So I've gotten a lot of requests to continue 'a fraction of the truth' so here it is. I know another person has written something about it called the truth is key, so go check it out if you want to read more about this idea. Just to clarify, they asked me if they could use the idea and I agreed.

Please re-read the chapter so you know what it's like if you don't remember from the previously thing below.

Previously on a fraction of the truth:

The prat had turned to face a paler then usual Merlin.

"Go on, tell the gate."

"Its not that simple, it would take a while to explain." He had muttered.

The Prince seemed annoyed at this. "C'mon Merlin, just say your fear, if you can't explain it all, then summarize it." Arthur waited for Merlin to speak up for a bit, until he lost his patience. "We only have so much time for the people of Camelot so get on with it."

Fear. That was the only thing Merlin was showing right now.

"Uh.... Not being accepted and death?" Merlin more asked then told. He imagined himself on the pyre burning because Arthur hadn't accepted him when he found out.

"Be more precise." The gate had spoken up again.

"What are you so afraid of?" Arthur had asked with genuine curiousity.

"You."

Then the gate opened.

......................

Merlin raced through the gate as soon as it was open enough. Questions were going to be coming out of Arthur's mouth in seconds.

"Wait... Merlin? What?"

There it is.

Sighing, Merlin told Arthur, "I don't want to talk about it." Even though he knew Arthur wouldn't be deterred from a simple statement.

"Why are you so afraid of me Merlin?"

"Why are you afraid of being alone Arthur?"

"I asked you first!"

"I asked you second," Merlin replied calmly.

Thinking for a moment, Arthur remembered what Merlin had said earlier. Uh... Not being accepted and Death? Then later, You. Were they perhaps connected?

"So you're already accepted, and it's not likely that you'll die with me around," Arthur stated cockily. When Merlin snorted, he knew at least one of those statements were wrong. "What? You don't feel safe around me?"

"Look, over there is the camel statue that we had to find. We're on the right track."

Coming closer, Camel corner became colossal. Arthur aimed for another attempt. "Why don't you feel safe?"

Merlin simply snorted again thinking of the many times he had nearly died for Arthur.

"Merlin, do you have any reasons to be worried?"

"A lot actually."

Arthur had not been expecting this response. A 'no' or an example was what he wanted. He got neither.

Arthur began to ask, "why would you-" before he was interrupted.

"Look we're getting closer, there's the moon carving."

"Merlin I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you!"

Merlin responded in a harsh tone, "and I'm trying to subtley avoid it!" With that, Merlin hurried forward. Arthur once again flabbergasted at his servants honesty.

"Wait Merlin!" Called Arthur as he swiftly followed.

...........

They'd found the object they needed and got back to the gate. Of course they had nearly died four times and been saved by Merlin three times. The other time Arthur had accidentally caught something on fire and scared the creature away.

Arthur of course was still thinking about earlier. This time when he spoke, his voice was ridden of the usual confidence and filled with sadness, "You don't trust me do you?"

Such an emotion filled question was not something Merlin had expected from Arthur. Immediately wanting to console his friend, he responded, "no, Arthur, it's not that..."

"Then what is it?" Arthur had picked up on how Merlin hated hurting animals and people alike long ago. He'd also learned how to use it to his advantage.

Without thinking, Merlin spoke, "I can't tell you because I'd put you in a position where you have to decide between your father and me. I don't want to do that to you, so the best option is just not to tell you. Then you don't have to decide." After he realized he'd said slightly too much, he shut up. Of course it had to be after.

"So it's not me, it's something you're hiding. You haven't been hiding it for long because you can't hide a thing. You're practically an open book. Is it a girl? I don't see how that would make me choose between my father and you though. Did you join a rebellion Merlin?" Seeing the look on Merlin's face he realized this was unlikely. This was Merlin. Not some powerful figure. "Nevermind, I don't think your the type to do that. Maybe its something my father doesn't aprove of then?" At this, Merlin had gone pale.

"Did you hear what Gwaine did the other day?" Merlin stopped Arthur, before proceeding to tell a horrendously embarrassing tale about an angered sober Gwaine and apples. Someone had replaced all his ale with water and taken away his opportunity to go to the tavern.

The only time Merlin interrupted was when someone was getting closer to something he didn't want to share. Arthur knew he was on the right track. What did his father disapprove of that Merlin agreed with?

"And then Gwaine shouted 'give back my ale AND my apples!' Before running after the teenager who was very speedy and drunk." Then Merlin changed the topic. "Oh look, there's the stupid gate."

Indeed. There it was. Arthur didn't quite share Merlin's viewing it being 'stupid'. In Arthur's mind, it was full of beauty that never left with age. It simply allowed itself to age with grace. The small shrubs, climbing plants and many variations of flowers were all using it for balance. This added a nurturing look to the magnificent walls next to the gate.

