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Merlin was waiting on the sidelines, two takeaway cups in his hands and a big grin on his face. He was suited up in a black coat buttoned all the way up, multi-coloured gloves adorned his hands. A blue scarf was wrapped tightly around his slender neck and a pair of fuzzy pink ear warmers were bracketing his head.
The mismatched outfit was so perfectly Merlin that Arthur wanted to plaster the man with kisses.
God, he'd missed him.
Arthur hurried over.
He pointed at the earmuffs as he approached Merlin. "I'm surprised they cover your ears," he teased.
"Oh, ha ha. I have hot coffee in my hands, you better watch it." Merlin raised the cup of coffee, threatening to pour it.
"Hmm you wouldn't, you love me too much," Arthur said smugly.
Merlin blushed a little and pulled a face but didn't disagree. "I must do, to wait in line that long just to get you a drink." He handed Arthur his coffee and took a sip of his own hot chocolate.
Arthur caught Merlin's hand and interlaced their fingers. He wished Merlin would take off his ridiculously thick gloves so he could feel Merlin's skin.
Arthur had touched down from New Zealand the night before. The Firm had opened a new branch there and Arthur had to go in and check everything was running smoothly. Arthur was very disgruntled that he'd had to leave Merlin behind.
He'd been too knackered to do much when he finally reached home, jet lag and general tiredness had him tripping over his own feet on the way to the hotel. He'd clocked in a reasonable amount of hours before forcing himself to rise from the nice cozy duvet.
He was surprised at how perky he was feeling considering he'd felt like he'd been run over by a bus only a few hours ago. Maybe it was the prospect of seeing Merlin after so long apart.
They decided to meet at the Christmas fair. Arthur knew how much Merlin loved skating and wanted to surprised him with the Christmas ice rink.
"Come here." Arthur pulled Merlin closer, wiping his thumb over Merlin's lower lip where a smudged line of hot chocolate lay.
Merlin pressed a kiss to Arthur's thumb before dragging him in for a real kiss. They stayed like that, Arthur's hands knotted in Merlin's, as they breathed into each other's space.
"Come on, or we'll miss our slot on the ice rink."
"Ice rink?" Merlin's eyes lit up.
Arthur showed their tickets and they entered the temporary marquis to swap into their skates.
Arthur had nearly fallen over already, half crouching as he did all the laces up. Merlin had been given the easy clip ones.
Merlin laughed. "Stop, stop." He batted Arthur's hands away and made deft work of tying Arthur's laces. Arthur blushed and grumbled but appreciated the gesture.
Merlin had gracefully stepped onto the ice, looking as if it was just natural par for the course.
Arthur, however, flailed onto the ice. He immediately grabbed for the side then slowly shuffled forward.
Merlin hovered, following Arthur as he shuffled around the rink.
"Want to hold my hand? I promise it's not so scary being away from the side if there's someone to hold on to."
"I'm not scared." Arthur refuted, indignant. "I'm just... Out of practice."
"Come here," Merlin said softly. He wrapped an arm around Arthur and they very slowly moved away from the side. They were close enough that Arthur would feel reassured.
Arthur relaxed a bit and Merlin moved his arm from Arthur's waist to hold his hand. Arthur clutched tightly to it and began to smile as they slowly swept around the ice.
A small child came rearing up to them, going far too fast to stop on time. Merlin lifted their linked hands so that they didn't all crash into one another.
They'd done one loop around the rink.
Instead of penguins, this ice rink had small plastic seats for children to push around. Merlin grinned.
He grabbed one and gestured for Arthur to sit.
Arthur scoffed. "Is this your way of saying I have a small ass?"
"You have a lovely arse, Arthur. Now sit it in the chair."
"These are for children, you know." Arthur said as he sat down.
"Perfect for you then," Merlin teased and pushed him around the rink, skates moving quickly over the ice.
They shrieked and laughed as they went around. Arthur let his hands fly out to his sides like that scene from titanic as Merlin laughed behind and pushed him round in circles.
By the time they got off, they were both warm, rose flushed and grinning like idiots.
Arthur feeling a bit wobbly legged after taking the skates off but he was still determined to go around the rest of the fair.
Merlin was rosy cheeked and beautiful as they wandered around the market, stopping by each stall and seeing what goods they could buy. The lights were soft, golden glows surrounding each wooden hut.
They'd nearly reached the end of the fair.
"Look! A carousel." Merlin pointed towards the gleaming Carousel. A small gathering of families stood around, waiting.
"I haven't been on one of those since I was nine," Arthur commented.
"Really? Let's go on it!" Merlin pulled him towards it.
Merlin hurriedly paid for the both of them and ran on to grab a random horse and Arthur sat on the one next to it.
Merlin tapped his feet excitedly in the fake stirrups. The generic carousel song played as the machine started up, horses slowly bobbing up and down as the ride began.
It sped up, getting a little faster with each full rotation.
Merlin laughed, head tilting back, clutching the pole to keep his balance.
Arthur watched, entranced. God, I'm going to marry this man someday.
Merlin turned to him, still smiling.
"What are you thinking?"
"Why?"
The carousel slowed down.
"You're face went all, I don't know, gooey."
Arthur pursed his lips.
"Oh come on, tell me." Merlin whined, a smile playing around his lips.
Arthur hummed in false contemplation, as his horse went up and Merlin's went down.
Merlin pouted.
Foul play, Arthur always folded at that.
"I was just thinking, one day I'm going to marry you." Arthur said, voice hushed.
The music had quieted, slowing with the horses as the ride gradually came to a stop.
Merlin heard him.
"Arthur," he breathed. He stumbled off his horse and reached up to kiss Arthur thoroughly.
Arthur leaned down, like a knight on his steed. His palm curved against Merlin's face, pulling him closer.
"Love you," Merlin repeated against his mouth. "Love you, love you, love you. So much."
His hands were in his hair, a shared promise on both their lips.
"Love you too."
A short, stout looking man said loudly that the ride had ended and that the new one was about to begin.
They broke apart. Giggling, they departed from the Carousel.
Arthur looped his fingers through Merlin's once more, and Merlin kissed Arthur's ring finger. Arthur squeezed their joined hands.
It truly was the most wonderful time of the year.