fic; all your fault
title; all your fault
rating; pg
word count; 2,050
pairing; merlin/arthur
warnings/spoilers; none
disclaimer; I do not own any of the characters, they are property of their respective owners
summary; arthur falls victim to a cold and as with everything, blames merlin and swears to make him suffer the same fate.
a/n; yeah this fic...idek...the cuteness of these two is a welcome distraction when the internet isn't working and you're bored out of your mind at 3 in the morning. :P
The winter all of Camelot fell victim to a vicious cold, Merlin spent majority of his time running around the castle, delivering vials of medicine and running errand after errand for Gaius along with his usual duties with Arthur.
It was a miracle that he was still able to stand in the morning.
While investigating rumors about a vicious beast to the north, they set up camp near a lake. Arthur, for the mere kick of tormenting Merlin, pushed him into the ice cold water while he was preparing the horses to leave the following morning.
Spluttering and shivering, Merlin emerged from the water to Arthur's roaring laughter and without thinking twice, he grabbed hold of his leg and dragged him into the water with him.
Arthur had been taken by surprise. He coughed out the water from his lungs, shaking his head to rid himself of the water clinging to his hair; droplets splashed against Merlin's face as a result. "Merlin!" he shouted, "You idiot! What have you done?" and he slapped Merlin hard across the face.
But the sense of revenge was too sweet for Merlin to care about the sting and he laughed and splashed more water onto Arthur's already soaked face which just resulted in Arthur grabbing hold of his head and dunking it beneath the surface of the lake.
They continued their mindless water fight, Merlin digging his elbows as hard as he could into Arthur's ribcage, kicking and struggling to get free while Arthur held on firmly from behind until Leon, who had come to inform them that they were ready to leave, coughed uncomfortably and Arthur let go of his grip.
Merlin tried not to laugh at the thought of how they must have looked; the crowned prince of Camelot and his manservant fooling around in the freezing lake like children.
~
Within a day of their return to Camelot, Arthur fell sick. Naturally, he blamed Merlin.
"But how can it be my fault?" Merlin protested as Gaius shut the door behind him with the promise of sending medicine as quickly as possible. "You were the one who pushed me into the lake in the first place. You started it."
"And you dragged me in there with you." Arthur said weakly.
Merlin shook his head. "You are unbelievable." he said.
"And unluckily for you-I'm also your master. Fetch me some soup from the kitchens."
~
"How come you're not sick?" Arthur asked in a weak tone while Merlin helped him into bed at night.
Merlin shrugged, "I don't know, maybe I have a stronger immune system."
Arthur stared at him, amused. "You? Have stronger immune system? YOU?" Merlin shrugged once more and added an extra pillow beneath Arthur's head. Arthur melted into the pillows and closed his eyes, chuckling to himself. "You have as much chances of having a stronger immune system as magic has of being legalized in Camelot while my father is still king."
Merlin narrowed his eyes at Arthur's amused face, "Well I'm not the one whose lying pathetically sick in bed."
Arthur opened his eyes and waved a finger in front of Merlin's face, "Now look here..." he began before stopping abruptly and sneezing quite violently.
Merlin immediately pulled another blanket over him, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead to check the extent of his fever. Arthur groaned. "Look what you've done Merlin..."
"Stop being such a baby, you've endured much worse." Merlin snapped, turning away from Arthur and adding more wood to the already roaring fire.
"All...your...fault..." Arthur muttered when Merlin sat down at the edge of his bed. Merlin rolled his eyes but didn't protest. Arthur's breathing steadied gradually and Merlin sat by his side, watching for any signs of discomfort. Gaius had assured them that the cold was not severe and Arthur should recover in a few days time.
Merlin reached out and ran an absent hand through Arthur's fair hair, smoothing the strands between his fingertips. Arthur leaned unconsciously into the touch, making a soft noise at the back of his throat. Merlin smiled, rolling his thumb against Arthur's temple. He looked so harmless while he was asleep.
Eventually, he found himself tracing Arthur's features with his fingers. Running his thumb over his brows, along the line of his jaw, tracing his lips, caressing his chin before going back to his hair...
