Just Your Average Servant

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

"Maybe in some ways I am, but others…" Arthur trailed off, shaking his head. He let out a small sniff of a laugh, shaking his head. He glanced over his shoulder. He looked back out at the fading day. "You. You’ve gotten into me.” He said, hands gripping the edge of the windowsill. He was tense and scared as he spoke. “It’s for no good reason, but I’m angered and worried at the idea of you… being with anyone else.” He still wasn’t being clear on his words, because he wasn’t sure what they meant or what he was trying to say either. “It’s ridiculous.”

Merlin's eyes widened, and he cautiously stepped forward toward Arthur. He stopped before getting to close, feeling his stomach clench tightly. His hands balled into fists in attempt to hide the trembling. "Arthur," he started in a soft and slow voice. "What do you mean, I've gotten into you?" He frowned deeply, hesitating at the response. "Why? Why should..would that matter at all to you?"

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Merlin gasped, staring at Arthur in shock. He still didn’t understand what the other was saying, and now he was backed against a table and feeling almost threatened. “Arthur!” He snapped, staring at the other with wide eyes and pushing back into the table to try and add as much distance between them as possible. “I’ll have to leave at some point, I do have to eat, and sleep, and do chores,” he attempted to tease, but his voice was weak. He felt a mix of frightened, angry, and confused, and he diddn’t like it. He could feel his magic pressing on him, like it wanted out, as it always did when he felt threatened.

Arthur glanced down, avoiding Merlin’s gaze for a moment. He nodded, “Yeah, I know.” He said quietly, moving his hands away from the table and dropping them to his sides slowly. He swallowed hard. “I just wish I was as brave as Mordred.” He said backing away from Merlin and turning. He crossed the room, stopping at the windowsill. “Do what you need to do.” He said, opening the window to gaze out of it. He had a lot to think about.

Merlin stared at Arthur, oblivious to what was happening. He cocked his head, frowning. "You are..perhaps braver. You're the bravest man that I've ever met Arthur," he said softly, eyeing the other cautiously. "Are you ill? Run into any funny looking villagers lately who may have slipped a potion into your food or enchantment on you?" He asked, only partially joking. He stepped forward towards Arthur, still angry and nervous, but also very concerned. "What has gotten in to you?"

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur wanted to argue that he could make it without Merlin, but he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to be without Merlin at all and that was part of this whole thing. He took a deep breath and moved toward Merlin, trapping him against the table. “I don’t want you to leave.” He said, voice sounding panicked. He didn’t know what else to say, and the close proximity between them was making him nervous.

Merlin gasped, staring at Arthur in shock. He still didn't understand what the other was saying, and now he was backed against a table and feeling almost threatened. "Arthur!" He snapped, staring at the other with wide eyes and pushing back into the table to try and add as much distance between them as possible. "I'll have to leave at some point, I do have to eat, and sleep, and do chores," he attempted to tease, but his voice was weak. He felt a mix of frightened, angry, and confused, and he diddn't like it. He could feel his magic pressing on him, like it wanted out, as it always did when he felt threatened.

           Mordred gave a pained smile, black dots tainting his vision. Nothing looked as it should, and even though all he saw was clouded, it seemed… Better, that way. Perhaps this meant he was further from life, from his mistakes — closer to the embrace of death, be that a sweet one, or one of darkness. Merlin’s touch was a comfort to him, and he sighed against it. “The right thing,” he repeated, “Yes… Yes, Emrys, I suppose you’re right…” His words emerged as a quavering breath, and his grip on the older man’s shirt slackened. The words sounded distant — muffled, but still comprehensible. He nodded, but winced at the movement, a small whimper escaping him. “Please… Please, do what you — ah — can…”

Merlin frowned deeply as he watched Mordred. He bit his lip hard and stroked a hand over the other's cheek, then placed a hand on his chest and gathered all of his power and strength. Putting everthing that he had into the spell, he yelled the words of the strongest healing spell that he know, praying that it would be enough. When he finished, he kept his arm tightly around Mordred. "Come on, tell me you're okay," he pleaded, though he felt how much it had depleted his own strength.

Arthur started to speak up about Merlin’s selflessness, but he quickly became distracted by the next bit that came out of his mouth. He knew that Merlin was teasing him, but still yet, his grip on Merlin’s hand tightened and he pulled him closer. “Don’t forget that you’re mine.” He said, eyes darting down to Merlin’s lips. He’d never wanted to kiss him more. He let go of his hand, giving him a smirk as he turned to go down the corridor.

