Merlin burst the king's door open harshly, having no regard for his best friend's status. He held a silver plate of freshly cooked chicken, vegetables and grapes. He stumbled his way to the bed and brushed his hand against Arthur's forehead. Merlin could feel the edge of his light hair falling against his hand. "Good morning, Arthur!" He spread a wide smile among his cheeks as he returned to rushing around.
Arthur groaned at his servant for waking him up, curling further into his bed. "Is it that time already?" Merlin nodded with a grin and swung the curtains open. It was a nice day, the sun was shining and the courtyard was filled with children playing. He wondered if they were to go down to the training grounds today, it had been awhile. Though that was to be expected, as there was lots of paperwork for the king to sign and not much training he needed to do.
Merlin helped Arthur prop up onto his pillows and placed his breakfast upon his lap. The silver plate fumbled a bit as Arthur moved his thighs under it, it made the servant nervous.
Arthur sighed and took a bite, the tanned chicken was familiar to him, yet delicious. "You always make the most delicious meals, merls." Merlin stopped for a moment, his heart rising. It was an oddly sweet comment for Arthur to make, usually he never bothered with such niceties. It made him wonder why today was different.
"Thank you, sire." He watched him eat for another moment before walking away to prepare Arthur's clothes for the morning. He swung open the beautifully carved dresser, resting his fingers on the golden knobs.
"Oh merlin," Merlin paused for a moment at his words, " we're going out this morning for a stroll in the forest." Merlin nodded and continued gathering his clothing. With that in mind he took out a soft orange tunic and some lightweight trousers. It would be warm out today and in the windy welsh summer, he wouldn't want any extra layers.
"What for, sire?" He asked, placing the clothes on his bed before sitting down beside him.
Arthur sighed and placed his fork down for a moment, "in these past months we haven't seemed as…close. I miss our days hunkering down in the woods with nothing but ourselves and a will to survive. With all the treaties and lack of war torn distress we've hardly had time." he laughed at himself, resuming his meal.
"Will we be hunting?" Merlin looked less than amused at that thought, biting his lip in anticipation.
"Perhaps." the king grinned. He always liked to keep these things a secret from Merlin until they had gotten there, something the servant truly hated.
The bumping of the horse against Merlin's pelvis was a sensation he had gotten used to in these past years. It had left bruises along the less muscular parts of his lower half in the beginning, now he had just gotten numb to it. He watched the bright sun as it shone against the blades of grass they rode on. It was very peaceful this time of day. He watched as Arthur stood up straight and regally, riding his horse as if it were a simple task. "Are we almost there?" Merlin spoke up.
"Yes, my dear merlin." he sang, looking back at the man with a kind yet playful grin. " You're so impatient." Merlin gave him a sarcastic smile back. Arthur didn't ask for his bow and arrow this morning, only his trusty sword, of which he brought everywhere. He hoped this meant they weren't hunting, or 'fighting to survive' as Arthur had insinuated.
They halted as they noticed a clearing, Merlin remembered passing through there in the winter. It was much more beautiful without all of the snow. They dismounted their horses and approached the area. The sun rested through the summer trees and fell upon the warm ground. It left a streak of light like one of the paintings hung up in the castle. Arthur laid down against a tall spruce tree. The aged bark pressing against his expensive tunic. "Join me. ''
He patted the grassy path beside him and rested his head gently in the nook of the tree. Merlin did as he was asked, kneeling down and placing himself against the grassy nature.
"Such a beautiful day isn't it?" Arthur wrapped his arm around his servant, watching his body sink into him. His warmth was relaxing, like a pail of apple cider on a fall evening. He could feel Merlin's anxiety growing as he adjusted his posture to be more polite. Arthur dismissed him, however, pulling the man in closer.
"Why are we here?" Merlin asked as he began to relax into the touch. Arthur sighed and held the man's chin, he turned it towards him. The man blushed as he attempted to look away.
Merlin really was beautiful, even if Arthur would never admit it out loud. He couldn't help but let his eyes trail down to his lips, they were soft and pink. He wondered what they felt like.
Arthur shook his head lightly, removing the thought from his brain. Merlin blushed a darker pink as he moved closer. Arthur let go and rested his head against the tree. He would never tell Merlin the real reason he had invited him, that would be far too…embarrassing. Instead he delayed it even longer.
