Seven Kisses

Chapter 5: A little Problem

MORNING

Arthur woke up feeling a small pit in his stomach. He remembered the night before and what he had said. Merlin hadn't answered and even though he responded to every kiss, every touch and ever word Merlin hadn't actually said 'I love you'. Since he didn't like to wallow in self pity he decided right then and there that he was resolved to draw those words out of Merlin's lips before his next kiss. He yawned and sat up. His hair was slightly skewed as it always was when he first woke up and smiled when he saw his bread and cheese and sweet meats for breakfast all perfectly laid out and waiting for him. He reached over for a piece of cheese and stuffed it into his mouth when he saw the sweetest sight of all.

There was Merlin, preparing his bathwater half-naked. In the back of his mind he wondered how in the heck the water had come up all this way while Merlin wasn't even dressed but he decided not to wonder about it. He was just happy to see him and for some odd reason he was humming. Arthur stared at him and had another bite. "Good morning." He smiled.

Merlin nearly jumped out of his skin as he hadn't heard Arthur get up. "Ack! How long have you been awake!"

"Long enough to hear you serenade my bathwater," Arthur snickered. "Something on your mind?" He picked up a piece of meat and sucked on it innocently.

"Stop that!" Merlin huffed.

"Stop what? I'm just having my breakfast." Arthur flipped his tongue around the meat and swallowed. "Yummy."

"You're deliberately distracting me from my chores."

"I don't remember you ever doing your chores shirtless. Do carryon. Perhaps I'll make it a requirement in the future." Arthur lifted himself up regally. "Every time Merlin does chores in my bedroom he must be shirtless. There. Done."

"What!" Merlin glared at him. "I just didn't want to get your shirt dirty. You can't possibly expect me to walk around shirtless."

"Only in here."

"Arthur!"

"You can't say no. You're my servant." Arthur reminded him and then realized too late the mistake he had just made for Merlin expression darkened.

"Have it your way then." Merlin snapped and looked away from him. He continued to go about his business without commenting anything else. A nod or a grunt in response was all that Arthur got.

Arthur took his time finishing his breakfast. Just how was he going to get out of this one? "Oh come on, I was joking, Merlin." He finally prodded. "I didn't mean it."

"You're the once and future Ass, apparently." Merlin muttered. "Let me just tell you right now, Arthur." He looked directly at the Prince just then. "I will never do anything like that with you or for you because you order me to. I will defend myself if I have to." He was dead serious and Arthur was a little concerned by the look in Merlin's eyes.

"I'm sorry." Arthur blurted out. "I never meant..." He honestly was sorry. Things were really not going how he'd planned. "Let me try again....."

"Ok" Merlin crossed his arms, waiting.

Arthur scrambled off the bed feeling incredibly self conscious for some reason. He wasn't sure how but Merlin had the upper hand in this relationship.

"Good morning Merlin." Arthur tried a smile and looked so sheepish and uncertain that Merlin forgave him.

"Good morning Arthur." Merlin returned, checked the bathwater. "Bath's ready. Want me to help scrub you?" It was a peace offering of a sort.

When he smiled at the Prince that goofy grin made Arthur's stomach do a flip-flop. God he was so in love it hurt. It would kill his soul if Merlin didn't feel the same way. He knew it. Just as he knew it would kill him if anything happened to Merlin.