Merlin chuckled, smiling as he was tugged closer. "Never," he murmured earnestly, looking into Arthur's eyes and catching the glance at his lips. He smirked. "Get your work done," he instructed, still smirking. "I'll see you soon, sire," he added, biting his lip to just barely prevent a deep sigh at having to let go and walk away from Arthur. Every time they parted, he worried that it would be the last time. The king always endangered himself, or perhaps it would be the last time that they parted as lovers. Merlin feared both, and sometimes wasn't sure which he feared more.

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Merlin cocked an eyebrow and scoffed at the disagreement. Arthur could be incredibly selfish, and spoiled. He knew that, even when he knew that Arthur was selfless and loyal and brave. “So now you expect to spend every waking minute either doing your chores or working for Gaius, or doing things that you ought to be able to able to do yourself?” He demanded angrily, not quite catching the implication of Arthur’s statement. “You’re an ass! And lucky I even stick around, but you have no right to act like a petulant child and treat me like a toy. I deserve a life too, Sire.”

Arthur knit his eyebrows together in anger. “I —I can do plenty of things for myself.” He said, shoulders slumping a bit. He even had Merlin brush his hair, but that mostly just because he liked when Merlin did it. And that was part of the problem here. Merlin just wasn’t understanding what he meant. “Of course you deserve a life.” He said, voice still laced in a bit of anger. “But I want that life to be… with me.” He said, more quietly this time.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I'd like to see you make it 48 hours without me," he scoffed, though laughing softly at the thought. Arthur's last statement brought his anger back though and his eyes widened. "So, what, my life is to be your servant 24/7? Arthur, I know you're a spoiled prat sometimes, but right now you're being absurd!" He sighed, growing tired of the argument and feeling exhausted suddenly. So what, he was nothing but a servant? But no, he knew better than that. Arthur considered him a friend, but that still didn't mean that he got to act like this when Merlin finally found someone. "I have a date waiting for me, so, if I may be excused?" He finally said, though he spoke much more gently than before.

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows, mouth opening and closing before he could find the right words. “I’m not selfish.” He said, even though no matter if Merlin was right about why he was jealous or if he was jealous for another reason, it was selfish. He wanted Merlin to feel bad for having a good time. He was angry at the thought of Merlin smiling because of someone else. He was angry at himself for all of this, but not more angry than he was at Mordred for, yeah, taking away his friend. “You’re supposed to care for me.” Arthur said, eyebrows still knit together in half anger and half confusion. “And you’re supposed to be with me.”

Merlin cocked an eyebrow and scoffed at the disagreement. Arthur could be incredibly selfish, and spoiled. He knew that, even when he knew that Arthur was selfless and loyal and brave. "So now you expect to spend every waking minute either doing your chores or working for Gaius, or doing things that you ought to be able to able to do yourself?" He demanded angrily, not quite catching the implication of Arthur's statement. "You're an ass! And lucky I even stick around, but you have no right to act like a petulant child and treat me like a toy. I deserve a life too, Sire."

Mordred gave a weak smile, shaking his head. “Of course it was enough. Believe that, Emrys,” he murmured, eyelids drooping. “And as for Arthur… He will understand. He will know that all you’ve done has been for him, for his kingdom. Camelot… Camelot owes you a lifetime of safety.” His breaths were staggered now, each one coming with a wince. It was a labour, and he was unsure of how much longer he could do it. He gripped the front of Merlin’s shirt, and tugged him closer, vision wandering as he attempted to look him in the eye. His question was expected, and one Mordred had asked himself since the turning point — yet still he was struggling to find an answer. “I saw a difference. Between right and wrong, between Arthur and Morgana… Between you and me. I realised I didn’t want to be me anymore. I wanted to be like you, Emrys. You were a guiding light.”

Merlin sighed sadly, leaning closer to Mordred. The young druid simply had so much faith. He envied him of that. Somewhere along his path of following and fighting for Arthur, he'd lost some of his faith. Not in Arthur, but in himself, in the world. He rested the back of his palm over Mordred's forehead to check for a fever. "Don't be like me, Mordred. You can still be you and do the right thing," he said firmly, smiling down at him. "We need to get you to Gaius though, I can heal the surface, but I'm too weak to do much right now. I can get you to Gaius though, and we worry about Arthur later. Let me heal you as best I can?"

