Carry on my Wayward Servant
Chapter 2: To Kiss a Prince
The next morning found Merlin walking nervously towards the young Pendragon's chambers. He didn't want to face him after last night, as a matter of fact he wasn't sure he ever wanted to face him again. Not only was he insanely embarrassed that he had pretty much dry humped the prince in the bathtub, or he supposed in this case it would be wet humped, but he was also pissed by how Arthur had all but dismissed what they had done as nothing, talking to him as he would the mud on the bottom of his shoes.
He had laid awake all night, well of course he hadn't just lain there the whole night. First he had made sure to get himself off, cursing himself as Arthur's face was the only thing he seemed to find remotely sexually appealing. He pictured kissing him, touching the prince, having Arthur's cock buried deep inside him. He paused outside the door, blushing a scarlet red at where his thoughts had led him yet again. He really needed to snap out of this.
Taking a deep breath, Merlin shut his eyes and stepped into the Prince's chambers, slowly opening them only to see that Arthur was glowering at him from the bed. "You're late Merlin, as per usual." He snapped grumpily, Arthur never was sunshine and rainbows in the morning. As a matter of fact Arthur was never sunshine and rainbows.
"I'm sorry Sire, I overslept." He kept his eyes downcast, fiddling from one foot to another as he pleaded with his mind for Arthur to put him out of his misery and dismiss him.
"Over exerted yourself, did you?" Arthur asked, voice such a tease that it made Merlin's head snap up, seeing Arthur sitting up on his elbows on the bed. A smirk was covering his face, and the look he was giving him sent a tremor down his spine. That combined with the mussed up hair from sleep, and the fact that Arthur wasn't wearing a shirt was enough to make his mouth run dry.
"Yes..." Merlin swallowed, placing the tray of good onto the table. "May I be excused?"
"You may not." Arthur teased, his eyes smoldering in the same way from last night. "Come here Merlin, I have a special task designed solely for you." He didn't like the way Arthur was looking at him, and he hadn't forgotten how callous he had been the night before.
"Why do I feel like I won't like this task?" Merlin growled, walking over regardless. He sighed as Arthur's hand came out, clasping the back of his thigh as he rubbed it.
"Relax Merlin, you look like a scared kitten." He used the leverage he had on his leg to pull him forward. "My shoulder is sore, usually I soak in a bath...but then you know why that didn't work." He beckoned him closer, his knee now hitting the bed. "Rub it for me." It wasn't a question, it never was with Arthur, the very air he breathed spoke of commands.
Merlin felt himself nodding before he could even think of why he shouldn't listen to this request. He always did everything the prince asked after all. Arthur pulled on his leg, and Merlin allowed himself to be led onto the bed, crawling in behind Arthur so that the Pendragon was practically sitting inbetween his legs. Merlin's mind was far away and hazy by this point, allowing for his shaky hands to touch Arthur's bare back, tracing up the curved muscles of his spine, feeling the other breathing underneath his fingertips. His skin was warm and invited as he splayed out his fingers, rubbing them up the prince's back to come to rest on his shoulder blades, one hand on either side of his neck.
"Which shoulder hurts my Lord?" He asked, breath dancing against Arthur's earlobe. When exactly had they gotten so close?
"The right one." He said back, and it could have been his imagination, but it seemed like Arthur was leaning in to him a little too much for just a shoulder rub. Merlin nodded, only half realizing that the blond wouldn't be able to see him as he began to kneed his fingers into the tense muscles, feeling under his hands how Arthur became compliant, unease fading out of his back. "Very good Merlin...just like that."
He had been fine until then, or at least as fine as a person can be under such a situation, but once he heard those words, groaned out of Arthur's perfect throat, he felt himself harden, and he knew that in the position they were in, it wouldn't be that difficult for the Prince to realize it. "I'm sorry Sire." Merlin said, apologizing. His plan had been to apologize and then to let go of that tantalizing flesh, but only the first part happened.
"It's alright." Arthur said, turning around slowly to face Merlin, the magician's hands slipping to that they fell down the prince's side. "I'm quite aware you're attracted to me, I've known for awhile." Merlin gulped. "How many times have I told you Merlin?...You can't hide anything from me." He smirked. "It's adorable really, first you have eyes for Morgana...and now for me? At least you dream big." Merlin tried to get up to leave, but Arthur grabbed his wrists, pinning them to the bed. "I'd be happy to indulge you in your fantasies, once...you have been such a loyal servant after all." The Prince leaned in, obviously going to kiss him.
