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Arthur had invited his friends over for their usual game night. Unfortunately, he had not considered the fact that Gwaine was a mischievous ass who would do as he pleased. So, instead of playing any of their card or board games, Gwaine had demanded they play Truth or Dare - and the punishment was of course drinking shots. What else with these chaotic idiots?
"So... Arthur... Truth or dare?", the little devil grinned.
Arthur sighed quietly, having held onto hope to just hide behind Percival's large frame.
"Truth."
"Boring but fine. Since you're the playboy of our group: When did you have your first kiss?"
Everyone looked at the blond and frowned when he grew redder with every passing second. Eventually, Gwen decided to carefully poke him in the ribs.
"Arthur?"
"Um... I'm not really sure... Does it count when the other person doesn't seem to remember?"
"What? Were you both too drunk?"
"I wasn't drunk! And it wasn't even really on the lips.", Arthur pouted.
Gwaine raised an eyebrow.
"And when was that? When you were still in school?"
"Oh, um... No... It was a few weeks ago."
Everyone gaped at him. Shifting slightly from the uncomfortable silence, Arthur looked away.
"You only had your first kiss a few weeks ago, and the other person doesn't even remember it?!", Percival eventually hissed.
"Um, yeah..."
Morgana's eyes widened suddenly, and she gasped.
"Was it when we were celebrating Leon winning at the tournament?!"
Arthur flushed again, and that answered her question. She fell back against the sofa with her mouth open. The others also seemed to be in shock. But of course, someone had to ask the next horrible question. And of course, it had to be Gwaine again.
"Does that mean you're still a virgin as well?!"
"Gwaine!", the others hissed, but Arthur merely groaned, hiding his flushed face in his hands.
The rotten bastard started laughing.
"Oh, Gods! Princess, you had us all fooled! Wait, why are all the girls so keen to talk to you then?"
"Mostly a mix of my name and my looks. They hope that they can get rich through me or something."
"Wow... I never thought that game night would yield such interesting developments.", Gwaine whistled lowly before hissing as Lancelot and Merlin elbowed him in the ribs.
Arthur tried to ignore the lingering glances. And he especially avoided glancing in one particular direction. He was just happy no one had asked who it had been. But even if anyone had asked, he wouldn't have answered that.
A few hours later, everyone said goodbye, and Arthur carried the tray with glasses and snack bowls into the kitchen. Sighing, he put the heavy tray down and rubbed his forehead. Somehow, his mood hadn't rebounded after the game of Truth or Dare as he couldn't stop thinking about that evening.
Morgana and Gwen had invited everyone to their favourite bar to celebrate Leon's victory in his recent fencing tournament. Arthur had been there when his best friend won, and they'd already celebrated by eating some cake at their favourite bakery, but he'd still accepted. Someone had needed to keep an eye on them anyway. He'd quickly accepted the role of designated sober person so he could get them all home or at least into a cab.
Eventually, after hours of dancing and drinking, everyone had been at least tipsy. Even Leon who usually never drank more than two beers had been relaxed. Compared to the others, he had still been fairly well off though. Gwaine and Merlin had been the worst so Arthur had taken care of them first, calling a cab and passing the driver some extra cash to help them to the door at the least. Morgana and Gwen had been giggling messes but had been easily put into another cab with similar instructions. Elyan and Lancelot had been okay enough that Arthur had merely told the driver their addresses.
Then it had only been Leon and him. The curly head had been swaying slightly where he'd stood, but his eyes had seemed alert enough.
"I'm driving you."
"Thanks, I 'preciate it.", the taller man slurred slightly.
"Yeah, I know. C'mon."
The drive had been uneventful, and Arthur had been helping Leon up the stairs to his flat a bit later. The taller man had been leaning on Arthur heavily as he'd tried not to stumble, but the blond hadn't minded too much. Leon was going to be totally embarrassed when he tells him the next day though.
"Here we are. Keys?"
"Coat pocket."
Arthur had rummaged through his friend's coat until he'd found the keychain. Opening the door, he'd helped Leon inside and divested him of his shoes and coat.
"You want some water before bed?"
"Nuh... Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. You manage the rest of the way?", Arthur asked amusedly.
"Yep! Not that far..."
Arthur had chuckled at Leon's pout. He'd just wanted to turn around when he'd felt hands grab his shoulders, pushing him against the hallway wall. Surprised, he'd looked up at the looming figure of his best friend and tried to suppress the visions his mind had been trying to torture him with - again. Wasn't it bad enough to have wet dreams about your best friend?!
"Leon?"
Without saying anything, the curly head had leant forward, and Arthur had frozen as soft lips grazed his own before slipping slightly, so they were only at the outer corner of his lips. Feeling the blood rush to his face, Arthur had tried to comprehend what was going on. But before his brain could catch up, Leon had leant back with a crooked grin.
"Night!"
And with that. he had wandered off to his bedroom, leaving Arthur flushed and unbelievably confused.
The next day Leon had asked if he could tell him how he'd gotten home, saying he didn't remember anything at all.
And Arthur had tried to forget it! He wouldn't lose his best friend over some drunken shenanigans! But his brain wasn't complying and brought the memory up whenever it felt like it. Now, for example. And damn it, he'd wanted to kiss Leon for a long time now but to get a taste and not have the other remember was worse than any rejection could have been.
