"Lucky Devil" (Rose)
I'm honestly surprised that I was able to look Merlin in the eye again so quickly after that. I actually thought we were going to- "Well," I sigh aloud, "Doesn't matter," I say as the physician's door shuts behind me.
"What doesn't?" Gwaine pops up from behind Gaius's work table.
I jump in shock. "What- What were you doing down there?"
Gwaine opens his mouth to reply, drawing in a breath before shutting it once more. After a brief pause, he admits, "I was hungry …"
"Oh," I giggle lightly. "If that's all, I'm more than happy to fix something for you!"
"Are you really now?" he leans on the surface in front of him. "You are going to make some man far more than happy to have you at his side with that kind of attitude."
I feel heat rush to my cheeks in light of the previous happenings with Merlin. "I hope so," is my only response.
"So …" he drawls, sauntering over to where I am preparing his plate. "I can't help but feel that I owe you something for your kindness."
"You don't owe me a thing," I brush aside the notion. "Besides-" I stop myself short.
"Besides..?" he urges.
"It's just- you saved Merlin.. AND Arthur, of course. And, I- I simply appreciate that, is all. I feel as if it were I in your debt, not the other way around."
"Ahh, so Merlin is the lucky devil," he chuckles, grabbing an apple. In one swift movement, he tosses it carelessly into the air and catches it again.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean," I stammer, not looking up from my cutting.
"I'm afraid I'll have to disagree," he smirks. "As much as I hate displaying unbelief in a statement poured from the lips of a lady such as yourself, I think you know exactly what I mean."
I inhale deeply, shutting my eyes while laying the knife down atop the wood under my hands. "If I do understand your meaning, I don't think he is entirely aware of what you're implying."
"So there is hope for a bloke like me?" he teases.
I smile gratefully at him. "As sweet as you are, there will always be hope for you … But, in this sense, even in jest, unfortunately not with me. However, it is not a lack of interest in you as a person, but more a matter of the fact I no longer hold possession of my own heart." I hold out his sandwich for him to take. "Please, don't say anything- to anyone.. If he knew, I'm not sure what would happen."
"I understand," he grins and nods, gladly receiving his lunch. "I hope he realizes what he has, that boy."
"By the way, as long as you're up for it, Gaius says you may roam as you wish. Just, don't be late for dinner," I joke.
"Yes, ma'am," he laughs, waving his sandwich as he shoots out the door without a second glance.
"All the Nerve" (Merlin)
"Is that all?" I question Arthur hurriedly. I both long for and dread seeing Rose and speaking to her again privately.
"Unfortunately for you," he looks me square in the eye, "No," he cracks a smile. His delight in my misery is really rather disturbing.
"What else could we, and by we, I mean I, possibly accomplish? I'm pretty sure I've polished everything you own by now," I challenge him in hopes he'll just wave me off so he doesn't have to hear me whine. Also unfortunately for me, this tactic doesn't work, which means I will have to work MORE.
"A few of the warriors competing in the melee should be arriving shortly, and it's only proper that a prince's manservant be present as he receives guests into his home," Arthur saunters down the corridor and flies down the steps to the courtyard.
"So really, this is just you wanting to seem more important and powerful than you actually are by carting around someone you treat as a slave?" I jab.
"Do shut up, Merlin. You're acting more childish than usual," he scolds as he exits the castle doors to greet the two knights on horseback approaching us.
"Sir Oswald!" Arthur calls as we descend the stairs. We reach them as they dismount. "Didn't think you'd be brave enough to show up." They clasp arms.
"And much the chance of putting you on your backside?" Oswald retorts as they half hug each other.
"Ha-ha," Arthur chuckles. "You've never managed it before."
"That was then," Oswald counters with a hint of darkness in his tone. "This is now." Arthur promptly punches him in the shoulder in place of a verbal response like a civilized human and turns to his fellow rider who introduces himself as Sir Ethan, extending his hand in courtesy.
After a swift and firm shake, Arthur gestures to me. "This is my servant, Merlin." He lays his hand on my shoulder, which is surprisingly warm for Arthur. "He loves hard work, so anything you need, just give him a call."
There always has to be SOMETHING.
"Believe me, I will," Sir Oswald doesn't even play the polite 'Oh, I would never dream of it' card. He just jumps right in, and I cringe through my smile. I probably look like I'm about to be sick. He gives me a short, distant smile and tromps past me, behind Arthur. I can't help but make a face once they've passed. Some people have all the nerve.