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Hunting was one of the things Merlin hated about his job. It was tiring, scouring the forest for hours on end without the knowledge of whether they were going to be successful. Many times they came back defeated, Arthur shouting about Merlin’s gift of clumsiness and how his inability to use stealth was what scared the animals off. But Arthur couldn't stay mad for too long, and Merlin knew. He'd crack a joke at Arthur's weight, or some other nonsense which would cause Arthur to temporarily shout at Merlin, but like clockwork he'd be grinning, firing back insults and the day was saved (and Merlin’s head for that matter).
But if you had to ask Merlin’s opinion on hunting, this is what he'd say.
“Hunting? Well, I see it as a waste of time really. I’d much rather stay home completing my other thousands of chores assigned by Arthur, rather than gallivanting around the forest looking like a looney drunkard from the tavern.”
So when Arthur had told Merlin to prepare for yet another useless hunt, the annoyance was apparent across his face.
“Arthur, can we not just stay at the castle? I'm sure there are dozens of other activities that are more interesting than hunting.” Merlin had pleaded with Arthur to reconsider. But if he knew anything about Arthur it was that he sticks to his plans, even at Merlin’s cost.
“Merlin I don't care if your girlish bones can't handle a simple hunt but must I remind you that as the Prince of Camelot I don't have to listen to you. Now, get the horses and our weapons ready. I'll meet you in front of the castle in half an hour.” Arthur was a cruel man, blatantly ignoring the pleas of his servants. The only thing Merlin could do was suffer through this ordeal once more until he could flop back into his bed, even if it were only for a restless couple of hours before the cycle started again.
Merlin bowed his head and left Arthur's chamber hurried, muttering under his breath “royal prat” but Arthur didn't mind as much this time. Now, he was able to prepare himself for the confession.
See, for a long time Arthur has been harbouring feelings for Merlin; feelings that were confusing to him. It was no secret that Merlin was a charming man, oozing confidence and a playful nature that infected others who chose to be around him. But over the course of the last few months, these feelings of love?- Arthur wouldn’t describe it as love, not now anyways- admiration, had always been different to how he would feel about others.
Arthur was by no means inexperienced when versed in the world of love. As the Crown Prince, he's had flocks of women swooning over him and while he did have his eyes on some of them, after all he would be a fool to ignore their beauty, recently none have caught his eye. Rather, he had his sights set on his bumbling manservant.
At first, the sudden revelation of his admiration?- again, Arthur didn't want to name this particular feeling he had for Merlin; he'd rather it stay unnamed and buried with other less important thoughts- Arthur had been quick to deny it. For Heaven’s sake, he was Arthur Pendragon, the future ruler of Camelot. He couldn't sacrifice his kingdom by not having an heir all because he couldn't contain his… feelings for Merlin.
But then months had passed, and Arthur found it increasingly difficult to contain this feeling. Watching Merlin as he tripped and stumbled while performing an easy task brought a grin to his lips. But as quickly as it formed, it disappeared in fear of the response he'd receive from Merlin. For once, Arthur was content to observe him, just another onlooker.
Recently thought, Arthur had been starting to feel an insatiable need to be around Merlin. It had started by Merlin sitting out on the courtyard watching Arthur train with the other knights. Every so often, Arthur would glance back at Merlin, staring at his hair as it was illuminated by the summer sun’s rays. Eventually, the knights had caught on with what was happening and swiftly cracked jokes about Arthur at his expense.
“Ooh Arthur, you look like a love sick girl,” Gwaine had cooed from across the field, which earned him a high five from Percival. Arthur would hate to agree but he couldn't help it, Merlin was looking divine under the sun and if Arthur was looking, well he was simply admiring art, that's all.
Training had be completed but not without a few more jabs thrown at Arthur, how he should run across the field and kiss Merlin, how his face looks like a beetroot from how much he was blushing, and even Leon, one of Arthur’s most trusted knights, had joined in and referred to Arthur as “a pining little girl watching her crush”. Suffice to say, Arthur left the field feeling embarrassed.
