Merlin took the stairs two at a time and was panting when he reached the fourth floor of his dorm. The familiar floor coat of two crossed sabres surrounded by Camelot University's twisting dragon motif clattered against the door as Merlin slammed it open and rushed through.

Right across from the stairwell was the entry to Merlin's uncle's apartment. He burst inside and beelined for the kitchen, causing Merlin's uncle to turn in surprise from the book he'd been reading on the sofa.

"It's almost time, Gaius!" Merlin called from the stove, where he removed the simmering stew from the burner and began pulling bowls from the cupboard.

Merlin's white-haired uncle appeared in the doorway, wearing his typical old, stained laboratory robe and an amused smile. "I daresay your friends will not be offended if their meal is not perfect, Merlin," he teased gently.

Merlin, who was inspecting the consistency of the stew, shrugged in response. "I know. But… we're finally all together," he said seriously, and Gaius nodded with understanding.

Merlin had met Arthur and Leon during his freshman year, when he'd been made to assist the school's championship fencing team as part of his work-study. While Leon got along with most everyone, Merlin and Arthur seemed to end up arguing whenever they were in the same room. It had taken some trying circumstances for them to learn to tolerate each other, but in the last two years they'd become friends.

Merlin had also gotten close to the other members of the varsity fencing team. However, late transfers, study-abroad and conflicting schedules had meant that this would be the first term in which all of Merlin's friends would be together at last. This year, in recognition of the fencing team's regional championship and in order to ensure high achievement in both academics and athletics, Principal Pendragon had ensured that the team had complementary schedules and classes together, when possible.

Just imagining having all of his friends together had made Merlin look forward to coming back to college all summer. He'd never had more than a friend or two growing up, and couldn't wait to be part of a group.

"It's going to be amazing, Gaius, I just know it." Merlin smiled toothily at his uncle, who could not help but smile back.

At that moment, there was a polite knock on the door and Merlin rushed past Gaius to open it. Looking freshly tanned and relaxed were Leon and his girlfriend, Arthur's sister Morgana. Crying out greetings at the same time, Merlin and Morgana embraced.

Leon was the assistant captain of the fencing team and Morgana was the best female fencer at Camelot, and they were two of Merlin's best friends. Leon chuckled as he edged past them to greet Gaius.

"How was the cruise?" Merlin asked the skilled sabreuse.

Morgana made a face. "Just like every other cruise we've been on," she said in a tone that didn't encourage further questions. "And your summer break?" she countered, eyes twinkling craftily. "Gaius mentioned you had a girlfriend?"

Merlin glared at his oblivious uncle, who was still talking to Leon. "It… didn't work out."

Morgana made a sympathetic sound. "I'm sorry, Merlin. You'll find someone, I promise."

Merlin nodded half-heartedly, but, determined not to think about Freya and ruin the occasion, he went to greet Leon as Morgana hugged her old friend Gaius. Chatter from the open doorway preempted Merlin's questions for the senior, however, as Percival and Elyan dropped their luggage in the hallway with a clatter and burst into the apartment.

Percival and Elyan had been the last two students to join the varsity fencing team. Worried about the team's image, Principal Pendragon hadn't wanted to allow the transfers from other universities to join his elite squad. Arthur's dogged insistence that they would fit right in with the rest of the team was what convinced him, and the roommates had been valuable members of the team for the last year.

Merlin was feeling somewhat less than grateful at the moment, however, as he was squashed by a huge hug from Percival and battered by friendly punches from Elyan while the others laughed. Feeling slightly the worse for wear, he broke away from the crowd of reuniting friends and returned to the kitchen to take the bread out of the oven. He was so intent on his duty that he failed to notice a floorboard squeaking behind him.

"Still cooking for everyone, are you?"

The hot iron pan barely landed on the counter as Merlin spun around and lost his balance. A hand gripped his flailing elbow firmly and righted his balance before he fell into the oven.

"Still clumsy, I see," Lance chuckled, and pulled Merlin into a hug.

"You're back!" Merlin whispered, squeezing his friend tight. They didn't speak for several long moments, until Merlin sniffed and asked, "How was Spain?"

Lance's dark, serious eyes met Merlin's and he managed to smile. "Enjoyable. I visited relatives, studied, practiced fencing. But I'm glad to be back."

Unable to pay the full tuition at Camelot University, Lance had enrolled in a part-time study program. He was an avid fencer, but only full-time students could be on the team, so Merlin had helped Lance fudge his paperwork to get him on the team. The forgery was discovered, and Lance was expelled from the University for a year, but not before helping the team win the championships. In light of his success- and urged strongly by his son, who was as stubborn as a mule when it came to his fencing team- Principle Pendragon had approved of a sports scholarship for Lance's remaining years of study.

