Archive of Our Own ^beta

They were in a tavern when it happened.

This was the real reason Merlin didn't want to go to taverns: something always happened .

They had been attacked when they searched for Balinor, they had been attacked when they met Gwaine, and… well, they had been attacked in many places.

However, they were usually not in Camelot when they were attacked.

So Merlin thought he could be excused for dropping his attention for five seconds.

No, he definitely should have been more careful.

***

“So, what effects will this spell have?” Arthur asked, looking at Gaius.

The elderly physician looked tired. Strangely, he had also cast a reproachful look at Merlin, as if it were his fault that Arthur hadn't been quick enough to avoid the curse.

How could it be his servant 's fault?

Arthur was the one trained to fight and sense enemies, not Merlin.

Merlin hadn't even been trained to be a servant .

“It is difficult to determine, sire.” Gaius spoke. He had sent Merlin to get some herbs, so Arthur had to endure The-Eyebrow alone. "From what Merlin told me-" Arthur was actually surprised at how Merlin had been able to describe the spell "-you have been affected by a spell known as ' Open the Mind '."

“What does that mean, exactly?” Arthur asked, slightly concerned by his name.

"It’s not sure." Gaius replied, sounding concerned. “Maybe your thoughts will be opened to a person, or you will be able to read a person's thoughts.”

“Can I be influenced?” Arthur asked, even more worried. 

What if the witch learned the secrets of Camelot?

“Not that I've ever heard of.” Gaius admitted. “Merlin told me it was a bright green. Did you feel any particular emotion or feeling?”

“I… I felt like I should have expected it. And a flash of annoyance and irritation?” Arthur said, unsure.

“And were they your feelings?”

"No." Arthur shook his head.

“Then you will hear the thoughts of a person.” Gaius said. “But, if we're lucky, the spell failed when the witch was killed.”

But they were never lucky.

Arthur really should have known.

He realised that things were wrong when he was writing a note on a speech, and he heard it said. “ I don't even know why he tries, I'll do it anyway. ”

Arthur looked up at Merlin, finding him busy making the bed.

“Did you say something, Mer lin?”

Merlin gave him a look taken by Gaius. "Sire?"

"Nothing." Arthur shook his head. Maybe he had imagined everything?

“Come on, get up, I have to get you dressed.” Merlin sighed, reaching for the red shirt and brown trousers that Arthur loved.

Arthur stood up, allowing the servant to pull his shirt off.

“ No, don't look down. Remember, king and royal ass. You don't want to have a crush on the royal ass .”

"What did you say?" Arthur exclaimed, blushing.

“Arthur, I didn't say a word.” Merlin looked at him as if he were crazy.

Arthur's mouth dropped open. Merlin had been close to him. Would the spell make him hear Merlin 's thoughts?

“Right, I… I must just be tired, sorry.” Arthur murmured, stumbling over his words.

“ Sorry? He must feel really bad” . Merlin thought, before walking around him to fix the collar of his shirt. “ There's no harm in fixing his shirt, right? I'm certainly not looking at anything .”

Arthur coughed, shifting uncomfortably.

“Something in your throat, sire?” Merlin asked. “Do you want some water?”

“No, I'm fine.” Arthur remained, his voice muffled.

“ He's pretty pale. ” Merlin thought, making Arthur mentally smile. “ Of course, he manages to be attractive even when he's dead tired. No, wait, bad thoughts. Couldn't he be just ugly? Damn karma ”

Arthur chuckled, before saying. “I'm glad you care about me, Merlin. Can I do something in return? For all the help?”

“Only my job, sire.” Merlin said as he finished fixing it. “ Though I wouldn't say no to being bent over this desk right now .”

Arthur blushed, saying. "I have to go!" before running out of the room.

He didn't hear Merlin's question. “Without shoes?”

***

“Gaius, I hear Merlin's thoughts!” Arthur announced, entering the surgeon's room, still red.

“Merlin's thoughts?” Gaius looked worried.

“He has a crush on me!” Arthur said. “He thinks I'm always handsome and he said…” Arthur stopped, blushing even more.

