgoing the bikes and rowing machine in order to pound out his stress on the treadmill. Luckily, Percy left him to his thoughts which turned back to Merlin.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he allowed himself a break and looked around for his friend who he spotted finishing his last set of weights. Arthur debated a round himself but decided he had punished his body enough and took a swig of water before joining Percy in the changing rooms. Looking at the queue for the showers he groaned and decided to just go and shower in his apartment. Grabbing his and Percy's bag, he signalled the taller man, and they left. Percy's voice shocked Arthur but did not really surprise him, his friend might look more brawn than brains, but he was eerily astute.

"So what's going on with you Arthur? It's been a long time since you've last worked yourself so hard. Is it your father?" Arthur grunted, wishing it was as simple as a problem with Uther but prepared to launch into his recollection of the new guy. Before he could start however, voices filled the stairwell, and he stilled as he recognised the smooth if slightly high timbre of Merlin and the deep, unfamiliar bass of another male. He stared up as the men came into view and his fists curled to see Merlin walking closely next to another handsome, dark haired man. What was it with all these men around him? He nudged Percy and they moved to the side so the pair could pass. Arthur noticed Merlin's gaze on the contact between his and Percy's shoulder but shrugged it off as wishful thinking.

Walking past Arthur and his large friend, Merlin cursed himself for his stupid hope. Of course someone as sexy as Arthur would already have a boyfriend. Lance placed a hand on his shoulder sympathetically, but Merlin shook his head, he did not want to talk about it yet. He grabbed the last of the bags from the car and hugged Lance before he left, promising to ring him later and to meet for coffee sometime in the week. Watching him drive off, Merlin felt a moment of loneliness. He turned and headed back into the building and to his new life.