Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin
I can't move. I do nothing but stand there, one hand still on the door, my mouth gaping. Is this real? Please I hope to god it is. I slowly feel myself move close the door, my mind still processing what is happening. He's not moved the whole time, stood facing me but staring at the floor in front of him.
"Mer- Merlin?" He slowly looks up at me, his blue eyes full of a mixture of hope, nervousness and slight fear, their usual brightness lacking. He stares at me for a second before he's looking at the floor again. He looks no different to the way he did a year ago, same soft pale skin, raven hair that I want run my hands through. Even his ridiculous red neckerchief is still there, tied around his long tempting neck.
"H- Hi Arthur" He moves his hand to rub the back of neck in nervousness. I take a step forward, and when he doesn't move, take another and another until I'm stood in front of him. Reaching my hand out I gently place it on his shoulder, briefly imagining it going through as though he was just some figment of my imagination, but it doesn't. He flinches at the touch, looking at the hand, then at me, then quickly returning to staring at the floor. I do the first thing that pops into my head. I pull him into a hug, wrapping one arm around his back and the other around his waist, holding him tightly to me for fear he would vanish. I bury my face into his neck, but make sure my mouth is still free to talk. His whole body tenses up, and he doesn't return the hug.
"I'm sorry Merlin, I'm so so sorry for what I've done. I'm an idiot, a prat, whatever the hell you want to call me, I'd deserve it. I shouldn't have called you those things, I shouldn't have banished you. I'm so sorry" I can feel the tears pouring out of my eyes, but I don't bother wiping them away. He slowly relaxes, and then cautiously brings his arms up, wrapping them around my back. He then squeezes me back tightly.
"I think complete and utter dollophead will do Arthur" I choke out a laugh through my tears "I'm sorry too, and I need to ask for your forgiveness. I've lied to you from the day we have met, sneaked around behind your back and caused Camelot some big trouble. I'm-"
"No Merlin, you don't need to say anymore, to ask for forgiveness. I understand why you lied to me, why you hid your magic from me. You did it to survive, I would have done the same, and I reacted completely wrong to the discovery, allowing my father's views to cloud my judgment. Can you forgive me? Will you stay? Please" I prayed he would, I needed him, I couldn't lose him again.
"Of course I forgive you, and why would I be here if I wasn't back to stay. I've missed you- err everyone" I smile and pull away slightly, allowing me to see his face. He smiling too, his beautiful smile that I've missed so much, his magical blue eyes once again brightly shining in happiness. He removes one of his hands from my back, gently bringing it up to my face and rubbing away the tears that are still there. He keeps his hand rested on my cheek when he has done.
"I thought you said no man was worth your tears?" I gently lean forwards, resting my forehead against his, staring into his eyes. He doesn't move away or remove his hand.
"You are" I can't hold back any longer. I press my lips against his, feeling how soft they are, feeling the tingles run through my body at this simple contact. Merlin tenses up in shock, not responding. I suddenly realise my mistake, that I may have just scared him off and lost him just as I've got him back. I move to pull away but before I can he suddenly responds, mouth moving against mine in a perfect kiss that I never want to end. I pull his body up as close as I can, wanting as little space between us as possible. Merlin moans and moves his hand from my cheek to the back of my neck, his hand gripping my hair. I gently bite his lower lip, earning another moan from Merlin, and giving me the chance to slip my tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss. Our tongues meet and dance together. We stand like this until the need to air causes us to break apart, but I rest my forehead back against his, eyes closed committing this moment to memory.
"Arthur" I open my eyes. Merlin's looking back at me with such happiness and love, I couldn't help but sweep in for another kiss. When we next break apart, I whisper something that I've wanted to tell him for a very long time.
"I love you Merlin"
"I love you too Arthur"