A/N: Hello! So I am now reposting this as a completed and edit version instead of the un-edited segments it was before. I decided to keep the chapter structure I originally had, but it is also posted as one long compiled story on AO3 at /works/412186. This originally began as an askbox fic written for friends, and so the chapters where between 200-600 words a piece. Because of this, the story was affectionately referred to as "short!fic". I have taken out all of the original authors notes and am instead just writing this ridiculously long one. There is also a note in the epilogue. Finally, I need to thank my amazing best friend and beta, Chelsea. She was constantly reminding me to write another chapter over the year+ it took me to finish this fic, and then she took on all 9500 words at once to beta. Without her better understanding of commas and ability to catch when I use the wrong homophone this would not be nearly as polished as it is.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or its related characters. This is for fun and not profit.

Chapter One

It was a day like any other. The sun shone through the small window set high on the wall, and gently lit Merlin's face. Slowly, the rising sun warmed him until his eyes sluggishly blinked awake. Rolling from his bed, he shuffled into the main room where Gaius was already briskly at work.

"Oh! You're finally awake are you?" Gaius asked briskly. Merlin, still exhausted from the long hours of work he had the day before, could barely muster a mumble in reply. "Well you better wash quickly. You'll have to eat on the run today, I'm afraid. There seems to be some sort of illness that has taken over most of the court. I need you to deliver all of these tonics as soon as you're dressed."

"What? But Gaius - ", Merlin began.

"Save it, Merlin. Some things just have to be done."

The work itself wasn't, if Merlin was being completely honest, all that terrible. It was just the fact that no matter how many times he had saved Arthur, or Uther, or all of Camelot from certain doom he never got the respect he deserved. Not even from Arthur, who had truthfully become his closest friend. He just wanted the respect he deserved, instead of being treated like just another servant.

The tonics delivered, it was about time to wake Arthur and give him his breakfast. After grabbing a plate from the kitchens, Merlin quietly opened the door to Arthur's chamber. He placed the plate on the table with a soft clank as he crossed to where Arthur was laying.

The prince was sleeping, his blonde hair falling around his face. Merlin couldn't help but notice the morning's stubble bristling on Arthur's chin and his upper lip, making the strong prince look all the more masculine. The sight of his prince – his other half – sleeping so sweetly brought a smile to Merlin's mouth. He noticed a thin strand of hair had fallen over Arthur's eye, and slowly he reached his hand out, gently moving it to the side, letting his hand linger on the prince's face, warm and soft.

Suddenly, Arthur's eyes jolted open, and his large hand seized Merlin's arm, flipping him over onto the bed. Pulling a knife out from under his pillow, Arthur rolled on top of Merlin, straddling him and pushing the knife point to his slender throat.

"What are you doing in my chambers?" He asked angrily. "Explain yourse - Merlin? Merlin! What are you doing?"

"I - uh - well I was just - erm - " Merlin's mind went blank. All he could feel was the prince's weight on top of him. All he could see was his face, staring down at him. All he could hear was his breathing, quick and raspy. "Arthur..."

Arthur rolled off of Merlin, falling to the bed beside him. "Merlin," he said, "we need to talk."