This is my first FanFic. I hope y'all enjoy.

I own nothing. (Except this particular plot line [which in all honesty has probably already been done before too]). Merlin is; the characters, set, and the many/all other aspects of the show are owned by BBC among other people who I don't know the names of and who most likely work for the BBC anyway. Again I am not one of them.

Note: I'm American so my English is slightly different than the Queen's version. I will not even attempt to actually write with an old English flair, believe you me it would be painful to read. Although, I do like the word "prat" and Merlin wouldn't be Merlin without it. (& I like to spell "color" like "colour")

Word count: 4,687

Warning: Slash (tastefully done if I do say so myself). It doesn't refer to any of the actual storyline.

- I rated it T for safety. There is nothing really explicit. It contains a few innuendos & references to the male anatomy.

Pairing: Arthur/Merlin

I may have overreacted

I stood outside The Crown Prince's royal chamber with a tonic in hand for the unfortunate prince. I had prepared it earlier that morning in preparation for the massive headache the prince was sure to have after last night. Of course I wasn't alone when I made it; Gaius had been there to make sure I didn't make something that could accidently kill the man. As if.

You see last night there had been a very elaborate ball in honor of something I didn't really care enough about to remember. There had been wine, food, and dance. Did I mention wine? Arthur, being Arthur, decided that he was going to get trashed. He kept up his nonstop pace until I had to drag the prat back to his room sing a song about a man named Duncan.

If anyone asked the prince about his singing they might learn that he has a marvelous singing voice. Ask anyone else and you will hear an extremely different story.

I opened the door slowly and as quietly as possible. I managed to enter the room without anything exploding in my face so that was good. Sadly, however, the room was in utter shambles. I have no idea how the room looked like a war zone after I had spent a good portion of yesterday cleaning it. I blamed Uther. Why? Because he's Uther and I could.

The table had been tuned on its side and the chairs had been stacked off into a corner of the room. How the things hadn't fallen over was a mystery in and of itself; they were stacked really very high. The shirt and pants Arthur had been dressed in last night now resided in the fire place and, oddly, one of his boots sat on the windowsill.

The prince himself was laying face down into his bed. His right leg was hanging over the edge of the bed while a mountain of covers covered his other leg up to the middle of his back. His head was sandwiched between three large pillows and completely hidden from view. One of his arms was on top of the pillow clutching what looked to be a sock and the other one was curled around a forth pillow in a very interesting angle. Even like this he somehow managed to look regal. It was a very difficult task to pull off without a head.

I worked my way to the window without stepping on any clothes, which for some unknown reason had been taken from the armoire and spread rather intricately on the floor. I swore they were almost colour coded. Did that shirt just move? Yes, yes it did. That will just have to be ignored for now.

When I got to the window I found that it was open and if I squinted really hard I could see the other boot on the ground down below. That's just great.

After roughly an hour the room was more or less back to normal, save for the boot which as far as I was concerned was stolen by a bird before walked in. Most of the clothes that had been on the floor were now in a rather intimidating pile next to the dresser. It just seemed like too much work to actually put them back away. I mean I can do it later, maybe tomorrow, maybe. Plus he was going to make me wash it all anyways.

Amazingly enough I managed to pull all this off without waking his royal highness. Of course the chandelier could have fallen from the ceiling and Arthur wouldn't have budged an inch, probably.

Picking up the tonic from the table I made my way over to the sleeping prince. I couldn't help but chuckle when I noticed the small puddle of drool that had become visible from this side of the bed. He was even snoring, softly, but still, he snored. I scratched the idea that he looked regal.

I gently removed the sock from Arthurs hand and carefully moved the arm to the heavy sleeper's side. After removing the two pillows from on top of Arthurs head and had begun wiping up the giant puddle with the sock when he finally began to stir.

"Merlin" He managed to smile playfully and open his eyes for a whole two seconds before he winced. "My God, what happened? My head feels like someone hit me with a vase… is that how you woke me up Merlin?" The soft smile was cute and his raspy tone, I could have melted.

