Chapter 3: "Parting is such sweet sorrow"

A few weeks after their day spent together and after a lot of questioning from Gaius, Merlin had no time to think about anything rational. His only thought were the many choirs that King Arthur gave him in the attack of anger that he got while being drunk after the banquet with King Johnson.

In the quiet morning, a raven haired boy was running around the castle of Camelot.

Merlin:"Arthur, where the Hell are you!?"

Just as he was about to give up and start using magic to help himself he bumped into a man's sculpted chest. He was about to fall to the floor, but the man caught him and firmly held him by his arms.

When he focused his eyesight he recognised the blonde haired man in front of him.

Arthur: "Merlin?"

Merlin: "Where the heck were you?!" he snapped at the king.

Arthur: "Excuse me? I am the king. I don't have to answer YOU!" he shouted not angrily, but quite lovingly.

Merlin: "You're excused, SIRE. Please?" he pleaded.

Arthur motioned for Merlin to follow him.

Arthur: "Accompany me."

Merlin: "Sire-" the manservant said thorough gritted teeth and followed his master down the hallway that was leading to the main entrance of the castle and to the Citadel.

Arthur: "I am going on a..." he said, but unable to lie very good, his words drifted away. Gladly there was a certain warlock that was always there to help him.

Merlin: "A hunt?" he guessed.

Arthur: "Yes. A HUNT! That's it!" he said, but not really being able to outwit his probable soul-mate.

Merlin was of course, as always, not ready to stop digging deeper into Arthur (no pun intended).

Merlin: "And WHY am I not with you?" he asked and then crossed his hands on his chest.

Arthur: "Oh, Merlin. Don't start with this again! You are not a GIRL. Stop acting like one!" he said, now really out of it, not even trying to be nice any more.

Merlin angrily shook his head.

Merlin: "NO! Stop thinking so little of me! I am more than just some peasant servant! I have FEELINGS too!"

Arthur: "You might be a sorcerer or a warlock or whatever, but I am the King and you shall show me some respect!"

Merlin: "STOP ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING!"

Arthur: "If you don't lower your voice this instant I'm going to hit you!" he said, now pure anger in both of their eye, neither knowing when the anger took the best of them.

Merlin: "I don't care any more! HIT ME! Come on! Hit me though guy!" he provoked the man that was clearly stronger than him.

Arthur suddenly pulled him into an empty room, pushed him to the wall and pressed their lips together. Feeling Merlin's moist lips he smiled, but broke their touch by tasting the salt mixing with their saliva. He brushed the other man's cheek with the intention of getting rid of the tear making his way down, but he couldn't stop all of the ones that followed. He gently put his hands around the younger male and hugged him as tight as he could.

Arthur:"You are not allowed to cry for another man."

Merlin: "Even if that man is you?"

Arthur: "No one. Remember this."

Arthur made a few steps away from Merlin, but kept his eyes focused on his best friend.

Arthur: "Don't worry, I'll be back at sunrise," he said reassuringly.

Merlin: "You better be, Dollophead," he said with a glimpse of sadness in his voice and a fake smile, that he dropped later when his voice cracked.

Arthur: "I will. And if I'm not, remember that you will always have a special place in my heart."

With those words being his last, Arthur walked away. Just as he was to escape Merlin's view, Merlin gathered enough strength to cry after him with a almost pleading voice.

Merlin: "Arthur, I'm scared!"

Arthur: "Don't be," the blonde said softly with a warm smile.

Arthur now finished his path and got on his horse's back.

Merlin: "Arthur, I-" he started as he ran down the stairs leading to the ground of Citadel, but was cut down by Arthur's strong and convincing voice.

Arthur: "I'll see you at sunset."

With that, he and his knights rode off, leaving Merlin alone and broken on his knees, regretting he ever feel in love.

Merlin: "You were never meant to be the one saying goodbye."