Athena looked at her father, who looked back at her in utter shock, before shrugging and waving his hand, as if to say, "It's up to you."
"A-Arthur. You should be in bed, resting." She walked up to him, and slung his arm around her shoulders and attempting to drag him to his room.
"I refuse to leave until you give me an answer!" He sounded like he was in pain, and it hurt her heart.
"I will give you your answer once you are in full health!" She yelled back at him, and surprisingly, he complied. Merlin, helping Athena, got Arthur back upstairs and into bed. King Eochaid shrugged, and Uther told him he could stay as long as he'd like.
Arthur told them about how he was able to hear every word anyone said to him, but he was unable to respond. He was paralyzed. Athena grimaced as he told her he could hear her song.
He wasn't supposed to hear it. She was completely embarrassed, and she could see the small smirk upon Arthur's lips.
After everyone was leaving the room to let Arthur rest, he asked Athena to stay. She didn't want to, she was still flustered at Arthur hearing everything she had said.
But she stayed, sitting by his bedside silently.
Arthur quietly took a hold of her hand, and raised it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles gently, before placing it on his chest. He held her hand for almost an hour, before she could hear his light snoring.
She smiled slightly, and tried to pull away, when suddenly she was pulled, and was on the bed. He still had a grip on her hand, and suddenly his arms were around her. He was so warm, and… Shirtless.
This was the first time she had noticed, and seen this man shirtless, and she could feel her face turning the same shade as her hair. He wasn't fat, no, he was pure muscle, and she could feel it pressing against her.
She decided he was still asleep, and she tried her hardest not to disturb him while freeing herself from his grasp. When she was finally successful, she looked down at him, and laughed softly. His hair was unruly, and he was splayed across the entire bed like a child.
Shaking her head, she left his chambers, and returned to her own, where she fell asleep trying to figure out her emotions.
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It was the next morning, when Merlin stopped by the kitchen to pick up Arthur's breakfast, he hesitated.
There was… Laughter coming from the room. And everything smelled particularly delightful. Merlin pressed on the door and gasped slightly.
There stood the High Princess, with an apron on, her hair up, cooking with the royal chefs. And they were all happy, laughter filling the room.
Merlin smiled and walked in, clearing his throat and looking towards Athena.
"Merlin! I'm happy to see you! Are you here to pick up the Prince's breakfast?" She looked at him, and he had to stop himself from laughing. She had flour on her cheek, and her eyes were bright. She looked so very liberated.
She handed Merlin a tray, that held some sweet smelling fruit, a bowl of porridge that looked way better than anything he was normally used to seeing the Prince eat, and a goblet of….
"What's in this cup?"
Athena looked incredulous.
"Haven't you ever had orange juice, Merlin?"
Merlin looked ashamed, and lowered his head.
"W-Well, me mum never had a lot of money, and we couldn't buy fruit all that ofte-"
Athena shushed him, and took the tray from his hands. Setting it down, she pulled a pitcher of juice off the counter, and filled another goblet full.
Handing it to him, she smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Drink that, and I'll bring the tray to his room. Okay?" Merlin nodded, and took a sip of the juice, smiling widely.
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Athena watched Arthur tuck into his breakfast ravenously, and she smiled as she did so.
"Compliment the cooks for me, would you?"
"Why don't you compliment her yourself?" Said Athena, and Arthur looked up, a brow raised.
"You're telling me you made this?" His voice was incredulous, and Athena just chuckled.
"Just eat up, Arthur. I heard your knights have been getting bored without you." Athena taunted lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Arthur watched her, while she absentmindedly stared out the window, the sunlight streaming in making her eyes shine like precious jewels.
"Well they don't have to wait much longer." Arthur attempted to get out of bed, but Athena could see the pained look upon his face the second he tried.
"Oh yes they do." She said anxiously, walking back to him and grabbing the now finished tray. She turned around and placed her hands on Arthur's bare shoulders, attempting to push him back onto the bed.
He complied, but only after wrapping his arms around her waist, and pulling her down onto his chest.
She gasped, then groaned her disapproval.
"Sire, release me, this instant. I don't want to hurt you any more than you already are." Her voice was calm, but his only response was squeezing her even tighter and nuzzling the top of her head.
"I think I might just go right back to sleep, just like this."
He rolled over onto his side, bringing her with him, and she moaned angrily.
"Arthur! Let me go!" At this point she was laughing, and he was making small, cute noises while nuzzling her neck like a child.
"I don' wanna." He mumbled, and she rolled her eyes. Her hands were pressed against his chest, and she was awed at how muscular and strong they felt.
"Arthur! Please? I need to get up."
"Why?"
Shit. In all honesty she didn't need to do anything.
"Reasons!"
"Not good enough."
Now she was starting to get irritated, and she did the first thing she thought of.
She pressed her lips to his chest, kissing it for a second, before she bit down, not hard enough to break skin, though. Didn't want to scar him.
"Did you just bite me?!" Arthur yelled, almost falling off of the bed. Athena let out a cackle, and doubled over, her breath coming in shaky gasps as she tried to stop her laughter.
Arthur reached over and grabbed her waist, forcing her to sit up.
"Look at that! YOU LEFT A MARK!"
At this point, Arthur was laughing too, and Merlin walked in, wondering what all the commotion was about.
Athena want silent, looking at the boy, before she started laughing again.
"She bit me!" said Arthur lightheartedly, and Athena looked at him, finally regaining her breath. She was about to say something sarcastic, when she looked to the mark on his chest, then back onto his face. She saw a flash of something predatory and wanting, and it struck her right to her core.
Merlin looked like he was about to start laughing, when Athena got up from the bed, smiling.
"Told you, you should have let me go." She said, before walking out of the room.