A Land of Myth and Magic

Too Tired For This

Gwaine padded through the castle, flagstones numbing his bare feet. Despite all the things he'd rather be doing (sleep surprisingly high on that list), he supposed this was his fault. Not that he'd intended any of this to happen but it was his fault all the same. And what sort of knight would he be if he didn't fix his own mistakes?

     He knocked heavily against Arthur's door. No reply. Knock again. Nothing.

     Gwaine groaned and gently hit his head against the door. There were two possibilities. First: Arthur was somewhere in the castle or beyond, unable to sleep- at which point Gwaine was obligated to try and find him. Alternatively: Arthur was a heavy sleeper and it was perfectly plausible that he hadn't heard Gwaine almost breaking down his door. Entering the room to wake Arthur in person wasn't an enticing option. A lifetime of training and warrior's instincts meant Arthur was not somebody you wanted to surprise. Especially if you were responsible for the breaking of his engagement- and heart. 

     The door was yanked away and Gwaine collapsed into the room, barely staying on his feet. Arthur stood in front of him, drowsy but eyes clearing every second as he registered Gwaine almost on his floor. 

     "Get out." Arthur's voice was flat and cold.

    "Arthur-"

     "I said. Out." He repeated, fury suppressed but undeniably present. 

     "Just listen-"

     "No." He spoke firmly now, shaking hands curled into fists. "Leave. Permanently." 

     Whether through exhaustion or frustration, something snapped in the back of Gwaine's mind.

     "No. I came here to make you see sense and I'm not leaving until you do. You do realise that Merlin's a wreck right now? You pulled his entire future from under his feet without giving him the chance to even explain anything! It was my fault, okay?! That boy did nothing wrong and he doesn't deserve this. If you could stop over-reacting for just a second, you'd understand that. Sit down and have a conversation with him for God's sake! It's obvious to everyone that this isn't what you want so swallow your stubborn pride and fix it!"

     "Leave."

     Gwaine held Arthur's gaze, unsure which of them was angrier. Gwaine turned silently and swept out of the room, slamming the door behind him. He looked back sadly.

     "I tried, Merlin. I'm so sorry. I tried..."