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Arthur wasn't nervous. No way in hell was he nervous no matter what Morgana or Gwaine or even Leon, that traitor, told him. Arthur was courage itself and absolutely not nervous. He had a plan and will follow through it. Today was the day, not tommorow or the day after. Today. Just like he had told himself everyday day for the past few weeks. Why is he even nervous it's not like what he wants to do is life altering or anything. Except it is.
So here's the thing. Even though after Uther's death and all the changes Arthur made ever since there are some things, namely courting traditions, which held their ground only to mock Arthur right now.
One should know the king has an enormous crush on his manservant-turned-courtsorcerer and everyone has encouraged him to get his act together and start to woo this oblivious little idiot. Unfortunately that would involved him talking and admitting feelings he doesn't quite understand and a lot fear of rejection even though everyone said it's ridiculous. Fortunately Camelot has courting rituals which involve no talking and everybody would just understand and that's that.
All he has to do is go to Merlin, take off his red cape showing his status as knight of Camelot and fasten it around the other man's shoulders and he would be done with it. So why is he still standing here in his room and not in the courtyard looking for Merlin?
Maybe he should just do it tommorow morning when Merlin comes to wake him. Or what if he's just leaving the cape in the warlock's chambers. He could have forgotten it if Merlin isn't wearing it the next day and there's no need for awkwardness.
"Arthur!" Morgana's voice broke him out of his panic. When did she come in here?
"What are you doing here, I thought you want to woo the hell out of Merlin."
He should have never told her about his feelings. He made a mental note to never drink with her again, or Gwaine for that matter.
"Ahh, yes..you see....I won't do it. Not today anyway. But tomorrow. I promise, I even have a plan." He tilted his head to avoid eye contact, it would allow him to at least hope for a win.
"Arthur, you are going out there right now and give this man your cloak to show everyone who he belongs to. Not that they wouldn't know by now but it's still tradition and you have to start the courting period soon. I don't know I long I want to wait till I have my dream wedding!" Morgana demanded while shoving him to the door.
"First you don't know if he says yes. Second why would it be your dream wedding?"
"Arthur you know who I am. I know everything. And I especially know that Merlin wouldn't say no to you so just do it or I will and I don't think you want that do you?"
Arthur actually thought a moment about Morgana taking matters in her hand but he sure would be humiliated in the process so he shook his head.
There were nearly at the great doors leading to the courtyard. Guards opened them and Arthur and Morgana quickly went outside.
"Listen Arthur," Morgan said more gently this time, "you have known each other nearly six years now and are in love just as long. He's your best friend and will make you happy, always. You are nervous about nothing. You'll see, Merlin and I will laugh about you and this in no time, because really, you don't have to worry. Now go get him."
They turned turned around to see Merlin and Lancelot coming in their direction, locking eyes clearly with the intention to talk to them. Merlin seemed happy and laughed at something the knight had said.
Arthur however wasn't happy and thighnted his grip around his cape. His knuckles turned white and his face grew hard trying to mask anger and sadness. He knew Merlin would see right through that so he quickly turned on his heels and went back inside.
He didn't want to see how there was a red cape around Merlin's shoulders when it wasn't his. He was an idiot. Of course Merlin would choose the noble Lancelot instead of Arthur who only caused him pain.
Now all Arthur wanted to do is eating cake in his bed. He screamed at a servant to bring several cakes to his chambers within the hour before he closed the door and flopped into his bed.
******
"Hey, Morgana. Is everything okay with Arthur?" When Merlin saw Arthur walk away he was instantly worried. Something must have happened judging by the angry look on his face. He should bring Arthur some cake.
Morgana seemed to have a similar look her features when she answered.
"You. How can you ask that question? I thought I knew you but clearly I was wrong." Morgana spat with a disgusted look on her face and turned around to walk away probably following Arthur.
Merlin however was confused and needed answers, but when he called after her she payed him no mind.
"Do you know what that was about?" He asked Lancelot but the other man only shrugged.
