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1. Leon
”No” A 18 year old Leon said to a 15 year old Arthur for about the 3rd time since he and Kay went to him with the idea of going on the quest to explore the cave that the actual trained knights failed to get information on.
”Why not” Kay threw his hands in the air.
”Why not” Leon’s say almost hysterical “why not” he repeats
”yes why not”Arthur repeats
”oh I don’t know” Leon turns around. “Maybe because it’s a dumb Idea to venture a cave the actual knights couldn’t without coming back bloody and bruised when you” He points at Arthur “ are still healing from your fall from last week.”
”your being dramatic that was last week I’m fine now” Arthur waves him off
“fine we’ll maybe I just don’t want to lose my head ever thought about that” Leon crosses his arms
“your not going to die” Kay tells him
“maybe not in that cave but if the king finds out I took you I’d die either way” Leon resorts
“Come on” Arthur draws out
”for the last time no” Leon turns to leave he really does but then-
“Please”
Leon freezes in shock. “What did you say”
Because there’s no way there no way he heard that right Arthur pendragon did not say-
“pleaseee” Arthur repeats
Leon isn’t ashamed to admit his jaw drops.
Kay laughs is shock “please Leon you know the word”
When Leon turns around Arthurs smiling smug bastard.
Kay throws an arm around Leon’s shoulder “and your not going to deny your prince when he says please are you”
Leon groans damn you Arthur. “fine.”
Kay and Arthur cheer.
Leon smiles because Arthur smiles and deep down he knows it’ll be worth it one day when it’s a story to tell of king Arthur’s youth .
Just not today.
2.Gauis
The first time he decided to test his theory he wouldn’t know if it would work.
Most the time he wouldn’t even have to say please. Arthur only had to say what he wanted and he would get it. So when the opportunity came to say please to someone who would stand their ground and say no he took it.
His arm is now the price for that. He regrets nothing.
Well maybe somethings because he had to go to gauis and gauis will go to his father about what happened if he sits and does nothing and Arthur wasn’t sure that his father wouldn’t actually take Leon’s head off if he heard what had happened. So Arthur decides to test his theory one last time.
”Hey gauis” Arthur speaks up once gauis finally finishes wrapping Arthur’s arm
“Sire” Gauis murmurs
“could you do me a favor” Arthur swings his feet
“Of course” he asks suspicion leaking through his voice
”could you not bring this up to my father”Arthur asks sheepishly
“sire-“Gauis starts
”Please gauis i worry for what’ll he do to Leon if he finds out” Arthur pleads
Gauis is so shocked he forgets to respond
“Gauis” Arthur starts “please”
Twice he’s said please twice now this better work
“You have my word” Gauis blurts out
Arthur adds a “thank you” for good measure and heads out
Gauis fears Arthur has hit he’s head and is suffering for something far worst then a broken arm
3. Morgana
Morgana loves him like a sister loves her brother.
She likes to think he feels the same about her evens if he won’t admit that.
Like all sisters she lectures him about his manners or lack of manners and like all brothers he ignores her.
Or at least that’s what she thought.
”Morgana” Arthur singsongs into her room
”No” She immediately shuts him down
Arthur’s frowns “I didn’t even ask you anything”
“No” She turns her head in his direction “But you were going to”
He shrugs “and I still am”
Morgana smiles “and I’m still going to say no”
”No point in not trying” Arthur claps his hands
She huffs in annoyance out loud but she thinks about the fact he will not go down without a fight and loves that about him.
”Okay I need you to cover for me”Arthur starts
“Whatever for” She tilts her head.
He flops on her bed “I can’t go to the dinner tonight”
She narrows her eyes in suspicion “And why is that”
He lifts his arm. his broken arm. how did she not realize his arm was broken?
”what happened” She asks concern leaking into her voice
He sighs “me and Kay conceived Leon to take us to the cave my father told us not to go to broke my arm and now I’m trying to save Leon’s life so my father can’t find out.”
Morgana doubts the king would kill Leon maybe stocks but she finds it sweets he’s caring for someone other then himself so she doesn’t mention it.
