Disclaimer: I don't own BBC "Merlin" or anything to deal with the Arthurian legends. I'm just here to write slashy smuttiness lmfao
Warnings: OOCness, Grammar mistakes, Gaylord, MxM, Slash, Guys loving each other...intimately (not right now tho lol), bottom!Merlin, Top!Arthur, oblivious!Merlin, Pervy(yet still in denial)!Arthur, probably spoilers
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Chapter 2: Tell Me More (As I Hold You Close)
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Merlin shivered as they made their way towards Arthur's horse; a war stallion strong, fast and majestic just like his owner. Merlin felt a slight weight across his shoulders, red fabric that he recognised as Arthur's cloak covering him completely instantly warming him from the cold wind.
Arthur smoothly saddled himself upon his horse and stared down at Merlin with his held out towards the warlock; Merlin looked confused (adorably so the prince thought) before an expression of surprise came as Arthur reached out to grasp the boy's shoulders to pull him closer then slipping an arm around Merlin's waist, effortlessly hauling the younger male to sit sideways in front of him. Arthur chuckled as Merlin clumsily grabbed onto his bicep, trying not to fall, he kept his arm around Merlin to keep the slender youth steady.
"Ever the clumsy one, aren't you Merlin?" Arthur teased lightly, ignoring the usual insults Merlin threw his way. He took hold of the reins and steered his horse into a slow trot, he was in no hurry to return to Camelot quite yet, he wanted this moment between them just Merlin and Arthur to take in all the information he learnt in the last hour and categorised them into proper slots inside his mind. He glanced down at Merlin leaning against his chest, eye's closed and facials soften into innocence.
Arthur smiled at the sleeping warlock, without thinking clearly he laid a gentle kiss upon Merlin's forehead then quickly removed his lips, thanking his lucky stars that Merlin didn't wake up and that there wasn't anyone around to witness his lapse of sanity...Arthur eyed his surroundings suspiciously, he noted an owl staring unblinking at him like he somehow offended the bird by doing something indecent; which he didn't, all he did was leave a small kiss on Merlin's forehead, that's it! Apparently that's the case as another owl came along to add another accusing stare his way.
In fact that's not all that happened, there was an eagle (It glared at him every time he touched Merlin), he's allowed to touch his manservant whenever and wherever which is not an innuendo and a few hawks (that would dive down and nuzzle Merlin's cheek affectionately without waking the warlock), a cluster of tiny birds tweeting which for some odd reasons sounded like they were singing "Arthur and Merlin, in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"Dear god, I think I'm going crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if Merlin casted a spell to prank me." Arthur mumbled, narrowing his eye's at the different birds following them. It must be Merlin's magic unconsciously calling to the flighty creatures.
"Arthur..."
The older blond stiffened as he heard his friend whisper his name as if it were a prayer feeling Merlin cuddle deeper into his embrace. Was Merlin awake?
"M'sorry...don't...hate me..."
Arthur's heart twinged at the aching sorrow of Merlin's sleepy mumblings. He quietly shushed the boy by tightening his hold and once more kissing his young friend's forehead, totally ignoring the flock of birds twittering behind him. No one but he and the flying balls of fluffs will know of this softer side he shows for Merlin when there's no witnesses. He can let his guard down for a couple minutes before he becomes Prince Arthur (with royal responsibilities again) when they reach Camelot.
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The warmth from the fire heated the lavish room in a golden-orange light combined with dimly lit candles, casting shadows across the strong figure of prince Arthur leaning against the bedpost observing his manservant sitting still and silent.
It wasn't often or normal that Merlin was this quiet. Arthur has always seen the boy as vibrant and full of charm and chatter.
Moving away he stepped towards Merlin, towering over the smaller body of his warlock. He knelt behind the younger male and pulled Merlin onto his lap, the boy fitting perfectly in his embrace and he won't admit to anyone but himself that he quite liked having his friend in his arms as long as there were no others around them. He almost forgot that Merlin was still half naked underneath his cloak...which he'll ignore for now.
'He barely weighs anything.' Arthur worriedly thought, he needs to feed Merlin more meat. He placed his lips near Merlin's ear, softly commanding the younger to tell him everything, to leave nothing out. He wanted to know everything the warlock has done for him with magic.
"I was born with magic. I didn't learn it like other sorcerers do. I've lost count how many times I've used it to protect you or do my chores when I'm late in attending you." Merlin whispered, eye's fixated on the flames upon the hearth.
