Written in response to EvaAngel on one of her DeviantArt pictures, where she came up with the Dragons quote at the end. Hope you enjoy- if you did, give me a review!
Picture: .com/art/Merlin-Almost-Lover-157192236
(Italics are past, normal text is present.)
"Arthur..."
"What, Merlin? Don't just stand there like an abandoned puppy, come in."
"Thanks. Um, there's something I need to tell you."
The light from the torch grew stronger and brighter as Merlin ran down the steps to the Dragons cave.
"Are you there?" Merlin yelled. "Come on, this is important!"
"It may be important to you, young warlock," a voice replied from the darkness, then with a rush of air the dragon flew down to face the raven-haired boy.
"I told Arthur," he said shakily. The dragon nodded.
"And how did he react?"
"Not well," Merlin admitted.
"So, that's all, I guess. Say something, Arthur."
"I-"
"Look, I know it's unexpected, but-"
"Get out."
"Arthur-"
"You heard me! I can't- I can't believe you've just been- lying. This whole time!"
"I couldn't help it! You had to know at some point."
"You disgust me."
"What do you expect me to do about this?" the dragon asked.
"You said it was my destiny to stay by Arthur. To protect him," Merlin explained. The dragon nodded.
"So?"
"How am I supposed to do that, when he's ordered me out of Camelot! You said... I was sure he would think the same. That we would stay together."
"No chance of just forgetting that any of this happened, then?"
"Why are you still here?"
"I'm not giving up on you that easily. You need me here."
"What I need is for you to leave. If anyone knew.. you'd be dead where you stand."
"You know. What's stopping you?"
"I thought we were friends, that's all. So go, before I have to kill you myself."
"Arthur, please."
"Go, damn you!"
Merlin's eyes filled with tears as he walked out of Arthur's chambers, and out of his life.
"He was my destiny, you said that. I thought everything would work."
"Arthur is your destiny, Merlin, that is true. But never did I say you were his."
---
"Um, there's something I need to tell you."
"Go on then."
"Look, this is hard to say."
"Are you being purposefully annoying?"
"No! I mean, I'm not trying to be. It's just..."
"For gods sake, spit it out, Merlin!"
"I- I love you."
"...What?"
"I love you. There, I've said it. So that's all, I guess."
"..."
"Say something, Arthur."