A/N: Hello beautiful people from the internet! Well, this is the last chapter, I'm a bit emotional to be honest. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you, thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews; it's always nice knowing that people actually like what you write and support you somehow. Writing this has been an amazing experience, it made me realise how much I missed writing fanfics, I'll probably get back to it even more.
Seriously, guys, thank you. As always, please tell me what you think and maybe what you'd like to read in the future (if you like my stuff, of course).
Finally, I want to dedicate this fic to my friend Elen, who knew about this story before anyone else but will never get a chance to finish with it. Thank you for your support, my little dragon, I miss you everyday. I love you.
Words without A/N: 2 262
11. And I would die for you...
''My heart, it beats, beats only for you. My heart is yours.'' Anonymous
''Gwaine!'' Leon screamed desperately. He kept running, the place was like an endless maze.
''Leon... help...'' Gwaine's voice was heard everywhere.
The blond tried to follow the sound. He had to be fast. He knew someone was hurting Gwaine. He knew it was happening. He had to run ''Gwaine!'' He screamed again. No answer arrived. He waited. Silence kept ruling the place. The knight tried again. And again. Darkness started swallowing him...
Leon woke up sweating and finding it hard to breathe. He closed his eyes. You're fine, he thought, calm down, this is Camelot, you're safe, it's fine. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He was lying on his own bed, it was around midday judging on how bright the sun was. His heartbeat slowed down a bit, and he tried to remember what had happened last night.
He and his friends had arrived late at night, tired, weak and wounded. Some knights had gone to encounter them, but that wasn't important to Leon at that time. He had also ignored Agravaine when he ran to his dear nephew and knights. Leon had hurried to find Gaius. As soon as he found the old physician, Gaius sent his to Gwaine's room while he prepared his equipment and potions.
After taking Gwaine to his room and carefully placing him on his bed, Gaius and the others arrived, everyone carrying things to help. The physician had taken almost two hours to heal Gwaine. Right after being done, he healed everyone else's wounds and told them to get some rest. Leon had refused to leave Gwaine's side, so Gaius gave him a ''potion for the pain''... then, everything was black.
He sighed and tried to take a deep breath. You're fine, he told himself, it was just a nightmare, you're fine, Gwaine's...
Leon realised that the physician had never said anything about Gwaine getting better, the knight could be dead for all he knew. He got up and dressed as quickly as his wounds allowed him to. He left his room and was about to run to Gwaine's room, but Gaius was near and saw him.
''Leon, you can't run like that!'' The old physician snapped at him.
''Gaius... Gwaine...'' Leon said, not being able to say more.
''He's alive... very, very wounded but alive.'' Gaius answered, calming his tone. ''Last night, I thought he was not going to make it, but he's fine now.''
''Why wouldn't you...?''
''Leave you spend the night with him? Are you insane?''
''But, Gaius...''
''But nothing. You weren't just hurt, you were in shock. You need to understand, Leon, your wound on the side had reopened and the one on your arm was very deep; you needed to rest. Besides, you're not the first one who has asked me something like that. You should have seen Gwaine when you were the hurt one, he was furious.''
''You mean, Gwaine wanted to see me when I...?'' Leon started, surprised.
''Yes, idiot.'' Gaius smiled and continued calmer. ''And he wanted to see you this morning as well; he woke up, in pain but fine, I had to tell him a hundred times that you were okay. You, knights, and your impulsive love that won't let me do my job.''
''I'm sorry, Gaius.'' Leon said, feeling better: Gwaine was safe. ''Is it possible for me to see him now?''
''I'm not really sure about that, Leon, the medicine I gave him will probably keep him asleep for another two hours. Merlin will go to change his bandages in one and a half, maybe you can go them.''
''Thank you, Gaius.''
''Oh, don't mention it... I'll see how Percival and Elyan are. Why don't you go and talk to Arthur? He wanted to know everything about your mission.''
