MERLIN / MERTHUR ONESHOTS

I wish you were a girl

AN- saw a tiktok about this and just knew i had to write something about it.
it's a lil rushed sorry
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Arthur watched as Gwaine and Merlin play fought on the training ground field. It was that specific point of the year, where the sun slowly set in the evening- it's rays still casting a warm blanket over Camelot. The grass grown long, vibrant green and flowing against the gentle breeze.

He watched with a blooming heart as Merlins face lit up with glee, laughing freely as Gwaine tackled him to the floor. He smiled unapologetically at the pair as the sun beamed down on them, illuminating Merlins eyes into a gold shimmer. Arthur sat comfortably with Leon, who cheered on their friends, whooping as Merlin tripped Gwaine up.

He felt rather content, incredibly at peace. He sat with his knees tucked to his chest and watched knowing that he was finally home, with his family and that this day was perfect. He grinned as Merlin called his name, begging for his attention as he slammed into Gwaine. He laughed deeply as the two tumbled down the field, stopping in a tossed pile of limbs and fabric. Arthur felt as though his face were split open, his happiness reaching ear to ear.

Much to Arthur's delight, Leon encouraged them further as Lancelot and Percival joined in; them all banding together to bring down the largest knight. These were his men, Arthur truly felt proud to be King. It wasn't long before Percival's back met the long wispy grass, Merlin sat heavily on his chest, his legs imprisoning Percival.

Arthur ran to join them as Merlin yelled out in victory, he doubled over with hysterics as he was shortly knocked off of Percival. Gwaine holding his servants arms against the ground, an antagonising expression ghosting his face, taunting Merlin just enough to keep it playful.

"Arthur, Arthur save me!"
Merlin giggled in broken breaths as Lancelot tickled at his sides, his most noble knights fingers unrelentless. Arthur paused for a beat, engraining this memory into his brain. When he thought of his servant, this innocent gleeful version is the one he wanted to cherish. They had been cursed far too often in their lifetime, the weight of each loss often bore upon the man's face. The Merlin he could see right now, was the essence of the boy that has walked into his life all those years ago.

"Oh don't be such a girls blouse Merlin."
He jested, standing above Merlins face with his hands on his hips. He shook his head with a breathy laugh as the boy below him stuck out his tongue in a childish manner.

I wish you were a girl.

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The winter had hit Camelot hard this year, Arthur can't remember the last time that his Kingdom had fallen so quickly to the snow. Merlin hadn't taken to it well, his body far too frail to not feel the effect. His nose was constantly red, he would sniffle with every other breath. Arthur perhaps would've found it irritating if it hadn't been so endearing.

Yet still Merlins face bore that same childlike expression from summer. His eyes wide with curiosity as snowflakes coated his raven hair, contrasting with brilliance. He blinked them away as they fell on his eyelashes, his irises impossibly icey.

They had seen snow before, they both had and Arthur knew that Merlin suffered the worst of it- his childhood surrounded by devastating memories of the cold. Arthur wonders if perhaps this is where the joy had sprung, if the warm furs Arthur had gifted allowed him to see through the pain.

He had dearly hoped so.

Arthur wasn't sure how long they had been standing outside in the courtyard; himself wrapped deeply in his cloak, perched upon the steps, and Merlin stood spinning, arms outstretched towards the sky.