I’m such a slut for Arthur occasionally catching a glimpse of Merlin’s darker side. A calculating glint to those guileless blue eyes, a measured cunning on that impish face, a touch of venom in that warm voice. Flashes of a fierce intelligence, of hidden cleverness, of sharp insight, of wisdom beyond his years. Never momentous enough to comment on, but enough to stick in Arthur’s mind, enough to drive him to distraction on nights he can’t sleep, wondering what secrets his maddeningly obtuse servant is hiding, wondering why he plays the fool when clearly he’s capable of being more. I think Arthur should be obsessed with Merlin not just as the bumbling friend who needs protection but also the cunning little freak Arthur knows he secretly is















