The consuming, eternal sunshine came not from the sky but from the gentle quirk of Arthur's strong cheekbones, the intense settling of his hopeful blue eyes and the upward movement of his rosy lips. His smiles made Merlin's summer. What surpassed their warmth and beauty was the knowledge that they were secret, reserved only and all for him. It was mid-August. The evening could almost be described as warm. The threat of school, and in Arthur's case college, loomed ominously in the near future, but in each other's presence they remained blissful and ignorant to the dwindling days and passing dates.
Arthur reached for Merlin's hand. He gave it and clasped tight, they ran. Arthur's stamina and athletic skill far surpassed Merlin's. Although the blonde's legs were shorter, they were muscular and more accustomed to long distance. Or any exercise at all. The raven haired boy was tall and scrawny and unbelievably unfit. But Arthur gave him a smile, teased him lightly and called encouragingly as he dragged and pulled his boyfriend in the direction of the local playground. Merlin moaned and complained, as was expected of him, but he kept his smile and kept going.
They reached the gate. Arthur undid the bolt and yanked Merlin by the arm. He yelled as he lost his footing. Arthur apologised in that smooth, amused voice of his and kissed the hand he still held. They went over to the swings. Merlin sat, expecting the other boy to take the other swing, but he remained standing, holding the chains either side of Merlin's head.
"What?" Merlin laughed, trying to sound amused but his voice betrayed him and revealed his nervousness.
Arthur was silent a moment. "I love you."
Merlin's cheeks and ears were set alight. "Don't be ridiculous. No, you don't."
He knelt so he was level with the younger boy and took both his hands. "How do you know I don't?"
"How do I know you do?"
He started to laugh at him and caught Merlin's lips beneath his own in a sugar sweet kiss. With the confession rushing around Merlin's mind and the pressure of Arthur's lips rushing through his stomach. Merlin promised himself that he'd remember this moment forever. It was the best summer of his life so far. A beautiful boy loved him. That's what everyone wants, isn't it? To love and be loved in return. But the wants of everyone else didn't matter. The moment mattered. The way his heart stopped if Arthur even so much as glanced at him, mattered. Arthur mattered. Love matters.