★ possible revival?

[serving]

Of course. It'd have been too easy for you to have just forgotten about me, wouldn't it? You and everyone else who's trying to make my life that bit more difficult.

[ Merlin rubs his temple through a frustrated sigh—long suffering and not uncharacteristically grumpy. He'll get over it soon enough, of course, as he always does when he's in a crabby mood, but first ... ]

... No, stop it, I know that look. Stop giving me That Look.

[ He lifts his eyebrows. ]

Whatever it is you're up to, I don't—

[ But when has that ever worked? Merlin catches himself, shakes his head and resigns himself to a rueful grimace. ]

Can I at least bring a change of clothes this time? They always end up ... ruined, somehow.

Comments

[unflinchable]

Oh, because your life is so difficult, Merlin.

[I'm sure your king is just the person you wanted to see right now!]

What are you going on about this time?

[serving]

You know, just the usual. Nothing you need to worry yourself about, in any case.

[ Have a double thumbs-up for effect! ]

[unflinchable]

[he's so unimpressed by that answer]

Humor me, if you're prattling on about it then it must be something.

[serving]

Well ... I just think that if she's going to bring me along she might as well listen to me this time.

[ He lifts an eyebrow and grins. ]

She's a bit like you in that respect, actually.

[unflinchable]

But you never say anything worth listening to, so why bother?

And where are you planning on going? My chambers are not going to clean themselves, then again there's a better chance of that happening than you actually doing your job well.

[ah the sounds of friendship]

[serving]

Haven't decided yet. Preferably somewhere I don't have to spend my days cleaning up after some self-centred, arrogant prat?

[ Oh, yes, this is friendship at its finest. ]

... Not that I'm calling you a self-centred arrogant prat, or anything.

[unflinchable]

No, of course you're not, you're really just saying gee I haven't been sent to the stocks in a while. Shall I remind you what it's like there?

[serving]

Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll give it a miss this time. Wouldn't want you put yourself out for me.

[unflinchable]

Oh, it's no trouble at all, I'm sure they're all set and ready for you at any time. What kind of king would I be if I took away a major source of entertainment?

[serving]

A really, really, really good one?

[unflinchable]

You're not as funny as you think you are, Merlin.

[serving]

So you admit I am funny.

[unflinchable]

About as funny as a fool.

[don't make him bring out the hat so you look the part]

[serving]

But you keep me around anyway. I must have my uses.

[unflinchable]

Dealing with your incompetence is far easier than dealing with how boring George is.

[serving]

You mean his efficiency doesn't trump my sparkling sense of humour?

[unflinchable]

At what point did I imply that I enjoy your sense of humor? Yes, you have one which is better than George already but it's not something I look forward to coming into contact with.

[serving]

[ Have a little grin. ]

You're just saying that, I'm sure.

[unflinchable]

I am not.

[he crosses his arms and looks away, hiding his own little smile. while he may not ever admit that he enjoys Merlin's company, and he may adamantly deny that he does, he takes some solace in knowing that Merlin understands that's just how this relationship works]

[serving]

[ Merlin just lifts his hands in an open palmed gesture of would-be defeat, although the both of them know it's anything but. ]

What're you up to, anyway? Having fun managing on your own, or have you finally realised how difficult my job is?

[unflinchable]

[Arthur will claim this as a victory regardless]

I manage just fine on my own, thank you. And your job is still not difficult, I could be a much worse master.

[serving]

[ Merlin just scoffs. Fine on his own? Sure. ]

That I find hard to believe. You could be worse, though. I bet you'll be a nightmare when you're old.

[unflinchable]

[mumbling]

If you don't kill me first.

[serving]

When have I ever nearly killed you before?

[ Excluding the Servant of Two masters affair ... ]

Have a little faith, Arthur.

[unflinchable]

Don't be silly Merlin, I don't think that you could actually kill me, that's impossible. I meant that you could drive me crazy. What would Camelot do with a mad king? [he puts a hand heavily on Merlin's shoulder and over dramatically says] For the good of Camelot, I think you should leave.

[serving]

And for the good of Camelot, I really think I should stay. You'd be deal in seconds without me to watch your back.

[ He pats Arthur's hand. ]

Think about your people. Think about Gwen! She'd never forgive me if I left you by yourself.

[unflinchable]

When have you saved me? I don't need you watching my back, I have trained knights for that.

I think Guinevere would forgive you, she's kind.

[serving]

... Really.

[ But he's just going to roll his eyes and leave it at that—the "I've saved you tons of times" argument never works on Arthur. ]

She's kind, yes, but she also loves you. People can get a little crazy when they're in love.

[ Vivian, for example. ]

[unflinchable]

Are you questioning the skill of my men?

[he can't have mere servants questioning the awesomeness that is Camelot's Knights!]

She is not crazy, she's extremely intelligent, unlike someone else I know.

[we don't talk about Vivian]