JUST A DISTRACTION

A Gwaine/Merlin Fic

Chapter One

Merlin sighed as he stood guard over Arthur and Gwen from a distance. Arthur had become so sullen that Merlin offered a little plan that allowed the two star-crossed lovers to spend time with one another without the fear of Uther or the court of Camelot finding out. Arthur had looked at him with surprise, as if shocked that he had actually had a good idea. Merlin only rolled his eyes at this point because this was the very same look he received each and every time he had a good idea.

Now that he stood there, keeping a look out and trying his best to tune out the sounds that were coming from a few yards behind him, he wondered if it was a good idea at all. Hearing such things and not having something like that of his own… he could no longer take it anymore. With a hushed muttering of a spell under his breath, his eyes glowed amber as he set a protection on the small camp so that were anyone to happen upon the space they would not be able to see or happen upon the prince and Gwen. Rushing to his horse, he set off for a town nearby.

It was not hard to find the tavern. Just as he entered the town he heard a mighty cry of loud voices coming from a large building to the right. He trotted his horse to where a few other horses stood tethered, dismounting the beast and tying him up next to a pretty black horse. He figured that his horse would get on for awhile with mare while he nipped inside for a quick drink to get his mind off of the thoughts that currently plagued it.

A busty serving girl made her way to his table just as he sat down. He ordered quickly, hoping the woman would not hit on him like the one that had when he and Arthur had last visited a tavern together. He frowned at the memory. He hadn't minded, especially when she had chosen him over Arthur for once which had been a rather nice change of pace. Then again, he hadn't been in love then either.

Gauis knew. He always knew when something was up but he wasn't right on all accounts this time. He seemed to believe that Merlin harbored feelings for Genevieve. The only part of that he had right was the fact that Merlin liked someone. He was wrong because Merlin didn't like Gwen as anything more than a friend. He was also very, very wrong in assuming that Merlin liked girls at all. Okay, there had been that one girl… the sorceress… but that was just one girl and Merlin had hardly known her at all. The man that he loved… he was beginning to know very well indeed.

Merlin tried to get Arthur out of his head, but it was proving very hard. He didn't want to think of the things that he and Gwen could possibly be up to at that very moment because he wanted to be where Gwen was, wanted to feel the things that Gwen was feeling. Once again, it seemed, he was only just a servant and sometimes friend to the prince. Nothing more, nothing less. Always the same and the same was getting pretty damned annoying.

"Merlin?"

Merlin blinked and looked up into the hazel eyes of Gwaine and couldn't help but smile. "Gwaine! I would say surprise finding you here, but really I'm not all that surprised."

Gwaine laughed and took a seat next to him, raising a hand to signal the serving girl over. The woman came and hit on Gwaine for a good few moments before rushing off to get his drink. Merlin only smirked when the man beside him shrugged and grinned shrewdly. When the woman returned with his drink, Gwaine flashed her a coin and nodded to her. She took the coin, offered a little curtsy, and left with her prize. The rogue caught the confused look on Merlin's face.

"It was all for show, Merlin," he explained. "She wants a good tip so she'll flirt with any half decent looking man, or a man who has a coin to throw at her. She is married, most like, probably with children."

Merlin put on a look of hurt. "Well, she didn't flirt with me," he said, finding it hard to keep a straight face. "Are you saying I'm less than half decent looking. I'm hurt, Gwaine, really."

Gwaine looked at him from the corners of his eyes as a wide grin slipped onto his mouth. He leaned across the table, bringing his mouth close to Merlin's ear and speaking just loud enough for Merlin alone to hear.

"You aren't fooling anyone, Merlin. Well, okay, you're fooling most people but you can't fool me. You don't think I can see it… the way you look at him. Not to mention you're completely devoted to him. You love him… don't you?"

