Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was with sheer determination that Merlin managed to half-drag, half-carry Sir Gwaine back into the knight’s chambers after a long night of indulgence. By the time Merlin all but dropped Gwaine onto his cot, the servant’s face was nearly as red as the knight’s and his breathing was irregular.

Gwaine was sprawled out happily in the position he’d fallen, left arm and leg off the side of the cot. His head was in the center of the bed, which left his right foot dangling off the edge of it. He watched with sluggish eyes as Merlin knelt down and began undoing the laces on his shoes, face scrunching up in disgust at the smell when they came off.

“Ugh, when was the last time you’ve washed your feet?” Merlin waved a hand in front of his face to ward off the smell. Years of being Arthur’s servant, however, had him fairly quickly peeling off Gwaine’s socks and beginning to work taking off the ale and vomit-soaked shirt.

“Oi, sit up a bit, won’t you? There- thanks.”

To Gwaine’s drunk mind, one moment he’d been wearing his tavern clothes and the next wearing his bedclothes, and it bewildered him.

“M’rrlin… You’re so fa-ast… How’dya get so, so faast.” Merlin chuckled and started guiding Gwaine’s limbs to where they needed to be onto the bed.

“In case you’ve forgotten, I am a servant.” Gwaine nodded and hummed.

“’M a knight.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Merlin grinned, hooking his arm underneath the larger man’s shoulders and hoisting his head up to his pillow. Merlin sighed happily at having completed his task and Gwaine couldn't stop the drunken grin that split his face at the sight of Merlin's toothy smile.

"Y’know, you’re,” Gwaine was forced to pause in order to let out a burp and hiccup, “You’re pretty. Tha’ smile. Beautiful.” Merlin flushed a bright red and rolled his eyes with a scoff.

“You drank way too much tonight.” The servant snuffed out the candle and, task done, he turned to leave. Before Merlin could take a step, however, his wrist was snagged by Gwaine.

“Hold… wait. M’lin. I want…” Gwaine paused and frowned in concentration. Merlin chuckled and stepped closer so that they could see one another in the low light, waiting for Gwaine to figure out what he needed to say. After a moment, the knight grunted.

“Lemme court you.” At first, Merlin burst out laughing but stopped at the deadly serious look on the man’s face.

“What-wait, seriously?” Gwaine bobbed his head in response.

“Bring you flowers n’ er’rythin’.” Merlin chuckled again, a softer sound than before. Crouching down to Gwaine’s bedside, he carded his fingers through Gwaine’s brown hair and gave the older man a smile.

“You’ve had a lot to drink tonight, you should sleep.” At Gwaine’s disappointed pout, Merlin placed a finger over his lips and continued. “If you still want to, we can talk tomorrow. Once your head’s cleared.” Gwaine puckered his lips to kiss the finger that kept him quiet. The knight felt privileged to hear Merlin’s tittering laugh once more, the finger removing itself from Gwaine’s lips. A gentle press of Merlin's lips against Gwaine’s forehead had the knight sighing.

“G’nigh, Mers.” Merlin stepped away from the bed and threw another dazzling smile behind him.

“Sweet dreams and sleep well, Gwaine.”

That night, Sir Gwaine dreamt of blue eyes, protruding ears, and a lovely smile. The dreams were sweet, indeed.