"We will ask them later but now you should get out of your wet clothes before you catch a cold."
"Oh yes, thank you again for saving me when I'm fell in that river. You know your knight's cloaks are surprisingly warm and heavy." Merlin said while they headed towards merlins chambers.
"No need to thank me and it probably won't be the last time with as clumsy as you are." The knight answered with a chuckle and then added, "Merlin what would a knight do If he can't even carry his own cape."
When they arrived Merlin handed the cape back to Lancelot and they parted.
Merlin made quick work with changing into dry clothes before he headed to the kitchen to get some cake for Arthur. Some minutes and a small fight with the cook later he stood in front of Arthur's chambers and strode inside without bothering to knock.
He quietly closed the door and set the cake on the table before looking for the king. Said king laid in his bed seemingly numb to the world.
Merlin figured he would be more willing to talk after a piece of cake so he took a plate and placed two pieces on it.
He got back to the bed and gently sat down. Arthur gave no indication that he knows Merlin's there other than a light tensing in his body.
"Arthur, I brought you some cake." He shoved it in his direction. "Do you want it?"
And just like that the was taken from his hand as the king placed it on his other side to not have to look at Merlin.
"Arthur, what happened?" Merlin asked gently but didn't get a reply.
"It's okay. You don't have to talk about. I'll be here when you
want to." He wanted to reach out and give more comfort to Arthur but he didn't know how far Arthur would accept him right now so he just sat next to him and listened to Arthur eating his cake.
"Don't you have somewhere better to be?" Arthur mumbled under his breath quietly but Merlin heard him clearly.
"Why should I be anywhere but here?" Merlin asked confused.
Arthur answered still not looking at Merlin.
"Don't you want to spent time with Lancelot now that he's courting you?"
Merlin halted a moment. Why would Arthur think that? They may be close but everyone knows Lancelot has feelings for Gwen which are very much returned, so where got Arthur this stupid idea.
"Why do you think that? I can assure you Lancelot and I are not courting. He's just my one of best friends. I hope no one else thinks that because that wouldn't be nice for Gwen."
Arthur finally decided to face him looking much better and calmer than before. Maybe even a little hopeful.
"Merlin are you telling me that Lancelot is not wooing you?" Arthur insisted and Merlin slowly nodded still confused but at least Arthur smiled again.
"Merlin. You should know everyone in Camelot probably thinks that by now."
"Shit. We have to tell Lance and Gwen. But why would people even think that?"
Merlin noted there was a little blush forming on Arthur's face and he seemed nervous.
"Umm, you see....in Camelot we have this special courting tradition. If a knight wants to start the courting period he gives the other person his cape. If the person wears it they accept the knight and the intentions are usually very clear. So when you were wearing Lance's cape I and I suppose everyone else just assumed."
"Ohh. Does it work with my court sorcerer cape too?"
Arthur halted a bit seemingly to think and then looked into.his eyes.
"I guess. Do you have a special person to give it to?"
Their eyes were still locked together as Merlin's face softened and his gaze was filled with all the love he had.
"Yes", Merlin breathed not wanting to ruin the atmosphere. Arthur seemed to understand as they slowly graviated towards each other.
"Oh" Arthur whispered and Merlin was determined to close the distance before he could loose the courage. They weren't even an inch apart when the door loudly opened and the moment was lost as Morgana strode in.
"Arthur, I won't have you brooding in all day and eating cake. I just talked to-" she stopped herself when she noticed the two sitting in Arthur's bed a little too near to be considered inoccent. Seemed like they finally got their act together. She smirked and when she caught Arthur trying to subtly wave her away she only rolled her eyes andeft them alone.
Unfortunately the moment was ruined and Merlin was back to his awkward self.
"I should go. Talking to Gwen and Lance, you know. And then we have the council meeting and I still have to give Gaius the herbs I collected earlier, and yeah..."
