Work Text:
The throne room was empty, except for two men staring intently at each other.
Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, Unifier of Albion, the man who had brought magic back to the long-forbidden lands, sat on his throne with an expression that tried to be casual. His fingers drummed on the armrest, and his eyes darted away every two seconds.
Merlin, Royal Advisor and Court Sorcerer, leaned against the nearest column, trying to look disinterested. His arms were crossed, his chin lifted, but his eyes sparkled with a curiosity he couldn't hide.
The druids had sent an invitation. A celebration for the unification of Albion and the return of magic. It would be a night of festivities, dances, and speeches — the kind of event Arthur despised and Merlin endured only for the promise of food.
The problem was that neither of them wanted to go alone, but neither knew if the other planned to attend.
Arthur was the first to break the silence.
"So," he began, his voice too casual, "the druids invited me to a celebration..."
He kicked the floor with the tip of his boot, a gesture so childish that Merlin almost laughed. Almost.
"Really?" Merlin feigned disinterest, looking at the ceiling as if there were something fascinating in the wooden beams. "What a coincidence. Me too."
"Hm." Arthur scratched the back of his neck. "Are you going?"
Merlin kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "I don't know. Are you?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I'll only go if you go."
Merlin finally lowered his eyes, meeting Arthur's. "I'll only go if you go."
The two stared at each other for a long moment. Neither wanted to give in. Neither wanted to be the first to admit that they couldn't bear the idea of spending the entire night surrounded by druids who would probably ask embarrassing questions about the "special relationship" between the king and his sorcerer.
Arthur sighed.
"Then I'll go." His voice was decisive, but Merlin noticed the relief in his eyes.
"Then I'll go too." Merlin tried to sound indifferent, but the smile that formed on his lips betrayed him.
Arthur's shoulders relaxed, and Merlin felt the weight he didn't know he was carrying dissipate.
After all, spending an entire night with the druids was one thing. Spending an entire night with the druids alone was something else entirely.
Later, when the royal entourage was preparing to depart, Gwaine approached Merlin with a mischievous smile.
"So, I heard you two spent twenty minutes arguing about whether or not to go to this party."
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Who told you?"
"Leon. He was passing by the corridor and heard everything."
"Leon isn't a gossip."
"Leon is the biggest gossip in Camelot; nobody knows because he hides it well."
Merlin snorted but didn't deny it.
"Twenty minutes," Gwaine repeated, shaking his head. "You're pathetic."
"We just like to be prepared for everything, so we discuss things thoroughly."
"Pathetic."
"You're just jealous because you don't have anyone to be pathetic with."
Gwaine placed his hand on his chest, feigning offense. "I have you, Percival, literally all the knights."
"It's not the same as me and Arthur."
"Of course not; I'm not married to my friends."
Merlin smiled, but his eyes were already on Arthur, who was riding alongside Leon. Arthur, as if feeling the gaze, turned and met Merlin's eyes.
A discreet smile formed on the king's face. Merlin returned it.
Gwaine watched the exchange of glances and let out an exaggerated sigh.
"You're going to do this all night, aren't you?"
"Probably."
"I'm going to drink a lot to endure you."
"Stop being jealous."
Gwaine laughed, and Merlin urged his horse forward, aligning himself beside Arthur.
"Ready?" asked Arthur, his voice low.
"Ready."
Behind them, Gwaine watched the scene with a discreet smile. Leon stopped beside him and commented:
"They're pathetic."
Gwaine nodded. "Pathetic. But kind of cute."
"You're getting soft, my friend."
"Maybe I'm just a big romantic."
Leon laughed, and the entourage proceeded toward the celebration — where, inevitably, Arthur and Merlin would spend the entire night side by side, answering embarrassing questions and exchanging loving glances while living in their own little world.
They were pathetic.