"Where are you going?" Arthur asked.

"Out with a friend." Merlin smiled.

"Which friend?" Arthur frowned, clearly displeased he was not invited.

"You don't know him." Merlin waved as he left.

"If I knew you'd be out doing things without me I would've not said that about your servitude." Arthur said bitterly. It wasn't true but he was still mad.

When Merlin came back he had a big stupid smile on his face.

"Welcome back, how was your date?" Arthur asked in a droll tone.

"Date?" Merlin asked.

"You're walking with a limp so I assume it went well." Arthur said with a frown.

"Limp? There was a rock in my shoe, I guess it still hurts." Merlin said absentmindedly, still with a smile. He began changing into pajamas.

"You know you have to be careful around people who don't know-"

"I know." Merlin waved Arthur's concern off.

"Don't dismiss me out of hand. You're still my servant." Arthur growled, eyes flicking to Merlin with anger in them.

"You've never spoken to me like that...sir. Is there something wrong?" Merlin looked like he didn't need the reminder and that it hurt that Arthur felt it was warranted.

"If I asked you on a date would you say yes because you like me or because you owe me?" Arthur asked. "Nevermind. I'm going to bed." Arthur huffed before Merlin could answer. He pulled his blanket over his shoulders and turned his back on Merlin who looked betrayed. A weight landed on the end of Arthur's bed and he looked to see Merlin. "I'm going to bed." Arthur repeated.

"I would like to talk first sir." Merlin said firmly.

"Not now Merlin-"

"You've had your turn to be mad, but now it's mine." Merlin looked angry. He was shaking and his hands clasped in his lap were turning white from being clenched so tightly. "You have never treated me so disrespectfully before, you've treated me like a servant, yes, but never as someone below you. You've granted me more freedom, which I used as personal time, but you got angry that my personal time didn't include you." Merlin said. "You've let your jealousy turn you ugly Arthur." Merlin looked at him with a sorrow filled frown.

"Merlin-"

"I was seeing the man who insulted us, I asked him not to be so disrespectful, he kicked me in the leg, but in the end agreed to not bother us again." Merlin said.

"Are you okay?" Arthur asked sitting up abruptly and looking at Merlin's leg.

"Just bruised." Merlin looked away from Arthur.

"You should'nt've done that Merlin." Arthur frowned.

"I knew you'd say that so I didn't include you. But if you were going to be so rude about it anyway, I suppose I could've." Merlin huffed.

"Did you use magic?" Arthur asked. Merlin didn't answer. "Merlin, did you use magic?" Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand and squeezed it.

"Not noticeably." Merlin said softly.

"This is what got you in trouble last time. You should've told me this was your plan so I could call you an idiot and we would be done with the whole matter." Arthur huffed. Merlin still wasn't looking at Arthur. "Why are you so cruel to me Merlin?" Arthur asked. Merlin looked startled, turning to face Arthur with fear in his eyes. "Making me worry about you so much." Arthur yanked Merlin into a hug.

"I just wanted to do something nice for you...master." Merlin said softly. He noticed a change in Arthur's body. He stiffened but did not recoil.

"I thought you didn't-"

"I never said I didn't want to be with you Arthur." Merlin sat back and rubbed his leg absentmindedly. "I just didn't want to be second fiddle." He shrugged.

"You aren't." Arthur's brow furrowed, he seemed to have difficulty finding words to express what he wanted to say.

"I didn't want you to free me from my bond just because we're having sex, and I didn't want you to think I was just going to have sex with you to get out of my debt. I didn't want to be an afterthought either, after you see a cute girl and just want to get your rocks off." Merlin wasn't looking at Arthur, he was looking at the opposing wall, his words weren't solid, and his shoulders hunched. Arthur sighed and sat up, putting a hand on Merlin's back. He moved slowly up to his shoulders, easing the tension he held between his shoulder blades. His hand moved to Merlin's chin, turning it to him.

"I wouldn't've offered if I thought you were just using me. I trust you, if you want to be free all you have to do is ask. Whether we are together or not. And while I do want to get my rocks off, it's not something I'll do with just anyone. You know how picky I am." They both laughed. "Let's worry about this in the morning."

"Alright." Merlin nodded and allowed Arthur to pull him into his bed and under the blanket.

"You know I love you, right Merlin?"

"Yes, I love you too."

"Will you date me now?"

"Only if you get me coffee." Merlin smirked. Arthur pulled Merlin against his body and kissed his neck.

"Anything you want."