"We're glad to have you," Merlin said honestly. "I've really missed you," he confided more quietly.

Lance smiled in that innocent way of his. "Would you like some help?" he offered, gesturing toward the food.

Merlin sprang into action. "Yeah, thanks. The stew and bread just needs to cool, but apparently Gwen's gone vegetarian over the summer and I promised her I'd have salad." He directed Lance to the greens and carrots in the refrigerator and they quickly set to chopping up their ingredients.

"So, Gwen's doing well, then?" Lance asked. If Merlin had been paying closer attention, he'd have noticed a strange tone in his friend's voice, but since he had to focus on cutting the carrots instead of his own fingers, it slipped by him.

"Fantastic," he answered distractedly. "One of her essays was in a national publication last term, she's already got a job offer for after graduation."

"And… she and Arthur?"

"Mmm…" Merlin turned away to grab a salad bowl and slid the chopped carrots into it. He handed it to Lance and tried to turn away before the older man saw his blushing cheeks. He was setting out a row of bowls for the stew when Lance spoke.

"Do you still have feelings for Arthur, then?"

One of the bowls cracked down the middle and broke into a half dozen pieces.

Lance laughed. "I guess you have."

Merlin's uncle stepped into the kitchen and glared. "Control, Merlin! People will notice if you continue to break things whenever you become excited!"

"Don't worry Gaius," Lance said respectfully before smirking at Merlin. "Merlin is very good at pretending to be clumsy."

Merlin tried to make a face at his friend, but he was too happy that Lance was back to be angry.

Gaius relented. "Well, clean it up, Merlin, you have guests to feed. And I'd like some of that stew as well, if you don't mind," he asked. "I'll be in my study."

Exchanging a look, Merlin and Lance went back to preparing the meals. On trays stolen from the dining halls, they carried out bowls of stew and plates for the bread and salad, as well as the lemonade Merlin had made earlier. Leon and Morgana helped them bring everything to the living room while Elyan and Percival prepared the DVD player with the latest Pirates of the Caribbean.

"Are we late?"

Merlin carefully set down his tray of stew before dashing to welcome in the latest pair. Arthur and Gwen were holding hands in the entryway, and though he beelined for Gwen, it was the sight of Arthur that made Merlin's magic prickle under his skin. The senior was even more tanned than Morgana and his new haircut gave him a majestic look. It wasn't until Lance hugged Arthur and blocked the captain's face from Merlin's view that he realized he'd been staring.

"Go on, say hello," Gwen sighed, trying to sound put-upon while grinning fondly. "I'll speak to you later, Merlin." Though she'd been friends with Merlin since before he and Arthur could even be in the same room together, Gwen had gotten used to her boyfriend and her best friend getting into all sorts of trouble together. She held out her hand to Lancelot, who shyly took it to greet her, while Arthur turned to Merlin.

"Merlin," he said flatly, squaring his shoulders.

"Arthur," Merlin replied, equally unemotional.

There were jeers from behind them and Merlin was shoved forward by one of the sabreurs. He and Arthur both broke into a grins at the same time and hugged until Arthur felt the need to slap him on the back, forcing Merlin to squirm free.

"I trust my sabre and armor have been taken care of?" Arthur needled.

"Oh yes, sire, absolutely," Merlin pretended to bow.

"The cheek," Arthur scoffed. "Can't get good help nowadays."

"Careful Arthur, your ego's showing," Morgana joked from the couch. "Wait, that's nothing new!"

And so Arthur and his sister renewed their historical pastime of bickering about anything and everything. Merlin skirted around Lance and Gwen, who were talking quietly to each other, and delivered Gaius his dinner before returning to the living room. When he got back, his friends had migrated to the couched and were catching up about their summers- and in Lance's case, years- apart.

Merlin smiled unconsciously at the sight. He'd been waiting so long to have all of his friends together. Gwen and Arthur were sharing a cushion of the couch, with Lance beside them and Elyan squeezed in on the end. Percival had one armchair to himself and Morgana and Leon were pressed together on the other. Merlin took his customary place on one of the cushions on the floor in front of the sofa and frowned when he noticed the empty and unusually silent seat beside him.

"Where's Gwaine?"

Those seated behind him on the couch looked at each other for answers, but no one knew. Just then, heavy footsteps could be heard clomping up the stairs, and Merlin grinned.

Gwaine nearly always reminded Merlin of a movie star with the way he entered a room. As though lights came on and music started when he appeared, the long-haired man had a presence that attracted everyone's eyes. Today was no different.

"Hello my friends, you may all heap welcomes and gratitude upon me, for this commencement is now complete!" He lifted up his hands and showed off the huge cases of beer.

As Arthur, Percival and Elyan all leaped to their feet and dived for Gwaine, Merlin laughed. He knew that this year was going to be perfect.

A week later, everything was in ruins.