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"Here, let me take some of those."
Merlin eyed Gwaine suspiciously as he gestured towards the baskets Merlin was carrying, overflowing with goods from this morning's markets. Gwaine sometimes tagged along with Merlin as he set about buying whatever herbs Gaius needed that week, or various training supplies required by Arthur and the knights. However, Gwaine had never offered to help before. Usually, he was too busy darting between the stalls, complimenting all manner of townsfolk on all manner of things, and generally doing his best to make Merlin laugh at his cute embarrassing antics. The fact that Gwaine was offering to do some work for once... was very suspicious indeed.
Gwaine must be up to something.
"You're up to something," said Merlin, even as he held out one of his baskets for Gwaine to take.
"Don't know what would make you think that, Merlin," Gwaine said airily, although the smirk on his face ruined the effect somewhat.
"Oh, my mistake," scoffed Merlin. "You're always this helpful."
Gwaine pouted, but didn't elaborate. Merlin wasn't worried. Gwaine's scheme would present itself soon enough; subtlety definitely wasn't Gwaine's thing. So Merlin waited, and sure enough –
"Awfully convenient, you know. I have an empty hand... you have an empty hand..."
Merlin glanced down between them, where their hands were almost-but-not-quite brushing against each other. He looked back up at Gwaine with both eyebrows raised.
"That another one of your lines, then?"
Gwaine clutched at his chest with his aforementioned free hand, and gasped loudly.
"I'm hurt, Merlin! How could you think that I'd use such a cheap generic line on you?"
Merlin chewed his bottom lip thoroughly, pretending to appear deep in thought. He couldn't help but notice that Gwaine's gaze focused exclusively on his mouth as he did so.
"Uh – because you use cheap generic lines on everyone?"
Gwaine blinked, eyes snapping away from Merlin's lips. After a second to compose himself (Merlin was amused to note), he sent Merlin one of his roguish grins, and pushed his fingers through his annoyingly perfect hair for good measure. Merlin's basket in his other hand swung merrily back and forth.
"Ah! But you're not 'everyone', are you Merlin?"
Gwaine stopped walking abruptly, forcing Merlin to stumble to a halt also. Gwaine spun on the spot and, in a near magical display of ability, produced a delicate daisy out of nowhere. Merlin swallowed hard as Gwaine leaned forwards, close enough to share the same air as Merlin, and carefully tucked the little flower behind Merlin's ear. Gwaine's warm fingers trailed over the skin at the edge of Merlin's jaw.
"You, Merlin," Gwaine said in a low voice, "are special."
See, now. This was just ridiculous because Merlin had seen (with his own eyes!) Gwaine pull this exact sort of romantic nonsense on many, many other unsuspecting people. He'd seen Gwaine flirt and smile and charm the literal pants, or skirts, off them. So why, why then, was Merlin suddenly lost for words, with a pulse rate twice as quick as what Gaius would recommend as healthy, and feeling distinctly pink in the face?
"Well," Merlin eventually breathed. He reached up to gently remove Gwaine's hand from where it had settled on his neck. Before Gwaine could escape, however, Merlin threaded his fingers between Gwaine's, and held their now joined hands at eye level to inspect them. Merlin relished the way Gwaine's eyes widened slightly.
"I suppose it makes sense," Merlin continued, pleased that he sounded relatively nonchalant. "This way I can keep an eye on you, make sure you don't run off and cause any mischief."
Gwaine's face broke into a blinding smile, crinkled eyes and all. Without warning, he tugged their hands to his lips and kissed Merlin's knuckles. Merlin tried to ignore the way he could feel his blush deepening.
"The only mischief I want to cause is with you."
And, well. How could Merlin say no to that?
-end.