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"This is a horrible idea." Merlin says exasperatedly.
"No it isn't! We can actually enjoy the party together!" Arthur tries to reassure him.
"Until I get caught and executed for daring to dance with the prince."
"You can't get executed for that."
"Yeah, tell that to your father. He'd say I enchanted you or something."
"Oh, but you do enchant me." Arthur says, intentionally being cheesy in the hopes that Merlin will blush.
Merlin turns away so he's sure not to give him the satisfaction, ignoring Arthur's pout.
"Shut up. Say a word like that three times and Uther will show up."
"No he won't!"
"I'd rather not test it."
"Fine, but can you just think about it for a moment? Nobody will know it's you, if anyone asks, we can say you're a Lord or something. You won't have to serve anyone, no getting sent to the stocks for tripping, because you know you will."
"I'm not that clumsy." Merlin mutters.
"Yes you are, darling, don't lie." Arthur says offhandedly before he continues, "We can dance all night, you can eat the food instead of dropping it, although, you'll probably do that too."
"Will not!"
"Doesn't it sound wonderful?" Arthur asks as if Merlin hadn't spoken.
"These are pretty hard to hide." Merlin uses one of the defenses he'd come up with, gesturing to his ears.
"Whyever would you hide them? They're adorable!"
"Since when do you say things like that so easily." Merlin grumbles, crossing his arms and wishing he could hide the ears that are now most definitely red.
"Since I realized how I like seeing you all flustered for once. Nothing ever ruffles you, it's always a snarky comeback!"
"I'm just in shock you managed to say something nice."
"See what I mean?"
"You love my sarcasm."
"So? You're still cute when you blush."
"And if you weren't such a prat, I'd say you're cute too."
"Ohh, I see why you like this." Merlin says, smirking evilly at the redness spreading across Arthur's face.
"Back to the important topic, why will you not come to it?" Arthur quickly wants to get Merlin's attention away from the ideas of ways to make him blush.
"I already told you, I don't want to be executed!"
"And I told you, that won't happen!"
"Would your father even be alright with you dancing with a man, Lord or not?"
"If he thinks I'm making good relations with allies, he'll be fine. And I am! He just doesn't need to know the allies I'm going for are magic users."
"And who, exactly would I be?"
Arthur smiles at Merlin's question, knowing this means he's close to giving in.
~
By the time the event has arrived, Arthur had gotten Merlin less worried about it, which is quite progressive, since Merlin worries about everything.
"This is still a bad idea." Merlin says as he nervously looks at the mask Arthur had given him.
"It's not! How often does my father host a party where we can actually be seen talking to each other without anyone knowing what's going on?"
"Not often."
"Exactly! This will be fun!"
Merlin sighs, half-heartedly glaring as he picks up the clothes he's supposed to wear, "You're lucky I love you."
"I am indeed." Arthur smiles as Merlin exits the chambers, following along with Arthur's insistence that they can't arrive together.
He slips into an unused guest room to get changed, absolutely not feeling excited as he puts on the clothes much fancier than his usual style.
He checks his reflection, making sure the mask hides enough that nobody can tell who he is, and makes his way to the room where the party is taking place when the bells ring out the hour.
As he enters the hall with the throngs of people, his eyes are immediately drawn to where Arthur is standing at the front of the room, feeling his heart stutter as he takes in the sunlight shining in his hair, glinting off the circlet, and giving him the golden sheen that Merlin finds very fitting for his golden King, meant to bring in a golden age.
~
Arthur had arrived early, of course, having to be there when his father decided, so before everyone else.
He'd gotten the same lecture as every other event, make allies, hopefully find some Noblewoman or Princess to marry.
He barely listened, instead scanning the entering crowd for Merlin.
The setting sun was providing rays of light to illuminate the hall, helping his search.
His breathing falters a moment when the sunbeams fall just right, hitting the dark hair he so loves to run his fingers through, making it shimmer, and basking him in light, making him look every bit the ethereal being the Druids believe him to be.
Arthur starts walking before he even realizes he's moved, so drawn together as they are, Merlin has walked towards him as well.
"Might I have this dance?" He asks, holding out his hand as the musicians begin to play.
"I don't know, I don't usually dance with strangers." Merlin responds with a sly grin.
"Then let's get to know each other."
They smile at each other as they join hands and take to the floor.
"I suppose I should've mentioned I've never danced like this." Merlin says as he tries to follow the movements of people around him.
"I doubt years of learning would make you any less clumsy."
"Oops." Merlin says after stepping on Arthur's foot.
Arthur smiles and does it right back.
They fall into rhythm quickly, swaying to the music together.
"See, I told you this was a good idea."
"This is only the first dance, I could be executed before the night is over."
"No you won't."
"Don't speak too quickly, your father is certainly keeping an eye on us." Merlin whispers as he catches sight of Uther on a turn.
"He won't come after you." Arthur says surely.
"I don't want him coming after you, either!"
"He won't."
"How do you know?"
"He never does anything too bad, it'll be fine."
"He'd better not."
"Yes, or else he'll have Emrys coming after him."
"And no one wants that."
"I've noticed." Arthur deadpans.
Merlin laughs, knowing he's referring to the times Merlin has found creative ways to get back at him.
They dance until they're both too tired to move, and drop into chairs to get something to eat.
"Arthur. Who is this?"
Uther has decided to take this opportunity to interrogate them.
Arthur uses the name and affiliation they'd come up with, so Uther will think Merlin is someone in the Nobility.
"Splendid party, Your Highness." Merlin says, trying to sound charming and haughty, the way he's heard so many Nobles speak.
"Yes, thank you. Arthur, I think the Lady I mentioned earlier is still available for a dance."
"I'm afraid I'm all danced out at the moment, father. Maybe after something to eat."
"Make sure you do."
Arthur does not.
He eats and drinks, talks and dances, all with Merlin.
Expect one dance, just before the end where he doesn't have to be too close and give any ideas, he does have a turn with the Lady, but she wasn't nearly as interested in him as his father made it seem, her eyes continuously straying to another Lady waiting against the wall.
As soon as possible, they split and return to their proper partners.
"Have I been outdone?" Merlin asks when he returns.
"Oh yes, she was wonderful. Didn't step on me once."
"Well I suppose you can just ask her to continue instead, I've got pies to eat."
"We can get pies later."
"We can also dance later."
"There won't be any music then."
Merlin rolls his eyes, but still returns for one more dance.
They do grab a few extra snacks to take with them, then slip out of the room and make their way to Arthur's chambers.
As soon as the door is closed they pull the masks off the other and smile at the faces hidden underneath.
Now that there's no prying eyes or masks in the way, they quickly bring their lips together, as they'd been longing to do all night.
"I am putting you in a new position as soon as I'm king, so you can wear clothes like this all the time." Arthur mutters as he fiddles with the fine cloth of Merlin's shirt.
"Look good, do I?"
"Breathtaking." Arthur says, kissing his red cheeks.
"You're pretty breathtaking yourself." Merlin returns the favor, kissing the blush off of Arthur.