6. Love

Then Arthur began to speak very fast.

"Iknowyoudon'tfeelthesamebutIhadtosayitI'msosorrypleasedon'tendourfriendship."

Merlin's head was whirling. His ears must have substituted what Arthur actually said for what he wanted to hear to protect his sanity. He didn't know whether to be glad or worried.

"Merlin? Hello? For God's sake, reply!" Arthur shook him harshly. "Speak, damn you! This is killing me!"

"W-what…I…" He mouthed hopelessly. The lump in his throat finally shifted and tears poured out of his eyes, one after the other. He wanted what he'd heard to be true so much…

"Merlin? Are you okay?" Arthur sounded both surprised and concerned, and pulled him into an embrace. "Well I wasn't expecting that…" he mumbled, running his hand through Merlin's hair, a wonderful sensation. After a few long seconds Merlin semi-composed himself and pulled away. Arthur gave him a searching look.

"Did you hear me right Merlin? Why are you crying? If anything, I should be crying… I expected you to be monumentally shocked at worst, consoling at best…"

"W-w-what?" Merlin stammered.

"I love you." Arthur smiled crookedly, which played havoc with Merlin's stomach. Was he really hearing that?

"What?" he whispered, a little more confidently.

Arthur took a deep breath. "Merlin, I love you, I always will, as surely as it is snowing right now."

Merlin's lips trembled in something approaching a smile. "What was that again?" he said, and Arthur's face changed from one expression to another before spreading into a large grin.

"You heard me the first time didn't you? You little imp." He ruffled Merlin's hair playfully. A deep, deep warmth filled him.

"I love you Arthur."

"Thank god for that." And Merlin could tell that Arthur hadn't been entirely sure before then from the way his voice filled with relief and joy as he grabbed him in a strong bear hug. There was a long moment of pure bliss, which Arthur finally interrupted by saying, "I wouldn't rush anything after such a big revelation, but…" He looked down as politely as he could before looking back up at Merlin, who was grinning.

"I can't help it, I can't stop thinking about that moment in the field…" he blushed.

"Tell me about it," Arthur groaned, taking Merlin in his arms and kissing him passionately. It was going to be the best Christmas ever.

The End.