"Why would I ever do such a thing sire?" I took a step back and held the cup out towards a groaning Arthur who had started to roll onto his side. He sat up and took the cup. I couldn't help but notice his chiseled abs and chest lightly covered with blond hair when the covers pooled around his waist. He started to drag it to his mouth only to halt a mere centimeter from his mouth. He took a moment to look into the cup. I made sure that I was looking at his face before he looked at me.

"What is it?" He started rubbing his forehead with his free hand.

"Just drink it."

"You drink it!" I dropped my smile because he was being very difficult and unappreciative.

"I'm not the one with a headache." If looks could actually kill his glare would have done it.

"Its colour is unsettlingly disturbing." He smelt it as if it was something dangerous. "Damn, Merlin! What in the world did Gaius put in here? I think it burnt my nose." I couldn't tell if he was actually being serious.

"Actually, I made it." I smiled what I hoped to be a reassuring smile but if the look on his face was anything to go by I think I failed. I tried not to let it get to me or let it show on my face at least, but it did hurt a little.

Arthur slowly stood with the drink in hand and shook his head. "It's not going to kill me is it?" His eyes narrowed at me and I met the glare head on. "No," I laced voice with an extra dose of sarcasm, angry, and the ever so useful eye roll. Then I sighed. "If it makes you feel better Gaius watched me the entire time."

Arthur begrudgingly threw back his head and swallowed the drink in one gulp. I rolled my eyes at his face. It was at this point that I noticed something that was both exhilarating and terrifying. Arthur stood there, directly in front of me as naked as the day he came into this world. I couldn't look away and I felt my face slowly becoming a very bright shade of red. I knew that I needed to look away soon, really soon, like right now soon. But before my head responded to my brain's urging Arthur finished his drink and looked over to me. Only after looking down at his own body did he notice what it was that I had been so distracted by.

"MERLIN!" Arthur's voice brought me right back to reality. I Gasped and covered my eyes with a hand.

"I'm sorry!" I slowly backed up and ended up tripping over my own stupid feet. I let out a small cry of pain as my arse hit the floor but I did manage to keep hand over my eyes. Thankfully I had missed a few pieces of Arthur's wardrobe and I had landed on them lightening my fall. Only a little though.

Arthur just laughed at me as he walked over to his armoire; I assumed that was where he was going. "I don't know what you're freaking out about. I mean, you've seen me without clothes before." That was technically true, but that didn't mean I ever really looked before. I was too afraid to actually do it. Besides there is a difference between getting the man's bath ready while he undressed behind something and seeing him stand a foot or two away in all his naked glory.

"Are you going to stay that colour for the rest of the day?" He could barely contain his laughter as I peeked through my hand to glare at him but only managed to blush a shade darker and firmly shut my eyes when I realized he still didn't have any clothes on. Maybe I should keep them closed permanently. I heard Arthur take a few steps toward me. I was sure I my face was glowing by now.

"Get up already." There was a pause as he waited for me to do something. I decided it was safer not to move, I just shook my head rather viciously, less likely for him to get a glimpse that I was already up. "You still haven't dressed me yet." His voice didn't hide his amusement of the predicament at all. I was not going to look, but bloody hell, the arrogant twit. "God, Merlin you can open your eyes. I have on my underwear. I swear" I slowly removed my hand but my eyes were definitely not going to be opened anytime soon. "Merlin, really."

"Can't you dress yourself? Can't you see I'm mentally scarred!" I'm sure it was a sight to see, me sitting on the floor knees to my chest, arms folded, and eyes firmly closed. But quite frankly I didn't care.

"It's really not that big of a deal." I could hear him folding his arms and rolling his eyes. What I didn't hear, however, was Arthur squatting down so we were at the same level. As it so happens I really didn't mean for Arthur to hear me when I mumbled "It's kind of a little big." It was when Arthur actually laughed at the comment that I opened his eyes to see the man right in front of my face, his forearms resting on his knees, hunched over so that are faces were right next to each other. I'll admit my eyes went a little cross. As a result I screamed and fell back onto the pile discarded clothes. Arthur was a lot closer than he should have been.