Merlin's mouth went dry and he was having a hard time swallowing. How did he know? Could anyone else tell that he felt these things for his blond prince? If Morgana found out he would be in much more trouble than he already was and she would have him. He looked up at Gwaine and the worry he felt must have shown through his façade because a hand was soon on his thigh. Merlin didn't pull away because rather than feel awkward, it felt comforting in a way he'd never felt before.

"Nobody can know… obviously not Arthur, definitely not Gwen… if Uther found out I'd be hanged… and I don't even want to know what my fate would become if Morgana were to ever get wind of this. My destiny… it would cease to exist, Gwaine."

Gwaine said nothing as his hazel eyes locked with Merlin's blue ones. He bit his lip in a way that Merlin could only smile at but he wanted to hear what the older man had to say and so he held his tongue. Finally, the rogue cleared his throat.

"I could help you Merlin…"

Merlin laughed outright. Whatever he had been expecting, it hadn't been that. What did Gwaine expect to do? Tell Arthur and insist the prince that he was gay and really had feelings for him? Right. "Gwaine… I think that it is pretty hopeless but thank-what are you doing?"

Merlin's eyes grew round as he felt the hand on his leg slide upward, the touch firmer than it had been moments before. A smirk crossed Gwaine's face as he leaned in closer, whispering this time. "A proposition. I will help you get his mind off of the prince and his lover."

Merlin tried to think of what all this meant and all his mind could think of was how good it felt to have Gwaine rubbing his thigh in such a fashion as he was doing. Then fingers began to brush over his groin and Merlin's throat went dry once more. "Ah… if I agree…. Gwaine," he began, speaking as steadily as he could with Gwaine's bold actions eliciting a rise in him. "What do you get out of this arrangement?"

The rogue pulled away with a grin, standing and leaning down to whisper in his ear. Sharp eyes watched the tavern around them, wary of any troublemakers. "That's easy," he muttered, his breath stirring the hairs on the back of his neck and sending a shiver over the young servant. "I get you. Finish your drink and then meet me outside if you accept my offer. If you don't meet me in three minutes, I'll know your answer is no."

Merlin took deep breaths after the man left. He drank deeply from his glass, trying to ignore the bitter taste of the ale. He really wanted to take the man's offer but every time he thought of leaving a picture of Arthur entered his mind. He took another drink and then Gwen joined that picture and he knew what he wanted. Standing, he left the tavern after tossing a few coins on the table to cover his drink. Glancing around, he caught sight of the brunette man petting his horse. When he was halfway to them, Gwaine looked up and the grin that played about his lips had Merlin's stomach doing flips. How was it that he had gotten more attractive in the passed minute than he had been when he'd first met him?

Merlin didn't know but being the light drinker he was, he could feel the affects of the alcohol inside him and he couldn't stop smiling when he reached the older man. "Alright," he said, smiling shyly. "I will take you up on your offer. What exactly did you have in mind?"

There was the smile again. Merlin was sure that if that smile was the sun, he would be a puddle. Gwaine reached out and tugged him closer by his scarf. Without warning, firm lips were pressed against his for a mere second before the man let him go and continued to pet down the horse. "Did you like that?"

Merlin blinked and looked around fast, his cheeks flushed red from embarrassment. Once he was certain that no one had witness the kiss, he turned back to the man. "Yes… but did you have to do that where anyone could see?"

Gwaine only laughed and then took off down a corridor. "Follow me," he called back and Merlin looked around before following after the man.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"I have a room here."

Merlin blushed at everything that insinuated but said nothing as he quickened his steps, just one step behind Gwaine as they made their way to his rooms. When they reached the door, Gwaine took out his sword and opened the door. He entered and made Merlin wait as he entered the rooms. A few moments later, he returned and took Merlin's hand into his, pulling him inside. Merlin looked around as Gwaine closed and locked the door behind them. With the click of the lock, Merlin turned his attention back to the rogue. A second and a signature grin on Gwaine's part passed before the older man had crossed the space between them, pulling Merlin close by his scarf once more.

This time when Gwaine kissed him, Merlin kissed back.