Merlin eyed the servant bustling around Arthur's room with barely concealed suspicion. The man seemed too utterly happy to be picking up the prince's socks to be healthy. He was even humming. It was when the man, who seemed around his age, leaned down and sniffed Arthur's pillow as he straightened the bed sheets that Merlin decide to put a stop to it.
"Who are you?" Merlin hid his satisfaction as the other servant jumped and leaped away from the bed, face red. The man cleared his throat and shuffled his feet, eyes lighting up as he recognized Merlin.
"Sir! I'm Alvin, the prince's new second manservant!" the other smiled brightly and Merlin took in his soft brown features, his hair swept back and his eyes with that happy-to-serve look Merlin saw on many servants.
"Don't call me sir, and did you say 'second manservant'?" Merlin set his pack on the table and leaned against a chair coolly.
"Indeed!" boomed a different voice from behind him, and Merlin shot forward in surprise. Gasping, Merlin held a hand to his chest as he glared at the smirking Arthur. "Bit jumpy Merlin?" Arthur smiled as he entered the room, waving away Alvin's excited bowing and 'hello, sire!'
"Whatever, Arthur," Merlin also ignored Alvin's shocked gasp at his use of the prince's name, "What on earth do you need a second manservant for?" Arthur beamed at him.
"Well, considering you decided to go bugger off to your mother's place for a whole week, I was forced to get some help with the mess you left behind. And so," he waved a hand at the still standing perfectly straight and smiling Alvin, "Here he comes in." Merlin took a look at the man and then looked at Arthur warily, hoping the churning in his stomach wasn't true.
"You're not….firing me are you?" Arthur looked appalled at his suggestion.
"What! No! Of course not! Why would I ever.." realizing what he was saying Arthur coughed and blushed, but by then Merlin was already smiling happily, a similar blush flushing his ears.
"Awe!" Merlin chirped, perching on the table, "I knew you loved me! Now all you have to do is throw in a hug and then I'll be swooning." Merlin's playful grin was carefully ignored by Arthur.
Alvin, so far ignored in the conversation jumped in, "Sire! Would you like me to get you your lunch? I've already cleared up your chambers and cleaned your armor." Alvin clasped his hands and looked hopefully at the prince, who seemed mildly uncomfortable at the attention.
"Um, yes that would be wonderful Alvin, and after, could you please check my stables and wash down the horses? And Merlin, quickly just grab my laundry from the ladies downstairs? We'll eat after and you'll tell me how your mothers doing." Alvin bobbed his head quickly and bowed, rather deep. Arthur smiled at them both before going over to his desk and looking appropriately prince-like as he looked at his papers. Merlin rolled his eyes and followed Alvin out the door.
They walked in silence for a little, going the same direction for the nearest staircase. Alvin kept glancing over at Merlin, and in turn, Merlin appraised the other subtly.
Finally, Alvin timidly cleared his throat, "So, it seems the rumors I've heard that you and the prince are friends, are true, are they?" he seemed almost nervous. Merlin also recognized the plaintive question in his words.
"Yes, me and Arthur are friends, we've done too much together to not be." Merlin didn't offer any more explanation, still not over the fact that the man beside him had sniffed Arthur's bed.
"Wow." The other whispered, sounding almost awed, "I wish I could be friends like that with the prince. He's so amazing." Merlin twitched at the dreamy eyes the man was now making.
After that short conversation, Merlin grabbed the laundry and then loitered his way back, hoping by the time he had gotten there, Alvin had already delivered the food and left. His timing was good, and he arrived just as Arthur sat to eat. Merlin dropped the basket and closed the door, quietly sliding the lock in place.
Walking stiffly over to where Arthur sat, Merlin leaned against he table and reached down to fist Arthur's blue tunic. Pulling, Merlin crushed his lips to Arthur's in a bruising kiss that left them both breathless and satisfied.
Merlin stared into Arthur's eyes and said, "I'm going to be quite clear here, I want that man gone by tomorrow. Give him to Gwaine or something, he is never to enter your chambers again, understand?" Arthur simply gave him an amused looked before tugging him into his lap. "You are jealous!" the prince crowed, tickling at Merlin's ribs.
Snorting, Merlin denied it, "No, I'm just being practical. Who knows what that man did when you were asleep! Whatever possessed you to get a bootlicker?" Merlin steadfastly ignored the fingers that were now easing into his shirt.
Arthur mouthed his ear, causing him to shiver, "sorry," the man breathed, "I think I just missed you." Merlin shuddered and arched into him, mewling happily when Arthur stole his lips again.
From then on, Alvin always mourned his last job, as Arthur's manservant, wondering what he had done wrong.
