before the world, it got so serious; before the time, it got away from us
for my deeply beloved, @bellamyblakru. i am so lucky that i get to know you and be a part of your life. i am so lucky that i can talk to you everyday. i am so so lucky that you let me be your friend. i love u.
for my beloved, @bellamyblakru <3
thank you to @sourdough-morbread for proof reading! <3
âMerlin! Merlin, where are you?!â
Ever since Merlin realized that he was hopelessly in love with Arthur, he had been avoiding him.
Or trying to at least.
For days, Merlin had been having strange sensations in his stomach and heart whenever he was near Arthur, and he had become worried that he caught some sort of disease. That is, until he went to Gaius with his symptoms, who only laughed at him before revealing what was really going on. That was two nights ago.
Right now, Merlin was hiding in Gaiusâs wardrobe. That was his first mistake.
Arthur burst through the door, looking around frantically.
âMerlin!â
âWhat is it, sire?â Gaius asked, trying and failing to act shocked that Arthur was here searching for Merlin.
âWhereâs Merlin?â Arthur stood with his hands on his hips, trying to hide the desperation he felt.
âOh! Heâs⌠heâs at the⌠tavern, sire,â Gaius replied as he glanced at his wardrobe. If he could see through the doors, he would see Merlin cursing the day they met.
âThe tavern⌠At this hour of the morning?â
Gaius laughed, but it came out more like a grimace.
âWhat do you need him for? Is there anything I can do for you?â
Arthur hesitated, searching for an excuse. The truth was that he missed Merlin. And he was hurt by the manservant ignoring him all of a sudden. âUh, yeah... he hasnât⌠polished my armour.â
âAlright, Iâll tell him to do that immediately as soon as I see him.â
With a brisk nod, Arthur left, shutting the door behind him.
âThe tavern? Again!?â Merlin couldnât help but shout as he flew out of his hiding spot.
âOops,â Gaius replied, having the decency to look a little sheepish.
An hour later, Merlin was still trying to muster up the courage to face Arthur when he realized that he could just go polish the armour in the armory and sneak away unnoticed.Â
But what he didnât know was that Arthur had had his armour placed in his room for this very reason. He was gonna put an end to Merlinâs avoidance.
Merlin entered the armory, looking around for Arthurâs chestplate and coming to a stop when it was nowhere to be seen. After asking another servant who informed him that the armour is, in fact, in Arthurâs chambers, Merlinâs face felt hot. How could he go in there after realizing his feelings? Heâll just be a blubbering mess in front of Arthur.
Filled with nerves and the overwhelming urge to jump into a hole in the ground, Merlin slowly made his way to Arthurâs chambers. After pacing for at least 5 minutes, he finally walked up to the door and knocked quietly, hoping Arthur wouldnât hear it.
âCome in.â
Cursing silently, Merlin stepped inside while keeping his eyes down.
âSire, Gaius said you needed your armour polished?â he asked innocently, looking around the room for it and making sure to not look at Arthur himself. Only there was a slight problem.
The armour was on the dinner table. And the king was standing right in front of it.
Arthur fixed Merlin with what can only be called a glare, his arms crossed in front of him.
âMerlin.â
The manservant audibly gulped as he looked up at Arthur only to look away immediately.
âWhere have you been? I havenât seen you since two nights ago.âÂ
Merlin was shocked to realize that Arthur sounded⌠sad? He had thought he would be furious with him. He looked back up at the king before responding.
âUm, I was busy⌠sire.â
âAt the tavern?â
Merlin's eyes widened as he blurted out, âNo!â He scratched the back of his neck and looked around awkwardly before continuing, âI mean um⌠No, I was just helping Gwen. With⌠you knowâŚâ
He jumped slightly when Arthur cut in sternly, âNo. I donât know. Helping her with what, exactly?â
âHer⌠house? Yes, she needed some help with her house. Itâs⌠broken.â
Arthur nodded slowly, staring at Merlin.
âHer house. Right.â
âYep,â Merlin replied while looking a bit guilty.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Merlin finally glanced up to see Arthur looking completely dejected, his eyes downcast. Panic flared through him. What was wrong with Arthur?
Just as he was about to ask, Arthur snapped.
âWell, if you could remember your real duties and complete them on time for once, that would be great.â
Arthur turned and walked away as he said this, leaving behind a surprised and confused Merlin.
âRight, the armourâŚâ he mumbled, completely at a loss. What was going on? Was Arthur angry at him?
After the most painfully awkward 20 minutes of his life, Merlin finally finished polishing the armour. Unsure of what to do next, he slowly approached Arthur who was sitting at his desk.
Arthur didnât look up.
Merlin cleared his throat. Still nothing.
âUh, sire?â
Silence.
âIâve polished your armour⌠Was there anything else?â
Arthur slammed the quill he was holding down on the desk before looking up at Merlin, startling him again.
âThatâs it then? Youâre just gonna leave like nothing is wrong?â
Merlin practically broke out into a sweat, confused and panicked by Arthurâs behaviour.
âWhat⌠whatâs wrong, sire?â
Arthur abruptly pushed away from his desk and came around to stand directly in front of Merlin before answering, âYou really donât know?â
Merlin shook his head, his nerves in overdrive. He struggled to maintain eye contact with Arthur, his face starting to flush under the close scrutiny Arthur was giving him. The close proximity wasnât helping either.
And at the worst possible moment, his gaze fell to Arthurâs lips.
As quick as he looked at them, he ripped his eyes back up to Arthurâs, with his face feeling like he had put it inside the fireplace.
Suddenly, Arthurâs demeanour changed completely. His face relaxed as he took a step back before his lips turned up at the corners.
âOh. Now it all makes sense, doesnât it, Merlin?â
Merlin felt sweat dripping down his side. What on Earth was going on?
âWhat?â he choked out.
âI know why you were avoiding me.â Arthur was smiling now, his eyes sparkling.
âYou do?â Merlin blurted before mentally slapping himself. âI mean- I wasnât avoiding youâŚâ
Arthur chuckled lightly before replying, âRight. It was for the same reason that I missed you so terribly yesterday.â
Now Merlin was really confused, his brain scrambling to figure out what was happening.
Arthur took a step closer, causing Merlin to step back as his face burst into flames again. The tension in the room was becoming palpable and Merlin had no idea what to do. Arthur kept stepping closer until Merlin felt his back hit the wall behind him.
âDid you miss me?â Arthur asked.
Merlin could barely breathe, let alone speak. âHuh?â
Arthur put his hand on the wall beside Merlinâs head before continuing, âDid you miss me when you were avoiding me all day?â
Merlin was like a deer caught in headlights, his hands pressed to his sides, frantically looking back and forth between Arthurâs eyes. They were absolutely stunning from this close.
After another few seconds, Arthur spoke in a low, soothing voice, âItâs okay. You can tell me.â
With his heart ready to beat right out of his chest, all Merlin could do was nod slightly.
Arthur smiled again, moving his other hand to brush Merlinâs cheek.
âYouâre so cute when youâre flustered,â he teased, admiring Merlinâs blush.
âAm I dreaming?â Merlin blabbed, his mouth completely dry. That was the only explanation for what was happening right now.
âOh, so you dream about me?â Arthur giggled, âThatâs good to know.â
âWhat!? No, sire- I mean Arthur, I-
Merlin couldnât finish what he was about to say when Arthur pressed his lips against his.
After only a couple seconds, Arthur pulled back but only just. He smirked at the dazed look on Merlinâs face before asking, âWas that in your dream too?â
Merlin didnât know it was possible to blush this hard.
