Chapter 1

Merlin studied the curve of Arthurs back, watching his shoulders rise and fall with his deep breathing. Merlin loved the way each exhale rippled down his spine. He wanted to run his fingers down it, feel the smooth texture of his skin. He didn't want to wake him; he really didn't want to wake him. As creepy as it was for him to watch Arthur sleeping it was the only time when he could study him shamelessly. He could study each little imperfection. Each tight bulging muscle. The tiny blonde hairs running down his neck. He just couldn't touch. And if there was anything he enjoyed more than these few moments watching Arthur every morning... it was touching Arthur. The way his fingers skimmed his shoulders as he tighten his breast plate before training. The velvet softness of his neck as he trimmed his hair once a month. Merlin sighed feeling a twitch in his breaches.

"Arthur!" Merlin shouted walking over to Arthur's wardrobe to starting taking his clothes out, sad that his fun was over.

Arthur stirred restlessly, "Hmm..." he groaned flopping his body over so he was lying on his back.

Merlin glanced quickly over his shoulder. The prince's eyes were still closed. Merlin knew from experience in the next few seconds he would be fast asleep again. "Arthur! Get up."

"Shhh Merlin," Arthurs mumbled, "I'm trying to sleep."

"Yes and I'm trying to get you up!" Merlin sighed moving back over to the bed reaching out and giving a good tug on Arthurs arm, "Up you get!"

Arthur opened his eyes lazily then, squinting up at Merlin who was still holding his arm. Merlin blushed dropping it quickly and rushed back over to the wardrobe.

"You have a hunting trip to get to today." Merlin informed him pulling out Arthurs usual hunting gear and placing in on the table.

"Oh yes..." Arthur yawned finally clambering out of bed. He came over to where Merlin was standing, stretching his body out as he leaned against the wardrobe crossing his arms over his chest. Merlin tried to ignore the amazing things that did for his biceps. "You'll be coming along too." He stated.

Merlin was taken aback, "but...I thought you wanted me mucking out the stables today?"

"Nope. I want you by my side today." Merlin tried to hide his smile, but he still felt his cheeks burn. "I'll need your help."

"With what?" Merlin asked and his mind quickly drifted to all sorts of dirty things. He felt a hard twitch in his breaches for the second time.

"You'll see..." Arthur smirked flashing his irresistible grin over his shoulder as he went over to where Merlin had laid out his clothes. Merlin's whole face reddened. Now get over here and dress me." Merlin secretly imagined Arthur placing 'un' in front of dress and just how much that would change the command.

Merlin did as he asked. Taking his time and making sure he was doing everything right, yet his fingers worked quickly and he kept having to slow down-just so he could saver the feel of his hands working all over Arthurs strong body. He was just adjusting Arthurs breaches when, completely by mistake (he would never have the guts to do it purposefully) his fingers brushed against Arthurs bulge and then so quietly he wasn't sure if had imagined it or not but Arthur let out a small groan. Merlin froze. So did Arthurs. Merlin couldn't rap his mind around what had just happened! He had just touched Arthur and Arthur had, well...liked it. Merlin heart was beating furiously in his chest and he slowly rose, coming face to face with Arthur. Their eyes locked. And if Merlin wasn't mistake there was the tiniest, smallest glint of desire in Arthurs sky blue eyes.

Merlin looked away quickly and Arthur followed suit. A long thick silence followed. To Merlin's relief Arthur broke it just before Merlin exploded with his own strange mix of desire and embarrassment. "What are you waiting for? Get on with it then."

For a second Merlin though Arthur meant the groin touching but then his sense clicked in to place and he hurried about quickly getting Arthurs ready for the hunt.