"Magic to me is instinctive, alive and beautiful so when I don't use it freely, it makes me ill. It's a part of me, something I've lived with all my life." He leaned back comfortably onto Arthur's broad chest, raising a palm upwards to summon a monarch butterfly that turned into golden sparks of light before it became a white rose that he held gently in his hand. He heard his prince murmuring how lovely it was.
"Magic is neither good nor evil. It is the wielder's intent that makes it so for magic can be either wonderful or destructive. It's an amazing and horrifying gift to have that at times I feel overwhelmed and wonder why it was me, just a village boy Merlin, who was borne with this power and destiny."
He brought the rose closer to his face, fingers tracing the petals as he remembered the troubling effort he put into hiding his powers; why have this substantial amount of almost limitless magic if he couldn't use it to help people? What was the point? He'd thought when he was younger.
"Mama said it was a blessing, but that I must hide it, keep it safe and never tell anyone. I was four years old when she told me that. I learnt earlier on that it was better to act the fool, to be...ignorant, an idiot I guess. It was easier that way." Merlin said sadly, always a secret he had to keep under lock and key, always hiding but never seeking; it was maddening and heartbreaking to be the one stuck at a crossroad of telling the truth that would sooner get him burned at the pyre or continuing to lie so he could stay alive and protect the prince and his friends (who felt like family to him.)
So lie he did. Lie, lie, lie...until it became too much for him that he left the castle late at night thinking no one, especially Arthur (who he thought was still sleeping), had followed him.
Lo and behold, like a shining beacon of hope and justice stood his prince, master and best friend. Soon the truth came tumbling forwards. He couldn't hide what Arthur so blatantly saw openly, it was terrifying, freeing and emotional to finally let go.
"I don't know much about my father Balinor or being a Dragonlord, there's no books about them...since my father's death I've tried to learn about my heritage yet it's hard as I'm supposed to have been taught by him and we know how spectacularly well that went." Merlin chuckled darkly, feeling Arthur's arms tightening around him.
"A warlock and a Dragonlord. I'm more of freak than I already am. A monster." He felt limp, tired as he was spun to face the angered visage of his prince. Arthur glared and growled at him, "You are not a freak or a monster. You are Merlin, a clumsy, kind manservant who is my friend."
Arthur frowned further when Merlin looked away, he didn't like it. Not at all.
He gripped Merlin's legs to wrap them securely round his waist as he stood, his hold tight as he brought them to his bed pushing Merlin to lay back; his hands kept the warlock from trying to escape.
"Arthur-"
"You don't believe me? That's fine, you'll learn soon enough, but you shan't ever go anywhere unless I give you permission to. You are not leaving this bed Merlin until I'm certain you understand that you are not a monster, not to me. You're much too-" Arthur paused meaningfully as words of lovely, beautiful, alluring, enticing crossed his mind and knew it was something one would say to a maiden or princess not a...male servant who was just a friend.
"-sweet. You're so damn sweet, that I can't help but call you a girl sometimes." He smirked at the affronted stare Merlin threw at him, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders as his manservant griped on and on about him being a prat, a brute, a huge clotpole; to which Arthur is sure Merlin made up the word.
The rose Merlin conjured earlier found its way into his grasp, neatly he placed it behind Merlin's ear momentarily struck at the pleasant picture the younger male made; silky black strands, trusting blue eye's and sharp cheekbones with lips so pink Arthur wondered if they were as soft as they seem. His gaze trailed down the long neck of unblemished skin, it was weird seeing Merlin without a neckerchief yet at the same time it was...it was nice?
Shaking his head lightly he continued on, then he stopped. Merlin's bare chest with pink and perky nipples and slim stomach, completely hairless and all smooth. What a sight it was to witness Merlin vulnerable and so open in his red pendragon cloak, spread out upon his bedsheets that a tiny slither of possessiveness swelled up inside him. Arthur was pleased to see this side of Merlin. Once again ignoring any deeper meaning to why he felt possessive over his manservant...and no, he didn't want to pinch or fondle Merlin's teats. No matter how much he kind of wanted to.
Did he mention he was NOT a pervert? He's an honourable prince of solid conviction. He wouldn't, would never think of despoiling Merlin or wanting to do naughty things to the warlock.