"What do you think you're doing?" Arthur asked suddenly.
Merlin immediately pulled his hand away, flushing a deep shade of red. "I was uh-I..." he fumbled.
"I didn't say you should stop." Arthur said, eyes still closed.
"Wait-what?" Merlin asked, frowning. When Arthur didn't provide any further explanation, Merlin tentatively ran his fingers through his hair again and Arthur sighed, a hint of a smile on his face.
This was something Arthur did often; he'd never ask Merlin directly for things like a shoulder rub or head massage or sometimes, not often-for the quiet fulfillment of his more personal needs. Instead, he'd mask it under his inexplicable pratishness and make it seem like it was just another one of Merlin's idiotic acts that he put up with rather than something he enjoyed.
Merlin didn't mind most of the time. He actually looked forward to it; for the chance to touch Arthur in the more intimate of ways, to relish in the knowledge that he was the only one to do so-the only one Arthur trusted enough.
The night wore on and Merlin sat dutifully by Arthur's side until his eyes began to droop with sleep. He made a move to stand up but Arthur's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought you were asleep." Merlin said, frowning.
"I was, until you shook the whole bed just standing up."
"I was just going to go get some sleep."
"Why?"
"Why?" Merlin repeated. "Arthur, all I've been doing these past weeks is working non stop. When I'm not attending to your chores, I'm making sure half of Camelot is getting it's medicine on time and when I'm not doing that, I'm-"
Arthur cut him off, "Why did you need to shake the foundations of the castle to 'go get some sleep' when you're sitting on a bed?" he asked in an irritated tone.
Merlin stared at him confused for a few seconds. "I don't...I don't understand."
"That's certainly not a surprise." Arthur said, opening his eyes and fixing them on Merlin's face.
Merlin tried to figure out if Arthur was inviting him to sleep on his bed-with him. He knew very well he would never actually SAY it but it was worth a shot asking him for clarification anyway.
"Are you telling me I can share your bed?" Merlin asked slowly.
"I am telling you that your clumsiness has disturbed my sleep and that you're not leaving my chambers tonight because I might need something during the course of the night and I'll need my manservant doing his job and attending to me instead of snoring off in his own rooms." Merlin didn't bother to point out that he hadn't been planning on leaving the chambers at all-he'd simply been going to lie down on the rug or slump against a wall.
"If you haven't noticed Merlin," Arthur continued, "I am ill-because of you I might add and the least you could do is let me sleep in peace." Merlin didn't miss the fact that Arthur had shifted slightly towards the right, giving Merlin ample space to lie down beside him.
He was still hesitant though and sat staring at Arthur's form, unsure until Arthur looked at him and raised his eyebrows in question. "Well?"
Merlin slowly moved and pulled himself under the covers with Arthur but stiffened as a sudden thought struck him. "Is this safe?" he asked, turning his face towards Arthur.
"Do you think I'm going to attack you in your sleep, Merlin?" Arthur asked. He gave a small chuckle before saying, "Or are you afraid I'll steal your honor."
Merlin couldn't stop the blush from spreading on his cheeks but he purposefully ignored Arthur's comments. "I meant is it safe considering that you've got a cold and I'm likely to catch it if I'm in such close vincity?"
"I'd be glad if you did."
"Hey!" Merlin protested, propping himself onto his elbows and glaring down at the prince.
"It's your fault I'm sick," Arthur repeated for the millionth time. "You deserve a punishment."
"I think serving you is quite a sufficient one." Merlin mumbled, turning his back to Arthur and scooting over to the edge of the bed, putting as much distance between them as he could just to be safe.
A warm hand snaked around his waist and suddenly Merlin was yanked back against Arthur's chest. "Arthur!"
"I heard that..." Arthur whispered against his ear, breath tickling his neck. Merlin struggled against his grip but it was as useless as it had been at the lake. Arthur was too strong for him-even when he was weakened.
"I'm going to ensure as far as I can that you catch this cold from me." Arthur said, pressing his lips against the shell of Merlin's ear. "And if that means having to keep your bony excuse for a body close to mine, so be it."
