Fic: First Kiss

Nov 26, 2011 17:43

Title: First Kiss
Author: mabonwitch
Pairings: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: PG
Words: 566
Summary: When they're fifteen, Arthur kisses Merlin.
Notes: Third in the "In a Time of Magic" series. Underage kissing, minor angst.



Merlin touched a finger to his lips and blinked. Arthur watched him hopefully.

"Well," Merlin said, "that was different."

Arthur drooped, suddenly finding the floor interesting. Not quite the response he was hoping for when he kissed Merlin. "Interesting," he said flatly.

"Yeah." Merlin's face was crinkling in that way it did when he was processing half a step behind everyone else. It amazed Arthur that someone who had so much trouble figuring out normal human interactions could do so well in their classes. "I mean," Merlin went on, "I've never kissed a guy before."

Arthur stiffened and tried not to remember Freya and the semester she'd hung about before disappearing who-knew-where. Watching her make cow's eyes at Merlin had been torture.

"Right," Arthur said. He began inching away, an urge to hide in his dorm and never come out coiling up his spine. "I'll just-"

"What? Wait!"

Arthur paused, ill-advised hope rising.

"Not a bad interesting," Merlin protested. "Just, you know, interesting. I've never really thought about it before."

When nothing more was forthcoming, Arthur nodded cautiously. "I've- thought about it. A bit." If by 'a bit', one meant 'all the bloody time, including time I should be sleeping'. But there was no need for Merlin to know that. Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur could see Merlin studying him curiously. Arthur winced internally. He was really going to have to stop finding all of Merlin's expressions adorable. Assuming Merlin still wanted to be his friend after this.

"Oh no," Merlin said. "Come on, Arthur, don't be all- you've got your awkward penguin face on."

Arthur tried to relax his facial muscles, but a lifetime of hiding any uncomfortable emotion behind a formal mask was hard to overcome. Besides, Arthur was finding it difficult to look at Merlin.

Merlin grabbed his wrist. "Don't," he said again. "It's not- look; it's not a big deal, all right?" Arthur wanted to punch him and declare that yes, it was a big deal. Instead, he nodded. "I mean, it's not like I'm going to pop out and tell everyone. Or anyone! We'll just- you’re my friend."

Arthur swallowed. It was like getting punched in the face. "Right."

Merlin bit his lip. "Sorry. If I felt that way about anyone, it'd be you. But I just, um. Haven't figured that stuff out yet."

Arthur blinked, the tense feeling in his throat easing slightly. "Stuff?"

"Sex. Um. Stuff." And now Merlin was blushing a bright red.

Arthur quirked an eyebrow, faintly disbelieving. "Merlin, we're fifteen. Are you telling me you haven't…?" Arthur wasn't quite sure what he was asking. He didn't think Merlin had had sex or anything, but there was a difference between that and not knowing what gender you were attracted to.

Merlin's shoulders hunched up defensively. He scowled at the ground as he answered Arthur. "I just haven't got around to it."

Arthur eyed him. "So you're…what? A late bloomer?"

Merlin kicked the toe of his shoe against the floor. "Arthur, I swear, if you start breaking out in flower metaphors like that god-awful sex ed teacher last year, I will hit you."

Arthur huffed a tiny laugh. "Yeah, OK."

Merlin smirked. "I think I'm having a deleterious effect on your vocabulary, Your Highness."

Arthur swatted at him. "Idiot. Shut up." His tutors would probably be horrified. Arthur figured he was allowed some time to be a person and not just a Prince. He hesitated, but added, "Keep it in mind?"

Merlin gave him an embarrassed smile. "Yeah, I will."

They would be all right. Somehow.

arthur/merlin, fic: merlin, fandom: merlin, fic, in a time of magic

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