"Merlin is that why you're embarrassed?" the smugness in his voice was very irritating. He stood up and said "Is it going to be too hard for you to finish doing your job."

I sat up ready to respond to that with something extremely inappropriate but was cut off when I realized where exactly it as my head was in relation to Arthur's body. I swore my face was on fire by this point. When Arthur offered his hand to help me up I scoffed it off and crawled over to the dresser to get up there. I really needed to cool down a bit. Plus if I kept my back to him he was less likely to see something he really didn't need see.

"That was a very poor choice of words." I absent mindedly retorted as I made my way over to the dresser and Arthur went to sit on his bed. I managed to keep my back to him as I picked some casual clothes for him to wear, there were a few still inside, since had been given the day to relax and do as he pleased from his father. I threw a dark green shirt and black pants at him without turning around.

"I wasn't joking. You are going to dress me." My head whipped toward him and that smile on his face was just evil. He was enjoying my suffering way too much.

"You're a big boy. Do it yourself, for once." I quickly recovered. My body was under enough control by now so that I could completely face him. I crossed my arms and gave him my best "you big baby" look.

"That is no way to talk to me." He stood but didn't make any moves to put on the clothes. "And do you really need to pout?"

"I'm not pouting! You're the one acting like a child." Our stances were practically identical. Both glared at one another, arms crossed, our feet apart, and we stood as tall as we could. I was glad that I was an inch taller than the prat, it wasn't much but it was something.

"I think you saw that I am no child." I was floored by Arthur's nonchalant comment on this whole situation, and I'm sure my face betrayed it. Arthur dropped the clothes he had been holding and took a few steps towards me with that rather unnerving smirk. I refused to back up though, even if on the inside I knew I should run before this got any worse.

"You know Merlin," the way he spoke my name was sinful, "I think you're overreacting. Surely you've seen other men nude before." He kept getting closer. "Is there a reason I make you so uncomfortable?"

'Yes' I thought. "No." I said as forcefully as I could but I felt myself blush. Damn mutinous body. I closed my eyes briefly then looked toward the window.

"I think you're lying, Merlin." I shivered. Why is he acting like this? "I could throw you in the stocks for that you know."

"Maybe I'd rather go to the stocks than be stuck here with you." I was shocked that that had actually came out of my mouth and even more so that my voice didn't waver. I even kept my face pointed at the window.

"Idiot," his tone was softer than it should have been. He was just trying to freak me out, get back at me. Sadly it was working. "I can see, like everything else, you're going to make me do all the work."

My heart sped up at those words; what did he mean? I looked back at Arthur and found that he had closed the distance between us. My breath hitched and I attempted to step back. My movement, however, was halted by a pair of strong hands on my waist.

"What are you doing Arthur?" My voice was far too meek for my liking. I wanted to sound angry not short of breathe.

"You must really think me a complete moron." Before I could have responded I found myself slammed against the wall behind me. I would have thought he was angry if not for the fact that he had been extremely controlled and the impact didn't hurt at all. It was simply to keep me from running I guess. As if my feet would have listened anyway.

"No, Sire." was all I said, my tongue had decided of its own accord not to move anymore. The only thing I could do was stare back at indecipherable pale blue eyes that looked intently into mine.

But when I saw that smug little grin grace his lips I suddenly found my voice.

"Yes, Actually I do. You are insufferable, narcissistic, and a complete and utter prat!" I sounded angry, which was good because that what I wanted to sound like "You are the most conceded man I have ever met! You think you know everything there is to know about everyone!" I was practically screaming now. "But guess what you jerk, there are so many things about me don't know and many more that you will never know, things you can't!" I clamped my hands over my mouth and my eyes felt like they were going to jump out.

I realized how close I came to revealing way too many things about myself and began to cry. Why did I cry? I blamed it on a mental breakdown; after all, I almost ruined everything in a fit of anger and confusion. I'm supposed to be better than that. Arthur's grip lessened and I took the opportunity to run for the door as soon as his hands left my hips.

"Wait!" he said but there was no way in hell I was going to stop. It was bad enough I had started crying in front of the most masculine guy I knew but I wasn't going to let him get the better of me. There was no way he was going to find out any of my secrets.

