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“God, I should have fucking known,” Arthur curses, looking at Merlin accusingly.
“No one in his right mind just starts fights with the crown prince. God, I should have known this was gonna happen. There was no way this was going to end well.”
Merlin looks at him slightly offended but mostly confused.
“What?”
“Your face just screams trouble! You met me for the first time and picked a fight and then you saved my life. Merlin, what is wrong with you?”
“Which time do you mean? Of me saving your life? I kinda lost count. I am not quite sure…”
“Oh, just shut your stupid mouth.”
“And whatever do you mean, my face screams trouble? When I first saw you, you were picking on a poor servant, something you never stopped doing, might I add, and you say my face screams trouble?”
“I was young and…”
“You were an asshole! Not everyone is an asshole when they are young. That is not an excuse.”
Arthur shrugs and Merlin sighs exasperated.
"You are a hopeless case."
"It is your fault we are stuck here."
They are surrounded by metal bars on a carriage to who knows where. Merlin rolls his eyes at Arthur.
"At least I could get out of here…" Merlin murmurs and Arthur quirks up an eyebrow.
"You could get out of here?"
Merlin looks at Arthur challenging.
"I could."
"And how's that?"
"As if I'd tell you."
Arthur squints at Merlin.
"What are you on about, Merlin? We were captured and you tell me you could escape but you don't want to tell me how?"
Merlin sighs.
"Life is not always that easy, you entitled idiot."
"What is wrong with you?!"
"A whole lot, Arthur."
Merlin takes a deep breath, considering his next words.
"I'll free us, alright? Just don't kill me afterwards."
Before Arthur can ask why he would kill Merlin for helping them escape, time slows. Merlin looks at Arthur, stares right into his face while his familiar eyes flash golden. They glow against the faint dark surrounding them and with a deafening screeching sound the metal bars bend open, almost bowing in front of them.
"That is…" Arthur starts saying stunned.
"We can talk about this later, Arthur. Get your royal backside out of here, we need to go."
Merlin jumps off the carriage and offers Arthur his hand who takes it in utter confusion.
When he realizes that he probably looks like a damsel in distress he swats away Merlin's hand and stomps ahead of him, trying to sort his thoughts.
What had changed? Merlin was still an idiot. And probably still his servant.
"Merlin?" He then asks over his shoulder. He can hear Merlin break into a jog to catch up to him.
"What?"
"Are you still my servant?"
"Until you decide to sack me… Sire."
Arthur cannot help himself but shove him lightly.
"Stop, you bully," Merlin complains but his eyes sparkle with relieved happiness.
"I really didn't plan to do this, you know…" Merlin confesses and smiles awkwardly.
"I just got a bit carried away."
"So you have magic."
Merlin nods.
"And you still came to Camelot."
Merlin nods once more. They walk through the dark forest in silence after that.
"So you clearly are an idiot," Arthur concludes and Merlin sighs.
"For being your servant? I must be."
Arthur laughs shortly.
"You still do it. Even if you are a sorcerer. If Uther were to find out…"
"He'd try to kill me."
"And he wouldn't succeed?"
"I am meant to protect you, Arthur. Not even the king will stop me from doing that."
"And if I told you to leave? Because of your insolence or idiocy."
"Or my magic, Arthur. Don't forget about that."
"Right, or your magic."
"I'd still protect you from afar."
"But why?"
"Because I believe that underneath the prat lies the most courageous man with a kind heart. The King of Camelot, the king Camelot deserves."
Arthur looks at him.
"Do you really believe that?"
"Do you think I'd put up with you if I didn't?"
Arthur shoves him once more and Merlin trips, almost hitting the ground.
"Idiot!"
"Takes one to know one."