Authors notes: I would like to thank lyssa loo for giving me the idea of Arthur waking with a kiss. Just like a prince/princess story c': I really enjoyed writing this short chapter, so I hope you like it!
Four hours Merlin had sat with Arthur so far. Four hours he just sat there, holding his hand tightly never wanting to let go. He hadn't broke the silence once, but now he decided to speak up.
"You're an idiot.. you know that?" He laughed without humour. "I tell you not to do something, and every single time you go and do it. Look at where it leads you! You're almost dead and you could have avoided that if you listened to me once in a while." He smiled softly at him and gave his hand a squeeze. "Please pull through, Arthur... I.. I don't know what I'll do without you. How can I find another idiot, arrogant prince to work for?" He chuckled and wiped his eyes, emotion surging through him again. "What will Camelot do without you? They need you. You're their future king, the making of this place. Without you, there's nothing.. I'm nothing. Just please.. I need you, I.. love you."
He said that surprising himself, and what he did next surprised himself even more. He leant down and placed a soft, sweet kiss to Arthur's lips. His eyes closed, and then fluttered open as he pulled away, tears streaming down his face but he was smiling at the same time. "I love you, you idiot!" Merlin chuckled, stroking Arthur's face with his right hand. "I love you." He whispered.
"M-Merlin?"
Merlin's eyes opened as he heard Arthur's voice, weak but most certainly there. As he opened his eyes, he immediately saw Arthur's eyes staring back at him, well, at Merlin's lips...
"Merlin.. did... did you kiss me?" Arthur frowned and looked up at him, meeting eyes with a blushing Merlin.
"Uh.. erm... shut up, Arthur."
Arthur grinned, reached up and rested his hand on the back of Merlin's neck, using it to pull Merlin down to him. He captured their lips in the most perfect kiss either had ever experienced. Soft lips pressed slowly together in full passion, their bodies fitting and moving perfectly together, both pouring everything they felt for each other and everything they had been denying into it.
When they both needed to catch their breath, Arthur pulled away and they rested their foreheads against each others. Their breathing was soft and fell perfectly in rhythm. Holding each other so close they could feel the other's heartbeat.
"Merlin?"
"Yes?"
"I love you, too." Arthur pulled Merlin down into the bed and snuggled up closer to him. Despite still feeling dizzy from his wound, he just wanted to be near Merlin. He had been denying his feelings for too long now, he wasn't going to let it go.
Merlin rested his head on Arthur's chest, listening to Arthur's steady heartbeat as both of them fell into a satisfied sleep.
If only they realized anyone could walk in at any time.
Review and tell me what you think :)