#i wrote this while in spanish class don't judge my terrible choices

[retvenkos]

dancing in corridors | m.

Merlin (BBC) - Merlin x Reader, fluff requested

tw: none

word count: 1.4k 

prompt: “Dance with me?”

A/N: It’s missing Merlin hours.

Summary: At a banquet, you and Merlin get bored with tending to the nobility and decide to sneak away for a little celebration, yourself.

Walking down the corridors to the Banquet Hall, the first thing you heard was the music; light and joyful, the tune practically begging you to dance along. You smiled at the thought, and if it weren't for the jug of wine in hand, perhaps you would have. Imagine you, dancing in the corridor for all of Camelot to see. Wouldn't that have been a sight?

The other servants wouldn't be surprised, though - they rarely were when it came to your antics. As long as you didn't rain hellfire down on them, your fellow servants and reluctant friends allowed you to have your fun, dancing in corridors and singing while doing the wash. You supposed it brought a kind of happiness to their life - a sort of second-hand thrill that made working in this fortress bearable. Oftentimes, the castle could be stifling, and looking for life within it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. There was so much that weighed the servants down, so when they saw you capture little joys, they stored them in a bottle and allowed you to roam for more. 

You closed your eyes and listened to the music for a moment. You knew the perfect dance that could go with such a song - something upbeat and dazzling, with tricky footwork and impromptu spinning. You tapped the beat on your thigh, thoroughly lost in your own world, but when a shout rose above the din of voices, you were pulled from your stupor.

Using the servant's entrance to slip into the Banquet Hall, the low buzz of sound became a roar - the nobility were coming loose after a drink or two and guffawing at the slightest hint of a joke; the knights were engaged in some debate or another, passionately defending their stance on something that seemed to have an edge of humor to it, given their wolfish grins; and even the ladies (who were usually the most composed, throughout the evening) were chatting with more vigor than usual, egging on one of their own who eventually stood and went over to the knights, asking one of their finest if he would like to dance. The feast was a success, and King Uther purveyed it all from his seat at the high table, a little more delighted than usual, but his brow still set in concentration, his glass still nearly full. 

You filled empty glasses with wine, expertly weaving through the throng of servants and guests, and for a moment you could pretend it was a dance. In a way, you supposed it was. A spin and skip you were quite good at, if you were honest. Through your work, you kept an eye on those who were known to be rather easy to excite, making sure they didn't fill their glasses too many times, but your gaze kept flicking over to someone else, as well. Merlin.

It wasn't hard to like Merlin - the whole castle had seemingly fallen under his spell - and you were no exception. He was wildly funny, hardworking (no matter what Prince Arthur seemed to say), and deeply caring. You doubted there was a servant in all the world that rivaled Merlin in loyalty. Arthur could jump off a cliff, and Merlin would be there to make sure he didn't get hurt (and then scolding him when he did). Merlin seemed to carry all of the most awe-inspiring traits in the world, and yet he didn't seem to notice them or think he was capable of such wonder. You had told him that he was extraordinary on more than one occasion, and yet he never seemed to believe you.

Not fully, anyway.

It hadn't taken the other servants long to catch on to the romance that was blossoming between the two of you, and at any chance they got, they pushed the two of you together. It was another little joy you had unwittingly brought them, and one they thought was wildly funny and immensely endearing.

Tonight was no exception. All evening, your fellow friends had been trying to get the two of you to spend time together - perhaps hoping that the music and the high spirits would rub off on you, and something momentous might happen. You weren't quite sure if you agreed, but it was good fun to be given tasks that pushed you in Merlin's direction. If it wasn't fetching him another jug of wine, it was handing him more food, and if it wasn't food, it was a servant sending you along with some message or another. You and Merlin had found the game you seemingly played incredibly funny, chuckling every time the other approached, waggling your eyebrows as though something illicit was about to happen.

When Merlin approached, you were already anticipating his arrival, having seen a fellow servant whisper in his ear. 

"Do you think the kitchens actually need our help this time?" Merlin's eyes were bright, and his tone was full of that playfulness you prayed he'd never lose. "Last I checked, there isn't much more to be done than make sure the nobility doesn't reach the end of their goblet."

"I can guarantee you the kitchen doesn't want to see me, again. I steal too much food." 

And he breathed a laugh that was so soft it was nearly covered by the music, entirely, but you heard it.

"But I do have an idea if you want to leave the feast behind," you said, lowering your voice so none of the servants around you would hear. It would be rather scandalous if they found out you had suggested such a thing, wouldn't it?

"Do you, now?"

"Dance with me?"

"Here?" And you could hear some of that scandal in Merlin's tone, enough to make you laugh.

"Out in the corridor, you dolt," your scolding was light, and you didn't miss the ease with which his shock lent itself to a grin, the expression seeming to be more natural than breathing. "Uther would have our heads if we started to dance here, don't you think?"

"He's been looking for another reason to put me in the stocks."

You both laughed.

"Well? Do you want to dance with me? It would be much better than standing here moon-eyed all night with the other servant's throwing me meaningless chores so we can cross paths."

Merlin smiled, but then his eyes flicked over to Arthur. "You don't think we'll be missed?"

"If we are, I have no doubt the other servants will have a thousand tales to cover our disappearance."

The music switched to a different song, one that must have been familiar, because it made Merlin's eyes illuminate with the kind of fondness that only memory allows for. Almost immediately, his resolve softened.

"I suppose one dance can't hurt, can it?"

"That's the spirit."

You and Merlin made your way to the exit, and he passed off his jug of wine to another servant as you went. You, on the other hand, snuck two extra goblets, which Merlin took from you with a raised brow.

"Dancing requires a little bit of fun, doesn't it?"

"You're amazing, you know that?"

"I do—" Merlin chuckled "—and so are you."

Merlin made some gesture as to brush off your praise, but you held your ground. "I mean it, truly. You don't see it, and I'll never understand why. But you are the most amazing person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, Merlin."

He seemed a little taken aback, as though he didn't know what to say or do with your appreciation. Now safely out of the hall, you poured him some wine and wrapped his hands around the goblet. Merlin scoffed, tongue in cheek, and you nodded.

"One day, you will see how enchanting you are."

You clinked your glasses together and took a sip. Music drifted from the Banquet Hall to the deserted corridor in which you stood, and you could still hear the dull buzz of conversation from within, but by all accounts, it was just you and Merlin, alone and smiling. 

"Wait until you see me dance, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

And you took his hand.

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