Author's note: Has spoilers for 4x03: The Wicked Day, but it's naturally AU as in Merlin succeeding to heal Uther. A slightly more serious chapter than the rest.

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Things That Merlin Isn't Allowed To Do (According to Prince Arthur)
3: Let Uther Find Out About His Magic

"You idiot! Why did you do that? How could you be so careless?" Arthur shouts, shaking his shoulders violently, his grip firm and strong and his heart beats furiously against his ribcage. For those few seconds, he'd been so scared. Afraid. A Pendragon never admits feeling fear, but Arthur has never felt such a rush of emotion before, running through his veins making his blood cold. Merlin, his Merlin, his idiot, he could've bloody died and the idiot just looks at him, wide-eyed, but calm words returned to Arthur's memory that moment – "I'm happy to be your servant until I die" – but it wasn't time for Merlin to die. It isn't. Not yet. Not ever, if Arthur has any say in it.

"You fool! What if he'd awoken? What if—"

"Arthur," Merlin whispers, and he sounds almost heartbroken, "I…I'm sorry."

"He'd have you burned! Are you stupid? Doing magic right in front of the king himself? What if he'd found out?"

Merlin's breath hitches when Arthur says that forbidden word. "I…You…You're not…You're not mad at me?" he asks carefully.

"Mad? Of course I am! You could've gotten yourself killed!"

Something lights in Merlin's eyes and there's relief. Because Arthur has finally admitted it: I know of your magic and I don't care you have magic. Even if Arthur doubtlessly is angry. "I had to heal him, Arthur," the warlock says quietly and looks him in the eye. "He's your father. I knew what was wrong and I could do something about it – I don't care about the consequences if I can save a life. If it'd been you or Gwen or Gaius, would you've wanted me to hesitate just because I don't want to reveal myself? If they live, it's worth it."

The words (almost words of wisdom) sound both familiar and welcoming and strange from Merlin's mouth. He's so young, yet he's been through so much and seen and felt pain he shouldn't have, he carries this great burden that Arthur has just began to unravel – yet, he still willingly throws himself at danger to save a single man, to save Arthur or even Uther, the killer of his kind. How could one heart be so pure and good? How could Arthur deserve to have Merlin by his side when the idiot is so caring and loyal and selfless?

It takes awhile for him to calm down and breathe and he can't let go of Merlin's shoulders.

"Arthur?" Merlin asks quietly. "Are you all right?"

"…Yeah." He takes a shaky breath. Nods. When he looks up he manages to smile. "Just. Don't do that again. You need to be careful, Merlin." He almost says, 'You scared the life out of me.'

"You're not sending me away?" Merlin asks, incredulous. "I thought this would involve a lot more shouting and tears and—" Arthur puts a finger to his lips and he silences.

"I've known for weeks. You're not exactly subtle all the time. I mean – all those falling branches whenever we're attacked by bandits? The oh-so-fortunate death of creatures of magic that can't be injured by ordinary swords or spears? People getting miraculously cured from grave diseases? You couldn't handle a sword if your life depended on it and you've escaped battle unscathed and unarmed."

A lump forms in Arthur's throat and he starts to flicker his eyes because he's never been good at this kind of thing, especially now when Merlin stares at him in earnest with hope glinting in his eyes and – is the idiot going to cry, Arthur might hit him, if Merlin starts to cry tears of joy like the girl he is then Arthur is never going to get to the point. "It's more than just luck. But, you've saved my life. I'm not…I'm not so ignorant to believe that magic is just a weapon used for evil. You're magic, and you're the kindest, gentlest soul I have ever known. There isn't an inch of evil in you, that I am sure of. I'm not sending you away, Merlin. I can't...I can't bear the thought of sending you away."

Merlin is rendered speechless. "Arthur," he says seriously after a while, considering the words and taking them to heart; he appears to be glowing from inside. "You haven't been at the cider have you?"

"Only you would get drunk on cider."

Merlin's voice is a little shaky. "You know what I mean."

"I wouldn't lie to you, Merlin," he says, so sincere he hasn't been in his life and for the past hour he hasn't said a single false word. It feels good. It should be like this between them forever – well, with less of Merlin's shining eyes because something in Arthur's chest twinges when tears are welling up in his warlock's eyes.

The warlock looks up at him with a wide smile.

Breath puffs out of Arthur's lungs when Merlin suddenly hugs him, scrawny arms wrapping around his torso. They've never done that before, and it's kind of nice, the boy's frame pressed against his own, it kinds of fits there like they're two halves of a whole. Arthur puts his arms around him, the shoulders and the back is thin but the body warm under his hands. No, it's not that bad, though unexpected and a bit awkward. He rolls his eyes when he hears Merlin sniffle into his neck.

"You're such a girl, Merlin."