Written for the Merlin kinkmeme over on LJ.

It is exactly a year and two days after Arthur was bitten by the Questing Beast that Merlin kisses him, and not much has changed since then: Uther still rules, magic is still outlawed and Merlin is still a pain in his arse. Except not perhaps the way he'd ilike/i to be, because this is indubitably not a friendly or familial kiss. It is shy and sweet and somewhat awkward, and when Arthur doesn't react Merlin pulls away, disappointed, and begins to mouth apologies, saying that he's so very sorry, he shouldn't have done that, he knows he's overstepped the line and he'll just be going now, sire-

Arthur would let him go and conveniently forget about it by the next time they see each other, pretend for long enough that it stops being awkward, but instead he reaches out for Merlin's arm.

How many times has Merlin looked after him, cared for him, saved him? Too many to count. Starting with that knife and continuing for two and half years. There's probably some he doesn't know about, too- he's only just really beginning to see what his manservant is capable of. Two and a half years of solid devotion to an often thoughtless and carelessly cruel master for some reason that he understands only now- he deserves some kind of reward, some recompense for his service, and Arthur's caused him so much trouble...

Arthur pulls him back and Merlin doesn't resist, body wary but face hopeful. Arthur moves to place his palm upon a pale cheek, and feels Merlin brace himself for a blow. Instead, he places his other hand on Merlin's shoulder and leans in to gently press their lips together.

For all he calls Merlin an idiot, he catches onto this fairly quickly. One hand is brought up to tangle in his hair, the other arm wrapped around his waist. Arthur just holds the kiss, chaste and light as he dares. He won't stop, because then Merlin might tell him he loves him and he couldn't handle that, but nor can he take submission to Merlin's hands and tongue, not yet. So he just keeps them there, like that, as close to and as far from each other as he can.

It's the least he can do.

FINIS