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Merlin had kissed one of King Arthur’s knights, Arthur had felt his whole world shift on its axis. It was Gwaine, of course it was bloody Gwaine. The man was as loose as a broken shoelace.
It was on a fairly warm afternoon, after a particularly tough training session with the knights. Arthur had just dismissed them for the day when his manservant walked through the yard and towards the water station. Gwaine had approached Merlin with a grin. What could possibly cause such joy for the man, Arthur would never know.
Gwaine had all but run up to Merlin, all sweaty and stinky and gross, and really. What does Merlin see in him? Merlin greeted the man with an equally bright smile as he approached and handed him some water, which Gwaine had accepted with another grin. Seriously, does that man ever stop grinning.
They were exchanging a few words when Arthur looked away. He really had nothing to worry about. Gwaine knew Merlin was Arthur’s and he wouldn’t try anything to oppose this. His servant, his manservant. That’s what he meant. Gwaine knew that Merlin was Arthur’s manservant and he wouldn’t try anything to keep Merlin from his duties. Arthur cleared his throat and felt that it was suddenly quite dry. No matter, he thought, he could get a cup from the table without bothering his knights.
Arthur turned to the table and almost dropped his sword on his foot. He didn’t, of course, he would never show such a clear display of shock. He was the king after all. His step did falter though. What he saw was shocking enough to cause that. Gwaine was leaning in towards Merlin with an arm steadying himself on the table beside him and Merlin’s lips were pressed gently on the other man’s cheek.
Merlin was kissing Gwaine’s cheek in front of everyone.
Merlin was kissing Gwaine’s cheek.
Merlin was kissing Gwaine. In front of Arthur.
Granted they really weren’t in front of the man, or even that close to him at all. His manservant was still kissing another man where he could see him. No, Arthur thought, not another man.
For a reason Arthur could not explain, as he barely understood it himself, this made him seethe. But, if he was being honest, he knew the reason. Then again, when were Pendragons ever really honest.
He gave them a moment to break the kiss, but the moment felt like an eternity. It was as though time had been slowed down and he was the only one forced to witness this very public display of affection. Once they finally did though, Arthur felt himself breathe again. He watched them part when someone cleared their throat beside him.
“Morgana, to what do I owe this… pleasure?” The words came out hoarser than he intended.
“Can’t a sister watch her dear brother and his knights play with their sharp sticks every now and again?” she asked. Arthur gave her a blank stare. “Fine. I was hoping I could find Gwen. She promised to help me with something and I can’t find her.”
“Haven’t seen her.” He responded, eyes turning back to Merlin and Gwaine. The two were just talking again, laughing about something they seemed to find hilarious.
“-thur. Arthur!” Once again, his eyes snapped back to Morgana, who was barely holding back a smile. “It seems you haven't seen much of anything other than those two. I can see why.” She says. “They do make quite a handsome couple.”
“Absolutely not!” Arthur grouched.
“Oh?” Morgana laughs. “You don’t think so? I quite like them together. Gwaine talks and Merlin listens. Merlin talks and Gwaine laughs. They’re a perfect pair.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Merlin deserves someone better. Gwaine will go after anyone, I’ve seen him hit on one of Gaius’ cauldron’s once when he was drunk. Merlin deserves someone honourable. Someone more… noble.”
“You sound like your father.”
“No, Morgana.” Arthur held back a sigh. “Not a noble. Someone noble. You know? Loyal, hardworking, trustworthy, honourable.”
“And is Gwaine not all that?”
“Of course he is. He’s a knight! He’s one of my own! But,” Arthur tripped over his words. Of course Gwaine was worthy of Merlin’s affections. But it still didn’t sit well with Arthur. “Merlin deserves better.”
“Better than a knight of the round table?”
“Yes.”
“I truly wonder who could be better than one of your very own. Anything more and you’ll be setting him up with nobility!” Morgana’s voice was practically dripping with sarcasm and Arthur was slowly getting the feeling that she was going to be no help.
Help with what? Even he didn’t know. He sighed once and looked Morgana in the eyes before shaking his head and walking to his chambers. As he walked down the corridors, his armour felt colder than before as the reality of it all set in. Merlin was his manservant and Merlin was obviously courting Gwaine. Or, maybe Gwaine was courting Merlin? No matter, the two were courting and Arthur had no place in their relationship.
His footsteps seemed to thunder in the halls, even though there were plenty of servants whizzing past him. Most, if not all bowed their heads at him as he passed them and he felt another ache in his chest. His title, his crown. It placed him out of the reach of almost everyone else.
