I still don't own Merlin.

I know it's been too long but I rewrote this thing at least 6 times, 2 of which I started over from scratch.

Same warnings apply as in the 1st chapter.

Characters are still slightly(yeah right) OOC

Chapter 2

Somehow the prick managed to get me back on my back on the bed without breaking our kiss. The real mystery, though, was how I had managed to walk backwards without falling. Seriously, that was a bloody miracle right there.

I really did need to get him to get off me though. I knew I was frustrated with him, but I couldn't for the life of me remember why. Coherency is somewhat tricky when there is a tongue shoved down your throat… Someone else's tongue at least. Well hell, even if your own tongue was shoved down… Wait! Irrelevant.

I'm sure Arthur wouldn't be happy if he knew that I wasn't paying any attention to his-

"Merlin?" His lips were still on my own. "As your prince I order you to kiss me back." He began kissing again before I could rebuke that comment and everything that was wrong with it. So I just glared at him until he stopped; my mouth an unmoving fortress of displeasure.

After a minute or so of him trying to reopen my lips with his tongue he gave up with a sigh. "Fine, Merlin. What?"

"First off don't think that that little trick will ever work again. Unlike you I have self control and cannot be lead astray by such… promiscuous tactics."

"Don't you mean you got too distracted by that underused head of yours? I swear I could feel your brain switching topics during that kiss. If it were anyone else I'd be offended." Damn his smirk pissed me off sometimes.

"Arthur," I said in the sweetest most innocent voice I could muster, "Can't you go back to not being a total arse, I found that you much better company." I ran my hand up and down his arm as I would an agitated child.

"Look who's got his bite back." His tone was playful. I find myself rather fond of playful Arthur. It's almost as nice as caring Arthur.

Well it was until he put my arms over my head and began tickling me with his free hand; him and his incessant knight training. Of course, the image of the knights tickling each other during practice would have had me in a fit of laughter if I wasn't already being assaulted Arthurs.

"Stop" I say between fit of laughter. "Ser-" Damn "-ious-" Him "-ly". He finally stopped. "Do not do that agai-", and he did. "I give! You WIN!"

"Hm, and what do I win?" His fingers remained idle by my ribs and his eyes roamed over my body.

"Not that, you presumptuous pervert." I tried to wiggle free but him straddled me made that an impossible feat. "Get off Arthur."

"Has anyone told you that your mood swings are worse than Morgana's?" He sat back letting me push myself up to sit Indian style in front of him.

"If that's your pitiful attempt to apologize it needs work." I folded my arms and looked as petulant as I could.

"I think one apology a day is good enough." He was serious about that. I just gaped at him like he was an idiot, because, in all honesty, he was.

"More like once every hour with your track record." I was finding it difficult to stay mad at the oblivious blonde.

"Maybe if I got a reward when I apologized I'd be more inclined to comply." His hand was making lazy circles on my thigh. I grabbed his hand and shoved it back in his lap.

"That would completely invalidate the apology. And why, may I ask, do I have a feeling your 'reward' is something dirty?" I'm not sure if the way he's looking at me was making me feel nervous or excited. I think considering the strength difference nervous. Wait! I'm magic.

Damn, I'm magic. That was the cause of my frustration.

"Because it is, most certainly, very dirty." He noticed my lack of enthusiasm when he finished teasing me. "Merlin? I wasn't serious, well maybe I was a little serious, but that's not the point. I didn't mean to upset you… again." He rubbed a hand on my cheek. "I'm must be the worst lover ever. It's not even midday and I think I've made you cry at least four times."

"I'm not crying, prat." I quickly wipe away the evidence to the contrary.

"Of course that would be what you take form that sentence." What did I miss? And why does he always have to look at me like I'm a moron?

Because, obviously, I am one. "Lover?" I all but squeaked out. He moved his hand up and ruffled my hair

"What else would you call me?" In any other circumstance I could have given him a fairly lengthy list of names to use but this wasn't a time for that. This was serious time. Seriously.

