Warning: If you don`t like slash scenes, don`t read.

Hot, sweaty skin on hot, sweaty skin, fevered, eager kisses, gasps of pleasure. Warm tongues licked and sucked at soft, sensitive skin. Groaning, bucking, cries of love.

"Merlin!"

"Mordred!"

Sunlight shone through Merlin`s eyelids, making him blink and yawn. He didn`t really want to get up, all that was waiting for him was Arthur and chores. Feeling a soft stirring against his chest, the young warlock looked fondly down at the younger druid boy resting there.

Mordred`s raven hair was ruffled and he looked a bit dazed, but nevertheless he looked lovingly up at Merlin. Merlin`s heart swelled at the sight of his young love looking at him like that.

Good morning, Merlin. Mordred whispered, closing his eyes and enjoying the closeness of their bodies. Love and contentment ran between them, sensed through their heart-deep bond.

Bong…bong…bong…bong…

Ah…well, it`s time for me to go. I need to wake up Arthur and get his meal. Merlin thought sadly. Throwing back the sheets, he stumbled to his feet, head spinning. Grabbing his clothes weakly, the young warlock yanked his threadbare shirt on haphazardly, followed by his brown, rough pants. The assortment was completed with the ragged red necktie that Merlin always wore.

Turning, Merlin glanced back at Mordred for a moment. The druid boy had yanked on a plain tunic, brown hide breeches, and a hooded grey cape. The sunlight hit Mordred`s hair and made it shine as though golden powder had been sprinkled in it.

Pulling the door open, Merlin descended to Gaius`s medical den. This also happened to be where the old man slept. Gaius was already awake, and glanced up as Merlin reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Ah. Merlin, you don`t have much time to eat, so I made a sandwich for you to eat on the way." The old physician said by way of greeting. In response the young warlock grinned at his mentor and grabbed the sandwich on the way out the door.

The door of Arthur`s chambers creaked unpleasantly as Merlin opened it. With a sigh, Merlin reflected mournfully that Arthur would likely add oiling the hinges to the already floor-length list of chores that Merlin had to do. Crossing to the window, the raven-haired warlock yanked the prince`s curtains open.

"Okay, rise and shine, royal prat." He called resignedly, shoulders slumping as he grabbed the tray of mouthwatering breakfast foods and set it down on the prince`s table.

"I thought I told you not to call me that, Merlin?" a sarcastic voice drawled from behind him. With a cocky smirk, Merlin mock bowed Arthur to the table.

"Pearls before swine, sire." The young warlock laughed. Though Arthur tried to hide it, he grinned at his manservant`s jibe. Letting it pass, he sat down and proceeded to make Merlin`s life a living hell. After making Merlin entertain him by standing on his head, become his target for target practice, and do not only his laundry but Morgana`s and Uther`s as well, Arthur stomped off to the training grounds to practice on his knights.

Watching Arthur go, Merlin whistled softly and trotted off to do the worst chore on the list: mucking out the stables. Not only did he always come away from it smelling like dung, but the horses seemed to have it out for him, kicking and snorting at him.

Meanwhile, Mordred had clambered up to Merlin`s window and was staring down at the whole of Camelot. Hot, bright sun beamed down on him, making the druid boy squirm uncomfortably. Bored, hot, and rather fed up with the whole thing, he scrambled down from his perch and walked over to the door. Hand on the knob, Mordred hesitated. What if he was caught while exploring the castle?

With a sigh, he slumped down by the bed. If they caught him, he would be killed or worse, Merlin would. These thoughts kept Mordred in a bad temper until the bell rang to signal that it was time for everyone to head inside for the night.

Merlin walked into his room to find Mordred brooding irritably, curled up like a cat on the bed. With a grin, he walked over and sat by his lover.

"Hey, Mordred. Had a bad day, I take it?" Merlin greeted jokingly. Lifting his head Mordred grinned sadly.

"Yep. I get really bored during the day with you gone; your banter has really grown on me." Mordred sat up, stretching, and examined the food that Merlin had brought. He sorted it into two equal-sized piles, one for him and one for Merlin. Two slices of cheese in each pile, two slices of bread, half of the ham for each, and the bunch of grapes was divided in half.

"What do we do now?" Merlin asked, breaking the silence. Mordred considered this, rolling a grape around in his mouth. He frowned as an idea came to him.

"I want to go explore the castle." Mordred admitted. "I`ve been cooped up in here for days, it`s really hard to find things to do." A warm hand crept into his, and Mordred looked up at Merlin with a loving grin. Merlin pulled the druid into a hug, resting his chin on top of Mordred`s head.

"Don`t worry, I`ll take you exploring tonight. It`ll be okay." Merlin said, grinning. "Now eat, or you`ll become a stick in the next life." And they laughed long and hard.

Well? Read and review please! It`s my first slash ever, so please be nice. It`s also my second fanfiction ever, come to think of it. Enjoy!