As Arthur drove to the pub they had decided to visit. Merlin thought about what Morgana had said. Had he really got it so wrong? He knew he needed to clear this up and wasn't looking forward to it. He would look a right idiot if she was wrong. But then again they were sort of date venues when he thought about it. But Arthur hadn't said anything. Merlin was so deep in thought that he hadn't realised they had parked.

"Merlin…..Merlin we're here" Arthur touched his shoulder "Are you alright? You were miles away".

Merlin looked up shocked "Sorry I was thinking" he stuttered. "Just something Morgana said before we came out"

Arthur raised an eyebrow "What has that witch been saying now?" he asked half frightened of the answer

Now was Merlin's chance after all he needed to know before thing went any further. He looked at Arthur and took a deep breath, after all he wasn't a coward no matter how messed up he was. "Look Arthur I need to ask you something, please don't take this wrong. But have we been going on dates?"

Arthur blushed, something Merlin had never seen him do before. He looked out the window before he met Merlin's eyes. "Yeh well, I sort of hoped they were. But when you didn't react I kinda of left it. I don't want to push you into anything. Is that what Morgana said to you" he took Merlin's hand "Look Merlin I like you a lot and if you don't want to date that's fine. We can still go out together and be friends."

Merlin looked down at their interwoven hands and gave a small shudder. Arthur immediately let go "I'm sorry Merlin, I didn't mean to push you into anything. Look do you want to go back?"

Merlin looked at Arthur and knew they needed to sort this. "Arthur do you mind if we go somewhere quiet we can talk, I've been a bit dense and I need to process this" he paused "How could I have not realised?"

Arthur sighed with relief at least Merlin hadn't go of the deep end "Of course. It will be noisy here they have live music tonight. We can go back to my place….to talk nothing else I promise. That's if you feel comfortable with that."

Merlin gave a self-depreciating smile "Well it is out seventh date so I suppose that's ok"

Arthur started the car and drove to his flat and once they were inside Arthur went to get them a drink. "I don't know about you but I think I need a whiskey!"

"Can I have a tea please" Merlin asked "Still on medication" he explained, anyway he wanted to keep his head clear.

"Off course" Arthur busied himself "Sit down and get comfortable." He told Merlin.

Once the drinks were poured he sat down opposite Merlin in a deliberate move not to make the other man stressed. "Look Merlin I'm sorry I wasn't clearer, I've fancied you for ages, but it wasn't right to do anything either when you were living here or with the court case going on. When I did pluck up courage I soon realised you didn't understand my intentions but we were so much friendlier I didn't want to lose that"

"But I didn't even know you were gay! So much for my gaydar" Merlin looked at Arthur in surprise

"I think you've had other things on your mind Merlin, anyway it's not something that I advertise. I had several boyfriends when I was based in London but in a provincial town it's not so easy and I don't do casual flings or one offs, not my style. I don't hide it I just don't shout about it. All the guys at work know as do my family and friends. That's one of the reasons I broke off with Uther that and my choice of career. He thought I should seek a cure!" Arthur said bitterly.

"I god I'm sorry, I was lucky my mother was always supportive right from the beginning, in fact I think she knew before I did" Merlin sympathised but then asked "But why me? I mean I'm a no one you could have anyone you wanted, without all my baggage."

"Don't run yourself down Merlin, you are a good looking bloke, intelligent and very kind and brave. At first I wanted to be sure it wasn't what you did, that attracted me, they are my family after all" the blonde admitted "But I soon realised it wasn't anything to do with that. We gel, once you got over the fact I was blonde and good looking!" Arthur chuckled trying to release the tension in the room. "Anne and Tristian realised it before me."

"They are not the only ones Gwaine is running bets on us" Merlin explained "Morgana told me" then he became serious once more "Look Arthur I am getting better, but I will always have problems, I know that. You don't need that in your life."

