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The night is warm, but not too hot, with a gentle summer's breeze ruffling Arthur's hair and his old friend the moon lighting his way.
Before he had Merlin to talk to, his thoughts were told only to the moon and the horses in the stable.
At times it felt as if Llamrei and the ever changing light in the sky had raised him more than his father.
Many a secret he has whispered to the light of the moon, and now he is preparing for his old friend to bear witness to yet another.
As he opens the door leading to the roof he peers out, checking to be sure Merlin is out here.
And he is, standing at the far corner, letting the full moon observe his secret, just as Arthur has.
For a moment, Arthur simply takes in the sight of Merlin, free as his namesake, happy to let his magic loose, creating shapes and sparks, butterflies and dragons.
"It's a miracle you've managed to go this long without being caught." Arthur says, regretfully bringing the show to a halt.
"That didn't mean you needed to stop."
"Arthur! You can't sneak up on me like that!"
"Apparently I can." Arthur quips as he shuts the door tightly, locked from the inside.
That has happened a few times by accident, but now he does it purposely, since Merlin will be able to unlock it.
"If you know why I'm up here, you should know I'll be very on edge."
"You didn't look on edge. You looked happy, relaxed."
"Still, I could hurt you!"
"I trust you." Arthur says simply, a slight shrug to his shoulders.
Merlin's face softens, and so does his grip on the magic, letting it spark between them once more.
"Honestly, I doubt my magic would even actually hurt you."
"I think you would be able to stop it if it was going to."
"I'd certainly try. Perhaps you'd only end up with a few warts, instead of fully becoming a toad."
"Oh, is that all?"
"Wouldn't be too bad, right?"
"I don't know. Would you still kiss me?"
"Depends on where the warts are."
Arthur laughs, pulling Merlin close, "Are you saying you wouldn't kiss me if I had warty, slimy, frog lips?"
"It's mucus, and I've had to converse with too many frogs in order to get some for Gaius to be willing to kiss anything that has it."
"You talk to the frogs?"
"What do you think I do, just grab them and wring them out?!"
"I don't know! I don't often wonder about what Gaius uses, because then I'd never take his potions."
"That's probably the best way to go about it. You'd hate to know what's in the salve I use on your training wounds."
"I'm going to shut you up now before I decide to live in constant pain."
Merlin laughs, and begins to tell him about the ingredients for the headache potion he uses so much, but Arthur quickly stops the list by pressing his lips to Merlin's.
It's an effective distraction, and by the time they pull away all thoughts of warts and potions are long gone.
The thoughts of magic had been halted as well, which is why it looks like the stars have fallen from the sky, and now surround the two.
Merlin ducks his head as Arthur looks around in awe of his magic, never not being in love with the way Merlin weilds his power, even if it was accidental.
He knows Merlin is still shy with his magic, which he aims to change, so he's glad to see the display.
Although technically, Merlin didn't mean to do it, as evidenced by the blush he tries to hide.
But Arthur's friend the moon does him a favour and illuminates the night enough for the two to see each other well.
So that is what they do, see each other well into the night, talking, kissing, performing magic.
All the things they can't do during the day, visible to anyone.
But here, high above the kingdom, in the light of the moon, they are able to just be.
Not Prince and servant, not Emrys and the Once And Future King, just them. Arthur and Merlin, Merlin and Arthur.
They don't need special titles, they're content to just be two people in love, and that's special enough.
They will spend many a night here, with only the moon as their witness, until the time comes when they can be free to share with the sun as well.
The moon won't mind, the moon will be happy for them, the ones who tell it their secrets, until they won't be secrets anymore, just casual conversations between old friends