So I felt like doing a two-shot. This is not related to any of the other Merlin fanfics that I've written. It explores interactions between Merlin and Arthur in two episodes, The Moment of Truth and Le Morte d'Arthur. And it's like 3:15 AM so I'll write the second part tomorrow. Night!

The flames rose in front of us as William's funeral pyre burned before us. I cast a quick, subtle glance at Merlin. It was that look in his eyes. It was always that look. Right before something happened that Merlin happened to get tangled up with, that look would fill his eyes. I didn't know what it was. It was just blank. Void. Nothing at all.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. It sounded pathetic. I didn't sound sorry at all. I was just trying to comfort him. Merlin just kept staring. The fire danced off his eyes, "I know he was a close friend."

"He still is." Merlin's monotonous answer haunted me. He'd aged these past few days, and it wasn't because of that battle.

"You knew Will was a sorcerer, didn't you?" I glanced over to see the hesitation in Merlin's eyes which quickly switched back to the blank stare.

"Yes."

And that's when I realized the stare wasn't blank. It was because he wore it too much and I was too arrogant to even notice. He wore it just about every single day. It was a mix of emotions. Sadness. Fear. Betrayal. Longing. Guilt gnawing at his chest because of what he had to hide or else he would be killed.

And I just passed on from day to day, not really seeing it.

That's when I knew. Will was a good friend to Merlin. Loyal enough to even take the blame for Merlin's…

Sorcery.

Merlin's secret. I knew it hurt for Merlin to keep secret and it possibly would hurt him more if he knew I'd found out. For now, it was our secret, but a secret that none of us knew.

It pained me to say what I did say next. "You know magic is dangerous, Merlin. You shouldn't have kept this from me." After a short thought, I added, "Or anything," in a quieter tone, hoping to lessen the gaze in Merlin's eyes.

He was my friend.

And I was helpless to even comfort him.