Merthur - How to court a servant

4. Leon's suggestion

"Merlin?" I asked when we entered my chambers again.

"Yes, sire?"

I know something's wrong, but I decide to let it slip. He really does never call me sire...

"I... eh..." How do I say this without looking like an idiot? "I noticed you were watching Mordred a lot during training..."

"And?" He asked, taking of the last piece of my armour.

"I just... wondered... why?" I tried to look at him, but he avoided my gaze.

"He's getting better with his throwing knives. It's interesting to see him improve." He started polishing my armour. "I didn't know you cared what I was doing when you're busy." He stated. It wasn't a question, more a snap. Like I hit a nerve.

"I guess I don't..." I mumbled just to have something to answer.

I saw him stop up a bit before he continued again. He was probably just looking at something.

Leon entered.

"Merlin?" He looked at merlin, who shook his head, barely noticeable. Leon nodded so slightly as well before he straightened up. "Merlin, I need to talk to the king. May we get some privacy?"

Merlin just nodded before he rushed out without another glance.

"So..." Leon seemed unsure, like he was debating something, before he continued. "What's the plan now? I'm guessing impress him didn't work out too much?"

"I don't think it worked at all..."

Leon laughed. How does he dare laugh at me?! What the f-

"Well, how did he know you were trying to impress him? You just did what you normally do." He chuckled.

"Then how do I impress him?!" I yelled.

"Well, first. Merlin doesn't really like violet things. So stop yelling for once!" He snapped at me. "Second, he doesn't know anything about you. Yes, he may be with you at almost all times, but it goes the same way around. What do you know about him?"

I opened my mouth... to answer what? I knew of his mother, and Gaius. And I found out just recently that his father was dead. That was a whole year ago...

"Damn..." I breathed out.

"Yeah." Leon nodded. "Try to let him get to know you more. Let him in." He patted my shoulder and went off to his duties.

He can't know a lot about me either...

What to tell him, though? He knows about my mother, he knows about my father, he knows I had some affectionate feelings towards Gwen, and he knows they ended. He knows every adventure with me, he knows...

He knows everything about me.

"Fuck..."

"Arthur?"

Oh FUCK.

"Hey, Merlin." I was unable to hide my... sad tone? I wasn't sad, just beaten down a bit.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing..." I mumbled.

He sighed heavily. "Whatever you say, Ninnyhammer."

What the fuck does that mean?! Like he ready my mind, or saw my head turn around fast enough to give me a whiplash, he smirked.

"A simpleton."

"Excuse me?!"

"Remember the curse you were under... for... about a day? When you really were a simpleton?" He grinned widely.

"You're going to use what an evil sorcerer did to me, against me?" I snapped.

His grin fell a bit, and became very forced. "Of course I am." He tried to keep up the happy-face, but I saw how it fell.

How many times have he forced being happy?

"Sorry, Merlin..." I apologized.

"Okay, what spell are you under now?!" He gasped. "You. Apologized?" He over-acted being shocked. Then a thought hit him, "Why are you apologizing?"

"For snapping at you..." I mumbled "I shouldn't've taken out my bad mood on you..."

He stared at me in disbelief.

"What?" I asked

"No, nothing... I'm just..." He trailed off. "I'm just... surprised." He smiled to himself. "I accept you apology, Arthur."

"Thank you, Mer." I smiled, before I turned around again, and back into my thoughts.