Merlin got into the passenger side of Arthur's car. He was nervous—more nervous than the time he'd gotten his appendix removed, but definitely more excited about it. Arthur started up the car, buckled his seat belt, and gave Merlin an I-can't-believe-you're-here-with-me smile. He put the car into drive, ready to go on their first date. Their first date. The phrase rang pleasantly in Arthur's ears.

Merlin reached forward to toggle the knob on the radio and scanned through channels. Arthur normally hated it when people messed with his radio, but this was Merlin; he could do whatever he wanted to. Merlin surfed though many of the channels, a few country stations, a few hard rock stations (which they both groaned in disgust at), until Merlin finally swapped to a channel and a familiar "This time I'll be braver—" played over the radio.

"I love this song!" they said in unison, and Arthur smirked as Merlin blushed and smiled as he left the knob alone and sat back into his seat. This song would have been perfect for yesterday, but as for today, it was a gentle reminder that the bad times were over—for now, at least. Merlin looked out of his window to the clear sky; he had a feeling that today would be a day he would remember for the rest of his life.

Arthur opened the door for Merlin as they walked into the cinema. Merlin walked to the teller and gave her his card, buying two tickets for a movie that Arthur didn't recognize, nor did he particularly care for—all that mattered was that today he and Merlin were together. They walked briskly down the long corridor that led deep underground where the theaters were situated. Merlin found the right door and they walked into to the dark room. Arthur was glad they'd left early as there wasn't anyone else in there.

Merlin walked to a seat that was dead center in the back of the room. Merlin had a large bag of popcorn in hand and Arthur had a large drink, filled with… well, with whatever Merlin had ordered. They took their seats just as the credits began to roll and then the movie began to start, and a triumphant theme played as a few characters came onto the screen.

To say that either of them had been paying any attention to the movie would have been an atrocious lie. Merlin found himself more often than not staring at Arthur, who would turn to him and smile before leaning in and giving him a kiss and then turning back to the movie. Arthur didn't really watch it, though, as he was more interested at the body heat coming from the man next to him. He took a risk and moved his hand onto Merlin's leg. Merlin looked to him and smiled, placing his hand on top of Arthur's. Arthur gently squeezed his leg as he tried his best to get lost in the movie, though he'd much rather get lost in Merlin's eyes.

About half way through the movie, Merlin couldn't contain himself. He sat on his legs and leaned over to Arthur, Arthur's hand still on his thigh but closer to his pelvis. Merlin began to kiss Arthur's cheek then moved slowly to his ear, licking and biting on his earlobes, then moved down to Arthur's neck, causing Arthur to gasp. Merlin reached his hand over Arthur and grabbed his shoulder. Merlin let his hand slowly drop and crawl down Arthur's chest, then to his stomach, then to the button of his shorts and—

"Wait..." Arthur said quickly. He pulled away from Merlin, who took on a look of hurt and confusion. Did he do something wrong? But Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand and brought it to his face, rubbing Merlin's knuckles against his cheek. "I-I want to take it slow... is that okay?" Arthur asked. He moved Merlin's hand to his lips and began kissing over his knuckles, over his ring, and then wrapped both of his own hands around Merlin's hand, holding it tight. "I-I..." Arthur sighed. "I don't wanna go fast and for us regret anything you know? I... I just really love you, okay?"

Merlin felt his heart flutter and the feeling of butterflies filled his stomach. I just really love you, okay. The sentence ran though his mind like a dog chasing its tale, each trip getting brighter and louder and stronger until Merlin brought his other and to Arthur's face and pulled him close. Their lips only inches from each other. "I just really love you too," Merlin replied, a smile spreading across his face. "Okay?"

Arthur nodded and closed the gap between them, sealing the words with a kiss.

The movie ended and Arthur found himself feeling a little depressed. He and Merlin walked out of the cinema and to the car.

Merlin was the first to break the silence. "I don't wanna go home yet." he said, looking to Arthur, who smiled at the words—just what he wanted to hear. Arthur unbuckled his belt, got out of the car and walked to the other side, opening Merlin's door. Merlin took a second to watch the sunlight reflect off of Arthur's hair and brighten his eyes; from here Arthur looked like a model or someone from a magazine. Arthur gave him a big smile before extending his hand.

