"Merlin? Merlin are you alright?" Gaius was shuffling towards them as Merlin and Arthur were walking back into Camelot. Gauis eyed the pack slung over his shoulders.

"I'm fine Gaius!" He responded quickly, hoping his eyes weren't red and puffy anymore.

Gaius eyed them suspiciously. Arthur walked a little closer to Merlin than usual, their shoulders were nearly touching, their heads bent towards one another.

"Merlin, come with me for a moment, I need your help with something." Gaius requested. He turned on his heel towards his rooms.

Sighing he mumbled " Duty Calls." Arthur smiled at this. He stopped to watch Merlin scurry off after the physician.

He followed him into their rooms where Gaius turned to him quickly.

"Merlin, when I got back I saw that both you and all your things were gone, I feared the worst." Gaius said worried.

Merlin dropped the bundle of his possessions at his feet.

"I was using magic on the leg of your patient when Arthur walked in on me. I got scared and tried to leave before Arthur had time to send the guards after me. I was going to go someplace outside of Camelot, so he wouldn't execute me." Merlin explained.

"But I saw you walking in together, very amicably, I must say. Why didn't he clap in irons yet?" Gaius asked glancing at the door.

"Because Arthur is my friend." Merlin shrugged and hoped he wasn't blushing. "He says he trusts me completely, and that no matter what his father says he doesn't believe I'm evil. Or that my magic is evil. I believe Prince Arthur truly cares for me as a friend." His face began to burn. He knew he was blushing. Arthur just showed me faith, trust and friendship," Merlin explained carefully.

Gaius looked concerned. "So Arthur is not going to turn you in?"

"No, he's not," Merlin stated.

"MERLIN!" The prince's voice carried through the halls.

Merlin grinned sheepishly. "My master calls!"

When he arrivved at Arthur's room, he saw a basket in the prince's arms.

"What can I do for you, Sire?" Merlin asked.

Keeping his voice low and steady, Arthur tried to maintain eye contact without his face turning crimson. "You and I are going to go have our first date together! I want to develop our relationship slowly." he explained.

"You're tellimg me we're going on a date?" he cocked an eyebrow.

"Well, I…" Arthur stammered.

"If I were a girl, would you ask me or tell me? Or do princes tell the people they like that they are going on a date?"

Arthur pursed his lips, sighed and attempted to contain the smile that threatened to spread across his face. As annoying as Merlin was, he was also correct and adorable.

"Would you like to go on a picnic date with me?" He watched him expectantly. "Now?"

Merlin smiled. "Where wil we go? I'm sure your father would never approve of you being with your servant this way."

"Merlin, nobody would suspect me of being with you that way, you're a boy, nobody would ever suspect that is a romantic outing. All we have to do is say I wanted to have my lunch outside in the grass to enjoy this fine afternoon and I made you come and wait on me!" Arthur explained.

Merlin laughed at his own foolishness for thinking anyone would ever suspect them of being involved. No matter how much time they spent together, Merlin had the perfect cover in his being Arthur's servant.

"Yes, sire. I'll go ready the horses if you wish," Merlin bowed with a wink. He hurried to go get the horses.

"Merlin," Arthur called him back.

Merlin raised his eyebrows in question. Arthur handed him the picnic basket. Merlin smiled and left.

Merlin had two horses all saddled up, and the food and blanket packed when Arthur strode into the stable. Together Arthur and Merlin headed out for a beautiful spot at the bend of the stream. The grassy spot jutted out like a peninsula, and was shaded from view by willow trees. There Merlin set up the blanket and placed the basket on it. He fussed with the edges of the blanket, trying to make it as neat and square as possible. Merlin finally sat beside Arthur and was full of nerves.

But Arthur seemed to have no such problem as he struck up a conversation.

"Merlin, I want you to know I long since suspected that you liked me, but I was so afraid at the time that I was mistaken that I dared not even ask you about it. When I saw you use magic I was shocked by the sudden revelation. And when you ran from me, all I could think about was that I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want to watch you be burned at the stake. But also knew that as long I've known you, I have never had a reason to not trust you completely, or to ever believe you had evil intentions. You have always stood by me. And I believe there have been times when my life was saved by you," Arthur said thoughtfully.

Merlin nodded and at this and whispered, "I've had a crush on you ever since that first time when I tried to fight you and you had me locked up!"

Arthur laughed. "Is that why you willingly took another go at me? Now I see why there have been so many times you have nearly killed yourself to save me!"

"Well, Arthur, by the time I started saving your life, my heart was already yours. I would rather die ten thousand deaths then see anything happen to you!" Merlin admitted.

Arthur pulled Merlin close and kissed him gently. He ran his hands up under his shirt to caress his skin. Merlin's eyes suddenly flickered to life and burned with his desire for Arthur.

Arthur felt his body respond to his touch and kissed Merlin deeper than before. Merlin kissed him back softly, loving the taste of Arthur's lips. He tasted of fruit, honey and something entirely his own, almost a sweet and mellow taste.

Arthur finally pulled away and straightened up. Merlin grinned as Arthur grabbed the basket. He unpacked a cold turkey leg, some fruit and a wedge of cheese and started to fill the plates. He handed the plate to Merlin, then poured a goblet of wine.

Merlin placed his plate on the blanket because he could not stop his hands from shaking. He tried his best to eat, but he was so consumed with the emotions that came with the secrets that had come to light in the last hour. He choked on a bite of apple while watching Arthur casually nibble a grape.

"You are so incrediably handsome," Merlin blurted out awkwardly.

Arthur paused in the action of popping another grape into his mouth. He grinned. 'And you, Merlin, are pretty darned handsome yourself."

Merlin blushed a deeper shade of crimson.

"Merlin it's okay when we are together like this to say whatever you like," Arthur informed him gently.

Merlin nodded blushing harder.

"Sorry, I just got so used to hiding my true feelings for you that it's still a bit strange for me to be talking about this now," he admitted.

Arthur smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Don't be afraid Merlin. While you and I are alone, you don't have to hide your feelings from me. Just so long as you don't let my father or anyone in Camelot find out about our relationship. Or your magic. When we are alone," he leaned closer, "I want you to feel free to express your feelings as much as you like." He told him softly.

Merlin looked at him thoughtfully. "I think you're a pompous, arrogant, spoiled brat who will someday make a really amazing king. And when you frustrate me the most, I want to throw you down and kiss you. They inched closer.

"Well, I think you're a clumsy idiot who can't wash a shirt properly and I want to kiss you every time you screw up."

Their lips met. More comfortable with thier new intimacy, there was less caution. When the kiss broke once more, Merlin rose from the ground and started gathering everything up again.

It was time to head back up to the castle before somebody came looking for Arthur. And he knew Gaius probably needed him by now for some kind of chore.

He and Arthur parted at the stable and headed home whistling a soft tune.