Two weeks later, Arthur is ready to go back to work. He wakes up at the same time as Merlin for once, showers, shaves, puts on a suit, picks up his briefcase, kisses his boyfriend goodbye and is out the door before 8am. He doesn't however go to his office.

He grabs a coffee, and then goes to sit in the park, looking out over the deserted boating lake. He is waiting.

He sits there for nearly two hours, and then he heads into town. He walks steadily, even though his ribs are paining him slightly, and his arm is aching from under its cast. Down the main high street he walks into one shop, and one shop only, and comes out with a small bag.

Stowing his cargo in his briefcase, he heads back to the flat, and works from home for the day.

He is cooking when Merlin returns home from a relatively short and calm shift.

"Arthur?"

"Hello," he replies, and smiles brightly. "I just wanted to do something nice for you. To say thank you, for the past couple of weeks. For everything. Go get changed, it'll be ready in a minute."

Merlin pauses only to kiss Arthur briefly before disappearing into the bedroom, returning in some old jeans and one of Arthur's t-shirts.

They talk softly and smile gently through dinner, drinking cool white wine, feet tangling under the table.

Once they are finished, Merlin smiles at Arthur, and he knows that this is his moment. Slightly awkwardly, Arthur gets to his feet, only to drop down onto one knee in front of Merlin, drawing the small box taken from his briefcase earlier out from his pocket. Arthur hears the moment when Merlin's breath catches in his throat, and looks up at him from under soft blond lashes.

"Merlin. You are the most amazing person I have ever had the honour of knowing, and I can honestly not tell you enough how lucky I am that you're mine. And I'll be yours forever, if you'll have me. Merlin, will you marry me?

Merlin doesn't hesitate for a single second.

"Yes, yes, yes.

"Yes Arthur, I will."

"Merlin." The name is a benediction, one that he answers with his lips.

Fin.

Thanks for reading! Please review :)