He didn't know how, but somehow he managed to free one of his hands, and then the resounding 'slap' was the only thing heard as it echoed frighteningly throughout the room. Merlin was on his feet, glaring daggers down at the prince who was holding his face in shock. "How dare you! How dare you talk to me like that! You can't just talk to me like that because you think I'm lower than you! You arrogant, self centered prat! I would rather die than be your pity fuck!" He yelled, spinning on his heel and slamming the door behind him, missing the shocked look covering Arthur's face as he did.
The utter nerve of that bastard! How could he talk to him like that? He wasn't some toy of his! "Oh Merlin let me complete your fantasies!" He mocked. "As if that stupid prat could!" He was probably overcompensating for himself by being such an ass. Yes, that was it! Arthur was obviously just a terrible lay, and he was better off without ever knowing the experience.
He stomped back to his and Gaius's chambers, throwing the door open only to catch the man still having breakfast. "Please give me something to do!" That was one phrase he didn't think he had ever uttered out loud before. He was always so bogged down by work that he was normally pleading for a second of freedom.
"Is there something the matter Merlin?" Gaius asked, obviously not believing that he would ever willingly beg for work either. The old man scanned his face, doing that thing where Merlin knew he could see right through him. "Are you and the prince fighting again?"
Merlin scoffed, if only Gaius knew. "No. Not fighting, I'm just never speaking to that prat again for as long as I live. I don't care if he is my destiny, we will just have to have a shared destiny in silence!" He threw his hands up. "That's right! I'll become a monk and take a vow of silence, than I'll have a reason not to talk to him!" Gaius just nodded, rolling his eyes as he went back to his breakfast.
"So what did he do this time?" The man asked, and suddenly Merlin blushed.
"Nothing! He did nothing!" His eyes shifted around the room. "Don't you have anything for me to do? Deliveries, cleaning duties...idle hands are the devil's playground after all." He gave a laugh, rubbing the back of his head.
Gaius just stared at him, leaning forward a bit to grab at a potion, handing the blue vile to Merlin. "You can take this sleeping draft to Lady Morgana if you really wish to." Merlin gave a smile, nodding to the man before sweeping back out the door, grabbing a piece of bread from the table as he did and shoving it in his mouth.
He headed down the corridor, practically skipping to Morgana's room. This was just what he needed, a distraction that would allow him to forget all about Arthur and focus on something other than his libido. Not to say Morgana wasn't gorgeous and wouldn't make the thought of his libido come into question, but it was certainly less potent than say being straddled on top of someone in a bathtub thrusting against them.
Merlin paused, head tilting as the memories flooded his head. Obviously somebody out there hated him, because even just thinking about it made him fail at his task, and got his libido going all over again. "Stupid prat, with his stupid perfect skin, and his perfect hair, and his perfect body!" Merlin grumbled out loud, jumping almost seven feet in the air as his shoulder was tapped.
Merlin spun around, mouth hanging open in horror, expecting to see his Prince's face smirking triumphantly at him after just getting him to claim out loud, without any sort o coaxing, that he thought he was hot. To his immense relief it wasn't Arthur who tapped him on the shoulder, but it nevertheless was a shock to the system.
"Lancelot?" He asked, face full of surprise as he took in the visage of the knight. He seemed to have gone through some sort of ordeal. He was holding his arm, a long painful looking gash bled from shoulder to elbow, and not only that but his entire left eye was swollen shut and oozing puss from what looked to be one nasty bite. "Are you alright?: He asked, and once he started he couldn't stop himself. "What are you doing in Camelot? Wait, what are you doing in the castle? If the King finds you he'll have your head...literally." He paused in his tirade of questions, watching Lancelot's face swell even more. "Did something bite you?"
Lancelot reached out, placing his good arm on the magician's shoulders. "Merlin relax. It was a snake that attacked me, and I risked coming to Camelot and braving the castle walls to receive help to kill it."
"A snake did that to you!?" Merlin asked, eyes wide with disbelief as he once more took in the extent of the damage. "You sure got yourarse kicked." He said playfully, giving the would be knight a fond smile that he doubted he could even see through his injured eye.
