Work Text:
Merlin was in the living room sitting on the couch with his Kindle, when he jumped because of kitchen cabinets banging. Arthur came into the room muttering to himself about incompetent PAs, burned coffee and overtimes. He flung himself to the other side of the couch and stretched out with his feet firmly planted against Merlin’s hip. Like he always did, except… his shoulders were tense, there was a crease on his forehead and he was slightly clenching his jaw, just like he had been doing for the last week and a half. The same Arthur who was always making fun of Merlin for being clumsy started banging himself on seemingly every piece of furniture they owned. It was like there was a nervous energy clinging to his very skin.
Merlin pulled his legs to his chest and hugged his knees, Kindle dangling from his hand without a care.
“Arthur, you okay?”
Arthur, who had found a promising movie, just hummed and replied without turning from the TV, “Mmhm yeah, it was just a long day, don’t worry about it.” He threw a small smile at Merlin’s way which Merlin was sad to realize did not reach his eyes. He went back to his book and let Arthur be.
Merlin couldn’t help but steal glances at his partner as Arthur was either humming or tapping his fingers on the remote nervously, biting his lips once in a while. After the fifth tap tap tap, Merlin couldn’t stay silent. Anxiety was a foreign thing on Arthur. Seeing him silently suffer through was not an option for Merlin anymore.
“Arthur..”
“Hmm?”
“Besides my mum, you’re the most important person in my life. You know that, right?”
Arthur’s lips twitched, his face relaxed. “Yes, Merlin. I know. The feeling’s mutual.”
“Right… So, ask me then.”
The blasted frown returned to Arthur’s face, this time accompanied with a little confusion, he muted the TV and looked at Merlin;
“What?”
Merlin sighed, putting his Kindle on the side table. He turned toward Arthur, one hand on his ankle gently soothing, “I love you. And I can’t take it when you’re stressed. You know that.. It’s even more unbearable when it’s because of… well.. Because of
me
,” Merlin swallowed and took a breath “so ask me.”
Arthur felt the air leave his lungs. He opened his mouth and then closed it again, his eyes shifting around nervously. Merlin squeezed his ankle but gave him space. Arthur closed his eyes and took a couple of breaths to calm down. He finally rasped out what he was keeping in his chest for almost two weeks.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
Merlin’s answer was only a whisper but so very confident, sure and solid. With that one little word Arthur felt all his muscles truly relax for the first time since he bought that simple yet elegant ring which was still safely in… his home office desk which Merlin was frantically puttering around last week trying to find a document.
“You found the r..”
“I found the ring,” said Merlin with a little chuckle. Arthur laughed then, head thrown back, carefree and so so lovely. A laugh like the ones which made Merlin fall head over heels almost four years ago. So Merlin just stared at his
fiance
with all the unhidden adoration in his eyes to see Arthur blush under his gaze. Merlin’s smile grew wider. He leaned over and planted a solid kiss on his
fiance’s
lips before returning to his own corner and picking up his book.
Arthur cleared his throat and said “I was gonna prepare for it you know… to make it special..”
“I know,” Merlin gave Arthur’s ankle another squeeze and went back to his reading.
“I was gonna kneel and everything,” Arthur teased, blush still firmly on his cheeks. He turned toward the TV and unmuted his movie.
“Hmm, yes you will do all that later,” Merlin hummed.
“Oh will I?”
“Yep.” Merlin’s smile was blinding at this point.
“Ah, alright then,” Arthur smiled thinking Merlin wouldn’t see it coming next time. He would have to involve Morgana to ensure that.