I reached the door and began to open the thing only to have it slammed back shut by an arm that brushed past my head. Another arm grabbed my shoulder and I was turned around slowly, almost tenderly.

"Please, I'm sorry, I have to go." I was pitiful. I kept my eyes averted at all cost.

"No," I swore there was pain in his voice, but I hadn't any idea why. He grabbed my arms and held me against the door. "Merlin," his pauses seemed to last for eternity, and I was tired of being pushed against walls like some helpless damsel. "Damn it, look at me." But I couldn't. I managed to gaze in the direction of his chest but I there was the best I could do. "Merlin, I'm sorry."

Of course at that my eyes flickered to his, getting apologies from him is about as easy as deciphering those stupid riddles that damn dragon likes to speak in. What I saw in his eyes made my heart ache. His eyes mirrored the emotions I felt; anger, fear, overwhelming sadness, and regret.

He pulled me into a hug but I didn't move, I didn't understand. "I'm so sorry Merlin. I thought… I thought I saw something… but obviously I was wrong. Please forgive me." I rested my head on his shoulder and cried again. I really needed to stop that, but he was so close, yet so far away.

In my hysteria I stared to mumble incoherent things. When I started to concentrate on the words I could faintly make out what I was saying. There were cries about dragons, then huffs about money and status, and a few things about magic and my old home. Thankful Arthur didn't seem to understand any of it. The last thing that came out of my mouth, however, was a soft but strangely pronounced "I love you."

My cries stopped abruptly at those words and I felt Arthur stiffen. I tried with all my might to rip out of his embrace but to no avail. "I'm sorry," I heard myself mutter. "I don't know what I'm talking about." One thing about having an out of body experience was that it gave me an opportunity to see just how bad a liar I truly was. "I must be sick; I really should go to see Gaius." Arthur's arms only tightened around me and I began to panic. He was going to freaking kill me and he didn't even know I was magic.

I let my body go limp. If it wasn't for Arthur holding me up I would have hit the ground. But then I heard something that immediately pulled me back to reality. Arthur was laughing. He was laughing at me. I bared my soul to him and all he could do was laugh.

"You're truly are the biggest idiot I have ever met in my entire life." Was the next thing to leave his mouth and I was completely lost. Why did he sound relieved and why was he insulting me while I was having a full blown panic attack?

He shifted against me, still holding me up, but he was now an arm's length away. I felt cold without his body and without his shoulder my head fell forward with my chin tucked onto my chest.

"Merlin, please look at me." He sounded so calm, so gentle. I managed to force my head up and looked at his face. His eyes were moist, though he most definitely hadn't cried; his cheeks were still dry. He was smiling at me. His mouth so wide his eyes were beginning to be squished shut. I was completely lost now, but his smile was so sweet, so toothy and so sweet, I found it difficult to concentrate. I felt my body relax like it knew everything was going to be okay even though my head was still telling me I was going to die. Then he did it. His smile dropped slightly and his eyes opened and he looked at me so softly. "I love you too. I've loved you for such a long time."

I'm pretty sure he went to kiss me at that point but of course, me being me, I passed out.

*A short while later*

I found myself lying down and thinking that I had just had the most horrible dream in the entire world. I was angry and sad, but then I realized how soft my bed was. Actually it wasn't all that soft but it was comfy, and fuzzy, and it was moving. It was very soothing, rhythmically going up and down and up and down. There was also this very soft thumping noise right in my ear that was also quite soothing. And of course whatever was rubbing circles on my back through my shirt didn't hurt either.

The motile pillow bed thing I was resting on realized I was awake because it started to talk to me. It sounded muffled so all I could do was hum what I hoped to be appropriate responses. Then it laughed. I knew the laugh. It was Arthurs laugh. That was when I realized my living breathing pillow bed thing was Arthur. My body stiffened but before I could bolt that thing that had been making circles on my back, I figured it out to be Arthur's arm, wrapped around my waist. His other arm reached out onto mine which I had found to have been wrapped around my pillow's nicely defined abs.

