Ok so this is the 3rd chapter. This is all I've written so far, I'm planning to write more as soon as possible. So yeah... Hopefully this chapter is a little better than the first two. I laughed while writing it.

Oh and no, I still don't own Merlin or anything. :(

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chp.3 'bath time'

- Merlin's pov

It had been a week and a half since the punishment. My back was still hurting, but I could put it out of my mind half the time now, unless something brushed or hit into my back. Or laid on my back. Or my clothes chafed my back too roughly... Actually it was still hurting me like nothing else. I was down on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor for Gaius, Arthur had gone hunting and ordered me to stay behind, as this time he actually wanted to kill something and didn't have the patients today to deal with a branch hitting me in the back and I, letting out a scream of pain and scaring everything away, or something to that affect.

I hadn't done much work for Gaius in the past week, due to Gaius feeling guilty about the amount of pain I was in, and didn't want me to strain myself anymore than nessicary. Unlike Arthur, who had me serving and slaving after him from the crack of dawn until ten at night, sometimes later. And then the next day it would all start again. I was though starting to feel that the tight stinging in my back as part of my life now. I couldn't remember life before the constant reminders of pain.

I was trying to remove a particularly stubborn bit of gunge that was just resolutely not going to budge for me when Gaius back into the room carrying a large array of medical supplies. I sat up and stretched feeling my back sting as the healing flesh was still tight and it stungbpainfully as I stretched the tightened skin. I stood up stiffly, feeling my knees aching and soaked from kneeling on the cold wet stone floor for so long.

Gaius turned and seemed surprised to see me, "oh Merlin. I thought you would have ridden out with Prince Arthur today, I believe he was going hunting?" Gaius asked almost suspiciously as if yesterday when I told him, and that was before Arthur ordered me to stay behind. That I'd lied about Arthur going hunting. I went on the defensive at his tone, "Yes, he is. But he didn't want me to come, something about me scaring away all the deer with my sounds of pain or something to that effect. So I decided to catch up on some of the duties here that I've been neglecting" I said ruefully.

Gaius' eyes gave the room a sweep, to the wet and soupy floor and to the tidied potion bottles and the clean leech tank. "Well, you have indeed made yourself useful this morning. I am grateful. But it's a sunny day out, and why don't you go out and enjoy your morning off in another way than cleaning" Gaius said dismissively. I shot him a suspicious look myself, "since when do you ever tell me to have time off to enjoy myself?" I asked raising an eyebrow at the old man.

Gaius became suddenly more suspicious, "I am now. Just leave Merlin, I have important things to attend to hear, and I don't need you breathing down my neck. I would have thought you would have jumped at the idea of free time. Or should I make you go and collect me some new leeches from down at the swamp, I think I'm running a bit low" Gaius set me a stern look.

****

So 15 minutes later I was strolling through the small markets of Camelot. I didn't have any money to buy anything, as I hadn't been given my allowance for the month yet. I was eyeing a particularly juicy looking apple with envy when I heard my name being called. I turned and when I spotted the person who was calling my name my stomach did a back flip.

I hurried over to the darkened ally where none other than Lancelot was standing in the shadows. "Lancelot, what in the blazes are you doing here?" I asked in a hushed tone looking around apprehensively. I spotted two guards a few yards away at the same time Lancelot did and we moved further down the ally and out of the sunny afternoon sun.

When we were a good distance away from watching eyes, Lancelot answered my question, "I would not have come, but... I need you Merlin. I need your help. And I'm afraid that you are the only one who can give it too me now" Lancelot seemed nervous. I eyed him suspiciously, "what do you mean? How do you need my help? And why am I, the only one who can offer you that?" I asked keeping my voice low in-spite of the lack of listening ears.

Lancelot seemed uncomfortable to continue. "Lancelot what is it?" I asked after a minute. Lancelot sighed heavily and looked up and down the ally before leaning in closer to me, I felt a tingling sensation go down my spine as I felt his warm breath brush across my skin. "Someone has put a bounty on my head, and it was a sorcerer who heeded the bounty. As you know Merlin I know no magic myself, and he seems very determined to claim his reward" Lancelot's voice became strained.

