I posted this on Tumblr and got some good feedback so I thought, what the hell! Might as well post it here!

Spoilers for 5X05!

Merlin still hasn't smiled. When Arthur asked him about it days ago, and Merlin simply replied with, "There's nothing to be happy about." Arthur couldn't imagine why.

Day 8. Even though Mordred was back and healthier than before, a cause of celebration, Merlin still didn't smile. Arthur took it easy on him for a few days, but that only

seemed to make it worse.

Day 9 Merlin avoided Arthurs gaze as much as possible. Whenever he did he held such a lonely expression…and something akin to guilt? The King ignored it.

On Day 11 Arthur brought up magic for the first time since the incident. He attempted to press Merlin about what happened. Merlin excused himself. He was crying.

Arthur almost did too.

Day 12 Merlin wouldn't talk to Arthur besides the occasional 'Yessir' or 'Sire'. Arthur was getting frustrated and tried to confront him again. "There's nothing to be

happy about." He said again. Arthur was angry. "Think about Mordred! Without you, magic would be running rampant in Camelot!" he regretted it as soon as the words

slipped from his mouth. The pain in Merlin's eyes was too much to bear.

Day 14 without Merlins smile. Arthur was almost used to it. Gwen tried to console him but it didn't help. Even when Arthur went to Gaius he couldn't get anything from

him. Arthur never realized his servant had such an effect on him…

Day 18 Arthur went out on a hunting trip with the knights, trying to get Merlin out of Camelot. He tried to get Gwaine to make him laugh but even that loud mouth

couldn't get anything from him. Merlin avoided Morded at all costs, and followed Arthur like a shadow. Though sometimes doing both proved difficult.

When Day 20 rolled by Merlin was practically a statue. His gaze would no longer focus on Arthur, but something beyond him. Anytime their gazes crossed, Merlins gaze

would turn to pity and regret. As if he had failed. Arthur would bark orders at him, give him more chores and meaningless tasks than one servant could handle. Merlin

would finish them in record time. Arthur still didn't feel any better.

Day 24 the King confronted Merlin again. He needed to get him to smile, at least once…it had been too long…Forever. "Merlin smile for me." "What?" "Please…"

"There's nothing to-" Arthur threw his chair against the wall and roared at his servant. "I DON'T CARE." Merlin said nothing, and stood as a statue would with the same

woeful expression. Arthur dismissed him for the rest of the day.

Day 25 Merlin was trying now. His lips would curl ever so slightly when Arthur tried a joke. It's no smile, but it's a start.

Day 26 All it took was Arthur tripping over the bucket Merlin had used to scrub the floors. He had gotten himself properly soaked, and when he sat up to scold his

servant he found Merlin's sparkling blue eyes crinkled, and his white teeth gleaming at him. The smile stretched clear across his face. "I don't think I'll need that bath drawn Merlin."

The laugh that earned was music to the kings ears.

There you are dearies! I was going to be mean and leave it at Day 25, but I decided against it. It was a quick one I typed up…nothing special.