Once again, Merlin needed a key to get in a room in the castle without leaving a trace. He approached Arthur's chambers long before the prince should wake. As quietly as possible, he stepped over to the key rack next to Arthur's bed. He located the key he needed; great. Right in the middle of every other key on the hook.
He glanced at Arthur, still sound asleep, oblivious as to what was going on in his chambers. Carefully and slowly, Merlin was able to take off the keys and get the one he needed. He slid the others back with ease. He was getting good at stealing things from Arthur.
When he was stepping away from the bed, he glanced at Arthur again. As a result of not paying enough attention to his path, he knocked over a pitcher of water. It landed with a loud clang and sent water everywhere. Merlin panicked; he put the key in his front pants pocket and picked up the pitcher. Arthur rolled over in his sleep with a small grunt. He couldn't do anything about the water right now so he continued towards the door, more careful this time. Arthur moved again, this time opening his eyes and blinking warily at Merlin.
"Merlin." The prince's deep voice filled the room. Merlin swung around on his heels, only a few steps away from the door.
"Sire?"
"It's not even dawn yet, what on earth are you doing?"
"I...I was just getting a head start on your laundry for the day." Merlin said, his voice a bit too high and fast for Arthur to believe. Arthur raised his eyebrow, detecting an obvious lie.
"You forgot the basket of laundry Merlin." The prince said in an annoyed tone.
"Right" Merlin scuttled over to the laundry basket and quickly started for the door.
"Wait." Merlin stopped in his tracks with the sound of Arthur's deep, sexy morning voice and slowly turned around. Arthur got out of bed and walked towards the boy, not bothering to put a shirt on. He stopped two feet away from Merlin and looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Why are you actually here Merlin?" The tall dominant male loomed over him, making him nervous.
"For this silly," Merlin tried to play it off with a smile and a short laugh. He reached behind him and opened the door, startled when Arthur reached out to slam it close. Merlin gulped as Arthur's hard eyes studied him. He had to admit, he was damn sexy without a shirt on and his hair ruffled just so.
Arthur noticed the key sticking out of Merlin's front pocket and his expression changed.
"Ah" Arthur started in an amused tone, "stealing one of my keys is it Merlin?" Merlin looked down at his pocket and his heart sank.
"N-no of course not sire"
"Then what's-" He grabbed for the key, only to have Merlin drop the basket and dodge out of Arthur's grasp.
"MERLIN" Arthur yelled as he ran after him. After turning a few chairs, rounding the table, and flipping over a candle stand, the servant dove across the bed and landed on the floor. Arthur diving not one second after him, landed on top of Merlin with a thump.
"Ow!!" Merlin shouted as the strong prince landed on top of him.
"Merlin," Arthur said out of breath, "stealing the prince's keys is really bad. Normally you would be put in jail for this, but on account of you being such a complete idiot, I'll let it go this one time." Merlin breathed out a sigh of relief. Arthur reached for Merlin's pocket to take back the key. With his hand feeling around Merlin's thigh, Merlin felt his face go beet red. Not finding the key, Arthur asked him "Where is it?" With a stern voice, his expression hard again.
"I don't have it, it must've fell out when you tackled me." Merlin quivered. Not taking anymore lies, Arthur placed his knee on Merlin's waist above his left leg and applied pressure.
"Ah ah ok ok ok!!" Merlin exclaimed in pain. Arthur smirked as Merlin confessed. "My right pocket, geez!" Arthur once again put his hand in his pocket, this time the right one, causing Merlin to take his eyes off the shirtless Prince in embarrassment. Arthur noticed Merlin's blush and smirked again. He pulled out the key and gracefully stood up.
"Merlin, the next time you steal my keys there will be consequences."
"Yes sire." Merlin struggled to get up and quickly got out of the room, picking up the basket on his way out. Arthur sighed and flopped back onto his bed.
"Oh Merlin" Arthur smiled to himself an soon fell back asleep.
***
This is one of many merthur oneshots, if you have any suggestions or ideas I would gladly take them. Thanks for reading!
