"You alright merlin?" Gwaine asked. He was leaning on the wall of the stable with his simple clothes on. No chainmail. Just a tunic and trousers and boots. He looked just like he did when he saved merlin and Arthur in the tavern. Merlin looked up, exhausted, guilt- ridden covered in muck and he smiled at the knight. Gwaine had come so far because merlin was friends with him.
"What's with the peasant gear?"
"I feel like getting out among the people. Remembering who and what I'm helping to protect. It makes me grateful that you helped me come here from that!"
"So Percival and Leon hid your armour?"
"That too! But if anyone asks it's the remembering what ih protecting thing got it?"
Merlin laughed as he shovelled the horse muck out of the door again.
"Want to know what it's like to be that again? I've got a chores list from here to your armour and back!"
"Want a hand?"
Merlin stood up to give Gwaine a look.
"I could help!"
"Do you want mucking out the stables, cleaning the leach tank, polishing every boot of every knight of Camelot, being target practise, polishing every knights armour, sharpening every weapon in the weapon room-"
"Alright alright I get it! Arthur's punishing you bad!"
"I overslept and he missed a council meeting!"
"Those things are boring as hell and he got extra sleep! He should Thank you! I would!"
"Well when I work for you, you probably will!"
"That might be sooner than you think!"
"What why?"
"When you're done here, Arthur wants to see you in his chambers!"
"Great. Just what I need!"
"It'll be fantastic working with you merlin!"
"It probably would be fun working with you actually!"
"I don't doubt it merlin!"
"You'll hire me straight away yeah?"
"Well I might need to test you out and see if you're actually able to do anything… Can you?"
"Yes I can!"
"What?"
"I can put up with a stubborn old ass for years!"
"Impressive! Youre hired!"
"Pleasure doing business with you!"
"Your first job is to tell me everything that happens in your meeting. Got it?"
"Yes Gwaine!"
"That's sire Gwaine to you!"
Merlin picked up his rake and took a step towards Gwaine who ducked out of the stable and left merlin laughing.
Merlin took a deep breath outside of Arthur's chamber door. He knew Gwaine would keep him implode the moment merlin told him. That's not what he was worried about. But, you get your boss, who is also the man you've fallen hopelessly in love with, in some deep trouble and then you know he's going to yell at you. It hurts when someone you love gets mad because you feel they don't love you anymore. It'd break Merlins heart to think there was no chance Arthur loved him.
That's what he was worried about.
But he needn't have worried.
