Arthur yanked Merlin by the arms and took him into lesser active part of the woods away from the smugglers. The other young man was looking anywhere but Arthur and his shoulders were drawn together. Arthur let go of him and rubbed his face, he had little doubt he must have looked like a real fool.

"Merlin let me get this straight. You told them, the smugglers, that you and I- a simpleton- are traveling companion for an outlying village, trying to make our way north?" Arthur said and Merlin nodded still looking at the ground.

"You also told them that you and I are involved romantically?" he finally said it and said it slow enough for him to hear it again to.

Merlin looked up, his eyes worried, he rung his hands, "I-yes, I did. I didn't know what else to say, I mean I…..thought that maybe….."

Arthur watched him trail off and look at the king. Arthur felt his heart go fast in beat as it might have always done around his friend.

Arthur leaned forward close enough to Merlin to see the white of his eyes, he took one hand and wrapped it around Merlin's neck and kissed him. It was fast and sloppy but was slow and lusty to the king and the warlock.

"Well, If I have to kiss you at least I know it won't be so bad, Merlin. Stupid plan though, stupid. A simpleton I could handle but a simpleton in love with you…." He smiled and walked past Merlin who was blushing red as a maid.

Arthur felt quite satisfied that he was in good hands.

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