Leon thanked Gaius and, even though he really wanted to see Gwaine, he went to the king's chambers. He noticed how easy it was for him to walk and breathe, all that weight over his shoulders was finally gone. During the last few days, he had felt overwhelmed y the responsibility and mixed feelings. But that day was just getting better and better: he was finally at home, he had succeeded, and Gwaine was safe and sound.
When he reached the king's premises, he knocked and entered. He saw Arthur having what seemed like a serious conversation with Agravaine.
''Sir Leon.'' The king's uncle said when he saw him.
''My Lord.'' The knight answered dryly.
''Um, I was here talking to...''
''It's fine, uncle.'' Arthur interrupted. ''I actually wanted to talk with one of the knights.
''Oh, of course, Sire, I'll just...''
''Leave, thank you.'' The king finished for him.
''Agravaine nodded and made his way out, pushing the knight with his shoulder before leaving. Leon made a huge effort not to insult the man for basically hitting him on his wounded arm.
''Come and sit, Leon.'' Arthur said, smiling. It seemed like his bad mood and seriousness had left with Agravaine.
''My Lord.'' Leon smiled back and sat across the king.
''How are the wounds? Gaius said they were nasty.''
''Better, thank you, being back makes everything seem well... Gaius said that you wanted to talk to me or another knight.''
''Indeed.'' Arthur looked at him, serious and concerned somehow. ''Leon, I was being harsh on my uncle for a reason; he says I'm just scared and alert because of the spy in Camelot, but I need to be careful. I need you to tell me everything that happened since Merlin and I got captured. Every detail counts.''
Leon took more than an hour to tell the king everything that had happened, of course, avoiding his most personal parts with Gwaine. When he was done, Arthur just nodded and stayed quiet for a while.
''I want to ask you something as a friend, Leon, so please give me an honest answer: do you think Agravaine is the spy?'' Arthur asked.
''I'm not entirely sure, sire.'' Leon answered. ''He seemed very offended and uneasy when Gwaine accused him of wanting your throne, and it's suspicious how he never gave us permission to get you and Merlin... but it's also hard to believe, I mean, you're family.''
''That's what bothers me the most. I don't want to believe that my uncle is the spy, but everything he does just... Thank you, Leon. I am honestly so grateful; Merlin and I would probably be dead if it hadn't been for you and the others.''
''Of course, Arthur.'' Leon smiled. ''We were just doing our job.''
Arthur lowered his head respectfully and smiled. ''Gwaine must be waking up soon, you can go if you want.''
''Thank you, my lord.'' Leon stood up and started walking towards the door.
''Oh, and, Leon?''
''Yes?'' The knight said, turning around.
''If you see Merlin, could you please tell him to come?... And... look, whatever you have with Gwaine, don't hide it... You're not the only ones here.'' Arthur winked and went back to see some papers as if nothing had happened.
Leon smiled while leaving, he was feeling extremely satisfied. Everything that had seemed wrong for the last days was mending slowly. He was a bit nervous though, Gwaine was alive but not exactly at his best. The knight got shivers down his spine by just trying to imagine what the other had gone through.
He took a deep breath when reaching Gwaine's room, he opened the door slowly. Gwaine was lying on a table, over his stomach, sleeping. Merlin was there too, he was apparently working on changing the bandages.
''Hello, Leon.'' The servant said. ''Come in, he'll wake up in some minutes.''
Leon entered shyly. ''Do you need some help, Merlin?''
''Not really, but if you want to change his bandages, you're more than welcome to help.''
''Good.'' The knight said, getting closer. ''What do I have to do?''
''You take last night's bandages and put them here.'' Merlin pointed a bowl, two more, one with a strange liquid, were next to it. ''Then you clean the wounds with this and then cover them again with the new bandages. Easy?''
''Easy.'' Leon answered nervously.
''I'll leave you two alone for a while, he'll be happy to see you when waking up. I'll be with Arthur if you need me.''
''Thank you, Merlin. Go with your Arthur.''
Merlin giggled and left. The knight felt weird when saying your Arthur, he wondered if he could call Gwaine his Gwaine. He got close to the asleep man and started taking the bandages away carefully. He felt a wave of guilt hitting him when he got a clear view of Gwaine's back, it was full of wounds.
