This is dedicated to my best friend, Merthur-is-life. Thank you for everything! Merry Christmas X
Merlin's teeth chattered noisily as the cold bit against his pale skin. He tugged his dark scarf tighter in an attempt to keep the heat in. The tall man could feel his toes going numb in his boots as he trudged through the thick snow on his way home. His day was going from bad to worse. Firstly, Arthur used all the milk. Secondly, it was snowing really heavily meaning that the Warlock had to go on a trek just to buy a new bottle. He was beginning to wish that he'd sent Arthur out in the cold to get it. Stupid Clotpole, he mumbled under his breath.
Even the festive Christmas lights couldn't brighten his spirits as he made his way back to the flat that he'd been sharing with his partner for the last year. He rubbed his hands together as he slipped along the icey pathway. Merlin could feel the shivers racking through his whole body as he approached the door to his large building.
With a huff, he pushed the door open and hurried inside while stomping his feet to remove the snow. The heat of the hallway didn't stop his shivering. Merlin desperately hoped that he hadn't caught hyperthermia because of this trip.
He hurried up the stairs until he reached his flat on the third floor. With shaking hands the tall man managed to jerk open the door and let himself in.
The smell of hot soup hit him like a tsunami as he began to wind
himself out if his tightly wrapped scarf. The Warlock kicked his boots off and shuffled further into the small living room.
A hot bowl of soup and a mug of steaming tea sat side by side on the small coffee table in front of the sofa. Merlin glanced around the room but Arthur was nowhere to be seen. He was about to call out when his partner stepped into the room with a large duvet in his arms.
"Merlin, you're home!"
He couldn't help but love the smile that blossomed onto Arthur's lips.
"Eventually. The snow was hell to get through." He sighed wearily as he scuttled off to place the milk into the fridge.
By the time he'd gotten back into the living room, Arthur was sat on the small sofa. The once-king smiled happily at Merlin and patted the seat beside him. Without hesitation, the Warlock collapsed down into the space and pulled his legs up to rest on Arthur's lap.
The blonde man rubbed Merlin's cold leg in an attempt to restore heat before throwing the blanket over both of them.
"You should have sent me." Arthur muttered quietly as he felt guilty for his partner getting chills.
The blonde lent forward and grabbed the bowl of soup, which he knew was Merlin's favourite, before handing it to the cold man. The Warlock breathed in the warming smell before taking a satisfying slurp with a large spoon.
He licked his lips and smiled as he whispered against another
spoonful, "I love you, Arthur."
Arthur blushed and looked down at the pale carpet, "I love you too, Merlin."