Merlin wasn't sure at all if he wanted it to happen. He liked Arthur a lot, but it was too soon for him to take the next step, his insecurities flooding his mind. And yet, there he was, in Arthur's apartment drinking wine and laughing unconcernedly at the man. He couldn't resist, he was dashing.

Somehow Arthur during the night had moved closer to him on the couch and had put a hand around his shoulder, holding him even closer. The heat was radiating from both of them and Merlin couldn't help but blush as Arthur raised his hand and started stroking his dark hair nonchalantly. The older man was doing his best to woo Merlin and the fact that the other man looked so shy was turning him on even more. So, when he noticed him blushing with a small move like that he couldn't resist any longer. Eagerly, but carefully as not to scare him away, closed the distance between them and gently, brushed his lips against Merlin's who, although surprised, kissed him back even more eagerly.

A hundred thoughts crossed Arthur's mind. Merlin's lips were soft and he was very beautiful, unresistable. He was trembling beneath his touch and the blond couldn't but moan as the wonderful sensation spread through his entire body. This felt so right. Merlin on the other hand was completely lost into Arthur. His lips felt perfect against his own, and as he held him close he realized he was even more well-built as he had thought at first. He waked up from his stupor though when Arthur suddenly moved his hand underneath his shirt and started stroking his pale skin. He ended the kiss abruptly and jerked back to the couch without noticing the other man's disappointed look. Arthur tried to compose himself before saying anything.

"Merlin are you all right?"

The brunette swallowed with difficulty and started getting up. He didn't think that Arthur would be so bold from the first night. There were thinks that he hadn't told him yet and despite the fact that he knew that he could absolutely trust him, the remembrance of some old events held him back.

"Yes uhmm, sorry but I have to go?"

"Right now?"

"I just re…remembered I have so…something to do". He stammered.

"Merlin it's two o'clock in the bloody morning!"

"I'm so sorry", he ran to the door without turning to look back.

The next month passed in haze for both of them. Arthur was really angry, he couldn't understand Merlin's behavior at all. He was certain he liked him back, he most definitely kissed him back! So, why all the stammering and all the running? It was so childish of him and Arthur did his best to forget him. He didn't succeeded though. After all Merlin was the first man who caught his eye in years.

Merlin on the other hand was both terrified and relieved. Relieved that he had the strength to walk away (Arthur definitely had already much power over him" and terrified because now he was regretting it. It didn't help at all that whenever he came upon Morgana and her brother was with her, Arthur would just take off without even saying hello. Did he hate him that much, did he loose his interest in him so soon or was it a onetime thing for him?

Morgana, being her usual self was trying to put some sense back into her brother.

"Arthur, you are really hurting him with this behavior" she told him one day when she came storming into his office. "Can't you see it?"

"No. And stop it! I've heard enough for him Morgana, I'm warning you".

"Well I know him better than anyone and I can see it. He doesn't deserve this, just go and talk to him".

"Well, he hurt me first", he mumbled but it was enough for her to hear him.

"What? You mean he just hurt your ego or he actually hurt your feelings?"

"Look Morgana, I actually like him. A lot. But if he didn't want this he could just have said so or stop me before I acted on it, but instead he responded. And then he took off like someone was chasing him. What does that tell you?"

"That he likes you so much that he got scared?"

"Haha, so funny. I know that he's your friend but I'm your brother. I'm not asking you to choose sides but just let me be, please. It's enough that I can't stop thinking of him every single second of every single day". He gasped and put his hands in his mouth as he didn't mean to say that out loud. Morgana smirked. She had won the argument and now new that it was a matter of time before Arthur would give in to her demand".

"So you admit it! I knew it!" He didn't answer but she saw his blush and decided to take it easy on him.

"You know you can talk to me Arthur. I can see that it troubles you a lot, maybe I can help". She started massaging his shoulders and he relaxed under her embrace.

"I think…I think that this is serious. I've never felt so strong about anyone before. He managed to captivate me from the very beginning, when he stood up to me. I am not really angry with him but with myself. Somehow I've already scared him away, I screwed up Morgana. And I don't know what to do. Every time I see him I feel like I'm causing him some discomfort and so I have to leave".

Morgana never imagined that her brother would be so upset about someone and even more for a man. She knew about his adventures in college but she always thought of it like some sort of experiments, she never had actually be a witness in any of these. The were some distant events. She loved her brother very much, and she cared about Merlin too, so she decided to do her best to help them both.

"Look, I'm his friend and I'm telling you that he likes you."

"Really?" Arthur's face lit up.

"Really Arthur", Morgana couldn't help but smile. "There are some things about Merlin that you don't know, and I can't tell you because it's very personal and he doesn't want to talk about it. But I'm sure that if you give him a chance he will tell you everything by himself. Doesn't he deserve a chance Arthur? Don't you deserve a chance?"

"Yeah, I guess he does."

"Alright then" and with that, she left.

Moments after, Arthur was already typing a message on his phone.

"Want to meet? Please answer me, I know I've been an ass but we really need to talk"

It took Merlin only a few seconds to answer back.

"Sure, and thank you for this. 7 o'clock it's ok?"

"Yes, I'll meet you at the café we met the first time with "

"Ok. See you then"

He put the phone down and smiled to himself.