A/N: Hello beautiful people from the internet! I am so sorry, I don't think I've ever taken so long to post a new chapter, but a million things happened and ugh I barely have time to write. I can't promise that the new chapter will come soon, I start school on Monday, but I promise that I will try to be quick. Thank you so much for all the follows, favourites and kind reviews! It means a lot to me, that's why this chapter is super long, longer than any other.

Sooo, I have news. In case you don't have a Twitter/don't follow me there, I want to tell you what happened. Rupert and Eoin (Leon and Gwaine) know about this fic. Someone tweeted them a screenshot of the summary, Rupert tweeted it, Eoin answered and I fangirled like an idiot at 1am. BOOM I died. I still don't know how to feel about it, sometimes I feel happy and sometimes I feel like an idiot. But I still fangirl about it.

So yeah, please tell me what you think about this chapter and enjoy!

Words without A/N: 3 262

6. Drunk and in love

''Cause a bottle of vodka is still lodged in my head and some blond gave me nightmares.'' Bon Jovi

If Leon had known how his day would go, he wouldn't have even gotten out of bed. Of course, if he hadn't been so desperate to leave his room. Gaius had told him that he could go out that day and the knight received the news happily. It had been four days since their return to Camelot, meaning that they would leave in two days; Leon wanted to be fine by then. He just wanted to train and recover from his wound as soon as possible.

After a little inspection by Gaius, Leon got out of his room and headed to the training court, where his friends were. Luckily, he wasn't feeling a lot of pain and was willing to make his wound heal.

''Leon, are you sure you want to do this?'' Percival asked him.

''Absolutely.'' He answered.

''You know that we have to be strong for the mission, right?'' Elyan asked. ''You should save your...''

''I'm fine. I will be okay as all of you, I just don't want my body to get used to resting.''

''Just be careful.'' Gwaine said.

The fact that his friends were worried about him made Leon feel important and loved, but somehow annoyed. He hated being fragile or the victim. That was probably Leon's worst aspect, his huge pride. He always tried to be humble, to help others, but he wasn't happy with the idea of being helped. He never expressed that tough; he had been saved so many times that expressing that would make him sound ungrateful.

Leon felt incredibly good with a sword back in his hand. There was a slight pain on his side, but nothing he couldn't resist. They practiced for a bit and joked as always. Then he saw who he really needed to see, one of his old friends: Sir Martin.

''Hey, Martin!'' He called, running towards him.

''Oh, hello, Leon, it's good seeing you. I had no idea you were training today, how are you feeling?'' The knight answered. They had always been good friends, but Leon had pushed himself away a little when the others came.

''Great, a lot better.''

''I'm glad to hear that.'' Martin said, giving Leon a friendly punch and then putting his arm around his shoulders.

''It's good seeing you again, my friend.'' Leon said, speaking lower. ''Look, I need you to do something for me.''

''Sure, anything... Oh, and, by the way, when is Agravaine sending someone to rescue Arthur? It's been four days.''

''To be honest, I don't think he will.''

''You doubt Agravaine?''

''Well...'' Leon said, hesitating. He didn't know if his friend trusted Agravaine.

''I thought I was the only one.'' Martin said with a sigh of relief.

''Welcome to the club.'' Leon laughed, moving his eyes to his friends, who were staring at them.

''So, if Agravaine sends no one, what is going to happen?''

''That is exactly what I wanted to talk about with you. Martin, we are going for Arthur.''

''Great, and what do you need?''

''I will be completely fine in two days, we leave on that day. But we want to do it without Agravaine seeing us. You are in charge of guarding the doors on that day, right?''

''So you need me to open them for you and then lie or something.''

''If there is no problem with...''

''Of course there's not a problem, Leon, there is more than one way to leave Camelot, he won't know. Just let me see Agravaine's face when you're back with Arthur, that's all I ask for.''

''Done, my friend, thank you.''

''You ride at dawn? I'll have the doors prepared.'' Martin said, walking away.

''Thank you again!'' Leon said and Martin just waved. Leon returned to his friends, who were looking at him.

''What were you talking about with him?'' Gwaine asked in an almost jealous way.

''I have some great news for you.'' Leon said enthusiastically. ''Listen, I'm almost sure Agravaine won't let us go for Arthur and Merlin.''

''He surely won't, that's why we have the plan, don't we?'' Percival asked.