I let out a low breath when Lancelot leaned back away from me. I looked into his dark worried eyes and I felt compelled to help him, "of course I will help you Lancelot" I said in my second breath. Lancelot seemed only mildly pleased with my answer, but he still seemed troubled. "Is there anything more?" I asked uncertainly. Lancelot hesitated before saying, "Where is Arthur?" It was obvious that this was not what he really wanted to say.

I shrugged and winced, "He's gone out hunting this morning. He will probably be back soon I should think if he managed to catch aanything" I said half through my teeth as my back seared with pain. Lancelot gave me a puzzled look before asking me what was wrong. I just shook my head and muttered, "it's nothing" before looking back down the way we'd come. I didn't know why I didn't tell Lancelot what was wrong, after all, we'd always been strangely open with each other. But I just felt that it was too... Embarrassing, I didn't want Lancelot to think me of me as. Well. Delicate.

I snuck Lancelot into my room, Gaius was suspiciously absent, and it made me more curious as to his pushiness earlier for me to leave. But I didn't voice my suspicions to Lancelot, as I doubted very much that he would find it remotely interesting. I had to leave him though to go and collect Arthur's clean clothes from the laundry and bring then up to his room. As Arthur would no doubt want a bath and clean clothes when he returned.

Lancelot didn't seem bothered when I informed him that I had to leave. He seemed exhausted and I invited him to use my bed to sleep. Something which Lancelot graciously thanked me for. I felt a jolt go down my spine that had nothing to do with my lashings when Lancelot started to remove half his clothing. I stood there gaping like a fool as he pulled his shirt off to reveal his toned back.

I had always been slightly smitten by Lancelot. I realised my fondness for men when I was about 12 years of age back home in my village. I and my childhood friend Will had gotten into the mead after a celebration the town was having due to a large amount of wheat and corn that had grown that year. Will was teasing me about a girl in the town who'd shown a fancy to me, Margaret, or Maggie as she was more commonly called. And teased me that I should kiss her.

I had told him that I had absolutally no feelings what so ever for her, he'd then asked who I did find attractive and would like to have a roll in the hay with if you get my drift. I brushed off his question with asking who he'd found attractive. It was not after Will had pretty much said every girl in the village, and a large more amount of mulled mead later had he turned the question back to me. Stupidly, drunkenly, I'd kissed him quickly on the lips and he'd just burst out laughing and thought it was a joke.

I sighed heavily as I remembered the crush I'd had on Will. And the sorrow I felt over his death, the previous year when I'd returned to my home town, bringing Arthur, Gwen and Morgana in tow. To help my Mother and the village from raiders who were taking all of the crop. And then I felt another pain when I thought of the death of my Mother. Her life forfeited for instead of Arthur's.

Lancelot turned then to spot me still staring at him, he furrowed his brow and asked, "Merlin? I thought you had to go and fix Arthur up with clean clothes or something?" His tone seemed to quiestion my capabilities. I nodded and gave him a quick grin, "oh yeah, sorry.. My mind just sorta drifted off then" I said and laughed nervously, obviously making a total fool of myself and quickly hurried out of the room with Lancelot's confused face still in my mind.

Arthur. I thought as I was fixing his bed, and tiding up his room. I remembered back to the first time I'd met him, and remembered how I'd felt an instant dislike towards the Prince. But after finding out he was my destiny and all that crap. And going through a lot together, we'd become good friends. Or I liked to think we had. As I groaned loudly when I accidentally hit my back on the corner of the table as I stood up from picking one of Arthur's shirts from the floor.

I wasn't sure if I had any romantic feelings for Arthur. I mean he was a contemptuous, arrogant prat that treated me with a complete disregard as a person most of the time. And I knew he would throw me to the dogs if he ever found out about my preference for the same sex. I mean Arthur had forgiven and accepted a lot from me in the past. But I doubt whither he, or any other straight man would feel comfortable if they found out their personal manservant, who helped them dress, attended to them in all sorts of personal ways, preferred the company of men.

I mean it's not like I ever looked at Arthur. I mean ok, that was a downright lie. But I was only human after all with the same amount of desires and crazed hormones as the next young guy my age. Let's say then, I never fantasised about Arthur. Well I wasn't being entirely truthful to myself there either. Arthur was, despite his attitude and the total opposites in personality, and the complete opposite of my type in every way. Or well, in personality wise. Physically. Ok. Physically he made me feel dirty every time he looked at me with those piercing blue eyes of his.

