“i want you, to always… be you.”
this line is definitely the most important merthur line in the show.
arthur, for many years, continuesly made fun of merlin. he would either call him ugly, a coward, stupid, idiot - and more - and it was very rare for him to compliment merlin, although the compliments were more in s4 and s5.
but this line? it’s literally arthur saying: merlin, dont ever change. i know i have made fun of you in every way possible, but i never meant them. dont ever change. you are perfect just the way you are.
because arthur never did see any flaw in merlin; as we know, he wasnt the best at expressing his feelings, and therefore he would insult merlin to show his affection towards him. merlin, however, started to believe them as the years went on. he knew arthur viewed him as a coward and an idiot. he believed arthur wanted merlin to change. he believed he was viewed unimportant in arthur’s eyes because of his countless flaws arthur loved to point out. he never believed the fact that arthur was actually completely fine with who he is.
and arthur telling him to never change, comes off a shock to him.
he draws back a little. he tilts his head up. merlin doesnt believe arthur and you can see it in his eyes.
he moves his head as if this time, hes the one who cant figure out arthur. hes looking at arthur as if hes expecting arthur to start laughing and tell him he was joking; but arthur doesnt. because hes serious. because he truly thinks merlin is perfect.
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