Title: Beginnings
Ratings: PG-13
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Summary: Merlin remembers his first kiss.
Merlin would never forget his first kiss. Morgana had invited everyone over to her house for a game night which eventually turned into Morgana asking everyone extremely personal questions and then not leaving them alone until they answered. Merlin sunk lower and lower in his seat, hoping if he wished hard enough he could just make himself disappear before it was his turn to be interrogated by Morgana. Merlin hoped that Morgana would take pity on him and ask him something easy, like the last time he'd cried or if he'd ever cheated on an exam.
But of course not. Merlin could feel everyone's eyes on him as Morgana said, "Merlin, tell us about your first kiss." Out of the corner of his eye, Merlin saw Arthur's head turn towards him expectantly. Merlin willed himself not to turn completely scarlet, but he could feel a blush creeping up his neck as he tried to look anywhere but at Arthur. Merlin, at 17, had never been kissed. He wasn't sure exactly why, probably because he was scrawny and awkward and had huge ears and maybe, possibly, because he was in love with his best friend, in love with Arthur, who was completely clueless. For what seemed like an eternity, Merlin said nothing. His mouth had completely dried out and he felt as if he was choking on his own tongue. Eventually he forced out some story about kissing a girl at a middle school dance, some girl named Susie who had brown hair and pigtails. It was a complete lie of course, but he knew he'd never live it down if Arthur knew he was a loser who had never kissed anyone, Arthur, who had dated half of their class. After Merlin finished his story he fled to the kitchen, claiming he needed a drink. As he stood in the middle of the kitchen trying to return his breathing to a normal rate he looked up to find Arthur standing in the doorway staring at him with an odd expression on his face.
"That wasn't true was it? Your first kiss story?" Arthur spoke softly, almost gently. Merlin swallowed. He opened his mouth to protest but what came out instead was simply, "No." Arthur took a couple steps closer until he was standing right in front of Merlin and Merlin could feel Arthur's breath on his face. "You've never kissed anyone." said Arthur, more a statement than a question. Merlin shook his head, unable to look away from Arthur's blue eyes, which were gazing steadily into his own.
"I didn't think so," Arthur continued. "Would it be alright if I kissed you now?" Arthur's voice faltered slightly, and Merlin noticed with astonishment that he actually looked nervous. Merlin did not think he had ever seen Arthur Pendragon look nervous. Not trusting his voice, Merlin simply nodded again. Arthur raised his hand to cup Merlin's cheek, Merlin closed his eyes, and then Arthur's lips were brushing his, hesitantly at first, and then deeper, more sure. Merlin wrapped his arm around Arthur's neck as Arthur pulled him closer with a hand on Merlin's hip.
When they finally broke apart, Arthur kept his hand at Merlin's waist. He grinned at Merlin and Merlin beamed back. “How was that for a first kiss?” asked Arthur. “Perfect.” Merlin replied. Arthur just smiled even wider, then he stepped back, holding his hand out for Merlin to take, which he did, and the two of them walked
back to the living room where the rest of their friends waited.