A/N: This is a companion piece to my story "Passion" though it could be a stand alone. I love Tove Lo's Queen of the Clouds CD which is where this comes from. The CD tells a love story, starting with the sex, the love and finally the pain of it ending. I may write a 3rd part...but I do like them to be happy.
The Love
"And then you start to freak out, because you need this person." ~ Tove Lo
Over the span of the next few months they took advantage of their moments alone, the passion between them continuously consuming them. During the beginning weeks of their new relationship they learned how to sneak around better, so much so that no one noticed they were missing. As weeks turned into months people began to notice that Merlin and Arthur would disappear for long stretches of time, and though people did talk no one wanted to accuse the prince of anything without proof.
So they continued to steal the moments they could, oblivious to the way that people looked at them. Arthur still continued to treat Merlin the same way, but on occasion he would slip and be more tender than he used to be.
The passion soon was replaced by something that was even more consuming-love. They were lying in Arthur's bed one night, naked and exhausted, but they continued to talk and laugh until well into the night. Merlin had intended to go back to his own bed that night, but ended up falling asleep next to Arthur.
They used to worry that someone would walk in and catch them-tangled intimately together-and the game would be up. Mostly they worried what would happen if Uther ever caught wind of what was going on. As time went on he was more and more insistent that Arthur choose a wife, though Arthur continued to resist his father's wishes.
One night while Merlin was finishing up his chores in Arthur's room Uther came in, paying no attention to Merlin. Being a servant,had its merits as most people tended to overlook him.
"Arthur, you must think about the future of Camelot and select a wife," Uther advised, it was the same speech he had been giving Arthur for the past few months. Merlin's grip tightened on the water pitcher he was holding, though he tried not to be too obvious. It seemed like Uther had become more insistent on this matter around the same time Arthur and Merlin had begun their relationship. For a moment Merlin wondered if Uther sensed there was something going on and he just didn't know the specifics. The more likely scenario is that Uther was just being logical-Arthur was of an age where he should take a wife. After what seemed like ages Uther finally left, promising Arthur this discussion was not over.
Merlin continued to stand with his back to Arthur, not ready to face him. After a few moments Arthur came up behind Merlin and slipped his arms around him. It was somehow more intimate than their usual contact, which before was mostly just been sex.
"Come to bed, Merlin," Arthur tugged at his hand gently trying to get him into bed. Merlin resisted, his back was still to Arthur.
"I really should get back. Gaius has become more suspicious about me not coming home at night."
"I am the prince of Camelot, and I'm telling you to get into bed with me." Merlin laughed and turned around, his lips soon found Arthur's and they stumbled into bed. They took comfort in each other, and for a brief while all of their problems melted away.
When the sun began to rise and the light began to peek through the drapes both men woke up, though they continued to lay in silence.
"I don't want to lose what we have," Merlin whispered.
"We won't," Arthur said. He pulled Merlin closer, wrapping his arms around him and placing a soft kiss on the top of Merlin's head. It was too much to promise, they both knew it, but it was what they needed in that moment.
A/N: Hope you liked it, thanks for reading!