.

"It's in here somewhere!" Arthur called over his shoulder. Merlin scrutinised the map and then squinted past the trees.

"Uh, I don't think it is." He said.

But Arthur's determination and stubbornness led them deeper into the forest.

"Isn't this just like the old days?" Arthur yelled. "With Gwaine and Lance and Perci and Leon."

He came to a stop and listened. Then he held up his hands triumphantly to Merlin.

"I knew it! I can hear it!" He exclaimed, marching off excitedly.

Christ, he's like a puppy, thought, Merlin rolling his eyes but still following.

After a while, heard it too. Running water.

They stepped out into a clearing in the middle of the forest. There were rocks and a cliff and a big waterfall, gushing clear, sparkling water out into a wide pool below. The light was slowly fading in the sky and the sun beating down made every droplet look like a diamond. It was amazing, magnificent, and the two of them watched it silently for a few minutes before they could speak.

"Race you down there!" Merlin giggled, throwing his bag down and running full speed towards the pool's edge.

Although Arthur had strength, Merlin had speed and he got there first.

Both of them stripped into their swimming trunks. They both blushed and kept their eyes on the ground.

"You ready?" Arthur asked, clearing his throat. Merlin looked up.

Fuck. Arthur was ripped. Though of course, the warlock knew that. He'd only dressed him every day for countless years. But he'd forgotten how muscular Arthur's abs were. His arms, even his legs were defined. Merlin tried desperately not to stare.

Not that Arthur noticed, for he was busy staring at Merlin. He'd never even seen Merlin without a shirt. He didn't have as many abs as Arthur, but his chest was pale and toned.

Merlin nodded, uncomfortably. He was aware of how different his body was to Arthur's.

He nodded and they slid into the water. It was fresh and cool and perfect. They splashed each other and laughed and then swam around to the waterfall.

They both got fully wet and stood under the flow of water. The sky above was painted strips of pink and gold.

Merlin looked at Arthur stood there. The water came up to just above his waist. He looked amazing, smiling goofily and letting the water drench his hair, flicking it back like a dog.

Before he knew what he was doing, Merlin drew closer and kissed him hard.

It was like they'd both been underwater for so long and had now reached the surface. It was new, it was exciting. Their lips were soft together and fitted like jigsaw pieces.

They drew apart, breathless.

"Is this okay?" Merlin asked. Arthur didn't bother replying, he just drew Merlin closer and kissed him again.

He had one arm around his waist and the other in his hair. Merlin moaned and stroked his tongue across Arthur's bottom lip. Merlin's hands were pressed against Arthur's chest. The king parted his lips slightly and Merlin pressed his tongue in gently, exploring his mouth.

Little firecrackers were exploding in both their stomachs. Fire, burning fire of lust sending jolts down south. They kissed for what felt like seconds but when they broke away, the sky was now shades of warm purples and blues.

Both of them wanted to stay there, forever, but they knew they needed to get back to their tent.

They walked back to camp, in a comfortable silence. When there, Merlin made a fire and Arthur cooked dinner. They sat close together and ate, watching the sun sink lower and lower in the sky.

When they slept, they slept right next to each other, as if they were afraid to let the other go.

The next morning, Merlin awoke with a yawn. He realised first he was not in his bed. He realised second that no one was next to him. And he realised third that there was a stick-insect 5 inches from his face. He squeaked and swatted it away.

Arthur ducked his head in. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Merlin rubbed his arm, "Just having a staring contest with a stick insect."

Arthur looked confused and then handed Merlin a plate.

"I got breakfast."

On the plate was roasted rabbit and beans. Just like they used to have at Camelot. Merlin smiled.

They ate together and talked about Camelot and the food and how much Arthur used to eat.

Then they kissed. It happened suddenly. As they ate, they shifted closer until their thighs brushed. Then Merlin stood up to go wash up, and Arthur gently pulled him back down.

Merlin's "Wha-" was lost as Arthur kissed him roughly. Merlin pushed the plates aside and kissed him back.

Over the years, of course Merlin had had some experience. There were girls he'd fucked but they just didn't quite cut it. So, around the 1800s, Merlin had tried men. That was much more his speed. And, if he went at them behind, he could pretend their mop of hair belonged to Arthur. That's why he usually went for blondes.

