Only For You

Chapter 1

Merlin sits crosslegged on the floor of Arthur's chambers, a long row of boots lined up in front of him on the floor. He has one in his lap, and is currently attempting to sew the bottom seams back together with a needle and thread, but with little progress. He swipes a hand across his forehead, exhaling. He'd been working since the crack of dawn this morning; running errands for Gaius, attending training practice with Arthur, polishing armour, cleaning the stables. He was now confident that this would be the last of his chores, and couldn't be happier. He hadn't eaten at all, and his stomach was crawling with hunger.

"MER-lin!"

Merlin sighs as the impatient voice of Arthur Pendragon bursts through his chamber doors, accompanied by none other than the arrogant clotpole himself. He looks up at Arthur's enterance, watching the Prince stride across the floor and dump his sword and scabbard rather unceremoniously on the table. "Yes, sire?"

Arthur turns to him, his face hot from training with the Knights. "Where have you been?"

Merlin frowns up at him, holding up the boot in his lap. "Mending your boots?"

Arthur unstraps his gauntlets, setting them on the table beside his sword. "Ever since lunch?"

Merlin nods once.

Arthur purses his lips. "Help me out of my chainmail." He says after a moment, motioning for Merlin to abandon the boot.

Merlin sets the boot down on the floor and rises to his feet, walking over to Arthur. He unstraps the belt from around Arthur's waist, placing it on the table. He then takes the bottom of Arthur's chainmail shirt and lifts it over his head. "You know," he says, grinning slightly. "One would think that after spending your whole life as a knight, you'd have figured out how to take off your own chainmail."

Merlin quickly ducks as Arthur reaches out a gloved hand to swat at the side of his head.

"I don't need to. I've got an idiot servant to do it for me." Arthur smirks slightly, turning to the window and tugging off his shirt.

Merlin rolls his eyes, trying to ignore the warmth that spreads to his cheeks at the sight of Arthur's bare back. He shakes his head. He'd seen Arthur shirtless many times. Why was he feeling this way now? He quickly averts his mind. No use thinking about that now. He knew that it was foolish. He knew he didn't have a chance. The Prince of Camelot would never have feelings for him.