Merlin, it's ridiculous how his skin lights up under James's grip. Brought closer, he's afraid maybe he didn't brush his teeth well enough this morning or that he's sweaty from nerves or that maybe James will reconsider their strange relationship now that things are how they are.

"You, too," he admits before he can stop himself, face blotching with color. It makes him feel like a first year all over again. "You look...different." Shit, he meant to say great. "Different good," he amends, dumbly.