Your Lips Looked Lonely
"You look stupid." Arthur glares at Merlin as he continues to swing around the sword his father had brought home and specifically told him that they were not supposed to play with. So of course they just had to! They would be breaking the kids code if they didn't; and that would just not do.
Well, Arthur was playing with the sword. Merlin was just sitting there with his puppy dog eyes and pathetic expression. The young Pendragon rolls his eyes as he gives a couple swings with his sword. "I do not look stupid, Merlin. Pendragon men do not look stupid."
Merlin just gives Arthur a bored look as he swipes at the snowflakes that covered his glasses with his sleeve, fumbling with them because of his thick gloves. Arthur rolls his eyes again at Merlin's obvious disinterest in his sword skills. He was quite perturbed about it, though he was absolutely not pouting.
"Arthur, your dad is going to get mad. Let's go to my house okay? We can play pretend!" Merlin slips on his thick black framed glasses, nodding enthusiastically as he stood up brushing himself off. He was worried his best friend would get in trouble with his father. Mr. Pendragon was always so mean to Arthur.
Then the prat decided to show off for Merlin by swinging the sword so hard he tipped over and fell onto the snow, the sharp blade of the sword nicking his palm. Arthur's big blue eyes filled with tears and he gasps as he sees his blood well to the surface.
The bright crimson is bright and violent against the pale white of the snow. Merlin is at his side in seconds, his small hands cupped Arthur's bleeding palm, his fingers are warm on Arthur's hand, and Arthur realizes he really wants to hold Merlin's hand. He is quiet as his best friend wraps up his palm with his bright blue scarf.
Merlin knows Arthur's pride is wounded and how he hates it when his best friend is hurt. He leans close, their foreheads touching. Merlin pats Arthur's cheeks, wiping away the tears that streaked down his face. "Everybody get hurt and cry sometimes, Arthur. Even Pendragon men."
Arthur watches Merlin's face, his dark blue eyes sparkling behind his glasses, his cold, pale lips stretched wide in a smile. Arthur's light blue eyes are cold, calculating as he watches Merlin. His best friend was just about to keep comforting Arthur, he was going to tell him a story about knights and magic; just like he knew he liked.
When Arthur leans forward, catching their cold lips together. The kiss is innocent, soft and gentle; a mere exchange of heat and warmth amongst the freezing cold and snow.
Arthur pulls away, flushing before his eyes darts away, unable to keep his wide smile in check as he sees Merlin's lips stretch even wider; his smile so beautiful and contagious. "Come on, Merlin! We can't waste all day sleeping in the snow! There are dragons that need slaying!"
Merlin still hears his heart beating fast in his chest, he still feels the lingering warmth of Arthur's cheeks beneath his fingers; the heat of his best friend's lips on his own. He is shy, a small smile gracing his lips as he whispers.
"A-Arthur, what did you do that for?"
Arthur smiles back, his fingers ruffling Merlin's dark hair and stroking his cheek. "Your lips looked lonely." They both blush when Merlin leans into Arthur's touch.
The young Pendragon heads off into the bushes, yelling at Merlin to hurry up. The dark haired boy is still dazed in the snow, a wide smile on his face, before he jumps up to scramble after Arthur.
Both boys blush when Merlin slips his hand into Arthur's, but the other boy grips it tightly.
"Wait, Arthur? Do we have to kill the dragon?"