"Bigheaded blowhard comes to mind." What did I just say? I was supposed to be serious.

"You insolent little twit!" He smacked the side of my head. It hurt. I was not happy and now had a headache. But before I could so much as utter a single syllable he had pushed me back on the bed. "I try being nice, like you asked me to, and you call me names that I'm pretty sure you just made up on the top of your head." I, of course smile at this which, unfortunately, wasn't the right response. "You could at least attempt to deny it!"

That vein on his head is getting pretty big now. He's so adorable when his irritated. But, sadly, I should end this before he gets livid. How should I fix this? I think he's still talking to me.

"-are by far the-"

Yup, still going at it. How should I shut him up? I know!

"You're not even payi-" My lips cut him off. If he can use kisses as weapons so can I.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing." I felt his smile on my lips.

"Doesn't matter as long as it works?" He chuckled into my mouth so I'm fairly certain think it worked. That was until his hand started moving down my chest.

"No." I said as I turned my head. I wasn't going to let it happen like this.

"You are such a girl Merlin."His head fell onto my shoulder.

"I'm not!"

"I think you are." He put his hands on either side of my head and lifted himself up giving me an 'I-dare-you-to-argue' look.

"You think wrong, like usual." I glared into his sky blue eyes; unwavering.

"Prove it."

"NO. Arthur let go of my pants!" He chuckles again. He thought this was a game. "ARTHUR!"

"Let go of my hands Merlin."

"No."

"Is that your new favorite word?" I thought about that for a moment.

"Yes."

"Smartass." But he sat up and let go of me.

"If you think I'm such a girl, I'll act like one" he gaffed at that.

"You mean act more like a girl than you already do."

"Prat. You have to woo me." I smirked. Take that.

"Woo you?" He raised an eyebrow and sat up.

"Yes." I sat up as well. I might get a nice pair of abs at this rate. Up and down then down and up, repeat. Again.

"Like flowers and candy?" This really isn't that confusing.

"Among other things." He stood up and walked toward his closet.

"Fine, I can manage that. Prepare to be wooed." I got off the bed.

"So, what does that mean?"

"Go get dressed for a hunting trip." I could hear the smug smile on his lips even if I couldn't see it.

"That isn't proper wooing. I hate hunting trips!" I tossed my hands in the air to further exaggerate my annoyance.

"Just do it!"

"Fine" I stomped out of the room like a champ. Stupid royal pain in my butt.

X

XX

X

"Merlin!" Man he is impatient. I just finished putting on my pants and he's already here. "Unlock the door."

"I'm not decent" I yell at him through the door.

"When has that ever stopped you before?" I threw a shoe, hard. There was a large bang as a result.

"Did you just throw something at me?" He sounded so surprised, as if I would never do such a thing.

"No, I think your finally losing your mind." I said in false sympathy. "Have you already told your father your going hunting?"

There was a long pause after that.

"I'll be right back. You had better be ready when I get back though. And don't' roll your eyes at me!" I stopped mid roll.

"You can't prove a thing." I heard stomping as he made his way back down. I was just glad Gaius was out so he didn't jump to any conclusions. Not that he would ever figure out what was really going on. I hoped.

X

XX

X

"Why don't I get to ride a horse?" I really didn't expect to be following Arthur threw Camelot without a horse. I think he was punishing me for not putting out. This is not proper wooing at all!

"Shut up Merlin. We're almost out to the gates." He didn't even turn to look at me. It was then, as I was intensely staring at his back that I noticed he had no hunting equipment. He did, however, have a box behind him.

"What's in the box?" He stiffened a little.

"Nothing, hurry up." He kicked nudged the horse to walk faster. I nearly had to run to keep up.

Once we got a ways pass the gates he stopped abruptly. I ended up tripping when I tried to stop and landed in some dirt.

"You okay?" He sounded a little gentler now, but I was still pissed. But before
I could even attempt to get up his feet were on the ground and his hands were on my shoulders. He lifted me up, what seemed, effortlessly.

