Monster ➳ Merthur

Fighter

it only took me a whole year but here we are

shoutout to all of you guys that actually kept up with all my announcements that brought us to this point y'all are the real mvps ahaha

enjoy!! :)

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They awoke at the same time; to the sounds of a banging on the door and yells coming from outside. Merlin was trembling as he held onto Arthur's arm, fearful of what could possibly happen to him. Arthur just held him tight, hoping it was just his knights to yell at him for missing morning training. He took a step out of bed when the sounds continued, and Merlin whimpered at the thought of being left alone. Even if it was the last thing Arthur wanted, he had to go and answer the door before they thought he'd done something horrible. So he planted a kiss on Merlin's forehead before telling him to hide beneath the bed, and Arthur was so sorry that he had to do that but it was for Merlin's own safety. Merlin complied easily; it seemed the thought of being confined in a small space for a period of time was less daunting than being discovered.

Afterward, Arthur approached the door with caution, but then threw it to the wind and swung the door open. He was lightly pushed aside by Gwaine and Lancelot, who entered without a greeting and shut the door behind them. Arthur raised an eyebrow at the two of them, but sighed with relief when he realized they hadn't come due to his father's orders.

"Is there a reason you two have decided to enter my chambers this early in the morning?" Arthur rubbed at his eyes with the palms of his hands, trying to get rid of any last traces of sleep. Since he was awake, he wouldn't be able to sleep anymore, not after they had so rudely  interrupted him and Merlin. At the thought, Arthur took a short glance toward his bed, hoping Merlin was alright underneath it.

"Well, you still owe me an explanation for your esteemed guest, and also you're very late for training, so it's a wonder the king hasn't sent for you yet." Gwaine flashed his teeth at Arthur, a mix between a smile and a grimace. Arthur raised an eyebrow, but was used to the type of remarks Gwaine usually made. It was just how he was, but Arthur knew that he was loyal to Camelot and to Arthur himself. They had a bond of mutual trust, like knights should, and either of them would give their lives for the other if need be.

"Esteemed guest?" Lancelot questioned. Arthur sighed, understanding he would have to explain himself to them, but not knowing exactly how to breach the conversation. Since they both knew, however, he figured he should call Merlin out from his hiding place.

"Merlin! You can come out now, there's no danger." And then Merlin crawled out from beneath Arthur's bed, coughing up the dust that he had been forced to breathe in. Arthur quickly went over to him, ignoring the looks of disbelief from his two knights. He gave Merlin a hand and pulled him up, before brushing his hand through dusty hair in order to get it all out.

"Maybe you should have the space under your bed cleaned." Merlin commented, and Arthur laughed at the pure bluntness and monotony of his voice. It alighted a smile on Merlin's face, one where his lips were stretched out wide to reveal his teeth, and there were rosy spots of pink on each of his cheeks. He could have kissed Merlin right there, but he was far too aware of the knights that were staring them down only a few steps away.

"Ah yes, the boy." Gwaine smirked, and Merlin threw him a glare at the condescending tone of his voice. Arthur put a hand on Merlin's shoulder to prevent him from pouncing. In response, Merlin scrunched his nose at him—in the most adorable way, Arthur thought—and huffed.

"Gwaine, Lancelot, this is Merlin." Arthur introduced. Lancelot proceeded to shake Merlin's hand; Gwaine looked about to do the same, until he took Merlin's hand by the palm and turned it to kiss the back of it. Merlin immediately pulled his hand away, but not before a light pink colored his face. Gwaine chuckled and looked at Arthur, not surprised when he found him unamused. "Alright, I've told you two he's here, but this information cannot get back to my father. If he finds Merlin... there is no telling what he would do. Do you understand?"