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Merlin stands in the doorway to Arthur’s bedchambers, holding a cleaning rag in his hand and frowning at his King. Arthur grins smugly back at him as he stands by the window.
“Sire?” Merlin asked, mildly annoyed and Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“Yes?” Arthur asked, smug as ever as Merlin glared at him.
“Why is
George
helping you put on your armor?” Merlin asked, glaring at the other servant in question. George pointedly avoids eye contact as he tightens a strap over Arthur’s shoulders.
“Well you were late and I have a tournament to win,” Arthur explained. “I was about to start a useless goose chase around the castle to find you but found George instead and asked him to help.”
Merlin frowned at that, hand clenching around the cleaning rag a bit and he watches George’s nervous hands fix and adjust Arthur’s chestplate.
“Right, well, I’m here now so he can leave.” Merlin said, making a shooing motion at George, who freezes but doesn’t leave his spot. “I can finish this.”
“Why is it that now you’re so keen on being a good servant?” Arthur taunted. “No, George started, he will finish.”
“Why?” Merlin asked, taking a few steps into the room and George slowly continued helping Arthur with his armor.
“Merlin, must I remind you that George is a far better servant than you will ever be?” Arthur asked and Merlin huffed.
“No, you remind me everyday,
sire
.” Merlin said through clenched teeth.
“Great! Then I shouldn’t have to explain to you why it’s perfectly fine for George to continue helping me since you’re so incompetent you can’t be bothered to show up on time.” Arthur said, and Merlin glared at him. Arthur turned away, not meeting his eyes and his brows were furrowed a bit, making Merlin’s scowl lessen a bit.
Arthur wasn’t just teasing Merlin, he was deflecting. He was annoyed , and sure, he got upset when Merlin was shit at his job but never annoyed like this.
“Gaius had needed my help with a patient, that’s why I was running late.” Merlin tried explaining and Arthur didn’t meet his eyes still.
“Are you sure you weren’t just off at the tavern?” Arthur asked. “ Again?”
Merlin bristled at that, staring hard at Arthur for a long moment. Merlin had revealed his magic to Arthur a few weeks back, the King
knows
he was never really off at the tavern at this point and now he’s just using it to upset Merlin.
George looks between them hesitantly, taking a step back.
“I can go if it’s better, really it’s no big deal-” “No, you will stay right here and finish your job.” Arthur orders.
George turns to Merlin, with a questioning look, like he’s asking for permission to continue. Arthur and Merlin stare long and hard at each other and Merlin sighs deeply, dropping his gaze first.
“ Arthur ,” Merlin said and the King stood up straighter. “It’s just- I mean, after all this it’s-” Merlin awkwalrdy trails off and Arthur softens a little.
“What?” He asked, still looking annoyed and Merlin grumbled a little.
“I’d feel better if-” Merlin cuts himself off again. “I- With all that’s happened these past years, I would- I’d like-”
“ I’d like for you to finish one of those pathetic attempts at a sentence.” Arthur said, but there’s no real bite behind his words. He’s listening, and he looks a little worried. George seems to be pointedly tuning them out, standing awkwardly off to the side.
“I’d just feel... safer if I was the one to help you into your armor, you know? Make sure that everything’s... secure.” Merlin mumbles awkwardly. “You already almost die once a week, you prat. Running off into a tournament against unknown kingdoms could be dangerous, it’s better safe than sorry.”
The room is silent for a long moment and Merlin sighs.
“Sorry, nevermind, you can ignore me.” Merlin said. “I’m just being paranoid.”
Arthur’s gaze softens when he realises Merlin is being genuinely sincere and not messing with him. He straightens up and turns to George.
“You’re dismissed,” Arthur says and George scurries out of the room like he couldn’t escape fast enough as Merlin moves to take his place at Arthur’s side.
Immediately, Merlin’s hands wander up to Arthur’s armor, checking over what George has done already and fixing it to be as tight on Arthur as possible without being uncomfortable.
They’re both quiet, letting the summer air flow into the room through the open windows, letting the sounds of cheers and jousting come from outside, the sounds of servants and maids bustling around the castle just outside.
Merlin’s hands are gentle, flying over every strap of the armor with delicate precision and care. He’s done this a million times, he could probably get Arthur into his armor with his eyes closed at this point.
As he stands in front of Arthur, helping him put his last gauntlet on, Arthur breaks the silence.
“Honestly Merlin, you’re such a girl sometimes.” Arthur states and Merlin huffs.
“With how much you say so, I’m surprised you don’t make me wear a dress to serve you,” Merlin teased as he makes sure the gauntlet is secure enough it won’t fall off but will offer solid protection.