Made me bite the inside of my mouth when he so casually felt comfortable in my presents to walk around half naked. And I have on occasion appreciated Arthur in his chain mail and armour. On occasion. But really, other than that. I didn't fancy Arthur one bit. I mean it wasn't like I was refined by my sexuality, it's not like it hindered me in any way to preform in my duties. It made absolutely no difference to anything. Gay, straight. Really when it came down to it, how much different were they really?

I heard the sound of clomping boots before the door was thrown open and Arthur came striding into the room. "How was your hunting trip? Did you manage to kill anything?" I asked. Arthur just grunted as he collapsed fully dressed onto his bed. "Yes, in fact I managed to kill a large stag" Arthur said un-impressed. "oh?" I said bending down to pull Arthur's boots off.

Arthur pulled himself into a sitting position and flexed his muscles. "Merlin, run me a bath would you? My shoulder is aching" He said rubbing his left shoulder and revolving it under his hand with a pained look on his face. "Maybe you should let Gaius look at it" I suggested. Arthur snorted, "it's nothing. Honestly Merlin, not all of us are cry babies. I'll feel fine after I have a hot bath. Which I don't see you yet have attempted to make" he shot me a disapproving look.

I sighed and muttered a, "Yes Sire" and shuffled off to the bathroom. After I'd filled the bath and heated it shiftily with magic. I called Arthur to tell him his bath was ready. "About time" he muttered pushing past me. I felt a twang of annoyance, as no one else could possibly have made a hot bath that fast without the use of magic. I was about to leave him when Arthur called from behind me, "Merlin, you can stay and help me bathe. My shoulder is really acting up" I turned to see him grimace as he rubbed his shoulder.

I felt the familiar fluttering sensation in my stomach as I helped Arthur out of his armor and clothes. And I tried to hold back the smile as I thought of what Arthur would think if he ever found out that I was gay. Then I realised that it wouldn't be the slightest bit amusing, as I would surly have the worst punishment of my life, or possibly death. But I doubted that no matter how disgusted and horrified Arthur would be if he ever found out, which was pretty much impossible, as I haven't had any form of romance with anyone since I got here, actually, nor back home. I'd never been with anyone like that in my life. And I highly doubted wither that was going to change any time soon, as I never met anybody and homosexuality as a rule wasn't highly looked upon. But I didn't think that Arthur would actually have me executed if he were to find out.

It was after I'd washed Arthur's hair, and began to massage his left shoulder, which did feel quite tight. Did it happen, I was mortified. I couldn't even believe that it happened. I felt myself begin to get hard. I jumped up instantly and headed for the door, I was halfway across the room when I heard Arthur's surprised and disapproving voice, "Merlin! Where the hell do you think you are going?" He demanded. I didn't turn as that would have given something that I did not want to give away to the Prince. "Erm.. Gaius said he needed me to... to.. Go and fetch some more leeches from the swamp, he's running low you see" I was grasping at straws.

Arthur snorted loudly behind me, "give it a rest Merlin. Do you honestly think of me so stupid as to believe that!" I made a non-comical sound in the back of my throat. "Merlin, your not going anywhere, I think you were making some difference to my shoulder. Get back over here and continue with what you were doing until I dismiss you" His voice was a command and there was nothing I could do to escape. I tried to hide myself as I made my way back over to Arthur. It seemed to work as he didn't look mortified.

I knelt back down on my knees and continued where I'd left off. I thought I was getting a grip on myself after five minutes or so of forcing my mind to the most un-sexually appealing thoughts possible. It did seem to have been working fairly well until Arthur had to make a low moan in the back of his throat making all my efforts vanish immediately. "That's it Merlin. Right there. That's the spot" Arthur's voice had become deeper with each appreciative encouragement. I could feel my breathing start get un-even as Arthur made another low moan.

