PAIRING: Merlin/Arthur from the Television Series: Merlin.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the TV Series. I am not making any money. This is for entertainment only. This did not happen. This story is slash fan-fiction. Slash means that the main characters are Gay. If you don't like this sort of story, don't read.
SUMMARY: Rating MA. Romance/Danger Arthur wants Merlin badly but isn't sure that Merlin feels the same so he decides to throw down a challenge. This takes place after Uther marries the Troll in Season 2. The story contains spoilers from that episode. Story will be updated once or twice a week.
RATING: MA
AUTHOR: Rufferto9 (rufferto9 )
CHAPTER : 2 of 7

SEVEN KISSES
CHAPTER TWO: A Morning To Remember

*Morning*

Merlin woke up early the next morning with a little sigh of content. He'd had good dreams and they were full of the sweet memory of a certain blonde Prince he couldn't get out of his head. Today was different, today that thought didn't make him cringe. Today he bounced out of bed with a gleeful laugh knowing that at some point, some unexpected point, he would get the second kiss of the seven that he was due.

He came out to fetch his washbasin and found Gaius with his arms folded. "Merlin." He had –that- expression. Merlin looked this way and that as if there was someone else in the room named Merlin.

"What, me?" He blinked and then –stared-.

Instead of his normal small washbasin something else was there instead. It was ornate and hand crafted and big enough for two. And it was wrapped in a red bow with –roses- and there was handmade soap from some far reach of the Kingdom. It would take up most of his tiny bedroom, if he could even lifted it there. Merlin flushed scarlet.

"There's a note." Gaius grunted. "From your admirer."

Merlin snatched the note with a glare and scanned it.

~~"I thought you could use a nice soak instead of dumping a bin over your head." – A. ~~

"He gave you a bathtub." Gaius stared at it, far too bemused to be angry. "I can understand a bathtub, kind of, but Merlin..." He pointed at the flowers. "What are they for?"

Merlin snatched the flowers and huffed. "How do you know my admirer is a /he/."

"Well." Gaius sighed and shook his head. "You'd better use it or he'll know for sure." He shuffled off to let Merlin deal with the tub.

He stared down at the flowers in bemusement. /Really?/ Apparently Subtly was not Arthur's strong point. After dragging things around he finally managed to get a spot for it and found a privacy screen. Then he had to get the water and lug it up. He knew how much work baths were, after all he had to get Arthur's bath. When he finally got everything together and mixed some hot water in he stripped and got into the tub. Hmmmmm. This was a lot better than basin washing. Oh it was nice! He sighed as he burrowed down into the warm water.

"Where's Merlin?" He heard a cheerful voice. Gwen had come to get medication for her daily rounds. She sometimes helped deliver them upstairs.

"Indisposed." Gaius harrumphed with a roll of his eyes and started to put the things together for her.

Gwen looked crestfallen and he had to give a smile. She'd always had a bit of a soft spot for Merlin. "That's too bad. I wanted to show him the new gloves I made. I hope he's not sick?"

Merlin slipped slightly and the sounds of sloshing coming from behind the privacy screen couldn't be helped.

Gwen giggled. "He's washing down here? But we wash in our bedrooms." Servants don't get the pleasure of privacy usually.

"One time only! That –thing- is going back where it came from." Gaius assured her. He knew exactly –where- it came from, he was a sharp old man.

"What thing!" now curiosity was killing her, "What did you get, Merlin, Is it your nameday?"

"No!" Merlin called out from behind the screen. "I'll tell you later, you can't come back here."

As if she would, Gwen laughed. "Honestly Merlin, I'd never! Even though I know you need someone to wash your back."

"Merlin needs his back washed?" Arthur asked innocently from the doorway. "And here I was wondering where the heck he was. No breakfast yet! I'm starving!" He walked over to where Merlin's meager bowl of porridge was waiting for him and eyed it. "Not that starving..."

Gaius rolled his eyes and stood up biting back a retort. "You two can come back later. Arthur, I'll send Merlin right up as soon as he's ready. In the meantime, perhaps Gwen might be kind enough to show you the way to the kitchen." Gaius stressed each word to leave no doubt as to whether or not they knew he wanted them to leave.

Merlin didn't say a word. He just stayed right where he is. He had to admit, it was rather nice and his body really didn't mind it at all.

After a while it was quiet on the other side of the screen and he surmised that it was time to get out, get dry and get dressed. He'd love to stay in that nice water all day long but he had a job to do and it was time to get things done. So he stood.

"All done?" Arthur's voice made him nearly slip and fall back in the tub.

"What are you..." He exhaled..."Doing, go away! What if-" He really hoped Giaus and Gwen weren't still in the room.

