The morning after his arousing epiphany, Merlin decided to go on the hunt for Arthur. No time to waste he thought, he must change his fate as soon as it was possible. He was full of confidence that morning, his brisk walk creating echoes that flew around the stone building. He noticed Gwaine in the corridor on the way to the centre of the castle and they each exchanged a bow of their heads as they passed each other - "Damn" he thought, now he noticed it... Gwaine really wasn't that bad looking at all. It was a shame that it was mandatory for all Knights of the Round Table to wear such thick body armour, Merlin would like to see a bit more of his figure - he'd seen the outline of his biceps through his cotton shirt sometimes, but with his new awakening Merlin thought that he'd be able to appreciate the aesthetic of a well-built man much more now. Just as he was pondering this, Lancelot crossed the courtyard adjacent to him. Despite Lancelot being such a large distance away from Merlin that it would be socially unacceptable to greet each other, Merlin could make out his figure (with a little help from his magic, of course,) and lusted over Lancelot's well-shaped calves and tight thighs. Merlin even marvelled at Lancelot's impressively toned buttocks.
By this time Merlin was feeling an even greater awakening than he had felt this morning, he wondered how he had never noticed the beauty of men before - how could be have been so oblivious to the raw power and strength of men, the kind of strength that he so longed to overpower himself? For he was not muscular or strong, however Merlin had his magic. His magic was enough to make whatever physical strength they had obsolete, and the thought of a gangly good-for-nothing servant making a grown man scream for mercy sent a warm feeling into the pit of his stomach.
Just as he was in the midst of these daylight fantasies, a golden-haired boy around the edge of the corner appeared. Merlin jumped. Arthur stayed stationery. "Merlin," he bellowed, "you were supposed to have picked my laundry up exactly three minutes ago. Why are you dawdling out here?".
"...I, I forgot, Arthur. Sorry."
"Do you think, 'I forgot', is a good enough excuse? If I didn't turn up for a jousting tournament do you think it would all be okay if I just said 'oh woops, I forgot'?" Merlin hung his head low, twisting a piece of cloth he was holding. Arthur sighed. "Just get on with it I suppose. And quickly, you're now four minutes behind schedule." And with that, Arthur strolled off. Merlin stood gazing at the floor for a few seconds, feeling his fire completely diminished by Arthur. Despite Merlin's lustful desire to overpower Arthur and the ease he had fantasizing about these situations, being faced with Arthur in the flesh was a completely different matter. Arthur's stern-cold look still pierced him, immobilising and completely taking control over him. The thought of this power struggle made Merlin sick to his stomach, he would have vengeance, and he would show him who the real master was soon.
