Chapter Text
The weeks past had been spent declaring new laws regarding magic. Magic users must register, they cannot use magic maliciously or for personal or selfish gain, and dark magic is still outlawed. The people took the news surprisingly well, except the few older knights who had been under Uther’s early rule.
So, naturally, as Camelot does best, there is a feast to celebrate magic.
Both Arthur and Merlin are drunk as Merlin helps his lord to his chambers. Though Arthur is much more drunk. The only reason Merlin is because he sipped Arthur’s goblet one too many times.
As they’re in Arthur’s chambers the king stops and stares at Merlin.
“Do that thing where you glow.” He says.
“What?” Merlin asks.
“Glow for me Merlin.”
“Arthur you’re not making any sense.”
“Yes I am! That night before you almost…ehm…when the cuffs came off you glowed.”
“Did I? But that was weeks ago.”
“Do it again!”
“I can’t.”
“But I’m ordering you to.”
“You know I would do anything for you Arthur but I don’t actually know how to glow like that.”
Arthur’s face drops and Merlin begins chewing his lips as he notices Arthur pouting. Looking to see if the door is closed, he brings his palms up and creates a a golden light that he sends to envelope his whole self.
Arthur’s jaw drops and he smiles.
Arthur stands closer to Merlin to touch the light until Merlin can’t hold onto the magic any longer. He can’t concentrate as well when he’s had wine or ale inside him.
But Arthur is still staring at him.
“Arthur? Are you alright? You look sad.”
“You are beautiful.” Arthur says in almost a daze.
Merlin is sure that if he had been sipping on anything he would have started sputtering.
“W-what?” Merlin asks.
“Hm?” Arthur says.
“What did you say Arthur?”
“I don’t know…my mind is jumbled.”
Merlin smiles and sighs.
“Well let’s get you to bed then sire.”
“Not yet Merlin. Let’s sit by the fire.”
With a certain amount of effort they make it to the fire in one piece. There’s some fur on the ground to make them more comfortable. They sit right beside each other, their hands touching once in a while. Merlin wonders what Arthur is thinking about as he looks at his frowning face. In a bout of courage, probably propelled by the wine, he reaches out and smoothes out his eyebrows.
Arthur stops Merlin’s hand and Merlin fears he may have overstepped but Arthur just brings Merlin’s hand down to his lap and begins caressing it, almost absentmindedly.
“Are you afraid?” Merlin asks.
“Afraid of what?” Arthur asks.
“Afraid of this new world, a world where magic isn’t outlawed.”
“No.”
“You always say that.”
“But I mean it this time. Because I have you by my side Merlin.” Arthur takes Merlin’s hand that he had been caressing and puts it to his own heart. Merlin can feel the fast beating of his king’s heart and swallows. He isn’t sure if it’s the fire that’s making him feel hot or the closeness but he’s sure that soon he won’t be capable of breathing. Arthur reaches out and with a finger gently, very gently, begins outlining Merlin’s throat as he gulped. Merlin’s eyes are glued to Arthur’s trying to figure out his thoughts. Even though he prides himself in knowing his kings’s thoughts he never truly does. Merlin licks his lips. Arthur moves forward and Merlin’s eyes slowly widen. Arthur finally stops right by Merlin’s ear.
“Can you ever forgive me?” He asks quietly and with a pleading tone in his voice. Merlin shivers at the deep tone so close to his ear.
It’s Merlin’s turn to take Arthur’s hand in his, so he puts it to his own heart and lets Arthur feel his fast heartbeat.
“I forgave you a long time ago Arthur. You must know that.”
Their foreheads touch and they continue looking into each other’s eyes until Arthur whispers.
“Thank you.”