He turned me around and pressed his lips to mine before I realized I was vertical. When the kiss broke him was smiling at me again. "So clumsy. Alright, up you go."

"What?"

"I'm putting you on the horse now." He spun me back around, I was going to get dizzy if he kept doing that, and moved his hands to my waist. Well, waist is a little higher than where he placed his hands but that's neither here nor there.

"Kick your leg over when I pick you up, and please don't kick my horse." After I was up he jumped on behind me. "Just lean back against me now and relax."

"You planned this didn't you?" I said in fake shock,

"Of course." He whispered into my ear as he snaked an arm around my waist. "Relax, I won't let you fall."

"That's because you'd rather be the one to push me off." I rested my head against his shoulder and put an arm over his.

"That would only hurt my cause."

"And what, prey tell, is your cause?" He licked my ear before the horse leered forward.

"You'll see." His tone was menacing but I couldn't have cared less at that moment.

After about twenty minutes I realized something was different than when I first hopped on the horse. There was something digging into my back.

"Arthur." My voice was a little shaky.

"Mhm." He sounded content, which only further caused my discomfort.

"Tell me there's a hunting knife in your pocket." He shifted; it was defiantly not a hunting knife. My eyes bulged a little when he moaned quietly behind me.

"I have a hunting knife in my pocket." LIAR!

"Okay." I squeaked a lot more than I thought I did and he needed to stop chuckling so much.

"What about you?" he sounded way too cocky… arrogant! Damn.

"What about me?" I didn't think I really wanted to know.

"You got a toy in your pocket for me." I almost didn't notice his hand slide down my torso. I grabbed it before it got to low.

"I most certainly do not!"

"Honestly I'm not surprised." What did that mean? Then I thought about what said. I had made a very stupid mistake. Of course my face turned a little pink too. At least he can't see it.

"I do!" he smirked behind me. I could feel it. "It's just not for you."

"Well, you can play with my 'hunting knife' any time you want to." That cheeky basterd. "I really hate that I can't see you blushing right now."

"I'm not blushing!"

"Don't lie; your ears are turning red." Damn ears; traitorous little buggers.

"Are we there yet?" A subtle change of topic.

"Actually we are."

"Where are we, exactly?" He got off the horse and pulled me off, cradling me in his arms. I am not a girl!

"Put me down now."

"No." he planted a kiss on my lips as though that would end my disapproval of this situation.

"Right Now."

"NO." Kiss.

"Now."

"No." Kiss.

"ARTHUR!"

"Yes." Kiss.

By this point I was giggling. My manly honor is all but lost.

"Merlin grab the basket would you."

"I would be more than happy to, if you'd be so kind as to put me down."

"No." I let out a growl. "It's right there so just grab it."

"Fine." I stewed in silence for a moment as he carried me before my curiosity got the better of me. "What's in it?"

"Well, open it and find out." He said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Which, I guess, it was.

I opened the box top see a rather large blanket… I know it wasn't the most rational conclusion to jump to but it's me. What did you really expect? "PLEASE DON'T RAPE ME!"

Arthur stopped at this and just stared down at me. "Seriously, that is where your mind goes? You have no faith. No faith at all." He continued walking. "Move the blanket idiot."

It was a picnic! "A PICNIC?" I looked up in time to see him roll his eyes. "Sorry"

"Don't be sorry, but close your eyes." I decided to listen to him for once. "You actually did it!"

"Don't sound so shocked." I huffed.

After a few minutes of walking, or well, of being carried I felt him lower my kegs. "Keep your eyes closed, and hand me the blanket." I did. This was getting interesting.

"Alright, open your eyes." I hesitated. "What is it now?"

"You kept your clothes on, right?" Better to be safe than sorry. Instead of answering he pulled my hand to his still clothed, with a few of the top buttons undone, chest. I smiled and opened my eyes.

Gorgeous was the first word that came to mind. First off he had already set up the entire picnic; food set out, napkins and plates, and the most delicious looking cake I've ever seen. Second we were in a small opening surrounded by trees that towered over us while the ground was overwhelmed with various wild flowers. And third, and probably the most endearing, was Arthur looking the most exposed I've ever seen him, like he thought I wouldn't be completely floored by this.