Lancelot laughed, the warm sound warming the cold castle walls, and Merlin was sure all of its inhabitants. "It was a big snake...the biggest I've ever seen." He said, voice taking on a more serious tone. "I was traveling with a group of mercenaries when it cam upon us...the first few never knew what happened to them, the poor bastards. The rest it picked off one by one, I was the only one of ten to survive. The way it moved Merlin, it was almost too fast for the eyes to detect. I fear it was mere luck that I manged to escape with my life. If it wasn't for luck I'd be in the creature's belly like all the rest, slowly being digested into dust.
He couldn't help it, he gulped. "Well thank God you got away then."
"Indeed." Lancelot said, his face contorting in pain as he held his shoulder.
"Why come here though?" Do you want me to go fetch Arthur and his knights?" Merlin asked, regretting bringing up the knights the moment he saw the look of pain that crossed Lancelot's features, that he was sure only had part to do with his injuries.
"No, I don't think that will be necessary." The man said, almost a hint of bitterness in his voice. "I actually came for your help."
"My help?" Merlin asked, eyes scanning the room as he searched for people that could possibly be listening. If Lancelot had come asking for help than that must mean he was sure beyond a doubt that the thing could only be killed by magic.
"Come on Merlin, now's not the time to be coy." Lancelot replied, eyes giving him a knowing gaze.
"Believe me Lancelot, being coy is not one of Merlin's specialities...not that he has many of those mind you." Arthur joked, coming around the corner with suspicion laced across his features. "Now, why don't you tell me why you have come all the way to Camelot to beg help of my servant?" He said the word 'my' in almost a strangled hiss, which got Merlin to raise an eyebrow. He supposed he was still pissed from being slapped this morning. That would tend to take the jam out of anyone's donut.
Though Arthur's weird behavior could also have to do with suspicion. After all why would some renegade knight come to a kingdom he had been banished from to receive aid from a servant? Even Merlin had to admit that it posed quite a few questions. Merlin had one of his own, however.
"What are you doing here? Were you just skulking around the corner listening in? Does the Prince of Camelot have so little to do?" He had meant it in a joking way, but it didn't come out like that, and by the way Arthur's eyes narrowed to slits it would seem he hadn't taken it that way either.
"Gawain informed me the second he stumbled into town, and so I came in search of him. I had no idea he had wanted to see you. I had assumed he had come to see..." He trailed off, the name remaining unspoken on his lips. "And I suggest you have a little more respect for your prince in the future. It is after all little concern of yours what I choose to do with my time."
"You're right." Merlin sarcastically bit back with. "How could I have ever been so disrespectful...My Lord." Merlin glared at Arthur, meeting narrowed blue eyes as the prince glared right back. As a matter of fact it wasn't until Lancelot cleared his throat that either of them looked away. Merlin's head snapped to the side, coming into focus as if he'd been knocked out of a dream.
"I apologize Sire, I knew the guards would follow me to the castle, and it was not my intention to see Gwen." The name was painfully said, and Merlin noticed how it seemed to get both men to flinch...obviously it was somewhat of a sore subject. He couldn't stop the cold stab of jealousy just thinking about it, and then he shook his head, knowing he had no right. After all if Arthur wasn't allowed to be with Gwen because she was a servant, than he certainly wouldn't be allowed a tryst with him...at least Gwen was a girl.
Arthur gave a sigh, looking out the castle window. "She will be disappointed, I'm sure."
"As will I, but I'm afraid now is not the time for such things. I rode here as quickly as I could, but the creature is now probably less than a days ride from Camelot. I fear what would happen if it broke into the city walls."
"So you came to enlist the aid of my incompetent manservant?" Arthur asked in distaste. "No, you're right that makes perfect sense." Sarcasm dropped from his lips as he stared suspiciously between the two. "I want the truth."
"The truth?" Merlin asked, stalling as he racked his brain for some kind of an answer. "The truth is that..."
"I needed the care of a physician." Lancelot lied, and Merlin let out a sigh he hadn't even been aware he was holding. Unfortunately, the skeptic look did not drop from Arthur's face.
"So you came to Merlin? The idiot can't even manage to keep a plant alive." Merlin hung his head, not bothering to deny it, or point out that he had saved the man in question more times than he could even count.
"The creature is very dangerous. I could not risk asking Gaius to leave the castle. I thought maybe Merlin could help since he has trained under him. I also knew he was close to you so he could warn you to be on guard without alerting too much suspicion." Merlin's mouth gaped open until he was sure a pair of flies had made a nice home inside. He couldn't help it, he was impressed with Lancelot's keen ability to come up with a breathtaking lie on the spot. It was certainly better than he ever managed. If he had been left to his own devices he'd probably be in the stocks right now.