"It's okay Merlin." That voice was so nice. "Relax." Which I did, everything was coming back; my tears, Arthurs laughing, my impromptu "I love you" followed by his. Then I remember that he had been in nothing but his underwear the entire time. I slowly moved the hand I had rested on Arthur's stomach to the covers just inches above our waists. After a quick peek I verified that that was still all he had on while I was still fully dressed. He chuckled. I didn't know if I was relieved that he was a gentleman and didn't grope me while I was unconscious or disappointed. "I can't believe you fainted." And just like that the moment was over. The smug prat's smugness oozed out of those few words, I bet he was even smiling.

"I most certainly did not faint; I merely passed out because you held me to tight. You constricted blood flow to my legs causing me to become light headed and fall unconscious." That sounded good, and it was nicely coherent since I had just woken up. I'd pat myself on the back, if I wasn't too comfortable to move.

"Like I said, you fainted."

"Do you want me to go? Is that it?" I felt those arms once again tighten around me and I would be lying if I said I most definitely didn't almost 'pass out' again. "I thought not."

"Can you at least promise me you won't fain… pass out every time I try to kiss you?" He moved his arm to continue making those circles that I had unintentionally stopped with my misguided attempt of escape that had, thankfully, been foiled.

"Only if next time you promise to brush your teeth first." I can't help but smile as I snuggled into the warmth that is Arthur; my human pillow.

"My breath is always pleasant. I am royalty. It's in my blood to be prefect all of the time."

"Oh I beg to differ." I sat up as to better look at the very ignorant man that I happened to laying on top of. "Your breath can be rancid sometimes. I don't even know what you have to eat to get the kind of breath you have in the mornings." Even though I had done nothing but insult him he still had that smile on his face. A smile that made him look like the cat that caught the canary. The canary wasn't in that bad of shape either. "What are you so happy about?" I was sure my face showed that I was all too aware of what made my prince so happy.

"You love me," Again I blushed, if I continued that way my face would forever be as red as a tomato. "And I love you." Yup, I am most defiantly going to be doomed with a red face until the day I die.

The moment was perfect. Well, it was almost perfect. Something was missing and I'm sure I knew exactly what it was. I felt my body fall slightly.

"You never did tell me what was in that drink." He said with a playful smile. His hand moved from my back to my hair. He softly pushed my head back on his chest.

"I guess I didn't," this really wasn't what we needed to be talking about. "Does it really matter? It worked didn't it." I raised my head to look into his eyes once again.

"Yeah, it did." His face became serious. "What's wrong?" He sat up, effectively making me sit up as well, and rubbed my shoulders. I guess my face was a little more expressive than I thought.

"I…" I took a deep breath, "There is… something, no... um."

"Merlin?" His hand came up to cup my cheek but I pushed it away.

"Wait, I need to say this…" I remained silent as I tried to calm my nerves. This was all so new and I really don't want to make Arthur have to think about this so soon. He looked so happy, but I knew the longer I waited the worse things would get.

"Merlin!" My eyes narrowed in an attempt to convey the message for him to not interrupt my thinking. He didn't seem to have gotten the message and he looked as the he was about to protest again.

"Hush! I really need to tell you something." His eyes softened and his mouth frowned. I gulped. "Remember when I said that there were things about me you don't know?" He nodded but remained silent and I affectionately rubbed one of my hands soothingly up and down his bare chest. "And how I said there were things you couldn't know."

"Merlin." Why does he have to sound so understanding about things he couldn't possibly understand.

"No, stop. I have to-" his hand grabbed my halting its movements.

"No, you stop. You don't have to-"

"Arthur!" I was getting to be very exasperated. I tried to get my hand back but he wouldn't let go.

"Merlin!" Of course, he sounded like he was too. He pulled my hand causing me to fall closer to his side.

"ARTH-" That time he decided to try a new approach to shut me up, using his lip to kiss me instead of yelling at me with them. It was my first kiss. It was our first kiss, and he was using it to shut me up. I didn't really mind though, at least didn't at that moment. Of course I was defiantly going to give him hell when he stopped.