''Bloody... God, I'm so sorry.'' Leon said, allowing tears to roll down his cheeks. He cleaned the wounds as delicately as possible, like Merlin had explained, and then covered them with the new bandages. Every time his hands touched a wound, he whispered how sorry he was, it hurt him as if Gradel had tortured him instead.
He felt so guilty, Gwaine had suffered so much just to keep Leon and the others in safety. The blond held the brunet's hand and kissed it a couple of times. ''I'm sorry.'' He whispered to it. ''I've always treated you like an idiot and just done small things for you. I'm so sorry, Gwaine.''
He felt Gwaine's hand holding his tighter. Without opening his eyes, the knight pulled Leon's hand to his own mouth and kissed it. ''I love you.'' He whispered.
''Gwaine...'' Leon kneeled to see the other one better, his eyes filled with tears when he saw him. ''Are you...?''
''I'm fine, I can hardly feel the pain.'' Gwaine answered, his voice more sleepy than in pain. ''You?''
''I... I'm fine, just...'' It became hard for Leon to talk. ''Oh, God, Gwaine, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault, if I hadn't...''
''It's not your fault, I chose to do it, I chose you.''
''But I should have gone, I was supposed to be the leader.''
''Do you realise we all would be dead if you had gone, because of me?'' Gwaine smiled. ''Let's see. Would you die for someone you love?''
''Of course I would.''
''Then there is nothing to forgive. That is exactly what I was willing to do, it is not your fault.'' Gwaine said lovingly. ''It's fine, Leon, I've had worse.''
''But I will never be able to forgive myself... you were going to die for me in that hell without hesitation and I've always...''
''Just hush now.''
''Don't hush me, idiot, I'm being serious.'' Leon complained. He couldn't help it but to smile when Gwaine laughed at his frustration.
''I'm your idiot now, Sir Leon.'' The other said and looked at the other with loving eyes. ''What is it?'' He asked when Leon's smiled faded.
''You can't understand... That was my big mistake, Gwaine, remember? My big mistake, my greatest fear. We could have succeeded differently. I should have never let you go there alone. When you ran and it suddenly became silent, I realised how stupid I had been, I...'' He had to stop to wipe some tears away and clear his throat ''I realised how much I actually need you. That was my biggest mistake and I don't see how you could forgive me.''
Gwaine held Leon's hand tighter, he moved his body a bit so he could make it touch his heart. ''Can you feel it?'' He asked. ''It beats for you. You were safe and I wouldn't have wanted it otherwise. I don't forgive you because there is nothing to forgive. I wouldn't mind giving my life for you.''
Leon kissed Gwaine's forehead and smiled. ''I would die for you a million times, no matter how painful or often it'd be. I would give my life every single day, I would fight an infinite war with countless enemies. I don't care what happens next, whatever I'll have to do in the future, I'll do it for you. I love you, Gwaine.''
''I love you, Leon.'' Gwaine whispered, smiling.
Leon used his free hand to move some hair out of Gwaine's face and touched it with love. Then, very delicately, he turned Gwaine's head a bit and kissed him. That kiss was simply perfect. Breaking it was hard and almost painful.
The two knights smiled and held each other. They stayed there for what seemed years, kissing and whispering I love you's. Hours later, their friends went to visit; they talked, laughed and celebrated their victory. Gwaine and Leon didn't let go off each other's hand for a second.
When night arrived, Leon convinced Gaius to let him stay and sleep with Gwaine. Finally getting to enjoy a bed was perfect, being together just made it better. For Gwaine, there wasn't a better pillow that Leon's chest, neither did a nicer sound that the blond's heartbeat. And for Leon, who was usually cold at night, nothing made him feel warmer than Gwaine's body next to him; and there wasn't a better thing to do than to caress that messy brown hair before falling asleep.
It was a beautiful sight, it's always heart-warming thing seeing two soul mates, two best friends, being finally together; both entirely taken by each other. That was just the first night of the many others, nights that would belong to these two souls that would die for each other.
TheLoner7