Our Spot • A Sir Gwaine Story

chapter 9

Percival's POV:

I awoke to Kye wriggling in my arms, stretching out much like a cat. With a yawn he sat up staring at me with his sleep induced doe eyes.

"Morning!"

"Morning Kye. Sleep well?" Kyeyar shook his head sheepishly, fiddling with a loose thread of chainmail. I thought it best not to pry not wanting a magical outburst to deal with. Before I could come up with further conversation Arthur approached, giving Merlin a rather harsh side eye as he did so.

"Percival since Kyeyar refuses to be taken home and Merlin is doing nothing to help, you are going to have to look after him."

"You're putting me on babysitting duty?" Arthur glares at me hands folded across his chest. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bedroll. "I'll make sure nothing happens to him."

"Good. We are leaving shortly, be ready." Arthur sends a final icy glare at Merlin before stalking off. I catch Merlin's eye and my heart breaks at the rim of tears threatening to spill over.

"Hey Kye. Would you be able to fill this bottle up?" Kye uncurled himself from my chest and clutched the waterskin to his chest.

"Ok!" He bounded off towards Elyan who was also crouched at the small stream parallel to the camp. Once out of earshot I turn back to Merlin.

"You need to talk to him Merlin. The longer this goes on the harder it will be to fix this."

"Percival I can't fix this. He hates me and to be honest I don't blame him. I lied to him for years, he has every right to be mad."

"You had no choice. This was literally a life or death secret and you are contempt with him hating you for keeping it? I can't let you ruin your relationship."

"Why can't you?"

"Because Arthur is here, he is safe and isn't going anywhere any time soon. I may never see Gwaine again. You are so god damn lucky. But no, you want to throw it all away because you are too scared to confront him."

Merlin stared slack-jawed as I stormed off to find Kye. Why is he being so selfish? Does he not realize how lucky he is to be with the person he loves. No matter what Arthur may say or do, it is clear they are meant for eachother. They will bounce back. At least they have the chance to bounce back.

"Percy!" Kye barrels into my legs. In a moment of weakness I find myself on the floor with a squealing child sat on my chest.

"Hi Kye. You fill up the bottle for me?" Kye stopped giggling and slid off my torso.

"I may have dropped it in the stream. It floated away." I can't help but laugh. His whole demeanor changed in a millisecond and Kye was quickly laughing with me.

"Come on we need to get going. You want to ride with me?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" In his excitement a branch snapped off a nearby tree, landing just at our feet. Kye jumped, eyes flickering between hazel and gold as he struggled to contain the outburst.

"It's okay, calm down Kye."

"I'm sorry. I'm not supposed to use magic, Gwaine said that. Am I in trouble?"

"You're not in trouble. You just got carried away that's all. Come on." I take Kye's hand and lead him over to my horse. I mount first, then lean down to lift up the child.

By the amount he is wriggling I can tell this rise is not going to be comfortable for either of us.

---

W

e reach the fort come nightfall. Kye slept most of the journey, not that I am surprised as he spent the better part of the day using magic. He must be completely drained.

I nudge the boy awake and carry him over to the huddle. Merlin hangs back, sending the occasional gaze over to Arthur. I would be lying if I said I wasn't still a tiny bit pissed at him.

"Right so we are going to have two groups take opposite sides of the castle. Leon, you will lead your group through the south side, aim to take control of the first floor. That will give my group easier access to the dungeons where Gwaine will most likely be kept. Don't stray from your group, we want to be as invisible as possible. In and out, got it?"

Everyone nods and the huddle disperses. I turn to leave as well but am stopped by a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Percival you will be with me. As much as I disapprove of Kyeyar being here I want to make sure he is safe at all times."

"Oh ok."

"We'll get Gwaine back." God I needed to hear that.

"I know."