Horses galloping behind him, Merlin ran like the fucking wind to try escape. The picture of Arthur's wide blue eyes filling with betrayal and hurt was fresh in his mind. He really was a disappointment.

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled, though his yell sounded more like sob. "Come back! Stop! In the name of Camelot, I order you to stop!"

Lancelot was hot on Arthur's heels, hating himself for not being able to convince Merlin to tell Arthur sooner and avoid all this mess! But deep down he knew no matter how much he pleaded Merlin, he would never have told
Arthur about his magic on his own.

"Stay back!" Merlin said, turning to the horses and raising his hands in defence. The young man was so obviously frightened that Arthur instantly held up his hands to halt the knights.

"Merlin, let's just talk for a minute, alright?" Arthur said soothingly, getting off his horse. He walked slowly towards Merlin with his hands out in a gesture of surrender. "Alone."

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "How can I be sure you won't kill me?"

"Merlin, I'm a king, not a maniac," Arthur exasperated. "And why would I-"

"Why would you? Oh, I don't know, the same reason you threatened that innocent village and its leader," Merlin replied scathingly.

Arthur sighed. "I did that out of anger, Merlin. I was angry because-" Arthur sighed, reaching out a hand. "Just, let me explain, okay?"

Merlin hesitated, but he took it.

***

"Why did you hide this from me for so long, Merlin?" Arthur asked. Away from the knights, Merlin can now see his true, unfiltered expression. It is full of anguish, and Merlin cannot bear to look.

"You thought magic was evil," Merlin said in a small voice, focusing on the leaves on the ground as his heart thumped loudly in his chest. "Sorry for not wanting to have my head chopped off."

"But I'd never do that, Merlin!" Arthur said sadly. "Why can't you understand that you mean so much to me? I couldn't bear to live with myself if you weren't here. I went insane without you, terrorising all those people, just so I could see your face again because I-"

"No!" Merlin interrupted, tears welling in his eyes. "Don't! Don't say it was an act of love because you know damn well it wasn't! Love is supposed to be gentle and kind, not dangerous and unnatural."

"Who said anything about love being what is was supposed to be?" Arthur asked, taking a step closer to Merlin. "You have to stop believing all these lies, Merlin. You have to open up and trust me and trust in my love for you! I'd move mountains and collect all the stars in the sky if it would keep you by my side! I was terrified when you left, Merlin, because I was prepared to do anything! I was prepared to burn down houses, to search all the oceans to get you back!"

Merlin's face flushed and he looked up.  Arthur's warm breath fanned his face, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I love you Merlin. It may not be the way you want me to, but I know my feelings are alive and true."

Inside, Merlin felt his resolve cracking. He wanted nothing more than to be with Arthur. But the truth was, he was terrified as well. Terrified that it would all go up in flames and leave nothing behind but Merlin's charred and broken heart. For so long, he had put up walls, thinking they would protect him.

But in actual fact, those walls were what were hurting him most.

And if being with Arthur would make the pain go away, then-

"I love you too," Merlin sobbed, crushing his and Arthur's lips together with enough force to destroy the sun. Arthur kissed back just as desperately, his tongue sliding inside Merlin's mouth within seconds.

They grabbed at each other, trying to get closer, closer... They barely parted for breath as years of unresolved tension was being put to rest. Even when they broke apart, their foreheads remained conjoined as they stared into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry for calling you a disappointment," Arthur murmured. "And for treating you like shite. There's no excuse, and I promise I will think of your feelings before speaking."

Merlin shook his head. "No, I'm sorry for putting up so many walls and for lying to you like this. You deserved the truth. From now on, I will be nothing but honest."

"And be my Court Sorcerer," Arthur added cheekily.

Merlin laughed, a joyous sound. "That too."

***

Wow, well this was short. 

BUT DON'T BE SAD, FOLKS; THERE'S AN EPILOGUE!!!