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Merlin struggled as he tried to carry the baskets of laundry down the hall. He just had to have been sick for an entire week, making Prince Prat give him twice what he normally does. He grumbled to himself about stupid princes and evil prats and stinky laundry... he didn’t even notice the stairs until it was too late.
Merlin let out a loud yelp of fearful surprise as he tripped, falling down the stairs. For one entire moment he completely forgot about his magic; or maybe it had registered in his mind that he was still in the castle and anyone could see him.
Anyone… including the prince.
“Merlin!” He barely registered the voice, bracing himself for impact, but when none came, he opened his eyes in surprise and confusion. He was even more surprised to find that he was in Arthur’s arms and that Arthur was currently on the ground... with Merlin laying on top of him, and with baskets of laundry surrounding them both.
“A-Arthur…!?” Merlin stuttered and Arthur groaned.
“Could you be any clumsier?” Arthur sighed, looking up at Merlin with blue eyes wide in concern. “Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?” Merlin stood up and helped Arthur off the ground.
“I-I’m so sorry…! I didn’t mean to-” Merlin managed to stammer out part of the sentence, but Arthur cut off the rest with a kiss.
“Just be more careful next time, okay?” He said softly and Merlin nodded.
“O-Okay…” he stuttered, blushing darkly and he watched, stunned, as Arthur left him where he was. The baskets of laundry still a mess on the ground around him.