Author's Note: I'm so sorry, guys!
I didn't really like how short this chapter was, so I decided to write chapter ten before updating... only I didn't realize how long I was making you guys wait! :( I'm very sorry!
Thanks to all who reviewed. :) I think I managed to get around all of you this time! Sorry if I missed anyone out!
This chapter is pure fluff... enjoy!
- VioletRose136
Chapter Nine
Arthur was the first to wake the next morning. He looked down at Merlin, who was happily sprawled across his chest; his boyfriend was still sleeping soundly. Judging by the squares of bright sunlight streaming through the space in the partially closed curtains, Arthur supposed it was about ten or eleven in the morning. In an hour or so he supposed that he'd have to wake Merlin and appear downstairs. Arthur didn't blame Merlin for still being asleep; after all they had undergone a rather… sleepless night.
Shifting slightly, careful not to disturb Merlin, Arthur wrapped one of his arms around Merlin's bare shoulders. A wave of joy slammed into him as he surveyed Merlin. It was the kind of joy which almost resorts you to tears and causes you to make a sound which was something between a sob and a laugh. He loved Merlin with all his heart… yet never in a million years would he believe that Merlin could love him back. Never in a million years would Arthur believe that he would wake up one morning with Merlin beside him. He ran his hand through Merlin's hair and kissed his forehead gently.
"I love you," Arthur whispered against his forehead.
No fantasy could have ever lived up to what it was actually like to touch Merlin. Leaning back and closing his eyes, Arthur could still feel that intense pleasure, feel the flush spreading over his skin, hear Merlin's sharp gasp, and taste Merlin's skin. Although neither he nor Merlin had been virgins – it had felt like something new. It had been the first time Arthur had understood what it felt like to really love someone. The first time he had understood why it was often referred to as 'making love'… although with Gwen, the actual act had felt perfectly pleasurable, Arthur hadn't felt much beyond that. He wasn't ashamed to freely admit that sex with Gwen had been average… but with Merlin? It had moved beyond something physical. Although the physical stuff had felt great – Arthur had liked being close to Merlin. It had become something pure, golden, delicious and beautiful. Better than being high – or so Arthur supposed, as he had never been high. Part of Arthur's soul had died when his Mother had fallen all those years ago, but looking into Merlin's eyes Arthur felt that that piece could come back to life. Never could Arthur remember a time where he had felt more complete. He had no idea how it would work, but Arthur knew that he could never be without Merlin. If he even lost Merlin for one day… Arthur shuddered internally, imagining the pain he would feel. He tightened his grip on Merlin, nuzzling his chin into Merlin's raven hair.
Merlin shifted slightly, straightening his arm out across Arthur's chest. Arthur looked down at him and smiled. Merlin opened his eyes and smiled up at Arthur. Arthur leaned down and kissed Merlin, ignoring the problem of morning breath. Merlin ignored it too and kissed Arthur back passionately. Their kissing intensified slowly and Arthur turned onto his side and Merlin onto his back, Arthur leaned back onto his elbow.
Merlin smiled up at Arthur. "What time is it?"
Arthur frowned. The morning after they consummated their relationship, Arthur had greeted Merlin with an earth shattering kiss… and Merlin had replied with 'what time is it?' Merlin, seeing Arthur's dissatisfied look smiled and leaned up on his elbows and kissed Arthur again.
"I know what you're thinking… and if you expect me to start fantasizing about your large, throbbing member then you've got another thing coming."
Arthur laughed out loud. "My big throbbing member?"
"Well, of course." Merlin kissed Arthur again. "Mmm. What time is it?" He repeated.
Arthur turned over and reached for his watch on the nightstand. He picked it up and made a face. "About ten forty…"
Merlin rolled over; pressing his chest against Arthur's back and slid his arm under Arthur's. "Why the long face, Pendragon?"
"I don't really want to get up yet."
"So we'll stay in bed." Merlin replied. "What's stopping us?"
"Someone will suspect something."
Merlin repressed a groan. "Oh that's right, you're the Prince. You have princely duties to attend to today, don't you? You need to go save Princess Fiona from her castle before Shrek does, don't you?"
"No, I don't!" Arthur laughed, rolling over onto his back. "I don't have anything I have to do today – as a matter of fact. I was thinking we might go into London, walk around. I'll show you the sights."
"In disguise, I assume?"
"Well I was thinking I could dress up like Prince Charming and get a white horse…"
"You already are Prince Charming." Merlin murmured.