Arthur looked at Merlin and allowed the emotion he was feeling to show on this face and in his voice. "I want you, problems and all. Merlin, I have seen your scars, they don't put me off. I just wish I had known you then, when it happened. You wouldn't have had to cope alone as you did. I've told you before your scars are part of you, they show your bravery and determination." Arthur was sincere and it showed. "Let me in please, at least give us a chance"

Merlin was wringing his hands "You say you've seen them but you haven't not all of them. I'm ugly" his voice went down to a murmur that Arthur could hardly hear. "Brad is right I am like something from a horror show, damaged goods"

Arthur moved to the settee next to Merlin and took Merlin's hands "Look at me Merlin" when Merlin looked up tears in his eyes but not falling Arthur continued "He was the monster not you! What would you say to someone you cared for if they had scars? Would you call them a monster…of course you wouldn't. So don't talk about yourself that way. There is no way you're damaged goods, you have signs of what has happened that's all." Arthur leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Merlin's cheek. Then he paused "I've wanted to do that for weeks. I hope you don't mind"

A trace of a smile came onto Merlin's face "Well since it is the seventh date I don't suppose that's to forward"

"Then can I do it again?" Arthur asked "Just to see if you like it, because I know I will" when Merlin didn't say anything Arthur lightly put his hands around Merlin and pulled him in for a longer but still gentle kiss. Merlin responded cautiously.

"I haven't kissed anyone for a long time." Merlin admitted "Not since before it all happened. Brad wouldn't, to start with he said he was frightened to hurt me, because of my facial injury, then I guess he didn't want to"

"What a wanker and what a waste" Arthur said "Look can I hold you, we can watch a film or something if you like, we take this as slowly as you want to, just give us a chance" he looked at Merlin with puppy dog eyes and the slender man found himself relaxing slightly. "I won't hurt you Merlin"

After Arthur took Merlin back a few hours later Merlin did some serious thinking. He realised he was still young and if he didn't want to spend his life alone he needed to open up more. He liked Arthur but he wasn't sure it would work. They took their time seeing each other, a couple of times a week as their shifts allowed. But often with the others. Their next three solo dates saw them slowly increase their kissing and hugging, but Arthur as promised took it slowly, never putting any pressure on Merlin. But at least they both accepted they were dating and not mates. On the fourth occasion Arthur had cooked then a meal after they had spent the day together. As they sat cuddled up beside each other kissing gently Arthurs arm went under Merlin's shirt accidently. Merlin stiffened then he forced himself to slowly relax. As Arthurs hands went to Merlin's sides Merlin again tensed as Arthur felt the raised scars under his hands.

"Shush my love relax I won't hurt you." Arthur whispered gently. They had already talked about Merlin's scars and the fact that some were numb but others hypersensitive. He had two area on his chest and one on his waist that sometimes broke down and wept. Gradually Arthur continued to explore, the room was dark and Arthur hoped that by touching the scars first without seeing them Merlin would be more comfortable.

Merlin also started to explore Arthur, it had been a long time since he had held anyone and he liked the feeling it gave him. He relaxed more and more and when Arthur began to undo his shirt he didn't stop him. He was still wearing his t shirt and Arthur let his hands roam under it. That evening they did more touching than before but Arthur decided to leave the next stage for another time. It was two dates later during another petting session when Arthur asked Merlin "Can I take your t shirt off?"

Merlin started shaking "We haven't got to Merlin, don't worry just relax" Arthur smiled reassuringly "I'm sorry I pushed you further than you are comfortable with"

The next solo date Merlin arranged to go straight to Arthur's and take a take away and a DVD they were going to have a marathon session of their favourite films. Arthur was surprised, Merlin did not have his trademark vest on under his shirt. But he said nothing. But as the evening progressed Merlin surprised Arthur even more by suggesting they go to the bedroom. Hand in hand the couple made their way down the corridor. Once they got there Merlin whispered shyly. "I want you to look at my scars, if I lay down you can see them better. I can't expect this to continue unless I can face this. You have to be comfortable with how I am." He looked at Arthur his emotions overwhelming him. "I am falling in love with you and if this is to end then I need to know before …..it's too late"

Arthur was also overwhelmed with the trust Merlin was showing him. Merlin took his shirt of and lay on the bed and closed his eyes. Arthur took his shirt off it just seemed right. The he led on the bed next to Merlin "Open your eyes please I want to see them"

Arthur looked at Merlin's chest and noticed, as he had when feeling them that some ran below the waist and out of site. Careful not to show the anger he felt when he thought of what Merlin had been through, he carefully touched the scars one by one. Asking as he did which ones were sensitive and which were prone to breaking down. Then he proceeded to plant small kisses over Merlin's chest tracing each of the scars. Merlin's entire chest as well has his upper arms and sides were crisscrossed with scars where Valliant had slashed at Merlin over and over again some had clearly been much deeper than others. Merlin slowly went from tense as a board to relaxed, as he forced himself to breathe deeply. Then Merlin slowly started to touch Arthur as they lost themselves in the moment.

