A/N: OK. I am finally doing this. I am finally serious about writing a proper fanfic. So dear readers, thank you for choosing to read this, and I will do everything in my power to not disappoint you. First things first, the story's chapters will probably not be in a proper chronological order. The story will go back and forth through time. I might, might not repost this in a different order, if I see fit. But meanwhile, bear with me.

Secondly, here come the warnings. This is a Merthur pairing, so if you don't like it; don't read it. For now, I'll keep the smut mild. More fluff but no serious graphic smut. Later the smexy times will come.

Thirdly, before you get to reading, I promise a new chapter every Monday, unless something terrifically horrible happens to me…. Now enjoy…. (^_^)

Merlin's POV

Merlin sat down on the bank of the small brook running outside the walls of Camelot. He was here with Arthur for hunting practice. They had spent a couple of good hours riding horseback in the woods, but came across no game to hunt. Out of sheer boredom Arthur had suggested that they duel. So that's what they had ended up doing. After months of spending most of his time beside Arthur, and being his sparring partner, or rather more accurately put; his punching bag, Merlin had easily managed to spar with almost no difficulty against Arthur's lazy swings of his sword. But as always, Arthur quickly tired of using the same techniques over and over again. He wanted to try something more challenging. That cocky clotpole.

"Say, Merlin," Arthur had said, swinging his sword around. Merlin had cocked his head at him, staring in those arrogant blue eyes of his. "I wonder, if we could try this new move I've been thinking of lately," Arthur had said, answering Merlin's questioning look. "I'm not too sure I'd want to be on the receiving end," Merlin had said, looking down at his sword, not trying very hard to hide his widening smirk. "After all, sire, a royal ass like you with those clumsy sword moves of yours, I am afraid you'd trip over your own feet, impaling yourself as a result. What would I tell King Uther then?" Merlin had looked up at Arthur then, trying hard to contain his laughter.

"My dear King," Merlin had said, kneeling before an imaginary throne, "I am almost sorry to deliver these grave news." Merlin had gone on, not bothered in the slightest by Arthur's expression which clearly said he was not amused. "Your son, the poor clumsy fellow, has per—" "Merlin!" Merlin had looked up at Arthur, disappointed to be interrupted. "You look like a buffoon kneeling there and talking to yourself. So do me a favour and stand up, before I fall to my temptations and impale you." Which he successfully did, Merlin thought to himself, that royal klutz! He winced as he pulled his shirt over his head. He said he had the whole thing under control! And then he went and somehow wedged —Merlin winced again — his sword into my shoulder.

He looked at the gash on his shoulder. Luckily it was neither deep nor serious. But obviously painful. He mentally noted to never trust Arthur with his life again. Merlin dipped his hands into the brook, enjoying the feel of the cool water current passing through his fingers. But, Merlin sighed heavily, it is my destiny to put my life on the line for Arthur's. Besides, I don't what I'd do if… Merlin shook his head trying to forget the countless close encounters Arthur had had with death. He washed his hands before scooping up some water to dab at the wound. As he was busy cleaning his cut, he heard a snap of twigs behind him.

Arthur's POV

God, Arthur thought, shaking his head and running a calloused hand through his blond hair. He felt like an outright fool. What possessed him to go ahead and try out a stupid move he's never even practiced beforehand, on an unexperienced manservant? But he went and did it, and ended up injuring Merlin. Merlin hadn't even let him look at the damage, let alone apologize. Merlin had simply cried out in pain and anger before quickly turning on his heels and running in the opposite direction. Arthur recalled those angry eyes of the brunette's and his disappearing back. He remembered how Merlin clutched at his shoulder.

Geez, Arthur started pacing again. The cut couldn't have been such a big deal now, right? I mean, Merlin can be such a girl sometimes. Arthur thought to himself, trying convince himself it wasn't his fault. But then Merlin's face had to flash in the blonde's mind, only to remind him of those blue eyes filled with pain. Alright. Alright! I will go after him. Arthur thought, throwing up his arms in defeat. I need to at least apologise to him.

Arthur turned and walked down the path where he last saw Merlin disappear. He pushed a couple of branches out of the way, before reaching the clearing in front of the brook. There he saw Merlin kneeling beside the brook. He was about to call out to his manservant, but stopped in mid-thought when Merlin grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his curly head.

