Arthur could hear Merlin's footsteps from behind him. His manservant's steps a bit more forceful than usual. He knew why, of course. He'd been eyeing a young servant girl during the feast, winking at one point causing the maiden to blush. He smirked as Merlin tried to slam the door to his chambers but failed to do so since he was way too skinny. He leant against the bedpost and crossed his arms against his chest as he watched Merlin take off his ridiculous hat and throw it on the table.
Merlin slowly walked towards him, intending to take off his jacket and prepare him for sleep. It amused Arthur how Merlin was so pissed he couldn't look him in the eye.
"Why so cross Merlin, didn't you enjoy the party?" You could almost hear the smirk in his voice.
Only then did Merlin look him in the eye. So blue…captivating.. He shouldn't focus too much on Merlin's eyes but he knew if his eyes drifted towards Merlin's frown, he'd only imagine those lips..
"Arthur, your jacket" He had to clear his throat. Merlin taking his clothes off sure wasn't helping. "Will that be all sire?"
"No," He couldn't let Merlin leave like this. "Are you angry with me, Merlin?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, sire" It was Merlin's turn to cross his arms against his chest, looking at the floor beside Arthur's shoes.
"That servant girl, she was quite a sight wasn't she?" Merlin's head snapped up.
"That girl?! You don't even know her name and, still, you went after her?!" Arthur scoffed, He most certainly wasn't going after her. Why would he? The only reason he wanted her to shift her focus to him was so she could stop ogling Merlin. That girl, that little wanch. wasn't exactly subtle in her advances on his manservant. The nerve of her.
"Why? Are you jealous Merlin?" He tried to be cool about it, teasing but he really wanted to know.
Merlin turned red…and all Arthur could do was fist both his hands at his sides.
"Is she your lover Merlin?" Not good, he was getting angry. "look at me Merlin"
"She's not" barely a whisper but Arthur heard it. He breathed out.
"Good." He turned and walked to the side of his bed, ready to slip under the covers. "You're dismissed for today"
"Are you going to bed her, Arthur?" The betrayal in Merlin's voice made him close his eyes. If he turns around, he is sure he'd see Merlin's eyes full of hurt. For that servant girl who isn't even pretty.
"Why Merlin? You don't like to share?" She's not even yours…
He, again, heard Merlin stomping towards him. A hand on his shoulder forced to turn around. He didn't know Merlin could be so forceful. Just for a girl.
His eyes were blazing, his jaw clenched. "No, I don't like to share what's mine"
For a moment Arthur thought Merlin would actually dare to punch him.
But he didn't.
Instead he kissed him.
Merlin's lips
Molded themselves to his.
Arthur closed his eyes, instinctively holding on to Merlin's hips, feeling his manservant's fingers grip the sides of his face so he could press himself against the prince of Camelot.
All too soon Merlin was pushing himself away. Arthur thought keeping his eyes closed might prolong the feeling but he had to open his eyes..he needed to see Merlin.
"Don't go after her anymore" Merlin said softly before he hurriedly turned around and left Arthur's chambers.
So…he was jealous.
Later that night, as Arthur stared at his ceiling, the feeling of Merlin's lips against his beginning to fade away, he chuckled. "He actually dared to order the prince of Camelot"
He doesn't mind one bit.