MERTHUR "Look at me."

Part one.

<<Don't close your eyes. Look at me.>>
Merlin was lying in Arthur's bed, in front of him. Face one another.
It was dark, late at night.
It was the first time Arthur actually talked to Merlin, during those moments.
How did we get into this situation? Merlin thought.
In truth, it was easy to put themselves in that situation.
It all began one night.
The night Merlin was curing Arthur's wounds.
Deep wounds. It took a lot of time.
It was late and dawn was close.
Merlin was about to leave Arthur's chamber but Arthur stopped him.
<<It's too late. Sleep here.>>
and so Merlin did.
He sat on a chair and he fell asleep.
Maybe he doesn't want to be alone now. Maybe those wounds have hurt his heart, not just his body.
*  *  * 
But it happened again.
During one another night. One of the many. An usual one.
<<Would you mind staying here?>>
Arthur had been training all evening, but it wasn't wounded. He was just tired.
Maybe he wants company. Merlin thought.
He was about to sit on a chair but Arthur told him to get closer.
And so Merlin did.
He put some pillows on the floor and then he fell asleep in the corner, near to the bed.
Closer to him.
*  *  *
But it kept happening.
<<You hurt your back on the floor, didn't you? Oh you girl.>>
That time Arthur hadn't been training.
He had been spending all the evening with the knight, for a council. Boring stuff.
Maybe he wants to think about something else. Maybe my company distracts him.
<<Come on. Sit here.>> Arthur pointed to the foot of the bed. Initially Merlin didn't understand.
Did I hear that correctly? On his bed?
But Arthur was insisting so he sat there. He tried not to take a lot of space and he laid down. He found a comfortable position and he fell asleep.
But again, that wasn't the last time it happened.