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It was something Leon said somewhat often, though they passes it off as a joke. Merlin passed it off as a joke, and Leon followed his lead. They go at Merlin's pace, though Leon has a feeling the moving in thing is less about rushing things and more the secret he's not supposed to know about but figured out a long time back. He didn't mind, Merlin would tell him at his own pace, but he does want Merlin closer.
It's not even just that. Sure, the closeness would be nice, but he wanted Merlin comfortable. He wanted to know he was safe, and he wanted to come home after a long, tiring day, and collapse in bed beside Merlin. He didn't think that was too much to ask for, but Merlin wasn't ready to move in yet so it was a joke when he suggested it after listening to Merlin complain about the leech tank for the fifteenth time.
It was a joke when he watched Merlin stretch out a sore back from his less than comfortable bed, and he suggested they start sharing one.
It was always a joke, right up until it wasn't anymore.
Because it was a joke when Leon suggested sharing a tent on the camping trip. And it was a joke when he blurted it out on their date night. And it was joke when he asked as they watched the stars from the castle walls. And Leon's used to it being a joke. He's used to it getting shrugged off, given a laugh, and Merlin's 'if only'. Then suddenly, it wasn't a joke anymore.
Leon was stood in Merlin's doorway, the doorway between Gaius' office and bedroom, and Merlin's room that once belonged to Gaius. He's stood there, like he has a hundred times before, leant casually against the wall, his arms crossed.
Unlike those hundred times before though, Merlin wasn't grinning at him and inviting him. Instead, he was staring at Leon with wide eyes, a bit like a deer startled suddenly on a hunt. The broom that had frozen in an upright position the other side of the room, clattered to the floor. As did the mop, following behind it.
Merlin didn't even blink at him, he just stared, and his eyes seemed to get endlessly wider. Leon's heart squeezed in his chest, and he didn't think he'd able to take any more of it, but the perfect words just didn't come to mind.
"Move in with me?" he asked, just like he always did. The same words that had managed to make Merlin shake his head, despite smiling at him, so many times before.
"You really mean that?" Merlin asked instead. Leon's heart skipped a beat in his chest.
"Of course," Leon said. "I'd be much more comfortable having you under my roof where I knew you were safe."
"I wouldn't stop doing it," he said. Leon shook his head. He'd seen Merlin save Camelot, he'd seen him save Arthur, he didn't think Merlin could stop even if he wanted too. He didn't want Merlin to stop unless it was entirely his choice.
"I never expected you too," Leon said plainly. Merlin blinked once, then a second time, and then a third, before tilting his head just slightly as his eyes scrunched up. Leon smiled at him slightly. "I knew Merlin," he told him.
"And, you did nothing?" he asked, his head still tilted slightly. Leon shrugged. He didn't know how to put into words that he'd suspected almost the entire time Merlin had been there, but he hadn't felt the need to confront him. How to explain that his proof had been walking into the castle armoury and seeing half the weapons in there floating and cleaning themselves as Merlin polished a few items up by hand. How to explain that he'd been watching him since and had seen all the good deeds he did for the kingdom. How to explain that even then, even if he hadn't seen all of that, that he still wouldn't turn him in.
"I trust you," Leon settled on. "I have trusted you, and I will continue to trust you," he added. The words sort of settled over Leon as he said them, and they seemed to have the same affect on Merlin. He straightened out and smiled back finally.
"You trust me?" Merlin asked, taking a tentative step forward.
"With my heart," he said. Merlin took another step toward him and Leon waited. He didn't mind waiting for Merlin. He'd wait an eternity if for Merlin if he had. Eventually Merlin just stepped back and beckoned him in.
"I'll move in with you," he agreed. Leon grinned at him. His house wasn't actually all that much, he could afford better, and if Merlin wanted better then Leon would get him better, but it suited him. And it was better than stealing Gaius' room in Merlin's case.
"Really?" Leon asked, still smiling at him. Merlin laughed slightly, but nodded.
"It's better than here," Merlin said, stepping towards him. Leon laughed slightly and nodded. Merlin grabbed onto his shirt and tugged him closer. He laughed again, and let his hands fall to Merlin's waist. It was an almost common routine for them, and Leon didn't want to give it up for anything. Merlin tugged him in again, and kissed him.
Leon hummed slightly against Merlin's lips, and gripped his waist a little tighter. Merlin grinned into the kiss, and Leon did too. It sort of stopped being a kiss then, and they pulled apart. Leon touched their foreheads together and smiled at him.
"When can you move in?" Leon asked. Merlin shrugged and looked around his room. None of the furniture was his, but he had a few books and things that would need to be hidden as they moved them.
"As soon as we can get all my things into your home," Merlin answered. Leon grinned again. He turned around, appraising the room. Merlin laughed slightly at him, but he couldn't help the grin he shot in Leon's direction.
"When can we start on that" he asked, and for a moment with his bright grin and wide eyes, Leon reminded Merlin of a puppy.