Merlin ambled in, being his usual clumsy self. "Merlin I told you not to go, you could have been discovered or worse, you could have been killed" Gaius said in a desperate, disappointed voice.
"I know but what else was I supposed to do? Arthur needed my help"
"I know Merlin, but what if something had happened to you? What would I have done then?"
"Oh Gaius, you always get yourself worked up about these things. Anyway I saved him, as per usual."
"Merlin, you are so brave and noble, that's what I love about you"
Gaius pulled Merlin into a close hug, so close he could hear Gaius' slow heart beating. Deep in Merlin's stomach he could feel something. He'd been getting this feeling a lot recently, whenever him and Gaius were close. There had always been this chemistry between them, they got on so well. Maybe it was the fact that they were the only two which understood magic and Gaius was the only one to help Merlin with his troubles.
Something Merlin didn't know was that Gaius was feeling this too. He pulled away from the embrace slightly sad that it was over. He didn't want Merlin to feel uncomfortable around him, he just have to carry on and get over the..urges.
Later that evening they sat down for dinner. Merlin dug in, hungry after a tiring day chasing after Arthur. Gaius sat staring longingly at Merlin, who caught him staring and looked up with his sapphire eyes sparkling.
"Is there something wrong Gaius?"
Looking away Gaius said "Sorry if the stew is a bit over cooked, I got distracted."
"It's perfect, just how I like it" Merlin said accompanied with his charming grin.
Gaius blushed "Thank you, Merlin" with a smug smile
They continued eating and after listening to Merlin talk about how he saved Arthur's life this time, Gaius cleared away the plates and Merlin hurried off to clean Arthur's armour. Once he had gone, Gaius sat down on the bench by the table and sighed heavily. "This has got to stop. Gaius, you old fool, you can't be in love with a young boy like Merlin." He muttered to himself
