When albion needs it most

Chapter 7

Merlin woke up on the edge of his bed, half of his body hanging out. He rolled his eyes. Of course Arthur had rolled around in his sleep, lying in the middle of the bed and was taking all the space. He looked around, noticing that there was light in the room. Had he really slept passed the sunrise? The warlock couldn't remember when that had last happened.

As he saw the state of the room, he remembered the nightmare that caused the wreckage that surrounded the bed. And then he remembered what had happened after that. He smiled as the memories of how caring Arthur had been. That night had been nicer than his wildest dreams. In all his fantasies, Merlin had never expected the King to treat him with so much tenderness.

He looked at the figure sleeping to his right. Arthur's mouth was wide open, a little drool on the side of his mouth. His hair was pointing in every possible direction. The sight made the brunet laugh. Merlin had missed seeing the sleeping face of his King. In Camelot he took it for granted, having a chance to laugh at his friend daily as he began his day of work. Those simple moments held an innocent amount of joy. He realized that now, as he looked at such familiar sight. Well, the sight was not that familiar. Usually Merlin would be standing next to the bed with breakfast ready to be served. He had never found himself naked sharing the sheets with the source of his amusement.

Once he was sure Arthur was asleep, Merlin whispered a few words. His eyes flashed gold. The glass shards in the room started to fly, making their way to the trash can as the furniture repositioned itself properly. The sorcerer smiled to himself, satisfied. He double checked the blonde head next to him, still asleep. He knew there was no need to hide from Arthur anymore, but somehow it felt more comfortable like this. When his friend was alive, he had dreamed of the day he could just be who he was out in the open. Now that he could, he didn't quite understand what was holding him back. He knew that the King had worked hard to accept the truth, reflecting on himself. Merlin had been there to witness his turmoil as he faced the news first hand. The sorcerer concluded that he was going to have to try, just as Arthur had. He had to try to be honest and push through the awkwardness.

His hand slightly tremored. No , he thought as he used the other to immobilize it. This wasn't going to happen. He wasn't going to allow it. Merlin shook the thought out of his head, lying back down next to Arthur. He snuggled up against him. It going to be fine, he told himself. Fine, he repeated as he breathed in the blonde's smell. Fine.

Arthur slowly woke up, grunting as he opened his eyes. "Well that took quite some time," Merlin said. "Rise and shine"

"Still!" the knight commented. "Centuries have passed and you haven't found anything new to say?"

"You told me not to change. 'I want you to always be you' remember?"

"You didn't have to take it so literally. Some small changes are usually refreshing."

"Yes, this is quite refreshing," the sorcerer whispered, as he kissed the tip of Arthur's nose. He then got up rapidly. "Come quick." He put on a pair of dark pants and slid on a purple shirt, not forgetting the usual scarf folded against his chair. "I've been waiting for an hour to have some breakfast. I don't want to wait another minute," he stated as he ran out of the room.

Arthur smiled before getting out of the warm sheets. Merlin was such an idiot, but the good kind of idiot. The one that makes you smile.

"You could have gotten some food even if I was sleeping," he screamed to the figure in the kitchen.

"And leave you to wake alone. No. Not after last night," he winked. The knight often wondered how Merlin could be so shipper early in the morning. His mood always spread around, almost contagious.