I ended up completely losing control and jumping on him. He, being Arthur, caught me as I wrapped my legs around him and covered his face in pecks.

"Arthur did good?" he said with a laugh

"Yes, he did Great."

"So do you want to eat now?"

"In a minute." he laughed again and it was the perfect moment. Until-

"I could have dessert first."

"In a minute." I snuggled into his chest. My arms around his neck, it was actually a little uncomfortable. I was a little too tall and my waist was up by my neck.

"I didn't mean the cake babe." I immediately jumped from his embrace.

"Babe! That doesn't work for me at all. And what do you mean not the cake?" His smirk answered that question. "PERVERT!" I didn't even try to hide my smile and he laughed harder at that than anything else today. He started pulling me to the blanket.

"Open up." He said once we were seated.

I stared blankly at him. I then blinked. Once, twice, three times and then it was my turn to laugh. "What? Arthur I can feed myself."

"No, It's our first date and I want to make it the best date ever! Now open." I was going to say something about not knowing that this was a date but I liked being waited on for once.

So I complied and found a sweet berry place in my mouth. As I chewed He ate one himself. This continued for a bit before he got daring. He grabbed one of the large barriers and started moving it towards my lips only to pull it away. I raised an eyebrow in question as he put half of it in his own. His lips turned into a smile around it and he moved in closer. I leaned in and bit into the berry; our lips meeting around it. He placed a chaste kiss on my lips before leaning back.

"So cute when you blush." I just rolled my eyes and swallowed.

When all the 'real' food was eaten Arthur pulled the cake to be between us. "We don't have anything to eat it with." I frowned.

"Open up." Was his reply.

He grabbed a piece of cake with his hand and raised it to my mouth just like the berries. I shook my head in disbelief. "If only the king could see you now."

He snorted. "I think me using my hands to eat cake would be the least of his worries at this point."

X

XX

X

~Four days later~

Once again I found myself stumbling into the royal bed; Arthur had this incessant need to pull me on top of him when I tried to wake him up these days. He would then proceed to kiss my forehead, temples, and then the corners of my eyes, cheekbones, nose, and finally my mouth. I never in a million years would have believed that after our first kiss he would get so touchy- feely. I mean before, Arthur seemed to be adverse to anything tactile; entirely Uther's fault of course. It didn't help that he never knew a mother to get any physical signs of affections from. Still, who was I to argue if he wanted to touch?

The kissing itself it was good, extremely good, unsettling good actually. It was clear that he had done the kissing thing before. I wasn't sure I liked that idea very much. I needed to find out who else he had been kissing. Maybe put a little curse on them; nothing too bad, really!

I guess he noticed that my mind had begun to wander because he started to speak to me. He didn't move his mouth as he began and it tickled.

"Merlin" a mildly annoyed tone, "It really works better when both parties participate."

"Don't do that, it tickles." I replied into his lips as he chuckled. I felt his lips twist into a smile and couldn't help that mine followed. "If you don't let go of me and get up you're going to be late for training with the knights." As I tried to pull back he groaned; his arms tightened around my waist trapping my arms along my sides and.

"Don't bring up the knights while we're in my bed," he switched our positions so that he was now flattening me under his weight, "and as for the tardiness; a prince is never late. He is merely not as early as everyone else."

"Get off me! You're going to crush me!" I could feel my insides being compressed; although, honestly, I could think of worse ways to perish.

"Are you calling me fat Merlin? I don't appreciate that at all." He emphasized his point by sinking his teeth into my shoulder.

"Ow! Arthur! Sto- OW!" I would have shoved him away if my arms weren't bound to my sides and I think he wasn't taking me seriously. People tend to do that when you laugh out loud in the middle of a protestation. He mumbled something unintelligible after he unclenched his teeth. Thankfully after that he released my arms then shifted his weight onto one elbow. I could breathe again; thank the higher powers that be.

