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Merlin wasn't sure why, but he'd always had a sort of connection with the late night. When the sky was dark, and the moon high in the sky, and every reasonable person asleep in bed, he was rearing to go. His magic felt stronger too. He'd tested it once, and it had been stronger.
That was why he was sneaking around the walls of the city. Merlin was setting up a magical barrier, with the hope of protecting Camelot even just a little bit. He'd done it before, and it did help against magical attacks, but he needed to reinforce that. The middle of the night was the perfect time for that.
Not only was his magic more powerful, or maybe all magic was more powerful and as a being of magic he was more powerful, but he was less likely to get caught. Of course, he still had to be careful. There were guards walking around the area, and really anyone could see him really.
Sometimes, some of the knights would patrol the area. That would be dangerous for him. If a guard found him, one he didn't know, there wouldn't be any personal misgivings there. It was one thing to be arrested and threatened by someone he had no personal ties to, but he wasn't sure he could take it if Arthur, Leon, Gwaine, or really any of the knights found him. He wasn't sure how he'd react in that situation.
Leon did a lot of patrolling. It was just something he enjoyed really, though that could have something to do with being outside at night. He'd seen Merlin out before, and he tried to not think about it. He always passed him quickly anyway.
That night was no different. Merlin was on the wall, huddled up near the edge, and Leon was walking around him. He tried to ignore him, it was probably for the best. He trusted Merlin, and there was probably a perfectly normal, legal, explanation for his actions.
Leon was happy to remain oblivious. It was, after all, probably for the best. And he was good at it too, at least with Merlin. He'd ignore anything he reasonably could, he'd even try to ignore anything that wasn't reasonable for Merlin. That was just what Merlin did to him. He was pretty sure Merlin did that to most people though.
Golden light burst forward from Merlin.
Leon was good at ignoring things on Merlin's behalf, he'd already rather established that, but there were just some things he really couldn't. Like, say, a very obvious display of magic. That was, after all, treason. He wasn't sure how to approach the situation. He did trust Merlin, of course he did. You couldn't spend as much time watching Merlin taking care of all the people around him, and not trust him!
But, it was magic. Leon did have a few small memories from before the magic ban. It had been beautiful. But now, it was illegal.
Merlin stood and turned around.
They met eye to eye.
Leon didn't know what to do as Merlin's eyes went wide and he took the smallest of steps backwards. He took a step back too, not wanting to risk moving further backwards. He was close to the edge.
Silence settled between them. There wasn't really an easy way to start the conversation they needed to have.
"I promise there's a really good explanation," Merlin said. Leon nodded. He was sure there was, and he was sure it was all good and innocent. And if not innocent, but then for a very good reason. Leon was pretty sure that Merlin could stab him, and he'd rationalise it away.
"I'm sure there is," Leon agreed. Merlin's face scrunched up slightly, his eyebrows scrunching together as his nose crinkled. In the back of his mind, Leon had a vague thought about how cute Merlin was. He shouldn't have those thoughts, he was in a position of power over Merlin and they weren't on an even playing field. Merlin didn't deserve that.
Merlin turned away from him and stepped back slightly from the edge. Leon hadn't been scared he'd jump or anything, he knew what Merlin was like. But he had been scared he'd step back without thinking. He relaxed slightly and stepped up beside him.
"It's a nice night," Leon commented idly.
"The moon is very bright," Merlin agreed. It wasn't full yet, but it was nearing a full moon. The stars shone down on them too. It was calm in the middle of the night.
"You know, I like the night sky," he said. Merlin hummed.
"Why aren't you reacting to it?" Merlin asked suddenly. Leon turned to him, and was met by golden eyes. He wasn't sure what magic Merlin was doing, but he didn't mind. He smiled at him slightly, and Merlin smiled back. He glanced back to the beautiful sight.
Leon glanced down to their hands. They were stood so close. He wasn't sure why he'd moved so close. There hands were nearly brushing against each other. It would take just one move to gently entwine them. He didn't see why he shouldn't, just the once. Merlin glanced down as Leon gently took his hand into his own. They looked back up at each other, their eyes meeting once more.
"I trust you," Leon said simply.
"You do?" Merlin asked. Leon nodded.
"I trust you Merlin, and if you're doing," he paused and looked around carefully. No one was in earshot. "Magic," he whispered, "then I'm sure there's a good reason."
"Thank you. I was putting a protective border around the city. It should, well, protect from magical attacks," he explained. Leon nodded.
"Then allow me to thank you for your services to Camelot," Leon said. Merlin laughed slightly, and Leon grinned. He loved hearing Merlin laugh.