Well... I'd like to ask a favor to those who leave comments. If you have constructive criticism, by all means comment away, but if you intend to just leave harsh words, I'd rather you simply clicked off the page. No one is forcing you to read this, but it is my hard work. Having you say something derogatory simply for the sake of saying it seems rather counterproductive. I've removed a comment that was just... rather harsh.

As I said, constructive criticism is well appreciated, but just stating that you hate the story isn't exactly helpful to anyone. I just wanted to address this. I wouldn't normally mind that much, but it's begun to take a toll on how often I actually want to work on writing this. This isn't a job, just a hobby. I'd like to keep it a fun hobby. Thanks for listening to me ramble, and thank you to those who have left great encouragement. Those do inspire me. :) Not everyone says bad things, but honestly, if you really hate it you can just stop reading. No big deal.

I'm also going to apologize for late updates, life's been on hiatus and honestly, the drive of inspiration to write lately has been a little lacking. I feel kind of storied-out. BUT NEVER FEAR! I will be finishing this story, whether it kills me or not. All the lovely reviews I get really give me a drive to continue, so thank you for that. I honestly don't think I would finish anything without all the amazing love and support. :)

Now, we'll get back to the story. xoxo Lovelies! -LF

Merlin held his breath as he walked towards the door. He had to keep himself from shaking a little as he opened it. They were greeted by a concerned look plastered over 'Arthur's' face. Merlin did his best to put on a fake smile and pretend to be pleased to see him, "Arthur?" he questioned feigning ignorance, "What are you doing here?"

The stranger wearing Arthur's face sent him a genuine smile, "I'm thankful you haven't left yet."

"I- I was going to... I just wanted to say goodbye to Morgana-"

"Don't." he interrupted, catching Merlin off guard when one of hands caught the boy's, fingers tangling and intertwining with his. It didn't feel right at all. He knew this wasn't Arthur, but when he turned to stare at this imposter, all he saw was Arthur's face. His mind recognized the features instantly, and it sent a bountiful amount of mixed messages to his brain. It was twisted. "Don't leave." he repeated.

"But you said-"

"You were right, I wasn't myself that morning." he continued to try and soothe, interrupting Merlin yet again, "I was just... unsettled about coming back to Camelot after being so far away from my home all that time." he created a pitiful face, squeezing Merlin's hand, "It was a lot to digest."

His acting was impeccable, and Merlin almost fell for it. His body was telling him this was Arthur, to reach forward and hug him, but his mind fought to regain control. He had to somehow play along, without becoming a victim. He knew what this man intended. He'd heard his taunts in the prison.

It just an impossible situation.

Morgana shuffled awkwardly behind them, watching nervously as the exchange continued. The fake Arthur passed his glance between Merlin and Morgana a few times before finally addressing her. "Not to worry, we'll continue our discussion elsewhere."

"Oh it's no trouble!" She immediately chimed in, cautious about letting Merlin leave with him, "Anything you wish to say to him is perfectly fine with me."

Arthur had started to pull on Merlin's hand lightly, taking a step back towards the door, "It's not a problem. I have some private things to discuss with him anyhow."

"No really," she retorted, "I insist."

The tugging on his hand became a little more forceful and Merlin grew suddenly frightened. He turned his head towards his friend, trying to get himself out of there before they really alerted this man that something was afoot. They couldn't let him know. He smiled as best he could at her, "It's alright Morgana, we'll be on our way for now, and I will simply talk with you later."

She bit her lip at him. He couldn't be allowed to leave with him, they both knew that. "A-are you certain Merlin?"

"Positive." He replied.

It would be better for them both and for Arthur if he simply let this man take the lead. He watched the corners of his mouth tip up, into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. It made Merlin's stomach turn. They left the room, a very worried Morgana bumbling with the door behind them.

He didn't feel comfortable with the hand that tugged at his own, leading him down the corridor and into the prince's room. Back into Arthur's room… His eyes drifted to the bed he'd slept in the night before, remembering the silent cries he'd fed to it, wondering if this man would make him speak to the pillows in different tone. He forced himself to remain calm. It was just a bed.

He must have been caught staring at it. "Did you want to rest?" the man asked.

Merlin snapped his attention back to his companion, "Oh, no. I was just thinking…"

"About the bed?"

"N-no…"

A grin fell across the man's face, "About sex?"

His cheeks reddened considerably at that, much to Arthur's amusement. He shook his head and kept his face trained to the ground. There was no way not to think about it now. What if this man tried something on him? Was he supposed to just push him away? He… he wouldn't push Arthur away. His mind muddled with a massive amount of self-conflict. He didn't want to bed this man, but he didn't want to give himself away. How far was he really willing to play along?

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that Merlin missed the few steps being closed between them, and only realized when a hand caressed his cheek. It was too soft. It was too warm. It felt too comfortable. Merlin was afraid that if he looked up he'd give in. He'd see Arthur's eyes staring back at him and simply melt into this stranger's embrace.

Everything about this was wrong.

He couldn't let Arthur die, but he couldn't let himself just nonchalantly be taken by another man. He felt sick. His stomach turned as that soothing voice called to him, uttered his name and started to pull Merlin's face up to his own.

It was all so wrongly right.

He whimpered at himself, but it must have been taken as a sign of encouragement, because before he knew it, Merlin had a pair of lips pressed against his own, moving slowly and far too gently for some stranger to be doing. It felt too much like Arthur. His hands found their way to Arthur's chest, gripping the fabric of his tunic. It was too real. The feeling of another mouth moving against his reminisced the kiss in the cave. It was just like having Arthur in his arms, only...

The kisses were different. This man and Arthur were different. He snapped himself back into resistance when a hand snaked under the back of his shit. Arthur kissed sweetly, with soft touches and cautious movements. This man moved with careless abandon, groping whatever he could reach and trying to incorporate tongue where there shouldn't be any.

"A-Arthur, we should stop." He tried, in the midst of trying to think up an escape route.

He needed to get out of there before his body took him over completely.

"Why?" he was asked, "Do you not want me?"

He didn't. "I-It's not-" he stuttered.

What would he say? How could he worm his way out of this? Was he too far gone already?

"I love you, Merlin."

The words hit him hard. Hard enough to force the air out of his lungs, and for a moment he stopped breathing. He had to remind himself that this wasn't Arthur. These gentle caressed and sugar-coated words were not from the man he loved. This was not Arthur. Breath raced into him once more and he had to shut his eyes, trying not to cry. Words like that should never be said in false context. Never to him.

He refused to pretend that he loved this man. He refused to say it back to anyone other than Arthur. His mind fought him, his body tried to surge forward. Everything was upside down. "Stop it." He muttered.

The lips that had forced him into a kiss now rested against his neck, "Stop it!" he repeated, much louder.

The man pulled back, staring at Merlin now, "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" He pushed hard, forcing this imposter back a few steps, "I love Arthur! Stop it! Don't touch me!"

He shook violently, cradling himself and trying to calm down, when the realization of his words struck him.

Oh.

He said it.

He'd practically signed Arthur's death warrant, Morgana's as well. He watched cautiously as the man in front of him stood with a contemplative look on his face. Merlin held onto every prayer, dangling on the thread of hope that he hadn't been found out, until his look of contemplation morphed into a sickly grin. "So, you know..." the man scoffed, starting to inch closer.

"Well doesn't that just take away all the fun?"