“Surely gauis would tell you father what has happened “Morgana points out
Arthur sits up and shakes his head “no I’ve convinced him not to tell so now all I need is to get through tonight without him seeing so I can convince father tomorrow that it happened during training.” He explains his plan
Morgana blinks “You convinced gauis” she repeats in shocked
”don’t sound so shocked I am to be king I have skills” he defends him self
Morgana “oh yeah convince me then because right now I don’t really know if I want to help”She crosses her arm and leans against a bed poll she’ll definitely help but she wanted to see how low he’ll go to get it.
”I’ll do anything” straight to the point okay.
”Anything?” She asks
Arthur nods
”You’ll even say please” she tease she doesn’t except him to nod yes
”really?” She says in disbelief
“Yes really” he mocks her tone
”okay then do it” She claps her hands. She know he won’t he would never-
“Please Morgana” Arthur says
Morgana blinks “what”
Arthur sighs in annoyance “What do you mean what I said what you wanted, now will you cover for me.”
Morgana still isn’t sure this isn’t some dream but she’s nod her head yes anyway.
”Thank you” And he leaves.
Shes so lost in the please it isn’t until halfway through dinner she realized he said thank you.
4.Gwen
Arthur realizes Gwen was right. He probably should say please and thank you more.
But if he said it all the time he couldn’t use it against people. He knows he shouldn’t Leon.but sometimes its what he needed to get what he wanted.
So he’ll have to find a way to continue to doing that and not have Gwen hate him in the process.
He’s been pacing for 30 minutes when he finally thinks of something.
He has to tell her.
Arthur Walks right into her house and spits out why please and thank you haven’t been his most said words.
She stares at him.
”Gwen listen I now it sounds bad but I don’t use it for terrible terrible things it’s small things and sometimes I need a break and a cover up and just asking doesn’t cut it”Arthur explains
Out of all the things she could have said
”Your smarter then people give you credit for”
Is not what he expected
”what” he says then “people think I’m dumb” Arthur realize what she meant”
Gwen look horrified “no no that’s not what I meant.”
Arthur frowns “then what did you mean.”
“Your smart of course your smart it’s just some of your brains lean more into certain situations this type of thinking isn’t top of your list.”
Arthur narrows his eyes
Gwen waves a hand “don’t worry about it”
Arthur laughs “this will be on my mind for the rest of the day but that’s no important I swear I’ll say please and thank to you more and anyone else you genuinely deserves it just please don’t tell anyone else.
Gwen smiles “your secrets safe with me”
Arthur smiles back “thank you” and he leaves
5. Knights of the round table
Merlin doesn’t think Arthur even realize he says it.
Not just because it’s something so unArthur like to say but because he’s running on a hour of sleep and the task he asked didn’t require a please in his opinion.
He can tell the knights think the same thing by the look of shock on their face but they all immediately say yes sire and bow their heads
What has to be the most shocking is the fact that gwaine is part of the Shocked yes sires and bows but Leon of all people aren’t.
Strange.
Arthur dismisses everyone and there off.
Leon and Merlin stay behind.
”You said please.” Leon says before Merlin can (really what is going on) although he doesn’t say it how Merlin would no.
He says it like there’s something else there like there’s something bigger then just arthur finally using manners because of course it’s not.
“Did I?” Arthur Shoots up like he just accidentally did magic in-front of the whole of Camelot
“better be more careful.”Leon warns like he really did do magic
Maybe Arthur did and Merlin’s just went into such deep shock that his brain blocked it out.
Merlin tries to feel any magic Arthur might have but after feeling the very few lingering bits from his birth and the protection spells Merlin put on his chainmail there’s nothing there so it can’t be magic.
Then Merlin wonders why are they acting like it was.
+1Merlin
merlins acting strange Arthur thinks to himself.
Well no Merlin’s always acting strange though this past week he’s been acting stranger then usual.
Every since the meeting it’s like Merlin’s been waiting for Arthur to say something.
Arthur’s been listing things off he could have possibly forgotten to tell him and his most recent conclusion is that Merlin’s birthday had come up and Arthur’s forgotten.
