As soon as he heard that he had nothing to be sorry for, Arthur shook his head slightly before taking a step closer to him, just close enough for him to take Merlin's hands in his own. "Yes I do, Merlin," he started, clearly seeing the worry in his eyes. "I'm not mad, or angry at you, if that's what's what you're thinking," he added in an attempt to calm his fear, giving the other's hands a gentle squeeze before pausing, putting together the words that he had been wanting to tell him for so long.
"I'm still not one hundred percent alright with you having magic and keeping it a secret from me all this time," Arthur started again. They were in a different place, and from the looks of it, a very different time. He was almost certain that any form of a death punishment would be frowned upon. "But you know how much I care about you. And if I had just a few moments more before, I was going to tell you this. Merlin, Emrys, whatever name you go by...I'm in love with you. And I have been, for a long time."