"Really, Arthur..." Merlin protested as Arthur threw a leg over his hips to still his attempts at escaping. But Arthur just tightened his arms around Merlin, pressing his lips briefly to Merlin's collarbone.
~
Despite Arthur's tight grip and the uncomfortable heat of his feverish body, Merlin fell into a deep sleep.
He woke in the morning with Arthur's arm splayed about his stomach and his leg still very much encasing his own. Disentangling himself from Arthur, he got out of bed as quietly as he could and set about to get his breakfast and medicine.
By the time he got back, Arthur was awake and stretching in front of the windows. "Ah, is that breakfast? I'm starving."
There was no awkwardness or acknowledgement of the fact that the two of them had shared a bed the previous night. Merlin was thankful. "How are you feeling?" he asked, as Arthur walked over to the table.
"I'm feeling fine actually..." Arthur said, rolling his shoulders experimentally. "I think I'm finally rid of the darned illness!"
"I'll let Gaius know."
"How are you feeling, Merlin?" Arthur asked, grinning.
Merlin looked at him with surprise. "You're actually asking me about how I'm feeling?"
"Any signs of an oncoming cold?" Arthur teased.
Merlin sighed as the night flooded back to him; sleeping pressed close to Arthur's body, so close that their breaths mingled and his constant worry that he'd catch Arthur's cold, that surely he'd be next to fall ill.
"I'm still as healthy as ever, sire." Merlin replied politely but his face was mocking and he took pleasure in rubbing the fact that he had still evaded sickness (so far).
~
It took only a day for Merlin to fall sick as well.
Arthur visited his room sometime around noon, wide grin plastered across his face. "Gaius tells me you're not well." his expression betraying the concern in his voice.
Merlin was too weak at the moment to reply. Arthur stood over his bed, staring down at him. "He's assured me it's nothing serious. Just a mild cold. You should be up and about in a few days."
Merlin groaned. "All your fault..."
"Oh don't be such a baby..." Arthur chastised. "You've endured much worse..."
"Prat." Merlin mumbled.
"I heard that!"
rating; pg
word count; 2,050
pairing; merlin/arthur
warnings/spoilers; none
disclaimer; I do not own any of the characters, they are property of their respective owners
summary; arthur falls victim to a cold and as with everything, blames merlin and swears to make him suffer the same fate.
a/n; yeah this fic...idek...the cuteness of these two is a welcome distraction when the internet isn't working and you're bored out of your mind at 3 in the morning. :P
The winter all of Camelot fell victim to a vicious cold, Merlin spent majority of his time running around the castle, delivering vials of medicine and running errand after errand for Gaius along with his usual duties with Arthur.
It was a miracle that he was still able to stand in the morning.
While investigating rumors about a vicious beast to the north, they set up camp near a lake. Arthur, for the mere kick of tormenting Merlin, pushed him into the ice cold water while he was preparing the horses to leave the following morning.
Spluttering and shivering, Merlin emerged from the water to Arthur's roaring laughter and without thinking twice, he grabbed hold of his leg and dragged him into the water with him.
Arthur had been taken by surprise. He coughed out the water from his lungs, shaking his head to rid himself of the water clinging to his hair; droplets splashed against Merlin's face as a result. "Merlin!" he shouted, "You idiot! What have you done?" and he slapped Merlin hard across the face.
But the sense of revenge was too sweet for Merlin to care about the sting and he laughed and splashed more water onto Arthur's already soaked face which just resulted in Arthur grabbing hold of his head and dunking it beneath the surface of the lake.
They continued their mindless water fight, Merlin digging his elbows as hard as he could into Arthur's ribcage, kicking and struggling to get free while Arthur held on firmly from behind until Leon, who had come to inform them that they were ready to leave, coughed uncomfortably and Arthur let go of his grip.
Merlin tried not to laugh at the thought of how they must have looked; the crowned prince of Camelot and his manservant fooling around in the freezing lake like children.
~
Within a day of their return to Camelot, Arthur fell sick. Naturally, he blamed Merlin.
