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The banquet at Camelot had been what one might call a true triumph.
For everyone except Arthur.
He had endured an endless string of toasts, insincere smiles, and ill-judged remarks about his impending coronation.
Sir Kay had had the audacity to sit beside him, and Gaius, with his usual infuriating wisdom, had reminded him to “ eat more vegetables ” in front of everyone . As if he were a child.
And then there was Merlin .
Merlin, who had managed somehow to spill wine all over his new cloak. Merlin, who had scrambled under the table to retrieve the fallen goblet and had accidentally tugged at the tablecloth, sending a plateful of meat tumbling onto Arthur’s boot. Merlin, who had let out a nervous laugh when all eyes had turned to them.
Now they were walking through the deserted corridors of the castle. The torchlight flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows that seemed to dance around them.
Arthur unfastened his now-stained cloak and tossed it roughly into Merlin’s arms.
"I don’t know why I still bring you to banquets," he huffed.
" Perhaps it is because you’d be lost without me, my lord ?" Merlin replied, his usual lopsided grin in place as he slung the cloak over his shoulder.
Arthur shot him a withering glare. "Do you have any idea how difficult you are to even tolerate?"
Merlin shrugged with feigned indifference . "And yet here you are, still insulting me as usual. I suppose you must like me this way."
Arthur came to an abrupt halt.
Merlin took a few more steps before noticing and turned back, frowning. "What?"
Arthur dropped his gaze for a moment, clenching his jaw. Then he looked up again, his blue eyes more intense than usual, filled with a frustration that seemed directed more at himself than at Merlin.
"You make me want to be a better man. A better king."
Silence settled heavily between them.
Merlin simply stared at him, for once without a witty retort, without that defiant smirk he so often wore like armour.
Arthur cleared his throat, furrowing his brow as if trying to erase the words he had just spoken. "Right. Now, don’t you dare repeat that, all right? I’ll have forgotten it by morning."
Merlin tilted his head slightly, and his grin returned, but softer this time, more genuine.
"And I shall pretend I never heard what you said, Arthur," he said simply.
Arthur regarded him for a moment, then gave a brisk nod and resumed walking.
Merlin followed, and for some strange reason, Arthur realised the weight of the day felt a little less heavy with him by his side.
Even if it was utter madness to keep bringing him to banquets. Or any place where other people could see them.