A/N: Nope, not mine. But the plot is. Mine and the best writer I know, Mariposo. Love u

'Why can't he undress himself?' Merlin thought to himself as he indeed undressed Arthur. He was hot and he wanted to go have a drink at the tavern with Lance and the boys. He absent-mindedly took off Arthur's clothes, so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't notice a small shudder coming from Arthur.

In fact, Arthur was thinking the complete opposite. He wanted Merlin to undress him, and watched as he quickly undid every knot with ease. Merlin's finger grazed his inner thigh and provoked a small shudder from Arthur, who immediately became flustered and didn't know (obviously) how to cope with it. Annoyed and frustrated, he decided to do the only thing he could think of.

"MERLIN! CAN'T YOU DO ONE THING PROPERLY? ARE YOU EVEN CONCENTRATING?!"

He watched as Merlin lifted his head and flushed a deep red out of embarrassment.

"GET OUT! NOW!"

And so Merlin went, leaving Arthur to slump to the floor and bury his face in his hands.

Arthur bit his nails as he thought. He wondered if it was real if it could even be, hell if Merlin even felt the same way. Perhaps it was just the sudden revelation of his true feelings that had shaken him, or perhaps it was because he already knew the answer to his doubt. He let days pass tossing and turning at night thinking about him. How come he had never realized this before? The dreams were the best - or the worst part - of these days. The reflection of Arthur's longing for someone he knew he could never have but craved for, were agonizingly pulling on his heart strings.

And one night, a decision was made. A bold move indeed but if successful, it would change his and Merlin's lives forever.

Arthur had decided. He had to tell Merlin, he couldn't live like this forever. He decided to call Merlin to his chambers, with the excuse that he needed to prepare for the tournament. Someone knocked on his door, and Arthur immediately knew who it was. He felt anticipation constrict as a ball in his throat and he barely managed to croak out a 'come in.'

In came Merlin, and the sight of him made Arthur want to cry. His eyes were red and puffy from crying, and he looked very tired.

"Merlin?" Asked Arthur, concerned, forgetting his nervousness. "Are you okay?" A sudden feeling of protectiveness rushed over him and he wrapped his arms around his waist. Merlin was a tad bit surprised but melted into his touch and leaned back.

"It's just- I don't understand what I did wrong. I always get shouted at for no reason, and all I do is my job."

Arthur winced at the memory. It was his fault Merlin was so upset, then.

"Oh Merlin," he whispered, and pulled him in closer, "I'm sorry."

His warm embrace compelled Arthur to do it: he couldn't resist it any longer. He held Merlin's face gently in his hands- God, he was such a pretty crier - and so their lips met. A single tear ran down Merlin's face, already emotional,for this was everything he had ever hoped for.

For those sweet moments nothing else mattered, no one else mattered - until it had to. All of a sudden the creak of the door made them stop. He quickly, but hesitatingly, pulled Merlin away from him.

Shit.

Uther stood imposingly at the large wooden door to Arthur's chambers.

"Arthur what in the ever loving God's sake are you still doing here?! You're late for the tournament!"

Arthur stumbled to make out things to say, his mind and heart still fluttering from The previous event.

"Y-yes the tournament! Of course. I'll be down in no time."

"You better be, but you still haven't answered my question. What are you still doing here?"

"Oh Merl-" he stopped himself. He stopped to think about how many times Merlin had taken the blame for him, and he never wanted to see his newfound love cry again.

"I got distracted, that's all father."

Arthur stood with his sword raised high, loving glory, loving the fact that now he had won Merlin had eyes only for him, a sheer proudness in his eyes that was priceless. He wiped the sweat from his face and after having thanked everyone he walked back into his tent, motioning for Merlin to join him.

As soon as they were in the tent, Merlin approached him and gave him a long, drawn out kiss that lasted forever. Arthur looked up into his eyes and saw Merlin had a strange look in his eye- a mischievous one at that.

He took a step closer and twirled his fingers in Arthur's hair, leaning in and breathing on his neck, reaching his ear.

"Arthur, you know Uther put guards in front of your room, but there's no one in front of mine…" his voice had a cheeky tone to it. "Maybe we can go there and celebrate your victory?"

"Goddamnit Merlin."

Arthur woke to find a body pressed up to him lovingly. He looked down upon Merlin and saw his lashes still wet with tears and wondered if he had gone too hard on him. But it was hard to contain himself when there he was, moaning under him and making him go mad with need. A loud knock on the door woke him up, and he quickly shook Merlin awake, making him sit right up and flush a deep red when he noticed they were both naked under the sheets. Another knock at the door made them come back to their senses.

Merlin's heart stopped. Much to his dismay, Uther had flung the door open on them. But this time he was gone before he knew what was happening.

"Obliviscor," whispered Merlin under his breath, making his eyes shine an iridescent gold color as he spoke those words. Just like that, they wouldn't be found out, not yet. The relief he felt was immense but now he needed to face Arthur, who's as staring at him in awe.

"How did you do that?" Asked Arthur in his

suprised tone.

"Do what exactly?"

"That...thing. Why did your eyes turn gold and why did my father just leave?"

He continued, "Is there something you aren't telling me, Merlin?"

This was it. Finally his magic would be a secret no more. Finally he'd be set free of this burden; this weight on his shoulders.

Merlin sighed and finally said, "I'm a sorcerer."

"You? A sorcerer?" Arthur let out a genuine laugh.

"I did not fall in love with a sorcerer," he continued, expecting this to be a joke in order to scare him. Arthur's throat constricted as he saw the hurt flash through merlin's face.

"Oh you're, you're serious."

"Of course I'm serious."

"You know if my father finds out-"

"He doesn't have to," spoke Merlin softly and hopefully, "he doesn't have to know about magic, or us. Cant be lying if he never knows."

Arthur turned away unsure if this was such a good idea but still amused by the adrenaline rush of hiding something from his father.

"You said you loved me no matter what," croaked Merlin beginning to feel hurt by Arthur's silence.

Arthur smiled like he usually did when thinking of some witty comeback to say, but instead he looked at Merlin straight into his eyes and said "I will always love you, no matter what."