Merlin dabbed at Arthur's feverish forehead with a damp cloth. Though Arthur was burning up and buried in a pile of blankets, he was shivering incessantly. Merlin sighed, putting down the cloth.
Arthur had gotten sick about a week ago, and Merlin hadn't left Arthur's side, even to sleep or eat. Every once in a while Gaius had given Merlin a bowl of stew so he didn't starve.
Merlin brushed Arthur's damp blonde hair back.
A few minutes ago, Gaius had checked on Arthur. He was so unsmiling that it scared the young warlock.
"Any words he says here on out are not his own. The fever has taken hold."
Arthur had been mumbling some random comments every now and then that did not make much sense to anyone. They made sense now. Arthur had no control over his words.
Merlin's blue eyes had then locked onto the young prince's face. Gaius's expression had softened and he'd nudged a bowl of soup into the young warlock's hands and he'd quietly left Merlin alone to look after Arthur. It wasn't very hard for the old physician to see how the two boys felt for one another, even if they weren't aware of it.
Now, as Merlin brushed back Arthur's damp hair and arranged the tall pile of blankets around the young prince, he thought about the adventures he and Arthur had shared. He thought about how determined Arthur had been to save Merlin from the poison when he'd drunk from the poisoned chalice.
No one thought that Merlin remembered helping Arthur along his quest in his fevered state, but he did.
Quite vividly.
Through all of the memories, Merlin made a decision.
Merlin leaned forward slowly, as not to make a sound, and carefully fitted his mouth to Arthur's. Arthur, who was still asleep in his fevered state, made a strange, warm, pleased sound against the warlock's mouth. Merlin deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring Arthur's mouth, pressing their tongues together. Arthur made those cute pleased sounds until Merlin had to pull away for breath. Merlin smoothed back the prince's soaked blonde hair and smiled.
"I'll never leave your side, sire," he whispered.
Later, when Gaius walked in to check on young Prince Arthur, he found a sight to see.
Arthur was still asleep and feverish, though color was returning to his cheeks. Up to Merlin's waist was still in the seat, but his head was settled on his hands on the cot that Arthur was sprawled on, though he was several inches from the young prince. Both were snoring lightly.
A smile stretched across Gaius's face.
Like he didn't know.