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Merlin was lying on his bed, in utmost tranquillity, when he heard Arthur yell from the other room. “You used me!” the former king screamed.
Merlin frowned, there wasn’t anyone else in the flat but them. But not even a second later, Aithusa—in her beautifully convenient cat form—came waltzing in, with what looked like a chicken nugget stuck between her sharp teeth, her blue eyes blinking up at him. He’d been around her long enough to read her subtle facial expressions, and right now, she was sporting a mischievous glint.
Aithusa hopped on her little bed and started nibbling at the nugget. Arthur barged in, his forehead creased, he pointed an accusing finger at Aithusa.
“This is why I don’t like cats, she used me. She cuddled up to me pretending to like me, and then stole my last nugget!” Arthur looked like he was describing a criminal offence.
‘You’re right, he is a drama queen,’ Aithusa telepathically whispered to him.
Merlin tried really hard to contain his laughter. “Well, technically she’s a dragon, remember?”
“Not my point, Merlin.”
Arthur rolled his eyes and huffed, before getting on the bed next to Merlin. The stubborn blond crossed his arms.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. “Are you pouting?”
“I really wanted that nugget,” he mumbled.
Judging from the burned smell all over the flat, Merlin doubted the nuggets were that good. Arthur closed his eyes and tilted his head back against the headboard. Merlin glanced at Aithusa.
‘You should come and thank him for what you stole,’ he communicated her.
Merlin swore he could see her eyes roll, before she jumped towards the bed, straight on Arthur’s lap. He opened his eyes and Aithusa buried her face in the crook of his neck, purring. Arthur let out a surprised chuckle before scratching her head. His smile was soft and relaxing.
Aithusa kept cuddling up to Arthur. ‘I like him,’ Aithusa shared, ‘he’s stupid to think otherwise.’
I know, Merlin wanted to say. But Arthur hadn’t always had the best experiences with love, and expressing love, in his past, and he’d been struggling extra hard with his emotions since coming back. King Arthur was brave, courageous and strong — but underneath it all, he was insecure.
Merlin leaned in to the side to scratch Aithusa’s back, looking up at Arthur’s smile.
Underneath it all, Arthur was soft.