Arthur simply took in the site before him with a wide grin. He knew Merlin was beautiful but the site took his breath away. He was all arms, legs and ears with a mop of dark curls and a lean, strong body. There were scars here and there but for the most part he was in perfect health. The water slipped down his chest to the dark curly hairs of his... Arthur smiled. "I knew it." He was extremely pleased with what he saw there. Just like the rest of him, it was just right.

Merlin immediately grabbed a towel and tried to hide himself. His face flushed with embarrassment. "I can't believe you." He stumbled a bit out of the tub. "Go away and let me get dressed. I'll bring your breakfast soon. You've had your fun."

"Indeed." Arthur snickered watching the young mage flounce away. The entire set-up had been completely worth it.

"If you're quite finished, we do have work to do down here, your highness." Gaius prompted.

Arthur sent the old man a half-hearted apologetic look and quickly made his way out. Everything had worked out exactly as he'd planned.

**Afternoon**

Of course he didn't have an easy day. That would have been too much to ask. He'd gone up with Arthur's breakfast and the Prat was nowhere to be found. Not only that but people kept stopping him and telling him that Arthur was looking for him at specific locations and he was –never- there. Finally, he got fed up and stormed back to Gaius. "You have any work for me?" He demanded testily.

He looked over towards where the gift had been, it was gone as Gaius had promised. The flowers were neatly placed in some water, however.

"No, Merlin. Nothing for you today, why don't you take a walk?" Gaius shooed him away which only added to his ire.

He didn't know why he was so upset; after all, it wasn't like he worked to the bone EVERY day. There were days that he didn't have anything to do and he certainly wasn't going to spend the entire day chasing after Arthur so he did one of the things he liked doing during times like these and headed out of the city to the forest. He secretly loved being close to nature, well...he was a mage after all and everything wanted to talk to him out there. Not coherently, just whispers letting him know they were watching. He whispered back and helped free an injured butterfly.

He was already feeling much better as time wore on and he almost forgot about the shenanigans that morning. He was feeling practically benevolent by the time he began to head back, that is until he came across something in the middle of the path back to the city. An arrow with a red tip pointing east and he stared at it for a long while trying to figure out just what it meant.

Curiosity got the better of him even though it might be some sort of trap and he headed into the brush determined to get to the bottom of it. Every twenty or so feet he would find another arrow and head in the direction it pointed until finally he came upon a clearing.

Arthur was sprawled on a comfortable looking blanket. He was alone with a picnic basket and some wine, presumably all for him. "Finally! I thought you'd never get here."

Merlin stared at him. "It's broad daylight! What are you thinking..." He strode over towards the blonde.

Arthur rested on his elbow and gazed up at the mage with a twinkle in his eye. "I knew you'd come this way and when I saw what kind of breakfast you usually eat, well, I figured some good lunch won't go to waste. I made it myself!"

"You mean Gwen packed it for you." Merlin smirked and relented. He sat down cross-legged on the other side of the basket.

"Well if you want to get technical... I picked everything out though." Arthur said with such an earnest look Merlin almost believed him. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you this morning."

Merlin huffed, flushed and looked down. "It's alright, no harm done. No more bathtub gifts. In fact, no more gifts of any kind. You're going to get caught."

Arthur scoffed, "I'd like to see them try and comment."

"I'm talking about your father, Arthur. He'd kill me."

Since that was probably true Arthur sobered a little and opened the basket. "Anyway, have something to eat."

"Ah, let me do that..." Merlin began to unpack the picnic and take charge of it.

So they sat and talked and ate. Merlin asked Arthur about his upcoming trip in a few weeks and wondered if he'd be coming along. He was assured that was the case and it made him feel a bit better. Once the meal was consumed he tidied up and rested his arms on his knees. Nothing had changed between them. It was still as easy to talk to Arthur as it always had been. He marveled at that revelation.

Eventually Arthur had scooted closer and leaned against him. Without thinking he put his arm around his friend's shoulders and allowed him to cuddle up and snooze a little. It was weird being able to be so close now, able to touch. He could feel Arthur's heart beating, feel his warmth. In the past he'd never have dared but he carefully brushed the Prince's hair out of his eyes while he napped and stroked his head gently. He'd never felt so contented. If the world would just stop now and let him have this moment forever, he'd be the happiest mage alive.

It was Arthur who heard them. He jerked awake suddenly. "We'd better move. Two... maybe three, probably coming to look for me."

"You didn't tell them where you were going and when you'd be back?!" Merlin glared at the royal pain in the arse indignantly.

"I kind of forgot."

"God...why me!" Merlin grunted and scrambled to his feet. "Give me the stuff. I'll head back to the city. You just stall them so they don't hear me."