He scrambled to his feet and gave Arthur a shy smile before he went to the door hoping to get rid of this awkward tension between them.
Arthur didn't know how he made up the courage so suddenly but he quickly grabbed his red cape and then Merlin's wrist.
The younger man turned around with wide eyes looking expectantly at the fabric in Arthur hands. Arthur just stood there for a moment as if waiting for a clue to what to do next.
Merlin gave a small nod and Arthur wasted no time to swing the cape and quickly fastened it around his neck. He let his hand linger on Merlin's collarbones as they beamed at each other.
They didn't exactly know how long they stood there but it couldn't have been so long because suddenly there were servants bringing cake he could have sworn he ordered two hours ago.
"Why so many cake?" Merlin asked curiously and peeked around Arthur's shoulders to get a better look at the table.
"Ohh that. I just wanted to try some for the next feast. We wouldn't want our guest to have anything but perfect cake, right?" He laughed nervously and knew Merlin wouldn't buy it at least he didn't call him out on it.
"Right," Merlin laughed, "I will make the hole for your belt when I come back." He said with a mischevious twinkle in his eyes.
Arthur watched with a love struck smile as Merlin truned around and admired how the cape was much to big for Merlin. All he could see of him was his raven hair but it made a beautiful contrast. The door opened but before Merlin went through he came back and stood in front of Arthur. He didn't look up from Merlin's eyes and only noticed he had done something when there was a soft tug on his upper arm.
Looking down he spotted Merlin's neckerchief tightly knotted around his arm.
"You always do that when I have a tournament or when go into battle. I never understood why."
Merlin's gaze was fixed on the fabric and his hands were still on his arm.
"In Essetir we do that to show our favour. It's supposed to bring good luck and remind someone what they're fighting for. It's not really courting but close. I knew you didn't know what it means but it was nice to see it on you."
Their gazes met again and Arthur felt a surge of love and happiness in his entire body.
"If you don't go right now I'm not responsible for anything that will definitely happen." He kept his voice serious and maybe growled a bit.
"Oh, is this a threat or a challenge?" Merlin laughed and took a step closer.
"Definitely a threat." Arthur low whisper against Merlin's ear.
"Then I should run." And just as he said that he pushed Arthur away and ran out if the room. As much as he wanted to chase the other man Arthur knew Merlin was right. There both had important things to do and now that Merlin was wearing his cape everything was as it should be.
******
8 years later
Merlin awoke with a start. It was still dark outside and he wasn't asleep for more than two hours. Next to him he felt his husband stirring slightly but not waking up. He looked quite peaceful but Merlin just had a revelation and needed to tell Arthur now.
He roughly nudged him and soon enough there was an eye poking out of the pillow to look at the warlock. Merlin only grinned down at him.
"You were jealous." He said grinning wider. Arthur's sleepy brain needed some time to understand.
"What?" He slurred sleepily.
"When you gave me your cape the first time. You were jealous. Of Lancelot." He started to laugh resulting in Arthur waking up a bit more.
"Wasn't." Was all he could bring out before a yawn escaped his mouth.
"Yes, you were. Told you you couldn't keep any secrets from me!" He exclaimed proudly and settled back against the pillow with a huge smile.
"It's been more than eight years. I don't think it still counts." His eyes were closed and his arm blindly reached for Merlin to tuck him to his side.
"Yes it does. But I won't hold it against you."
"The lie or the jealousy?"
Merlin hummed like he would think about the answer but then poked his fingers into Arthur's stomach.
"The ten cakes!" Merlin said triumphantly but then decided he would be done with teasing today and settled against Arthur's side with a kiss to his cheek.
"Love you." He whispered loud enough for Arthur to hear. When he didn't get an answer a minute later he knew there was a smirk on his husbands lips.
Merlin gave Arthur's shoulder a punch.
"Prat. You have to say it back."
"I don't think so." Arthur said happily and got another punch. "Idiot." In his most affectionate way and gave Merlin a forehead kiss. "Love you, too."