Disclaimer: As you probably already know... Merlin isn't mine.
Well the BBC certainly responded to my G/A bemoaning last week - Gwen didn't even make an appearance this week (which kinda made me feel a bit sad for her...) That said, there wasn't many A/M scenes to go on either. Here's hoping for some great scenes in the final two episodes. :D
I know this isn't the longest or the best chapter ever and it's rather disjointed, but I kinda like it. Hope you enjoy it too. :)
Keep The Relationship Secret - Episode XI
Hypnotised by the motion, Arthur watched as Merlin sharpened his sword in preparation for tomorrow's battle. He'd never admit it out loud, but the steady, consistent way Merlin ran the stone along the blade was turning him on. Arthur instantly imagined those same hands running smoothing across his body and down...
He pushed the thought to the back of mind and, with a sigh, turned his mind to the tournament.
"What do I do Merlin?" Arthur asked. He looked up at Merlin's face and blue eyes met blue. "If I fight my father tomorrow the way I can... I'll show him up. I'll humiliate him... in front of his people," he paused, clearly troubled. "Or worse, I could wound him or kill him."
Merlin gave him a sympathetic smile. "He's not going to back down. He'd determined to prove himself. You have to let him win."
Arthur sighed. He knew Merlin was right, but it still so frustrating. He stood up, his eyes not leaving Merlin. "You don't have to put up with the gloating! Do you have any idea what it's like to live with a man who constantly thinks he's the best?"
"Mmm," Merlin refrained from rolling his eyes. "Must be irritating."
Sensing a sardonic tone, Arthur turned sharply to look at Merlin's back. His manservant wasn't looking at Arthur; he held up the freshly sharpened sword and examined it. Satisfied he placed it on the table.
"You really think I should let him win?"
"It's what I'd do," Merlin replied, turning to Arthur. "If I had to put up with someone so gloating and vain, I'd let them win just to shut them up."
"Merlin!"
Merlin grinned for a moment, before letting it slip. He stepped toward Arthur, his face serious. "I know you'll do what's right."
Arthur closed the gap between them and pressed a kiss to Merlin's lips. "Thank you."
~ *XX* ~
In the end Arthur let Uther beat him. Merlin had watched with baited breath, only releasing it when the fight was over.
"Well done. It can't have been easy." Merlin greeted Arthur as he left the arena. They clasped arms as their only sign of affection as Arthur turned to gaze intently at Merlin.
"If he wasn't my father." Arthur left it at that as Gaius arrived. Merlin watched him leave, before turning his thoughts back to the other secret he had to keep.
~ *XX* ~
That night Merlin served Arthur, Morgana and Uther at dinner (A year ago he would have protested at the duty, but now he didn't mind; it was, after all, a perfect way to keep an eye on Morgana). As the king and his ward arrived, Merlin left Arthur's side and retreated backward into the shadows. His mind wandered to his conversation with Gilli.
"It's lonely to be more powerful than any man you know and have to live like a shadow. To be special and have to pretend you're a fool. I know how it feels. I understand." As he had said those words, Merlin's mind turned to Arthur and how he wished his prince would understand too.
Merlin's reverie broke in time to hear Uther admit he knew Arthur had let him win. And if that wasn't enough, Uther also declared that he had no doubt that Arthur was now truly ready to be king. As the three clinked glasses, Merlin watched from the sidelines.
He saw the disappointment and annoyance written in Morgana's faux grimace.
He saw the pride and the respect in Uther's eyes as he looked on his son.
He saw the somewhat modest joy and relief in Arthur.
Briefly, the prince turned and shot Merlin a smile. And Merlin couldn't help but smile back, knowing he was reflecting the same pride and respect he saw in the king. But while Uther hid his love for Arthur deep down, under many protective layers, Merlin allowed his love for Arthur to shine in his face and eyes.
Just this once, while no one (save Arthur) was looking.
