I just can't get enough of these boys. Their (obvious) love is both adorable and delightfully snarky. This piece is, as a result, shamelessly fluffy. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Arthur and Merlin belong to each other (and the BBC). Not me :'-(

Concerning Hats

Merlin had long suspected that Arthur's sadistic pleasure for torturing him bordered on unhealthy. But he'd never thought it would reach these terrifying extremes.

"I am not wearing that."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "As I recall, the servant doesn't generally have a say what he will and will not do. That is for his king to decide." He brandished the item in his hand. "And as your soon-to-be-king, I have decided that you will wear this."

Merlin's wide-eyed despair in the face of Arthur's smirk was becoming a common expression. Prat. "Arthur, seriously. The feathers were bad enough but this . . . this is ridiculous!"

He waved a hand dismissively. "I don't understand your theatrics, Merlin. You said you wanted to be taken seriously as a wizard, didn't you?"

"Yes, a wizard," he snapped. "Not an oversized spearhead."

Arthur – who looked fairly resplendent in his billowing crimson cloak and shiny crown – couldn't have looked more smug if he tried. "Merlin, it's iconic. Just think; for years to come, you will always be remembered as Ye Powerful Wizard of the Pointy Hat."

"Oh, joy," Merlin muttered mutinously. "And how would you, Sire, like to be remembered as the great king of Camelot who turned into a toad in the middle of his coronation speech?"

"Careful, Merlin," he drawled. "Threatening your liege is counted as high treason."

"Five months ago, my very existence counted as treason," he pointed out.

"And now you're about to become the court wizard of Camelot, trusted advisor to the king – Heaven knows why – and are free to muck about with sparkly potions to your heart's content. A little gratitude would be appreciated."

When Merlin's storm cloud expression showed no sign of lightening, Arthur sighed. "Come on Merlin, this will be the most boring, long-winded ceremony I have ever had to attend . . ."

"It's your coronation."

" . . . And I'll need something to keep me entertained."

"In that case, the toad offer still stands. But I am not wearing the hat."

20 minutes later . . .

"It suits you. Really."

"That's the worst compliment you've ever given me. And there have been plenty of those."

Arthur smiled at his wizard. It was a real, genuine smile that lit up everything in Merlin's visual field. He felt suddenly quite light-headed, despite the stupid hat's weight. For that smile, he would wear it forever.

Across the room, he caught Gwen and Morgana staring at a place three feet above his head and giggling. The wam, glowy feeling disappeared and he sighed morosely. "I'm going to be typecast forever, aren't I?"

Arthur clapped him bracingly on the shoulder. "Most definitely."

Of course, we know what the girls are really giggling about ;). Thanks for reading!