He pulled the man tighter and held his head into his chest. He could feel his hot breath against him. His dark brown hair brushed against his chin. "I already told you, I'm bored of the royal life. I needed some time away."
"And I needed to come?" Merlin looked up again, giving him a cheeky smile. Arthur laughed a bit and dug his nails into him.
"Shh. don't ruin my relaxation." He pulled his eyes away with arrogance. It amazed him how little respect the peasant had for his king, despite them being friends. "Besides, you're my lesser, I don't have to answer you."
Merlin forced a laugh, he hated being a servant, always doing things for Arthur. It felt degrading. He knew others would kill for a position like this however, to be so close to the king. He wished he could go back to Ealdor sometimes, to wake up on the dirty floor and eat his mother's rabbit stew. She would smile at him and ask about his dreams as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. He would miss Arthur though, if only he wasn't a king, and Merlin wasn't a peasant. Maybe one day he could bring him to visit her. That thought brought him comfort.
The two sat in silence for a while, watching the bustling nature with a comfortable boredom. "Merlin," Arthur spoke, breaking their silence. "Are we…friends?" it was an odd question, of course they were, the servant thought. They had known each other for years, and although he could be a real ass, Merlin liked his company. He supposed the class divide made it hard for the king to admit their bond. He had always cared what Uther, his late father, thought about all this. He was very strictly anti servant it seemed. Arthur was never like that though. He always enjoyed their time together and often forgot it was even taboo.
"Yes, I think." Merlin hesitated, maybe that wasn't the right answer. If this had been some sort of test on his politeness, or whatever those royals would call it. Instead of smacking him over the head, however, Arthur just smiled at him. A relieved look on his face.
"I'm glad." The way Arthur spoke sometimes was almost romantic, like there was more to them, then a simple friendship. He felt this burst of adrenaline in his ribcage, just waiting to burst out.
Merin felt himself lift up, coming closer to Arthur. He hadn't even thought beforehand, as if his body just moved for him. And before he had time to contemplate it, he felt his lips touching Arthur's. His heart stopped for a moment. As if any move he made would change the warm comfort he was feeling.
It had felt so natural to his subconscious, as if they had done this a million times. But as he had quickly realised. They had never done this, they hadn't even come close. Honestly it was almost humorous after Arthur had spoken about him being his lesser. Surprisingly, Arthur didn't pull away though, he leant in. Placing a hand on the sorcerer's cheek and pressing them closer.
It was quite a surprise that Merlin was the one to kiss him, after all, this little trip of theirs was only to court the man. He hadn't planned on this for at least a week, but apparently the servant had other plans. He wasn't complaining though, at least he knew he wanted it too. He felt Merlin begin to heat up and sweat in an instant, panicking. It was almost…cute.
They pulled away a moment later. He suffered to make eye contact, the tension only growing. "Merlin…" he spoke, as if there was anything to talk about that the kiss hadn't already explained.
Merlin pulled his body off of Arthurs a bit, covering his blushing face in his hands, he felt like crying. This wasn't how he wanted this to happen. How was he supposed to know what Arthur's words meant? How was he supposed to know what the other was feeling, as if it was anything but disgust for his impolite actions. "I'm so sorry, i-i don't know what came over me i just-"
Arthur reached for him again and pulled him into another kiss, he gripped his bruised hips so he couldn't pull away again. He felt the slimness of his body under his lightweight clothing, it ached for him to touch it.
When the kiss had ended he gave him this kind of look, like something was meant to be obvious to the flustered man. " Merlin." he gasped in delight, there were so many things he wanted to say. I love you…i love you i love you i love you.
"I…enjoy your company." he muttered out, struggling to say anything Merlin would actually be able to comprehend. Merlin just nodded at him and swallowed hard, clearly not understanding. "I want to be with you!" he burst out, it was not the subtle confession he wanted but it would have to do, as there was no going back. Merlin's wide eyed blush said it all, he had just hoped he felt the same.
Merlin laughed after a moment. He had begun to notice just how flustered the usually very put together king was. It was sweet, it made him feel like more than just a servant. "Me too." he spoke with a slight shake in his voice, an honest smile decorating his lips.
Merlin gave him that familiar look of his and fell into his chest, the warm sun dancing on his back. For once he was actually glad to have joined him in the woods today.