But now wasn't the time to reflect. Now he had more important things on his mind.
How was he going to confess to Merlin?
He had planned on going on a hunt, a manly activity between the two, and after nightfall had come, as they surrounded the campfire, maybe Arthur would pluck up the courage to tell Merlin how he's been feeling for the past couple of months. But a lingering feeling of doubt had crawled into Arthur's mind and convinced him that Merlin wouldn't want that. Merlin would see him as gross and not a prince that he would want to work for and he would take his leave forever.
The thought of Merlin leaving had upset Arthur to the point he was reconsidering his approach. Hell, he was even reconsidering telling him. As long as he had Merlin with him, with or without the knowledge of his feelings didn't matter. He'd take his company over anything else in the world.
With little to no hope, he gave up and gave in to the knights. From their faces, he anticipated they were waiting for him to ask for their help. Which made Arthur feel relieved, if anything. At least they would have his back and for that he was grateful.
“Okay Sire, I understand you plan on telling Merlin your feelings for him. But have you thought of where?” Of course, Leon was always thinking practically. Arthur couldn't simply do it in the castle, there were too many opportunities to overhear, and this business wasn't the type he wanted others to know about. He opened his mouth to speak, but then Gwaine rudely interjected.
“You know what I think Arthur. I think you should take Merlin on a picnic in the forest. Romantic and secluded. You'd be able to tell him all your dirty little feelings there.” He ended with a smirk and if Arthur wasn't so drained, he would have half the idea to lean over and slap Gwaine for even insinuating anything about his prince.
“We could bring the food!” Percival, always quick to assist Gwaine with any stupid plan he thought up, had now started thinking about how to set up a picnic. Before long, the knights had now concocted a plan; Arthur must tell Merlin they were going on a hunt, with Merlin unaware, the knights would leave and gather at the desired spot to prepare their picnic. All Arthur had to do was lead him there and the rest would be done for him (after all, when had he ever had to do something for himself).
But even as the knights reassured him that everything would be perfect, Arthur still felt a gnawing feeling in his chest. “What if Merlin didn't see me that way? What if he was disgusted and left? I don’t want him to leave.” But alas, the knights were nothing if not determined and Arthur had to follow through, even if he didn't get the result he wanted.
—--
Half an hour had passed and Merlin was wondering what was taking Arthur so long. He'd been so insistent to go hunting and now he was running late, which was unlike him. If there was something Arthur valued it was efficiency and not wasting time. Merlin sighed; he wasn't even allowed to stay back at the castle and now he had to wait around for Arthur. It annoyed him greatly.
Arthur…
See, over these past months, Merlin has been thinking of Arthur more commonly. At first he thought it was natural, Merlin’s destiny was to serve Arthur and so it was normal to worry about him. But sometimes, in the deepest pits of Merlin’s mind, he thinks of Arthur in a different way. He thinks of his eyes, how strikingly blue they are. How they pale in comparison to the clear sky. His hair was soft to the touch and how he wanted to reach out and touch it.
Oh how he wanted.
But he couldn't. He knew he couldn't and therefore shouldn't be thinking this way about his Prince. Yet he couldn't stop; Arthur was just too beautiful to stop thinking about. His smile when he was happy was adorable, and Merlin couldn't help but feel awe when he looked at him.
Arthur was Arthur; brash, rude, and unable to be kind for even a second.
But he was thoughtful, loyal, and cared for his people, no matter a peasant or noble. Servant or knight, Arthur would risk his life for each and every one of them. Maybe that was what drew Merlin to him.
As Merlin stood around and daydreamed about his Prince, said Prince was walking down the stone steps of the castle as he made his way towards his manservant. Both had too much on their minds to think, and without further spoken had saddled on their horses and made the journey into the forest.
—--
As they finished setting up the picnic, the knights looked content at their hard work. They were proud of Arthur for trying to confess to Merlin, especially since affairs of this nature were widely considered sinful. But that didn't matter to the knights; their duty was to Arthur and that meant seeing him happy - if Arthur was happy with Merlin, who were they to judge?
