Day 1: Holding Hands
Rating: K+
A/N: I decided to do this challenge as a way to get myself more motivated to write and to help me get more ideas for future stories, and because I like playing with these two. I'm looking forward to finding out how this goes, given my current lack of motivation. I'll try my hardest not to let it be an epic fail, but we'll see.
Merlin took a deep breath before knocking on his master's door. For the past few days Arthur had been in an unpredictable mood and likely to throw things at Merlin for no particular reason. This could be considered normal, but Merlin could sense there was something wrong - and he had a good idea of what it might be.
"Come in."
Merlin poked his head round the door. "I brought you some food," he announced. "You missed dinner so I thought you might be hungry."
Arthur was sitting at his desk, his head bent over a pile of parchment. His golden hair glowed softly by the light of the candles. He murmured his thanks but didn't look up.
The dark-haired warlock crept into the room, closing the door behind him as quietly as possible. He set the tray down on the king's dining table and proceeded to pour him a glass of wine. "Come on Arthur, you've barely eaten in days. Gwen's worried about you."
When Arthur looked up at him, the weariness in his face made Merlin's stomach clench. His eyes were dull and shadowed with purple bruises. His hair hung limp and his skin was greyish and taut. He looked more like a ghost than a king.
"You don't understand," he murmured.
"Then help me to," Merlin said. It hurt to see his friend like this – a dead man walking – but if Arthur wouldn't talk to him what could he do? "Please, at least eat something before you waste away."
Arthur didn't move. He stared blankly down at the documents before him as if they were written in a foreign language.
"Don't make me fetch Gaius," Merlin said warningly.
The corner of Arthur's mouth twitched. A good sign. He looked at Merlin for a long time before slowly getting to his feet. He moved like a man twice his age; Merlin held his arm to support him as he made his way over to the table. He sat with his master as Arthur picked at the meat and fruit on the tray. He pushed it away after he'd eaten about half of the spread and allowed Merlin to place a goblet of wine in his hand. He put it down still half-full and made to get up, to go back to his work. Merlin caught his shoulders and pushed him back down.
"No. You're going to end up killing yourself if you keep going like this. Just sit here for a while and then I'll help you prepare for bed."
Arthur made a small noise of protest, but his body seemed to warm to the idea of rest. He slumped in his chair and let his head loll forward. He was so beaten and broken that Merlin had to fight back the urge to gather the pieces of his friend into his arms. Instead he reached across the table and, with slight hesitation, laid his hand lightly on top of Arthur's. The other man started a little at the contact, his blue eyes lifting to Merlin's. A curious light shone beneath their glassy surface. Merlin curled his slender fingers around Arthur's rough, calloused ones, enjoying the feeling of warm skin against his. He expected Arthur would start shouting at any moment, or throw the wine jug at his head. He would never hear the end of it from Gaius, either, but he just couldn't bring himself to care.
With a soft sigh, Arthur turned his hand over and slid his fingers between Merlin's. Their hands fit each other perfectly. Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand and tried to pour everything into the simple touch that he hadn't been able to say out loud: I'm here Arthur. I'll always be here and I'll help you through anything. One day you will be the greatest king this land has ever known. I believe in you.
He noticed some colour had returned to Arthur's cheeks; they were now stained with a faint rosy tinge. "Arthur, you're blushing."
"I am not."
"You definitely are."
"I am the king, Merlin. I do not blush."
Merlin grinned. "Glad to see you're returning to your usual prattish self."
"One more word out of you and I'll have you put in the stocks," Arthur threatened, although a gentle smile had graced his lips. "Same goes for if you tell anyone about this." He lifted their joined hands to emphasise his point.
"Not a word, sire," Merlin promised.