A/N- I personally thought the lack of embrace in series 4 episode 2 needed to be explained, so...
Merthur, spoilers for S4 ep2
Please enjoy and review :)
When Lancelot stepped aside, and Merlin walked forwards, he didn't really expect to feel what he did. His heart was beating more wildly than it had done all night, and he was almost too scared to look at Arthur, in case it stopped moving all together, freezing inside his chest.
Then, he was pulled into hugs, embraced, words of shock and relief falling from the knights' lips, and it was nice, and he hugged them back, but they weren't what he wanted. Gwaine ruffled his hair and Merlin grinned but, at the same time, he glanced anxiously over his shoulder, to see Arthur and Lancelot, greeting each other. Embracing.
Merlin's mouth went dry, as he went to stand by Arthur. And then, Arthur reached forwards, an arm outstretched, and Merlin just stood there, completely unsure, leaning in ever so slightly...
"It's good to see you, Merlin," Arthur's hand landed on Merlin's shoulder, and he gave it a little shake. Merlin wasn't sure whether he was relieved or not, when he grinned and said
"Yeah... it's good to see you too,"
Arthur then proceeded to knock Merlin's head and throw his arm around his shoulders, dragging him along.
And if, whilst they walked, their sides bumped together, or Arthur's finger's tightened protectively over Merlin's shoulder, neither of them mentioned it. If Arthur's eyes flitted to Merlin's face, only to look away when they caught each other's eyes, or Merlin's fingers brushed hesitantly against Arthur's waist, well. They had all night, didn't they? All night to figure out what the other really wanted.
But then Arthur remembered what was required of him. He was to die for his people. There was no way around it.
So, instead of gently kissing Merlin that night, whilst Merlin gloated about how he knew Arthur had missed him, he told Merlin to take care of Guinevere.
Because what was the point of starting something when there was so little time? Arthur looked towards the fire, and felt his heart wrench, as he lifted his hand from Merlin's shoulder.