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Merlin sighed and collapsed backwards into a chair, like the drama queen he is. He grumbled and ran his hands through his hair, not looking up at Arthur, who was pacing a couple feet away. Everything was quite a mess right now. This was not how he had planned for Arthur to find out about his magic. He had been picturing, maybe, heroically rescuing the king from a bandit attack, or one of Camelot's many enemies.
But no. No, the way Arthur actually found out? Merlin and Morgana had been squabbling over what color dress Gwen should wear for her picnic with Lancelot. They had been going back and forth, hexing the dress with different enchantments to turn it certain colors and give it intricate patterns.
Unfortunately for Merlin, Arthur barged into the room right as the warlock turned the dress an emerald green with a gold leaf pattern. The king was not amused whatsoever, not saying anything, just grabbing Merlin roughly by the arm and hauling him away. Merlin had thought he was going to the dungeons for sure.
"What the hell are you," Arthur stated, not looking at Merlin as he continued pacing, hands clasped behind his back, lips pressing into a thin line after his supposed question.
Merlin heaved another breath, not moving. He didn't respond for a moment, pulling at his hair with clenched fists, then finally tilted his head up, back thumping against the back of the chair. "I'm a warlock," he said simply.
"And why. Why would you practice magic behind my back? Why would you turn against Camelot? How could you do that to us? How could you do that to—" Arthur had spun to face Merlin, voice dangerously cold, but raising in volume on the last sentence before he cut himself off, just staring at Merlin with guarded eyes.
"I didn't choose to practice magic. I was born with it. I used it to save your life, the first time. And then all the times after that. And I did it because of your destiny, at first. And then I did it because I cared. I still do," Merlin said, using the speech he had planned in his head for when he heroically saved his king. It sounded rather lame and out of place right now, as this was such a terrible way for Arthur to have found out.
"Oh, really? Yeah, right. You must have put Morgana under a spell of some sort, to make her go along with your cursed plans. What do you want from Camelot?" Arthur let his anger flow, mainly because of Merlin's terrible speech. It sounded too fake, too over the top. He advanced on Merlin, but the warlock made no move to escape, watching him with dull eyes as he remained in the chair.
"It's a possibility. It's not true, of course, but you can believe it if you must," he said, voice as dead as his eyes. He just stared as Arthur loomed closer, tilting his head to look up at him as the king slammed his hands on both arms of the chair, practically snarling.
"So I'm supposed to believe that Morgana is willingly plotting with a sorcerer? You must think I'm an idiot," Arthur spat.
"That's exactly what I think you are. Morgana isn't under a spell. We were bickering over what type of dress Gwen should wear for her picnic with Lancelot," Merlin said, tilting his head slightly to the right, watching as Arthur pushed off of the chair and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, hauling him out of the chair. He now proceeded to fling Merlin across the room, only because the warlock wasn't really trying to stop him.
"Tell the truth. I don't want to hear any more of your lies, sorcerer," Arthur said, starting to stalk over to Merlin, who was picking himself off the ground and brushing off his shoulders.
"It's warlock. I told you that earlier. I'm a warlock because I was born with magic, and I didn't learn it. Well, I guess I had to learn how to channel it through spells, but—"
"So you admit to practicing and learning how to use magic within the walls of Camelot? You'll be burned at the pyre for this."
Merlin arched an eyebrow, much like Gaius. "If you wanted me to be burnt at the pyre, I wouldn't be standing here. I'd be sulking in the dungeons awaiting my doomed fate. I don't seem to be awaiting said doomed fate."
"Shut up! I have half a mind to run you through with my sword right here," Arthur raised his voice, slowing down as he approached Merlin, hand falling to the hilt of his sword. Something was wrong about how he felt, his chest twisting at the thought of truly attempting to kill Merlin, or have him burned at the pyre.
"I don't think you will." It was easy for Merlin to judge by Arthur's stance that he wouldn't follow through with his immediate threat. However, getting tossed into the dungeons might not be too far from the truth, so he didn't want to push it too far.
"What curse did you put on that dress." Arthur ignored Merlin's last statement, not wanting to admit that it was close to how he felt. He wouldn't be able to bring himself to run Merlin through, no matter the reason.
"There isn't a curse on the dress. I was just changing the colors," Merlin explained, lifting his hands in a calming gesture, holding them in front of him at a low level, as Arthur was still slowly moving closer. Despite his threats, the king seemed to have loosened his grip on his sword, just watching Merlin with the same guarded eyes as before.
"Then why would you use magic?" Arthur couldn't understand. Merlin had said that he used magic to protect him, but just something as simple as what Gwen should wear? Why would he carelessly use magic like that?
"Because I felt safe. I was happy— I'm always happier when I can use magic freely. That's the only reason why I enjoy going hunting with you and the knights. I can use my magic to create dancing patterns or butterflies or something while I collect wood for the fire. Magic, it's just," he paused, thinking. "It's like breathing, for me. I can't live without it. Without magic, I have no purpose."
Arthur was now only a couple feet away from Merlin, still staring at him. "So why come to Camelot? You must have known about the ban on magic."
"It was getting too unsafe in Ealdor. People were starting to get suspicious, and my mother thought someone would come hunt me down. So, she encouraged me to come to Camelot and live with Gaius, as getting out into the world would be good for me. She was right. I wouldn't change anything— Well, except this." He gave a helpless shrug, looking away from Arthur's intense gaze.
