for @merthurmicrofic. Word Count: 760
The Knights of Camelot had faced many threats: invading armies, enchanted beasts, questionable tavern stew. But nothing—nothing—had tested their patience quite like Merlin and Arthur being catastrophically, painfully, unbelievably oblivious.
“They’re in love,” Leon said flatly, watching Arthur storm across the courtyard while Merlin trailed behind him, waving his arms and complaining.
“They are not,” Lancelot replied, lounging against a pillar. “They’re just—intensely committed to arguing.”
“They nearly died for each other three times this week,” Percival added.
“Four,” Elyan corrected. “You forgot the thing with the cursed goose.”
Lancelot frowned. “Right. The goose.”
Across the courtyard, Arthur spun around. “If you ever turn me into a donkey again—”
“You said you wanted to understand them better!”
“I meant metaphorically, Merlin!”
The knights watched as Merlin huffed, Arthur huffed back, and somehow they ended up standing too close, neither moving away.
Leon pinched the bridge of his nose. “We have to do something.”
-----
Operation: Make Them Realize Their Feelings (Before We Lose Our Minds) began that afternoon.
Gwaine “accidentally” locked Merlin and Arthur in the armory together.
“We’ll be stuck here for hours!” Arthur snapped, rattling the door.
Merlin blinked. “Or… until someone lets us out?”
“Yes, Merlin, that’s how being locked in works.”
When the knights finally opened the door, hopeful, they found Merlin sitting on a crate and Arthur polishing a sword.
“Well?” Leon asked eagerly.
Merlin smiled. “We reorganized the weapons rack.”
Arthur nodded. “Much more efficient now.”
Gwaine walked away before he could scream.
Step two involved emotional vulnerability.
Percival arranged for Arthur to be injured during training—nothing serious, just enough to make Merlin panic.
It worked. Merlin dropped everything, rushing to Arthur’s side, eyes wide with fear.
“Arthur! Are you alright? That looked awful—does it hurt—why are you always like this—”
“I’m fine, Merlin,” Arthur said gently.
“Well… good,” Merlin muttered, suddenly very interested in the ground.
“You worry too much,” Arthur added, quieter now.
“You don’t worry enough.”
They looked at each other.
Leon leaned forward from behind a pillar.
“This is it,” he whispered. “This is the moment—”
Arthur clapped Merlin on the shoulder. “Come on. You can nag me later.”
Merlin followed, already complaining again.
“I can’t do this anymore.”
Step three was direct intervention.
Gwaine marched into the hall, grabbed both of them, and dragged them in front of the knights.
“Right,” he said. “We’re settling this. You two—feelings. Discuss.”
Merlin blinked harder. “What?”
“You’re in love with each other,” Elyan said bluntly.
The knights did not laugh.
“That’s ridiculous,” Arthur said.
“Completely,” Merlin agreed.
“You’re the most infuriating person I know,” Arthur added.
“You’re a spoiled, arrogant prat,” Merlin shot back.
Arthur crossed his arms. “Exactly.”
Merlin nodded. “Exactly.”
“I hate it here,” he announced.
Step four was… not planned
“Fine,” Arthur said, exasperated. “If it will shut you all up—I’ll prove it.”
“Prove what?” Merlin asked.
“That there’s nothing between us.”
Arthur grabbed Merlin by the collar.
Merlin made a startled noise.
And then, Arthur kissed him. It was supposed to be quick. It wasn’t. Because Merlin made this soft, surprised sound, and Arthur paused—just for a second—but it was enough to realize—
Somewhere, a goblet dropped.
Arthur pulled back slowly.
Gwaine raised a hand. “Finally.”
Leon was already sitting down. “Thank every god that listens.”
Arthur blinked again, then frowned slightly. “Wait. Does this mean—”
“Yes,” everyone said at once.
Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. That… makes sense, actually.”
Arthur nodded. “It does.”
Then Arthur, awkwardly, “So… are we—”
They stood there, still too close, now very aware of it.
Then Arthur reached for Merlin’s hand.
Merlin didn’t even hesitate.
Later, as the knights celebrated their hard-won victory, Gwaine leaned back with a satisfied grin.
Leon exhaled deeply. “We can finally know peace.”
Across the hall, Arthur and Merlin were already arguing again.
“…We made a mistake,” he said.