“I guess I don't want to know the details of my ward's fantasies, sire.” Gaius said dryly, looking relieved for some reason. “At least you're not getting images .”

Arthur blushed even more.

Part of him was wondering: what would it be like in Merlin's mind? Did he imagine Arthur dominant and domineering? Passionate and strong? Sweet and wild?

Obviously, he was grateful that they hadn't actually seen himself bend Merlin over the desk.

He had misjudged his servant: he had an excellent poker face .

"This is good." Gaius nodded.

“It's not good!” Arthur exclaimed, blushing even more.

“It's good, because now I can deduce what spell was used and find the solution.” Gaius concluded, completely ignoring Arthur.

Was it Merlin's influence that made Gaius disrespectful, or was it Gaius' influence that made Merlin disrespectful?

" Simply great ." Arthur murmured.

***

“Merlin, pass me the sword.” Arthur said, walking into his rooms and slamming his cuffs on the desk.

“ If you want to bang something on the desk, why don't you bang me? ” Merlin thought. He just said. “Of course, sire.”

****

When he dropped a pen, and he bent down to pick it up, he almost hit his head on the table when he heard. “ Oh, now that's a beautiful sight. ”

***

“Come on, as soon as we stop you won't have to strain that little bottom of yours too much.” Arthur teased Merlin during a patrol. “Of course, not being able to resist a ride…”

“ Just because it's not the kind of ride I like .” Merlin thought. “ I wouldn't complain if I had to ride you for hours. ”

Arthur coughed, blushing.

****

“Sire, I must dress you.” Merlin said.

Arthur nodded, standing and preparing himself for all the details Merlin would notice that day.

Instead…

"Don't you think?" Arthur asked, unable to help himself.

"What?" Merlin looked at him amused.

"Have you no thoughts of getting slammed on any surface?" Arthur asked, feeling vaguely insulted. Did Merlin have a crush on someone else now?

“Why would I want to get slammed on a surface?” Merlin asked, confused.

“I…” Arthur looked at him. "Wait here!"

Without waiting for Merlin's response, Arthur left his rooms, missing Merlin’s thought " But what's wrong with shoes? "

***

“I can't hear Merlin!” Arthur exclaimed, smiling at Gaius.

“It was to be expected. These spells disappear on their own after a few days. Probably a typo of the witch's magic.” Gaius replied, not looking up from his book.

“I no longer hear his comments about how he wants to be banged or how he wants to ride me!” Arthur exclaimed.

“ Wait, what?! ”

Arthur turned slowly, finding Merlin standing looking at him with wide eyes.

“This is what you meant with me not wanting to be slammed into some wall?” Merlin exclaimed, blushing. “Did… did you listen to my thoughts and you did not tell me ?”

"I’m sorry !" Arthur blushed. “I didn't mean to embarrass you!”

“So you just listened to my thoughts !” Merlin picked up a plate, looked at Gaius for approval, and then threw it at Arthur. " Ass !"

“Sorry, forgive me!” Arthur paled, dodging the plate and wondering when Merlin had developed such good aim.

“I don't forgive traitors .” Merlin hissed at him, making him swallow, thinking of all the times Merlin had thought about doing something else .

Arthur blushed.

“ Heavens above ! You're thinking about it right now !” Merlin growled, glaring at Arthur.

“Okay, wait, wait!” Arthur shouted, grabbing Merlin's hands and pulling him closer. “What if I told you I want to do all those things ?”

“I would kick you.” Merlin threatened him.

"I'm honest!" Arthur defended himself. "I really want to! I promise you! Even slamming you against the wall, or the desk, or the bed! Everything you thought!”

Merlin narrowed his eyes at him. "You want?"

"To die for." Arthur promised.

Merlin narrowed his eyes a little more, and Arthur gulped when he realised that his manservant was threatening. And sexy .

“Okay.” Merlin nodded. "I believe you."

Arthur smiled.

He leaned in to kiss him, but…

"Well." Gaius said. “I would appreciate it if you didn't slam my ward into any wall in my presence.”

Arthur blushed.

He had forgotten about Gaius.