OTP: Arthur/Merlin → requested by biliousgreen

There’s no chance that we could have a hug?

“He just likes Merlin in a way that makes him feel angry all day long.”

Sweet with Him by LolaFeist [x]
Merlin smiles then, sheer elation lighting up his face, brighter than the roaring fire ever could manage. He thinks about this, here and now. The stars glimmering above them, the fire warming them up… and Arthur. Arthur who lies adjacent to him, eyes closed and breathing in deep and even breaths. Arthur who he hasn’t seen this rested in a long while. Arthur who is here, with him, finally just the two of them. It’s been a while since a lot of things. The toll of running a kingdom and healing the hurt of betrayals, a pain deeper than any battle wound could ever inflict, weighed heavy on Arthur. His once youthful face had turned gaunt and haunted. His demeanor never quite what they used to be. He had lost faith in himself as a king and as a person and it had taken a lot for Merlin to finally convince him otherwise; a whole village and a half to finally make Arthur see: he is their king not only because of bloodline, but also because he’s proven himself worthy. The people follow and respect him not out of fear but of faith and genuine reverence. The throne may have been his birthright but along the way he has also earned it.So here they are now. On a rare outing without any of the knights. Just the two of them precisely like old times. Contentment cocoons Merlin like a soft, well-worn blanket. It makes him feel safe and warm. And when Arthur looks over to him, an eyebrow raised in question, he’d only return it with a wider grin. The one that he’s been told makes him look crazed. But he doesn’t care because the answering smile from Arthur, softer yet full of understanding, is worth it. They’d fall asleep like that, on either side of a dying fire, looking serene and utterly content. No words need to be passed between them. They already know. They’ve always been able to and Merlin wouldn’t have it any other way. {this is for kingsgates, belated happy birthday bbgirl}
Merlin smiles then, sheer elation lighting up his face, brighter than the roaring fire ever could manage. He thinks about this, here and now. The stars glimmering above them, the fire warming them up… and Arthur. Arthur who lies adjacent to him, eyes closed and breathing in deep and even breaths. Arthur who he hasn’t seen this rested in a long while. Arthur who is here, with him, finally just the two of them.

It’s been a while since a lot of things.

The toll of running a kingdom and healing the hurt of betrayals, a pain deeper than any battle wound could ever inflict, weighed heavy on Arthur. His once youthful face had turned gaunt and haunted. His demeanor never quite what they used to be. He had lost faith in himself as a king and as a person and it had taken a lot for Merlin to finally convince him otherwise; a whole village and a half to finally make Arthur see: he is their king not only because of bloodline, but also because he’s proven himself worthy. The people follow and respect him not out of fear but of faith and genuine reverence. The throne may have been his birthright but along the way he has also earned it.

So here they are now. On a rare outing without any of the knights. Just the two of them precisely like old times. Contentment cocoons Merlin like a soft, well-worn blanket. It makes him feel safe and warm. And when Arthur looks over to him, an eyebrow raised in question, he’d only return it with a wider grin. The one that he’s been told makes him look crazed. But he doesn’t care because the answering smile from Arthur, softer yet full of understanding, is worth it.

They’d fall asleep like that, on either side of a dying fire, looking serene and utterly content. No words need to be passed between them. They already know. They’ve always been able to and Merlin wouldn’t have it any other way.

{this is for kingsgates, belated happy birthday bbgirl}

and one day you will be the greatest king this land has ever known.