When Arthur decided to do something, it got done straight away. The prince was not good at subtlety, so what he did was go to Merlin's room, sit on the bed next to his manservant, and say it outright.
"When are you going to tell me that you're a sorcerer?"
The look on Merlin's face was comical. The ever-so-slightly misshapen head twisted into a grimace, the pink lips in a confused frown.
"Er..."
"I've known since Ealdor, you see. And I'd hoped that you'd trust me enough to tell me, but apparently not, so I thought I'd better say it myself, assure you that I'm not going to the palace guard, and that we're still friends."
He got up and headed for the door. A gobsmacked Merlin sat in silence for a few seconds.
Arthur put his hand on the handle. Merlin chose that moment to regain his senses, jumping up and grabbing him by the arm. They turned together, Arthur's back to the wall and Merlin in front, staring into his face with the expression of the last puppy in the box.
"I..." he mouthed.
"Oh hell," Arthur replied, and kissed him.
They broke apart for air, after what seemed like hours.
"I'm not attracted to men, you know," panted Arthur. "Thought I'd better make that clear now."
"Nor am I," said Merlin.
It took Arthur a couple of seconds to work that one out. "Wait, are you saying I'm womanly?"
"Nope. I'm saying that for you I'll make an exception to the rule."
"Oh good."
"And judging by the thing sticking into my hip, my liege, so will you."
Arthur was getting annoyed by all this talking. "Shut up."
He eventually found that the most effective way to make sure of this was to cover Merlin's mouth. In this case, with his own lips. And yet, even this was not completely effective.
"Mmpgh."
He drew back. "Shut up." Now, what could he put in Merlin's mouth to fill it and stop him trying to speak for once? Ah yes. Merlin looked slightly afraid at his wicked grin.
"You're still my servant, aren't you? Kneel."