time together

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Merlin was picking up herbs for Gaius when he felt a sword touching his back. He turned around, almost putting a spell on the man in full armor and, when he realized it was Arthur, he was relieved he didn't use his magic.

Merlin decided to use the words that Arthur once used on him against him now. "What are you doing creeping around the woods?" the words were spoken with sarcasm but, since he was talking to Arthur, his tone was also filled with softness that none of them ever acknowledged.

"I'm following you, what are you doing creeping around the woods?" Arthur's tone seemed to be angry but, once Merlin saw his face, he realized his king was not angry at him. It seemed like he was angry at being found out while he was following Merlin, a servant.

Merlin didn't know what to say but the truth - for once it was actually true - "I'm picking up some herbs for Gaius."

"You know it's not safe at this time of evening, right?" with that statement Arthur's eyes softened.

Merlin was shocked by the concern in Arthur's eyes, but he hid it well if he had anything to say about it. "I'm being careful sire. If you don't mind me asking, why were you following me?" and Merlin really didn't know.

While Merlin was thinking about the reasons why Arthur should follow him into the woods, Arthur was suddenly frustrated and was blushing.

Arthur surely couldn't say the truth, like something amongst the lines of I care about you, and I'm worried you might get hurt, so he played the tavern card. "I thought you were going to the tavern, again. It seems like you spend a lot of time in there."

Merlin began to panic, surely Arthur couldn't think him a drunkard. "I don't spend that much time there."

Arthur looked at him thoughtfully and said, "Every time I need you, Gaius tells me you're in there."

Merlin was offended by the statement, he knew Gaius always used that excuse, but he didn't think Arthur would actually believe him. "Maybe you shouldn't listen to him that much. He's an old man. He doesn't even know where I am most of the time."

"Then tell me Merlin, where are you most of the time?" Arthur teased. But his eyes were telling a different story. He was concerned about Merlin's well-being, he was curious about what his manservant did in his free time- and even in his working hours- but, most of all, he was afraid Merlin might have a special someone he didn't know about.

On the other hand, Merlin started to sweat. He couldn't just tell him he had to save his royal ass about three times a day using magic without him noticing. So, he tried to avoid the subject. "Never mind, sire" smooth, Merlin he thought of himself.

Arthur, the stubborn and determined man he sure was, tried to make him spill the beans. "Now I want to know."

Merlin didn't know what to say so he just stared at him straight in the eyes. Arthur began to blush as he looked away. He cleared his throat then repeated himself firmly. "Merlin, I said I want to know."

Merlin knew that he couldn't do anything against that tone and was forced to say something, so he said the first thing that came to mind. "I have a girlfriend." He cursed himself right after he said it though. But it was so far from the truth that Merlin though it would change the subject.

It did. But it kind of made it worse.

Arthur was speechless for a moment, then almost yelled, "A what?"

"A girlfriend, my lord. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you would mock me for it." Merlin decided to stick with the lie, now that it was out, it was better that way.

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