Don't You • Merthur ✔️

I: Epiphany

A/N: hello everyone! I've returned for a fanfiction idea I had for a while now after watching Merlin. (thank you, merlin and arthur, for the extreme trauma i have experienced)
This is my second time writing so it might not be very good but I still put my heart and soul into this one and its something I'm quite proud of, I've worked on it for a year now!  (mainly because i took a six month hiatus oops)
Apologies for any grammar/spelling mistakes since English is not my native language and any inconsistencies in the canon of the show.

Theme and chapter titles inspired by; miss taylor swift <3 (based on what songs I think fit the chapter best)
This story can be read in AO3 as well. I really hope you like it! -sophie 🌻🌻

---

"Merlin!", called an annoyed Arthur bellowing throughout the hallway of the castle.

"Merlin!", he shouted one more time, gradually getting more agitated looking for that idiot of a serving boy who he hadn't seen all morning. Even though he might be utterly useless at times, it still alarmed Arthur that he didn't show up earlier like he always has. He questioned the other servants and none of them knew where he went off to, ignoring the confused looks they gave him because his hair was still a mess. He was fully aware that he had gotten up without getting ready. Usually, it was Merlin doing it for him. Arthur was oblivious to how dependent he was on him; he can't even remember the last time he had dressed himself. He seemed like a lost child wandering the halls. All his worries were buried in a sense of irritation with the lack of Merlin's presence.

The young prince burst into one of the chambers and spotted his dainty looking friend, dozing off peacefully on the floor. He released a deep sigh, his body slumping. 'There he is.'

"Its a miracle." Arthur huffed, curling his lips inwards. He reached for his laundry basket and started to vigorously fling clothes at him.

Merlin sprung up, flinching at the sudden sensation of cloth slapping him in the face. Arthur approached him, leaning down with a tight-lipped smile. Merlin regained his vision, spotting a blurred image of a familiar face with golden hair.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Merlin. You can just sleep there and look pretty all day.", Arthur narrowed his eyes in irritation.

Merlin squinted from the candescent morning sun. He looked around and saw a pile of armor on the floor and his spell book. He recalled the night before; he was reading while polishing Arthur's armor. It was pretty late at that time. He quickly snatched it, ignoring the flush of panic and hid the book behind him. Arthur, who didn't seem to care, was too caught up in scolding him.

"I haven't seen you all morning!", Arthur fumed.
"I suspected something had happened to you. You're late." He continued but with a sudden tone shift he was unable to mask.

Merlin fixed his gaze on him. Arthur would ponder if Merlin had powers of some sort as he could always see right through him.
"Were you worried about me?", he smirked. Merlin's banter with that morning voice made him sound more kittenish than usual.

"Don't be stupid. Get up. What were you doing anyways?", Arthur asked as he tried not to notice.

"Sorry, Sire, I was... only polishing your armor like you said.", Merlin stood up and stretched his shoulders.
"Yeah, and now you have to do my laundry.", Arthur remarked with a cold smile, dumping the rest of his clothes on Merlin's head.

Merlin looked down at the clothes and back at Arthur.

"Piling chores on me again? Are you forgetting I'm only one person?, he retorted, collecting the clothes and putting them back in the basket. As he was speaking, Arthur was already leaving the room as if he had never heard him.