''Yes, but there was a problem with that plan. The doors can't be opened for us if we don't have Agravaine's permission. At first, I was thinking about going through a secret door, but we would have no horses. However, Martin is in charge of the doors on the day we leave and he is willing to help us, we can prepare the horses the night before and leave at dawn.''

''That's great!''

''Absolutely, but won't Sir Martin get into trouble?'' Elyan asked.

''He is smart, he can make something up.'' Leon said.

''Oh, that's brilliant. I'm sure stupid-face won't notice.'' Gwaine laughed

''Stupid-face?''

''Right behind you. Oh, wonderful, he's walking towards us, what a lovely surprise!'' Gwaine said jokingly, waving. When Leon turned, he saw Agravaine waving back. He couldn't help but to smile, Gwaine's nickname suited him.

''Gentlemen.'' Agravaine said, offering them a fake smile.

''My Lord.'' Leon answered.

''Feeling better, Sir Leon?''

''Much better, sire.''

''Good. Well, my dear knights, I just wanted to congratulate you. I have observed today's training and it seems that you are getting better.''

Percival cleared his throat. ''So, does that mean that...?''

''What, Sir Percival?''

''Well, you seemed unhappy with our training last time we spoke, sire. And we were wondering if you have thought about...''

''Oh, about your petition? I am still thinking about it.'' Agravaine smiled smugly.

''What?''

''My dear knights, you need to understand. I can't give you permission if you don't show me you have to abilities to go for my dear nephew.''

''We have done that lots of times and you just said...''

''All you did today was not enough, Sir Percival.''

''But King Arthur...''

''That's it! Enough!'' Agravaine shouted. ''You will never get permission with that attitude.''

''You just want the throne for yourself, don't you?'' Gwaine exploded before anyone could stop him.

''Be careful with those...'' Agravaine started screaming. He stopped, gave Gwaine a fake smile, took a deep breath and continued with a calmer tone. ''Well, what could you expect from an ignorant and uneducated little peasant? Be very careful, Sir Gwaine, because Arthur left me in charge and, if he never returns, you could be saying goodbye to your title.''

Agravaine walked away as if he was king of everything. Leon thought Gwaine was going to chase him or something, and he was ready to stop him. But, when he looked at him, he saw a sad and broken expression. The knight threw his sword and walked away.

''Gwaine.'' Leon said, but the other ignored him. Gwaine wasn't the type of person who got offended easily, but Agravaine's comment had been too mean.

''Should we go after him?'' Elyan asked.

''Maybe let's leave him alone for a while. Let him punch something and calm down. We will see how he is later.'' Leon answered. He wanted to follow Gwaine and help him, but he didn't know how or if it was the right thing to do he wished Gwaine wouldn't feel the way he did for him, it made everything harder. ''Come on, guys, let's have a little rest.''

Leon was walking around the castle nervously. It was late at night and he hadn't seen Gwaine since training. Leon had decided to leave Gwaine alone for a couple of hours, but, when he went looking for him, he couldn't find him anywhere. So many hours had passed, of course Leon was worried. It was incredibly late, some knights were going to seep. He was going to give up when he heard two familiar laughs.

''I can't believe you aren't worried about him.'' Leon said when he saw his friends.

''For the millionth time, Leon, he's surely fine. Stop worrying.'' Percival said.

''How do you know?''

''We saw him like an hour ago, he was okay.'' Elyan said.

''Oh... and where is he?''

''He said he was going to the tavern.''

''What?'' Leon asked furiously. ''And you didn't stop him?''

''Why would we?''

''Because you know how much Gwaine drinks when he's upset! And we leave Camelot in two days!''

''Well, we are not if you keep screaming. I wouldn't be surprised if Agravaine heard everything you just said.''

''How could you two let him do that?''

''Oh, come on, Leon, what's the worst thing that could happen?''

''Seriously? Gwaine always gets into fights when we don't go to control him.''

''Oh, you want to have some control over Gwaine, don't you?'' Elyan joked and Percival laughed.

''This can't be true.'' Leon said, covering his face with his hands. ''Do you actually know about...?''

''Well, if Gwaine stopped being princess obvious...'' Percival started.

''Alright, alright, enough with the jokes. I'm going for him.'' Leon interrupted.

''Do you want help? I bet the wound still hurts.''

