Magic reveal where arthur, sick of lies and a little paranoid (more than a little), corners merlin in his chambers and asks for an unbiased and honest confirmation of his loyalties and abilities. No ass pulling, no bullshit. Only cold truth.
What arthur expects and knows to be true even underneath his paranoia is that merlin is his, his friend, his love, his companion through everything. What he doesnt expect is frightened and anxious eyes, mutterings of âim sorryâ and shaking hands as they press their foreheads together. Arthur cannot see merlinâs face the angle too steep and a little hidden by the ever growing fringe but he feels it and he goes tense, breath paused.
It falls over him gently like a blanket of fresh snow in the forest. It tingles down his spine into his mouth and he swears he can taste middsummer flowers on his tongue. Something is weaving through his hair like a gentle fingersâ caress and before long merlin is pulling away, head still bowed and unseen, leaving arthur to slowly brush his hand against the flower crown now resting on his head.
Merlin is shaking. Arthur is staring.
â⌠so you are one.â Arthur says. Merlinâs head snaps up, and arthur knows it love that surges through his lungs and leaves them empty of air when he sees gold of the highest purity gape it him. There is no magic in arthur that has made him feel this way, there hasnt been for many years since the early months of their friendship.
â.. whatâŚ.â And arthur aches at how small and scared merlin sounds. It must show on his face because merlin becomes more confused,âyouâ you knew? And you didnt tell me or, or kick me from your service? You didntââ they both wince at the unsaid.
A wave of awareness over takes him and he hates himself. Hand still holding the flower crown like jewels he tucks his chin to his chest, a flash of guilt streaking his face,âI think i always knew. At least a year or two after you came to camelot. I⌠i didnt say anything because i wanted to protect you. From my father, my city, and myself. You have every right to be scared of me, had i properly admitted it to myself i dont know what i would have done. I dont know what im going to do now. But im not going to kill you. I couldnt⌠i cant. I cant.â He says slowly and quietly. Like the strings of tension between them could snap with merely shifting his weight.
A powerful shiver wracks him and out slips,âIm sorry.â
In an instant merlin is in front of him and holding his shoulders,âNo. No, no, dontâ dont be sorry. I should be the oneâ ive hid from you for years, dammit all. Ive lied to you for years and you dontââ he sniffles,âyou dont hate me for it⌠youâŚâ he trails off like he doesnt know what hes talking about.
Arthur shakes his head and his mouth moves for the words at the tip of his tongue but they do not leave. His head was swimming a little now at all the growing thoughts of unfairness and horror and aimless anger at everything. But it is tempered by ennui, by a bone deep affection and arthur knows he will need⌠time, to understand anything. To make sure he doesnt slip and fall under the thinning icy barrier between his fraying emotions and reason.
In an uncharacteristic show of affection he cradles merlins face and whispers,âTake the next few daysâ the next couple of weeks to focus on gaius and physicianâs work,â arthur scrambles to add on with merlins quickly paling face,âI am not sacking you, i just need time to⌠to think. To process everything that has come to me with your secret. I wont tell anyone of what you said or did, i promise. I just⌠i just need to be alone for a little.â He brushes a thumb against the cheekbones heâs adored for ages,âI am not sacking you, merlin.â
He nods jerkily and arthur nods back. They both pull away hesitantly, like they dont want to be separated more than they already are.
Arthur tries to strike up enough familiar snark into a sideways grin when he says,âAnd do try to fatten yourself up. Youre practically flapping in the wind, still.â Merlin breathes a startled laugh and quips back easily, a quiet rawness at the back of his throat as he does,âIâll never quite be like you, sire.â
Arthur laughs and he quietly hopes merlin never changes. Hes prefect the way he is. Hes perfect.
And they make out sloppy after The Talk or smthn idk
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