Only For You

Chapter 2

"Are you going to stand there gawking, Merlin, or are you going to prepare my bath?"

Arthur's voice jolts Merlin out of his thoughts. Heat rises to Merlin's cheeks and he quickly averts his gaze. "Didn't know you wanted a bath," he mutters, turning to fill up the wash basin.

Arthur rolls his eyes. "Well of course I want a bath, Merlin. Do you honestly expect me to show up to the banquet smelling like this?" He shakes his head and walks behind his changing screen, slipping out of his trousers and draping them over the top.

"We've got a banquet tonight?" Merlin asks in surprise. He hadn't been aware that there was anything worthy of celebration.

"Yes, we've got a banquet, Merlin!" Arthur's voice is annoyed. "It's tradition for every Prince of Camelot to recieve a banquet on his birthday."

Merlin curses inwardly. It was Arthur's birthday? How had he forgotten this? He'd have to scramble to find him a gift. "Just another bit of evidence to support my theory that all princes are spoiled prats." He grins slightly, trying to joke off the fact that he hadn't known Arthur's birthday.

"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur walks back out from behind the screen, a towel wrapped around his waist.

After filling the basin, Merlin dips his finger in the water to test the temperature. "I hope you like cold water." He straightens, turning his back so Arthur could step in to the water.

Arthur scowls and whips the towel off, throwing it at the back of Merlin's head before stepping in to the water and sinking down to his waist. He makes a face, hissing through his teeth. "This is freezing!"

Merlin shrugs, pulling the towel off of his head and draping it over the back of a chair. "Not my fault." He smiles innocently at Arthur, who glares at him. "Anything else you need, sire?" He asks, taking a half step back. He was really quite anxious to leave and go get something for Arthur in the lower markets.

Arthur looks at him for a moment, his expression impassive. "Only one thing." He says, but doesn't elaborate.

Merlin raises an eyebrow. "Well...?"

"Get yourself something to eat, Merlin." He shifts, his back now to Merlin as he grabs the soap and begins washing himself. "You may go."

Merlin's lips part in surprise, but he turns and exits Arthur's chambers. A small smile stretches across his face as he walks down the corridor. Arthur must have known that he'd had nothing to eat. This made him happy. Arthur may never feel the way about Merlin that Merlin did for him, but at least he cared.