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Merlin had known Arthur for what feels like half of his life now. They had saved each other’s lives within days of knowing each other and they had never stopped doing so. They had become inseparable long before they admitted to even being friends.
Arthur and Merlin had saved Camelot and united Albion together, they had spent countless days on patrol and in war, strategizing around the round table and making laws that would make the kingdom a better one.
The throne was Arthur’s but not a single soul could imagine it without Merlin right beside him, standing just slightly behind him to protect and guide Arthur, to accompany him through every tough decision and the boredom of the daily routine.
Somewhere along the years they had embraced the depth of their bond, the love of true soulmates. Ever since it felt like it couldn’t have been any different. They fit, they simply made sense in a way that made Merlin wonder sometimes whether the fates had intended exactly this.
An eternal love that would surpass everything the world had ever seen.
Merlin had known Arthur for so long, had watched him with hawk eyes to make sure he wasn’t hurt, he couldn’t help but notice the way Arthur smiled, the way his eyes glowed and his head tilted.
He had seen him laugh, heard the sound of his very own happiness often enough to recognize it anywhere. He would always recognize Arthur.
After more than a decade he also saw Arthur playing with his rings often enough, moving them around when he was bored, turning them around his fingers when he was lost in thought, holding on to them when he bottled up his emotions.
Merlin had started loving rings ever since he noticed them on Arthur’s hands. He couldn’t even begin to describe just how ethereal they made his lover look, how regal and proud he appeared. Merlin loved kissing those rings.
But Merlin also didn’t fail to notice how Arthur would massage the skin around his nuckles, knead his fingers whenever he wasn’t wearing his rings. He saw the way this habit had long found its way into Arthur’s subconscious.
He loved watching Arthur, lost in thoughts and his tiny little quirks coming through the masquerade of royal nonchalance.
He loved Arthur with all his heart and that was when it hit him.
“Arthur?” he asked with a low voice. They had been on patrol all day, something Arthur still loved doing occasionally with his knights. He had never been one to let others do the work and maybe that was why Camelot and its citizens loved him. Maybe that was one of the reasons he was the Once and Future King.
It certainly was one of the reasons why Merlin loved him.
“Yes?” Arthur replied, standing at the window, looking outside at Camelot in the darkness. Merlin had been sitting at the table but slowly got up now and walked over to him. Arthur didn’t move, so Merlin snuck his arms around his waist and hugged him from behind.
“I need to tell you something,” Merlin began, while Arthur slightly leaned against him.
“What’s wrong?” Arthur asked, worry in his voice and he carefully caressed Merlin’s hands.
“Shh, nothing, Arthur,” Merlin reassured him and put his chin onto Arthur’s shoulder.
“I just want you to know, Arthur, that you are the love of my life. The stars in my darkest nights and the shade in the burning sun. You are the moon that guides my way and the air I need to survive,” Merlin murmured in his ear.
He took a deep breath and upon releasing the air from his lungs, he also let go of his magic, allowing her to flow into the room and illuminate it in golden light.
Arthur tried to turn around but Merlin held him tightly in his arms.
“You are the reason for my life, my magic and my love. You are the Once and Future King and forever you will be the king of my heart, body and soul. You are the reason I exist, the reason I came to Camelot and the reason I will never leave again, Arthur,” Merlin said and with every word the room came to life, energy whirling around as flowers and wines made the room a perfect refugium.
“I swear, I will forever cherish you. I will never leave your side and I will protect you with my life if that is what it takes. You will never be alone as long as you want me by your side, Arthur Pendragon,” Merlin finished and slowly let go of Arthur.
As Arthur turned around, Merlin dropped down onto one knee. Merlin slowly looked up and was met with teary eyes and an impossibly happy smile.
“Will you, King Arthur Pendragon, marry me?” Merlin asked, his voice breaking on the last words and he held out one hand. A ring materialized in front of their eyes, a delicate golden thing that seemed to pulsate in Merlin’s hand.
“Merlin, I,” Arthur got out and a quiet, little sob escaped his lips, before he got down on his knees as well and hugged Merlin as tightly as he could.
“Of course, you utter fool. God, I love you,” Arthur murmured into Merlin’s skin and the magic in the room lit up, butterflies circling the hugging lovers.
“I love you, too, Arthur. But those words will never be enough,” Merlin answered and carefully pulled back, offering the ring to Arthur once more. Arthur held his hand out and Merlin put the ring on his finger with a wide grin.
“Now, you’ll never not have a ring to play with,” Merlin grinned sheepishly at Arthur. He playfully pushed him and inspected the ring on his finger.
“You’re right, Merlin. I won’t ever take it off. It will stay with me until the day I die and longer,” Arthur promised and Merlin nodded.
“Just like I will, Arthur.”