"Come with me."

After only an hour of walking, Arthur had finally reached his destination. It was the middle of the afternoon and the sun was still high in the sky. Merlin looked out onto the river that Arthur had brought them to and felt Arthur pull on his hand just a little more before walking to an empty patch of grass on the bank. He took his jacket and laid it on the ground before sitting on it, patting next to him for Merlin to sit as well.

Together they looked out over the water. It was clear, and you could see plant life and fish and the sun's reflection on the shiny surface. Merlin scooted as close to Arthur as he could get before leaning his head on his shoulder and enjoying the now. The day was so perfect, it was like something out of a faerie tale, something out of a romance novel, or a Nicholas Sparks book. No one had days like this, no one. Merlin sighed and Arthur rested his head on Merlin's, watching a flock of birds fly over head.

They sat there for a few hours, talking about everything and nothing, watching other people, listening, feeling, and kissing. Merlin and Arthur had engaged in a game of Truth or Dare, though each time either of them picked dare it was always for a kiss. Together they lay back on the ground and stared up at the sky, hands together, shoulder to shoulder. Merlin was still expecting to wake up but as time went on, it became more and more clear that this wasn't a dream. This was his life.

Neither of them remembered falling asleep. Arthur woke up to gentle rain drops on his face. The sun was setting far in the distance and a few clouds were rolling in. He glanced to his right to see Merlin cuddled up against him, face buried into his arm, silent, sleeping. Arthur turned onto his side and brought his hand up to stroke Merlin's cheek, gently waking him.

Merlin mumbled and yawned as he opened his eyes and looked around and noticed the time change. "How long have we been," Merlin took a moment to yawn, "sleeping?" he asked.

Arthur checked his watch. "About three hours."

Merlin sat up and stretched. There was some grass on his back where the jacket didn't cover and Arthur raised his hand and brushed it off. Merlin turned around and looked at his boyfriend – Merlin's heart fluttered at that word, boyfriend. He slowly climbed on top of Arthur and sat on his stomach, leaning forward. He placed both of his elbows on the ground next to Arthur's face, their foreheads touching. Merlin gentle nuzzled his nose against Arthur's and closed his eyes, enjoying the contact. Arthur brought his arms up and grabbed Merlin, turning him over so he was the one on top. Arthur smiled at Merlin's surprise and leaned in to kiss him, his arms still wrapped around him, the night sky falling on his back.

The ride home was quiet. After picking up a few burgers from McDonalds and talking about their lives, their past, Merlin had fallen asleep again on his door, and Arthur turned the radio off, leaving himself with his thoughts. The rain had become heavy and kept him company in the gentle darkness. As he got closer to the estate he noticed the rain light up until it was gone and left the moon bright in the sky. Arthur pulled up to the mansion and gentle nudged Merlin's shoulder, but Merlin groaned and pushed Arthur away, nuzzling into the car door and falling back asleep. Arthur sighed and smiled. He opened his door and went to Merlin's side. He gently pulled the door open and leaned in, unbuckling Merlin and then picking him up. He was a lot lighter than Arthur had expected. Merlin wrapped his hands around Arthur's neck and curled up in his hands, Arthur leaned down and kisses his forehead before carrying him bridal-style inside.

Arthur laid Merlin down on his bed. He took off Merlin's shoes and socks, throwing them on the floor. He brought Merlin's huge blanket up over him and Merlin turned onto his side, pulling the blanket closer. Arthur turned the light beside his bed off and went to walk away, but this time it was Merlin who grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

"Stay with me, please," Merlin said sleepily. His grip was weak but firm and Arthur couldn't resist a request like that. Arthur slipped his shoes and socks off, then dropped his shorts and took off his shirt. He walked to the other side of Merlin's bed and slid under the covers with him, sliding up to his back and pulling Merlin into him, feeling his chest make contact with Merlin's back. Merlin sat up for a second and pulled his own shirt off before taking his shorts off under the blanket and frantically kicking, trying to get them off the bed. Merlin laid himself back on the bed and scooted back, trying to be as close to Arthur as he could.

