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[pratentious]

[This time, the recording starts with a long, drawn out sigh. Then, surprisingly, it's still Merlin's voice that rattles off the voicemail in tones of long-suffering.]

Hello, you've reached King Arthur Pr--Pendragon. He isn't here to answer your call because he's incredibly important and busy. If you leave a message here with me, I'll make sure he gets it because I am a good servant--and friend-- [he adds the last bit in a rush, accompanied with a thwap!, an 'ow!' and an 'I heard that,' then forces the rest of the words out through gritted teeth] and will do anything my master asks of me.

[A couple seconds pass, then Merlin speaks again, this time sounding a bit further away, like he isn't speaking into the bracelet anymore.] There, happy now? If you ask me, the other one is still better-- Shut up, Merlin. It's time to do yours next. Wait, what --

[ click! ]

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[dragonspeak]

You mean you haven't fathomed me out yet?

[The pseudo teasing smile drops as Arthur says his next words, and Merlin shakes his head.]

Don't--I told you: you don't need to apologise.

[Apologising means Arthur making a big deal out of what had happened, and Merlin doesn't want that. It's been two years, he's put it behind him, and he doesn't want to look back (too often). He's made too many mistakes, and he spends too much time considering those "what ifs" on his own without Arthur bringing them up, too.]