Hey all! This is the first fan fiction I have ever written. I have done my best to lace it with light humour and lots of tension, but please let me know if there's anything I can do to improve it. I will be adding more chapters, it's not just a standalone short story ;). I welcome any reviews and comments you might have, it would mean a lot to me if you took the time to do so. I hope you enjoy it!

A gentle breeze caused the crunchy carpet of leaves to rustle around them, the trees exhaling with the wind.

"Ready?" Arthur said, through teeth gritted with focus. Every hair on his neck stood up as his entire being buzzed with anticipation.

This mood was suddenly shattered: "Ready, dollop-head."

"Merlin!" Arthur slammed his sword to the ground with frustration. "I said I needed to focus – focus, and train. In order to achieve a thing, known as victory. It's a nice thing, Merlin, though you wouldn't know." He saw that familiar spark of defiance light up in Merlin's mischievous grey eyes. Those eyes melted through his anger as soon as they made contact with his; to regain his composure he remarked, "Can't you be an obedient little simpleton for once?"

"Wow, this training is going better than I thought," Merlin shot back, enduring the piercing glare from Arthur's blue eyes, loving the challenge. "You came up with a retort all by yourself."

"Excuse me?" Arthur said, noticing how he'd also drawn out a smile from Merlin's lips. "I don't recall a time where I've ever let your mutterings go unpunished."

"Yes, but sometimes you need to use your brain – what if brawn just won't do it?" Merlin went, crossing his arms, awaiting a reaction. Arthur's lips curled into that indignant grimace Merlin always teased out of him. Arthur took a step closer to Merlin, pointing at him, the atmosphere thoroughly charged.

"You," he spat, getting riled up now, "are insufferable."

"Keep them coming, you're on a roll."

"Treading on thin ice, Merlin."

"Better not break it then, Sire."

In a single motion Arthur armed himself, kicking his sword upwards, plucking it out of the air with his hand. Brandishing his sword as he began to close the gap between him and Merlin, he said, "The number of times I have saved your life, you ought to show me more respect."

"When have I ever showed you respect? I mean really?" Merlin backed away slightly.

"I ought to put you in your place, Merlin," Arthur's teeth were gritted with annoyance, which to his shock Merlin relished.

Merlin threw his shield to the floor.

"What are you doing now, you moron?" Arthur asked him, stopping dead with bewilderment.

"Do it then," Merlin held his arms open to invite Arthur to attack him – he had him riveted.

To Merlin's satisfaction, Arthur dropped his sword, rolled his eyes, and made a gesture to say what the hell. "You have no idea what you do to me," he snapped at Merlin.

"I'm, um, doing you a favour, Sire," Merlin grinned, as Arthur brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes with frustration.

"I should really be used to your antics by now," Arthur shook his head incredulously, dropping his entangled hand from his head to his side.

"I'm going to train you today -"

"You bet you are!" Arthur interrupted.

"But," Merlin continued, "I'm gonna train your mind, instead," he shrugged at Arthur.

"You're going to train my mind – well you know what, Merlin," Arthur marched up to him and jabbed a finger at his chest, "I've got a good mind – to tie you to a tree by your feet."

"You want to tie me up, Sire?" Merlin asked, to which Arthur clenched his jaw, his cheeks colouring; he leaned in close, so he could speak with a threatening whisper.

As the tension between them became almost tangible, he whispered, "Maybe I do, though I doubt it would shut you up, I'd have to deal with that motor mouth of yours and all."

Arthur took his finger from Merlin's chest, balling it into a fist, adding, "And stop calling me Sire like that."

Merlin felt Arthur's warm breath on his face and his neck as he said this.

They became lost in a trance, looking into each other's eyes like they were endless vistas.

Arthur looked at Merlin's lips, then back into his eyes; Merlin followed his trail.

Then, to both of their surprise, Arthur pushed Merlin, hard. He staggered to the ground.

"So tell me, Merlin," Arthur said suddenly, after a stunned silence, "what does dollop-head mean?"

Merlin found himself unable to speak. He was struck by an idea, and by the time he'd processed it, he'd already done it. He launched himself forwards and tried to grab Arthur's sword... as always, Arthur overpowered Merlin, and instead Merlin found himself pinned against a tree. Arthur held him by the wrists. He was towering over him, his blonde locks flowing freely by his curious blue eyes.

"Arthur Pendragon," Merlin said breathlessly.

"W-what?" Arthur stammered, suddenly so confused.

"The definition of-"

"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur said, placing a finger at Merlin's lips, then brushing his dark hair from his grey eyes, tracing his jawline. Merlin stopped resisting, as the two of them became overpowered by the electricity that flowed between them.

Arthur leaned in...

...and captured Merlin's lips in his, dominating the kiss to start with, before Merlin became more bold.

Merlin broke the kiss and began nuzzling Arthur's neck, working his way back towards his lips with small kisses, each kiss releasing a sigh from Arthur's mouth.

When their lips locked again, the two of them sank to the ground, and then it became a race to see who could tear the other's clothes off faster. Merlin couldn't help himself. He had access to Arthur's toned torso in no time. Arthur caught up quickly, and the two of them urgently and deeply kissed each other as they explored the delicious beauty of one another.

Arthur's six-pack, his chest. That jawline.

Merlin's soft, full lips. His caressing hands.

Their eyes met one more time. Arthur stroked Merlin's cheek.

They lost themselves in each other, surrounded by the tender autumn glow of Camelot, shrouded with birdsong and the sighing of leaves, the sound of victory.