Only For You

Chapter 20

The following several weeks were the happiest times in Merlin and Arthur's lives. While they couldn't openly display affection, their stolen little moments made their moods incredibly cheerful. Their hands always brushed eachother when they walked side by side in the corridors, making both of them smile like idiots. Arthur always found a way to kiss Merlin every spare moment they were alone; something both of them looked forward to. Merlin left  his chambers every evening after Gaius was asleep, sneaking in to Arthur's chambers and crawling in to bed beside him.  He considered himself the luckiest man alive to be able to wake up in Arthur's arms every morning.

As for Camelot; the kingdom was flourishing. The crops were prosperous; the farmers having more than enough food to feed their families and neighbors. Hardly anyone went hungry. There were no sightings of bandits or thieves. All was well.

Except for one thing.

Merlin hadn't been himself the past three days. Arthur noticed how he always seemed on edge and nervous, even though there was nothing he knew of that Merlin should be nervous about. Arthur also caught Merlin pacing back and forth when he thought he was alone, muttering to himself and shaking his head. When Arthur asked him about it, Merlin shook it off, saying that he was completely fine.

Arthur was beginning to worry about Merlin, seeing him in this state. He couldn't help but wonder whether it was something he'd done...

It's evening now, and Merlin crouches by the wash basin in Arthur's chambers, pouring pitchers of water in to it and sliding the basin closer to the fire to warm it. Arthur walks over to him, kneeling down on the floor beside him and taking Merlin's face into his hands, directing it so Merlin was looking him in the eyes. 

"Merlin. Please tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong, Arthur. I'm fi-"

"You've not been yourself these past fews days." Arthur cuts him off, his eyes searching Merlin's, looking for any clue as to what was bothering him. "Please, Merlin..." His thumbs stroke Merlin's cheeks. "Tell me."

Merlin sucks in a breath, his stomach writhing. He hadn't wanted to do it like this. He'd been planning a way to tell Arthur for days now, but he hadn't planned on it coming out so soon. He starts trembling, suddenly scared stiff. What if this made Arthur turn on him? What if Arthur hated him after this? What if he locked him up and sentenced him to death? "You'll.....you'll h-hate me if I tell you."

Arthur's brows pull together, his lips parting. Wordlessly, he scoots closer to Merlin, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him to his chest. He rests his chin on Merlin's dark hair, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "I could never hate you, Merlin," he murmurs softly, pressing a kiss to the crown of Merlin's head. "Nothing you can do will make me love you less."

Merlin bites his lip, squeezing his eyes shut. His heart was threatening to break its way out of his ribcage, and he almost felt sick with nerves. But he has to tell him. He owes Arthur the truth. "I'm...." His throat is suddenly quite dry, and he swallows thickly, wetting his lips. "I'm......... I'm a sorcerer, Arthur." He whispers. "I have magic."

A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to update, I've been really busy and haven't had time until now :/

I'm going to be alternating chapters of this fic and the new Dark!Merlin fic, so if you lot could read & comment on it that would be great! I love feedback from you guys :)