The next day, Merlin was just finishing up a short shift at the hospital. He came out, with his bag on his shoulder and stopped, staring at something opposite the road. He had an idea. With a glance at his watch, he crossed the road and went in.

Arthur added some mint leaves and put the jugs in the fridge.

"I'm home!" Merlin's voice called.

"I'm in the kitchen!" Arthur called back. Merlin walked in and smiled.

It was a nice summer evening, with a bit of a breeze.

"I made dinner." Arthur said, "I thought we could eat outside."

Merlin grinned. "Sounds perfect."

They took their food outside and sat on chairs with a jug of homemade lemonade between them.

"This is so delicious," Merlin said. "I had no idea you knew how to carry a plate let alone make food for it."

"Oi!" Arthur threw a piece of bread at him. They both laughed.

"Oh, and I have some news." Merlin said conversationally.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, well, two bits actually. You want the good news or the bad news?" Merlin asked. Arthur thought.

"Good news." He said.

"Well, I got you a job." said Merlin. Arthur laughed.

"Oh you're serious?"

"Yes, clotpole. It's at the bakery across the road from where I work. I'm friends with the owner, Mandy, and she's really nice. She owed me a favour anyway and was looking for someone to help her in the shop, so I mentioned you. Don't worry, I told her you were an amnesia victim which means you lost your memory and I said you have a hard time remembering how things work so she'll go real easy on you. Is that okay? "

Arthur was beaming. "That's perfect. I can't wait. When do I start?"

Merlin pulled a face. "Two days. Which brings me to the bad news... one of my coworkers, Miranda is retiring soon so she's having a big fancy party in two days. You don't have to come of course, I can just go on my own but -"

"No I'll come." Arthur said quickly. "I would like to."

Merlin smiled a bit. "Okay then."

Two days time

"I'm finished, I'll come to the bakery." Merlin said, over the phone. His shift was ended early because of the party, so he walked over to the bakery and found Arthur and Mandy wetting themselves laughing.

"Hey," She said, as he walked through the door. Arthur grabbed his stuff.

"See you tomorrow, Mandy!" He called. She waved and together, Merlin and Arthur walked to the car. They had about two hours to get ready for the party.

"So... how did it go?" Merlin raised his eyebrows. Arthur was beaming again. The sleeves of his t shirt were rolled up and there were bits of flour in his hair.

"Really really well," He sighed happily. They talked about his day and then started to get ready.

Merlin was wearing black jeans and an open necked blue shirt that he tucked in loosely.

Arthur wore blue jeans and a white t shirt.

"M! You made it!" Miranda opened the door and kissed Merlin on the cheek. He handed her some flowers and she swatted him with her oh-you-shouldn't-have hands. "And this must be Arthur!" She kissed Arthur's cheek too. "I've heard so much about you!"

Arthur blushed and they were both dragged inside. Music was pounding and people were dancing and drinking.

"Just stick with me." Merlin whispered. Arthur nodded.

They mingled and Arthur got a little drunk, much to Merlin's amusement. Tequila seemed to be his poison. In the corner, two men were making out.

"Merlin, look." Arthur said, pointing to them.

"Don't point." Merlin nudged him.

"They're men. Kissing."

"Oh, yeah, time's are different to Camelot now. Basically you can love and fuck who you want. A guy attracted to guys is called gay and a woman attracted to women is lesbian."

Arthur looked mind-blown.

Later, he was a little spaced out, sat down in the corner. Then he noticed Merlin standing with one of his doctor friends. Standing a little too close for Arthur's liking.

Before his head could catch up, Arthur rose to his feet and walked wobbily over to them.

"This is my friend Arthur," Merlin introduced. "Arthur, this is my coworker, Derek."

"Nice to meet you." Derek smiled. Arthur nodded back politely. To his relief, another doctor came over and dragged Derek away.

"Dance with me," Arthur said, tugging at Merlin's hands. The warlock's eyebrows shot up.

"What?"

"You heard me." Arthur said, looking around and listening to the god awful music pounding through the millions of speakers hidden around the house.

"You are so drunk, Arthur." Merlin laughed, taking a sip of his drink. Arthur shook his head firmly.

"No I'm not," He insisted. He took Merlin's cup and set it down. He lifted Merlin's arm and put it around his neck.

"Now dance with me."

"Idiot."

"Prat."

Watching from the kitchen, Miranda sipped at her own drink. Meredith came bouncing in.

"Ooooh, so M actually brought someone." She giggled, looking at the two, dancing like drunk giraffes.

"I knew he was gay." Cristina said.

"That Arthur has been so good for M. Have you noticed how much better he looks, physically?" Miranda awed. The others agreed.

"That was so fun!" Arthur exclaimed, as they climbed out of the Uber, stumbling a bit.

"I know, clotpole, you've said it 7 times." Merlin laughed dryly. They got inside and Arthur tried to get his shoes off. He fell over.

"Hey, hey, hey, come here." Merlin helped him up and dragged him up the stairs to bed.

"What're you?" Arthur slurred. Merlin tugged his pants off and helped him into his pyjamas.

"What?"

"Gay, lesbeen, which one are you?" Arthur asked. Merlin paused and gulped.

"Me? Gay." He said, holding his breath slightly. "Is that.. is that a problem?"

Arthur laughed. "No. Course not." He tried to punch Merlin playfully and missed.

"I think I have to be lesbian." He said finally with a sad, serious look. Merlin laughed now.

"No. You're only lesbian if you're a woman. You're a man therefore you're straight." Merlin said, voice a little funny.

"But I could totally fuck guys." Arthur said. Before Merlin could even reply, he'd fallen fast asleep.