Merlin was Sitting in his room with one of Gaius's patients who was lying on the bed in Gaius's workroom. While Gaius was away getting some supplies.
Merlin held his hand a few inches over Soludo's leg. He had a deep infection that was starting to look bad and could get infected or result in blood poisoning that may result in his leg being amputated or worst it could kill the man. This is the reason why Merlin had been left alone with the patient, he had gone into town to get some ale to burn out any poison as well as the infection.
Merlin's hand was glowing as it moved over the man's leg as he was trying to heal it magically as he had found a spell in one of Gaius's books while he was gone for healing such injuries.
He heard the door swing open behind him, believing that it was just Gaius coming back with his herbs and ale, he did not stop the flow of the magic from his hand.
"Gaius, I think..." Merlin started as he stood to face him. His eyes went wide, and backed into the wall, quickly hiding his hand behind his back.
Standing in the room looking from Merlin to where his hand had been, it was very easy to see the shock on his face.
"You..You have..You're a.." Arthur stuttered.
"Arthur, please, it's not what you think."
"I think you're using magic," the prince choked on his words.
"Alright, well… but I'm not evil. I use it for good, for healing! I only use it to help people not hurt them!" Merlin's voice dropped to a whisper.
Arthur did not respond. He stood there, one hand extended, mouth gaping like a fish trying to breathe out of water.
"Arthur, please just give me time to do what I need to do and I'll leave Camelot! I need to help save this man," he begged.
The prince did not respond.
"Please! I've used it a number of times to save you, your father, Morgana- and even Gwen - along with several other people in Camelot! But I'm careful, nobody else but you and Gaius knows about my magic!"
Arthur was unable to speak. Seeing that the magic had done it's work and healed the man's leg, Merlin abandoned the patient. He ran up to his little room, used magic to quickly pack his things, and headed for the door. He couldn't see Arthur as the tears started to spill down his face. Now that Arthur knew about his magic he would not able to stay in Camelot, he was certain that Arthur would turn him in.
But what really hurt Merlin was the other secret he had been hiding from Arthur as well, he was certain if Either he or Uther found out he'd be killed for it. He was sure they would see it as treason.
He opened the door and Ran as hard as he could. With every turn he made down the stone halls, he expected to hear the clatter of armor chasing him, or Arthur's commanding voice telling him to halt.
Merlin got out of the castle without being stopped, without raising an eyebrow from any guard or knight. He trod down the dusty road out of Camelot towards the path that would lead him home to his mother.
A mile out of the castle walls, he fell to his knees in the bracken at the side of the road. He had not heard hooves or shouts. He turned and looked back to check for guards. There was a single horse and rider riding hard out of the castle gate. He was not surprised to see it was heading his way.
Recognizing Arthur, he became terrified and quickly tries to run through the trees. But he sank to his knees again as the pain in his chest grew. He couldn't go home. If he did he would be putting his own mother in danger, it would be the first place the king would look for him. And now that Arthur knew one of his secrets, he couldn't avoid his fate. He collapsed to the ground and lay hidden in the leaves his tears continuing to fall, he lay there blinded by them.
The pounding of hooves ceased. The crunch of boots upon leaves and twigs getting closer caused Merlin to spring to his feet. Fear lacing through him. Arthur strode through the undergrowth. Merlin backed away from him until he was against a very old gnarled tree.
Arthur soon stood before him, clenching and releasing his fists.
"Merlin.." Arthur whispered.
"Arthur please just let me go. I won't come back to Camelot," he begged.
"Merlin.." Arthur whispered again.
"Arthur, please.."
Arthur sighed and closed the distance between the two of them. His face was only inches from him.
Merlin's heart pounded. He closed his eyes fear coursed through him, he expected at any moment his prince would be shouting directly in his face. Merlin was surprised when he felt something warm and moist being pressed to his lips.
Merlin's eyes flew open in surprise as he realized what was happening. Arthur was kissing him!
The blonde leaned his body into Merlin's. Merlin could feel Arthur's heart pounding against him.
Merlin, obeying the urges of his body, didn't waste a second, he kissed Arthur back. Arthur's mouth tasted of meat and bread and sour wine. Merlin opened his mouth, helpless against Arthur's demanding lips. But the kiss didn't last long. Merlin began to cry again.
Arthur pulled him into his arms and slid down so that they both sat against the tree. Arthur held him close.
"Merlin, you're okay. You're safe. You know I trust you with my life." He stroked the dark hair away from his face. " I'm not going to tell the king. Your secret is safe with me." The thin shoulders continued to shake with weeping. " Merlin I have no wish to see you executed!" He said softly.
Merlin looked at him in shock.
"Merlin, my father said magic was evil, but I know full well that you are anything but that. You are the kindest, and strongest young man I know. You seem to be an idiot most of the time, but you're not evil!" Arthur told him firmly.
Merlin looked deep into Arthur's eyes and knew there was no lie in them The young man
he had always had a crush on was not going to turn him in.
Arthur cupped his cheek and wiped the tears away with his thumb. He pressed his lips against Merlin's forehead, his damp cheek, and then his trembling lips. Merlin hiccuped, shook violently and inhaled sharply but returned the kiss. Arthur pulled away.
"But.." Arthur said, cutting through Merlin's thoughts. "You should know I have strong…...feelings...for you."
Merlin licked his kiss-swollen lips, eyes wide as he listened.
"Feelings that go beyond caring whether or not you've shined my boots or washed my shirts or even saddled my horse correctly. I feel for you the way father says I should feel only for a woman."
Merlin smiled for the first time since Arthur had walked in on him.
"Arthur I have...I have the same….I feel the same way about you, I always have...since, since that day I willingly drank that poison in order to keep you from drinking it!" He finally admits.
Arthur smirked impishly then pulls a straight serious face, and says,
"But.."
"There is a condition to this, if you want me to keep you secret you have to agree to be my boyfriend, meaning I want a real relationship with you, you will be only MINE, and must agree you won't be with anybody else but me."
Merlin smiled, he knew Arthur to well to take him to seriously. But he found himself wondering if Arthur was really offering him the very desires of his own heart. Was Arthur really asking him to be his boyfriend? Would Arthur really keep his magic a secret?
As unsure as he was Merlin answered honestly anyways,
"Arthur, I am your servant in all things!" Merlin responded.
"Good, then it's official you are mine, and I will never tell anyone about you having magic, and when I am King I will make allow magic back in Camelot!" Arthur responded.
Rising to their feet the two of them together headed back to Camelot.