Day 4: On A Date

Rating: K+


"Arthur, will you please tell me what's going on?"

A chuckle came from the other side of the screen where Arthur was currently undressing. "All will become clear Merlin."

Merlin glanced down at the expensive silk clothes draped across his arm. "I'm guessing you have special plans for tonight?"

"What gave you that idea? Pass me that shirt, will you?"

Merlin held up the shirt in question – cream and embroidered with gold at the collar – and hung it over the top of the screen. It disappeared a second later.

"Who's the lucky girl?"

"You'll find out soon enough." The tone of Arthur's voice told Merlin he'd failed to sound nonchalant.

He stepped out from behind the screen. Merlin raked his eyes down his body, pretending to critically scrutinise when in reality he was fighting to keep his breathing steady. There was no other way to say it: Arthur looked stunning. The clothes hugged his body in all the right places and the pale colours made his eyes impossibly blue.

"What do you think?"

"Well, you look… royal. Definitely royal. Not that you don't look royal anyway but -"

Arthur laughed. "I'm glad you approve. You're going to be spending the evening with me, after all."

"You want me to wait on you? Wouldn't you rather have some privacy…?"

Arthur looked at him with the expression he reserved for when Merlin was being unusually dense. Merlin stared back at him, wanting to make the connection but afraid he was jumping to conclusions. Instead of risking looking like a fool, he opted to keep his mouth closed and wait for Arthur's patience to run out – which didn't take long.

With an exaggerated sigh, Arthur took Merlin by the hand. "Come on, you idiot."

As he allowed himself to be tugged along, Merlin tried hard to keep his heart rate under control. He was sure he was dreaming; Arthur was dressed fit for a princess or a queen, and yet it was Merlin he was leading through the corridors (which were thankfully deserted) towards the dining hall, where who-knew-what would be waiting. It was enough to make Merlin feel lightheaded at the same time as wanting to skip with joy.

When they reached the double doors Arthur let go of Merlin's hand, stepping to the side with a sweeping bow before pushing the doors open. Everything in the room had been pushed against the walls save one table, which was covered with a crisp linen cloth. Candles burned in the braziers on the walls and lined up like soldiers down the centre of the table. Several vases of flowers had been placed anywhere there was space, and their sweet scents hung heavy and dizzying in the air.

Merlin turned to Arthur, feeling his own eyes almost popping out of his head. Arthur stood with his hands behind his back, bouncing on his toes and looking incredibly pleased with himself.

"You did all this?"

Arthur nodded. "Well, I had a little help."

"All this for me?"

"You don't think it's too much?"

Truthfully, Merlin thought the décor would have been fine without all the flowers and candles, but he gave Arthur a smile that he hoped showed his gratitude.

"No, I think it's lovely."

Arthur beamed and gestured for Merlin to take a seat. A silver platter was waiting for them; the smell coming from under the lid made Merlin's mouth water.

"You cooked?"

Arthur looked sheepishly down at the table, reaching back to play with the hair on the nape of his neck. "Er, well…"

Merlin smiled. "Stupid question."

"I would if I knew how," Arthur assured him earnestly. "If you want me to learn then I will."

Shaking his head, Merlin reached across the table and covered Arthur's hand with his own. "It doesn't matter. You still did all this." He sat back and made a face. "It would probably be best if you were kept away from the kitchen, actually. I can imagine what a disaster that would be."

"Charming."

"I do try."

It didn't take long for them to completely clear the platter of roast chicken and vegetables between them. They kept up an easy flow of conversation as the night wore on, finding it so much easier to talk to one another when they weren't being forced to keep up the roles of master and servant. Arthur found himself fascinated by the shapes Merlin's lips made as he talked; he hoped Merlin wouldn't notice he wasn't paying attention to what he was actually saying.

After a while, Merlin suddenly brought his monologue to an abrupt halt. He sat looking at Arthur, causing Arthur's skin to itch with the intensity of his gaze.

"What is it?" Arthur asked a little nervously.

"Why did you feel the need to do this?" Merlin gestured dramatically at the room. "It's not as though we're courting or anything. Aren't you worried someone will find out about this? About us?"

Arthur pretended to look affronted. "I'm shocked at your lack of faith in my ability to keep a secret."

Merlin rested his elbows on the table with a sigh. "That's not the point."

Arthur mirrored Merlin's movements; their faces were only inches apart. "Go on."

"I guess I'm asking what this means in terms of our relationship."

Arthur's hand was very warm on the side of Merlin's face; Merlin automatically turned his nose into Arthur's palm, breathing shallowly so the other wouldn't notice the effect even the simplest of touches had on him.

"I want to take care of you and make you feel wanted. I wish more than anything to be able to do this properly, but you know we can't. This is the best I can do, but if it's not enough…"

Merlin grabbed Arthur's wrist, a wave of panic washing over him. "No, it is. We'll find a way to make it work."

Arthur smiled. The slight curve of his lips seemed to soften his whole face, making him more beautiful than ever. Merlin made a mental note to try to make him smile like that more often. Arthur's fingers were rough against Merlin's skin, but his lips were soft and warm as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Merlin's forehead.