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Merlin had brought flowers for Morgana.
Once again , Merlin had gifted flowers to Morgana .
Flowers accompanied by tousled looks, secret smiles, nods of approval from Morgana towards the young servant, and hours spent together.
Arthur gritted his teeth.
Even his hours spent with Merlin were tainted by Morgana's presence.
And indeed...
"I just hope she managed to sleep peacefully." Merlin was saying to Lancelot, riding slightly behind Arthur, allowing him to hear everything they were saying. "It's just that she hasn't been able to sleep soundly since the fire, and now, with everything that's happening..."
What's happening , Arthur wondered, nothing obviously .
It was just Merlin being too irritating, as usual.
"Oh look, they're tulips!"
Merlin's voice sounded excited.
Arthur turned, ready to tease him for being such a girl, when Merlin exclaimed, "Morgana will love these!"
Arthur gritted his teeth.
He really hated Morgana.
***
Morgana was anxiously waiting for Merlin.
"He knows." She said as soon as Merlin stealthily entered her chambers.
Hidden from the two, Arthur gritted his teeth.
"Who knows?" Merlin asked, not as panicked as Morgana, placing the damned flowers on the table before taking her hands and seating her. "And, knows what ?"
"Arthur." Morgana replied frantically. "He knows about us ."
Merlin paled.
Arthur was surprised by his servant’s reaction. Sure, he despised Morgana for taking things Arthur wanted (his father's affection, Gwen's kindness, and now Merlin with his care and attention), but Merlin knew Arthur wholeheartedly approved of relationships across social standings. After all, he had himself tried to court Gwen.
"He... can’t know. I would know if he knew." Merlin stammered. "Of course he's a total prat on the hunt trip, but he always is when he can't catch something."
"He's been cold with me, Merlin." Morgana said. " Cold and polite , as if, you know, as if it wasn't me ."
"I understand." Merlin nodded. "Maybe it's just a delayed burst of fear of losing you?"
Arthur felt a pang of guilt. In his jealousy, he had forgotten that Morgana had nearly died in a fire just before.
"And he's cold with me?" Morgana asked sceptically.
Arthur felt even guiltier.
"It's Arthur," Merlin replied, "he doesn't grasp the spectrum of human emotions."
Morgana nodded, somewhat alleviating Arthur's guilt.
"Oh, these tulips are beautiful! Thank you, Merlin!" Morgana cooed.
No, Arthur definitely didn't feel guilty anymore.
*****
Apparently, Merlin had been tasked with speaking to him.
Arthur realised this when he saw Merlin hovering hesitantly beside him, near the table.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked. "Do you have something to say?"
Merlin groaned slightly before nodding and saying. "Did Morgana offend you in any way, sire? You've been... cold with her lately."
"Cold?" Arthur raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised that Merlin was taking the route of honesty. "Who says this?"
"Morgana herself," Merlin replied immediately, surprising once again Arthur. "But Gwen and the knights have noticed it too and they are slightly concerned about this."
"They told you when you gave the flowers?" Arthur asked, gritting his teeth, and Merlin furrowed his brow in confusion. "But I don't give flowers to the knights."
"I meant Morgana !" Arthur exclaimed. "And where are my flowers?"
"Do you have flowers?" Merlin looked around confusedly.
" No !" Arthur groaned. "Because my servant doesn't give me flowers."
"Oh..." Merlin seemed confused. "What do flowers have to do with being cold to Morgana?"
" You !" Arthur exclaimed.
Merlin seemed even more confused. "What do I have to do with being cold to Morgana and flowers?"
"You gave flowers to Morgana." Arthur said.
Merlin nodded.
"And you didn't give them to me !" Arthur hissed.
"Do you want me to give you flowers too ?" Merlin asked.
"No, I want you to give them only to me!" Arthur snapped.
"But..." Merlin murmured.
"Only then will I stop being cold to Morgana." Arthur declared. "It's the only way."
Suddenly Merlin was smiling. "You're jealous."
"I don't get jealous."
"You're jealous, you're actually jealous." Merlin chuckled.
" Merlin ." Arthur hissed, warning him.
Merlin laughed, approaching and kissing Arthur, cutting off his insult, warning, or hiss.
Arthur groaned, holding Merlin close to him.
When they parted, Merlin asked. "Can I continue sending flowers to Morgana, then?"
" Merlin ..." Arthur groaned, tired.
Merlin's laughter was worth it.
***
The next morning, Morgana woke up to find a single tulip on the table, a note attached to it.
Arthur doesn't know. He's my boyfriend now (Should I call him my lover?)
I'll explain everything when we're hunting down noble assassins the next time.
M
Morgana scoffed.
Only Arthur could turn being two sorcerers hidden in a realm that wanted them dead into a love story .
Even though...
"I
absolutely
have to tell Lancelot and Gwen." Morgana murmured. "They'll love
this
."