mixingbowl | one little change at a time

one little change at a time

[Since Merlin revealed his magic, Arthur's been somewhat at a loss. They carry on with their usual antics, Arthur making a mess for Merlin wherever he goes, Merlin cleaning up after him (poorly). Occasionally, they'll share a silent look when the topic of sorcery comes up, but other than that...nothing seems to have changed.

At least, until now.

The sorcerer they'd caught earlier in the day had been carrying a charm, a pendant of some sort that Arthur had had to pry away from him. Luckily, his soldiers had not noticed anything amiss by the time they'd arrived, and Arthur had been able to pocket the trinket on a whim. The stone and chain had felt like a brand, a heavy weight in his pocket as he'd reported to his father and left all mentions of it out.

Now, as he's waiting for Merlin to bring his supper, Arthur twirls his dagger in his hand to lift the mood that's fallen over him.]

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Um...

[ That's a no, then. Merlin winces apologetically. ]

Sorry, sorry, I got distracted thinking about --

[ About magic and trinkets and showing Arthur things. He hesitates, glances at Arthur, and in his hesitation is a visible moment of thought. A moment where he tries to decide something.

The decision is actually easier than he realised. He trusts Arthur. Merlin glances over at the door and holds out a hand. His eyes flash gold and it swings shut and locks itself. ]

I'll fix it, don't worry.

[ He promised no secrets, no more lies, and -- well, Merlin shouldn't keep hiding when it's just Arthur, should he? Arthur needs to experience magic to get used to it. He needs to see it to understand. So Merlin paces over to the tub and holds out a hand over it. The trick now will be to make sure he doesn't either get water everywhere or something ridiculous. ]

[Arthur can feel himself tensing up instinctively as Merlin calls up his magic. It's not that he hasn't seen the magic before, but when has it ever been used for anything so inane as locking the door and filling a tub? Even when Merlin had used it to grow a flower last time, Arthur had been too shocked to properly appreciate it.

Pushing aside the wariness, he approaches the tub and eyes the water. When he sticks his hand into the water, he finds the temperature is just about perfect.]

To think you've been able to do this all along.

[Meaning he wouldn't have had to suffer through lukewarm or too-hot baths before. It's a ridiculous thing to be focusing on when it's magic, but he still grumbles some all the same.]

[ Merlin drops his eyes and smiles a little, enjoying what Arthur isn't saying. What is underneath his reaction. The wonder at his magic, and the appreciation. ]

It's not that hard.

[ No way is Merlin admitting that it's sort of a fluke he hasn't made it hot enough to turn or overflowed it everywhere. ]

[Arthur snorts, cuffing Merlin's head.]

And you say I'm arrogant.

[His eyes seem serious as they study Merlin, though. If he had to, Arthur would find it difficult to name another instance where Merlin had looked so confident in his own abilities.]

Because you are.

[ He grins, though, letting Arthur's teasing go. It feels comfortable, more like what he's used to. More like things were before. More like things should be. ]

Want to give it a try, then? Promise it won't bite.

[ He cats around for cloth Arthur can wash and dry with and starts vaguely fussing with the various flowery scents. ]

Come on, get yourself smelling sweeter than Morgana.

[Arthur scowls and waves him off before he can start putting anything fragrant into the water.]

For God's sake, Merlin. I want to get clean, not douse myself in perfume.

[He's not a girl like Morgana, okay.]

Where did you even get those anyway? I'm certain I own nothing of the sort.

You can get clean and also smell good. Anyway it's meant to be relaxing or something. You could do with some relaxing.

[ Merlin squints at one vial, then the other, then up at Arthur. He raises an eyebrow. ]

Need some help?

[ Baths are meant to be taken wearing a little less than Arthur is. ]

I'll relax when you stop--chattering. And put those away.

[Arthur scowls at the vials warily as he starts tugging his shirt off and heading behind the screen to change.]

If you put any in, I'll throw you into the water myself.

I could do with a bath. What about lavender? Helps you sleep, you know, and it might help with some of the bruises you get from hitting each other for hours.

[ Known to some as training. ]

You want them so badly, just take them with you when you leave later.