''No. You coming to the tavern as well? You have as much self control as Gwaine when it comes to alcohol.'' Leon said, pushing his friends away. ''And go to sleep, now.''

Elyan and Percival laughed, but headed to their rooms. Leon was so angry and he promised himself that he would never let Gwaine go alone anywhere when he was upset. All he had wanted when he got up was a nice and peaceful day. Even his plans for a normal night were ruined.

As he reached the tavern, Leon could hear the loud talking and the rest of the noises. He took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside. He walked around for a bit, looking for Gwaine, but he was nowhere to be seen. He decided to ask the owner, hoping that he knew where Gwaine was.

''Hello. Excuse me, I was wondering if...'' Leon started, but someone tripped with him. ''Hey!''

The man who had basically pushed Leon turned around, revealing himself. Gwaine looked so drunk. ''Oh, hello you. Have you come to help me?'' He asked, and two men appeared out of nowhere, staring at Gwaine furiously.

''Hang on there. We don't want any conflicts, thank you so much.'' Leon said, grabbing Gwaine's shirt and stopping the two men.

''Oh, my boy, you can drink, can't you?'' The owner of the tavern laughed.

''Sorry about that.'' Leon said, preventing Gwaine from grabbing another drink. ''How much did he drink?''

''I... I can't remember.''

''Oh, great... do you think you will remember tomorrow? He will come back and pay, I promise.'' Leon said and the man nodded. Then, he grabbed Gwaine's arm tightly. ''We are leaving, you and I need to talk.''

The good thing: Gwaine was obedient; he followed Leon outside without complaining. The bad thing: he was tremendously drunk... and emotional and flirty. As soon as Leon closed the door behind them, he pushed Gwaine against a wall.

''What on earth were you doing?'' Leon asked angrily.

''Relax, pretty one, I came here just for a drink.'' Gwaine answered.

''Just a drink? Just a drink, Gwaine?'' Leon shouted, shaking the other man. ''We leave Camelot in two days to rescue Merlin and Arthur, and even the owner forgot how much you drank.''

''Well, you must be the wisest man ever because I have never heard of a hangover that has lasted two days.''

''You could have gotten hurt, two men were about to hit you. Why do you have to be so irresponsible?''

''I will be careful, I promise, Sir. But, if you could excuse me, there's a drink waiting for me on a table'' Gwaine said, pushing Leon away.

''Gwaine, you are stopping right now!'' Leon shouted, returning the other man to his old position: against the wall. ''What do I have to do to make you act like the knight of Camelot you are?''

''Ah, come on, Leon.''

''No, Gwaine, seriously. There must be something.''

''Leon, could you...?''

''I am serious, what do you want?''

''You know exactly what I want.'' Gwaine said, suddenly dead serious. He looked into Leon's eyes in a mischievous way.

''Gwaine, are you..?'' Leon started, but froze. The comment had taken him by surprise. He was completely speechless, how could Gwaine go from drunkenly stupid to dead serious in seconds? Either Gwaine had had enough or he saw the opportunity and took it. Leon would have probably thought that the other was joking if his eyes weren't saying, yes, idiot, I just said I want you. But it had been his fault for insisting.

Would a kiss be enough? If Leon gave Gwaine what he wanted, would he change for better? Maybe he would promise to be more careful about his choices and to stop acting like a child every time he got upset... but was that really Leon's motivation to kiss Gwaine? The shorter man was looking at him determined but lovingly, something sexy about him. It was a cold night, but Leon could feel Gwaine's warm body; damn, they were so close. A little voice inside Leon's head went, ah, come on, just go for it. Leon put one of his hands on Gwaine's face, and closed his eyes. He started getting closer and closer, his lips were about to touch Gwaine's. But the most unexpected thing happened: Gwaine looked down and pushed him away softly.

Leon cleared his throat while a million things went through his head. There was this strange feeling, disappointment? Maybe. What on earth am I doing, he thought. He tried shutting his mind up with his voice. ''You erm... you tell me you love me one day and...''

''Oh, don't get me wrong.'' Gwaine said, looking hurt. ''You are beautiful, smart, admirable and tremendously sexy... but this is not okay. If you ever kiss me, I want it to be because you actually feel something.''

''I... I'm sorry, Gwaine, I was so stupid for doing this.'' Leon said, thinking straight and hoping that Gwaine wouldn't remember anything in the morning. ''I was being a child and I don't want you to change, forgive me.''