It was a good plan, so Arthur reluctantly agreed and gave him a tight hug. "You smell great..pity you had to get rid of that tub... maybe you can share mine tomorrow morning."

Merlin eyed him, scoffed and stalked off. In spite of his indignant look the idea of sharing a tub with Arthur made his whole body tingle. A squirrel must have picked up on his euphoria because the cheeky thing began to chatter excitedly at him in the most annoying way. Merlin really wished he could actually communicate because he'd tell the squirrel to bugger off.

**EVENING**

Nearly a whole day had passed and he still hadn't been kissed yet. He was beginning to wonder if Arthur was actually serious about this whole thing. He thought he'd find out at dinner but there was no news to be found there. Morgana –did- give him looks now and then as he served Arthur at the big table and Uther rattled on about some sort of alliance he was considering.

It was a long dinner and Merlin was tired by the end of it. Uther liked to talk and talk and talk and just when he thought he could stand it no longer... there was more talking.

When dinner was finally over, Morgana cornered him in the hall. "Merlin."

"Yeah?" He looked at her with wide innocent eyes.

"Don't hurt him." Goodness, Morgana was scary when she wanted to be. Merlin almost began to panic.

Wait, doesn't she mean the other way around? He'd never hurt Arthur! Wait.. how did she know he knew she knew?..."Ow... my head hurts." Merlin muttered and grunted testily, "Of course I won't, that's crazy talk."

"He loves you. Don't –hurt- him. Or you'll have me to answer to!" With that threat in the air, Morgana winked and swept away.

Neither of them noticed a figure lurking behind a pillar who had witnessed the entire exchange and Uther was frowning.

Arthur was waiting for him in his bedroom. "Come to undress me." The Prince had been looking forward to this –all- day and it showed. "Lock the door. I don't want anyone barging in."

Merlin complied without thinking and started to do his regular duties while Arthur watched him. He started a fire, turned down the bed and took up all of the dirty clothing to put it into a pile by the door. As he moved about he was well aware he was being stared at.

"Merlin." Arthur muttered impatiently.

"Just about done...take it easy." Merlin shot back. Finally everything was just right and walked over to the bed. Off came the overshirt and belt as easily as it always dead.

Now, the tunic, Merlin pulled it up and over Arthur's head and laid a hand upon his bare chest and swallowed. He could hardly believe he was allowed to do that now. He rubbed his fingers in a little circle.

"Something you want?" Arthur wondered with a smirk.

Merlin wanted to wipe that smirk off of the Prince's face and proceeded to do –just- that. He closed the distance between them and almost pounced on Arthur's lips. It was his turn to dominate now, he wasn't just some mouse that Arthur could lord it over in –every- way and he was going to –prove- it. His tongue gently forced the other's lips open and he licked and tangled. The contact was just as electrifying as the previous night. He pressed himself up against Arthur and reveled in the way hands just wouldn't stop touching him. His shirt was tossed on the floor quickly and he practically climbed onto the taller blonde. "Take me." Merlin demanded. "I don't want to wait." He nipped and tugged at Arthur's lower lipped causing a slight trickle of blood. Neither of them noticed. There was just more... more passion...more fire.

Until there was a rattling of Arthur's door and someone pounded on it. "Arthur!" It was Uther. "Why is the door locked, son?"

Merlin and Arthur broke away quickly and as quietly as possible. Arthur gave him an apologetic look and jerked his head towards the secret door. Merlin gathered up his clothing and Arthur's stuff and took off as quick as possible. There was no time to put on his own shirt.

"Relax, Father." Once safe in the secret passage, Merlin heard Arthur open the door.

"I just wondered if you wanted to go hunting tomorrow." Uther's voice boomed.

Merlin didn't wait to hear the rest of the conversation, the sudden appearance of Arthur's father had shaken him to the core. He started down the secret passage and shocked a maid as he came out shirtless. He blushed and shushed her. She grinned and let it go. He quickly put on his shirt and hurried off. This was a far too dangerous game the two of them were playing. He'd have to put an end to it.

Eventually Uther left and Arthur went over to the secret passage. "Merlin, you still there?" No luck. He sighed. Well, he'd had his kiss at least he'd have to be content with that. He'd be gone out with Uther most of the next day and he would leave word for Merlin in the morning.

He touched his lip and grunted blood. So that's what Uther had been staring at. Merlin had made something of a mark on his lip that might be there for a little while. He rubbed it gently and smiled as he realized that he didn't really mind being marked in that way.

Not at all.

***LATE NIGHT***

Back in his chambers Uther summoned one of his special servants, a plain-faced gentleman who had been with him since he was a child. "Samuel I think we have a problem. I need your help getting rid of him."

"As you wish my lord."

TBC