Arthur swore it was two months from now but he’s been so busy maybe he lost track of time and it’s came faster then he thought.
Arthur hates to admit it but he feels awful Merlin never forgot anything as important as a birthday and Arthur had.
He’s an awful friend.
He decided he wanted to make it up to him the best way he could think of without making a complete fool of himself.
First he gathered some gold and asks to have a purple tunic made.
After he got it made he wraps it in cloth with a drawing he once drew of Merlin (gods he hopes Merlin doesn’t laugh).
And when everything is wrapped and ready his march’s to gauis chambers to give his best mate a gift and a day off.
He knocks and Merlin answers.
”Arthur!” Merlin yelps “what are you doing here?, have I forgotten to do something?”
Arthur shakes his head “you always forget to do something but that’s not why I’m here”
Merlin frowns “then why are you here”
Arthur points inside “can I come in”
Merlin pushes the door open “right sorry”
Arthur shifts on a foot “I’m sorry.”
Merlin frown deepens “for what.”
Okay he was going to make him say it great “I swear I didn’t mean to it’s just time went by faster then I thought and-“ Arthur shoves the gift in his hand “I’m sorry”
Merlin looks at the wrapped cloth in his hand “what’s this”
”Open it” Arthur tells him
Merlin does as he told and looks over at Arthur in shock “Arthur what-“
Arthur rubs his hand against his neck”I know it can’t make up for what I did but I hope it can be a start”
“Arthur you still haven’t told me what is it exactly that you’ve done” Merlin reminds him softly
Arthur looks confused “you know your birthday”
Its Merlin’s turned to look confused “what about it”
”what about it “ Arthur says in a high pitch voice “merlin I forgot”
“well it’s two months from now so there’s your reminder you didn’t have to give me this shirt though you could have just asked.” merlin shrugs
Arthur sigh in relief “oh thank god”
”what” Merlin lifts the shirt sees the drawing and freezes
“I had thought I had forgot but I knew it was two months from now you were just being so strange I thought I forget something and-“Arthur stops and realizes Merlin had just been standing and staring at the table “Merlin?”
Merlin makes a sound of acknowledgment
“you okay?” Arthur says slowly
Merlin turns around with the drawing “who drew this”
Arthur eyes grow wide “right forget about that I was feeling bad and I don’t really like sharing my art but I thought you deserved that if I was a forgetful ass and I’ll take it back now”
Merlin blinks “you drew this.” Merlin tears up
Arthur eyes widen more “yes though it may not be the best but I think tears may be a bit much”
Merlin laughs a light and joyful thing and smiles down at the paper.
The drawing showed Merlin by a fire next to a faceless figure (Leon Merlin recalls who was sitting next to him that day )smiling eyes sparkling a drink in his hand.
He hand caught Arthur looking that night he thought he was feeling bad about what was to come. Merlin remembers wishing he knew exactly what was going through Arthur’s head and how he was seeing things.
He knows now.
”You see me like this” Merlin whispers.
”What are you talking about Merlin that’s just you everyday.” Arthur shrugs like he didn’t just make Merlin’s year over a silly mistake.
Merlin doesn’t know what to say
“Arthur it’s beautiful thank you”He lands on
Arthur eyes soften “anytime and thank you” Replies so softly Merlin might melt
Merlin would do anything Arthur asks just to have him say thank you like that again.
“Oh gods”Merlin comes to the realization of the reason of any of this happened in the first place.
Arthur stands up straighter “what”
”you use manners to get what you want don’t you” Merlin can’t stop himself from saying
Arthur jolts like he’s been caught “What!”
Merlin laughs “You do”
Arthur turns to leave “no no I don’t
Merlin laughs again as he makes his escape
Before he leaves Arthur turns around “don’t tell anyone”
…
…
“please” he adds
And Merlin isn’t immune
“Of course not” he tell him softly
“Thanks you” Arthur replies in the same tone from earlier and shuts the door.
And as Merlin realized earlier he’d continue to do anything His other half asked if he was thanked like that.