Valor and Tenderness
Merlin woke up on a day like any other. It stared of as any other, bright and early. He was in a good mood, even with the chores he had to do in the morning. Because doing chores, especially for Arthur, meant they could spend some quality time together. Oh they get to spend a lot of time together every day but it feels special when its just the two of them, no duties or other people interrupting or teasing them.
Now not every one knew they were together, it was mostly kept in their friend circle for now because Arthur hadn't found a way to tell Uther yet. But their friends made sure to do everything in their power to make sure they spend extra time together.
Merlin made his way to Arthur's room carrying an empty basket for dirty clothes and sheets, which he knew he would find in the prince's room even though Arthur has gotten a but cleaner lately. Probably to give Merlin less work so they could be together more.
Upon opening the door he saw a red vest thrown haphazardly over a chair, a white undershirt over another chair, a sword leaning next to said chair, and boots in the far corner of the room. Merlin huffed but smiled as he walked closer to the bed, picking things up as he went.
On the bed there was Arthur. Half sleeping, arms under a pillow, the sheet almost on the floor.
"You know you're gonna get sick if you keep sleeping half naked." Merlin picked up the sheet to pull it off but Arthur caught his hand.
"I'm not as fragile as you. And thought you would appreciate it." Arthur smirked sleepily.
Merlin blushed a bit, returning the smirk, "Come on sleeping beauty. Rise and shine."
Just and Merlin said those words he was pulled down to the bed into Arthur's embrace. He didn't try to resist the pull, he just burst into laughter followed by Arthur.
"Not that I mind this, but you should at least get up. Or let me get your breakfast and we could eat together." Despite his words Merlin found himself hugging Arthur back.
"Feeling lazy this morning. Not that hungry yet either. Let's just relax like this for a while." Arthur pulled Merlin closer and burred his face in his hair, inhaling an earthy scent, "You have a nice scent. On anyone else I don't think I'd like it but on you it just works."
Merlin chuckled, "Thanks, I think. You need a bath by the way."
"In a few minutes." Arthur kissed the top of Merlin's head gently.
He loved that only he got to see this sappy, gentle side of Arthur. Usually he puts on a bit of an act to look cooler in front of others, to be brave, tough and chivalrous but Merlin always tells him he's cool enough as he is and embodies all the good knightly qualities that he strives for. In turn Arthur doesn't let anyone talk down to Merlin for being "just his servant". Merlin could be a bit clumsy at times but there's no one Arthur trusts more than him.
"You know..." Merlin mumbled sleepily, "If any of our friends find us like this they'll never let us live it down."
"Of course they will. I'm the prince, if I tell them they saw nothing then they saw nothing."
Merlin laughed lightly, "Its cute that you think you're intimidating."
"Can you just stop talking and let us cuddle in silence. I know that I'll be listening to your voice for the rest of the day."
"I thought you liked to listen to my voice." Merlin answered cheekily.
Arthur responded by planting a kiss on his forehead and a light one on his lips before mumbling, "I do. But I really wanna sleep for a while longer. Just let me be."
Merlin sighed, not an annoyed sigh, but a dreamy one, "Fine. Just this once though. And just because I don't have the luxury of sleeping in often. I wonder why."
Arthur didn't respond, he just hummed, his arms holding Merlin close. Merlin snuggled closer to him, deciding to give in and indulge in a few more minutes of intimacy and sleep.