When Merlin came to Camelot, the last thing he'd wanted was to fall in love with Prince Arthur, though he wasn't surprised in the slightest. Ignoring all the character defects, who could resist? One thing he'd never expected, however, was for Arthur to love him back.

He'd expected to have to hide this, as well as his magic. The strain of keeping these two things from Arthur was almost too much to bear. It showed on his face, how he worked and he knew it. Then Arthur noticed it. He was tired all the time and avoided any eye contact with the young prince.

Merlin had to hand it to him, he was a lot sharper than he gave him credit for, he'd figured it out within days of catching him 'borrowing' a dress from the Lady Morgana.

'Why did you hide this from me?' he'd said. Merlin didn't meet his eyes and carried on scrubbing the stone floor.

'It's not exactly legal to be the way I am. Someone like me can expect to be exiled the moment either you, or your father found out. It's unnatural…' he trailed off.

'Did it ever occur to you that it wouldn't matter to me?'

Merlin looked up sharply, but dropped his eyes again self-consciously.

'It doesn't?' he asked, hardly daring to believe it.

'No, Merlin, it doesn't.'

'You don't think it's unnatural or disgusting or anything?' Merlin said, finally meeting Arthur's gaze.

'How can I think myself unnatural or disgusting?'

'What do you- oh!'

Comprehension dawned on his face.

'Perhaps it would be wise to use your brain in future, Merlin. If you even have one that is.'

He clapped him on the back and walked away, giving Merlin a nice view of his backside before he left.

This memory made Merlin smile as he walked across Arthur's chambers to look out of the window. The courtyard always looked so busy, especially on a sunny day such as this, with people bustling about, buying and selling their wares. It always helped him think.

'Merlin,' a voice said behind him. He turned around and smiled as he saw Arthur standing in the door.

'My Lord,' he said, politely inclining his head.

'You don't need to call me that, Merlin,' he said, strolling around the room.

'Well if you'd prefer "Sire"-'

'Merlin!' he said exasperatedly.

'Right, sorry… Your Highness.'

Arthur rolled his eyes, grabbed Merlin around the waist and pulled him on to the bed. Arthur lay down beside Merlin and studied his face, his eyes, his lips…

'You could never resist poking fun at me, could you?'

'Well, you make it so easy,' Merlin teased. Arthur laughed loudly.

'Merlin?'

'Yes?'

'Do you remember our first kiss?'

'How could I forget?' Merlin smiled.

It had just been the two of them walking through the forest, off on a hunting trip, or so Arthur had said. By this time, Merlin's feelings for Arthur had grown to the point that Merlin was sure everyone in Camelot knew.

'What are we even doing out here?' he complained, moodily trying not to stare at Arthur. He'd always loved a man in armour.

'Well, we were tracking a deer, but your lack of skill has, once again, caused us to lose the trail,' Arthur grumbled.

'Right, yes. Of course it's my fault. Nothing to do with the fact that you can't see past your enormous ego.'

'It's not my ego that I have trouble seeing past,' Arthur stated.

'What on Earth is that supposed to mean?' Merlin exclaimed, perplexed. Arthur could be so infuriating sometimes.

'Do you even know how incredibly stupid you are?'

'Yes, Sire, you remind me nearly every five minutes,' he said sourly.

'Ok, let me spell it out for you, Merlin. I have trouble concentrating, not because of my ego, as you so eloquently put it, but because you're here.'

'You've already told me several times today that I'm completely useless, I really don't need reminding, thanks.'

'Oh, this is ridiculous!' Arthur groaned.

'Well, I'm glad we finally agree on something.'

Arthur closed the gap between them, grabbed Merlin by the shoulders and kissed him passionately.

'Arthur, I d-don't-' Merlin stammered.

'I'm not stupid, Merlin-'

'You could have fooled me,' Merlin joked feebly.

'I'm being serious. I do have feelings for you and I know you return those feelings. It couldn't be more obvious if you shouted it from the top of the palace.'

'Arthur, I can't. Your father would banish me from Camelot.'

'Well then, we'd best not parade ourselves in front of him.'

Merlin hesitated.

'Please, Merlin.'

He sighed in resignation.

'For the record, I never said this was a good idea,' he said, before wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck and surrendering himself to the sweet taste of his lips.

Merlin laughed as he reminisced.

'I still say it's a bad idea,' he said.

'Ah but you can't resist my devastating good looks,' smiled Arthur.

'And there's the ego.'

'Merlin!'

He grinned and started tickling Merlin's ribs.

'Arthur, no- haha- stop!' he giggled, trying to slap Arthur's hands away.

'What's that, Merlin? You want me to keep going?'

Merlin's protests were incomprehensible past his giggles but finally, Arthur stopped, preferring to pull him in for a hug. Merlin would have liked to stay that way forever, but he had duties to attend to.

'When I'm king, Merlin, things will be different,' Arthur murmured.

'How so?'

'Well, first of all, I'll change the laws so that we can be together. You will sit beside me on the throne.'

'I don't want the throne, Arthur, I'm perfectly happy where I am and, besides, there can't be two kings.'

'Oh you won't be king,' Arthur said brightly.

'No?'

'No, you'll be the queen.'

They burst out laughing and Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand.

'I need to go and muck out the stables.'

He rolled over and heaved himself off the bed.

'Do you have to go?' Arthur whined.

'Yes, and so do you. Uther requires your counsel and you're already late,' Merlin reminded.

'Oh yes,' Arthur sighed, also standing up. 'You'd better wash before you come here tonight.'

'Who said I was coming tonight?'

'I did,' Arthur grinned.

'What makes you think I listen to you?' Merlin smiled mischievously.

'I'm the crown prince of Camelot; you have to listen to me.'

Arthur held Merlin around the waist and Merlin hung loosely from Arthur's neck.

'I'll see you later,' said Arthur.

'Yes, Sire.'

He leaned in and felt the warm pressing of Arthur's lips against his, when,

'Arthur!'

They broke apart in shock, Merlin tripping over one of Arthur's discarded boots.

'Father!'