"But how can it be my fault?" Merlin protested as Gaius shut the door behind him with the promise of sending medicine as quickly as possible. "You were the one who pushed me into the lake in the first place. You started it."
"And you dragged me in there with you." Arthur said weakly.
Merlin shook his head. "You are unbelievable." he said.
"And unluckily for you-I'm also your master. Fetch me some soup from the kitchens."
~
"How come you're not sick?" Arthur asked in a weak tone while Merlin helped him into bed at night.
Merlin shrugged, "I don't know, maybe I have a stronger immune system."
Arthur stared at him, amused. "You? Have stronger immune system? YOU?" Merlin shrugged once more and added an extra pillow beneath Arthur's head. Arthur melted into the pillows and closed his eyes, chuckling to himself. "You have as much chances of having a stronger immune system as magic has of being legalized in Camelot while my father is still king."
Merlin narrowed his eyes at Arthur's amused face, "Well I'm not the one whose lying pathetically sick in bed."
Arthur opened his eyes and waved a finger in front of Merlin's face, "Now look here..." he began before stopping abruptly and sneezing quite violently.
Merlin immediately pulled another blanket over him, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead to check the extent of his fever. Arthur groaned. "Look what you've done Merlin..."
"Stop being such a baby, you've endured much worse." Merlin snapped, turning away from Arthur and adding more wood to the already roaring fire.
"All...your...fault..." Arthur muttered when Merlin sat down at the edge of his bed. Merlin rolled his eyes but didn't protest. Arthur's breathing steadied gradually and Merlin sat by his side, watching for any signs of discomfort. Gaius had assured them that the cold was not severe and Arthur should recover in a few days time.
Merlin reached out and ran an absent hand through Arthur's fair hair, smoothing the strands between his fingertips. Arthur leaned unconsciously into the touch, making a soft noise at the back of his throat. Merlin smiled, rolling his thumb against Arthur's temple. He looked so harmless while he was asleep.
Eventually, he found himself tracing Arthur's features with his fingers. Running his thumb over his brows, along the line of his jaw, tracing his lips, caressing his chin before going back to his hair...
"What do you think you're doing?" Arthur asked suddenly.
Merlin immediately pulled his hand away, flushing a deep shade of red. "I was uh-I..." he fumbled.
"I didn't say you should stop." Arthur said, eyes still closed.
"Wait-what?" Merlin asked, frowning. When Arthur didn't provide any further explanation, Merlin tentatively ran his fingers through his hair again and Arthur sighed, a hint of a smile on his face.
This was something Arthur did often; he'd never ask Merlin directly for things like a shoulder rub or head massage or sometimes, not often-for the quiet fulfillment of his more personal needs. Instead, he'd mask it under his inexplicable pratishness and make it seem like it was just another one of Merlin's idiotic acts that he put up with rather than something he enjoyed.
Merlin didn't mind most of the time. He actually looked forward to it; for the chance to touch Arthur in the more intimate of ways, to relish in the knowledge that he was the only one to do so-the only one Arthur trusted enough.
The night wore on and Merlin sat dutifully by Arthur's side until his eyes began to droop with sleep. He made a move to stand up but Arthur's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought you were asleep." Merlin said, frowning.
"I was, until you shook the whole bed just standing up."
"I was just going to go get some sleep."
"Why?"
"Why?" Merlin repeated. "Arthur, all I've been doing these past weeks is working non stop. When I'm not attending to your chores, I'm making sure half of Camelot is getting it's medicine on time and when I'm not doing that, I'm-"
Arthur cut him off, "Why did you need to shake the foundations of the castle to 'go get some sleep' when you're sitting on a bed?" he asked in an irritated tone.
Merlin stared at him confused for a few seconds. "I don't...I don't understand."
"That's certainly not a surprise." Arthur said, opening his eyes and fixing them on Merlin's face.
Merlin tried to figure out if Arthur was inviting him to sleep on his bed-with him. He knew very well he would never actually SAY it but it was worth a shot asking him for clarification anyway.
"Are you telling me I can share your bed?" Merlin asked slowly.