Arthur felt his breath hitch when his eyes fell on the raw skin of the brunette's back. The blonde couldn't help but stare at the beauty of Merlin's flawless skin. So pale, so smooth. Smoother than a girl's, Arthur noted. And those lean back muscles. His eyes trailed hungrily from the brunette's angular shoulders to the suggestive gap right above the waistband.

Arthur bit his lower lip, as doubt and lust confounded his mind. He and Merlin were close, but he'd never looked at the brunette this way before. Though there was something about his manservant. Something that intrigued the prince, that held him captive whenever Merlin laughed, or smiled or simply looked at the blonde with those honest yet cunning eyes of his. He just couldn't place his finger on it.

But now, looking at the brunette in his naked glory, Arthur couldn't help but think that maybe he just had feelings for his manservant. No, thought Arthur, his eyebrows dipping low, that can't be right. We're both men. He's my manservant. This is not right. Arthur shook his head one last time before thinking, that he must be either really tired or really hungry for him to think such nonsense. But then again, when his fell upon Merlin's pale skin, he couldn't help but breathe out in a feverish delight.

He stepped forward, accidentally stepping on a twig. It cracked underfoot, echoing loudly in the clearing. And just when he thought his heart couldn't beat any faster, Merlin turned around as quick as lightning, looking directly at him. Arthur could've sworn his heart stopped at that moment.

Merlin's POV

Merlin spun around, a spell on his tongue, ready to knock out any unexpected bandits if needed. Speak of the devil…, Merlin cursed, as he saw Arthur appear in the clearing. Then his eyes fell on Arthur's expression and he completely forgot about the words in his mouth when. He swallowed his words, feeling an unfamiliar heat creep through his stomach up to his chest.

Arthur's face was full of bewilderment, but his flushed cheeks and his eyes told the warlock something else… Merlin couldn't exactly say what he was seeing in Arthur's eyes, for it was the first time he saw such an expression in them. No, Merlin thought, there was this one time… That time Morgana wore that dress… Suddenly Merlin was very conscious of his naked torso. No way in Camelot… the brunette thought as realisation hit him. Arthur can't possibly … see me in that way?!

Merlin's & Arthur's POV

Merlin whipped around quick as lighting, trying to hide the creeping heat on his cheeks. He resumed to washing his wound, even though it didn't need cleaning anymore. "Come here to apologise, clotpole?" Merlin asked, his voice hitching to a squeak at the last word. Keep it under control, Merlin, he muttered to himself.

Arthur seemed to snap back to reality at Merlin's voice. "Yes." Arthur said quietly, sighing. Merlin blinked in surprise at Arthur's response. Usually Arthur would snap comments back at him and call him names. And as far Merlin could tell, Arthur never apologised.

"So?" Merlin said, trying to hide the surprise in his voice. He turned around to look at Arthur again, only to come face to face with the blonde. While Merlin had been contemplating about Arthur's actions, the blonde had quietly crept closer, as he too was trying to make sense of his actions. He was now crouching down, next to the kneeling Merlin, both gazing deeply into each other's eyes. Blue on blue.

Merlin reacted first. He pulled back, conscious of his reddening cheeks, but winced in regret at the sudden movement as his shoulder throbbed. I should've healed the damned thing when I had the chance! Merlin sighed through gritted teeth. Then Arthur reacted.

He placed his hand on Merlin's wound, gently caressing it. "It still hurts, doesn't it?" he asked the brunette, not losing eye-contact. With Arthur's gentle touches one his shoulder, Merlin had second thoughts about healing his shoulder. "Of course it does!" Merlin retorted, blushing slightly at not at admitting weakness in front of his prince but at the unclean thoughts he tried to keep in his head.

Arthur laughed at the brunette's reply. "Come on now, Merlin. Don't be such a girl!" Merlin blushed harder at this, but that didn't stop him from fighting back. "Then a royal ass like you, sire, shouldn't go around chopping up girls to pieces!" But Arthur's grin only widened. "Aha!" the blonde said, standing up, "So you do admit to being a girl!" Merlin's mouth fell open, and he turned the deepest shade of scarlet. Arthur laughed at Merlin's obvious embarrassment.

God, he's so cute, Arthur thought, still laughing. Merlin tried to hit him in the shins, but his shoulder prevented him from doing so. Arthur stopped laughing and his smile turned into a frown as he looked at Merlin's face contorting into pain. He bent down, offering his hands at the furiously blushing brunette. "Here, grab on. I'll help you up." Arthur said, a smile playing on his pink lips.