He was deep in the thought when he heard the familiar, comforting steps trailing behind him, trying to catch up.
If Merlin was happy he would not meddle in his affairs. For Merlin.
Of course that didn’t last long. By nightfall, as Merlin was preparing Arthur for bed, Arthur let a comment slip.
Merlin had removed Arthur’s shirt and was fiddling with his sleep shirt when Arthur said, “I didn’t realise you and Gwaine were courting. Frankly, I’m happy for you. I was so sure you had some secret deformity that prevented you from taking a wife… or husband. Ehm.”
It took all of ten seconds, ten whole seconds of Merlin staring dumbly at Arthur, before Merlin folded over in laughter with tears springing at his eyes. The man was more or less howling with laughter, right in Arthur’s face.
By the time Merlin had stopped laughing, tears were streaking his face, his arm was clutching at his abdomen for dear life, and his face was hurting because he was really just laughing that hard. Through struggling breaths Merlin gasped, “ Me? Courting Gwiane?” And again the laughter erupted from Merlin’s shaking frame.
“Merlin. I really don't understand why you're laughing. You two are… together? Are you not?” It took all of the strength he had to keep his composure and not smile at Merlin’s reaction. But then he remembered the kiss and it was as though a bucket of water was thrown over him. “I saw you two. At the training ground. I don’t mind it. Gwaine is a good man and he will treat you well.”
Merlin’s laughter seemed to fizzle out at that last comment, but the smile did not fade from his face. “Me and Gwaine had a deal. If he lasted for longer than 2 minutes in combat with Leon, I would give him whatever he wanted. And what he wanted was to piss you off.” Merlin chuckled once more. “He was so certain you would be offended by the kiss. He almost cried when you just turned and walked away.”
Arthur looked at Merlin’s face. His cheeks were rosy and were glistening with the tears that had escaped in his laughing fit. Merlin’s lips were still stretched in a smile and his eyes were almost crescent shaped slits. Arthur was selfishly relieved that he wouldn’t have to share this smile with Gwaine. It seemed, or at least Arthur hoped, that these smiles were only reserved for him.
Arthur grew bolder, and he took a step towards Merlin. Merlin’s gleeful smile turned into something shy as he returned to adjusting Arthur’s shirt in his hands.
“So you’re not courting Gwaine.” Arthur stated, still staring at Merlin’s smiling face.
“No, Arthur. I don’t have time for all that. I serve you all day and help Gaius all afternoon.”
“And you don’t want to court Gwaine?” This came out more hesitant. Still sure, but it was more of a question than a statement.
“No, Arthur. I don’t have the patience for Gwaine. And besides, I’ve got you don’t I?”
There was a pause.
And Merlin’s face dropped and he began to stutter, “I mean, uhm. You know what I mean. I uh- I- you’ve got- I mean. I have to-”
Arthur’s face split into a grin. “You mean?”
“You know what I mean, you prat. I spend all my days caring about you- for you! Caring for you. I could hardly spend any more time caring for another when I have all these chores I have to complete for you.”
Arthur stepped forward again, now into Merlin’s space and laid a hand on the shirt clutched in the man’s hands. “Merlin.”
Merlin lifted his gaze, seeming to only then realise how close the two men really were.
“I care about you too.”
“You do?”
“Yes, and I also care about my shirt. So let the poor thing go so I can go to bed.” And with that the tension in the King’s chambers seemed to dissipate and Merlin could breathe a sigh of relief. Arthur stepped back with his shirt in his hands.
Arthur’s tone took a playful turn as he attempted to put his shirt on on his own. “So, you’re unattached?” And Merlin took to busying himself with tidying up Arthur’s day clothes.
“Yes, sire.”
“You can sleep in tomorrow, I’ll have another servant attend to me. Come to my chambers around noon with a basket from the kitchen, and wear something comfortable.”
“What? Why? Have I missed something?” Merlin’s hands slowed, and he turned to look questioningly at Arthur who had climbed into his bed.
“Of course you have, but then again when do you not? Don’t ask too many questions. You’re dismissed.”
“Arthur?” The man silently turned in his bed. “Arthur?” Merlin tried again, with the same result. At that, Merlin sighed and gathered the rest of Arthur’s clothes and turned to leave.
“And Merlin,” Arthur pipes up from his bed. Merlin turns and faces the man.
“Hmm?”
“Don’t kiss Gwaine again. It would reflect poorly on me if my favourite was seen kissing another.”