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The world crept in slowly. Lazy, like a stream carving a chasm into the ground with endless patience.
At first, only heavy warmth permeated the darkness. The soothing feel of thick covers, the solid weight of an arm over Merlin’s waist pushing him deeper into the soft mattress, the heat of a steady heartbeat pressed soundly against his back. The faint tickle of slow, even breaths on his neck.
Somewhere beyond the cocoon of sheets and smooth skin, raindrops pattered against the window in quiet whispers. A hushed rustle of cloudburst, lulling Merlin’s senses all the while coaxing him into awareness.
With slow, heavy blinks, he opened his eyes to dull light, morning’s brilliant sharpness curtained by dense clouds. It made the room look muted, as though its colour had been drained away overnight.
Arthur stirred behind him, nuzzling into his neck, pulling him closer in his sleep. Merlin smiled, glancing back over his shoulder to look at his King.
There was nothing muted about Arthur. The whole world could turn grey and Arthur would still be golden, shining bright as the sun. How had Merlin ever gotten so lucky?
As gently as he could, he turned in Arthur’s arms, staying just as close, heartbeat against heartbeat. He brushed his fingertips over Arthur’s face, barely a touch along stubbled cheeks, a relaxed brow, down his nose and drawing ghost-lines over his lips.
How had he ever gotten so lucky? After everything, he hadn’t thought he could ever have this.
“Y’re thinking ‘gain.”
Yet here he was.
“Am not,” Merlin whispered back.
Here they were.
Sky blue eyes fluttered open, searching without focus until they found Merlin’s. A tiny smile tugged on Arthur’s lips, and he was still smiling when he drew back from a soft kiss.
“Hi.”
Merlin smiled back helplessly.
“Hi.”
Arthur raised his head, squinting at the downpour splattered against the window. Breathing a quiet sigh, he sank back into the pillows.
“It worked, it’s finally raining.”
Merlin nodded. “It will for a while.”
Tightening his hold on Merlin, Arthur buried his face in Merlin’s shoulder, dropping light kisses on his skin.
“Rain means no training,” he murmured, mouth wandering up Merlin’s neck.
Merlin chuckled softly. “Indeed, sire. So?”
The formal address earned him a huff, and Arthur drew away to give him what should’ve been a glare, but lacked any trace of true irritation.
“So, Merlin, neither of us has anywhere to be anytime soon,” said Arthur, pulling him impossibly closer. “Meaning—”
“You want to stay in bed all morning like the lazy daisy you are,” Merlin finished in his stead.
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Insolence, Merlin.”
“Am I wrong?” Merlin teased with a smirk.
Instead of a response, Arthur kissed him soundly. Thoroughly. He kept kissing him until they were both breathless, until Merlin had forgotten what he meant to tease him about. Then, all at once, Arthur rolled on top of him, pushing him back into the soft cushions as he looked down at him, smug as a cat that got the cream.
“Are you complaining?”
It was Merlin’s turn to roll his eyes, winding his arms around Arthur’s neck to drag him into another kiss. Deep and slow, despite the heat building between them. Merlin could’ve lost himself in it forever.
“I love you,” he murmured, when they finally broke for air.
And Arthur smiled. Warm and genuine and so full of love it took Merlin’s breath away. It always would.
“I love you too.”