When albion needs it most

Chapter 16

Chapter Text

Three weeks later

"This is completely ridiculous" Arthur screamed from the bedroom as he adjusted the clothes he was forced to wear.

"Don't be such a bummer" Merlin replied from the kitchen. "I think it's a great idea"

"Of course you would you idiot" the blonde angrily replied. "You probably are as stupid as this costume." He came out of the room with a pout. He was wearing dark blue clothes that were mostly hidden by the cape that lay upon his shoulder. Tied around his shoulder, it was decorated with bright yellow stars that covered the entirety of the material. But what was the most ridiculous aspect of his accouterment was the pointy had on his head. Also star patterned, it stood tall on him, almost touching the ceiling.

The doorbell rang, making Merlin jump. "Quick, it's your turn to answer them" he explained as she shoved a bowl of candy in Arthur's hands. Unamused the King went to answer, opening the door to see a group of young children screaming 'happy Halloween' as they presented their open bags to him. He lazily gave them their treat before returning to his friend in the kitchen.

Arthur had to admit that the idea of dressing up as one another wasn't completely stupid. He simply hadn't expected that his friend would pull out the Hollywood version of his persona for him to wear. But it was still rewarding because Merlin looked dashing in a knight's outfit. Seeing the brunet wear his chainmail reminded the King why he had never allowed him to bring one along during their adventures in Camelot. The pauldron on his shoulder was too big for the man and he was mostly floating in the chainmail, but still, Arthur found Merlin incredibly attractive. He always knew that the man was qualified, but seeing his lover dressed with the outfit of nobility he deserved was affecting him more than he had expected. Maybe Merlin had predicted that outcome. Maybe that was why he had been so willing to use such costumes for the celebration. Or maybe he enjoyed teasing Arthur so much, with his little movements from left to right that made the whole outfit shake with him, attracting the blonde's eye.

The doorbell's ring woke the King from his daydream. "Could you take care of these ones please" the brunet asked as his hands were plunged in some mixture of what sort. Merlin had insisted that he spend a part of the night setting up an altar to celebrate the day's events.

Arthur agreed to his demands, taking care of the little girl who was waiting at the threshold. "I'm a princess" she screamed as he opened the door.

"What a lovely princess indeed" he gave her the candy. "For you Milady"

"Thank you" she grinned from ear to ear, exposing the missing tooth at the front of her smile. She skipped away, rushing to the next door.

"Samhain is nothing like it used to be" Arthur stated as he returned to his friend. "This tradition doesn't make any sense" he commented as he dropped the bowl of candy on the table. "What happened to the banquets and the celebrations with a crowned of gathered loved ones"

"Ah yes, like most things in this day and age, Samhain has been commercialized" he explained as he place the last few details onto the altar on the counter. He lighted the candle that encircled the cauldron and poor wine into the ceremonial cup.

"I don't understand how it evolved into giving candy to children dressed in stupid outfits" he argued once more. "And I understand even less whatever girly thing you've spent most of the night preparing"

"Samhain is the day where we are closest to the dead. I'm paying my respect to the ones that passed away. The altar represents magical energy given to the spirts"

"Girly" the King repeated

"I'm sorry for being a 'girl' about this" he protested, obviously bothered. "It's important alright. I had a friend who was very dead for very long thank you"

Arthur swallowed is words, regretting his nagging of the brunet's practice. Merlin had spent so many years waiting for him. He sometimes forgot just how demanding that must have been on the warlock. He walked up to his concentrated partner and pulled him in his arms.

"You're right. Sorry" he presented as he kissed the brunet's forehead

"Wow! Not only did you admit I was right but you excused yourself" the wizard replied mockingly. "That's not something you see every day"

"Fine" the king shouted. "No more affection for you if it's going to end like this" he stepped back as the door rang once more. The blonde served the children again. He noticed a flash or red in the cupboard near the door. Curious, he opened it to inspect further. On the top shelve of the closet was a pillow that was too familiar to the King. A red cousin embroidered with golden threads. He traced the patterns with is fingers, knowing their design by heart.

"Merlin" Arthur called.

"What is it again" the brunet replied as he entered the living room. His attention was immediately caught by the pillow in the King's hands. The blonde met his gaze, questioning him with his eyes. Merlin looked away, slightly ashamed that Arthur had found it

"This is my pillow" he stated.

"Yes" the sorcerer replied barely audibly.

"My pillow from Camelot" he clarified.

"The same" he shyly confirmed.

Arthur's chest tightened. For all these years the brunet had kept it for all these years. It had been cared for as it had survived all this time without being damaged. The blonde noticed some mended holes in the corner or the material and a few water stains that had been treated for.

"I spent every day making that bed and placing the sheets for at least 10 years, sometimes even twice a day. And that was went you didn't throw it to my face" the warlock laughed. "I care a lot about those bed sheets"

"Yes of course, the bed sheets" the King stated

"And I cared even more for the man who slept in them" he expressed, waiting for a reaction from Arthur. The blonde turned towards his friend, staring at him as though he was all kinds of wonderful. Maybe it was true, maybe he was. He did manage to make his heart beat faster and always made him smile from cheek to cheek. Yes, Merlin was indeed wonderful, but that Arthur would not say, not out loud, not with words. Instead he walked towards the man he loved and pulled him close, placing a passionate kiss upon his lips.

"Then maybe you would care to see the sheets he uses now" he invited with a cocky smile.

"I'm not sure, I don't think I fancy it" the brunet laughed. Arthur placed a kiss upon the warlock's neck, tenderly sucking at the little flesh that was revealed in the costume. Merlin gasped in surprised, pleased with the sensations that travelled down his spine.

"After further reflection, I think I'd quite like to undo that bed" he replied, walking towards the bedroom.

They spent the rest of the night, together in those sheets, being romantic, being sarcastic, or simply being stupid. They spent that time together being who they were, a prat and an idiot in love.