Work Text:
Arthur was working himself up into a tizzy. He knew it, Morgana knew it as did Gwen. It was just a big moment, right? He was allowed a mini break down over something this big. Marriage.
His first one didn’t go so well; neither of the two parties’ fault. Just their love for someone else was greater than their love for each other. By the end of it, a mutual understanding was reached and the friendship was greater. Death had broken their vows; both were free.
But Arthur couldn’t have done what he wanted back then like he could now. It had been illegal. A sin. He sure as hell couldn’t have gone against the law. Yet, a voice liked to remind him that he did have the power. He had held the power to make it happen and maybe he had been a coward then, but he wasn’t a coward now.
Things had changed. You could love who you wanted and even marry them. By the gods! Arthur wanted to marry Merlin just as badly or even more than he had back then.
Twirling a white gold ring between his finger tips, Arthur looked around their ~posh flat, as Merlin liked to say, as if he hadn't stuffed chaos into all the space he could, an old record player that had been bought in the 60’s and seen better days but Merlin always insisted it was fine, even with only one good leg holding it up.
With what Arthur guessed was a thousand records. How Merlin fit them in the living room was probably magic, not that he had an issue with it. That had been a wild ride of acceptance.
Looking at the ring between his finger tips. He thought about whether he could see sharing his life with Merlin. He had also pondered this back then, but the answer was still the same: it would always and forever be a yes. But how?
He could call the restaurant where they first met and have a romantic dinner but he doubted that they would ever let them in again. He had at least paid for the damages. Did he? Well, he sure he had and it’s the thought that counts.
Maybe a walk in the park where they had their first kiss after so much waiting and longing? Maybe he was going too fast; they had only been dating a year. When he mentioned this to Morgana, she had just cuffed him on the back of the head and went on a rant about lifetimes, immortality, destiny and growing a pair. He did have a pair, thank you very much, and Merlin liked them just fine.
He was so focused he didn’t notice the front door of their flat opening till it was slammed shut and followed by the tell-tale signs of Merlin getting home. Loud thumping noise as he dumped all his stuff by the door followed by a curse when something hit his foot.
Stuffing the ring in his pocket and holding his breath, Arthur waited till Merlin made his way into the living area. Soon enough, he appeared. Clad in his scrubs, hair even more wild than when he had left in the morning fixed by Arthur. He looked bone deep tired, but when he saw Arthur sitting on the couch his face lit up and he beamed the smile that was only for Arthur.
Arthur felt his heart warm into goo as he smiled back, unable to stop himself. To him, Merlin lit up the room like a star shining too brightly.
“Long day?” Arthur asked, eyeing the suspicious looking stain on the front of Merlin’s scrubs.
Knowing Merlin and his job, it could be anything from jam from Merlin’s lunch, to something less tasty than jam and definitely more gross.
“Oh you know! The usual—“ Merlin started the normal ‘I work in a hospital and even though I love it it definitely sucked’ rant while he made his way to the kitchen to make his after work tea.
Arthur sat there for a bit, listening to Merlin’s muffled complaining. He could do this, Arthur repeated. It didn’t have to be perfect, it just had to be them. Shaking his head, clearing it of thoughts, he stood and made his way to the kitchen, hoping to grab a Merlin-made tea.
Rounding the corner, Arthur almost tripped over his feet as Merlin came into view. The taller man was still ranting as his magic reached out around him, opening the cupboard with the mugs and turning on the gas under the kettle, which had just been placed there moments before.
Merlin was talking with his hands like always. The more wild and desperate they got, the more Merlin was agitated. Arthur following Merlin's hand as he raises it in the air, and fliped it around. Merlin’s hands have always been pale, looking almost as if snow was frozen in ice. Arthur knew how cold they could be.
Merlin was so engrossed in his work rant he didn’t even notice Arthur had moved,until Arthur wrapped his arms around his middle.
Arthur leaned forward to run his nose along Merlin’s neck. He loved being in modern times with Merlin, as the dark-haired man had taken to wearing his neckerchiefs every so often. This allowed Arthur to stare, watch and mark Merlin’s neck more often.
Pressing a soft kiss low on Merlin’s neck, he nuzzled up along the pale skin, all the way to the ridiculously large ears. Taking a deep breath, Arthur closed his eyes and whispered to Merlin softly,
“Marry me.”
Merlin had frozen in his arms but hadn’t pulled away, so Arthur saw it as a positive. Drawing on all his courage, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He grasped Merlin’s left hand and slipped it onto the ring finger.
Arthur pulled the hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the ring.
“Marry me, Merlin,” he repeated softly. “Become mine.”
His words spurred Merlin into action. Twisting his body around, he gripped Arthur’s face. The coolness of the ring against Arthur’s heated skin anchored him as he looked into Merlin’s bright blue eyes.
“I have always been yours, you prat,” Merlin whispered to Arthur, as if anything but hushed tones would break the spell.
Arthur leaned in, pressing his forehead to Merlin’s, rubbing their noses together lightly.
“Marry me,” Arthur said, even though he knew Merlin’s answer. It was the answer Merlin always gave Arthur, never being able to deny his king. 1,500 years have changed nothing. In fact, it might have made it grow even more.
Merlin didn’t even need to say the words; Arthur could feel the happy buzz of Merlin’s magic leaking onto his skin. The dark haired man gave a shy, soft smile and nodded slightly before leaning in to press his lips against Arthur’s.
It was just a soft meeting of lips, a hint of pressure. A promise. One that Arthur was more than willing to keep, a forever.