"So coming to the place that listed magic as a crime punishable by death was a better idea than staying in Ealdor?" Arthur frowned, doubtful.
"We didn't know about the ban at the time. It's worked out so far, though."
"Other than messing around with your magic, and getting caught being an absolute idiot." Arthur crossed his arms, glaring at Merlin.
"Didn't think you cared," he snorted, looking back at the king. "I thought you wanted to run me through with your sword."
Arthur took a deep breath. "But I think you knew I wouldn't do it."
"You're right. I did know that, but I wouldn't put it against you if you called for the guards to lock me in the dungeons," Merlin said, arching his eyebrow yet again.
"... I'm beginning to think that you want to be locked up," Arthur retorted, but it wasn't as sharp as he wanted it to be. He didn't really know what to do with Merlin right now, after his secret has been revealed.
Merlin snickered and shook his head slowly, letting his hands fall to his sides as he backed up, leaning against the wall. He ran his fingers against the rough stones, watching Arthur. "So are you going to? Or are we just going to stand here, staring at each other like broken-hearted lovebirds?"
"I... No, I don't think I'm going to lock you in the dungeons. I... don't really know what to do with you," Arthur said after a brief pause, digging his short nails into his arm.
"What about we just forget this ever happened, and you sack me, since I'm such a useless servant. And then, I can pack my things and book it out of Camelot. Problem solved! Now you don't have to deal with me anymore," Merlin said, his voice falsely cheerful. He didn't want to leave. He knew that even if he did, he would never be far away from Camelot, never far away from Arthur.
Arthur stiffened at that, the thought of Merlin leaving Camelot forever. "No, I don't think that's a good idea either."
"Really? I would have thought you would have jumped on that idea right away. You get me out of your hair, and I don't die," Merlin said with a halfhearted laugh, looking away from Arthur again. He couldn't really look at his king, not right now, when everything was falling apart.
"I don't want you to leave." Arthur took a single step forwards, freezing when Merlin's gaze snapped back to him, gold flecks glittering for a moment before fading.
"And why not? I betrayed you. I betrayed the knights. I'm an enemy of Camelot. Why should I stay?" He spoke slowly, watching for Arthur's every reaction. He wondered why he would want him to stay, even after so openly admitting his magic, and the anger that Arthur had showed earlier. Then again, the king had calmed down, seeming curious, not really aggressive.
"You said you used your magic to save my life. Why would you save me?" Another step closer
"I told you. At first it was destiny, and then it was because I cared. I will always care— Always save you. It's only for you, Arthur. My magic is only for you." Merlin pressed back against the wall.
"Then prove it." Two steps, now Arthur was right in from of Merlin, his breathing erratic. He leaned closer, placing his hands on either side of the warlock's head, staring intensely into his eyes.
"I... How..?" Merlin breathed, dragging his gaze away from Arthur, looking at a point over his shoulder. His face was flushing slowly, a pink tint spreading from his ears to his cheeks.
"I think you know." Arthur leaned forwards on his hands, the tip of his nose brushing Merlin's cheek. His breath puffed out onto Merlin's neck, which was also turning slightly pink.
Finally, Merlin turned his head, grabbing Arthur by the front of his shirt, just as he had done earlier, and pulled his in, roughly smashing their lips together. Arthur was stunned in how Merlin reacted, not expecting him to actually do it. He wasn't going to argue, of course, pressing into Merlin and bringing his hands from the wall down, wrapping his arms around him.
Merlin released the front of Arthur's shirt, hands traveling around the back of his neck, then up into his hair, tugging lightly in surprise when Arthur opened his mouth, his following suit. A rush of emotion flooded through him, mainly love, yet tainted by fear. He didn't know what would come from this.
Arthur suddenly made a needy sound, somewhat between a growl and a whine, pressing Merlin further into the wall. His hands slid down Merlin's torso, dragging his nails lightly over the jacket, then they moved up into his dark hair, pulling his head to a better angle, mapping Merlin's mouth with his tongue.
After a couple more seconds, Merlin gently attempted to push Arthur away, as he was feeling slightly lightheaded. He complied, pulling his head a few inches away from Merlin, smiling, breathing a little bit more rapidly than usual.
"Well," Merlin began, "that was something."
Arthur chuckled. "It sure was. But, it was amazing," he added, leaning back into Merlin, trying for another kiss. Sadly, Merlin stopped him, tapping his finger to Arthur's lips.
"I think that was enough for now. You're a bit overexcited," he said, wiggling his hips, causing Arthur to gasp quietly, proving his point.
"Oh, shut up," Arthur huffed, pulling Merlin from the wall. He succeeded in getting another kiss, the two of them stumbling throughout the room, Arthur aiming to get them to the bed. However, Merlin turned them and extracted himself from Arthur's embrace, pushing the king into the bed while starting to walk off.
"I have to help get Gwen ready. She has some anxiety over the picnic. I also need to make sure that Morgana didn't pick a horrific dress," he said, laughing internally at the surprise on Arthur's face.
"Wh— But—" Arthur whined, attempting to get up and go after Merlin, but his manservant had already chuckled and swept out of the room, the door clicking closed behind him.
Arthur sighed, then laughed, flopping backwards on the bed, stretching out. He'd just have to wait until Merlin got back.