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Merthur Glompfest 2022
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Published:
2022-04-15
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1,790
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1/1
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So Jealous

Summary:

When Arthur sees a stranger getting a little too friendly with Merlin, he reacts in the way any reasonable king who's worried about the well-being of his Court Sorcerer would. No one but him seems to think so, especially not Merlin, who thinks it's time Arthur learned a lesson in how to apologize.

Notes:

Written for DarKymi as part of Merthur Glompfest 2022.

Thanks to Adri (IThinkWeHaveAnEmergency) for the beta.

Work Text:

It's been over a year since the ban on magic was lifted in Camelot. After the first few months of stumbling their way through just what that means for the kingdom and its people, things have finally started to settle. There's a new energy about the kingdom, something happy and hopeful. 

Merlin has been behaving differently as well. At first, he'd been more reserved, careful. But now he holds himself taller, and with a confidence Arthur has never seen on him. 

It's a good look. 

Not that Arthur’s been looking.

Except maybe a little bit, but someone has to keep an eye on Merlin. He's simply doing it to look out for him.

Which is why he notices when a visitor from a neighboring village starts getting friendly with Merlin. A little too familiar if you ask Arthur.

Arthur’s eyes narrow when the man reaches up and touches Merlin. He has the nerve to touch him—the audacity of this fellow.

Arthur’s feet are moving before he can think about what he's about to do. He marches towards Merlin and the stranger and fixes the man with a steely glare as he grabs Merlin by the arm and pulls him away.

"Arthur?" Merlin questions.

"If you'll excuse us, I need Merlin for something."

He doesn't stop to wait for a response before he starts to drag Merlin away towards the stairs and up to his chambers, Merlin complaining the whole time.

"Arthur! What are you doing? Will you… you know you can't just drag me wherever you want!"

"I am the king Merlin," Arthur reminds him.

He only lets go once they've reached his chambers, and he's closed the door behind them. 

Merlin crosses his arms and fixes him with a glare. "You might be the king, but need I remind you, I'm not your servant anymore. You can't just drag me around the castle for no reason!"

"I had a reason," Arthur argues.

Merlin raises an eyebrow. "Let's hear it then."

Arthur sputters. "Well, that's… I don't have to tell you!"

"You dragged me away from a conversation, for which you say you have a reason for, and yet you won't tell me?"

"No."

"Even though it's about me?"

"He was being a little too…." Arthur gestures between them. "Friendly."

"Friendly," Merlin says flatly.

"Yes, friendly," Arthur says. "It was inappropriate the way he was touching you, and I couldn't allow it."

"You couldn't allow it."

"Are you just going to repeat every word I say?" Arthur asks him.

"I'm trying to understand what's going on in that thick head of yours," Merlin says.

"You might not be my servant Merlin, but I am still your king," Arthur says.

"As you keep reminding me," Merlin says. "Not that you need to. I am aware. But king or not, you don't get to decide who I talk to."

"But you weren't simply talking, Merlin!"

Merlin sighs. "Arthur…"

"He's not allowed to touch you!"

"Why do you care who touches me?" Merlin snaps. "And don't you dare say it's because you're my king."

"I am!" Arthur says. "And you're Court Sorcerer, Merlin. You need to hold yourself with a little more dignity than that."

"Is that right?"

"Yes!"

"You know what, if you want to be such an ass about it, then so be it!"

The next moment, Merlin’s eyes start to glow gold. Arthur’s not afraid, per se. He knows Merlin would never actually hurt him. But he's aware of what Merlin is capable of, so logically he's a little… 

Worried. Yes. He's worried. 

He doesn't get to think much about it, however, because he's suddenly hit with an odd sensation washing over him. 

He opens his mouth, prepared to ask Merlin just what he thinks he's doing, but words don't come. Instead, he brays.

Merlin has the audacity to smirk. "Since you insist on acting like such an ass, now you can look the part."

What Arthur means to say is, "Merlin!" 

What comes out instead is, "Hee-haw!"

"I'm sure whatever you just said wasn't pleasant," Merlin says. "Which only serves my point."

Arthur wants to argue and tell him he only said his name, but of course, he can't. He can only glare as Merlin grins and turns away. 

Arthur’s eyes widen when he realizes Merlin intends to leave him like this. "Hee-haw. Hee-haw."

Merlin stops at the door and turns his head to look at him. "Now you're going to be stuck like this until you can learn to apologize and mean it."

He strides away, and Arthur sighs. How is he supposed to apologize when he can't even speak?

He tries to ask Morgana as much when she visits a little while later. But all she does is laugh, her eyes glinting in amusement. 

"I just had to see for myself when Merlin told me," she says. "And no, I won't change you back, so don't even ask."

"Hee-haw?"