"Well...that's...reasonable, I suppose." Arthur finally admitted, though he didn't look exactly thrilled about it. "Though I can't just send an injured warrior and a bumbling idiot alone together....neither one of you would ever make it back in one piece." Merlin felt a smile pull at the side of his mouth, knowing this was as close as Arthur would ever get to showing concern. "I'll ride out with you, leaving the other knights behind in case the creature should slip past us and invade Camelot."
Lancelot shot him a look that spoke volumes, apparently he didn't believe this thing could be killed by a sword...not a normal one anyways. But then again there wasn't exactly anything he could do about it. It's not as if he could make the Prince stay home. "Come Merlin, I shall inform my father of the situation, and then after you help me get ready, we can go." Merlin made a hesitant sound in his throat, hissing in a funny way as Arthur raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there a problem?" He looked almost amused by Merlin's squirming behavior.
"No! No! Of course not." He shut his eyes, knowing this wasn't going to go well. "I mean there is the one thing...it's just, Lancelot is injured and so I figured while you were doing all that, I could take him down to Gaius and get him mended before he has to fight the Beastie." The amusement died instantly on Arthur's face, only to be replaced by a dark look he shot Lancelot's way.
"Aren't you supposed to be his physician? He seemed to have such confidence in you." The air had become tight and strangled between them, and honestly, he didn't understand Arthur's reaction. It was almost like he was... He shook his head, stopping that insane thought before it ever came to fruition.
"I am, and I can manage in a pinch, but there's nothing like having the best of the best around when you need a hand. I can't have the Prince fighting without backup, the King would have my head."
"Whatever." Arthur growled, face a mix of emotions and none of them happy. "Just hurry up with it! We leave in an hour!" He snapped, spinning in his boots and marching towards the King's chambers.
Merlin let out a sigh as he watched him walk away. He was oddly troubled by their exchange, as a matter of fact he was troubled by their entire situation altogether. Why in the hell did he have to kiss him? And why, oh why, did Arthur have to kiss him back?
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The next hour found the three of them heading to the horses. The bag Merlin was carrying was packed with enough food and provisions for all of them, not to mention blankets, chain mail, and extra weapons should they get trapped outside for the night. They came in front of the horses and Lancelot mounted right away, albeit a bit difficultly as he struggled up with one arm in a sling. Arthur, however, just waited in front of the horse, shooting Merlin a pointed look, as if saying 'well'?
Merlin looked from the horse, to Arthur, and then back again. "You can't be serious?" He asked, pleading to Arthur with his eyes not to make him do such a thing in front of Lancelot.
"Very." Arthur practically hissed back, and Merlin knew then that he was still very angry with him. Though it's not as if he was exactly thrilled with the Prince. Giving a scoff of utter repulsion, Merlin walked in front of the Pendragon, dropping to his knees and staring up at Arthur for a split second before getting on to all fours. His hands squished into the mud as he burned a dark scarlet at the thought of Lancelot watching this. He let a grunt of displeasure escape him as a booted heel pressed into his back, Arthur using him as leverage as he eloquently straddled his horse.
Soon after a hand came down, and Merlin looked up to see Arthur staring down at him from his high horse. Merlin scoffed to himself. "That's a perfect metaphor if I've ever heard one." He grumbled quietly.
"What was that?" Arthur asked, hand still outstretched. Merlin took it without question, allowing for himself to be yanked back to his feet. "Nothing Sire...nothing." Arthur's hand was warm in his, and held on a little longer than was necessary, thumb sliding over the back of the magician's hand before letting go, allowing Merlin to go climb on a horse of his own.
His mind was going a million miles and hour as he struggled to control his breathing. Had something so simple caused him to become so breathless? If he became so unnerved by Arthur simply touching his hand, he couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen if he held it. ...He'd probably jizz himself, and then how would he explain that to the arrogant blond? He could just see Arthur's face now as he laughed his head off at his expense. Instead of focusing on Arthur, he instead turned to Lancelot.
"So when you say a big snake, how big do you mean exactly?" Gaius couldn't seem to find anything about one in his books. "Are we talking like a snake that was just a huge fatty and ate one too many human burgers?" Arthur gave an amused laugh at that, causing a smile to come to his face, and cursing the fact that all Arthur had to do was laugh to make him happy.