I couldn't believe my luck, it was a horrible situation I had landed myself in. What in the hell was wrong with me? I tried to chant in my head that this wasn't in any way sexually exiting. Arthur was a prat, Arthur was a prat, I do not find him attractive. I do not find his rippling back attractive. This was just a bath, it's not like I could see anything anyway. I was just massaging his sore shoulder. That was all. And when he moaned my name like that, I shouldn't let my mind drift off to something else... This wasn't in anyway. That. Kind of... situation. I knew all this, but why in the hell couldn't I stop myself being so damn turned on over the prat.

"Wait Merlin" Arthur suddenly said, "yes Sire?" I flushed as I realised my voice had become suddenly huskier than it should. I coughed and said again in a more cheerful voice, "Sire?", Arthur hesitated slightly, I held my breath, but he just shook his head and continue as if nothing weird had just happened. "I feel some soreness in my back as well" and with that statement he lent forward so I could reach his back easier. I roamed my hands down his spine, which I knew I really, REALLY shouldn't me doing that, before I asked "tell me where you feel the soreness."

I had lent right into Arthur's back by this point to put at much strength into my massaging as possible did I feel Arthur's whole body suddenly tense up. I didn't understand at first, but a split second later I realised that my throbbing, rock hard, erection was jabbing into his back. Holy. SHIT. "Merlin" Arthur's voice became suddenly emotionless. "Sire?" I managed to choke out pulling away from him. Arthur didn't say anything for a long drawn out second, before saying in a slightly elevated voice, "Merlin. Please, please tell me that wasn't what I thou..." Arthur began but I was across the room and out the door in a flash yelling something about my chores for Gaius.

After I was out of Arthur's chambers I positively ran all the way back to where I slept. I skidded past Gaius who said something I didn't hear and bolted into my room slamming the door shut behind me. I flung myself down onto my bed not thinking, and only when I collided with someones sleeping body did I tumble off the bed onto the floor as Lancelot woke with a grunt. It took him a moment to gather his surrounding and realise that I'd just jumped on him. "Merlin?" He stated confused, "Lancelot" I answered breathlessly standing up and collapsing onto the chair on the the other side of the tiny bedroom.

Lancelot took in my obviously shaken appearance and the fact that I was panting heavily. "Merlin, what the hell happened to you?" He asked shocked and concerned. I just put my face in my hands and shook my head. After a second I heard Lancelot pull himself out of my bed and make his way over to me. "Merlin?" He asked in a soothing voice putting his hand on my shoulder which made my heart thump un-evenly. I shook my head again but answered muffled by my face still being in my hands, "nothing. Lancelot. Just something happened between Arthur and I" I said feeling like I'd said too much.

Lancelot didn't say anything for a moment before he said in a low voice, "did he, he catch you doing magic?" His voice was worried and sympathetic. I shook my head again, "no, not that" I pulled my face out of my hands and turned to look at Lancelot. His eyes were confused, but comforting and non jugemental. And before I could stop myself I blurted out everything that had just happened. After I finished, Lancelot didn't speak, he looked shocked. I felt the heat rise into my cheeks and before I could help myself I started to cry.

I felt Lancelot put pressure on my shoulder before leaning down on one knee to be more eye level with me, "Merlin. Come on, there's no need to be so upset. I'm sure Arthur's just thinking he's imagined it." He tried to sooth me. I snorted wetly. "believe me Lancelot, there was no way that Arthur could have thought he imagined it. I was making my side very clear" I could feel my stomach churn. I couldn't possibly imagine what was going through Arthur's head right about now. Maybe, maybe. He was trying to convince himself that he imagined it. Or I sure damn hoped he was.

I half expected Arthur to come barging through that door for the rest of the day and demand me to continue with the rest of my duties. Or to fire me. Or worse, throw me in the dungeons or something. But he didn't. He sent no message, no nothing to me all day. And by 10 a-clock that night, his usual bedtime I half convinced myself he would call for me to assist him. But he didn't. I laid in my bed for hours that night, trying unsuccessfully to put tomorrow and their consequences out of my mind. But it was impossible. It was nearing day-break did I finally fall into an un-easy sleep, too soon to be woken by Arthur standing over my bed looking murderous.

Ok, so what did you guys think? Did you like it? Do you care what happens next? Should I even bother with it, seriously? I have good plans for this story... I hope you like them. Comments please people, give me a reason to keep posting *sad puppy dog eyes* pleaseeeeee ;)