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Merlin’s eyebrows shot up at the accusation and he frowned. He straightened his posture and looked down at Arthur. “If I’m such an embarrassment, such a problem, then don’t keep me around,” he spat, though he didn’t use the harshest tone that he ever had with Arthur. Still, his words stung. “Don’t like what? Me actually experiencing life, being happy? Having someone to complain to about my boss?” He added the last part with a weak smile, attempting to lighten the mood. “You don’t have to like it. Though I don’t understand why. Is a servant not good enough for one of your favorite knights?” He asked darkly, rolling his eyes.

Arthur looked down at the space between them. He could tell by Merlin’s tone that his words had really struck him. Arthur was still angry though. Angry at himself for being angry. He didn’t understand. “No.” Arthur said, and then sent Merlin a small glare at the second question. He huffed, images of Merlin laughing with Mordred and them both complaining about how bossy Arthur could be, and them embracing. A surge of anger pulsed in his chest. But then when Merlin asked the last question he sighed softly. “No, that’s not it at all.” He said, stepping forward cautiously. “I’m just… I’m jealous.” Of what, he couldn’t explain himself.

Merlin kept watching Arthur, standing tall and daring the man to keep challenging him and his relationship. He half stepped back when the other stepped forward, not out of fear but because he didn't want Arthur to think that his words were okay. The admission of jealousy shocked Merlin and his posture relaxed as his fa scrunched in surprise. He stared at Arthur in awe, then shook his head, feeling angry again. "Really? You're that selfish that you're jealous of someone else taking me away from time taking care of you?" He challenged, because that had to be it. The king certainly would not be jealous of Mordred simply having time, nice time with Merlin. He shook his head, sighing tiredly.

Arthur offered a small smile back, shaking his head. “You never upset me.” He said, then hummed playfully. “Well, almost never.” He grinned. He closed his eyes a little at Merlin’s touch, relaxing despite them being so public right then. “It does help, it does.” He said. He opened his eyes, trailing them over Merlin and nodding. “If I’ve ever called you selfish during one of my rants, please forgive me. That’s the last thing that you are.” He said softly. “Though I don’t take back hard-headed,” He teased, putting a hand on Merlin’s and slowly removing it from his shoulder. “I’ll see you in my chambers for dinner? I need some time to work on a few documents before then.” His grip lingered on Merlin’s hand longer than he even meant for it to.

Merlin blushed softly and ducked his head. "I'm glad," he murmured softly. He leaned into Arthur, shaking his head with a light blush. "I'm not that un-selfish," he added quietly, sighing happily when Arthur's hand touched his. He rubbed his thumb along the other's hand. "Hm, I don't know, I seem to recall one of the stable boys asking me to dinner at the pub tonight," he added with a wide teasing smirk, eyes lighting up.

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur clenched his jaw, fists clenching and unclenching. Merlin was right, but Arthur wasn’t about to say that. “I’d rather you do what you’re asked. You seem to be the only servant around here who has a problem with being that. You’re an embarrassment.” He said harshly. He gritted his teeth, a blush creeping up on his cheek. Could he forbid it? Would Merlin actually listen to him? Chances were, he wouldn’t. “It’s not like you’d listen to me if I did forbid it.” Arthur spat, crossing his arms. “I’m just telling you, I don’t like it.”

Merlin's eyebrows shot up at the accusation and he frowned. He straightened his posture and looked down at Arthur. "If I'm such an embarrassment, such a problem, then don't keep me around," he spat, though he didn't use the harshest tone that he ever had with Arthur. Still, his words stung. "Don't like what? Me actually experiencing life, being happy? Having someone to complain to about my boss?" He added the last part with a weak smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "You don't have to like it. Though I don't understand why. Is a servant not good enough for one of your favorite knights?" He asked darkly, rolling his eyes.

Arthur gave Merlin a little smirk. It faded when Merlin continued. Arthur glanced down the corridor, checking for anyone listening in. It was empty, of course. Who would want to stick around after that long meeting. His attention quickly came back to Merlin. “It wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t lean so close to me.” He said, then added. “I’m teasing you, Merlin.” He looked down at the small space between them. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh, considering you weren’t doing anything wrong. It’s just been taxing lately. Everything has.”

Merlin cocked his head, watching Arthur and nodding. He ached to reach for Arthur, but didn't, knowing that they could still be seen out here. "I thought that I'd upset you," he said softly, but offered the other a small smile. "This isn't supposed to be taxing though, Arthur. Its meant to be helping," he spoke quietly. Throwing caution to the wind, Merlin put a hand on Arthur's shoulder and rubbed it with his thumb as he spoke. "Helping relieve stress, not add it. You don't need any more."

