Fic: Comforting Cuddles
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Rating: G
Words: 403
Disclaimer: these boys (still) aren't mine.
Summary: Merlin knew that sometimes Arthur needed him more than he let on.
A/N: Written for hermette 's cuddle fest, which you should all go roll around in because it's wonderful. :D
Merlin knew that sometimes Arthur needed him more than he let on. He would curl in on himself at the end of the day, his face drawn and weary, his voice strained as he ordered Merlin to leave him for the night. It was in moments like those that Merlin would put down the clothes he’d been collecting from around Arthur’s chambers and walk over to where the man stood at the window. He would take the prince’s hand and guide him over to the bed, and Arthur wouldn’t complain when Merlin pulled off his boots and his jacket and wrapped the sheets tight around Arthur’s sides.
And Merlin would sit beside the bed and watch as Arthur slipped into sleep, as his fingers loosening from where they’d been digging into his palms; as his breathing slowed and his eyes drifted closed. Merlin would stand up, then, and pick up Arthur’s clothes and walk slowly back to Gaius’ chambers, content with the knowledge that his presence had helped the prince to sleep.
But not tonight. Tonight, Arthur lay stiffly beneath the sheets, even after Merlin had snuffed out the candles and settled in his chair beside the prince’s bed. Tonight, Arthur wasn’t sleeping. Tonight was different. So this time, Merlin didn’t stay in his chair, but instead tugged off his own boots and slid in beside Arthur, wrapping his arms around the other man’s chest and tucking Arthur’s head against his neck. Arthur melted silently against him, his hands curling around Merlin’s waist, his golden hair soft against Merlin’s skin, and Merlin felt the prince slip quietly into sleep, as though he only felt safe enough to let go of reality when he had Merlin wrapped tight around him.
And Merlin found that it was okay, because he felt better when Arthur’s head was tucked beneath his chin. That moment, when Arthur had relaxed against him, had made him feel whole. It felt as though he was a part of something bigger than himself, only it wasn’t destiny, or fate, it was just this - the two of them pressed together in the darkness, with their limbs tangled so tightly together that Merlin could barely tell them apart. Merlin had always known that Arthur needed him, but it was only when he had Arthur’s arms around him and the prince’s feet warm against his own that he realised that sometimes, he needed Arthur too.