"Can I?" Arthur touched Merlin's waistband his intention clear. Merlin nodded and Arthur removed Merlin's trousers and boxers and then continued to trace the scars that ran across his hips and groin. They were less here but Arthur could see where they rubbed. He eased himself up and removed his own jeans "It's only fair" he grinned. Although they still only touched and felt both knew an important hurdle had been passed that evening. The two men spent the night in each other's arms. As Merlin snuggled into Arthur he felt safe for the first time in three years. Arthur whispered in his ear just as he felt the darkness of sleep overtake him "I love you"

As the couple's relationship progressed it was clear to everyone that Merlin was becoming more confident in himself and also more comfortable in his skin. Merlin still had problems, they wouldn't be solved that easily. Arthur discovered that Merlin often had nightmares. Even when they had shared the flat he hadn't known that. He also still had mood swings but Arthur's patience with him, and the love he showed helped then to pass quicker. When Morgana and Percy announced their engagement four months later Arthur asked Merlin to move in with him. Which he did, it was then that they finally took their relationship to the next level to a full sexual one. Before that they had made out and even had mutual blow jobs but hadn't gone the final step. Arthur continually told Merlin how beautiful he was and gradually Merlin lost his self-consciousness as the blonde looked at his body. He still couldn't bear to allow anyone else to see his scars. Alice warned Arthur that he might never be able to do that.

Epilogue

Seven months after the trial the appeals are heard. Uther and Sarrum had clearly been busy with their lawyers and their defence was slick and it was clear that they both thought had a good chance of getting off. New evidence was presented on Uther's generosity in helping new businesses set up by offering cheap peppercorn rents. It seemed he had helped four other businesses. The money Brad had got for his honeymoon could not be linked directly to Uther. It could be traced to Sarrum but he had an explanation that seemed to stand up. It seemed Brad had done some work over the previous months for Sarrum through a second party. Why this hadn't come out in the first court case was unclear. In the end the judge said that although there was strong circumstantial evidence to link the pair to the case but not sufficient to find then guilty, and their convictions were squashed. The resulting uproar in the press made sure that Uther's career as a front bencher was over, although for a time he did resume his career on the back bench

This angered Arthur and Morgana who felt that pressure had been exerted clear the pair. Merlin was less upset. He just wanted it all over and also he felt guilty that Arthur and Morgana's father had been involved and felt he needed to take some responsibility. Something everyone else told him to forget and that none of it was his doing. Uther contacted Arthur and tried to get a reconciliation which was unsuccessful, although when Uther found out Arthur was living with Merlin as a partner his vitriolic remarks would have prevented it anyway. Uther was also less than pleased with Morgana's fiancée, believing she should have done better for herself. To which Morgana told him to keep out of her life permanently or she would apply for a harassment order. Something he couldn't risk as the publicity would finish his career even as a back bencher. He also had hopes of climbing back up into favour.

A year after the appeal a general election was called and Uther found himself deselected by his local party, unable to get an opening elsewhere his political career was over. It seemed mud stuck and the local party felt they had no chance of keeping the seat with Uther at the head. Morgana was smug for weeks, until she finally admitted that she had told them that Uther was her father and that Uther's recorded views on marital fidelity were a sham and that if he was to stand she would make it public.

It was just after this that Morgana and Percy married. Uther turned up to the wedding but was asked to leave. Having several police officers present helped to get him to leave peacefully. While he was there Elyan and Will stayed with Merlin as Arthur was giving away Morgana and Gwaine was best man. Having Gwaine as best man might not have been Percy's best choice as the speech was something talked about for years.

When Arthur and Merlin married six months later Leon was best man to both the grooms. And Miranda who was now four and a half held the rings. Merlin had finally coming to terms with his body image with the help and support of Arthur, his self-confidence had increased and his panic attacks were few and far between. And Arthur, well he was the first to admit that he had been wrong and as far as Merlin was concerned everything did indeed feel right in fact it couldn't be better.

THE END