Arthur winced lightly as Merlin cleaned his wound. He had only gotten hurt trying to get away from his thoughts about his servant, things he never would’ve thought before. Now he had to be treated by the very man whom he wanted to be away from since Gaius was out. And it didn’t really help that Merlin was being so nice to him, instead of making fun of him as he usually did. He rolled his eyes at his question, before simply answering, “I went for a ride..” After that, he went quiet, unsure of what to say to Merlin that wouldn’t give his feelings of confusion away. His eyes stayed glued to the floor, even as Merlin left to grab the tea kettle and pour him a cup. He took the hot liquid in his hands, blowing on it lightly and taking a sip, not even bothering to show the servant any gratitude.

Merlin chuckled and rolled his eyes, oblivious to the turmoil in his friend's mind. "Ah, a ride, terribly dangerous those are, certainly not an activity that you do every day," he teased, chuckling. He noticed Arthur seemed to avoid looking at him and frowned. "Drink all of that," he said quietly. "Hopefully Gaius will be back in a couple hours. Until then, do you need anything else? You can lie in my bed, but you can't go to sleep. Though I'm sure your royal arse wouldn't find it very comfortable anyway," he teased further, hoping to get a smile out of his King. Finally, he finished cleaning and treating the wound. Gentle fingers pushed Arthur's hair out of the way as he tenderly covered the wound. 

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows deeply the more than Merlin spoke. “You don’t deserve a private life, because your my servant and if I can’t trust you, then…” He trailed off, not wanting to think about the end of the sentence himself. Of course he could trust Merlin though, he was just talking out of frustration at the situation. “I know about how close you’ve gotten with a certain knight.” Arthur said, “And I don’t like it.”

Merlin's eyes widened in shock and his body stiffened. "Key word there is servant not slave you bloody prat. I'm allowed to have a life, or would rather I became a quiet submissive servant who only listens to you and Gaius?" He huffed, almost glaring at Arthur. The fact that Arthur would use the word deserve infuriated him, and the accusation about trust stung, badly. "Last time I checked, you kept me around for a reason. Oh, you don't like it? Alright, well, are you planning on forbidding it or just whining about it?" Merlin knew that he was being rude, almost mean, but Arthur's words had cut deeply. Probably deeper tha the King intended.

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur crossed his arms, jaw clenched and foot tapping on the floor. “Everything is just fine.” He said, even though his tone didn’t make everything sound fine. He glanced away from Merlin, “Your chores were done, yes.” He said. He hesitated, then looked back at Merlin. “However, I’ve been concerned about you lately, but don’t take that to heart. Earlier in the week, you were fumbling as if you were distracted and now you’re doing your work just fine. But you practically ignored me.” He huffed out a breath of annoyance. “I asked you what was going on several times over the course of the week and you give me nothing. So," He emphasized, gritting his teeth again before he continued. "I had to find out from others what was going on. And I know about all of it, Merlin."

Merlin frowned more deeply as he realized just how unhappy Arthur was. He bit his lip and looked down, feeling a bit ashamed. His eyes widened in shock when Arthur said that he knew what was going on, but he forced himself to calm down. How could Arthur know? "All of what, Sire?" He asked innocently, smiling slightly. "Someone's paranoid, I think you've taken too many hits to the head," he teased. "And besides, even if I did keep something from you, I have every right to. I deserve a some semblance of a private life, free from your harassment." He winced internally at that statement, thinking of his other secret. Those thoughts were pushed back as he eyed Arthur. "I've done nothing wrong or punishable, so unless you really have something to say, am I free to go?"

Green doesn't Suit You: Mighty-Pendragon

Arthur had been quite annoyed with Merlin lately. He was being distant, and clumsy as ever. This made Arthur yell and fuss at Merlin even more than usual. He was even concerned that there was something wrong with Merlin. However, things turned around quickly. Merlin was doing strangely well with his chores and was being quiet. Arthur was amazed that it was even possible for Merlin to act this way. He knew something was up. It wasn’t until he heard Percival and Gwaine talking that it struck him. “He told me he was taking Merlin out to the brook.” “That really nice place we found patrolling?” “Yeah, they had dinner.” “That would explain why he’s been so smug lately.” “It’s a bit weird, but—” "Don’t the two of you have anything better to do than gossip like a couple of maids?" They apologized quickly, standing on the spot. "…Who took Merlin out to have a dinner by the brook?” When the two of them explained what was going on, Arthur was furious. He didn’t know why it irked him so much to think about. But Merlin was his. His servant, his friend. No one else’s. When Merlin came into his chambers, looking so curious and innocent, it made Arthur grit his teeth. “So.” That was the only thing he could say.