the solace in his touch (слэш)

Merlin dabbed the wet cloth over his cut slowly and all too gently. It was too tender—too…intimate. Arthur let out a loud sigh and, on a particularly stupid impulse, pushed Merlin’s hand away.
“Why don’t you just—you know.” He wiggled his fingers in that special way he knew meant magic and Merlin stiffened in front of him. The atmosphere shifted too fast for Arthur’s comfort, and Merlin took a step away from the bed, hands hanging limply at his sides.
“I’m not sure I understand,” he lied.