Observing the stars (in your eyes)

Above them the stars were shining and the full moon filled the land with light. All around them were different shades of blue and black. The Night was wonderful and it was warm outside. The both of them were watching the sky, silently. The only sound you could hear were their softly breathing and the wind shaking the leafs of the trees.

“What exactly do we do here?”, asked Merlin with a little pissed tone in his voice. Arthur answered in the same tone: “Observing.”

Merlin shook his head. That was nonsense. There is nothing to watch out these days. Camelot is safe for now. They defeated everything. But he didn’t say a word.

He started to paint magic stars in the air and little animals. He was bored. Arthur was just quiet as ever and there was nothing interesting to watch at.

“What are you doing? Everyone will see it. You know, I may know about your magic Merlin but not the whole country has to know it.” Arthur looked at him. Seriously, like a king.

“Yes, sire.”

Merlin grinned and stopped and looked at Arthur. Than both of them started to look at the sky again. Counting stars or sheep or whatever they did. After several minutes Arthur says: “Can you draw something for me? Can you draw a dragon?”

“You told me not to draw.”

“And now I tell you to draw a dragon in the sky. Listen to me, because I am your king.” He said it with a smile.

“And I thought we were finally friends after all we’ve been through”, whispered Merlin. But he started drawing a dragon. A big and wonderful dragon and next to it a little one. The last secret he has to tell Arthur. Arthur knows about his magic but not about the fact that he is a dragonlord and that there are two dragons alive.

“They are beautiful. You have talent.”

And than they remain silent again, for nearly half an hour. Merlin was not sure why they are here and what was wrong with his king but he knows that there is something really strange happening inside of Arthur. He changed so much the past month.

“Sire, can’t we go?”

“No Merlin. We have to observe.”

“But there is nothing to observe”

“Oh well, there is.”, Arthur said and stood up.

Merlin looked sceptical and than stood up to look at Arthur. “You know Merlin, when I first met you I thought you were a fool and coward. But you are not. You are strong and you saved my life a several times.”

“Sire?”, Merlin said, not sure where this ends.

“You are so very sensitive and on the other hand so very brave.” Arthur turned around and looked at Merlin. His Hand on Merlin’s shoulder. “You are my best friend or at least the only real friend I have. I treated you so bad but you are still here. You serve me and you adore me like no one else in the whole kingdom does. Thank you.”

Merlin smiled and said: “You are my king. And you are my best friend. In the past you were sometimes very mean but I always knew that this was just because you had to deal with being a prince and a king. I will always serve you and I will always be there as your friend. There is no need to thank me for that.” The both of them smiled and Arthur hugged Merlin.

“But there is something more…” Arthur’s voice broke.

“What?”

Arthur ended the hug and slowly stepped two steps away. “I think you are…”

Merlin looked at his king who was speechless for the first time. “I am what?”

“Forget it…” Arthur walks away, leaving Merlin with just one thought: “What the hell did I do wrong now?”

Merlin ran after him and whispered: “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. Not at all.” Arthur stopped and Merlin ran into him. They were so close to each other that their lips were nearly touching. Merlin stumbled back. “Sorry my Lord.”

“No need to be sorry.” Arthur made a step forward and was now standing in front of Merlin. He looked in his eyes and his hand was touching Merlin’s cheek. “You are just more than a friend to me.”

“Whaa – at?”

“Do you love me Merlin?”

“Sure. As my king and friend.”

“Not more?”

“How do you mean more?” Merlin was puzzled. He just loves Arthur like he always did. Was that wrong?

“Like..like..yeah man…like you want to kiss me?”

“Kiss”, Merlin repeated in a very high voice.

Arthur ignored it and stepped closer. Their hips were touching and he lay one arm around Merlin’s back and than he looked down at his lips, than up to his eyes again which looked a bit surprised and than he kissed him. He wanted to do this since days. And now it was a sweet and shy kiss. Just their lips touching. Merlin was standing there like a tree. Not moving, not breathing and totally shocked. Arthur stepped away, even if he doesn’t want to. Merlin looked at him and grinned. “My king, what was that?”

“I am sorry Merlin. I love you. I love you really. Not just like a friend or brother or a king a servant. I love you as you are. The whole you.”

Merlin closed his eyes and all the air in his lungs searched its way out. He just knew it since the beginning, that he loves Arthur more. More than anything. Than he breathes in again and whispered: “I love you, too…but…you are the king. We can’t be… Is there a word for man’s love?”

“Gay.”

“Yeah.”

“The hell, we can.” They were smiling at each other and Merlin gets closer to Arthur whispering in his ear: “Than maybe we should go back to our observing and observe each other.”

“That Merlin, is a very good plan.”

06.11.11

“He’s like fire and ice and rage. He’s like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun. He’s ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and can see the turn of the universe and… he’s wonderful.”

— I simply love that quote and wanted to paint the man who is like fire and ice and rage. Tried it. Is my first portrait ever and my first try to paint like this. Normally I am doing abstract paintings and drawings.—