Merthur prompt: maybe something with the Knights getting tired of Arthur pining over Merlin when they so clearly like each other?? Alternatively any situation that just has the knights annoyed by their relationship or lack thereof
thank you for the prompt!! :) Hopefully this is something like what you were looking for. Also just to warn everyone it’s kind of an abrupt ending oops
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The knights are currently on a hunting trip with Arthur, a bit of leisure time away from the stress of their duties in Camelot. Of course, Merlin comes along, complaining about it the entire way. And then Arthur comes up with some smart retort which launches an endless tirade of back and forth bickering between the two of them. The thing is about these hunting trips, especially in the past months, is that it feels like the knights are merely tagging along to listen to Merlin and Arthur’s nonstop flirting. It’s ridiculous how smitten they are toward each other.
All of the knights know about the mutual crush. They kept it to themselves, until one night at the tavern. Earlier that day, Merlin and Arthur were being particularly insufferable with their heart eyes. Gwaine was the first one to finally break the silence, leaving the others to join in quickly. Now, with all of them knowing they’re on the same page, at least they can have their own gossiping complaints about Merlin and Arthur being oblivious idiots.
“They always ride side by side,” Percival comments offhandedly, looking at the duo ahead.
“Their horses probably even know that they’re in love by now,” Gwaine declares. “I think most of Camelot probably at least suspects it.”
“Wait! There we go—Arthur just touched Merlin’s shoulder again. What’s the tally at now?” Leon asks.
Elyan replies, “12 times that Arthur’s made contact with Merlin in some way since we saddled up the horses.”
It sounds like a lot, but somedays their tally has reached much higher. It’s one little game among various others that they’ve invented to play when Arthur and Merlin are pining for each other. They’ve also placed many bets on the duo. So far, Lancelot has best predicted most things, such as if Arthur would carry a drunk Merlin back from the tavern (yes, but only after Merlin nearly keels over). The knights are still betting on when they’ll actually get together. None of them have bet that they’ll never get together. It’s inevitable, just hopefully it will happen before they’re both elderly.
“Dismount, men! We’re in a prime spot for hunting,” Arthur declares suddenly.
Everyone gets off their horses and prepares their hunting bows. Of course, they can’t help but hear the bickering.
“—I wouldn’t expect you to understand the fine art of hunting!” Arthur says.
“Since when is slaughtering animals a ‘fine art’?” Merlin replies.
“Since when is it proper to argue with your King?!”
“King? I don’t see a King. I only see a prat.”
And Arthur merely rolls his eyes, letting yet another comment slide, a comment which he wouldn’t unless it were anyone but Merlin. Merlin’s always been special like that.
The sound of a snapping branch makes all of them lurch to attention, scanning the area around them. It seems that Arthur is the lucky one, though, with the deer in nearly perfect range for a shot. He silently holds out his hand where Merlin places the bow with a freshly notched arrow. Arthur goes to aim. Then, the knights notice that Arthur’s eyes flicker back to Merlin for a split second, as if to make sure he’s watching. Finally, Arthur grins smugly and shuts his eyes before taking the shot. A perfect shot.
“See, Merlin! An art. An art that I have mastered with my eyes closed,” Arthur brags. The others can hear the yearning for praise in Arthur’s voice.
“Very impressive, sire,” Merlin compliments, not insincerely but with a tender mirth. “It’s still slaughter, though.”
“You know, learning to wield a bow and arrow can be extremely important. For instance, what if you were lost in the woods and had to hunt to survive?”
“I wouldn’t be stupid enough to get lost in the woods by myself with no provisions in the first place.”
Arthur groans, shoving the bow into Merlin’s hands. “Humor me.”
Merlin blinks. “What do you expect me to do with this? Shoot you?”
“Finally, some peace and quiet!” Gwaine cheers, causing the others to laugh. Arthur merely sends a glare at Gwaine before turning his full attention back to Merlin.
“I’m teaching you how to use a bow and arrow so you’re not completely useless. Now, see, this is…”
The knights share an amused glance as they watch Arthur show Merlin the bow, hands trailing along Merlin’s arms and fingers to adjust them and readjust them in the perfect grip. Then, he stands behind Merlin, scooting Merlin’s legs with his own foot. They’re both blushing, and the tension is palpable. They’ve definitely forgotten that they aren’t alone.
“Then, you release it,” Arthur explains, finally stepping away and clearing his throat. “But, of course, you’d normally use an arrow.”
“An arrow? Really?” Merlin asks sarcastically.
“You know, you haven’t been to the stocks for a while…”
“As if you could bear being without me that long.”
Arthur obviously doesn’t know what to say, too flustered to speak. Eventually, though, he manages to stammer out a response. “Please, Merlin. I’m King. I can do things for myself; I just enjoy watching you struggle. Speaking of which, go fetch that deer before the birds come for it.”
Muttering something under his breath, Merlin trudges toward the deer. As he goes, the knights notice Arthur’s lips twitch upward in a fond, soft smile that’s so rare to see on his face. When Merlin turns around again, lugging the deer behind him, Arthur’s eyes light up. Merlin sighs, jostling Arthur slightly as he walks past. Both of them now wear matching, secretive smiles.
“This is really pathetic,” Gwaine comments to the others.
Lancelot says, “For once, I agree with Gwaine.”
“They have no idea the effect they have on each other,” Percival states. “Merlin looks at Arthur like he hung the moon, and Arthur pines over Merlin so badly that he becomes a nervous wreck.”
Elyan adds on, “They’re completely oblivious. I hope they figure it out soon, though, because I’m not sure how much longer I can take all of this flirting.”
Gwaine decides, “I think tonight is a tavern night, men. We need some mead after having to deal with these idiots all day.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Leon nods.
