|Two Worlds Apart|

Chapter Five•

It was an extremely hot day, the sun was almost at its peak. Merlin and Arthur were very sweaty and needed a drink desperately before they started dehydrating.

Arthur had to take his chains off and stop. It was no use carrying on in this weather. They also had to make sure their horses were hydrated. They stopped at the river bank once more and made sure their horses had a drink, as well as themselves.

Merlin looked up at Arthur who had cupped his hands together to splash water on his face. Merlin smirked. He put his hand in the river and threw it up towards Arthur, leaving him soaked. Arthur's mouth opened in shock. The water was freezing!

"I can't believe you just did that." Arthur said, his tongue rolled across his bottom lip as he placed his hand in the water and threw twice as hard; leaving Merlin drenched.

Merlin got up and pretended he was tending to the horses whilst Arthur mumbled to himself about what had just happened grumpily. Merlin smirked and stepped behind Arthur slowly. He was about to push him in.

Arthur shrieked as Merlin pushed on his back, he grabbed Merlin's hands, leading Merlin to fall in with him. They laughed and splashed each other whilst they were in the river. It wasn't that bad once they were in. Merlin looked at Arthur, he'd removed his shirt and put it out on the ground to dry, along with his armour and trousers.

Merlin felt too shy to do the same. His body was scrawny and worse off, bruised and not nearly as contoured.

"Merlin. Take your clothes off, you'll be soaking and cold later on tonight." Arthur teased.

Arthur had muscles and abs to show off, flexing as he swam through the water. But Arthur liked that about Merlin, the fact he was normal and just himself. Arthur looked over at Merlin as he undressed. He wanted to swim over and care for the bruises all left over. But he stayed still, he watched every move Merlin made.

Merlin turned around and found Arthur staring. He furrowed his brows and splashed him once more.

"That's enough splashing from you, Clot-Pole."

Merlin knew he was in trouble, he tried to swim away but Arthur caught up. Arthur grabbed him softly and pressed his lips up against Merlin's. It was all so fast he didn't realise what he'd done until it was over. Merlin felt the warmth of Arthur's lips on his and closed his eyes to enjoy the moment more.

Arthur pulled away quickly, and Merlin noticed the fear in his eyes.

"Uh- I think we should get moving, don't you?"

Merlin touched his lips as Arthur walked away. He smiled and started to walk back towards his clothes. That was the best thing that'd happened to him in a long time.

Merlin grabbed his trousers and slipped them on before Arthur saw his legs, they were the worst for bruises. Though he was getting much better, he still looked like an Apple that had been thrown against the wall a hundred times over.

The rest of the afternoon was very still and quiet. Merlin was nervous, Arthur even more so. Merlin heard Arthur's words of reassurance. But Arthur didn't hear anything from Merlin. He felt embarrassed.

"What's for supper tonight?" Merlin coughed, starting conversation.

Arthur smiled as for the first time he'd heard Merlin's voice.

"You're talking?"

Merlin nodded. It was still painful but he could manage it. And at a time like this he needed his humour to lighten to mood.

"So, Dollop-head."

Arthur knew what was coming his way, blah blah blah my name blah blah.

"You do realise you're a thief, for stealing my nicknames for you."

Arthur grunted.

"Rest your voice Merlin. It's still sore."

Merlin smiled, there it was. That pearly white smile. Arthur loved that smile. He smiled back but coughed feeling a little awkward thinking back to the kiss.

"I hope Gwen's alright." Arthur sighed.

Merlin nodded. Gwen was pure hearted and didn't do anything wrong. She didn't deserve to be kidnapped. He furrowed his brows at his train of thought.

"It's just over those mountains, Merlin. We'll stop here for the night. Our horses must rest, and we'd never make it over them in time anyway."

Merlin allowed Arthur to set up the camp, as he wandered to look for clean drinking water.
He grinned at the very thought of Arthur struggling to put the tents up. He'd imagine him yelling at himself, or at the tent. He found himself laughing out loud.

As soon as Gwen was recused, he needed to leave. For Arthur's sake, as well as his. Arthur needed a Queen, an air to the throne.

Merlin sighed. It was so unfair. But he'd be sinning otherwise, he'd be teaching the future King of Camelot to sin. He was leaving. End of discussion.

"Merlin what's taking you so bloody long?"

Merlin shook his head. He'd know that angry voice anywhere, but it wasn't that he was angry at all. Only missing the friendly, soft, encouraging atmosphere Merlin brought him when they were together.

Merlin lifted the sachets of water and smirked at Arthur.

Arthur raised a brow and shook his head. He'd thought about it many times, running to Merlin and taking him in his arms but he wouldn't. He was still fragile and would probably freak out. Arthur smirked whenever he'd thought about it.

"What are you smirking at?"

Arthur looked up and placed his arm over Merlin's shoulder.

Merlin felt butterflies emerge in his stomach. Arthur's touch was so comforting. He'd been longing for another kiss, but he couldn't. He had to leave. They were only a day away, so keeping things together should be easy. Right?

-

Merlin was screaming and yelling for help. It woke Arthur, feeling like Deja vou. Arthur looked around the campsite, everything seemed fine apart from Merlin's cries. He stated to panic and ran for Merlin's tent. It was a relief to see nothing had happened to him, only that he was having a nightmare.

Arthur wondered if he should wake him; Giuas once told him that waking someone from a nightmare, could send them into a sleep paralysis situation, which could be worse.

Arthur sat beside him and sighed. Merlin was tossing and turning and clutching at his pillow. It hurt Arthur to see him like this. He thought about it before he made the decision. He'd softly wake him up.

Arthur slowly trickled the backs of his finger tips across Merlin's cheek. It felt weird to actually be confident about touching him in a way lovers do. He smiled as Merlin settled a little.

"Arthur?" Merlin croaked. His sleepy voice crackled and made Arthur smile even more.

"Morning sleepyhead. It must be around 4/5. You should get back to bed." Arthur said gently, not realising he was still stroking Merlin's face.

Merlin furrowed his brows, in a good way of course as a small smile followed but Arthur moved his hand away and apologised.

Merlin clutched onto Arthur's hand and placed it back onto his cheek. He couldn't help but love Arthur and want to protect him. The great dragon was right, they really were two sides of the same coin.

Arthur tried not to blush. His smile hid the redness well between the dimples and the smiley eyes. Merlin and Arthur decided to fall asleep for another hour or so, this time together in the same tent. Both conscious, both warm, both in the same blanket.

It was perfect.