It had been two weeks since Merlin saw Arthur with his concubine Megan, and Merlin's blood was still boiling.
He'd go in to give Arthur his breakfast and even though he saw that Arthur was sleeping alone he still remembered seeing her in his bed.
On top of his new and irrational anger towards Arthur, Merlin was still having nightmares and they were getting worse.
He was starting to avoid sleeping all together. He'd do chores for Gaius and do the chores he knew Arthur would give him tomorrow.
In the wee hours of the morning Merlin was polishing armor in his room. He hadn't been using magic to do his chores like he used to, in fact he rarely used his magic anymore.
Merlin was always sleepy and tired, which meant he was always grumpy, angry and on edge. He was snappy with everyone, but mostly Arthur.
'Merlin!'
The servant looked up and remembered he was in the middle of a feast and he was supposed to keep Arthur's cup from running dry.
'Sorry, Sire.' Merlin apologized as he filled the cup with wine.
Merlin went back to his place behind Arthur and leaned against the wall and sighed. He had once again stayed up all night. Going so long with so little sleep was starting to catch up to him, just as Gaius had warned him it would.
Merlin didn't know when he had dozed off but next thing he knew he was being woken up by Gwen shaking him awake.
'Merlin, are you alright?' Gwen asked worriedly.
'Yes, yes I'm fine I'm just a bit tired. How long was I out?' Merlin asked.
'Not long, Arthur's cup is still full.' Gwen answered, pointing to the king who was currently too busy talking with his knights to be drinking.
'Good.' Merlin sighed in relief.
'Gaius told me that you haven't been sleeping well, why not?' Gwen asked.
'It's none your concern really, just have been having a few nightmares.' Merlin dismissed.
'Merlin, you're the physician's ward and assistant, you should know that not sleeping isn't healthy.' Gwen teased.
'I know, I just don't care, these bloody dreams, I'd rather never sleep again.' Merlin said, looking off into space.
Gwen didn't know what to say to that. Sure Merlin had those rare moments when he got serious and she had no idea what he was talking about, but this was different. The look in Merlin's eyes wasn't the only serious, but it was also dark. Like hidden behind his blue pupils there was a mad man on a rusty chain.
'Merlin, what are your nightmares about?' Gwen asked carefully.
'I can't tell you Gwen, I'm sorry.' Merlin apologized.
'I understand, everyone has their secrets, I still think you should try to get some sleep though. I can take care of Arthur, you go rest a little.' Gwen said.
'Really Guinevere, I'm quite alright.' Merlin said sleepily.
'Merlin, I wasn't asking, you're about to fall over.' Gwen smiled.
Merlin couldn't deny that he was on the verge of passing out, he was surprised no one at the feast had noticed, by no one he meant Arthur.
Merlin looked over at his master and saw why he hadn't noticed his ailments.
Megan had appeared out of nowhere and was currently in Arthur's lap. Merlin is sure that if Arthur was sober he wouldn't allow her to act such away with so many nobles present, but Arthur was drunk so he let his hands wander.
'You know what; I'll take you up on that offer. I'd rather have horrific dreams than watch that prat and his bedmate.' Merlin said as he handed Gwen his jug of wine and left.
Merlin collapsed the second he saw his cot.
Merlin had just finished writing a letter to Gaius and was putting on his desk for the physician to find after he was gone.
For good.
Merlin made his way to Arthur's chambers and passed many of his friends on the way, but he spoke to none of them. When he finally made it he didn't bother knocking, he just barged in and found Arthur at his desk.
'I do hope you have a good reason for barging into my chambers.' Arthur said not looking up from his documents.
Merlin didn't answer him instead he whispered a quick spell that sent Arthur across the room and into the wall.
'What type of magic is this?!' Arthur yelled in shock and anger.
Again Merlin didn't give Arthur instead he walked over to the immobilized king and stopped within inches of him.
'The same kind of magic that has saved your life more times than I can count.' Merlin said before closing the distance between them, kissing Arthur deeply.
Merlin could tell that Arthur's eyes had widened but he didn't care, he just kept kissing him. He was however shocked when Arthur began to kiss back. Merlin licked his king's bottom licked and was particularly happy when Arthur opened his mouth.
They kissed until Merlin was sure that his lungs would collapse from lack of oxygen or he'd faint from being so light headed.
Merlin pulled back and couldn't help but smile when Arthur whimpered a bit as he tried to follow his lips.
For a minute they both just stared at each other catching their breath, once they had composed themselves Merlin pressed their foreheads together.
'I've been wanting to tell you for years Arthur, for years.' Merlin said.
'What? That you're a bloody sorcerer, or you fancy me?' Arthur asked, showing no emotion whatsoever.
Merlin woke up covered in sweat and with his heart in his throat, he chose to ignore the tightness in his pants.
What the hell was that? What the bloody hell was that?!
The other dreams were awful and terrifying, but this dream scared the warlock more than any of the others ever had.
'Arthur? Why did I dream about Arthur? It couldn't have been Gwen or even one of the knights, it had to be that prat.' Merlin groaned.
