Merthur one shots || Frequently updated

Three Little Words to Say to You

The simple three word phrase that people say to signify their feelings for another. Merlin hadn't thought that the three words said to him was going to be 'I hate you' . Of course, he and Arthur say that on a regular basis but it's not meant to be taken seriously. This time, though, it was. Merlin was in the pub, trying to feel better....and it wasn't working. "Oh. Merlin. What're you doing here?" The pubs' tender asked, having been seeing Merlin more frequently than usual. Merlin looked up a bit, the shine is his eyes gone. "Got nothing to do." He simply answered. The tender sighed and nodded. "Of course, you know I'm here for you." He says and walks away. Merlin finishes his current drink and ends up finishing three more drinks by the time he was kicked out. Since he didn't want to run into Arthur on his way back to his room, he walked to Gwen's house and knocked, hoping she was home. To his surprise, a tired Gwen opened the door. "Yes Merlin?" She said, already done with whatever shit Merlin had gotten himself in. "Can I...sleep here tonight? I fear I may have drank too much....and I don't....want to run into The Prince right now." Gwen sighed. "Must be a serious fight, You're referring to him as The prince again. Come on in, and let me get you some tea." Merlin walks in and waits for Gwen to finish making the tea. "So...are you not going to tell me?" Gwen said. As much as Merlin would love to forget, he couldn't just not tell Gwen, they've been really good friends since they first met. "I may have done something that made him really upset with me..." Merlin said looking away. "Well? Don't leave me hanging Mer. Please tell me more, what happened?" Merlin sighed again and the story started.

Gwen listened carefully, getting more awake and upset by the second. "Hold on Mer, you told him a secret that you yourself was scared of telling him and all he had to say was 'I hate you'??" He nodded, and although Gwen didn't know what the secret was, she still knew that that was shitty of Arthur to say that, specially since she knows how Merlin feels about him. "Oh Mer...I'll talk with him tomorrow. And then he'll see how much of a dickhead he's being towards you." Merlin chuckled softly. "It's okay Gwen...Promise...Can we sleep now?" Gwen sighs at Merlin pushing things away, but nods.

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The next day came and the two went to do their jobs, Gwen taking care of Morgana, and Merlin taking care of Arthur. Merlin made sure to get Arthur up to eat, but as soon as he was up, he quickly rounded up the mans' clothes and left to go do laundry. The rest of the day went by, Merlin somewhat avoiding Arthur as much as he could without trying to draw attention. Arthur was starting to get fed up at the limited attention he was getting from his manservant. "Merlin." The prince said, his voice showing his clear annoyance with him. Merlin stopped and turned around looking at him. "Yes sire?" He said, voice showing little emotion. "Why are you avoiding me?" That sentence just snaps something in Merlin. "Why? Do you not remembering snapping at me yesterday? Did you suddenly black out when you said you hated me when I told you something I didn't even want to tell you? Or is this just you trying to get a rise out of me, like how you are right now and you're just exploiting my emotions for your own twisted humor?" Merlin huffed and puffed, trying to calm himself down. Arthur just sat there. "No, Merlin. I-" "I don't want to know, Arthur. How would you react if you were caught rambling about your crush, your crush finding out and telling you they hate you? Cause let me tell you, I feel so fucking shitty for just liking you. Mind you, I can't control who I fucking like." Merlin took a deep breath in and bowed a bit. "Pardon my language, I'll be leaving now, seeing as you are okay." Merlin left Arthur's room and Arthur continued to sit there. "Fuck."

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Morgana heard a knock on her door. She got up and opened the door to see a clearly frustrated and confused Arthur. "Yes?" She asked simply. Arthur sighed, and that was enough for Morgana to move out of the way and let him in. "How can I help you? What did you fuck up this time?" "I'm stupid Morgana." "You're not wrong, but go on." "I told Merlin I hate him. Morgana I don't hate him. I really don't. I just...I was put on the spot and I don't know why I said that. He's pissed at me, Morgana. I don't know what to do, help?" Morgana sighed. "Okay, start from the beginning." "Fine....I was walking around after getting done with training and I heard some servants gossiping. So naturally, I leaned in and listened. Turns out Merlin was talking about someone he liked with another servant and they were just all....whatever. I didn't realize they were leaving and-" "Let me guess, the other servant questioned your feelings for him, and you completely snapped because you didn't want to be outted?" "Bingo. How do I fix it?" "Arthur, I'm going to be completely honest with you. Tell the man you love him." Arthur looked at Morgana in a certain way. "No, Morgana. I'm not doing that. I'm not...I'm not ready." "Then deal with Merlin being distant. If that's all, then leave please. I like to get my beauty sleep." Arthur wanted to start something but Morgana shut him up before he could. "Now shoo." Morgana said as she ushered Arthur out of her room.

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Arthur had been searching for hours, but his man servant was no where to be found. It had come to the point where he was asking everyone if they had seen him. Arthur had started to become worried. Where was that loveable dork? Then Arthur remembered Merlin mentioning a place he used to live before Camelot. Ealdor. Arthur instantly got his horse and rode out, ignoring the kings words. As he arrived, he started looking around for him and ran into Hunith, Merlin's mum. "Ah! Hunith! Er, Ms. Hunith. Uh.." Arthur struggled with simple manners, not knowing what to address her as. "Prince Arthur." Hunith bowed slightly. "What do I have the pleasure of seeing you today?" She asks, kindness the only thing in her voice. "I've come to talk to Merlin. Please tell me he's here?" He said with urgency. Hunith sighed and whispered "Yes, but he's a bit...depressed..I wouldn't suggest-" "Where is he? Please Hunith, I mean no further harm, I only wish to say something that he deserves to hear..." Arthur cut her off. Hunith sighed again. "Very well, he's over in that area." She said, pointing to a little clearing in the woods. Arthur nodded slightly and started to walk over.

As he was approaching, he heard soft sobs coming from the thinner man. Before saying anything, Arthur sat down in front of Merlin. Merlin looked in shock and anger, standing up. Arthur grabs his arm. "Wait. Please...I...Can we talk?" Arthur said. Merlin hates himself for giving in so easily. He sat back down and huffed. "What..?" Merlin said, trying to be cold, which was not working. "I want to apologize and-" "I don't want to hear some dumb apology that's probably just to get me to come back to Camelot." Merlin said quickly. "Fine. I won't apologize...but I just." Arthur sighed, trying to get himself ready to say it. "It was unfair of me to say I hate you, especially when I don't. It was an action made on instinct, and I hate that that's how it was. If I could, I would go back and change what I would say." He says, realizing he's still holding Merlin's arm. He curses at himself quietly. "Forgive me if this is...too brave, or stupid." Merlin was about to question what he meant, but was suddenly kissed by the prince. Merlin stood there, shocked, eventually kissing back. Arthur stopped and sighed. "If I could...go back. I would say I love you instead. Because I do."

"I love you, Merlin."
"I love you, Arthur."

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THE END :P
[1420 words]