Authors Note: Okay! We're done, a few people wanted an epilogue so I've got one for you! I think I'm going to go on to writing a drabble series called the 'ABC's of Merlin' - a one shot for every letter of the alphabet - not very original, I know but we'll see Would you read it? Thank you all SO much, you have no idea how much it means to me to see your reviews everyday.

Epilogue

That dreary Tuesday morning had turned into a rather complicated day. When the two men had returned Gwaine had immediately sucker punched Arthur in the gut, telling him he'd been a shit boyfriend. Morgana saw the whole thing and proceeded to snog Gwaine in the middle of the lobby while Merlin kneeled next to his boyfriend who had keeled over holding his middle. Uther had walked downstairs during the next moment, and upon seeing his daughter kissing a lowly security guard and his son soaking wet on the ground with his personal assistant, he had promptly taken holiday early and left for New York.

But that was all behind them now, the day was Christmas and Merlin and Arthur stood in the middle of their spacious living room looking at the glowing Christmas tree. Merlin's back was pressed to Arthur's front.

"You're practically vibrating." Arthur murmured, burying his nose in his lovers impossibly dark hair as he received an indignant huff in response.

"I'm excited." The snow had been bad in the north so Merlin had stayed with Arthur for Christmas, resolving to visit his mother with Arthur, for the New Year. But he had taken it upon himself to go slightly overboard with decoration, hanging up lights and garland all around the living room. But the tree, pressed back into the cove of the bay window was the heart of the warming sight. It was tall and grand with multi-coloured lights twisting up and around it with a plethora of glass bulbs that sparkled in the light. Merlin also felt somewhat giddy about the pile of presents at the base of the tree. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"But I wanted too, and if I found presents for you I didn't have to find any for Morgana."

"Arthur!"

"What?" He grinned, turning Merlin around to face him,

"I hope you got her something, she'll be here in a couple of hours."

"A couple hours?" Arthur leaned down, whispering against Merlin's lips as the young man flushed and was walked backwards, his knees hitting the arm of the couch.

"Yes..." The red spread like fire across his cheek bones as Arthur ran his large hands up Merlin's chest, divesting him of his cardigan as his boyfriend simply stared at him. With a mischievous smirk Arthur gave Merlin a firm push, sending the man tumbling backwards onto the couch with a squeak. Limbs akimbo, Merlin looked back up just in time to see Arthur slowly climb over the top of him, rolling his shoulders like a cougar about to pounce. "Arthur."

Reaching up he snagged his lover's shirt, dragging him down on top of him as he managed to wrap his legs up and around his hips. Propping himself up with one arm, Arthur slid a warm hand against Merlin's cheek and thoroughly kissed him. It was heated, Merlin tangling his fingers in Arthur's shirt as their hips pressed together in pursuit of friction. Taking advantage of his position Arthur pushed down against Merlin, rubbing as his mate whimpered in frustration and wriggled Biting his lip, Arthur grinned at the gasp it produced before pulling away and untangling himself. Merlin groaned with displeasure when he moved, but as Arthur then decided to straddle his waist and remove both of their shirts, he forgot the reason he was displeased in the first place and firmly gripped Arthur's hair. It was passionate, the two of them slowly stripping down to their boxers before Merlin turned them over, forcing Arthur's back to the couch.

"Mine." He murmured, nibbling along Arthur's collarbone before biting into his neck, straddling his lap with a grin. The thin cloth that separated the two of them was more apparent than ever as Merlin shifted in his lap, reaching down between them.

"Ew!" Arthur jumped, nearly knocking Merlin out of his lap as Morgana clucked her tongue, Gwaine following her through the doorway, "I did not need to see that."

"Morgana! I will murder you where you stand, I gave you that key for emergencies." Arthur hissed as Merlin scrambled off his lap, embarrassed as Gwaine looked down his body, pausing as he got lower, "Gwaine you keep your eyes on the floor or the same goes for you." Getting up Arthur wrapped an arm around Merlin, pulling him protectively against his chest and partly shielding his body from Gwaine.

"Why are you early?" Merlin lamented into Arthur shoulder.

"Don't pout mate, we brought booze."

"And presents, and is that anyway to say hello to your sister on Christmas?"

"Merry Christmas Morgana, now get out."

"No." She answered as she wandered into the kitchen, leaving Gwaine holding a bottle of whiskey and a stupid grin.

