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It was a lovely morning and the knights were out training. Merlin was not with them, a problem with the magic in the lake or something. Honestly the knights didn’t know a thing about magic, despite merlin’s many efforts to teach them. It was just hard, okay?
They were just taking a water break when suddenly Elyan was making choking noises. Arthur looked unimpressed as the others rushed to Elyan’s side; his knights were always up to something and it usually wasn’t good. Once Elyan got his breath back, he stared at Arthur as if he’s grown a second head. Or a third.
“what?”
“you- your left wrist, sire.”
That drew everyone’s attention to Arthur. Arthur looked at his wrist and there was nothing wrong. He looked up to ask what on earth was the problem but saw that everyone had the same look on their faces as Elyan.
“what?” he asked again. “what?”
“um we- we didn’t know sire.” Lancelot muttered, looking surprised but pleased too.
“it was about time he made an honest man out of you.” Gwaine said cheerfully, brushing his hair out of his face. “though I’m a bit hurt I wasn’t invited to the wedding.”
“what wedding?” Arthur was getting really confused.
“oh you eloped? Wait until Gwen hears about this.” Elyan gave a loud laugh.
“she’ll love it.” Lance said with a grin.
“Very romantic, sire.” Percival said with a little teasing smile.
“Right? I didn’t know you had in you, princess.”
“What on earth are you lot talking about?” Arthur was quite confused at this point.
“you don’t need to hide it from us, my lord. We’re all very happy for you.” Leon gave Arthur a pat on the back.
“hide it? Leon, he’s showing off his lovely bracelet for everyone to see.” Gwaine said.
“bracelet? What about my bracelet?” Arthur looked at his wrist. A few nights back, Merlin came to have dinner with Arthur (as was now their routine) and they discussed the peace treaty with the witches over the mountain. After that they sat in front of the fireplace and passed the wine skin between them. Arthur loved these little, quiet moments with Merlin, when it felt like it was just the two of them in the whole world.
Merlin looked very beautiful in the firelight, ethereal, even. He looked at Arthur and smiled and Arthur felt his face flush. Merlin scooted closer to Arthur and leaned on him and Arthur wrapped his arm around his shoulders. It was then that Merlin gave the bracelet to him. A simple thing, a piece of leather string attached to one half of a coin. The other half was hung around Merlin’s neck. Arthur loved it and he thought it made sense. Everyone said they were like two sides of the same coin. It was a reminder of their shared destiny and everything they’ve been through. It was also a promise, that they’ll be together for years to come. Always together, always side by side, helping and completing each other like two halves of a coin.
Arthur smiled softly at the memory of Merlin, giving Arthur the bracelet with a shy smile and how his smile turned into a full-on grin when Arthur offered his wrist for Merlin to put it on him.
His knights’ voices pulled him out of his head. He crossed his arms on his chest and lifted an eyebrow. “well? What was it about my bracelet?”
“nothing sire, we’re just really happy you two finally worked it out.” Lancelot said.
“yeah but you could have told us at least, you know?” Gwaine said with a hand on his chest, always the dramatic one.
“told you what?” No, Arthur didn’t whine. Kings don’t whine, Mer-lin.
“that you guys got married, we could go out and have a little celebration.” Elyan said with a pout. Arthur decided he was spending too much time with Gwaine and Merlin. Wait, wait. Did Elyan say ‘married’? who’s married? Arthur wasn’t married. God, what if Merlin heard this. Arthur couldn’t have Merlin thinking he was involved with anyone. No, that wouldn’t do at all.
Before Arthur got a chance to clear the incorrect assumptions tho, a familiar voice came. “why aren’t you stabbing each other with pieces of metal, O mighty knights of Camelot?”
Arthur smiled at Merlin. “Hey. You’re back early. Everything alright?”
“It is now. The lake guardians just wanted to have a chat. Now what did I miss?”
“more like what did we miss?” Gwaine said and oh Gods, don’t let them say this to Merlin. “why didn’t you tell me you guys got married? I thought we were best friends, Merls.”
Merlin laughed. Why was Merlin laughing? Wait. They were married? Him and… Merlin? Now, wouldn’t that be a dream?
“yeah well it’s a new development.” Was Merlin blushing?
“what?” Arthur said.
“what?” Merlin asked.
“we’re married?”
“yes, Arthur. You didn’t know?”
“but- but when? When did it even happen?”
Merlin looked at him uncertainly. “when I made us these?” he showed his matching coin necklace. “and you accepted?”
“what?”
“I- I thought your sigil… Gaius said when someone gives you their family’s sigil, they’re asking for your hand in marriage. Or you just gave it to me for safe keeping. In that case I think I made a complete fool of myself… oh boy.”
“Merlin, hey hey, look at me. You didn’t make a fool of yourself. I meant it, but when we didn’t talk about it, I thought you don’t want to marry me.” Arthur said in a small voice.
“of course I want to marry you, you prat. I just didn’t know. How the hell am I supposed to know all your stupid noble traditions?” Merlin said with an eyeroll. “wait. Does it mean you don’t know what these mean?” he pointed to their matching accessories. Arthur shook his head. “I can’t believe you.”
“the servants and those of people who can’t afford rings, break a coin in half and exchange it with their betrothed.” Lancelot, the always nice one, explained helpfully.
“so you accept my offer of marriage?” Arthur asked Merlin. Everything was starting to make sense now.
“I think I made it pretty clear, yes.” Merlin was blushing. Merlin was blushing. Gods, he was adorable. And beautiful. And his. Merlin was finally his.
“mine.” Arthur muttered.
“what-” whatever Merlin was going to say was cut off by Arthur, pressing their lips together. Merlin responded quickly and wow, this felt better than everything he’s imagined. Merlin was in his arms and was kissing him and wanted to marry him and Arthur felt like he could fly.
It was a few minutes before either of them could let go and then suddenly the world came back in a wave of wolf whistles and cooing noises. Merlin chuckled and Arthur wanted to kiss him again and he could, so he did. Merlin smiled lovingly at him. “I expected it sooner but it was worth the wait."
“I love you, Merlin. I love you so very much.”
“I love you too, you prat.”
“Gwen is going to be really pissed for missing this.” Elyan laughed.
“oh boy.”