Work Text:
“Hold still,” chastised Lancelot as he dabbed the disinfectant on Merlin’s arm.
“It stings!” whined Merlin petulantly.
“Yes, well, you should have thought about that before running off to face a chimera by yourself.” Lancelot set the disinfectant down and grabbed a roll of bandages. “I could’ve helped you.”
Merlin scowled, though he did look sorry. “There wasn’t time, it would have gotten into the castle otherwise. Do you have any idea how stressful it is to search for a thing that runs twice as fast as you? Very. Stressful.”
“You made it though,” said Lancelot. He tucked the end of the bandage under so it was secure and looked up. “I just wish you wouldn’t disregard your own safety so easily.”
That made Merlin soften, and he reached for Lancelot’s hand. “I don’t, I promise. I’m careful.”
Lancelot couldn’t help but pull him close, then, succumbing to the desperate need to feel Merlin’s warmth, to feel that he was alive.
“Take me with you next time.”
“I always do when it’s possible.” He tightened his hold until Merlin let out a tiny squeak. “I do!”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “You do. And don’t you dare stop doing it.”
“I won’t,” said Merlin, burying his face in Lancelot’s neck. “Alright? I won’t.”
It was the best they could do while nobody knew of Merlin’s magic. One day, Lancelot would have to do something about that. But not today. Today, he just wanted to keep Merlin in his arms.
“Yeah, alright.”