"Morning Merlin, happy Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too." He sighed, burying his head in Arthur's chest as Gwaine's mobile started to ring.

"Hello? Happy Christmas Gwen! What? Flooded? That's a shame, no of course, yes. No I understand." Arthur looked over at Gwaine, an eyebrow raised. "Of course! We're at Arthur's! No he won't mind, yeah, Morgana's here too. Merlin is actually standing right in front of me." At that moment Arthur wanted nothing more than too wipe the stupid grin off Gwaine's face with his fist but he stopped when the man said, "All right, see you soon!" and hung up.

"What?"

"Gwen's apartment is flooded. They've cleaned up the mess but they're supposed to be out of it for the day. Told them they could come here."

"Of course you did."

"Arthur don't sound so sour, where is your Christmas cheer?"

"I think it's all gone to his cock."

"Gwaine!"

"Sorry Merlin."

"I'm going to go get dressed." Turning away, Merlin headed for the bedroom as Arthur stood, lost to where his wonderful, sexy Christmas morning had gone. Opening his mouth he went to say something, closed it and glared at Gwaine one last time before turning around and heading into the bedroom.

"That went well."

"That's what we get for coming early."

"Oh Arthur doesn't mind really, he loves me too much." Morgana stated, giving Gwaine a kiss before taking their bag of presents over to the tree. "You'll make breakfast?"

"Mmmhm, though I'm not sure they'll be out to join us."

"Nonsense, nothing makes him go limp like having to see me." She said with a mischievous grin, settling on the couch while Gwaine searched the cupboards.

"She's awful." Arthur drawled, laying on their bed as Merlin dug through the drawers.

"She's your sister, and it's Christmas, I think that means she gets away with it today."

"You don't really believe that."

"No, I want sex and I'm unhappy, but it's Christmas Arthur." The same childish excitement was evident in his voice and it simply made any contempt Arthur held melt away into nothing.

"Yes, fine, it's Christmas, now give me a shirt."

"Yes Sire," he teased, tossing a shirt at the prone figure on the bed. "But you know, she is your sister," he went over to the bed, carefully getting onto it, "And she did interrupt when I was in a very compromising position." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Then I'll just have to make up for it won't I?" Pulling Merlin down next to him he planted soft kisses along his neck, trailing his hand down his stomach to the waist band of his pyjamas. But a knock at the door, followed by Morgana and Gwen's squeals of delight at one another's company stopped his progression. "I'll make up for it, tonight." He kissed Merlin's chest, feeling him grumble as he moved away. Pulling the shirt over his head he followed Merlin to the living room where Morgana and Gwen were hugging and Lancelot had gone to investigate what Gwaine was attempting to cook.

Merlin gave both Gwen and Morgana a hug and kiss on the cheek before proceeding to remove the two men from the kitchen. "I'll make breakfast, Gwen could you make tea?"

And that's how the five of them came to be seated around the living room that morning. Drinking tea, eating breakfast and enjoying a comfortable Christmas morning full of presents, laughing and just a little bit of whiskey. Gwaine sat by the tree, handing out presents. He thought he'd gotten them when he saw a small box in the back. Snatching it up he looked at the tag,

"Merlin! Catch!" Asking Merlin to catch anything was a bit of a lost cause, and it ended up bouncing off his shoulder and onto the couch between himself and Arthur. The latter of the two, seeing what it was, lunged at it, trying to grab it before Merlin could. But if physical prowess was required to beat Arthur, Merlin could be the most sporting, and he grabbed it up and scrambled off the couch with the little box. All eyes were on him as Arthur flushed, watching the wrapping paper fall away to reveal a black box. When Merlin opened it, he opened his mouth with a small gasp, looking at Arthur. In the box, on a velvet pillow, was a golden ring with the Pendragon insignia.

"Oh Arthur, it's beautiful." Merlin whispered, taking it out and putting it on as Gwen looked more closely at the ring,

"It's gorgeous Merlin." Arthur was blushing at this point, stuttering as Morgana gave him an amused look,

"Well, anyways, it's just a little ring, you know. So everyone knows that you're mine, Merlin." He sniffed, adding quickly, "Not that they'd want you."

"No, of course not you prat." Merlin responded with a smile, leaning down to claim Arthur's lips with his, "But you're my prat." He whispered softly as Arthur spoke,

"Always."