Arthur is not amused when his (probably insane) father decides to hold a Secret Santa exchange for the entirety of Pendragon Corporation. He's even less amused (and more than a bit panicky) when he draws Merlin's name.
"The king is sat at the table, frowning at the plate Merlin has just set before him. As if Merlin is nothing more than a servant and the king is not sat in his court sorcerer's rooms dressed in nothing but his tunic."
"Nothing in Merlin's life goes according to plan.
He's imagined this moment so many times. He's pictured Arthur's pained expression and the rage, the sound of the sword through the air; he's imagined the look of nonchalance and the confessions and the choked sound of his voice as he admits everything and says, please, I need to protect you. He's imagined how sorry he'd feel, how his heart would want to explode with loyalty and hurt and...
It's not like that at all. "
Uther ships Arthur/Merlin; That’s why he keep banishing Merlin’s other boyfriends. No, Lancelot; he’s Arthur’s boyfriend. No, Gwaine; you’re not allowed to flirt with Merlin any more. Go away.
"Merlin tossed and turned ending sitting hunched over in front of one of the pairs of legs that had walked in, trying desperately not to be kicked or found out that he was 'hiding' under the table, for that was how these men would likely of seen it."
Everyone is horribly misguided and thinks that Arthur and Merlin are a couple. Arthur and Merlin, armed with nothing but fierce denial, set out to prove everyone wrong..or die trying.
In which Arthur fucks Merlin for a hazing ritual (and then there is talk about wallpaper).
Their seduction, like everything else between them, is a contest of wills
A promotion and a swanky new title, one might even think Merlin’s luck had changed. That is, if you didn’t look too closely to the fine print on Uther’s offer. There is companionship and then there is companionship.
Everyone assumes Merlin knows what is going on. He really, really doesn't.
Merlin enjoys waking up next to Arthur
Some people drink, some people fight, some have screaming nightmares. Merlin has Arthur.
"Merlin took the opportunity to sidle over to Will and whisper. "Are you going to have sex with him?"
"No bloody way!"
"It's your wedding night. He might expect it."
"Well, he can expect all he likes. He's not getting it!"
"Arthur keeps calling Merlin the worst manservant in the history of man. She thinks it's mostly because she's lousy at swords practice. "
Merlin is the newest addition to Arthur's harem of beautiful slaves, and even though he doesn't fit in at all, Arthur is fascinated.
Merlin attempts to seduce Arthur, but he's not very good at it and Arthur is as oblivious as ever. Hijinks ensue.
In the aftermath of series 3 events Merlin has a fit of despair. Things are never going to change for him, he is forever the Prince´s idiot manservant. And Arthur´s more or less public declaration of love to Gwen does not exactly help him along. He is sick and tired of being the self-sacrificing, secret magician and decides he has had enough.