Merlin poked his head into the room. The last few weeks had gone at a slow pace. Arthur still had nightmares and flashbacks, but he didn't look like he wants to flee as soon as someone just enters the room.
"Hey, darling." Merlin pressed a kiss on top of Arthur's head. The smile he got made Merlin's heart warm. Arthur kept his hands away from Merlin, he could see that they were covered in charcoal.
"I thought you have a meeting today?" Arthur's voice was soft. Merlin had a feeling that it would be something that would never really change.
"It is done, we managed to figure it out, and the tax law is going to be reduced. We will reevaluate in a few months to see if those villages would need extra help." Merlin gently ran his fingers through Arthur's hair.
"That's good." Arthur fell silent for a moment, he bit the inside of his cheek. "Do you think we can go for a walk today?" His voice was slightly unsure.
Merlin almost jumps up and down. This was the first time that Arthur had asked for anything.
"Of course darling. Do you have somewhere in mind?" The smile Merlin gave Arthur, made him feel warm.
Arthur just shook his head. He might have come far, but he was still unsure of questions, the fact that Merlin didn't shot it down and looked like he wants to do it, was like a balm over his heart.
"There is a small river not too far away from our normal route, we can maybe do a picnic there?" Merlin suggested gently.
"That sounds wonderful." Arthur nuzzled his head into Merlin's stomach. This was where he was safe.
"How is your portrait going?" Merlin was glad when Arthur had taken up art. He had a talent for it, and Merlin would find him regularly busy to draw or paint.
"Good, I am almost finished with it." Arthur turned to Merlin. He could finish the portrait later, at the moment he just wants to spend time with Merlin.
When he was gently pushed back into his chair, he gave Merlin a quizzing look. "Finish up Darling. I will get the basket ready." Merlin's voice had mirth in it.
He had seen how agitated Arthur could get when he was busy with a project and was interrupted. His attention would keep going back to it, making it hard for him to concentrate on his surroundings.
Arthur almost pouted, but he was sure that Merlin had a reason for it. With a last kiss on his head, he turned back to the portrait.
It was barely an hour later and Merlin was back with a basket. Arthur attention was pulled back to the world when he heard Merlin come in.
"Ready darling?" Merlin sounded amused. With a nod Arthur pushed the chair back, he quickly washed his hands. The water turned almost grey-black.
Merlin pulled Arthur against him for a moment. He breathes in Arthur scent, somedays he was sure that his scent changed with his mood. Normally it was a sweet smell, these days it almost smelt like the forest after a storm.
The walk was spent mostly in silence as Arthur admire the beauty of the Kingdom. And well Merlin kept his eyes on Arthur.
The way his eyes would sparkle and his smile, Merlin wished that he could give more to Arthur to make him happy.
When they got close to the river, they could hear birds chirping and the water flowing over pebbles.
Merlin helped him get closer to the river, the path was small and it was clear that not a lot of people ever came here.
When they settled down next to the river, Merlin suddenly started to talk.
"When I was a child, I would come here with Kilgharrah. He would teach me about the way of a dragonlord. When the time was done, he would watch over me while I played in the water." There was a laugh to Merlin's voice.
It was such a long time ago, that for the most part he sometimes forget it.
Arthur leaned closer to Merlin. It felt like two puzzle pieces coming together.
"Do you think we would still have met if everything was different?" Arthur asks as he stared off into the distance.
"Yes. Some people will be in someones live no matter where they are in the world. One way or another we would meet Darling." Merlin was firm on this. Soul-mates always find there way to each other.
They were silent for a while.
"Do you think Leon will ask Morgana out?" Arthur suddenly asked. He had seen how the first knight had look at his sister.
Merlin almost burst out laughing. "I think when he gathers the courage he would need, then yes, but that might take a while."
Arthur lay his head onto Merlin's knee, he didn't see a problem with it anymore. Merlin was his mate, even if they aren't married yet.
Arthur sighed happiness when Merlin started to scratches his head.
"Can we just stay here?" Arthur's voice was quiet, he was lulled into a hazy state. Merlin just gave him a soft smile.
"We have to go back home later on darling, but there is still time, to just enjoy it here." Merlin's kept his voice low.
The day passed in a quiet lul, there wasn't really a conversation. They just enjoyed the silence. And each other presence.
When dusk started, Merlin pulled the basket closer. "Come now, darling. Time to eat and then head back home."
Arthur pushed himself up with a sigh, he just wanted to stay here. Forget that they were humans and they need to feed and everything.
Merlin could only shake his head for the look Arthur had on his face.
He pulled a strawberry out of the basket, holding it out to Arthur. Arthur gave him an almost shy look before he bites the strawberry that Merlin was still holding.
His face was just as red, but the smile he got from Merlin, made it worth. Arthur relaxed again when Merlin sat down close to him.
They feed each other the fruit that was pack.
When they walked back to the castle, Arthur looked back. Something was telling him that he wouldn't see this place again.
