Finding him

Knowing him

Gwaine was polishing Percival's armour when the knight walked back into his room, whistling. “The King wants to talk to you,” Percival told him.
“Of course he does,” Gwaine moaned, groaning. “I'll just finish up here. You're on patrol tomorrow?”
“That's right.”
“Alright. Lovely.”

Gwaine whistled as he wandered to the King's chambers, knocking this time before he went in. “Is that Gwaine?”
“Yes.”
“Come in,” Arthur called, Gwaine pushing the door open. “I wanted to talk about your conduct today.” Merlin was sat on the bed, eating fresh fruit and casually reading.
“Yes. I'm very sorry, sire, and it won't happen again. Done?” Arthur studied him. “Can I go?”
“You said you trained in Carson's court,” Arthur repeated, frowning. 
“Yes.”
“I know Carson only trained noblemen,” Arthur recalled.
“I was an entertainer,” Gwaine told him. “Fighting, I mean.”
“Ah. That explains why you can beat the King of Camelot then.” Arthur looked him up and down.
“Like you said. You're getting old. Now, if you please, I'll be on my way.” Arthur nodded, dismissing Gwaine, and Gwaine left the room.

Merlin closed his book, standing up. “What is it Arthur?”
Arthur shook his head. “That man is not a peasant.”
“No?”
“He holds himself like a noble. Looks like one too, and rides like it.” Merlin put his hands on Arthur's waist, smiling. “Did you notice?”
“Perhaps.” Merlin kissed Arthur's neck, unlacing Arthur's shirt. “Don't go interfering.”
“I don't want him lying to me.”
“He doesn't matter,” Merlin said, hushing Arthur and taking out a pair of gold handcuffs from the drawer, turning Arthur around. “Does he?”
Arthur turned to kiss Merlin, shaking his head. Merlin locked the cuffs with a key on his neck, untying Arthur's breeches and letting them slip over his hips. Merlin kissed Arthur gently on the neck, running his hands over the King's body. “I've seen him before.”
“Shh.” Merlin picked up a leather strap from the bedside table. “Focus.”
“Sorry.” Merlin planted a hit on Arthur's back, causing him to jolt. “But-"
“Forget him. I'm sure you've just seen him around at some point.” Arthur nodded, sighing. “Now. Empty your mind.” Merlin ran his fingers tenderly across the light red mark he had left on Arthur's back, smiling. “Are you ready?”

The next fortnight passed uneventfully- Percival gradually becoming more in love with Gwaine, and Gwaine falling into the rhythm of his duties. Gwaine tried to avoid the King as far as possible, but it was impossible to avoid him entirely. Arthur, encouraged by Merlin, gave up on trying to remember where he had seen Gwaine before.