Summary: Merlin was thinking. So was Arthur.
It Isn't Done by frostygossamer
Merlin was thinking to himself as he climbed the castle stairs from the washhouse with a full basket of Prince Arthur's clothes in his hands. "He's a prince and you're not supposed to, when you're a prince".
"You're not supposed to feel like this, you know. Not when you're a member of the nobility, definitely not. You're not supposed to speak to the peasants, except to tell them what to do. You're not supposed to talk to them as if they're equals, much less as if they're friends.
And you're not supposed to care about them, not personally, as your subjects, yes, but not as favourites, never as objects of affection. And it's definitely not possible for you to have a crush on one. It's so undignified for a nobleman. It never happens. Well, it shouldn't happen. Well, hardly ever.
So the best thing to do is forget about it. Maybe it'll just go away. Yes, it will probably fade away, eventually. As long as you don't think about it too much.
Though that can be pretty hard to do, to not think about it. Especially when that thing you're not thinking about, that someone, is so damn beautiful, adorable and so damn right there in front of you every day. It can hurt, yes that is true, it can hurt to want someone so much without hope".
At that moment, rapt in his own private thoughts Merlin walked into Arthur's chamber. At that same moment, Arthur was sitting in his armchair silently staring into the flames of his fireplace.
Sometimes, although they would never admit it, they thought very alike, the two boys. But, of course, they wouldn't express those thoughts aloud, of course not. How could they? It isn't done, you know. It isn't done.
Merlin quietly set down the pile of laundry he was carrying and turned, intending to sneak away and leave Arthur alone with his thoughts.
"Merlin? We need to talk".
It isn't done... yet.
The End
A/N: Just a little Merthur cos I've been neglecting Merlin and Arthur lately.