Chapter Text
Arthur was lost in a meeting while Merlin cleaned up his chambers. He could probably speed it up with magic, but he needed something to keep him occupied. After all his forced nocturnal adventures, he was overcome with anxiety. A few nights ago he'd been running through the forest from yet another monster, and then tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Insomnia. For a week now, he hadn't been able to calm his agitated brain. Despite his fatigue, he kept replaying frightening images over and over in his head and torturing himself, not knowing how to stop. Sighing, Merlin kicked off his boots and climbed onto Arthur's bed to fluff his pillows. The prince would definitely not appreciate such a gesture, but it's not like he'd know...
Finished, the sorcerer leaned back on the pillows. They were very, very soft. And smelled like Arthur. He wouldn't have admitted it, even with a sword at his throat, but the prince smelled nice. Despite all of Merlin's jokes, Arthur had access to daily baths and sleep on ever clean sheets. For some reason, Arthur's bed felt very peaceful. It was as if his presence was felt here, the realization that he wasn't leaving. He wasn't going anywhere. Without noticing it, Merlin closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Returning from an incredibly protracted council, Arthur found Merlin in his own bed. His hand was already reaching for a freshly whipped pillow to smack the absurd servant with it, but something stopped him. He wasn't as inattentive a fool as Merlin might have thought. He could see that something was bothering the boy, that there were dark shadows under his eyes, and that his reactions were slower than usual. Even in their usual squabbles, Merlin had been sluggish. Now the servant looked so calm and vulnerable that the prince simply couldn't wake him. Arthur looked at his face, so relaxed and blissful... He hadn't really noticed it before, but there was something beautiful about his servant. Shaking his head at the strange thoughts, Arthur changed his clothes and carefully laid down next to him. Well, sort of - he tried to be careful, but his hand caught the candlestick. Fortunately, the candles had already gone out.
Arthur laid on his side facing his servant, bending his arm at the elbow. To his surprise - Arthur had noticed on his travels that Merlin slept quite lightly - he did not wake, only moved closer to him. The servant was lying on his side, almost bumping his head against Arthur's chest, his graceful wrists folded in front of him. The incongruous red scarf was rumpled, revealing a view of his pale neck. The setting sun stroked across the bare patch of skin, and the prince followed it with a glance. Suddenly Merlin opened his eyes and looked up at him. Arthur couldn't hold back a wry smile:
- Did you sleep well?
- In fact, I'd sleep some more, - the obnoxious servant replied, smiling back.
In his face, however, Arthur saw the embarrassment as he realized how close he had pressed himself to his prince. Merlin hurriedly rolled over onto his back.
- Would you like to explain yourself?
- Mm, - Merlin stretched sleepily, - maybe it can wait until morning?
Arthur hummed:
- Perhaps.
- Good night, - the servant said.
- Good night, Merlin.