Work Text:
Merlin walked through the corridors of the castle, his step measured, trying desperately not to put too much weight on his twisted ankle.
Maybe dislocated, maybe broken.
Since he was in the king's service until the end of the day, Merlin really didn't have much time to check the extent of his wound.
"Merlin!"
Smiling, Merlin turned to see Gwen approaching him.
"Gwen!"
Glad to be able to stop, Merlin was quick to do so, his smile turning into a small grimace at the thought of having to walk at the pace the other servant would set.
Taking a deep breath, Merlin decided to try to keep up with Gwen, biting his lip to not to scream with every step he took.
"Everything is fine?" Gwen asked, looking concerned at her friend, interrupting her story.
"Of course! Why shouldn't I?" Merlin answered, his voice quiet.
"Because I think you are going to cry." She replied, before approaching Merlin to see firsthand what was the reason for the boy's suffering.
"Gwen, there's nothing! Forget it!"
"If it causes you pain, it isn't nothing." She answered, taking a step forward which caused Merlin to back away in response.
Unfortunately, having not paid due attention to his injured leg, and therefore to the movements made to get away from Gwen's judgment, Merlin rested a huge part of his body weight on his injured leg, making him moan and fall.
"Merlin!"
It wasn't Gwen who screamed, as Merlin had hoped, but Arthur, who had just turned the corner, coming from a training session with his knights.
"Arthur."
Merlin stayed on the ground for a moment, catching his breath.
The ankle was throbbing in a kinda unhealthy way, bringing a frown to Merlin's face.
It would have been painful to work on that.
"What the hell happened to your ankle?" Gwen asked, leaning down to see the wound. "It is huge!"
"It can't be healthy. Gwen, warn Gaius. Merlin needs medical attention."
Gwen nodded and turned to run.
Merlin looked at Arthur. 'And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?'
"Waiting for your ankle to be checked by the court physician." Arthur answered, before helping Merlin up and carrying him towards Gaius's rooms.
"I can walk by myself. It doesn't change much from the other times I've been injured like this."
'When?'
"You never noticed. I usually keep working anyway. "
Arthur looked guilty. "I'm sorry I never noticed, Merlin." Then, in a thinner voice. "You deserve better."
Merlin shrugged. "It's not a problem, Arthur. It's certainly not your fault."
Arthur shook his head, but they had finally reached Gaius's chambers.
"Merlin, what happened?" asked the physician, working to get Merlin to lay down on the table. "I tripped."
Merlin answered, clearly lying.
Arthur wanted to shake him to know the reason for the lie.
Had he been with someone?
And that someone hadn't been able to offer assistance when Merlin was injured. Who?
And why hadn't Merlin talked about him with Arthur?
They were at least friends, according to Merlin's definition of the word.
Arthur sighed.
He was worried about his best friend and dreamed of a boyfriend.
That ankle didn't look good.
Gwen was running her hand over Merlin's head, consoling him.
Gaius had finished dressing the wound and had given the boy a quick rebuke.
Then, a look exchanged between the two. Arthur soon found himself alone with Merlin.
"They think they're cunning." laughed the servant.
Arthur didn't join in the laughter.
"So, what time tomorrow...."
"You don't go back to work, Merlin."
"Why not?" Merlin stared at the prince.
He had no right to fire Merlin.
"Because your ankle is hurt and I don't want it to get any worse." Arthur saw Merlin sigh with relief. "When you're ready to go again for Gaius, you'll be reintroduced to your job."
Merlin blinked "Am I getting days off?"
Arthur laughed. "You're getting days off."
Merlin, with his head resting on Arthur's shoulder, Gwen busy lowering his temperature with methods learned as a child, Gaius busy arranging the remedies for the boy, felt wanted.
Important.
Well cared for.
It was a beautiful feeling.