The Water is Fine // Merthur

5 feet apart cause they aren't gay???

As the sun beamed down on the mirror-like water, Arthur found himself in a trance. The faint trickle of running water played a duet with the rustling leaves in the spring wind. The two harmonized, complemented each other. They played their song just for Arthur, or so he would like to think. His mind danced to the orchestra, and he found his eyelids getting heavy. Just as he began to slip under the surface of the water, Merlin tromped into the clearing. His pants were littered with sticks, and his face burned with rage. "Arthur!" He shouted, interrupting the duet. Arthur jolted, so surprised that a full swig of water drained into his mouth. His arms flailed, and he started to loudly cough up the water.

"Me-Merlin!" He stuttered, water still in his throat.

"Is this what you made me wait for?! A nap!?" Merlin shouted, obviously a little ticked.

"No need to get fussy," Arthur provoked, a sly smile on the edge of his mouth " I was just taking a little swim to wash off the dirt from last night."

"Ok, Your Majesty, but don't you remember we are in a little bit of a hurry?"

"Wow, I can't believe a court jester would talk to their king in such a way!" Arthur tempted. Merlin was not amused. "Very funny. We need to go."

Arthur made sure to ignore Merlin completely. " I called you here to help me wash my clothes, plus you could use a dip yourself."

"You seriously can't wash your own pants? I thought you were supposed to be one of the greatest knights at the Round Table."

"Well of course I can, but then what would you be here for? I took you along with me so that you could do it for me."

Merlin couldn't stand this manfor the life of him, and yet he was already knee-deep in the water. With a rockhe picked up from the beach and some sweet peas he had picked on his way overhe began to thoughtfully scrub both of their tunics. He could feel Arthur's eyeson him, staring a hole through his chest. "Do you need something?" Merlin called.Arthur swam closer. "No, but are you actually mad at me?" Merlin turned to see Arthur'sdoe eyes locking with his. "Of course not," Admitted Merlin "I'm just anxiousto get on the road again, is all." Arthur understood. The two had been travelingfor days in order to find the herb to cure the illness that had stricken mostof Arthur's court. Of course, Merlin had initially insisted on going by himself.After very little persuasion, Arthur convinced Merlin of his relevance to the expedition.He knew that traveling by yourself was lonesome, to say the least. Even if thetwo bickered it was better than the sickening sound of silence. Even the birds losetheir tune if you aren't careful. "Do you know what it looks like?" Arthurasked. Merlin explained the herb, that it grew in dense greenery, and preferreda rich soil. Often it was found in these woods, but there was almost no way totell where. Hearing Merlin talk soothed Arthur, time passed quicker in eachother's company. Maybe, Merlin thought, that is where all of the days have beengoing. Before Merlin and Arthur could even finish their conversation, theclothes had finished drying on the rocky shore of the small lake. Merlin wadedto the surface and called Arthur to do the same. "You are going to wrinkle yourperfect royal skin if you stay in there any longer!" He shouted. Arthur's faceflushed, but he had to make a quick comeback. "Don't tell me what to do!" Wow,nice one. He thought, dipping his head beneath the water's surface one moretime before emerging at the feet of Merlin.