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“Merlin, where are we going?” Lancelot asked with a laugh, for what must have been the third time that night. Merlin only smiled in response, continuing to pull him along as they made their way out of the castle.
“You’ll see!”
To say he was excited was an understatement. He had been planning this night for ages and he was happy to see it finally come to fruition, especially after how long he’d spent trying to make sure everything was perfect for tonight.
He was just glad that Lancelot was always up for an adventure with him, trusting him without question. This way, he could keep it a complete secret and Lancelot would be none the wiser, since this hadn’t been the first time they’d sneaked out of the castle. Only this time, for once, there was no danger.
They arrived at the stables and after making sure there was no one around, Merlin unlocked the door with the keys he had stolen from the stable master. They slipped inside, got their horses ready, and then they were on their way.
As they got closer to the designated spot, Merlin started growing nervous. While he was sure Lancelot would likely appreciate what he had done, he hoped he genuinely liked it, especially after all the effort he had put into making sure it was perfect.
It wasn’t much longer before they got there. There wasn’t any confusion about where there was — it was obviously marked by the candles and lights floating in the air. He heard Lancelot’s faint gasp from next to him and he looked over to see him gazing at the sight with wide eyes. Even Merlin had to agree that it was beautiful.
He started climbing off his horse and Lancelot did the same before he turned to him, bemused. “What is all this?”
Merlin grinned at him. “It’s one year since you became a knight. Or it’s about to be, as soon as it becomes midnight.”
“You remembered,” Lancelot said, still a little stunned.
“Of course I did! You’d wanted to be a knight for the entire time I’ve known you, how could I forget something like that?”
Lancelot spent another moment taking in the scene before he turned back to Merlin. “You really did this for me?”
“I don’t see anyone else here,” Merlin told him, taking his hand and bringing him over to where there was a picnic blanket laying on the ground.
“But— if someone sees—”
“We’re far enough away that no one will be nearby. Now come on or the food will get cold.”
They sat down and Merlin began taking the food out of the basket, They ate and talked, laughing together beneath the glow of the moon. Merlin hadn’t felt so carefree in… he couldn’t even remember how long. There wasn’t a single person in the entire kingdom he trusted more than Lancelot, and it was nice to be here together with no threats or complications.
When they had both finished eating, Merlin stood and held his hand out to Lancelot.
“What?” Lancelot asked as he took the hand.
“Dance with me?” Merlin asked, to which Lancelot frowned in confusion.
“There’s no music,” Lancelot said, and Merlin’s eyes shone gold for a moment while the breeze around them shifted. The sound he had conjured wasn’t music, not exactly, but it was pleasant to their ears and it was enough to sway to.
“You sure about that?” he asked, and Lancelot let Merlin pull him to his feet and pull him close. They remained in each other’s arms for a while, just enjoying holding one another. It was rare that they got quiet moments like this, and Merlin wanted to make the most of it. He rested his head against Lancelot’s shoulder and closed his eyes, smiling to himself when Lancelot’s hold around him tightened.
He cherished the moments like this the most, where they could simply be themselves. When they were with each other, they didn’t have to hide or fear or pretend. Sometimes Merlin couldn’t believe it, that they were able to have this, that he was able to be with someone who understood him so well that he didn’t ever have to worry. It meant more to him than he could ever express, and he could only hope that Lancelot felt the same way.
The song came to an end and they slowly came to a stop, pulling away slightly. Merlin smiled up at Lancelot, who returned it with fondness.
“You really didn’t have to do this,” Lancelot said quietly, but Merlin immediately shook his head. This was the least he could do, after all that Lancelot had done for him. He wanted Lancelot to feel as accepted, and as safe, and as loved as he did. Lancelot deserved the entire world, even if he didn’t think so, and Merlin would do everything in his power to ensure he got it.
“I wanted to,” he said, and Lancelot leaned in to kiss him. Merlin eagerly returned it, their lips moving in sync. He didn’t think he could ever tire of kissing Lancelot; it was good every time, filled to the brim with all the adoration they had for one another. Not for the first time, he found himself thinking about how lucky he was to have found someone like Lancelot.
Finally, he pulled away and Lancelot smiled at him, bright and happy. “Thank you, Merlin.”
Merlin shrugged and sheepishly waved it off. “It was nothing.”
“This was not nothing. I know you put effort into this and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Merlin ducked his head, smiling. “Well, I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it,” Lancelot corrected him, moving in closer and tilting Merlin’s chin up so he was looking at him. “Just like I love you.”
He pulled Merlin close and they stayed talking through the night as long as they could, until the early hours of the morning when they had to get back to the castle.