With a small lit candle Merlin quickly made his way to Arthur's bed chambers. Once outside the door he hesitated for a moment, waiting for some sort of sign to enter but once he heard the sound of bed sheets rustling he knew the prince had not gone to bed just yet and silently crept inside.
"Arthur" he whispered as he closed the door behind him.
"Have you never heard of knocking Merlin" Arthur cried in a startled tone. In the dim light of the candle Merlin could just make out the prince quickly covering his bare flesh with a plethora of silken sheets. Merlin tried his best not to stare and had to take a moment to clear his parched throat from the sight.
"I didn't mean to startle you sire" he replied, trying to hide the laughter in his voice.
"You didn't, you just… nevermind just what do you want Merlin?" he sneered in the dark room.
"I just wanted to talk to you."
"About?"
"Earlier"
"Couldn't that wait until morning?" Arthur said flopping back onto a pillow.
"No afraid not" He said warily inching closer to Arthur's bed.
"Merlin what the-"
"Arthurs there's something you must know." He began
"Well spit it out then"
"Arthur I… I don't think you should be with Gwen."
"Excuse me?"
"It's not a good choice."
"Since when does your input matter?"
"Good point, but this time you should actually listen."
"Why? Is it because she's a servant? Has my father put you up to this?"
"No, of course not!"
"Then what?"
"Because I…"
"You what?"
"I just think it's best if you don't" Merlin shrugged.
"Oh I see, you still have feelings for her don't you?"
"What? No!"
"You don't have to explain anything to me Merlin I get it. You should've said something earlier."
"Arthur you misunderstand"
"No I completely understand. I shouldn't have said what I did. But now that that's settled I'd like to sleep."
"But Arthur,"
"I said goodnight Merlin." Arthur said as he covered up and rolled on his side, ending the discussion.
Several days had passed since then and Merlin had kept his aloofness in the prince's presence. He wasn't sure who he was more annoyed with, Arthur for making silly accusations or himself for not being honest to begin with.
It didn't help the matter that Arthur insisted on picking on him for days to come, merlin's patience was warring thin with the prat. One evening after an exceedingly long training period with the knights Arthur sat by the fire as Merlin shined his many pairs of boots beside him.
"Merlin, can I ask you something?"
"You're going to anyway" Merlin retorted continuing to keep eye contact with the boot in hand.
"Why have you been so touchy lately?"
"I don't know what you mean sire"
"I mean have I said something to upset you?" Arthur asked leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees; in hopes that the short distance would force Merlin to finally meet his gaze.
Merlin's breathe caught as he slowly took in the sight before him. He couldn't even begin to describe the handsome structure that made up Arthur. He was absolutely gorgeous by the fire, he practically glowed. He was the embodiment of a 'handsome prince' in every fairy tale. And Merlin couldn't believe his luck that he had opportunity to admire him personally each and every day.
"Merlin?" Arthur questioned as he awaited his reply.
"Sorry, just thinking."
"About Gwen?" Merlin nearly threw the boot into the fire. Arthur just didn't get it.
"No" he replied coldly as he stood up to stretch.
"Then what?" Merlin ignored him and began to quickly place the shined shoes where they belonged.
"If this about me and Gwen I already told you not to worry; I swear I will not pursue her." Arthur began again, rising to his feet to confront him. This time Merlin couldn't bite his tongue.
"Arthur you can't be this thick" he exclaimed in a foul tone; turning swiftly to meet Arthurs penetrating gaze.
"Excuse me?" he retorted clearly taken aback.
"Gwen isn't the one I want, you clot pole!"
"Merlin what's gotten into you?"
"Nothing, look, Arthur it's you that I want." Merlin could feel the heat rise from his cheeks to his ears and wanted nothing more than to use a spell to take back everything he had just said but it was too late now. It was even more obvious staring back at an open mouthed dumbfounded Arthur.
"Well say something" he uttered. Arthur's voice was barely a whisper but Merlin heard him loud and clear.
"Get out." He said
"What?"
"I said get out" Arthur nearly yelled, hardly able to meet Merlin's gaze.
"But Arth-"
"Leave!"
And indeed he did he nearly ran out of the princes chambers, Merlin had never felt so humiliated in all his life and he knew in an instant that things would never be the same between them again.