It was the height of summer and the air inside Arthur's tent was stiffling, thick enough to cut with a knife. Sleep eluded him, so just after midnight, when he was sure the others slept, he made his way to the lake.

He was waist deep in the blessedly cool waters when a splash alerted him to the fact that he was not alone. Merlin, naked as the day his was born, was wading in after him.

"Bathing you is my job", his infuriating manservant said, pouring handfuls of water over his chest and shoulders.

Arthur sighed, trapping one of Merlin's hands against his chest. "I came here to cool off, Merlin," he whispered. "Having you here, wet and naked in the moonlight is not really helping me achieve that." His eyes moved hotly over Merlin as he spoke.

Merlin grinned and took a step closer. "Nice to know the sight of my scrawny body affects you so."

Arthur placed a tentative hand on his hip and drew him closer still. "Merlin? I... We..."

"Shut up and kiss me," Merlin breathed against his lips.

So he did.

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