Hills Outside of the City, Camelot, Friday Afternoon

[bitchprince]

There was a great deal of work left to be done, and Arthur had done as such just that morning until Gaius had gently reminded him he was supposed to be recovering still. With no interest in sitting around his room whittling or anything of the sort, Arthur had announced he was to go hunting.

This was, of course, somewhat counter to Gaius's concerns, but really, he'd assured the man, he was only taking Merlin for a quick jaunt to get some rabbits or maybe a deer. Strictly the simple stuff.

Apparently the tone in his voice had carried Arthur's meaning across to Gaius, because that had been the end of it. (Not that Arthur would have ever let Gaius order him to stay anywhere, except the man could be a bit odd in his own way, and the last thing Arthur needed today was a codgy old physician pottering after him with a bowl of leeches and a raised eyebrow and-- All right, maybe he was a little terrified of Gaius, but honestly, it was like people didn't expect him to be able to take care of himself after nineteen-- all right, eighteen, according to the slower turning of seasons in Camelot-- years of living)

If Arthur were to be forced to spend time outside of the reconstruction effort, he'd make it something enjoyable. Which is why, after an illicit trip down to the kitchens and a shout in Merlin's general direction, they were heading out into the woods.

And then past the woods, onto the hilltops and their sprawling fields. The view was nice, the early spring sun was nice, and Arthur would be lying if the company wasn't nice.

Of course, it was absolutely nothing like hunting, but shh. He'd mention the true purpose of this jaunt in due time.

This was an excellent idea, if he did say so himself.

[[ for the ears; thread goes nws ]]

Comments

[bitchprince]

"Is that so."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin looked away, focusing elsewhere for now. "What else did you bring to eat?"

[bitchprince]

"Cheese. Bread. I may have nicked some wine as well, but I didn't have time to check."

He studied Merlin for a moment.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Cheese?" And Merlin was already digging for it. Like the greedy little servant he was.

[bitchprince]

Arthur studied him for a moment longer, then shook his head. "Someone needs to fatten you up," he said. "God only knows what Gaius has been feeding you this week."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"He hasn't been around, actually," Merlin replied. "He was busy in the lower town, handling the injured."

[bitchprince]

Arthur squinted at him. "Have you been scrounging off the kitchen maids again?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"...they think I'm cute."

[bitchprince]

"A misconception of such grand proportions I have grown to doubt their sanity," Arthur said, nodding like that was an established fact. "I'll have the cooks prepare a little more tonight. Might as well keep your insolence away from their grubby fingers."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"They like me!" No, they thought he needed to be fattened up.

[bitchprince]

"Highly doubtful, Merlin," Arthur assured him. "I've heard them complaining about the messes you leave behind."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"That's your messes."

[bitchprince]

Arthur snorted. "That's a lie, and you're well aware of it," he said, dryly. "Remember that disaster with the flour?" About... two years ago.

Well, for them. About six months for the locals.

He fidgeted with the last remains of the meat in his hands, and then ate it, quickly.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin snorted and finally gave into something he'd wanted to do since they got back. He leaned over and kissed Arthur quickly.

[bitchprince]

Oh thank God, they'd both had the same idea.

Arthur slid his hand into Merlin's hair before he could pull back, and tugged him closer for a second, longer kiss.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I wasn't sure--" Merlin said, grabbing Arthur's shirt to stay close. "I mean--"

[bitchprince]

"I miss you," Arthur murmured, pressing his nose into Merlin's shoulder. "It's really quite embarrassing." There was a light touch of self-deprecating humor in that, though.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I missed you too." That whole week or so they weren't waking up tangled horribly.

[bitchprince]

It really was embarassing when you put it like that, wasn't it? Good thing no one was doing so aloud.

"Idiot," Arthur said, fondly, and leaned back to kiss him again.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Hey, it worked for them! They had a very special way of functioning. It involved sex and a lot of snuggling.

"Maybe more hunting trips?"

[bitchprince]

"It would be good for your constitution," Arthur pointed out, lightly. "You may also want to consider spending more time in that antechamber you've been neglecting."

You know, the one where Arthur's servant was supposed to sleep so he could cater to any problems during the night.

... They'd be able to make the cot look slept-in easily enough.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You don't think people would notice?" Merlin asked, kissing the corner of his mouth like the utter girl he was.

[bitchprince]

"You realise most of the other personal servants move there upon recieving their position," Arthur said, a little dryly, and smoothed some hair behind Merlin's ear. "It's an abnormality that you haven't. Even Guinevere--" Oh, look, that was the maid's name, "Stays with Morgana half the time, I think."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"...really?"

[bitchprince]

There was a prolonged pause.

"Merlin," Arthur said, slowly, "Please don't tell me no one ever told you this."