Merlin watched from a distance as Arthur untied his shirt and let it fall to the ground. The last rays of the setting sun glinted off Arthur's golden hair, making him look like a god descending from Olympus. Merlin swallowed nervously, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been nursing this crush on Arthur for far too long, and now, here they were, about to skinny-dip together in a filthy swamp pond. Merlin stripped off his own clothes, feeling self-conscious next to Arthur's perfectly chiseled physique. He couldn't help but admire the way the muscles in Arthur's back rippled as he waded into the murky water, his firm backside disappearing beneath the surface. "Nice... pond," Merlin muttered, trying to sound casual as he followed Arthur into the water. Arthur grinned over his shoulder, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "Nothing like a good dip to relax after a long day, eh Merlin?" Merlin nodded, trying to ignore the way Arthur's wet hair clung to his forehead, or the way droplets of water gathered on his sculpted chest. He focused instead on the peaceful feeling of the water lapping at his skin, the coolness easing the tension from his muscles. But then, as Arthur leaned back against a moss-covered rock, a loud fart echoed through the pond, causing ripples to spread across the surface. Arthur let out a contented sigh, clearly enjoying the relief. Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the moment. "Well, that's one way to clear the air, I suppose." Arthur laughed, the sound rich and infectious. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents." As they relaxed in the water, Merlin watched as a few dead trout floated to the surface near Arthur's backside, their lifeless eyes staring accusingly at him. Arthur sighed, unfazed by the gruesome sight. "Guess we'll have to make the most of these little fellas," he said, scooping them up in his arms. Merlin helped Arthur collect the fish, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with the king as they set about preparing a meal together. The smell of roasting trout filled the air, and Merlin couldn't help but marvel at the odd turn their evening had taken. As they sat by the fire, eating their impromptu feast, Arthur turned to Merlin with a smile. "You know, Merlin, I never thought I'd say this, but skinny-dipping in a swamp pond and cooking fart-killed fish with you has been the highlight of my day." Merlin laughed, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the fire. "Well, I'm glad I could be of service, sire." And as they sat together in the flickering firelight, their laughter echoing through the treacherous swamp, Merlin couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, his crush on Arthur wasn't so one-sided after all.