Chapter Text
It was a pitch black night in Camelot, nobody outside their homes besides the knights patrolling the kingdoms grounds. Everything was seemingly normal until Arthurs eyes locked onto a hooded figure.
"Hey you!" Arthur called out, his voice echoing through the silent streets. "You do realise Camelot has a strict curfew, nobody should be outside after dark!"
The cloaked figure let out a breathy chuckle. "Wow a curfew, who would have guessed with all these people around?" They responded sarcastically.
The prince was taken aback. Who would dare disrespect him?
With a scoff Arthur replied, "I dont think you realise who i am-"
"A prat."
"Excuse me?"
The stranger spoke again. "Oh please forgive me my lord, you are a royal prat."
For once in his life, Arthur was speechless. He'd always been shown the utmost respect since he was born, people would always walk on eggshells around him as to not offend him.
"You must be under some sort of enchantment but as the prince of Camelot i'd be willingly to help those in need even from other kingdoms. Take off your hood and let me observe you." Arthur explained as he moved closer to the stranger.
The figure took a step back, "You know just because im not afraid to say my honest opinions of you doesn't mean im under a spell." They explained, "If you'd stopped for one second to let me actually tell you why I'm even here then maybe our encounter would be more civilised."
The blond huffed. "State your business here then."
"I'm here to meet with Gaius, the court physician, i intend to help him with gathering specific ingredients for remedies and to learn from his years of study and before you ask he knows him coming to meet him." Arthur watched as the hooded figure extended his arm to pull down the hood of his cloak. "If you need to check you can tell him Merlin has arrived."
The prince felt his mouth grow dry. A boy who looked roughly around Arthurs age was unveiled. The first defining feature to escape hiding was a sea of jet black hair that had a slight curl to it. Once the hood had been completely taken off, Arthurs eyes were met by another pair of electric blue ones that mimicked a picture perfect sky on a beautiful day. Merlins smooth porcelain skin highlighted the subtle shade of pink that was his plump lips. Somehow even though the city was submerged in darkness by the night sky, it felt like Merlins presence exuded light powerful enough to fight said darkness.
Who had Arthur just stumbled across? A blue eyed rascal with a smart mouth or a painting created carefully by the most talented artist come to life.