Arthur dipped his tongue into his mouth. Merlin moaned.

So many nights he had imagined this. It was hard not to. Merlin was in no way a slut, but when you're alive for centuries on end, waiting for your love interest to randomly resurrect, there are a handful of times when you're gonna get a little horny. Merlin wasn't dirty-minded, just... impatient.

Especially during his time in Paris in the 19th century. He would complete his work as a shopkeeper and go home.

He would lay in bed and try to sleep but his blood would just be racing a little too fast. So he would think of Arthur. He would imagine kissing him. Touching him. Shedding their clothes and exploring each other with their tongues. And as Merlin would imagine, he would slip a pale hand down and touch himself. He would pretend it was Arthur, palming at him, stroking him. And then he would come so hard the windows would shatter.

Arthur sucked at his bottom lip. One of his hands were stroking the sleepy black curls around his face and the other was gripping his waist. They were deep inside the tent, sat on the sleeping bags, kissing passionately.

Arthur hadn't had the most action at Camelot. I mean, he wasn't a total virgin. He knew about what happens when you marry a girl. Sex. His father had told him that much when he was younger. And then he met Gwen. And sure they'd kissed and it felt great, even better when she let him touch her up under a tree at his birthday party. They'd done some other stuff too but he'd never actually... stuck it in her.

Of course, sex was only for straight people. That's why there was nobody gay in Camelot.

Arthur wanted to fuck with Merlin. But he knew he couldn't. And that was a price he was willing to pay.

Merlin's lips brushed his again and then drifted to his neck. He then pushed Arthur down onto the sleeping back, and hovered over him.

"This okay?" He breathed, suckling marks into the king's neck. Arthur let out a groan.

"Yes yes, keep going." He mumbled. He felt his crotch tightening. Merlin could too.

His thighs were parked either side of Arthur's hips. Merlin straightened up, still sat over him, and pulled Arthur's shirt off.

Then he went back down again, running his hands down Arthur's perfect chest, touching every muscle and chest hair. He smiled to find Arthur in pieces underneath him, breathing deeply and letting out moans.

"Shirt... off.." Arthur let out, tugging at Merlin's shirt. Merlin's eyes flashed gold for a second and Arthur detected a very very very slight tensing in his shoulders. He doesn't like his body, Arthur realised.

"You're so beautiful," Arthur murmured, tugging at his shirt again. Merlin blushed and frowned but removed it all the same. Arthur broke into a grin and ran his hands over his chest. Merlin smiled.

Their pyjama bottoms slid off too, and soon Merlin was still knelt over him. He rubbed his hand over Arthur's boxers.

Arthur let out a groan and threw his head back. Merlin felt himself hardening just at the sight. Arthur was so goddamn hot.

"You like that?" Merlin chuckled lightly, stroking harder. A tent appeared in Arthur's crotch. Arthur didn't bother replying, he just arched his back and pressed his crotch into Merlin's hand eagerly. Merlin grinned and moved faster.

Arthur began to gasp and grunt, and when Merlin pulled his boxers down, his cock sprung free, standing hard and slapping his stomach. Merlin stared at it hungrily and pulled his own boxers down.

The feeling was indescribable. Their uncovered cocks rubbed together and they were both filled with an immense feeling of lust, of love, of need.

Both wrapped a hand around their lengths and squeezed and stroked. Arthur panted heavily and a hot layer of sweat was lining Merlin's shoulder blades. He leant down and connected their lips, kissing like it was the most important thing in the world.

And then together, they came, painting their stomachs. They caught their breath, and Merlin collapsed on the duvet beside Arthur. Sunlight streamed through the opening in the tent.

Both were speechless. Merlin, was marveling at how many times he'd imagined this, touching Arthur, feeling him. Wait until I fuck him, Merlin thought.

Arthur had only ever had two orgasms in his life - one after a hand job from Gwen and the other as an experimenting teenager. This was a happy feeling. And the fact it was Merlin who caused it, made it a great one. A bit of him though, was sad he would never be able to make love with Merlin.

"We need to clean up." Merlin said lazily, with a twinge of reluctance. Arthur yawned and snuggled into the pillow. Merlin laughed.

Getting up, he grabbed some wipes and cleaned both him and Arthur. Then he pulled the duvet over them and they both dozed back to sleep.