xmbergrace
In which the young warlock, Merlin, and the noble prince, Arthur, realize their feelings for each other.
***
There sat Arthur and Merlin, side by side on the damp forest ground, their breathing heavy. Outrunning your enemies wasn't as easy as Merlin thought it would be. He seemed to be having a harder time calming down than the man beside him.
"Merlin." Arthur spoke. "Merlin, are you alright?" His expression showed genuine concern for his friend.
Merlin let out a laugh. "You look like you care, almost as if you like me." He smiled that gummy grin of his, but Arthur didn't return it. Merlin furrowed his brows, and his happiness faded from his face. "Arthur? It was a joke, Arthur."
"... It wasn't a very funny one."
Merlin's heart tinged with a tiny bit of pain, but the reason for it was unbeknownst to him.
Was this, too, his destiny? To not only protect the once and future king, but to also fall in love with him?