Darkness

Routine

It was several more days before Merlin was able to move back to his room. He was having a very hard time readjusting to being able to see again. After nearly two weeks of wearing a blindfold, and working through thinner materials, Merlin was finally able to be in a room with sunlight and have his eyes fully open. There were several instances, once he could stand the light, where he would be found high up on the battlements, eyes closed, just soaking up the sun. Arthur thought he looked oddly like a cat. After a month, he was able to eat a full meal again. Though, only once a day. His magic was overwhelming and felt like it was leaking out of him. There were times where he knew he'd dreamt of Gwaine, and then woke up to find himself in his lover's bed, though that wasn't where he'd fallen asleep. Gwaine didn't mind. By the time he was nearing being back in Camelot for three months, he was starting to work back in to his old routine. He would go to Arthur in the morning with breakfast, and attend him during the day for training and council meetings. There were times, though, that Arthur had to have someone escort Merlin back to Gaius as he had been caught in a flashback. Arthur wasn't sure what had set him off, but he wanted to avoid it in the future.

Being back for three months, all Merlin had done was eat, sleep, and attend to the King. His lover hadn't touched him yet as he wanted to wait until Merlin was well enough to make any decisions or moves for himself. Merlin found, similar to when he'd been stuck in the whole, he woke with aches that had nothing to do with his mind. So one evening, after saying goodnight to Arthur, Merlin went to Gwaine's room, and waited for the Knight to return from his sentry duty. He stood facing the fire, when he heard the door open and the scent of Gwaine washed over him. Merlin closed his eyes and took a deep breath of it. When he turned to face the man, there was a pleasant smile on his face as he set his sword and belt on the table and removed his chainmail. As soon as these were put down, Merlin rushed toward the Knight and pinned him to the door, brushing his lips against Gwaine's. It was his first kiss in ages and Merlin moaned at the sensation it brought him. Gwaine traced his hands, slowly, up Merlin's back pulling him in close. Gwaine tugged Merlin's shirt up over his head and tossed it across the room, followed shortly by his own. The room was quickly a mess of clothes. They never actually made it to the bed, but that didn't bother either of them. Merlin was used to the hard stone, and Gwaine just wanted to make Merlin happy. They lay in front of the fire on some furs, unwilling to get up and move to the bed as the night wore on. Merlin still hadn't cut his hair yet, and his beard still remained, though it had been trimmed up nicely.

"Merlin?"

"Hmm?"

"You're really alright?" Gwaine was running his fingers through Merlin's hair.

"I'm fine. Really." Merlin said, but paused. "Or rather, with enough time, I think I will be."

"Why don't you stay in here? With me?" Gwaine asked hopefully.

"Sir Gwaine, I thought we agreed no falling in love?" Merlin said cheekily, leaning up from his lover's chest to look him in the eyes.

"We may have done." Gwaine smirked.

"Hmm." Merlin hummed, and bit his bottom lip, gazing hungrily at Gwaine's mouth. "Kiss me and ask me again." Gwaine gently pulled Merlin close, hand behind his head, as their lips met sending fire burning through them both. Merlin gripped Gwaine's arms tightly, unwilling to let go. "If it means seeing you first thing every morning, and falling asleep with you every night, there's nowhere else I'd rather be." Merlin's voice was rough with desire and his eyes shone with sincerity and love. Gwaine cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Weren't you the one who said no falling in love?"

"I was wrong." Merlin said and ended the argument with more kissing, before Gwaine rolled over on top of him and pressed their bodies together. They woke in the morning in a tangle of limbs, with sun pouring in. Gwaine's servant stood by the window, having just thrown the curtains back. The men were annoyed at first, but when they realized where they were, they smiled. Gwaine sent his servant out the door as fast as he could, before he and Merlin were rolling on the floor again. They didn't have time, but they were more than willing to be late to their daily duties if it meant a few more moments alone.

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Since Merlin's reappearance, Arthur's stress had noticeably reduced. He was less irritable, less easy to anger, and had started smiling again. Gwen was relieved to have her husband back to his normal self again. She still noticed his slight panic some mornings when Merlin wasn't the one bringing breakfast in. Almost like he thought his little brother returning had been a dream. They were still worried about Morgana, but knowing she had been unable to plot against them for at least two years, was something. Watching her best friend suffer so much when he'd returned to them, though; nothing could have prepared her for that. For the haunted look in his eyes, the terror he'd shown. Magic was free in the land, not just Camelot, but many of their allies freely used magic to varying degrees. There were healers and Druids who lived within the lower town, even. Merlin had been back for three months now, and was slowly getting back in to his old routine. Gwen made sure to sit with him a few times a week and chat and fill him in on everything that had been happening. When he hadn't shown up that morning to wake Arthur and bring breakfast, Arthur had become sullen. Instead of waiting around for Merlin to eventually turn up, Arthur went in search of him. When he found Gaius' chambers empty, he decided to check with Gwaine, to see if he knew where he was. He knocked roughly on the Knights door and heard some noise inside the room. Arthur opened the door, and quickly closed it again. Then headed back to his room in a daze. He should have waited for a response or to be told to enter. The tangled up pair had noticed him in the door, but before they could say anything, the King had left. Arthur was relieved to know that Merlin was alright, and just shirking his duties. Though he was glad that his little brother had someone, he really hadn't needed to see the pair...tangled up. When he got back to his rooms, he sat quietly at the table and stared down at his food. Gwen watched her husband and wondered what was going on.

"Arthur? Are you alright?" She asked sweetly.

"Hmm? Yes. Fine." He replied, not looking up.

"Very well. Did you find Merlin, then?"

"Yes. He was, uh, indisposed." Arthur cleared his throat. "I'm sure he'll be along soon." Arthur had felt a slight blush creep up his neck.

"Arthur?" Gwen asked, curiously. Arthur put a hand over his face.

"I should have waited. I shouldn't have just gone in." Arthur was saying.

"Oh, no." Gwen whispered, putting her hand over her mouth. "You didn't..."

"I did. I was just going to ask if he had seen Merlin since he wasn't in his own room. The worst part is they saw me see them. Gwen, I don't think I can look at them today. No, I know I can't." Arthur was saying hands still on his face. Gwen had started giggling. Arthur moved his hands and stared at his wife. "Gwen! I'm serious!"

"I can see that." She said, still laughing. "Oh, Arthur, listen, I'm sure they're, just as embarrassed as you are. Or Merlin at least might be. Gwaine, on the other hand..." She trailed off. Arthur groaned and leaned his head back against his chair.

"If it was some random pair, I know I could forget the whole thing. But two people that I know and see constantly?"

"I'm sure it will be fine. It may take a few days, but I'm sure you will all get over this." She snickered some more before turning her attention back to her breakfast. Arthur did the same, until George informed him it was time for training with the Knights. When Arthur exited his chamber to find Merlin leaning against the wall by the door, he paused.

"Arthur, I'm very sorry for the, er, misunderstanding this morning. If it's ok with you, I'd like to pretend it didn't happen." Merlin was blushing all the way up to the tips of his ears. Arthur grinned and then rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Merlin. It's time for training." Arthur said and then turned down the hall to head outside, hearing the familiar footsteps behind him, putting him at ease, despite the awkwardness. When they got to the training grounds, the Knights were waiting for Arthur. Well, Gwaine was apparently waiting for Merlin as he came over to the warlock and kissed him there in front of everyone. Arthur just closed his eyes and shook his head while Merlin playfully shoved the Knight. There was a lot of whistling and shouting. Gwaine winked at Arthur before going back to stand with the other Knights.