AN: This was supposed to be my first attempt at semi-crack. I failed. Miserably. It's more like a bromance-angst-and-then-an-all-of a-sudden let's-subtly-poke-fun-and-try-far-too-hard-to-be-funny-before-finishing-off-with-a-very-very-cheesy-cute-line fic. ;D Yeah, it makes no sense. Just roll with it.

Prompt: There isn't one.

Characters: Merlin and Arthur

Ratings/Warnings: AU 4x06. Beware… This is SO bad. I probably just spoiled this amazing bromance scene. Flame away! It deserves some flames.

Word Count: 547

Never Cease to Amaze

It would never cease to amaze Arthur at how well Merlin could hide pain.

And this was certainly a hell of a painful wound.

When he had lifted Merlin's shirt to evaluate the wound and saw Merlin's dusky cerulean eyes lower to it before carefully lifting back to his, there was hardly a trace of pain there. In fact, Merlin didn't even flinch at the sight of the mangled flesh. There was only a cautious concern, and the idiot looked for all the world as though he was worried about him…and not even about himself.

Then, Merlin had joked and grinned as though he wasn't spilling his life-blood all over the forest floor and as though his breathing was as strong and rhythmic as it should have been had he been in perfect health and as though his eyes weren't fluttering in his attempt to stay conscious.

Idiot. Selfless, selfless idiot.

"You have a very good servant," Merlin teased with a breathless laugh.

It was only then that said servant showed any amount of pain, and cutting off his chuckle, he averted his eyes to hide a weakening in his mask.

Seeing him struggle for composure, Arthur, whose heart and sapphire eyes softened, saw an opportunity to prove that he was worthy of this incredible friend and that…everything would be alright, agreed wholeheartedly, "You're right. I do."

Merlin, with a slightly pinched brow at his King's openness and sincere, grateful tone of voice, raised his eyes.

"A servant who's extremely brave. And incredibly loyal, to be honest. Not at all cowardly."

His servant stared poignantly at him with shining, awed eyes for a few moments before the King, having said what needed to be said, having the need to say more, and really having had enough of the touchy-feely moment, felt a devious grin spread across his face.

"And completely stupid!" Arthur added in a drawl.

Of course, the King couldn't help but feel a very animalistic and merciless satisfaction as Merlin, confusion clear in his eyes, blinked and blanched.

"Merlin, heal yourself already! I know you can, so why the hell torture yourself like this?" he demanded.

Those eyes widened to the size of saucers, and it was rather comical to see him, stunned and panicking, blubber and splutter for words.

Perhaps he should be more sympathetic? After all, it wasn't every day that your King told you he knew about your illegal magic…

That thought was gone when all that Merlin managed after an impressive display of gaping was an oh-so-witty whisper of "what?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Merlin," he said slowly. "Bloody heal yourself, or I will manage to find a way to resurrect you after you bleed to death—because I honestly don't think we can make it back to Camelot in time with these bandits scurrying around and you and I both know that that wound's no stubbed toe—and kill you again myself. I'd really rather have you alive, you know."

"You—You don't…You want me to—You're giving me permission—?" Merlin stuttered in a daze.

"Yes, Merlin," he said in a considerably gentler voice.

After Merlin studied him for a moment longer in silence, his eyes, gathering with emotional tears, flared gold…

It would never cease to amaze Arthur.

AN: This was terrible, but since it was a fun experiment, I decided to share my efforts anyway. :)

To my HG fans - it's coming along nicely. A new chapter should be up by next week.