[Even behind the screen, Arthur's exasperation manages to be obvious.]

Though, if you filched them from Morgana, I'm not saving you when she chases you down. It'd serve you right anyway.

You know, saying 'thank you' doesn't actually hurt.

[ He's sniffing at one of the bottles. It's concentrate, and therefore very strong. He reels a little before recapping it. ]

Do you want to know about your trinket or not?

[Arthur emerges with a towel, and throws said towel at Merlin's face when he reaches the tub.]

Thank you.

[Merlin can probably hear the smirk as he sinks into the hot water.]

Go on, then. If you're so eager. What did you find?

[ Merlin brightens as he pulls the towel from his face, folds it and sets it aside. ]

I was right! It's actually really good --

[ And Merlin digs about in his pockets to pull it out again, because of course he carried it right back in to Arthur's chambers. Of course he did. ]

The symbol I couldn't read, I worked it out. This isn't just protective, it's defensive.

Defensive? [Arthur gets the pendant a dubious look. That pretty thing?]

You mean it attacks anyone who causes the wearer harm.

[It’s not as bad as Arthur would have expected, given that it’s a magical trinket, but it’s not something they can leave lying around either. If someone accidentally set off the charm…]

Do you know what it does?

I do.

[ He looks a little mischievous all of a sudden. Fumbling with the trinket Merlin fastens it around his neck, holds it for a moment as he reads out the runes. His eyes flash gold and he tilts his head in thought, then grins.]

Right!

[ He paces over to the side of the tub and grins at Arthur. It is the kind of grin where you know he's up to something. Merlin holds out his hand. ]

Try and grab me.

[ Who would even do that after the explanation? ]

[If he knows how suspicious that sounds, why is he even asking?? Arthur stares at him incredulously, hands staying right where they are.]

If you think I’m going to fall for a trick like that when you’re looking so expectant, you obviously don’t know me very well.

[Arthur gives Merlin a challenging look.] Why don’t I wear the damned thing and you try to grab me, if you’re so eager to demonstrate.

Because I know what it does!

[ Heart. Broken. Arthur you are such a killjoy. ]

Come on, it won't kill you or anything!

[ Oh-so reassuring, that's Merlin. ]

[He doesn't care how broken your heart is when you're being so suspicious.]

Since you're such an expert on it already, it would make more sense for you to demonstrate on yourself. What's the hold up, Merlin? It won't kill you or anything!

You're no fun at all.

[ Honestly. No fun at all. ]

Fine. It just sort of gives you a shock. Like a miniature lightning strike. Nothing lethal or anything, just enough to stop people grabbing you or getting close. I think it's really clever.

[ Gaius doesn't approve two guesses why. ]

[Arthur rolls his eyes Heaven-ward and sinks deeper into the water, now that the mystery has been solved.]

You would. Since you also seem to think using it on the Crown Prince of Camelot would be really clever, I doubt anyone would trust your judgement.

[Speaking of Gaius...]

Did Gaius say anything else? Or did you not tell him I know what the two of you have been up to?

Um...

[ About that.]

... I haven't. I mean, I think I should, it's just... I'm worried that he'd be worried, he kept telling me not to tell anyone, so...

[ You know. Awkward. ]

[At least Merlin's upfront about his reasons this time, though Arthur isn't necessarily happy about them.]

You know you can't keep it from him forever. This trinket is small enough to conceal, but if there's a bigger problem we face later...

[If the three of them have to work together, he means.]

I know.

[ Merlin drops his eyes to frown at this hands, fidgets a little. ]

I do, I just... He was so sure you could never know, and... I don't want him to feel useless. To doubt himself.

[Most times, Arthur doesn't need a reminder to know how soft-hearted his manservant is, but admissions like this still take him by surprise.]

You'd think he would be happy to be wrong this once. [If he sounds suddenly sharp, it's because he feels stung that Gaius doubted him that much.]

He will be! I know he will be, he'll be proud of you, it's just...

[ It's just difficult. With Uther. With all the complication. With everything that's happened to him. ]

Gaius has been like a father to me. You know Camelot's laws as well as anyone, Arthur. You know Uther will not listen, Gaius does not fear without reason.

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