Merlin tried to swat his hands away, while thinking of how kissable those lips looked. But despite Merlin's attempt, Arthur still grabbed the brunette from under his armpits, raising him up like a child. Merlin blushed again, as the blonde's arm snaked around his waist to support him to his feet.

They started walking back to their horses, Arthur with his arm still wrapped around Merlin's waist, and Merlin very conscious of Arthur's fingers gently caressing his abdomen. He couldn't do this anymore; Merlin had to get away from the sheer closeness to his prince before he went and did something foolish.

"Ah!" Merlin suddenly stopped. "My shirt!" He was about to turn around to go fetch it, when he felt Arthur's arm tighten around him some more. "You don't need it…" Arthur said quietly. Merlin looked flustered at this, trying hard to keep his body and breathing under control. "Of course I do. I can't go back looking like this!"

"What's wrong with looking like this?" Arthur voiced his words slowly, slurring them, his voice suddenly gruff and really quiet. Merlin's heart started to thump really loudly when he slowly looked up the blonde. Arthur didn't need to say the next couple of words, because his eyes told Merlin all he need to know. "You look great like this…" Arthur felt Merlin stiffen in his arm. Did I overdo it? Arthur wondered, but then caught the growing blush on the brunette's cheeks that was extending down to his pale nape.

Arthur unconsciously licked his lips as he stared at Merlin's bare nape. Luckily, Arthur came to his senses before he let himself fall to his desires, even though he still wanted to bent down and ravage the brunette's oh so invitingly pale skin. He set Merlin down on a nearby rock, and crouched down next to him so he was face to face with the warlock.

Arthur's hand was back on Merlin's wound, caressing it. Merlin sighed at the feeling of Arthur's fingers on his bare skin. If only he could have more of the blonde's touch. He's the prince, Merlin. He would never look at his manservant in that way, you're nothing more than a friend to him, Merlin thought to himself as the feeling of loneliness wrapped around him.

Suddenly, Arthur's hand moved from the brunette's shoulder to his cheek, wrapping a finger on a loose lock of hair. If Merlin couldn't breathe properly before, then he must've stopped breathing completely in that instant. Arthur's face was so close to his, it was scaring the warlock. His heart was hammering in his chest at a speed he'd thought not possible.

They locked eyes, both gazing intensely in the other's, searching for answers to these overwhelming feelings. Merlin was unconsciously admiring Arthur's long lashes, before looking into the blonde's blue orbs, taking notice of his lust filled eyes. "Arthur?" Merlin whispered, feeling his breath bounce back on his face. Arthur didn't say anything, but his lips parted slightly, and his hand stopped moving completely.

"Arthur…" Merlin felt his face dare come nearer to the prince's, so near, that he felt the blonde radiate intense heat. Arthur's gaze was distant, and his eyelids were slowly closing. Merlin's heart continued to thrum against his aching chest. "Do you…?" But before Merlin could voice his whole question, he felt Arthur's lips against his.

The kiss was full of lust and panic. Desperate and full of want. Their lips moved against each other feverishly and with such intensity, it set both of their lips alight with fire. How long Merlin had secretly waited for this to happen, that he was now afraid that when they would part, it'd be the end of them. Of everything they have built so far.

Arthur was thinking along the same lines. What if Merlin hated him for doing this? What if Merlin left him? He couldn't stand the thought of his manservant disappearing forever when he had finally closed the gap between them.

They pulled apart for breath, interrupting both men's thoughts. But they wouldn't breath, they couldn't. They were both waiting to see what happened next. How would the other react to this sudden kiss? But they couldn't wait anymore. They simply would not. The line between them was breached, and all they had to do is breach it again.

So Merlin grabbed Arthur's face and clashed their lips back together, as Arthur wound both of his arms around Merlin's naked waist. Pulling him closer. That's when they knew the world wouldn't end after their first kiss. That's also when Merlin pulled apart in the heat of the moment, turned his face away from Arthur and sneezed. Really loudly.

How unattractive, Arthur thought, still dazed from the kiss. Merlin rubbed his nose, and looked sheepishly at Arthur. "Can I have my shirt back now, sire?" Merlin asked, blushing. Instead of answering the warlock's question, Arthur bent down to kiss Merlin one more time.

Thank you for reading! Reviews or comments or anything would be greatly appreciated. One thing that I would really like is some tips on how to be able to describe these two pretty boys apart without causing any confusion. Tho I hope I did it well…. (O_O)

XXX BB