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Arthur was pretty sure that this was what dying felt like. He hadn’t had anything to eat or drink in days. He spent his time watching the bandits who had kidnapped him use his sword improperly and wishing that they would impale themselves on it just to make his life easier.
Merlin would come for him. But he hated waiting.
This time, the bandits had been much more organized, much more clever. It took a lot to kidnap the king of Camelot. What they could possibly want him for was unknown. Maybe he’d never know.
All he knew was that he missed Merlin. That he would do anything to hold Merlin’s face in his hands one more time. He had been an idiot, and here he was, three days later, paying the price.
“Not so tough looking now, are you, huh?”
One of the bandits had decided that they were bored, and approached him.
He didn’t dignify them with a response.
“Ah, I see. So you’re the surly, silent type.”
That much was true. Merlin had always thought such as well. The moodier he was, the less he spoke. Drove Merlin crazy.
“Tell me, your majesty. Why haven’t you escaped yet?”
Arthur grinned weakly. He was imagining Merlin’s fury when he finally tracked these morons down. Maybe it was taking so long because Merlin made so much noise trekking through the bloody forest. He was the worst tracker in the world.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m just waiting for my husband.”
It was in that instant, that a large blast of wind forcefully knocked the whole gang onto the forest floor. Out from between the trees, looking the hottest Arthur had ever seen him, was a furious Merlin. His eyes glowed a fierce gold.
“You should have thought twice before kidnapping the King of Camelot.” His voice was quiet, but vengeful.
The bandits quickly stumbled back to their feet, and Arthur watched, in awe, as Merlin incapacitated every single one, his eyes flashing gold with every uttered spell.
How could he have gotten so lucky?
Finally, with fallen bandits surrounding him, Merlin made his way over to where Arthur was tied up.
“Hey, dollop head. Need some help here?”
“If you don’t mind, love.”
Merlin untied his husband with a flick of his hands. He crushed Arthur in a hug.
“Don’t ever do that to me ever again.” He whispered into Arthur’s ear.
“I almost want to. Watching you kick everyone’s ass was…” Arthur’s voice trailed off.
“Incredibly sexy?” Merlin suggested.
“Yeah, that.”
Arthur held Merlin’s face in his hands, which were shaking from lack of food.
“Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”
Merlin reached up and placed his hands on top of Arthur’s.
“Only every day.”