Wine and Dine

                                    

                                          
Still Monday
Arthur was frozen in place as he awoke. Not for any sort of dangerous reason, it's just that he didnt want to move and disturb Merlin's slumber. The boy was all wrapped around him, head on his chest, soft huffs of breath could be heard. He was adorable. Seems Arthur was just thinking that more and more often. But he paid no mind.
The blonde laid there for a good half hour before there was a light knock on the door. He shifted his leg down to the floor, tapping the wood with his foot as a reply. He didnt want to speak, Merlin could wake up at that. The person understood the message and walked in. "Hello, Sire." Alex entered. Arthur tried to keep settled, his face wanting to just scrunch up in disgust. Alexander hadnt even done anything wrong and yet, he didnt want him near. "I've been sent to wake you up and get Merlin ready for dinner. Can you handle waking him then? I'll be getting an outfit." Alex smiled to him, walking over to the wardrobe and easily finding what he was looking for. Nothing too fancy but it was rather 'proper'. They were welcoming guests from another kingdom. Even if they're just his friends, he still has to dress nice. Just the rules for a prince.
Arthur looked down at Merlin, shaking him a bit. "Merlin.." He took a soft approach, in case he was still feeling little. "Merlin, come on." He lifted the blankets off, sitting up. That got him to stir, slowly opening his eyes and looking up at him. "Hey." He smiled like a dork before sitting up. "How long did I sleep? Is it dinner time? I'm starved." He stretches out, looking over to where Alex was. "Oh, hey Alex." Merlin smiled brighter upon seeing him. He had seen him in little space but this was different. Now he could actually catch up with him. "Come to coordinate my clothes as if I cant dress myself?" He stood. "Orders." Alex shrugged, handing him the outfit before hugging him, Merlin hugging back. "Theres no way I'm figuring out how the hell this jacket works. But give me a minute to put on the rest. You can leave for a moment so Arthur can get something on. Then we can catch up before dinner. I'm dying to hear about how you've been." Arthur had only his pants on, having taken his shirt off because it got dirty from somehow falling into the mud on their way to Liiandria. 
"So you two really are close then?" The blonde tilts his head, looking Alex over again. "Oh yeah, we're like best friends. Well- here anyways. You're my best Camelot friend." Merlin answers, "Don't let that get to your head." Arthur most definitely did let that get to his head. He was Merlin's best friend. Even if Alex also was. Just depended on where Merlin was. He didnt mind it too much. As long as Alex didnt have a higher place in Merlin's heart than him. But why did he care anyway? The man was just a servant and Arthur took care of him on the side when he was little. Still, Arthur supposed he did work his way into Merlin's heart and vice versa. 
"Yeah, yeah." He grumbled, moving to get changed into something decent for dinner. Alex left right as he was, giving the two some privacy. Of course Arthur struggled a bit though so Merlin went ahead and helped him. "There." He smoothed out Arthur's jacket slightly, hands running over his chest just enough to measure his heart flutter. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to change as well. You're in my castle now, I'm gonna take my sweet time getting dressed." Merlin just wanted to tease him a bit though the mention of it being his castle brought back the tension from earlier. They would need to talk about it. Not everyday you find out your best friend is actually a prince.
Arthur suddenly felt very underdressed once Merlin came back out from getting ready behind the curtain. Clothes really could change a person. It was rather odd though, seeing the clothing styles of another kingdom. But he liked how it looked. Really he liked everything that Merlin wore. Probably because it was Merlin.