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Winter in Camelot had never been easy. When you were younger, things had seemed so much simpler. You’d not had to worry about where your next meal would be coming from or whether you’d gotten enough sleep to not collapse at your work station. You’d grown up quickly though, and in time you were alone, and left to find greener pastures. You’d been lucky to make it onto the castle staff, even if the work was grueling for little gratitude. You were housed, you had pay enough to survive, and there wasn’t much more you could ask for than that.
The snow was harsh, biting at your skin through your thin clothes, making every room in the castle cold as ice. You worked hard anyway, eager each day to return home to your slightly warmer bed, and a fire you could stoke to keep yourself warm. It was easier to heat a smaller room.
But it wasn’t enough. To be busy and to be stable just didn’t seem to be enough. Perhaps you were greedy, so many people would die to have what you did.
Then there was Merlin.
The winter was consuming you as it did each year, making you quieter, almost frailer. You resented it, and each year tried so hard to do better, and yet you never seemed to be strong enough to do so. Merlin strode in like the warmth of a summer’s day, and stole your work right from your hands.
“You’re freezing cold,” he mumbled disapprovingly, rubbing one of your hands between both of his, “lucky for you, I know a remedy for that.” And suddenly he was stealing you away from your station.
He pulled you down frostbitten castle halls, occasioanlly sliding across frozen stones in his worn boots, and yet he never stopped smiling, and his contact with you seemed to chase the cold from your bones. It was hard to lift your mood in the winter, for reasons you didn’t entirely understand, but Merlin was relentless, and everyone knew it. You supposed that was why nobody even attempted to stop you as the two of you charged down hallways with almost matching smiles. Yours wasn’t quite as broad as his, but it was enough.
“Here we go.” He declared as you arrived in a small room, it seemed to be some sort of storage room.
“What are we doing here, Merlin?” You asked with a small amused smile, and a huff of air you supposed almost sounded like a laugh.
“Well, smaller rooms are warmer, right? With two of us in here it’ll warm up in no time.” He said. When he turned to you, his smile was stubborn and boyish, his eyes lit up with mischief.
“I have work to do Merlin.”
“And you’re taking a break.” He retorted instantly, tugging you to sit down with him on an overturned box.
Your thighs pressed together, knees touching lightly, his hand still holding yours. You couldn’t begin to imagine why he’d want to do this for you, but you couldn’t feel anything but grateful. Your usual companions at the castle didn’t enjoy spending time with you during the winter, they didn’t like how your mood turned.
“Why are we doing this?” You asked him after a moment, eyes fixed on your linked hands.
“Because I can tell you’ve been feeling down, and I don’t like it. I’d much prefer if you were happy.”
“It’s not that easy, Merlin.”
“Then let me make it easier. Let me just.. keep you warm.” He said, and suddenly the warm truly did seem warmer. You missed the brief flicker of his eyes turning cold, a simple spell cast on the space that would dispel when the door was opened again. Maybe he couldn’t lift your spirits, but he could at least warm your body, and if you let him, maybe your heart too.
“Thank you, Merlin. I appreciate this more than you know.”
“You could always show me how much you appreciate it.” He replied, with that little smirk you had watched turn people wild. The kind he wore whenever he was about to do something ill advised.
“And how would I do that?”
“A kiss, maybe?” Came his next words, rushed like he wasn’t sure he could stay brave enough to say them.
“That’s quite forward of you, Merlin.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how much attention I’ve been giving you? I know I haven’t said it.. but I’d really thought you’d realised.”
“Oh. I just thought.. that was you being you.”
“No, that was me trying to get your attention. To get you to see me.” He admitted, and you were sure the flush on his cheeks had nothing to do with the cold, nor the new warmth in the small space.
“Well, I see you now.” You said softly, and with his little confession you were powerless to do anything but press your lips to his in a brief kiss. You were able to feel the way his lips curved in a familiar smile against yours, could feel his warm breath against you when you pulled apart to rest your foreheads together.
“I think I might need another one - just to be really sure I felt your gratitude.” And when you gently shoved him for the audacity, Merlin only laughed and grinned. Maybe the winter wouldn’t be so difficult this year, with someone as bright as Merlin beside you - you struggles wouldn’t disappear, you knew that instinctively, but maybe he was right that he could at least make it easier.