Percival sees more than people think. Except when it comes to Merlin.
Rating – K+
Set – S4
Percival was the quietest of the knights. They all knew that and respected it. Leon and Elyan especially seemed to find relief in it when on one side there was Gwaine chattering on about tavern stories and on the other Arthur was yelling at someone (generally Merlin)
However, this meant Percival saw more. Not in a literal sense but he saw past people's fronts. Sometimes when Gwaine was talking he would be louder than usual and there'd be a glint in his eyes that said more than the himself ever could.
Arthur would be snappier when he failed a quest or someone died on his watch and lash out more, but it was such a small difference it was barely noticeable.
There was only one person who seemed to see this. Surprisingly it was Merlin. It awed Percival how this boy, this man, could talk and work day in and day out yet still read the signs.
If Arthur was simply being harsh because he was embarrassed or something Merlin would fight back but if he was genuinely upset the servant would allow the treatment, to an extent at least.
With Gwaine, if the drunkard was simply drunk and a bit rowdier than normal Merlin would, obviously, zone out, but if that glint lay in his eye Merlin would listen enraptured by whatever tale it was.
However, Merlin was also the unreadable one. He seemed constantly cheery with his wise lapses confusing everyone at least once a season. Abd while Percival searched and searched to find something more, Merlin simply seemed to be as open as he says. Except hidden beneath the cheer the silent knight could see something.
He just didn't know what.
When the revelation about Merlin's magic came about Percival was the only one unsurprised. And when Merlin came up to him and asked him why the answer was simple.
"No one can be that brash, yet perceptive and that hidden yet open, and not have something powerful going on within them."
And walked away.