"I disagree. I think it's wonderful."

"You do realize its a magical gate right sire?"

Arthur nodded. "I do. I don't mind at all."

Dropping his jaw for a few moments, Merlin didn't know what to say. Eventually he figured something out. "Don't you hate magic?"

"No. My father does."

This opened a wide realm of thoughts and opportunities for Merlin.

Finally they'd reached the gate. For a moment they stood staring. Breaking the silence, Arthur asked, "so how do we get through Merlin?"

"I'd like to say it's your turn to figure out how sire. I knew how to get in."

Arthur grumbled something along the lines of 'incompetent idiot' before moving forward.

"Umm, Hello? Gate? Can you open please?"

The gate rumbled back to life, "that I shall do, when you've shared a large secret the person next to you does not know is true."

"Merlin translate."

"You have to tell me a secret I don't know, and I have to tell you a secret you don't know."

Neither of the two wanted to start, so they watched each other expectantly. They seemed to do that fairly often lately. Arthur didn't have the patience that Merlin possessed and gave in.

"Something I haven't told you? I think Percival and Leon are together."

"I already knew that clotpole. I'm not the oblivious one here."

Arthur sighed and tried again, "I don't love Gwen. She'd be a great queen, and that's why I'm working towards it. The people will love her, and I won't have to change too many rules to make it possible."

"The secret revealed isn't large. Don't fret. Try again and take charge."

"How deep of a secret does this have to be?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Theres a specific answer hovering on your mind. If you speak this, the gate will open you'll find."

"Fine! I like Merlin! Happy now?"

"With you indeed, but the other must tell his for your goal to succeed."

Merlin was shocked by Arthur's answer, but knew the Prince next to him was about to get rather angered if Merlin mentioned it in any way. The best option was probably to just tell the gate a secret and hope it would be enough.

"I met my father, and he died two days after."

"Unfortunately, your answer is true, but this is not the thing expected from you."

"The girl I loved was killed by Arthur because of a curse she was under?"

"Unfortunately, your answer is true, but this is not the thing expected from you." It repeated, aggravating Merlin.

"Fine! I'll tell him my deepest secret and most likely be killed for it!" Turning to Arthur he shouted, "I have magic! I've had it since I was born! I had no choice in the matter! I've only saved it to save you Arthur! I'm sorry I never told you, but I was too afraid of not being accepted and getting killed for it!"

As soon as his rant finished, the door opened and in moments Merlin bolted out crying. Arthur stood there watching with wide eyes before running after.

........

Having your biggest secrets on display is terrifying. Arthur knew this. That's why he gave Merlin a chance to have supper, build a tent and fall asleep before rejoining him.

Merlin had been through a lot, and never once had Merlin spoke up about it. At least around Arthur. Arthur felt quite guilty. If he'd told Merlin he had planned to let magic back into the kingdom once he was king, then Merlin could've told him. He wouldn't have had to go through all these things alone. Perhaps he wouldn't have killed the girl Merlin loved or prevented Merlin's father's death.

As exhausted as Merlin was, there was no way that Merlin would wake up. So Arthur lay down next to Merlin and started running his hands along Merlin's scalp in a soft massage. At some point Arthur fell asleep too. At another point Merlin rolled over and tangled himself in with Arthur in his sleep.

...........

That morning there were multiple screams echoing across the canopy. The first few came from Merlin in shock. The next few were from Arthur having someone scream in his ear and being terrified he was going to die because it was Merlin screaming. Then Merlin screamed because Arthur screamed.

When they both calmed down (Well slighly), Merlin asked "Why was I sleeping with you?" (There were profanities within that shout)

"Relax Merlin, you needed comforting."

"So you SLEPT with me?"

"Now that I think about it, it wasn't the best choice... but Merlin, I'm not going to hate you, tell my father or kill you. I'm a little hurt you didn't tell me, but I wouldn't have done anything different in your situation."

Merlin had been preparing to give a witty insult that would hopefully make Arthur feel stupid, but with the words that Arthur had said, he stopped abruptly. Now Merlin felt stupid with his chin basically on the ground and remembering what happened yesterday.

"You- you won't?" He stuttered. "Tell anyone I mean?"

"No Merlin, what kind of friend would I be if I told someone your biggest secret?"

Arthur didn't even know what hit him until three seconds after. There was a person wrapped around him. Merlin. He was getting hugged by te person he liked.

Over time, Arthur had not let anyone touch him because he had a  tendency to get close to the people that touched him often. This had been a problem with maids and servants leaving after getting so close to Arthur. The pain of people leaving him had caused him to push people away instead of pulling them closer. Just this once, he let himself relax into the hug. Just this once.

............

So I'm willing to continue this. I have a few ideas, but would you guys still be interested?