merlin hcs
ask: Do you have any headcannons of Merlin growing his hair out all curly and everyone in the castle collectively loose their minds
- If you want a mental image, I’ve got you. Take this and this and this and enjoy. :3
- Like the grandpa he is, Gaius teases Merlin for it every morning. He ruffles his hair, mumbles something about being thankful while you have it, and sends him out the door with a tsk.
- It only takes a day or two for it go from subtle waves to quite noticeable, especially when Gaius makes him a shampoo better fit for the curly aspect. It wasn’t really an intentional choice on Merlin’s end, just happenstance from being busy and letting it do what it wants. This also meant he was starting to get slight stubble around his jaw, born from laziness about shaving.
- This switch also happened to fall on a rare weekend where Merlin didn’t really see anyone. Arthur was gone for business and Merlin took the weekend off.
- Gwen says something about it first, crossing him in the halls and stopping him to gently ruffle his hair and go, “Well aren’t you handsome, why have you been hiding this?” to which Merlin blushes (not used to compliments) and waves it off. Gwen continues down the hall, but calls back over her shoulder, “Make sure to ask the knights what they think!”
- Merlin also passes a couple ladies from town who, in no uncertain fashion, stare for long enough that even he notices.
- When he wakes Arthur up by yanking the curtains open and throwing an orange in his direction, Arthur doesn’t notice. Too blinded by sleep and sun and stress. It’s not until after he’s changed and emerges from behind the divider that his gaze flickers to Merlin and he pauses.
- Merlin makes a face, “What? Don’t be thinking about throwing something at me.” Arthur looks away, but doesn’t move, “Nothing, you changed your hair.” Having genuinely forgotten, Merlin pauses, “Oh- I suppose I did. Is that….a problem?” Arthur rolls his eyes, “Why would that be a problem Merlin? I doubt anything can worsen your servant skills any more than their current-,” He’s cut off by Merlin throwing his shoes full speed at him.
- When they run into the knights in the armory, Merlin keeps remembering Gwen’s comment about what they would think. He decides not to say anything, but it doesn’t matter because the second they go outside and the sunlight hits them, Gwaine clocks him immediately.
- “Woah, hold up! You did something, fess up!” Merlin groans but smiles despite himself, “C’mon, don’t do this-,” Percival cuts him, “He’s right though! You’re all rugged now.” He lowered his voice when he said rugged and Merlin and Arthur both make a grossed-out expression. As Elyan opens his mouth to agree, Merlin surrenders, “I grew out my hair a little bit, it got wavy, can we move on now?”
- Gwaine wolf-whistles and the knights burst into laughter. Arthur rolls his eyes and gestures with his sword, “Can we get back to training?” Lancelot grins, “What, are you upset we think Merlin looks nice?” Arthur shoots him a very pointed glare and gestures everyone out into the field.
- Later that evening, Morgana comes to visit Arthur while Merlin’s getting dinner set up. She goes to wave a quick hello but pauses upon seeing him, “Merlin! Your hair looks lovely.” He grins bashfully, “Thanks.” Arthur groans, “Doesn’t anyone in this castle have anything better to do than pay attention to Merlin’s hair?” Morgana shrugs, “Do you not like it?” Arthur stiffens slightly, “I didn’t say- I just don’t care about it.” Gesturing vaguely around, Morgana continues, “It’s not a crime to think he looks nice Arthur, everyone in this castle thinks he looks nice. You’d be crazy not too.”