"Are you ever going to go back home?" Gaius joked when Arthur walked into the kitchen.

He yawned and stretched his arms over his head, "Don't pretend you don't love having me here, Gaius!"

Merlin laughed and followed Arthur into the kitchen. He put four pieces of bread into the toaster and leaned back on the counter. Arthur kissed him before pulling out a knife and butter.

It had been a week since Merlin's birthday and everyone else had gone home. Arthur, however, had practically moved in to Merlin's house. Not that Merlin or Gaius really cared, he seemed to fit right in. Arthur had to leave for London around the same time Merlin had to leave for University – October – so they had months together yet.

They had so much planned, they were even going to go to Paris in September (not that Arthur knew yet, Merlin was keeping it secret).

Merlin bit into his toast and watched Arthur help Gaius with his crossword. Merlin suspected this was the main reason Gaius let Arthur stay here – he was much better at crosswords than Merlin ever had been.

Oscar nudged Merlin's hand with his head, and Merlin secretly fed some toast to the dog when no one was looking.

"ARTHUR STOP!" Merlin squealed, trying to wriggle away from Arthur's grasp.

Arthur merely laughed and continued tickling Merlin. His fingers under his armpits, on his ribs and his waist.

"Stop-" Merlin began before collapsing into fits of laughter, "Seriously, stop-"

Arthur pinned Merlin down and carried on tickling him. He only had one working hand but he was still stronger than Merlin.

Merlin squirmed, laughing uncontrollably and trying to push Arthur away.

"It's not funny!" He screeched.

"It's not funny?" Arthur laughed, still tickling Merlin, "But you're laughing."

"It's... I'm not." Merlin answered, his laughter making it hard to talk.

"If you can say it without laughing, I'll stop." Arthur promised.

"St-" Merlin couldn't even get out the word before he burst into laughter again.

"What was that? Did you say you wanted me to stop?" Arthur asked, moving to tickle Merlin's feet.

"YES!" Merlin shouted.

"Say it again?" Arthur asked.

He moved back to tickle Merlin's waist – it was where Merlin was most ticklish – causing his legs and arms to jerk out as he tried to push Arthur off.

"I... I..." Merlin stammered, still laughing.

"What?" Arthur teased, continuing to tickle Merlin.

"I can't breathe!" Merlin said, a huge smile on his face.

"Yes you can, you're talking." Arthur said.

Arthur shuffled to sit on top of Merlin's stomach. Tickling Merlin's armpits, Arthur bent forward and rubbed his chin stubble on Merlin's neck, causing him to laugh even louder. Merlin's hands flew out and tried to push Arthur's face off but it didn't work. Arthur moved further down and began blowing raspberries on Merlin's stomach.

Merlin regretted taking his shirt off in the sun now.

"NO! Stop it!" Merlin shouted, pushing Arthur's head away.

Arthur laughed too, finally relinquishing Merlin and lying back down on the grass.

"Never. Ever. Do that again." Merlin ordered, that huge grin still plastered on his face.

Arthur shrugged, "I was bored!"

"I don't care!" Merlin laughed, dropping back to lie on the grass next to Arthur.

"I promise I won't do it again..." Arthur said, grinning at Merlin.

Merlin sat up, and giggled, "No."

"I won't." Arthur promised, sitting up and moving towards Merlin.

Merlin was about to jump up and run off before Arthur caught him and pinned him down again.

"ARTHUR!" Merlin squealed as Arthur sat down on his chest.

"Yes, Merlin?" Arthur asked calmly, wriggling his fingers threateningly.

"Don't you dare." Merlin warned, trying to look scary but just ending up laughing.

Arthur smiled back down at him and kissed him hard. Merlin relaxed and wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck. Arthur's fingers trailed softly down Merlin's waist, causing another giggle to come from Merlin's throat. Merlin carefully pulled Arthur's shirt off over his head.

After making out for a long time, Arthur moved to sit back on Merlin's stomach. Arthur began mercilessly tickling Merlin again. Merlin screamed and laughed and tried to pry Arthur away.

"Laugh ecstatically if you love me." Arthur said.

Merlin did just that.

So it's over. Special thanks to those of you who have stuck around this long. Extra special thanks to those of you who reviewed, I didn't reply to all of you but your comments meant a lot to me.

Thanks so much!