"Don't bite me!" He merely grinned, running a hand up my arm while I glared.

"You know, this would be much more fun if you didn't have that shirt on." I responded with a glare. "Don't look at me like that." His hand went up to my face; his thumb caressing my cheek. He looked so serene that I almost forgot about the pain he had caused moments earlier, but only almost; and almost only counted in that stupid game those knights play with horse shoes. It also wasn't helping that he didn't have on a shirt, very distracting; what's more I distinctly remember him making me put one on him before I was allowed to go to my own room.

"You are quite right sire," I didn't change my expression, "but I feel I should tell you that it would most likely be frowned upon for me to run around the castle shirtless for your amusement."

"True. I don't very much like the idea of anyone seeing anymore of you than necessary anyway." I felt my eyebrow jump up all on its own. I needed to stop letting Gaius rub off on me. "We can avoid all that you know?"

"What, other people seeing me more than necessary?" He was being serious. Did he freaking plan on locking me in a tower above his room?

"Yes." I sat up causing him to scoot further down the bed. I didn't like this plan one but.

"But I like seeing other people. I don't want to never see anyone ever again" He crossed his arms. I was too busy going through possible escape scenarios to pay any heed to his bemused expression.

"No, Merlin tha-" I cocked my head slightly sideways, before I spoke.

"What about Gaius? Surely you wouldn't deny an old man to see his son-like apprentice." I put on my best pouty face.

"No, Mer-" He said as he shook his head.

"No, you won't deny him, or no, I can't see him." My eyes probably looked like slits by that point.

"What do you think-"

"I would hope that you would trust me enough to let me at least see my mentor."

"It's not tha-"

"So you don't trust Gaius?" He was getting more confusing by the second. And if he thought for one second that I would go along with any scheme that involved me becoming a recluse he was in for quite a shock. "What can you possibly think Gaius-"

"MERLIN!" He grabbed my shoulders. "It's not about Gaius. Hell, I didn't mean that I was going to lock up somewhere so no one would ever see you again." Oh, well, I totally knew that. "Damn Merlin you could let me finish a sentence once in a while you know."

"Where would the fun be in that?" I gave him my best innocent smile then rubbed my cheek on the back of his hand.

"So you enjoy driving my bonkers?" He turned his hand to pinch my cheek. I pushed his arm away and rubbed.

"What were you getting at when you said 'We can avoid all that you know?', because that sounds very sinister." I changed the topic before I could get myself in trouble. Was it my fault he became twice as much fun to look at when he was annoyed? Plus, I did want to know.

"I merely meant that we could skip the walking through the castle part." Okay that made no sense. How was I supposed to get from my room to his without walking through the castle, and why was he looking at me with that smirk? "You have absolutely no idea what I'm saying do you." And it was gone only to be replaced by his 'God help me' face.

He leaned back and began to rub his temples. I had no clue what was going on any more. Honest. His chuckling didn't help with the confusion.

"We should probably get you ready for training." I said in my 'I'm-sorry-I-did-whatever-it-was-that-I-did-that-made-you-upset-with-me-and-that-I'm-not-aware-of-what-it-was-so-please-forgive-me-anyways' voice.

He shook his head before leaning in and gently kissing me. "I was telling you that I wanted you to stay here tonight." He ruffled my hair as he pulled back.

"Where would I sleep? I'm not staying on the floor." That would be less comfortable than my bed.

"I meant in my bed… with me." Oh! I felt my entire body flush.

"I… um, well… it… I" It was getting really hot all of a sudden.

"If you find the idea of sharing my bed that repugnant" He let the sentence trail off. His body shifted and his face was downcast but his tone was teasing, so I was pretty sure he wasn't seriously offended. I still felt the need to explain.

"Arthur, I didn't mean it like that." My voice was quiet and I felt slightly uncomfortable. I couldn't look at him "It's just this is so new. I don't know if I'm ready for that." When I looked up his expression was soft.