'But...his nipples are begging to be sucked and teased.' Arthur despaired as he glared intensely at Merlin's cute nips.
"Um...Arthur? Could you, could you get your face away from my chest? I really want to get some sleep if you're not allowing me to leave your bed."
Arthur blinked confusedly, now noticing his lips was extremely close to mouthing Merlin's nipples. How on earth did that happen!? He blushed, horrified at his body's traitorous reaction and quickly removed himself from Merlin.
Coughing into his fist, he turned to grab some night clothes from his mahogany wardrobe across the room, he needed a distraction...or better self-control. He'll definitely wake up early and train harder tomorrow because training is good. Training won't require thinking. Training good, thinking bad.
Very bad. So much bad.
'Dear Gods, I think I'm turning into a caveman.' Arthur quietly groaned, there must be something strange in the air tonight that's got him acting unusual around Merlin.
Behind the screen he dressed into cotton pants only, he usually sleeps shirtless, with a shirt he knows fits him perfectly yet probably won't on Merlin same goes for the trousers. He walked closer to Merlin handing over his spare night clothes.
"It's the smallest I could find, and no I'm not fat Merlin."
Arthur glared halfheartedly at the impish grin he received. It was nicer, much better to see Merlin smiling again, that his shoulders relaxed in relief.
"Wouldn't think of it sire." Merlin said cheekily, undoing the cloak before unlacing his trousers oblivious to the heated stare of his master. Arthur gulped at the porcelain skin and those hip bones as it revealed themselves; he needs to look away 'but why? We're both males' his thoughts trailed off. He should...he should do something.
Arthur turned around to give Merlin privacy, thankful that he had enough restraint and decency from wanting to do what any young virile man would do when faced with a lovely image.
'Not that I would actually do anything to Merlin. I mean he's pretty for a boy, but I wouldn't. I like girls, only girls, Merlin's kind of like a girl-' Arthur inwardly grimaced. Sleep. He needs sleep, badly. Feeling a small tug on his hand he faced Merlin and wished he hadn't.
Merlin stood in his white shirt it covered the boy's upper body nicely if just a bit loosely however that is not the reason why Arthur was silently cursing the Gods and probably Merlin as well for being naive and adorable.
His manservant was only wearing the shirt no pants whatsoever...leaving those creamy long legs bare and Arthur wanted to touch them. If he didn't know Merlin was a male he'd think it was a woman with him. Why isn't Merlin wearing the pants he gave him!? Those legs should be illegal, they could trap an unsuspecting (but most definitely willing) victim. They really should. Same goes for those cute expressions Merlin makes when frustrated and those pretty pink teats that no man should have yet Merlin's are exactly that and Arthur's not obsessed with them.
Seriously. He isn't. Nor is it denial that he is.
Did he mention he has honour and a reputation to uphold and that he's a prince? Yes...a prince. Not a pervy man with lecherous thoughts about his manservant, no not he.
"Arthur? Am I sleeping with you?"
Arthur's mind went blank. Sleep? Sleeps good and safe. Sleeping with Merlin...on his bed? Dangerous. But for whom? His sanity (and Merlin's virginity) that's what. It's not like he's never slept bedside Merlin...he's never slept bedside his manservant on his bed, that's the difference.
'I can do this. I am the prince of Camelot, a great huntsman and a knight that has disciplined himself in the art of battle, hunting and tactical manoeuvres. I've trained both body and mind to handle unexpected situations, this is just another one.' Arthur repeated this phrase over and over in his mind as he slipped under the covers with Merlin next to him.
The firelight gone though the moonbeams streaked through the windows, highlighting the features of Merlin who instantly fell asleep. Arthur on the other hand was still awake, watching Merlin breathe in and out in slumber. Was it creepy to stare at Merlin while the younger was sleeping? Probably. Arthur sighed and laid down.
Tomorrow he has training. Hopefully that will keep him preoccupied so he won't think of his best friend's blushing cheeks and...he couldn't wait until this night was over.
Training is good. Training doesn't need thinking.
"Arthurrr." A sleepy murmur from Merlin's lips. Arthur thought Merlin sounded cute (and sexy rolling the 'R's in his name).
"Yes?"
"Go the fuck to sleep."
A/N: Can you feeeeellll the looooovvveeee tonight? Lol Aww, I always knew that Arthur, deep down inside him hid a super perv that only Merlin, sweet sweet Merlin could bring to the surface lol.
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