It was sunny today. It was beautiful outside, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the cows were mooing, and everything was peaceful. The people of Camelot were out an about, in the market and in the streets, laughing and talking and carrying on with their daily lives.

But the weather outside did not reflect the atmosphere in the castle.

Specifically, the atmosphere in one Arthur Pendragon's room.

After last night, Arthur had taken Merlin by the hand and led him through the castle. The first time they'd passed a set of guards, Merlin had loosened his hand, waiting for Arthur to let go. But he didn't. He tightened his grasp and kept moving. And the guards looked at them, almost shrugged at the other, and kept walking. For some reason, that moment was perfect to Merlin.

And then, once they'd reached Arthur's room, he had shut the door, moving to Merlin and undressing him with a concentration and tenderness Merlin had never seen before. Merlin let him, then did the same for Arthur. And when they were undressed, they made love. It was indescribable how perfect and wonderful that moment was for Merlin. It was beauty in the way Arthur grasped at his body, the way he held Merlin during it, the way he gasped. The way he had touched Merlin after, and held him.

They had made love on the floor, and Arthur had grabbed a blanket from his bed, thrown it over the both of them, and pulled Merlin to him. Then, when Merlin was tucked against him, he'd closed his eyes and gone to sleep. Merlin had wrapped his fingers around Arthur's. And he had received a gentle squeeze in return. They both fell asleep almost immediately.

When Merlin awoke the next morning, he felt more at peace than he had in a long time. He was still wrapped in Arthur's arms. They had not moved since the night before. Merlin snuggled against Arthur, burying his head against his chest, breathing in Arthur's scent. And it didn't matter that he shouldn't be there. It didn't matter that if Uther came in, or basically anyone else, the rumors would spread like wildfire and everyone would know about them. None of it mattered. All that mattered was that Arthur was there, holding him, loving him, keeping him safe.

"Merlin," Arthur murmured. Merlin looked up at him. Arthur's eyes were barely open, his expression still held the peacefulness of sleep.

"Arthur," Merlin says, reaching up with his free hand and touching his cheek. Arthur put his hand over Merlin's.

"I love you," Arthur said, taking Merlin's hand and kissing his palm. Merlin buried his face in Arthur's chest, closing his eyes and smiling.

"I love you too, Arthur."

"Arthur, there you are!" Uther said, beckoning his son to the table. There were the foreign king, prince and princess, sitting around the table. A table to Uther's right- next to the princess- was open. Merlin followed Arthur wordlessly, grabbing the pitcher of water from the serving table and pouring Arthur a glass as he sat down.

It was several from when they had first woken. They had spent a few more hours on the floor, talking or simply looking at the other, caressing or studying the other's face and body. Then, when they had dragged themselves off of the floor and dressed, Arthur had taken two books from his shelves, pulling Merlin to the bed. Arthur had sat down first, Merlin lying next to him with his head on Arthur's stomach. They had read for several hours together, hands interlocked.

"Sorry father. I had business to attend to," Arthur said, not looking up from his plate. Merlin glanced at Uther. From the glance Uther gave him, Merlin could tell Uther knew Arthur had not accepted the marriage arrangement. Like hell he ever would, Merlin thought, placing the pitcher back on the table and taking Arthur's food from a kitchen serving girl.

"I have heard you are fine swordsmen, Prince Arthur," Princess Gale said, looking at him and smiling softly. "But I have never actually seen you in training or in combat."

"I train with my men very early most days," Arthur replied, still not looking up.

The princess sensed his stiffness but carried on. "Well may I watch you and your men the next time you practice?"

"Of course, my lady," Arthur replied. He did glance up for a moment this time, though his eyes quickly returned to his food.

Across the table, Morgana watched the exchange and frowned. Her gaze moved to Merlin. Their eyes met and she raised one eyebrow. Merlin's eyes darted to Uther and then to the princess. Morgana raised both eyebrows in shock, understanding Merlin's message. She looked down, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Are we almost to peace then?" Gale asked, a little sullenly. Uther and Urien exchanged glances, smiles on both their faces.

"Yes, I believe we are," Urien replied. Uther raised his glass to him, and the table followed suit.

"To peace!" Uther shouted, and everyone echoed it.

Then Arthur looked up at Merlin, who was refilling Morgana's glass. A shiver ran through Merlin at the look Arthur gave him. He was in pain. Merlin glanced at everyone's smiling faces, and he understood. They were so close to a peace they very much needed. What did that mean for the arranged marriage? Would rejecting it start a war that Camelot couldn't win?

Another shiver ran down Merlin's spine.

"If you could do one thing today, what would it be?"

They were in the woods again. It was a few hours past the meal with their guests, and both Arthur and Merlin were choosing to not mention it. Just the two of them walking through the debris that always accompanies the woods. They were holding hands, helping each other over the fallen trees and branches as they made their way deeper into the trees. They'd left the knights far behind. They'd left Camelot far behind. But most important of all, they'd left the Prince and the Servant far behind.

Merlin smirked and gave Arthur a sideways glance. Arthur rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I mean. We can't do that now. What else, Merlin?"

"I don't know," Merlin replied seriously, stepping over a bush. "Be here I suppose."

Arthur smiled but kept his eyes on the ground. "And what would we be doing here, in your perfect world?"

Merlin stopped, pulling on Arthur's hand. Arthur stumbled toward him, grabbing Merlin's arms for support. Merlin grabbed his, laughing as Arthur attempted to straighten himself. When he did, they were centimeters apart. Merlin could feel Arthur's breath on his face. He smelled of sweat and cotton and grapes, oddly enough. Merlin half snorted when he realized this. Arthur, raising an eyebrow at his almost-snort, inched closer. "You know," he whispered. "You're quite attractive when you do that."

"Really?" Merlin whispered back, his eyes moving from Arthur's eyes to his lips.

"Quite," Arthur said, his voice breaking. Then he tentatively brushed his lips against Merlin's. "Quite," he murmured again, moving his hands so one was on Merlin's back and the other in his hair. "Quite."

When they kissed, it was a deep, passionate, slow kiss. Not at all like their usual frenzied, hurry-or-we'll-get-caught kisses. It was the kiss of a couple who had all the time in the world to kiss, and were going to take it.

"That... that was-" Arthur stopped, his head whipping around. Merlin's turned, hearing it as well. Someone has gasped.

Their eyes instantly fell upon Prince Logan, who was standing a few feet off, bow in hand. It was clear he had been hunting. From his startled expression and open mouth, he hadn't meant to find them here. But find them he did.

His eyes moved between Merlin's and Arthur's, obviously unsure how to proceed. Finally, he closed his mouth. With tight lips, he nodded. Then he turned and walked away.

Merlin and Arthur glanced at each other. It was clear that they were thinking the same thing: What are we going to do?


A/n: So hopefully you don't all hate me :D Again, no time for replying to individual reviews, but I love them all so thank you very, very much. And I won't be talking about the new season, but just saying, there are ways to watch it from America. I'll leave it at that ;)If you guys want to talk about the new season or anything else you can always message me. Hope you guys like it, see you next time :D 3