"Merlin. I'm not trying to rush you, really. I just thought it would be nice." He stood up and offered me his hand. "I really just want you in my arms when I go to sleep and when I wake up." He pulled me up and embraced me in his arms "I hate it when I don't know where you are." His hold tightened around me and he nuzzled into my neck.

"You really are a softy aren't you?" I couldn't hide my laugh.

He stiffened. "I deny such accusations."

"You can deny it all you want but I know the truth… You do know I can take care of myself right? I mean you don't have to treat me like a helpless baby." If only he knew.

"If you say so." He pulled back so we could look at one another but kept his hands on my shoulders.

"I do! If anyone should be taking care of anybody it's me to you." His face went quizzical. Yes, quizzical.

"How so Merlin?" That stupid smirk! I wanted so much to wipe it off his face. I needed to tell him. Damn it. It was such a nice morning.

"You remember the day we first met?" His expression changed to one of confusion but he nodded in confirmation. "You said there was something about me, but you didn't know what."

"Yes, I remember. I was there."

"Hush." I placed my hands over his and squeezed. "This is important."

"The same important thing you wanted to discuss the first time you were in my bed." His face got serious and he brought one of my hands to his chest, above his heart and moved the other one over my own. "Merlin, No matter what you tell me it won't change this." He let out a sigh. "You don't need to be nervous. I promise." I really wished I could believe that.

I felt a tear falling down my cheek when I closed my eyes. I really didn't want things to change. I didn't want what I just finally was able to get to be ripped away again. "I love you." I tried to open my eyes. I had to have eye contact when I told him. "I want you to still want me in your bed when this has been said."

"So that's a yes." His untimely humor made it possible to open my eyes and I tried to smile but my mouth wouldn't cooperate.

I just nodded eagerly. The tears had started their relentless track down my cheeks. Arthur let go of my hands and moved me back into his arms. It felt safe; I couldn't lose this.

"Merlin, say it." He softly whispered in my ears

"I can't." My voice cracked.

"Yes you can. It's safe here."

"I know, but I can't."

"Say it." He sounded so comforting, so sure. It's almost… no. It can't be. He couldn't.

"You know." It wasn't a question. He knew.

"Say it. I want you to tell me."

I still couldn't do it. My body ached as much as my head. I was suddenly so tired.

"Merlin, I want to hear you tell me. Trust me. I trust you." His hand began making circles on my back. He found out pretty soon how well that comforted me.

"But you know. I should be dead." His arms stilled.

"No. "

"But it's your duty."

"My duty is to do what is best for Camelot. If I lost you Camelot would lose its Prince, its future King. I couldn't live without you and you always say I'll be a great King, the best."

"You will be."

"Only because you taught me what's really important Merlin. You make me better."

"But I'm magic." A whisper was the best I could do.

Arthur turned his face to mine and kissed my cheek. "I know and I promise no one, not even my father, will touch you."

"I'm magic and you say magic is evil and horrid, so I'm evil and horrid."

"You're not. You are the kindest most decent person I have ever or will ever meet." He kissed my cheek again. "You'd never betray me, never hurt me or Camelot. You are the true power behind the throne… or you will be." I felt him smile against my cheek

"I'm tired." My body was heavy. It was still early in the day but I felt like I'd been up all day, mucking the stables. "So you don't hate me now?"

"Never." His arms tightened even more around me. I stayed in his arms for what seemed like a life time. My emotions were a whirlwind in my mind and he just stood there keeping me grounded. "Everything's going to be fine."

"How long have you known?" I breathed into his shoulder.

"It doesn't matter." He pulled away and walked to his clothes.

"I think it does." He let out another sigh.

"Honestly, how many times did you think I'd have to fall unconscious in the middle of a fight or catastrophe only to awaken with everything being, relatively, worked out before I figured it out? At one point I just started lying on the floor and closing my eyes." He was smirking again.

"Prat." He laughed and laid me back on the bed. He pulled the covers over me and stood up.

"Idiot… Take a nap here, I'll be back later today, Okay? We'll talk more than if you want." With that he leaned over to kiss my forehead before grabbing his things and leaving me to sleep.