Gawain

Just a teaser.... I'm giving away the whole thing as a series at http://www.short-fiction.co.uk - the first chapter is up, the second should be a long in a bit!

Gawain turned his head slightly and raised his eyes. The deep brown of Arthur's irises held him prisoner, infusing him with feelings of hope and confidence.
"You will come back," Arthur said. "You will face your ordeal with honour, and you will triumph."
"Has Merlin foreseen this?"
"He has not. His glimpses of the future are never frequent. This is my own certainty speaking not his magic. You will come back to me, Gawain."
Gawain knew hot tears were welling in his eyes, and lowered his lids, unable to meet Arthur's gaze with such a torrent of emotion stirring in his breast. The firm hands on his shoulders lifted, only to descend lightly upon his face, cupping his chin. Gawain felt Arthur's thumbs stroking along the line of his cheekbones, wiping away the tell-tale tears. He could feel the rough calluses on the King's hands. The gesture was painfully tender and racked Gawain's already aching heart. He had no desire to leave this place, to part from the people he loved most and seek the end of his young life. Arthur was the sun in his sky, Camlan his heart's true home.
"You will return to me," Arthur reiterated. He brushed a kiss against Gawain's forehead.
The touch of his lips was fleeting, but Gawain's skin burned from the contact for a long while afterwards. The kiss thatcovered his lips was sweeter yet, with the warmth of Arthur's mouth pressed against his, the rough stubble of the older man's short beard raking Gawain's cheek as his hands sought his King's narrow waist. They clung to each other, Gawain's face pressed against Arthur's shoulder, Arthur's hands in his hair.
"Never lose heart, Gawain; do not doubt that you will return."
Secure in the arms of the tall and powerful monarch, Gawain had little inclination to break away and set out on his bitter quest. He steeled himself; inhaled deeply and let his arms fall to his sides. Arthur released him wordlessly.