*Author's Note: Right then first fanfic I've written, I've been wondering if I could actually make a decent attempt at this kind of thing and then this idea (which I will hopefully get to in future chapters) popped into my head, so I had to try. Anyway criticism is most certainly welcome (I won't take it too personally)
On with it!*
The usual noise of carts rolling by and the hollering of street venders woke Merlin from his deep sleep. He'd been getting very little of that lately. Arthur had been constantly worrying over the state of his father who'd been stabbed not two days before. He had been neglecting several of his duties. Merlin who had long past realised this went out of his way to complete the tasks forgotten in grief. If Arthur had noticed this he had yet to say anything, though Merlin knew he needed someone and was perfectly content to be that someone.
"Merlin breakfast," Called Gaius, Merlin groaned in response and threw off the covers.
Setting his bare feet on the cold stone floor Merlin stretched his sore muscles and made his way to the wooden dresser across the room, he pulled out a royal blue shirt, a red neck-scarf and simple black pants. Once he'd donned his boots and thin belt Merlin left his room to grab breakfast before he had to leave for work. Merlin sat at the table and proceeded to wolf down his helping of bread, cheese and tomatoes.
"You're nothing more than inhaling your food," Gaius popped a tomato into his mouth, "where do you have to be in such a hurry?"
"Iv gotdo-eaps for rthur…" Merlin rushed through a mouthful of bread, cut off by the stern raised eyebrow look he was getting from Gaius.
Merlin swallowed "I've got heaps to do for Arthur today. He's all out of sorts because of Uther's state and hardly takes care of himself if it wasn't for me he'd starve." Merlin ran a hand through his raven hair, and then let a sigh escape his lips the frustration puffing out with his breath. "But he needs someone."
Gaius smiled at the boy who has became like a son to him, he cared so much for the blond prince sometimes Gaius wondered if this care surpassed friendship. If this were true both of them were oblivious of it.
"Right I must be off, like I said things to do. Someone has to keep this kingdom running." Merlin stood heading for the door.
"I fear for the kingdom." Merlin rolled his eyes and turned to grab his coat before reaching for the door handle.
"Merlin," the boy turned to face Gaius "Arthur's lucky he has you."
"You're bloody well right he is." Merlin grinned and left for the royal kitchens.
While getting the Princes breakfast Merlin managed to snatch a dumpling from one of the trays, narrowly avoiding the cook's wooden spoon which whooshed over his head. He fled the kitchen before she decided throwing knives would be easier.
He walked the stone halls of the castle balancing Arthur's favourite breakfast in his arms, his thoughts for company and the occasional passing servants, few would be awake at this hour the few that had sense.
The slapping of his footsteps echoed off the grey halls as he climbed the last stair to the corridor where Arthur's chamber doors stood. He pushed open one of the great wooden doors taking care to be silent as he crept to the table where he sat the breakfast down.
Merlin turned to see Arthur snoring softly his face exuding innocence he realised that this must have been the first time Arthur had, had any sleep since his father's injury. Deciding to let him get as much precious sleep as possible, Merlin moved to sit on the end of the bed careful not to disturb the occupant. Leaning back against the bed post and closing his eyes Merlin listened to Arthur's breathing.
The blond prince had been filling his mind lately even going so far as to enter his dreams. He worried for the Prince, he knew Uther had only two days or so left and Merlin was afraid the death Uther would be too much for Arthur and he would push everyone away. Including Merlin himself. He didn't think he could stand seeing Arthur break down, becoming a hollow shadow of his former self.
A shift of the mattress brought Merlin out of his dismal thoughts. He swivelled to see with wide eyes that Arthur had managed to throw the covers off of himself. Merlin's eyes travelled down from Arthur's blond hair, to his chiselled jaw, down, his Adams apple, his toned chest rippled with muscle and the prominent V-line of his hips ending at the rim of his breaches. Merlin found his thoughts drifting down a dangerous path at the thought of underneath that piece of clothing. He shook himself before it could become detailed. Whether or not Merlin felt anything more towards the Prince than friendship he would never admit. Admitting meant accepting and he was not ready for that just yet.
Arthur mumbled something incoherent, drawing Merlin's eyes to his slightly chapped lips. Hoping to catch the quiet words Merlin hopped off the end of the bed and sat on the edge next to Arthur's sleeping form instead, his face mere inches from the sleeping Princes. He mumbled again louder this time and Merlin heard with complete clarity the word that escaped Arthur's lips. The word widened Merlin's eyes a small gasp came from his own parted lips, the word had sent pleasant shivers up and down his spine as his heart rate quickened.
"Merlin…"
*Well, well, well there we go. I have decided where this will go next, hope it doesn't disappoint.*
P.S If you think I need a Beta to edit this let me know. Thanks.