I apologize that it took me awhile to update.
Hope this chapter will make up for it.
By the time Merlin had finished mucking out the stables, he was exhausted, aching, filthy, and to top it all off he smelled like shit. It would be the considerate thing to do to clean up before going to Arthur, however considering the way he had been acting as of late, Merlin decided against it and went to the king's chambers to help him get ready for bed. The moment Merlin entered the room, Arthur's nose wrinkled distasteful at the smell omitting from Merlin.
"Christ Merlin, you could have at least cleaned up." The sorcerer fought to keep himself from smirking at the comment, however he did give the king a snarky remark.
"I could have, but I was only following your orders." Arthur didn't look amused at all.
"Don't get any filth on me."
"I wouldn't dare." Merlin responded, carefully helping Arthur into his night-clothes, enjoying every minute of seeing the disgusted look on Arthur's face because he had to smell Merlin. "Will that be all?" He asked once Arthur was dressed and he pulled the blankets back on his bed, the king waved his hand at him dismissing him from the room. Without a moment's hesitation Merlin was out the door, making his way out of the castle and to Guais' to clean himself up.
Later, as Merlin was getting ready for bed he heard a knock on the door. Guais was already asleep, the sorcerer hurried out of his room and to the door, hoping to answer it before the knocking could wake the old man from his sleep.
"Gwaine!" Merlin greeted, surprised to see him there, he slid out the door, closing the door behind him so their voices wouldn't wake the old man.
"Are you ready to go to the tavern?" For a moment, Merlin hesitated, thinking of turning him down, but decided against it, smiled at Gwaine and nodded his head. The knight took Merlin by the hand guiding him from Guais' to the tavern.
"What did you talk to Arthur about?" Gwaine shrugged his shoulder at Merlin's question, avoiding the answer, the sorcerer wondered if Arthur had told Gwaine to keep away from him.
"Can't you go one minute without thinking about Arthur?" Gwaine teased, opening the door of the tavern; Merlin huffed heading into the tavern ahead of Gwaine, without answering him.
Merlin and Gwaine stumbled out of the tavern together; laughing and carrying on. Gwaine once again had gone and got himself in a fight and got the two of them kicked out. Merlin had been so busy with all his duties, he hadn't really realize how much he missed having fun.
"I believe we have caused enough chaos for one night." Merlin pointed out with a chuckle, "I am going to turn in for the night." The sorcerer began to turn away, Gwaine caught his wrist turning him back around, pulling him in pressing their lips together, for a moment Merlin was too shocked to react to the kiss, he soon gave into it the kiss, moving his lips along with Gwaine, completely unaware that from the castle, Arthur was watching them from the window.
To be continued...