Merlin was exhausted, it was almost midnight and he had spent most of his day reorganising Arthur's weapons in the Armoury. He was glad to see the day come to an end, he hated manual labour, especially when Arthur sat aside and watched, all the while making snide comments about the quality of his work and his lack of usefulness as a servant, which he had done today.
"Goodnight sire," he said as he put out the last remaining candle, trying very hard not to sound as fed up as he felt. Merlin was on his way out, glad to finally be able to go home to bed, when Arthur called out.
"Merlin?" came his frustrated call from the bed. Merlin had to bite his tongue to stop himself from groaning. What now? "Aren't you forgetting something?" the prince asked a small smirk on his face. Merlin smiled to himself and grabbed his Prince's bright yellow Pudsey teddy bear. Bedtime was the only time the Prince let down his walls and showed his vulnerable side. Bedtime was when Merlin liked Arthur the most. Merlin wandered over to the bed and carefully placed Pudsey in Arthurs awaiting arms. Arthur cuddled up to him immediately, a warm smile on his face, a happy aura surrounding him.
"Goodnight sire," Merlin said again, biting back a laugh. He watched Arthur for a few seconds, and suddenly didn't feel like laughing at all. His Prince looked so vulnerable, so exposed, so helpless, that Merlin couldn't help himself. He walked back over to the now sleeping Prince and pulled the covers tighter around him; Arthur sighed happily in his sleep and snuggled up in the covers, like it was a cocoon. Once he was still again, Merlin slowly moved the Prince's hair out of his face, so that he might get a better look at his sleeping features. The small smile, the flickering behind his eyelids that made it obvious he was dreaming, his kissable lips... Merlin was very tempted to kiss these lips, after all Arthur was asleep, and would be none the wiser! But he knew that he couldn't, the risk that his Prince would awaken was too great... So Merlin settled instead, to kiss a sleeping Arthurs temple. He very softly placed his lips upon Arthur's forehead, gently resting said lips there for a few seconds. Eventually however, Merlin decided that it was time to leave and return to his own chambers, if only to avoid being caught. He stood up and stroked Arthurs cheek gently, telling his Prince again, "Goodnight sire," before leaving and closing the door behind him.
Arthur's eyes opened as he heard the door shut, and a smile took over his face. "Goodnight Merlin," he whispered into nothingness, knowing his manservant wouldn't hear, but wishing oh so much, that he would.