Chapter Text
Lancelot watched down the hall, definitely not hiding behind a statue, as a noble lady flushed and flirted with Merlin. Merlin, who smiled and winked and kissed her knuckles, leaving her looking as if she were about to faint, as he headed off the opposite direction down another corridor. Well. Lancelot decided it was his duty to approach him and ensure he was aware of what happened. He’d never seen anyone flirt with Merlin. He’d never seen Merlin flirt with anyone, either, now that he thought about it. He knew Merlin grew up without a father, so he figured he never had anyone to explain certain … things to him. Mind made up, Lancelot headed off to the armory where he knew Merlin was supposed to be polishing armor. He hoped the armory would be empty, but was sure that at least a few knights would be hanging around. The last thing he wanted was to embarrass the young warlock.
“Merlin.” Lancelot said as he entered the room.
“Lancelot.” Merlin replied, with a smirk. “What brings you out here on this fine evening? Thought you were off.”
“I am. But I wanted to speak with you about something.” Lancelot cleared his throat. “I saw you in the corridor earlier. With Lady Elisabeth.”
“Oh.”
“Yes. I erm, I wanted to talk with you about it. Make sure you understand … everything.” Lancelot cleared his throat again, but Merlin just looked at him quizzically.
“Understand everything? I don’t understand you, at the moment, Lancelot.” Merlin chuckled and continued working on polishing. “You knights get more confusing by the day.”
“That’s just not fair, Merlin.” Gwaine stated as he sauntered over, taking a seat next to the young man, nudging him with his shoulder.
“It’s true though. Lancelot said he wanted to talk to me to make sure I understood something but won’t speak plainly.” Lancelot flushed slightly, ready to argue, but Gwaine stopped him.
“He’s trying to give you the ‘talk’. You know, the sex talk.” Gwaine clarified.
“What?” Merlin looked up at the now full group of Round Table Knights. “Are you serious?”
“Very.” Lancelot said, finally finding his voice.
“How old do you think I am?” Merlin asked the group.
“Twelve.” Percival said teasingly.
“Do I look 12 years old to you?” Merlin pointedly asked, eyes landing on Elyan.
“Fourteen.” He shrugged, grinning slyly.
“So your plan was to approach me while I was busy with a task to tell me about sex?”
“Yes. But the way you say that, makes me doubt the decision.” Lancelot responded. Merlin started laughing and couldn’t stop. He was leaning on Gwaine for support before long, and the others just looked at each other in fond confusion.
“I appreciate the thought. I really do, but you are a few years late to that conversation. I may not have had a father to tell me about everything, but my mother tried, and after too many awkward dinners, she decided it would be best to wait until I got to Camelot and could get a better talk from Gaius. Unfortunately Gaius liked to use pictures and diagrams.” Merlin shivered at the memory. “I had my, er, introduction, so to speak, back in Ealdor when Will and I sort of figured things out on our own. Honestly, I’m grateful for the attempt.” Merlin continued chuckling, unable to stop smiling at what was happening.
"So! You must have stories, then?" Gwaine encouraged, rubbing his hands together.
"A fair few. Not that I'd tell." Merlin winked at the Knight who pouted. "Think about where we are. The castle. Surrounded by lords and ladies and various courtiers and visiting nobility. What do you think would happen if a servant ran around chatting about escapades with so-and-so? Said servant would be flogged, put in the stocks, fired, or would flat out disappear."
"Surely that doesn't happen." Elyan said tentatively. Merlin shrugged and continued polishing.
"You won't tell us any of your exploits then?" Gwaine pouted more.
"I'll make you a bet. At the feast tomorrow evening I'll serve wine and you have to determine if I've slept with them or not. If you don't guess correctly, I win."
"And what do you win exactly?" Lancelot asked, curiosity getting the best of him.
"You all do my chores for an entire day. You can do them all the same day as I don't want to overwhelm you. If I lose, I'll give you one name per person."
"I'm in!" Gwaine exclaimed. Percival, Elyan, and Lancelot glanced at each other and nodded agreement, but startled when Leon walked in. He paused in the door, waiting to see who would talk first.
"Gentlemen."
"Leon." Everyone chorused.
"Merlin!" A yell sounded down the hall. Merlin sighed and started collecting the armor he had just finished with.
"I'll see you." Merlin grumbled as he left the armory, grinning when he heard the others filling Leon in on the wager.