Summer Isn't So Bad After All

by dragonmytreasure

Arthur had the distinct pleasure of watching the object of his perusal whirl around with the expression of a hunted deer.

Title: Summer Isn't So Bad After All

Author: dragonmytreasure

Pairings: Merlin/Arthur

Rating: T

Spoilers/Warnings: More implicit than explicit

Word Count: 492

Disclaimer: This is 100% fictional. If you haven't figured that out by now, then why are you here?

Author's Note: First fic I've ever finished, very proud of myself! Loads of thanks to my betas, and don't forget to review!

The day was becoming increasingly hotter, exaggerating the regular stench of unwashed bodies, sun-ripened grain, and meat. By midday, the odor had drifted from the lower town up to the main courtyard, suffocating the knights as they struggled through their morning exercises. Arthur sighed, and even though there was still a couple of hours left, called for an end . A collective cry of relief went up from the younger knights, a few going as far as to slump their shoulders in exhaustion and let their practice swords drag along the ground while the more-experienced knights looked at them and shook their heads.

Arthur grinned slightly at the display before turning around to head back to his rooms in the palace. Looking forward to getting out of his stuffy armor and taking a cool bath, he strode down the halls, optimism failing when he found the rooms empty with Merlin nowhere to be seen. Arthur scowled as he shuffled out of his armor and chain mail, leaving the items to crash on the middle of the floor and throwing on yesterday's shirt, before he backtracked to find his miscreant manservant.

Storming over to Gaius' rooms to inquire about Merlin's whereabouts, Arthur found the outer chamber empty. A quick glimpse through the half-open door showed Merlin's quarters to be empty. About to turn around and look elsewhere, Arthur paused when he heard a soft clatter coming from inside Merlin's room. Arthur padded across the outer room carefully, fully intending to put the fear of Camelot into his manservant.

Upon reaching the inner door, Arthur stopped short. Merlin was leaning over a basin, water running in rivulets down his shirtless torso and darkening the top of his low-hanging trousers. He was splashing the cool liquid onto his face, rubbing his hands briefly through his hair. Arthur swallowed heavily as he watched a droplet run down the back of Merlin's neck, slowing down as it trailed down his shoulders. The droplet glistened off the small of his back before connecting with his trousers while Merlin emitted a soft sigh of pleasure. Arthur collected himself, took a small breath, and shouted.

"Merlin!"

Arthur had the distinct pleasure of watching the object of his perusal whirl around with the expression of a hunted deer, sunlight from the window highlighting the 'V' of Merlin's lower abdomen.

"I expect a bath to be drawn in my room now," Arthur informed him, struggling not to grin or let his eyes wander. "Oh, and would you please put a on a shirt?"

Merlin flushed and began to hunt for the aforementioned article of clothing. Arthur drank in the sight of his dusky nipples, the flat stomach with a smattering of hair which tempted him to draw his eyes down further before wrenching them away and heading in the other direction.

Arthur smirked as the sound of Merlin's clumsy rushing heralded his exit. Perhaps summer wasn't such a terrible thing after all.