"Arthur, for the last time, just go and lie down!" said Merlin in frustration.

"I don't need to," Arthur replied sharply, turning away from his friend to wipe his streaming eyes and nose.

"Arthur, there's nothing wrong in admitting you're ill-" Merlin began.

"But I'm not ill!" Arthur snapped. "Shut up Merlin, and leave me alone."

"You won't get any better if you don't rest," said Merlin brightly, unfazed by Arthur's sharp tone. He had been addressed in that manner more times than he could remember.

"Since when did you become a doctor?" Arthur scoffed.

"Look, go upstairs to bed and I'll bring you a hot drink," said Merlin calmly. "And a hot water bottle too, if you like."

"A what?"

"Hot water bottle – it's something to warm you up," said Merlin quickly. "Anyway, go away."

"Oh, that's nice," said Arthur sulkily, leaving the room sullenly.

Ten minutes later, Merlin knocked cautiously on Arthur's bedroom door. "Come in," was the brusque reply he received in return. Rolling his eyes, Merlin entered the room, balancing a hot cup of tea on one hand and clutching a hot water bottle in the other.

Arthur was sitting up in bed, glaring at the opposite wall. Merlin placed the cup of tea on his bedside table, and handed Arthur the hot water bottle.

"I thought-" he began.

"MERLIN!" Arthur roared, throwing the hot water bottle to the other side of the room in a panic. "This is burning!"

"It's-" Merlin began.

"You incompetent fool!" Arthur fumed. "You made it wrong!"

"It's meant to be like that!" said Merlin, picking the hot water bottle off the ground.

Arthur's mouth fell open. "Why would people want it boiling hot like that?"

"They're actually very good to have when you're ill," Merlin explained. "Very relaxing..."

"I don't care," Arthur interrupted.

"...and very nice and comforting," Merlin continued.

"I don't care!" Arthur repeated, his voice slightly louder.

"And also really-"

"I DON'T CARE!" Arthur bellowed.

Merlin stepped backwards in alarm. "Alright, calm down."

"Go away," Arthur snarled.

Merlin sighed. "If you insist."

Arthur glared at him. "Yes, I do insist. And if you don't leave right this minute, I'll throw that tea over you." He gestured threatningly at the tea sitting on his bedside cabinet.

Merlin shook his head. "You're scary even when you're ill. Don't take that as a compliment!" he added hastily as Arthur's face broke out into a wide smile.

"Well, it's too late, you've said it now," said Arthur smugly.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Idiot."

"Anyway, go," said Arthur firmly. "I mean it, go!"

"No," Merlin replied simply. He held the hot water bottle out to his friend. "Come on Arthur, you're being ridiculous."

Arthur's only answer was a glare.

Merlin placed the hot water bottle next to him. "Right, I'll go now," he said quickly, darting out of the room.

"MERLIN!" he heard Arthur roar from behind him. There was a loud thump and Merlin assumed he had thrown the hot water bottle on the floor. Shaking his head with exasperation, Merlin retreated down the hall, planning to return to check on Arthur in a few minutes time.

About ten minutes had passed before Merlin knocked cautiously on Arthur's door. He was met with silence, and entered the room tentatively.

Arthur was lying in bed, fast asleep. His arms were wrapped around the hot water bottle, clutching it, almost protectively, to his chest.

Merlin smiled as he made his way over to the cabinet and picked up the empty cup of tea. The movement awoke Arthur, who sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes and blinking repeatedly.

"Hello Arthur!" said Merlin brightly.

Arthur scowled at him. "I know what you're going to say, but I don't actually like this hot water bottle thing. I don't even know why it's here - I thought it was on the floor."

"Yeah," said Merlin seriously. "Well, I'll take it away if you don't want it."

"No, I'll keep it," said Arthur casually. "You never know, I might need it."

Merlin raised his eyebrows. "I'm sure you will. But would you like me to get you another one?"

"Why, what's wrong with this one?" said Arthur in surprise.

"Nothing," said Merlin, with genuine surprise in his voice. "I just thought...you know."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Well, I thought you'd complain that I gave you a pale pink hot water bottle decorated with fluffy sheep, but maybe that's just me," said Merlin meekly, running out of the room and leaving Arthur staring at his hot water bottle in bewilderment, wondering what was so wrong with it.

A/N: Hope you liked this one, and thank you to everyone who has reviewed this! :)