“I don’t think that would be as funny as you think,” Arthur informs him and inhales slowly. “... But I appreciate your concern.”
Merlin pauses, looking up at Arthur, who’s looking off to the side with a vulnerable expression crossed his face.
“Oh?” Merlin asked, turning away to grab Arthur’s cape.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Arthur said. “I’ve lived a long life full of betrayal. Morgana, Agravaine, Mordred, even my own father. You’ve never betrayed me though, even when you hid your magic, you did it to protect me. So yes, I guess I could say that I’ve come to appreciate your girly concern.”
Merlin smiles to himself as he wraps Arthur’s cape around him, resting the thick cloth on his shoulders, knowing it would only be discarded at the start of the tournament anyway.
“You were annoyed before.” Merlin informed, tying the cape and Arthur cleared his throat. “What for?”
“... You may not be the only one who feels safer when you put on the armor.” Arthur admitted after a beat and Merlin’s smile grows. “You were late and I had to call George of all people.”
“Well, it seems you were spared from any brass puns this round.” Merlin said, fiddling with the cape ties.
Arthur watches Merlin stare intently at the ties, pouting at them like he’s suddenly forgotten how to do his job halfway through, but Arthur can see the worry creased in his eyebrows.
“What’s got you so convinced I’m going to die during this tournament?” Arthur asked and Merlin paused for a moment.
“Nothing it’s just,” Merlin shrugged. “You’re in the process of overturning the ban on magic, some of the kingdoms have made you their enemy, some have allied with others. We’re not sure who stands on our side in the fight for magic. I’m just... concerned some might try and take it out on you during the tournament.”
Arthur smiles down as Merlin finally finishes with the tie, but rests his hands on Arthur’s chest.
“Well, I won’t need to worry, not with an all powerful warlock watching over me.” Arthur said confidently and Merlin gives him a toothy grin. “Though, if you’re that concerned... you could always, you know.... Give me your favour.”
Merlin looks up at Arthur in shock and stares long and hard at the King’s expression, trying to decipher if he was joking or not.
“My favour?” Merlin asked.
“You know, it’s like,” Arthur gestured vaguely, cheeks turning pink. “When a knight has a special lady and she gives him her handkerchief so he will win for her. It’s meant to show he has someone to win for and give him strength or whatever.”
“I know what a favour is,” Merlin huffed. “But do- Do you actually want mine or are you just jesting?”
And it’s an out, it’s a chance for Arthur to just make this a joke, play it off. But when he meets Merlin’s eyes, the servant is staring at him like Arthur personally crafted the moon himself.
“I’m serious.” Arthur said, voice steady and confident to show Merlin it wasn’t a joke.
Merlin smiles shyly at the King and he ducks his head a little, his own hands reaching up to undo his neckerchief, the fabric falling into one hand and he turns to Arthur.
The blonde holds his arm out and lets Merlin tie the piece of cloth around his bicep, double knotting it for security.
Arthur looks down at it, the dark blue fabric contrasting with the shining light silver. Anyone who saw the favour would instantly know who’s it was, who this neckerchief belonged too. He would be asked so many questions after, but Arthur didn’t care.
His breath caught in his throat as he saw Merlin’s favour around his arm and he licked his lips a little nervously.
“You should also give me a kiss,” The words rushed out of Arthur’s mouth before he can even really thinking about them and the connotation they have. “For good luck.”
Merlin smiles teasingly, features soft as he looks over Arthur’s armour, making sure for a last time that every piece is secure, that Arthur is protected and safe.
Merlin turns away from Arthur and the King worries that maybe he’s overstepped, maybe he read the situation all wrong and there’s an apology on the tip of his lips as Merlin hands him his sword with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Kisses are for winners.” Merlin said, grinning at Arthur and the blonde’s breath caught in his throat as Merlin tugs at his cape, pulling him close. “So go out there and win for me, yeah?”
Merlin punctuates his sentence with a chaste peck to the tip of Arthur’s nose before he turns and leaves the room, leaving Arthur standing, flushed in the middle of his room.
Arthur had never been as motivated before in a tournament, and when he finally won, the crowds cheering him on, clapping and waving their arms excitedly, he didn’t care.
No, all he cared about was his manservant, his warlock, his protector, his best friend, his love, standing off to the side with a cheeky smile, clapping with everyone else.
Arthur sped walked over to him, sweaty from the hot sun and exercise.
“I won,” Arthur said, taking his helmet off and Merlin grinned widely.
“That you did,” He said before grabbing Arthur’s shoulders and pulling him into a deep kiss.
The crowd gets louder, cheering happily for their King but Arthur tunes them out. He focuses only on Merlin’s lips on his.