“Elyan, move the plates closer together!” Lancelot yelled out as he busied himself with gathering the remaining food from the horses. He was skeptical on how Leon had managed to acquire the food from the kitchen but he wasn't going to ask. Their time was running out and shortly Arthur would be arriving with Merlin.
“Right then everyone, this picnic looks fit for our Prince and his Princess, wouldn't you say?” Gwaine admired their work while the others spoke a chorus of cheers. All that was needed now were the stars of the show.
—--
“Arthur, this isn't the route we take for hunting. Are you sure you know where we're going?” Merlin had begun to worry, Arthur was unusually quiet for once, paired with an unknown path and that was more than enough to fry Merlin’s nerves. What if they were ambushed by bandits? What if Morgana finds them? Merlin’s mind was pacing, going a mile a minute and…-
“Merlin, you think too much. Look, I know what I'm doing, you just need to trust me.” Arthur's voice was rough with something Merlin couldn't pinpoint. Concern? But he had faith in Arthur and now was the time to show it. So Merlin stopped asking questions and let Arthur whisk him away into unknown territory.
Up ahead, surrounded by rough terrain, was a patch of land perfectly unspoilt. The grass was vibrant, full of health and a gorgeous green hue. The sun’s rays danced across the field, enhancing its beauty. Laying in the middle, was a blanket, adorned with fine china, fruits, meat and a hearty amount of red wine. Boarding the blanket, there were roses. The sight was perfect.
Merlin gasped. He was taken aback by the sight. But he was confused. Arthur wasn't meeting any of the neighbouring princesses so what was he seeing?
Whilst Merlin was stuck in his thoughts, Arthur dismounted his horse and tied it to the nearest tree as he proceeded to make his way to the picnic. As he strides, he looks back at Merlin, whose face was contorted into a look of confusion; his brows were furrowed and his lips were pressed to form a thin line as he glared at Arthur.
“Arthur? …what… What are we doing here?” The tone of confusion was laced in Merlin’s voice, clear as day. Arthur had to be confident now; he had one shot to do this and he was sure as hell he wanted to do it right.
“Merlin, sit with me” Arthur's voice was firm, but he knew deep down he was scared. Scared of what Merlin would do. Would he run, would he sit?
After a hellish moment of pause, Merlin dismounted from his horse and tied it next to Arthur as he joined him on the blanket.
Arthur exhaled a shaky breath of air he didn't know he had as he tried to find the right words to say.
“Merlin, for as long as I've known you, I've seen you as a loyal servant. A friend that I could turn to no matter what. But- I mean, recently that is, I've not been entirely truthful to you.”
“Truthful? Arthur are you alright? Has something happened?”
“No, no, no. It's fine, I'm fine. The truth is- oh God. The truth is Merlin, I… I like you. And I've liked you for quite some time now. I understand if you don't reciprocate, it's fine, really. I just wanted to tell you, it felt wrong bottling up all these emotions and keeping them a secret from you. But, please don't hate me, I've enjoyed having you as a servant and I wouldn't want you to leave just because of me and…-”
“Hate you? Arthur please, calm down. Of course I wouldn't hate you; truth is I feel the same way as you. I just didn't know how to tell you.”
“-... and we could just pretend that I didn't… What?” Arthur went silent, as he took Merlin’s words into consideration.
He… likes me.
He likes me back.
Merlin likes me back.
“So… so you like me back?” Arthur hesitantly asked, his heart was on the line and he didn't want to be mistaken.
“Yes, you clotpole. I like you. Now can we eat?” Merlin’s answer rang in Arthur's ear, replaying over and over again as he savoured those three words. They meant the world to him.
“Yes Merlin, we can eat.”
The two boys sat beside each other, laughing and sharing jokes as they held each other's hands. They were determined to hold each other for eternity if they could help it.
After all, a picnic is way better than a hunt, Merlin would say.