Chapter 4

Months passed and Merlin had hardly had time to think about Gwaine since their last encounter. He had all but decided to forget about the man. After all, had the man been serious about the kiss, he'd have come visit him or write to him or something. I should think the son of a knight would've learned to write! He thought. In any case, it doesn't matter. I should just concentrate on my destiny and on protecting Arthur, the latter being a full-time job, I might add.

That was, until a series of unfortunate events ensured him being right back where he started. When he woke up in that dungeon only to realize that Gwaine was there too, his smile betrayed him despite his best efforts to remember that he was still slightly angry with the man. Gwaine seemed oblivious to his mixed feelings, and he simply laid his hands on Merlin's shoulders to greet him.

"Merlin old friend, you look terrible."

"Likewise."

Arthur quickly broke the moment by questioning Gwaine, who reluctantly let his arms drop. Mood killer.

After the brief duel that was cut short by the fire, they escaped to the woods where Merlin told Gwaine what they were looking for. Arthur slapped him for letting it slip. I swear, every single time I tell Merlin a secret, he blurts it out to everyone. Merlin argued back, not really with words, but with a "Come on, it's Gwaine!"-type of argument that really wasn't an argument to begin with, at least not to Arthur. Arthur was nearly glad that Gwaine interrupted them, suggesting that they might need help. Despite having many flaws, Arthur wasn't a fool and he knew not to refuse help when it might be needed.

After Arthur had agreed to let Gwaine help them, they started walking towards their goal. Merlin was lost in his thoughts, so Arthur and Gwaine tried to establish some form of polite conversation. It didn't take long for Gwaine and Arthur to start butting heads, though. They were surprised by Merlin's sudden interjection that stopped them on their tracks. Merlin continued forward, leaving the two men staring after him. Gwaine pushed Arthur's shoulder with his right fist.

"Truce?"

"Agreed."

Arthur grunted. He wasn't that used to talking to Gwaine yet. "So how did you end up here? I thought you would've been long gone by now. This is relatively close to Camelot."

"Actually I was returning. The south was fun, but I figured I'd come and say hello to Merlin. Didn't end too well, that plan."

Arthur eyed the man beside him as they hurried after Merlin. "Just come and say hello to Merlin?"

"Yes, so?"

Being the royal heir to the throne, Arthur didn't really know what was normal and what wasn't in friendship. Through years of bickering, he'd managed to establish a friendship with Merlin, but from what he had heard, usually friends came from more equal backgrounds. A servant and an adventurer were more or less equal. He wasn't exactly sure why he was surprised, then.

Gwaine was still waiting for an answer, so he just shrugged and said 'nothing'.

Gwaine nodded and glanced at the back of the younger man leading them. He couldn't shake the feeling that Merlin was mad at him, even though he had treated him friendly enough earlier. He decided to shake Arthur off their backs later so Merlin and him could finally talk.

Alas, then they met the druids. Gwaine didn't really have anything against them, but played along anyway, his pose like that of one of Arthur's knights. Arthur's more or less convincing hostage plan worked, and they got the cup in their hands. As they were leaving, the druid added one last message to Merlin's brain:

"Do not let your feelings get the best of you. The cup is what is important."

Ironically enough, they lost the cup less than an hour after obtaining it. Arthur was injured too, so they couldn't even go after the ones that had taken the cup. Merlin and Gwaine decided to set up camp there, to care for Arthur and rest a little. After Gwaine had gathered some wood for the fire, he finally gathered up the courage to talk to Merlin. He rested his elbows to his knees and crossed his hands under his jaw. "So. You are angry with me." It wasn't a question, just an observation.

Merlin looked surprised, then saw the seriousness of the other man's gaze and stopped pretending. "I am."

Gwaine wasn't used to people in general, let alone friends, let alone friends being mad at him. He'd have felt much better if Merlin had tried to kill him, that he'd have understood. Merlin, however, seemed calm. "Why?"

"Don't you know?" Now Gwaine could see he was crossed with him.

"I honestly don't. You seemed happy to see me earlier today, I thought.."

