How about Merlin giving Arthur an amazing pep talk before his coronation, which will include a direct or indirect love confession?? 🤗🤗🤗
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Arthur looked at himself in the mirror and swallowed hard. It was a day he knew would eventually come but now it was here, Arthur questioned if he was ready. Ruling a kingdom was in his blood, it was his birthright, a future he couldn’t escape and yet Arthur felt like an imposter. Uther had been preparing Arthur for ruling since he was a child and now the time had finally come for Arthur to take his place on the throne.
Arthur was shaken from his thoughts as Merlin burst into his chambers, carrying Arthur’s chainmail and cloak with a bright grin. Arthur couldn’t understand how Merlin was so calm, how he just carried on with his duties as if this wasn’t the biggest day of the year. Truth be told, Arthur knew that the coronation wouldn’t change much for Merlin but still, he should be freaking out too, right?
Merlin walked over to Arthur and began to dress the man in silence, a small smile on his face as he pulled on the chainmail. He gently brushed a lone strand of hair from Arthur’s face before pulling back with a gentle blush. Arthur’s expression hardened and Merlin bit his lip.
“Big day.” Merlin said, moving to fetch Arthur’s cloak.
“What do you think, Merlin?” Arthur snapped, finally looking at the man. “Sorry, I just.. I am. I’m nervous.”
Merlin returned with Arthur’s cloak and draped it round the soon-to-be King’s shoulders. He moved to stand in front of the man and started to fasten the material.
“Arthur, you’re going to be a great King.”
“What if I’m not ready? What if I do something wrong?”
Merlin wasn’t used to seeing the Prince this vulnerable, sharing his thoughts and feelings openly but then again, it was the biggest day in Arthur’s life and Merlin smiled softly.
“You won’t do anything wrong. The people love you, you’re going to unite the lands, be the greatest King that Albion will ever know.”
“How do you know that? How can you be so sure?”
Now definitely wasn’t the time to tell Arthur about their shared destiny, about the future that Kilgarrah had spoken of, so Merlin simply placed his hands on Arthur’s shoulders and spoke softly.
“Because I know you. Arthur Pendragon, you are smart and brave and strong and… You’re exactly what Camelot needs.”
Arthur looked deep into Merlin’s eyes and saw the sincerity there, he saw how much Merlin really believed what he was saying. But then he also saw something else.. A look that Arthur couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Merlin’s hands were still on Arthur’s shoulders and he couldn’t bring himself to pull away from the man's stare. The blue of Arthur’s eyes was like an ocean Merlin wanted to drown in, the softness of his skin was pulling Merlin in.
The air felt heavy between them and Arthur’s breaths became heavier as he thought about the reality of their situation. He had realised long ago the attraction he felt towards his manservant but had never had the courage to voice such feelings, especially not when his father was alive. But now, in this moment, something changed.
Merlin watched Arthur’s face, trying to figure out what he was thinking. There was something going on behind those blue eyes and Merlin waited, giving Arthur the time he needed to work it out.
It only took a moment before Arthur breathed in and said something that Merlin would remember for all his lifetimes to come.
“I’m only all those things because I have you. I wouldn’t be who I am today.. without you, Merlin. I.. I need you.”
“You would be an even bigger clotpole without me, that’s for sure.” Merlin chuckled.
“Merlin, I need you by my side. When I’m King, I need you with me.”
“Arthur, I’ll always be here, don’t worry.”
Arthur swallowed, searching for the right words to explain what he really meant but Merlin filled the silence for them both, leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to Arthur’s forehead.
“I’ll always be by your side.”
And Arthur knew then that he could do this, that becoming King wouldn’t be as challenging as he once thought, not when he had Merlin by his side.