"Well, you're just going to have to get creative in your apology," Morgana says, having somehow known what he was trying to say. "You've always been a man of action, Arthur, have you not?"

Arthur nods. 

Morgana smiles and pats his hand. "Then show him you're sorry. A nice sweeping romantic gesture should do it."

Romantic? For Merlin? That's preposterous. Why would he romance Merlin of all people? Nevermind the fact that his heart swoops every time he sees him smile, and he finds himself wanting to be close to him all the time. And maybe he had been jealous when he saw the lord flirting with Merlin. But that doesn't mean anything. 

"You're just now figuring it all out, aren't you?" Morgana questions.

"Hee-haw."

She sighs. "Of course, you would be one of the last to realize you're in love with him." She rolls her eyes when that draws a panicked noise from Arthur. "Yes, love, you big fool. It's clear to anyone that spends any amount of time with the two of you. Except, the pair of you, it seems."

Arthur wants to ask what he should do. He tries and grows more frustrated when he still can't get the words out. 

"Show him," Morgana says again. "Do something nice for him. Write out your apology, if you must, and then when he changes you back, tell him."

She makes it seem simple enough, but it's anything but for Arthur. Sure, he could buy Merlin something. A new neckerchief or coat. Maybe some boots. They all cross his mind as he paces around his room. But nothing seems sincere enough. He doesn't want it to seem like he's trying to buy his forgiveness. 

He tries writing his apology as Morgana suggested, but nothing ever seems good enough. 

After everything Merlin has done for him— everything they've been through together— Merlin deserves better than some flimsy apology.

He gives up on the letter as evening draws close, and panic sets in. He still hasn't figured out what to do for him, and it's almost dinner. 

His eyes widen as an idea occurs to him and he runs back over to his desk, hastily writing what he needs down, before running out into the hall. It's empty. 

But he hears voices nearby. He follows them, relieved when he sees Lancelot and Guinevere talking near the stairwell. 

"Hee-haw!"

They both turn, looking at Arthur in confusion. Gwen hides her face behind her hands, and Arthur knows she's trying to hide her smile. "Arthur! Morgana had said you were… umm…."

Arthur thrusts the parchment towards them. Lancelot looks down at it in interest before looking back at Arthur. "For Merlin?" 

Arthur nods. 

"We'll get right on it," Lancelot tells him. "Merlin’s chambers?" 

Arthur nods again. With luck, Merlin will still be with Gaius for a bit longer, affording them time to get everything in order.

After that, all Arthur can do is wait. That's never been something Arthur has been good at. He's never been the most patient. And now, time seems to be going by slowly, mocking him.

He's not even sure what he's expecting. Merlin could simply have his bath and eat his dinner and go straight to bed, leaving Arthur like this until morning.

Arthur sighs and sits at his desk. He sorts through his papers there, more for something to do than anything else. 

"You know, normal people apologize in person."

Arthur looks up to see Merlin leaning against the wall next to his door, his arms crossed as he watches him. His hair is wet, and skin still damp in places. Arthur tries not to notice the way his white tunic clings to his skin, but it's hard not to. Especially with his newfound revelation. How had he not realized before?

"What? Are you giving me the silent treatment now?" Merlin asks him. 

Arthur gestures down at himself as he stands and walks closer but doesn't try to speak. Morgana had said to show Merlin, and that's what he's trying to do. Having dinner and a bath ready for him had been easy, but this? Arthur feels as though his heart is going to beat out of his chest as he stops in front of Merlin, closer than he usually might. Their chests are touching, and Arthur can feel each rise and fall of Merlin’s as he breathes. 

Arthur reaches up and places a hand on Merlin’s chest, right over his heart. His eyes don't leave Merlin’s as he traces his fingers across his exposed skin, begging Merlin to understand. 

I'm sorry .

Merlin’s lips quirk up. "That's all you had to say."

And that might be. But it's still not enough. Not knowing what he knows now. Merlin’s eyes are glowing, and he's muttering a spell under his breath. Arthur’s sure he could speak now, but he doesn't, not yet. 

He lets his fingers speak for him once again, his eyes taking in every little reaction from Merlin. From the way his eyes go wide to the way his mouth parts as he inhales sharply. 

"Arthur…"

"I love you," Arthur murmurs softly, saying the words out loud for the first time that he just traced across Merlin’s skin. "And I'm sorry. I was an ass. I've been an ass. And I know you probably don't…."

"Oh, just get in here, you big prat," Merlin mutters.

He tangles a hand in Arthur's hair and pulls him in, closing the little distance between them as he kisses him. Arthur melts into it as he presses him against the wall and kisses him deeply. 

"I love you, too, you know?" Merlin murmurs against his lips.

"Even when I'm an ass?"

Merlin smiles and runs a hand down Arthur’s back, then up again, into his hair. "Even then."