The Salle, Monday Morning

[bitchprince]

Not that Arthur would admit it, but yesterday had helped to calm him down from the state of introverted confusion he'd been in since Thursday. He was no longer showing signs of such, or at least nothing that was as easily, visibly sedate.

He was, however, very focused on his own swordwork that morning. He'd asked Merlin to stand guard come with him into the salle, but now that what bothered him worst had gotten out, he was free to focus on his movements to ward off the rest of it. Slowly, carefully, and with full concentration, he lapsed into familiar patterns that were as easy as breathing by now.

[[ open salle, but I'll be SP in bursts until the evening ]]

Comments

[bitchprince]

"Honestly," Arthur said, peering over him as soon as he'd gotten there, "Worst polishing job you've done in weeks."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You haven't seen me do this in longer," Merlin shot back cheekily.

[bitchprince]

"No, but I've seen the armor," Arthur said, authoritatively, reaching to give him a light thwack in the head so he'd finally look up.

Let it never be said he wasn't occasionally prone to five-year-old tactics.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Have you?" Oh, they could both play at being children here.

[bitchprince]

Now, don't interrupt him while he's busy pulling pigtails.

"I do wear it from time to time," he noted, leaning a hand against the wall.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You do? I hadn't had to put it on you recently..."

[bitchprince]

Arthur rolled his eyes at him. "Last week," he said, significantly.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Was it then?" Merlin asked, looking up as if thinking about it.

[bitchprince]

"Yes, Merlin," Arthur told him, dryly, "No need to trouble your failing memory."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know how it is here," Merlin replied, sighing dramatically. "Things start to go once you hit a certain age.

[bitchprince]

"An age you seem to be approaching ahead of time," Arthur said, looking suitably impressed. "Impressive."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"According to those books I ought to be Gaius," Merlin pointed out.

[bitchprince]

"I think you need significantly longer hair, a wart, and an overhanging eyelid to be Gaius," Arthur pointed out, tartly. Rather than nice cheekbones and a horrible bowl cut.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I'm telling him you said that."

[bitchprince]

"Oh, please," Arthur said, with a slight smile materializing for a few seconds, "He knows it's but the truth."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin wagged a finger at him. "And just why do you think your medicine tastes so foul, hmmm?"

[bitchprince]

"Because you're secretly the son of a rotten fishmonger?" Still leaning, yes.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

He was awfully close for this. That thought managed to flit through Merlin's brain before it was shooed away by other things. Like how Arthur smelled.

...he needed a bloody shower.

It was not attractive in the slightest. Got it?

"Are you insulting the virtue of my mother?"

[bitchprince]

"Not at all," he said, loftily, "Merely that of the father you've never met."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I think she would do better than a fishmonger," Merlin informed him with mock sternness.

[bitchprince]

"You would think so," Arthur agreed, nodding thoughtfully, "But that doesn't explain the taste of your potions."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"It may be better than being the person who willingly drinks them."

[bitchprince]

"Yes, I see your point," Arthur said, sarcastically, "Next time I have a head-splitting ache or lose a limb I'll go without."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Oh! Did I tell you what Karla taught me?" Merlin asked, suddenly sitting upright and eager.

[bitchprince]

"No," Arthur said, slowly, "You didn't. Go ahead."