Note: This takes place around Episode 1x01.
Learning Curve
Gaius returned early from his rounds and found his chambers in an uproar. A mop raced across the floor, trailing soapy water in its wake, and at the washtub invisible hands were soaking and wringing out a week's worth of dirty clothes. His books and papers were flying every which way as they stacked themselves high on the shelves that he could only reach with a ladder.
At the centre of it all was Merlin, his eyes flashing gold as he directed the objects around the room. He looked quite pleased with himself until he realised that Gaius was standing at the door, watching him with one eyebrow raised dangerously high and a scowl on his face.
All at once everything came to a halt. The mop stilled and clattered to the floor, one of Merlin's shirts fell into the washtub with a splash, and the remaining books slowly drifted down to settle on the table in a neat stack.
Merlin looked at Gaius, who had not yet moved from the door, and smiled innocently. "I can explain."
Gaius started shouting then, scolding Merlin for his carelessness and berating him for using his magic for trivial purposes. Merlin's shoulders slumped in defeat but he didn't try to argue. He merely picked up the mop and silently finished the task – without using magic – as Gaius put away the rest of his books and papers, still muttering furiously under his breath.
It wasn't until after Merlin had shuffled off to his room that Gaius' anger began to abate. He knew that Merlin didn't mean any harm; he was just a little too impulsive at times, like any other young man. But of course, he wasn't like any other young man at all – he was special, so special that if anyone in Camelot discovered the truth about him, he would be in grave danger.
If only Merlin would remember that.
With a sigh, Gaius abandoned his dinner preparations and climbed the steps to Merlin's room. The door was shut and he hesitated briefly outside of it, trying to determine the best way to handle the situation. He was not yet accustomed to Merlin's many moods and he didn't want to argue with the boy, he merely wanted to remind him to be cautious.
After dithering for another moment, he knocked once and went inside. He found Merlin curled up on his bed and looking very unhappy. "I'm sorry."
"I know," Gaius replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But you really must be more careful, Merlin. What if someone else had walked in? It would be your neck on the chopping block now."
"I'm sorry," he said again, sounding utterly miserable. "You've done so much for me, Gaius. I just wanted to do something for you in return, to help you."
"You would help me more by not losing your head," Gaius said wryly, though he was quite touched by Merlin's words. Merlin frowned and looked away, curling into himself more than ever, and Gaius heaved another sigh.
"Oh, come here," he said, holding out his arms and trying his best to sound old and grumpy and disapproving.
But apparently Merlin didn't notice because his face immediately brightened, his expression becoming one of happiness and gratitude as he quickly sat up and threw his arms around Gaius' neck, hugging him tight. And Gaius patted his back and hid a smile, thinking that he just might grow used to Merlin's moods after all.