Arthur planted a kiss on Merlin's shoulder. His lips were gentle as he moved along his shoulder to his neck. Merlin reached his hand up and grabbed Arthur's hair, expending his head up to give Arthur more access. Arthur reached around Merlin and placed his hands on Merlin's chest, gripping and digging his fingers in as he continued to lick and bite and kiss. Merlin turned around and pulled Arthur close, bring his lips to Arthur's and sliding his hand to Arthur's boxers. Arthur opened his mouth to protest but Merlin took that opportunity to slide his tongue in, slipping his hand into Arthur's boxers, gripping him, pulling at him. Merlin felt Arthur groan into his mouth and kissed harder.

Arthur gave in. He reached down and slid his own boxers off before sliding off Merlin's. They were locked in a passionate kiss, tongue against tongue, teeth against teeth, stomach against stomach. Arthur raised his hands up to Merlin's face and pulled him back. Their eyes locked, both lost deep in lust and passion.

"I love you." Arthur said tenderly. He leaned in and gave Merlin another kiss.

He ducked under the blankets and kissed Merlin's neck, and then he moved down, glazing his chest, his nipples, his stomach with kisses and saliva. Arthur worked he way down farther and heard Merlin gasp as Arthur took him in. Merlin reached down under the blanket, running his hands in Arthur's hair, feeling each crevice of his mouth, bucking his hips, feeling himself go deeper and deeper. A gentle moan escaped from Merlin's lips as each trust brought him closer and closer to his climax.

Arthur took a moment to wet his finger with his mouth before reaching his hand under Merlin, where he began to slide his finger in. Merlin sighed and slammed his hips down onto Arthur's finger, forcing it deep inside him. Arthur only guessed that Merlin had liked that, since he liked it himself. He was so new to this; he had no idea if he was doing anything right.

He resumed sucking on Merlin, savoring the taste, mapping the topography, getting to know every vein, every hair, every wrinkle, every groove. A few seconds later Arthur heard the inevitable moan of his name, followed by the savory sweet flavor of his love, and Arthur kissed up Merlin's body until he reached his face.

Merlin wrapped his arms around him pulled him down for a kiss. He reached over to his bed stand and opened his drawer, pulling out a bottle of lubrication. He poured some out onto his hand and then snaked it down to Arthur, applying a generous amount. Merlin arched his back and adjusted until Arthur was there, and then he used his legs to pull Arthur down.

"Wait..." Arthur said. "Should we like... I dunno, prepare you first?" He blushed at the word and gave Merlin an awkward smile, not sure how to go about this.

Merlin nodded his head and smiled, blushing himself as Arthur dropped his hands down to work on Merlin and watched as the other boy squirmed and panted beneath him. Merlin opened his eyes and Arthur knew he was ready. He repositioned himself and Merlin wrapped his legs around him again, pulling Arthur down, feeling him begin to slide in. Arthur couldn't help but groan as heat over took him. It was so warm, so tight, and so perfect. He pushed his hips the whole way down, forcing Merlin deep into the mattress. He looked into Merlin's eyes and smiled, leaning into kiss him as he began to gently thrust.

Richard pulled out his cell phone. Six missed calls, five of them from Merlin. He had expected that. He did notice, however, that another was from someone who would only call him if something was dire. He turned to Uther, Ygraine, and Hunith and told them to give him a second before walking away and out of sight.

"Cenred, what do you want?" Richard asked in a tight, angry voice. "Did you secure the dragon?"

"No, Great One, we were interrupted by an odd group of powerful people."

"An odd group of power—what the fuck are you talking about?" Richard cursed into the phone. He turned around to make sure he wasn't followed.

"Two Knights, a warlock, a witch, and some retard with a sword."

"Did you kill them?"

"Negative, sir, they were able to secure the Dragon's escape, along with killing almost all of our men. I was able to steal the boy and escape with three other Drinkers."

Richard's face went white at the information. "Who the fuck are these people?"

"I only recognized one, sir—the warlock."

Richard tapped his foot impatiently. "And? Who was he?"

"Your step-son."