"I am telling you that your clumsiness has disturbed my sleep and that you're not leaving my chambers tonight because I might need something during the course of the night and I'll need my manservant doing his job and attending to me instead of snoring off in his own rooms." Merlin didn't bother to point out that he hadn't been planning on leaving the chambers at all-he'd simply been going to lie down on the rug or slump against a wall.
"If you haven't noticed Merlin," Arthur continued, "I am ill-because of you I might add and the least you could do is let me sleep in peace." Merlin didn't miss the fact that Arthur had shifted slightly towards the right, giving Merlin ample space to lie down beside him.
He was still hesitant though and sat staring at Arthur's form, unsure until Arthur looked at him and raised his eyebrows in question. "Well?"
Merlin slowly moved and pulled himself under the covers with Arthur but stiffened as a sudden thought struck him. "Is this safe?" he asked, turning his face towards Arthur.
"Do you think I'm going to attack you in your sleep, Merlin?" Arthur asked. He gave a small chuckle before saying, "Or are you afraid I'll steal your honor."
Merlin couldn't stop the blush from spreading on his cheeks but he purposefully ignored Arthur's comments. "I meant is it safe considering that you've got a cold and I'm likely to catch it if I'm in such close vincity?"
"I'd be glad if you did."
"Hey!" Merlin protested, propping himself onto his elbows and glaring down at the prince.
"It's your fault I'm sick," Arthur repeated for the millionth time. "You deserve a punishment."
"I think serving you is quite a sufficient one." Merlin mumbled, turning his back to Arthur and scooting over to the edge of the bed, putting as much distance between them as he could just to be safe.
A warm hand snaked around his waist and suddenly Merlin was yanked back against Arthur's chest. "Arthur!"
"I heard that..." Arthur whispered against his ear, breath tickling his neck. Merlin struggled against his grip but it was as useless as it had been at the lake. Arthur was too strong for him-even when he was weakened.
"I'm going to ensure as far as I can that you catch this cold from me." Arthur said, pressing his lips against the shell of Merlin's ear. "And if that means having to keep your bony excuse for a body close to mine, so be it."
"Really, Arthur..." Merlin protested as Arthur threw a leg over his hips to still his attempts at escaping. But Arthur just tightened his arms around Merlin, pressing his lips briefly to Merlin's collarbone.
~
Despite Arthur's tight grip and the uncomfortable heat of his feverish body, Merlin fell into a deep sleep.
He woke in the morning with Arthur's arm splayed about his stomach and his leg still very much encasing his own. Disentangling himself from Arthur, he got out of bed as quietly as he could and set about to get his breakfast and medicine.
By the time he got back, Arthur was awake and stretching in front of the windows. "Ah, is that breakfast? I'm starving."
There was no awkwardness or acknowledgement of the fact that the two of them had shared a bed the previous night. Merlin was thankful. "How are you feeling?" he asked, as Arthur walked over to the table.
"I'm feeling fine actually..." Arthur said, rolling his shoulders experimentally. "I think I'm finally rid of the darned illness!"
"I'll let Gaius know."
"How are you feeling, Merlin?" Arthur asked, grinning.
Merlin looked at him with surprise. "You're actually asking me about how I'm feeling?"
"Any signs of an oncoming cold?" Arthur teased.
Merlin sighed as the night flooded back to him; sleeping pressed close to Arthur's body, so close that their breaths mingled and his constant worry that he'd catch Arthur's cold, that surely he'd be next to fall ill.
"I'm still as healthy as ever, sire." Merlin replied politely but his face was mocking and he took pleasure in rubbing the fact that he had still evaded sickness (so far).
~
It took only a day for Merlin to fall sick as well.
Arthur visited his room sometime around noon, wide grin plastered across his face. "Gaius tells me you're not well." his expression betraying the concern in his voice.
Merlin was too weak at the moment to reply. Arthur stood over his bed, staring down at him. "He's assured me it's nothing serious. Just a mild cold. You should be up and about in a few days."
Merlin groaned. "All your fault..."
"Oh don't be such a baby..." Arthur chastised. "You've endured much worse..."
"Prat." Merlin mumbled.
"I heard that!"