''I could change for you without hesitation, but it's hard, you know?''

''I don't want you to change, Gwaine. I want you to stop this, it's always the same when you get offended.''

''Do you know why I was drinking?''

''What?''

''I said: do you know why I was drinking?'' Gwaine asked again and Leon moved his head negatively. ''It wasn't for stupid-face's comment. I usually drink for fun...''

''Or when you have a bad day.''

''For fun, as I was saying. And I think that everyone should do that. But some tell me that they do it to forget someone. I was not in the mood to drink, but I thought it would help me to forget. And you know what? Those idiots lied to me, I didn't forget at all. You were the only thing in my stupid mind.''

Leon remained silent, he didn't know how to react. What are you supposed to say when someone admits thinking about you when their mind is drowning in alcohol? Thank you? Leon spoke. ''Gwaine, I'll take you home, tomorrow we'll talk about this.''

''No, Leon.'' He answered, trying to look sober. ''I can go alone and I won't talk about this.''

''The castle is on the opposite direction, idiot.'' Leon said and Gwaine looked at him confused. The blond walked towards him and made Gwaine put his arm around his shoulders. It hurt a bit, but he had to take his friend to his room. ''Come on, let me help you.''

''I don't need your help.'' Gwaine said, but didn't remove his arm.

''Of course you do... if you want, we won't talk about this, I can forget about the whole thing.''

''Forget.'' Gwaine whispered, the two men remained silent for a bit. ''Let me tell you a story.''

''I'd rather not hear about it, Gwaine'' Leon said. He knew that drunk people always told the worst stories.

''I'm telling you the story anyways.'' The other laughed. ''I had a friend once, he was a good man and crazy about this girl. He really loved her with passion and it was beautiful seeing how much he cared about her. The thing is that she didn't like him back and tried to push him away so many times. After a while, she grew absolutely tired and became rude. Still, he loved her. She made him sad, of course, but he wasn't giving up on her... but, one day, she just stopped and pretended he was invisible. She ignored his existence completely. And he said: 'Gwaine, being ignored hurts more than being hated.' For a long time, I thought it was nonsense. But he's right, it does hurt more.''

''Gwaine, whatever you're trying to say with that, just know that I don't ignore you.''

''Bu you ignore the way I feel. And then you get angry at me when...''

''And what am I supposed to do? Gwaine, if I could love you back...'' Leon stopped abruptly, would he love him too? He sighed. ''Look, I care about you, but I can't make feelings appear out of nowhere.''

''In other words?''

''I want you to be happy, but doesn't my happiness count too?''

''I know you don't love me, you have proven me that. But, just like you, I can't pretend this isn't happening. Love is putting someone's happiness before yours. And I do that... I do that.'' Gwaine said with tears flooding his eyes. ''I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I won't even remember most of what happened tomorrow.''

''It's okay.'' Leon muttered. He didn't know what to say. He was surprised and overwhelmed and... He looked at Gwaine, he was an idiot most of the time, but he could also be so smart and wise. Leon didn't know much about love, but everything his friend had said sent chills down his spine. Strangely, he wished Gwaine would collapse so he could carry him, even if that meant reopening his wound. Leon had never been so confused, the only thing he knew was that the other man's arm around him made him feel safe and comfortable... was that right?

When they finally made it to Gwaine's room, there was just a 'thank you, I'm sorry.' Nothing else. No petition to stay. No comment. No kiss. Nothing. Even though both men wanted that.

Gwaine didn't fall asleep instantly. He could remember a few things from that night and all of them made him feel like an idiot. He felt a tear roll down his cheek. The man who didn't love him was in his mind and refused to leave. Gwaine thought about Leon when he was drunk and when he was sober, when he was awake and when he was asleep. And that was more painful than any other torture.

Leon had to work hard to fall asleep too. He was thinking, thinking about Gwaine and everything he had said. He was handsome, clever, funny, and absolutely in love with him. If Leon could choose, would he love him back? He shouldn't and he couldn't, it wasn't right... but Gwaine loved him and... He laughed at himself. Sir Leon, admirable and responsible Sir Leon, was more confused than ever before.

One of them loved the other with burning passion and courage. The other loved him with fear and insecurity. But, at the end of the day, isn't that how great love stories always begin?

Review?

TheLoner7