Title: Third Party

Fandom: Merlin

Rating: R

Characters/Pairings: Merlin, Arthur/Gwen, Merlin

Word Count: 388

Warnings: Crack, accidental voyeurism (or whatever you would call it if you didn't actually see anything), and Merlin in an awkward situation

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. All I possess is my adoration for it.

Summary: The prompt was "Arthur seduces Gwen into his bed; unbeknownst to him, Merlin is underneath."

A/N: Written for the Kink Meme at the lj comm ag_fics.

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Sometimes even Merlin marvels at his own stupidity.

Diving under Arthur's bed when he heard the two stumble into the prince's chambers? Stupid.

He should have just popped his head around the corner, confronted the snogging couple right off, and then just hurry out. It would have been awkward, certainly, but vastly preferable to, well… this.

The bed is literally creaking and he can't tune out the sound of their moans.

Merlin has always wanted to know Arthur better, but even he drew a line at this.

They're finally – finally – finished. But what is Merlin supposed to do? Pop up from under the bed with a polite hello? He'll just have to wait until they fall asleep.

Gwen gets up and starts picking up her clothes. Only then Arthur says something pouty and he's tugging her back into bed despite Gwen's mock protests.

If at all possible, they're even more enthusiastic this time. Probably as much as they can be without alerting the entire castle to their shenanigans. And also more vigorous. At least this time, it doesn't take quite as long.

That, thankfully, seems to have tuckered the couple out, because their voices quiet and breathing deepens not long after. Merlin waits until Arthur starts snoring before he crawls out. How Gwen sleeps through that racket is beyond him, but then again, they are meant to be together.

The two are starkers, sprawled out haphazardly, Arthur with one arm slung around her waist and his head nestled into the side of her breast. But Merlin quickly looks away – it's not like he's some kind of pervert, despite being third party to their two rounds of shagging.

He slips out as quietly as humanly (and wizardly) possible. Gaius is still up, looking over his books. He asks what on earth kept Merlin so long. Merlin rattles something off about Arthur – of course nothing near the truth. Gaius just frowns, confused by the enigma that is his ward.

When Merlin sees Arthur in the morning, the prince is in an alarmingly good mood. He's close to bursting out into song any moment now. Well, at least now Merlin knows what causes Arthur's good moods.

Of course, Merlin considers teasing Arthur about last night… for about a whole second. Because then Merlin realizes that he values his life too much.