Lancelot gave him a halfway smile as well, but his was more troubled. "It was as big as some of the trees, and wider than I am tall." His face took on a ghost like expression. "I was monstrous...I've never seen its equal." That sent them all into a retrospective silence, the air becoming chilled as they rode out from the castle walls.
They rode in silence for hours. It had come to the point when he almost wished Arthur would insult him so that he would have at least some noise in the air to fill the stagnant silence. The tension between the three was almost palatable. He had never know Arthur to be so cruel to Lancelot, as a matter of fact he had helped him out of a sticky situation on more than one occasion, but it was almost as if he hated the man. Merlin glowered to himself, hating the harsh stab of jealousy that went through his gut. Arthur hadn't been like this with the would be knight until after the incident with Gwen...that had to be it.
He turned to Lancelot, squinting to see his face. The light was beginning to fade, casting the valley around them in an almost purple hue. Lancelot had also been quiet this whole time, but Merlin had a sneaky suspicion that was only because his injuries were hurting him much more than he was letting on. Gaius had done his best to patch him up, but it didn't change the fact that that thing had taken a good chunk out of his shoulder and mangled his face. "Lancelot are you alright?" He asked, finally breaking the silence. However, by the glare he got from the prince he was sure shattering a mirror would have been more subtle.
"I'm fine, it's nothing I can't handle." Merlin's eyebrows furrowed in worry at that, watching the man gripping his reins in a death grip just to keep himself from falling off.
"You're far from fine...we can rest a bit. It's getting dark anyways." He turned to the Prince. "Can't we Arthur?"
Arthur's eyes narrowed, the harsh blue color almost biting in the twilight haze. "And would your consider me heartless if I said no?" He asked, ad Merlin was a bit dumbfounded by the question.
"I wasn't aware what I thought of you made any difference on your actions, Sire."
"Just answer the question." The Prince replied back carefully, as if he were choosing and pondering ever single one of his words. Yet even though his prince commanded it, Merlin couldn't seem to speak out loud and tell Arthur just what he would think of him, after all he had done enough of that this morning.
"It's no trouble my Lord, I can manage." Thankfully he was saved by Lancelot's heroic attempt to martyr himself.
Merlin opened his mouth, determined to argue that he most certainly could not manage, and that they were going to stop, when Arthur beat him to the punch. "We should stop. It's growing dark, and if we tried to go after that thing now it would only be a greater threat to us and the mission."
Merlin couldn't help it, he smiled at Arthur, though you could tell that the prince was strategically ignoring him. After all, he had stopped out of safety reasons over the monster. Not because of Lancelot's welfare, and most certainly not because Merlin asked him to.
The Sorcerer was still smiling by the time they dismounted, and grabbed their packs, placing them in the clearing. "I'll go grab some wood for the fire." He offered himself, eyes worried as he watched Lancelot struggle to dismount his horse.
"I'll go with you." Arthur said, jumping gracefully from his. "Despite Lancelot's supreme confidence in your fighting ability," He mocked. "I'm still sure that if that thing came upon you that you would be stupid enough to get yourself eaten."
"Gee I appreciate the concern." Merlin replied sarcastically with, rolling his eyes as Arthur yanked the hatchet out of his hands, heading into the woods without even even looking back to see if Merlin was following him. He turned to Lancelot, who was getting settled on the ground. "Rest for at least a little while. We need you in tip top shape when we finally face this huge snake of yours." He said it lightheartedly, and it caused Lancelot to smile.
"I shall rest, but we both know that when it comes down to it it will take more than steel to defeat this monster." Merlin's breath hitched, searching the area to make sure Arthur was out of earshot.
"You shouldn't say things like that." He said in an almost whisper, causing Lancelot to scoff and raise an eyebrow.
"I shall never tell a soul about what happened that night, bu t you must realize how amazing you are." He couldn't help it, he blushed. The compliment and complete acceptance of his ability too much to bear as he turned, chasing after Arthur. He didn't have to chase far, the prince hadn't gone very deep into the clearing before finding a dead tree he could hack into bits. Scavenging must be a new thing for him, normally he so liked to hunt.
Arthur swung the hatchet, slicing through a branch as Merlin winced at the impact. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather have me do that Sire? It is kind of my job after all." Arthur paused at that, slicing one more branch before turning to face him.
"Do you think me so incapable?" A sheen of sweat was dripping down his chest, the sweltering summer heat beating down upon them, and Merlin couldn't help but stare at the smooth moist skin.