"Don't you remember what happened the last time we met?" Merlin got up at this and started circling the unconscious Arthur. "In front of a fire just like this one? Minus the down-for-the-count royal prince here!" He mock-kicked Arthur without touching him to emphasize his words.

"Oh." Gwaine stared at his feet. He was in a lot of trouble now.

"Oh?" Merlin looked as if he was going to burst. "I've been thinking about that for the last four months and you don't even..Just. Garhh!" He gasped for air. "I know you're reckless but you shouldn't go kissing people if you don't even care about them!"

Gwaine was standing now too. He approached Merlin, grabbed him and dragged him further away from the fire and the crown prince. He then proceeded to throw the younger man to the ground. He kneeled as well, lifting Merlin's head so they could face each other. The younger man's eyes were wide with shock."What are you doing?" He tried to struggle but Gwaine held him in place. Gwaine brought his face to Merlin's, but this time he waited. Merlin had closed his eyes, waiting for an attack, but when it didn't happen, he opened his eyes again, to see Gwaine waiting for him to respond to his unasked question. "I do care. About you." Merlin didn't know what to think. He saw his left hand move, almost on its own, and caress Gwaine's cheek. "I-", he started. He couldn't bring himself to ask for it. Not yet. Fortunately, Gwaine read him quite well considering that they had only spent relatively little time together. Their lips met and they sunk into a sweet kiss. After a minute or so, Merlin tried to pulled back as he remembered that he needed this little thing called 'air', but, as he was on the ground, this proved to be a bit problematic. "Gwaine."

"Mmhh?" Gwaine was busy nuzzling his neck.

"You're suffocating me. Get off me." Merlin tried to sound like he meant it, but it's hard to sound convincing when moaning.

"Alright. You be on top for a change."

"What?" Merlin yelped just before the adventurer on top of him flipped them and pulled him on top of him. Gwaine then sat up to kind of hug him and started untying his shirt from the strings of its back. Merlin hugged him back to better expose his back to the other man. He wasn't sure what he should do next. He was enjoying himself, yes, but he also had a feeling he should stop what he was doing..eventually. Gwaine, finally finished with the strings of his shirt, opened the piece of clothing to reveal Merlin's upper body. He started pulling at his own clothes with his right hand and used his left hand to undress Merlin's pants..or at least tried to. Apparently this was the breaking point for Merlin, who jumped to his feet and moved away from him. "No. It's too soon." This time he sounded sure. Nonetheless, Gwaine couldn't help but try. "According to whose rules?"

Merlin eyed him. He seemed angry, but probably more with himself than Gwaine. That didn't mean he couldn't take it out on him, though.

"You always do this. Are you going to leave again for four months, is that it?"

"I'm banished from Camelot, do you want me to come see you even if it costs me my life?"

"You could've written me a letter or come to the boarder and ask me to come meet you there."

Gwaine sighed. "Well, you obviously have more experience about secret love affairs. The last time we did that", he pointed at the place where they had just wrestled, "you didn't even want to talk about it afterwards so I figured you didn't want it."

"Well you didn't exactly give me time to decide if I did or not. You just jumped on top of me, just like now!" Merlin seemed intent on pretending that he hadn't been a more than willing participant of the aforementioned that.

Gwaine threw his arms in the air in defeat. "You know me, Merlin! I don't think, I do. I thought that was what you liked about me." Gwaine tried giving Merlin his usual wry smile, but Merlin simply looked away. Now he was angry at Gwaine too, that one was for sure. Gwaine crossed his arms behind his head. The one friend you ever had, and you even managed to drive him away with your reckless behavior.

"So what do we do now?" Gwaine asked.

"We get Arthur well and then figure out what we'll do next."

"I meant about us."

Merlin shrugged and said they'd better sleep on it. Gwaine was almost relieved, as even though he wanted to clear things with Merlin, he didn't think he could handle a conversation like the one they had just had again right then and there. He fell asleep after bidding Merlin goodnight. Merlin followed suite right after he had repaired his shirt.