"Merlin," he called out. The dark haired boy turned to face him from where he was folding Arthur's clean clothes and placing them in the wardrobe. Arthur walked forward until they were but an inch apart. He could feel Merlin's warm breath on his face. Arthur looked into his deep blue eyes, so trusting, so filled with compassion. His hand reached up and brushed Merlin's cheek. He couldn't take it any longer and impulsively he leaned forwards and brushed his lips against Merlin's. They were so soft, so perfect, and it felt right, them being like this.

Merlin's hand reached around and fisted in the back of Arthur's tunic, pulling them closer until they were standing up against each other. Arthur knotted his fingers in Merlin's hair, straining to get all he could out of the kiss, their kiss. He slid his tongue out to brush along Merlin's bottom lip and he felt the boy shudder. Arthur smiled, knowing that he had the power to make Merlin feel things that others couldn't.

He slid his hand down to the back of Merlin's neck and pulled away, just enough so that their foreheads were still touching. Merlin tried to capture his lips once more, but Arthur just turned his face and began laying soft kisses at the exposed skin of Merlin's shoulder. It was out of love, and trust, and security, not out of lust (although there was plenty of that). He would give his life for Merlin any day, just to protect him and to keep him safe. He wished he could go to the highest tower in Camelot and proclaim his love for Merlin at the top of his lungs. He had never felt this way about anyone, girl or boy alike, and it was not something that he was willing to lose. Merlin melted into Arthur's embrace, his hand wrapped around the blond's back. He smiled and whispered into Arthur's ear, his lips tickling, 'I love you, my prince.'

Arthur awoke with a start. His forehead was damp with sweat and he was clutching the blankets tightly to his chest. He wrinkled his brow in confusion. Surely he hadn't been…of course that wasn't Merlin who he was…he didn't have feelings for Merlin!

Even denying it in his head sounded like a lie. Of course there had been moments where he had seen Merlin, cheering him on in a tournament, or smiling at some joke Morgana made, when Arthur had been...captivated...by the pasty incompetent manservant. The way his cheekbones were so beautifully carved into his face, the way his eyes shown when he was laughing, truly laughing…. Arthur shook his head. Surely he had not just called his horrible useless manservant beautiful?

A knock on the door startled Arthur from his reverie. "Sire?" came Merlin's eager voice as he opened the door and entered Arthur's chambers without waiting to be invited. He grinned widely at the blond prince who was lying in bed, his faced covered in shock and confusion. Merlin shuffled inside, precariously balancing a tray of food in one hand and Arthur's chain mail in the other. He kicked the door closed ungracefully, the goblet on the tray threatening to tip at any moment. Arthur reached a hand out for no reason, as he was too far away to stop the goblet from crashing loudly to the ground anyways, but Merlin managed to steady himself just in time. He turned to Arthur with a wink and a cheeky grin as if to say 'See? I'm not as incompetent as you think!' Arthur's heart fluttered and he shut his eyes, trying to push away his forbidden feelings.

"I've cleaned and polished your chain mail for training with the knights today, and I've gotten your favorite," he said, placing the tray down on his table and draping the chain mail over his chair. "Wild berries! I practically had to beg the cooks, but it was worth it because I knew you were feeling lousy yesterday." Arthur's heart softened and he pushed away the covers, moving to the edge of the bed. He swung his feet over the side and let his bare toes brush the cold hardwood of the floor.

"Merlin, clothes," he commanded softly, rubbing his eyes. The brunette complied without complaint, used to Arthur's demands. The prince stood, and raised his arms as Merlin reached out, his fingers gently pulling Arthur's sleeping shirt off over his head.

AN: Sorry that is pretty much the lamest chapter ending ever. But don't worry! I won't stop there; I'll try and write some more this weekend. Comments are immensely appreciated! :)