"Arthur?"
The blond jumped at the voice behind him, almost causing the tray to slip from the counter. Quickly trying to settle the upset items again, Arthur felt himself flush again.
"I thought everyone was gone!"
"Sorry... I- I wanted to talk to you."
Arthur carefully pushed the tray to a safer location in the corner of the kitchen counter before turning to face Leon. The curly head was doing his typical nervous routine, as Arthur liked to call it. He was hunched over to seem smaller, and his left hand was absentmindedly pulling on one curly strand of his ginger hair.
"Normally, you're not this nervous when you're talking with me. What is it?"
"Um... About what you said about your first kiss..."
Immediately, the blush returned, and Arthur couldn't bear to keep looking at his best friend and crush.
"It's fine, Leon."
Closing his eyes to catch himself, Arthur tried to take deep breaths. That was until he suddenly smelt Leon's aftershave and felt two arms cage him against the counter. Opening his eyes wide, Arthur could only stare up at the looming figure his friend posed. It reminded him of the kiss too much, but he couldn't look away. Leon's eyes were dark and surprisingly unreadable. Usually, the older was like an open book - nothing was hidden from each other. But now, Arthur couldn't even guess what Leon was thinking.
"Leon?"
"I thought I had dreamt it. I was certain it was just another vision of my yearning heart."
"W-what?", Arthur stuttered nervously.
"I was certain that you would have hated me for simply taking your first kiss - had it been real. Why don't you hate me?"
"I- Why would I-"
"Did you like it?", Leon asked, his gaze almost predatory.
Arthur felt trapped in more ways than one, even though he knew Leon would let him break free if he really wanted to. The question was... Did Arthur want to break free? No matter how unusual Leon's behaviour was, it had Arthur fascinated.
Two fingers lifting his chin made him tumble back into reality.
"Did you, Arthur?"
Yes. Yes, he absolutely did. He'd loved the feeling of Leon's lips on his. Had wanted to taste more, especially with the residual alcohol that had still clung to them. But the words wouldn't leave his mouth. He was frozen like a deer in the headlights of a car. Leon tilted his head as he regarded Arthur's struggle. And then he was slowly leaning down - centimetre for agonising centimetre. Arthur couldn't help how his eyes flickered to Leon's lips, but it seemed to be what Leon had wanted.
This time the kiss landed and stayed dead centre. Leon's lips were still unbelievably soft yet firm in their demand. Arthur's eyes fluttered closed, and he carefully leant into Leon - unsure whether this was what he should be doing. His inexperience didn't seem to matter though as Leon gently traced his lips with his tongue. Slowly opening his mouth, he let himself be swept away by the older man's kiss - mind growing pleasantly fuzzy. Leon's arms moved from beside him to his hips, resting there lightly. Arthur sighed softly and tried to copy Leon's actions, letting his own tongue trace the other's lips and wrapping his arms around his neck.
They continued kissing until suddenly Leon's hands moved to Arthur's thighs to hoist him up onto the counter. Arthur gasped, breaking the kiss shortly to stare at his friend. But Leon was already leaning in again, capturing his lips in another deep kiss. Not that Arthur was complaining - far from it. But eventually, he needed to breathe properly again - his head had grown ever fuzzier, and he felt like he was floating. So, he pulled away, eyes trying to focus on Leon's face. The taller man was panting softly as well, and his dark eyes were watching Arthur with something warm and emotional.
"Arthur..."
"I- I like this. I liked the other one too, but... But I didn't like you not remembering it."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I- I can't lose you, Leon. Not because of me wanting more than you're willing to give.", Arthur mumbled, gaze flicking away once more.
Leon chuckled softly.
"Oh, Arthur... You won't lose me. The only way I'll leave you alone is when you tell me to. Will you tell me what you want from me?"
Arthur gnawed at his bottom lip in nervousness. How should he phrase this? Should he lay everything out?
"I... You know I've never had a relationship... You know I tend to be awkward around people, so they think I'm a spoilt prat... But with you, it's always been so easy. I've always felt safe and loved."
"That's good to hear.", Leon smiled.
"But... But I've started wanting more than that. More than that platonic relationship. I want to kiss you, and I want to bury myself in your chest whenever I feel like it without worrying about the consequences. I- I want all those cliche relationship things - with you."
Glancing up at Leon through his lashes, Arthur worriedly waited for a reply. Leon's soft expression gave him hope that he at least wouldn't lose their friendship. But what if Leon was just too kind to be mean? What if he forced himself for Arthur's sake? What if-
"Hey, no spiralling... Come back to me, love. It's okay."
"What?!", the blond exclaimed in shock.
"I've got you, Arthur. I've liked you a lot for a while now. And I want a relationship with you where we both don't have to hide anything from each other."
"You- You called me-"
"Yes, I called you >love<. I like giving you pet names, especially when they make you blush this adorably.", Leon smiled softly and caressed Arthur's cheek with one hand.
The blond leant into the touch and smiled back.
"So, will you do me the honour of being my boyfriend, love?"
"Yeah... I'd like that."
"Good."
And then they were kissing again, and somehow it was even better than before.