Title: Tourniquet

Fandom: Merlin (BBC)

Pairing: Merlin/Arthur

Notes/Disclaimer: I don't own anything you see here, unfortunately. All owned by BBC/Shine, and their respective such and such blah blah. Originally written for a prompt table over on Livejournal!

It came at the strangest times, the urge to touch. Arthur was naked more than anyone Merlin had ever known, for baths or to change clothes or to go to bed or to simply walk around with his shirt off. Merlin wouldn't even cast a second glance, or give it a second thought.

But then there were times like this, when Arthur was simply at his best. Sweat beaded on his brow as he panted heavily, sword in hand, rips in his tunic, a trace of blood on his face from some unknown wound. It took everything within Merlin not to reach out and touch him. Anywhere, in any way besides helping him put on his armour. Just to feel the princes' skin beneath his fingertips would satisfy him, and then maybe he could do his job without tripping and stumbling over ever little thing.

Maybe then he could function properly without stopping to fantasise.

"Merlin!"

Merlin snapped to attention, blue eyes meeting blue as he looked at Arthur, "What?"

"Help me." Arthur growled. He was shirtless yet again, having removed his tunic and chest plate, and he was holding his arm out, where his opponents blade had come in contact with his bicep and left an open wound.

"Right. Sorry." Merlin quickly made a tourniquet and rushed to help the prince, knowing that the sooner he got the wound covered, the sooner Arthur could get back to battle. Merlin wrapped the tourniquet around the wound gently, and then tied it off. He laid hand on Arthur's bare shoulder, felt the warm skin and the tensed muscles beneath, and he felt a lump form in his throat. Merlin coughed slightly, "Too tight?"

"No." Arthur grumbled. He stretched his arm several times, then nodded, and looked at Merlin, "I honestly would like to know where you keep your head at, Merlin."

Merlin grinned, and with his hand still on the princes' shoulder, said, "Trust me, you wouldn't."