"I...no..." He stuttered, having to break eye contact to be able to focus. "It's just normally you make me do everything. Including mucking out the stables and emptying your chamber pot...which is disgusting by the way." He said, wrinkling his nose in distaste as he thought about it.
"Well I don't know Merlin perhaps I felt like chopping something into bits and chose this tree instead of your body to alleviate my frustrations!" Arthur yelled, swinging the hatchet to chop up the tree more. Merlin gulped as he pictured himself in its place.
"Nobody forced you to come Sire." He started. He had been in the midst of Arthur's bad mood all day, and he decided it was time to address the problem.
"No you're right, what was I thinking? I should have left the safety of Camelot, of my people, in the very capable hands of someone who can barely manage to ride his horse and you! I swear you are such an idiot sometimes." Arthur threw the hatchet, spinning it with skill so that it stuck into the tree.
"Maybe we would have surprised you." He replied, trying to stave the hurt of Arthur always thinking he was worthless, no matter how many times he had proved the contrary. It didn't matter that Arthur didn't know it was him, he should trust him regardless.
Arthur scoffed. "Yes, well Lancelot certainly seems to think you're capable. It would seem the imposter seems to be extra fond of you...and these healing abilities I wasn't aware you even had." He tilted his head, arrogant disbelief showing on his face. "Somehow I don't buy this story."
"Oh gee you not thinking I'm capable of anything other than kissing your arse, what a surprise."
"Oh don't flatter yourself," Arthur hissed, coming to stand in front of him. "I never thought you were capable of kissing my ass."
"You're such a...!" Merlin started, but then bit his tongue, his eyes shining with fury.
"I'm such a what?" Arthur asked, pushing on his chest as he backed them up in the forest. "Do tell Merlin, God knows I didn't have to hear enough about how awful I am from you this morning."
"What's the matter Highness, feeling guilty?" Merlin shot back with, taking another step back until his shoulders hit a tree.
"I wouldn't exactly call what I'm feeling now guilt, but if you find me such a repulsive master than I'm sure Lancelot would be happy to take even you under his care...you can both be penniless mercenaries together and fight over who gets the last piece of bread."
Merlin really felt like slapping him again, striking out to do just that and wincing as his wrist was grabbed. "Don't even think about it." Arthur hissed, pressing him into the tree so that his body practically enveloped him.
"You're hurting my wrist." Merlin winced, struggling as Arthur pressed him further into the tree, positioning his thighs on either side of him so that he couldn't move.
"Would you leave my service for his if you were given the choice?" Arthur asked, breath hot against his face.
"At this moment I might consider it." Merlin growled out through clenched teeth as Arthur continued to use his superior strength to pin him in place.
"You once said that you'd be happy to be my servant until the day you die, rebuking that claim so soon?" It was then Merlin realized just how close they had gotten. Arthur's warm breath was beating on his face, and suddenly Merlin's wrist no longer hurt.
"Oh no Sire, I will serve you until the day I die...as it is I just don't think I'll be all that happy about it."
"Oh? And how is it that I can please you Merlin? One knows I live to please my servant." He said, but the sarcastic lilt wasn't there. In fact, Arthur seemed to be out of it, staring almost longingly at the Sorcerer's lips.
Merlin's tongue peaked out, wetting his dry cracked lips as he stared into Arthur's eyes, the anger between them dying as if some magic spell had been cast to rid them both of it. "Kiss me." Merlin finally requested, and Arthur didn't even hesitate before grabbing the back of his head, crashing their lips together as he pushed against Merlin and the tree. Hungrily devouring him as if he was the very air he breathed. It was as if the whole world crashed and expanded around him with that kiss. It had left Merlin more than a little breathless.
Arthur pulled away, cupping his face with one hand, searching for some sort of answer as he opened his mouth to speak. It closed, however, as his gaze flickered to something behind him, and Arthur was suddenly shouting as something came at them, striking Merlin the side and sending him flying. He felt the weight of the blow, all of the air being knocked out of his body, and then suddenly Arthur was above him, begging him to remain conscious. But Merlin didn't understand the words. It was like his ears had been stuffed with cotton. The last thing he saw was Arthur unsheathing his sword, turning to face whatever had attacked them, and then everything went black.
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AN- eeee evil cliffie!!! And Arthur was just a straight ass in this chapter, but I swear he's my fav so I wouldn't make him too awful!! So pppleeeasseee tell me what you think and I'll rush to get out the next chapter! Thanks so much for reading!