Merthur "My smile is only yours."

Part three.

"You still remember that day..."
Arthur fell into a kind of melancholy, Merlin was completely different now.
"I do remember everything. Every moment spent with you."
He had no bright childish eyes anymore.
His eyes were wiser, mature. He was a grown man now.
His body was muscular, almost equal to that of Arthur.
His smile, rare. Less open and spontaneous.
And now, Merlin was the one who was lying on Arthur's body.
"What's it been, like, five years?"
"Seven." Merlin answered.
He was staring at Arthur with a serious look, while Arthur was caressing his cheeks softly.
"You were so different..."
"I was just younger and thinner." Merlin laughed.
"No. You were... happier in the old days."
Arthur looked down, sad.
"You weren't broken and nothing had hurt you. I used to think I could protect you from this cruel world. But now..."
"Arthur, I wasn't happier. I was as reckless and foolish as only young men can be.
And I wasn't aware of what I was going to go through.
But I regret nothing.
My happiness now, right in this moment, is the same I had that night seven years ago.
And now you know I can protect you too. We can protect each other."
Arthur looked up and stared at Merlin's tender red lips.
"Kiss me like you did that night, again and again.
My smile is only yours." Merlin said.
Hearing those words, Arthur was the one who smiled in a carefree way.
He grabbed his face and kissed Merlin passionately.
"I'm so glad I grew up with you. It's been an honor for me." Merlin whispered in his ear.
Arthur closed his eyes and held him in his strong arm.
"I will never be grateful enough for what I have. For who I have. I couldn't ask for anything more in my life. Never let me go."
With the last Arthur's sentence, they fell asleep in each other's arms, tired for all those kisses and smiles.

~The End~
(update: Thanks for your kind comments! I'm glad you enjoy this story.)