Work Text:
A sleepy Arthur stumbled into his chambers, guided by Merlin. Merlin gently undressed him and tucked him in his large four poster bed. He snuffed the candles and torches, only the moons light illuminated the room.
“Good night Arthur.” Merlin whispered, softly kissing him on the forehead. Arthur mumbled something, eyelids flickering.
“What was that?” Merlin jokingly asked, as he knew Arthur was probably asleep. He turned to leave, but a hand caught his wrist, Arthurs hand.
“Join me,” Arthur said with his eyes half open, “Sleep next to me.”
“I- I mean-“ Merlin stuttered as Arthur tugged him closer.
“Join me.” He said more firmly, tugging harder. Merlin started to climb onto the bed but Arthur stopped him. “Take off your dirty clothes, I won’t have you unclean in here.” Arthur was sitting up by now, mostly conscious. So Merlin pulled off his boots and jacket. Next his scarf and shirt. Finally his pants and belt. He awkwardly shivered, the stone floor was chilly. Arthur noticed this small movement and didn’t hesitate to pull Merlin under his bed covers.
Arthur placed a protective arm around Merlin and held him close, like a child clutched a doll. Merlin was grateful for Arthurs warmth, and the softness of his bed. It was much nicer than his own rickety one.
“Before, after you doused the lamps, what did you do?” Arthur asked causally.
“I- I nothing sire I only wished you a goodnight.”
“No, I’m sure that you-“
“Yes?”
“Did you kiss me?”
“I- it wasn’t-“
Arthur turned to face him, his lips slightly parted. Merlins dark hair was tousled, and caught the moonlight similar to how Arthurs caught the sun. A stillness fell around them, the type of quiet intensity that blocked out everything else, as if they were the only souls in the world. Merlin lent forwards slightly, eyes questioning. Arthur answered by brushing their lips together. That feeling engulfed them both, the need to feel skin on skin and lips on lips. Merlin caved into Arthurs embrace and they entwined their legs. Neither wanted to back down, or be the first to end the kiss. Eventually both broke away breathing heavily, mouths puffed from being glued together.
They lay together deep into the night. Until the moon sunk low in the sky and the light of dawn breached the star studded horizon. Arthur had fallen asleep in Merlins embrace, now he was only snoring softly. Merlin untangled himself from the mess of limbs and sheets, and pulled on his clothes from yesterday. He quietly crept back through the waking castle and into the physicians chambers. He hoped that Gaius hadn’t noticed his absence.
Gaius was feigning sleep and noticed Merlin sneak back into his room. For the rest of the day he could hardly fail to notice the long gazes shared between Merlin and Arthur. He smiled to himself and was happy to let the young men figure it out for themselves, as he had when he was their age.