Arthur leaned back and kissed him again before he slid over to the side of the bed and got up. Merlin looked at him pleadingly for a moment and then slid out of bed as well, sliding on his boxers. Arthur followed his lead and Merlin couldn't help but stare at Arthur's beautiful form as he slid on his black satin boxers. Arthur caught him staring and smiled.
"You see something you like?"
Merlin smiled and walked around the bed to Arthur, he looked him up and down and kissed him, wrapping his arms around Arthur's neck. Merlin broke away and looked down, leaning his forehead against Arthur's.
"Yes, I see something I like."
Arthur laughed and wrapped his arms around Merlin's waist and kissed him again. "God, I love you Merlin."
"Mmm. I know." Merlin smiled and kissed Arthur back. "I love you too."
oOo
"Well, this new year is certainly off to a good start." Arthur commented, setting the coffee down by Merlin. Merlin nodded, taking a sip and looking down at the Guardian. Arthur smirked and sat down across from Merlin. "You're so romantic, Merlin." He commented, humour in his eyes.
Merlin looked up and laughed. "Sorry," He said. "You know how I am about the news… I feel out of the loop if I don't read it. I don't want some major tragedy to have happened and me not to know about it. I'd feel stupid."
Smiling, Arthur slid his hand across the table to cover Merlin's, his manner becoming serious. "We need to talk about us."
Merlin frowned. "That sounds bad."
"I can't believe you're worried." Arthur laughed. "Okay, in order to ease your worries – I'm not about to tell you that last night was a mistake and that it will never happen again. I really did mean what I said last night… I love you. If it was a choice between being with you and being His Royal Highness Prince Arthur Uther Lawrence Harold Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland – I'd chose you, absolutely no competition. The throne means nothing to me if I can't have you beside me."
Merlin smiled. "I really do love you, Arthur."
Arthur returned his smile and felt the odd urge to cry with happiness. "What I wanted to say about us was… I don't want to go public for a very long time. I don't mind if you want to tell your Mother or Gaius, but I don't want it to be known by the public. I'm not ashamed of you or us – and we will go public one day. But I've seen what the public eye can do to a relationship. For the time being, I want to keep you out of it while I can. I want you used to us before I even try and get you used to having the slightest thing you say or do blasted out to the press. Eventually rumours will reach them… but I don't want it to be yet."
"Okay." Merlin nodded, Arthur knew what it was like to be in the public eye, so Merlin decided not to question him. "What would keeping it secret entail?"
Arthur was quiet for a moment, thinking. "We can't be seen leaving the same bedroom in the same clothes we wore the day before… perhaps we could start sharing a house with Gwaine and Percival or Freya so it'd be easier to get around. You shouldn't appear everywhere with me. Like when I return to England for Easter you should probably stay in the United States… but above all, absolutely no public displays of affection. The press is everywhere… if anything was caught – we'd be fucked. And not in a good way, either."
"Are you going to tell your Father?"
Arthur shook his head. "No. I'll tell Morgana, but Father doesn't need to know… I don't want you to think I'm ashamed of you… I just don't feel… I can't… I'm not ready. I can't do it yet. I-I'm sorry, Merlin."
Merlin pushed away his annoyance. He nodded. "Okay. I understand."
"I'm sorry, Merlin…"
"Don't be. I remember how hard it was for me to tell my Mother that I was gay – and that was under complete certainty that she was entirely against homophobia and would be totally cool about it. Also, I only had to tell a few people and deal with about fifty teenagers. When you come out, you're going to have to deal with the entire world… if you want to wait to do it, then I'll support you every step of the way."
"Tell me something." Arthur murmured.
"What?"
"What went so right in my life that I met you?"
oOo
"And that is a portrait of King George III."
"It's lovely… which artist was it by?"
"I don't know."
Merlin repressed the urge to sigh. Despite Arthur's attempts to free Merlin from it, Merlin had been subjected to a tour of the Buckingham Palace portraits before Arthur took him out 'onto the town'. Beside him, Arthur crossed his arms, uncrossed them, ran an impatient hand through his hair and re-crossed his arms. A quick glance at the Prince told Merlin that Arthur was trying very, very hard not to laugh at his Father's complete incompetence. Seeing his boyfriend's expression, Merlin had to choke back a wave of laughter. Merlin had no idea how Arthur did it, how he managed to listen to stupid people and give a serious answer that made it look like how he cared. Surely the talent would come in useful when Arthur was out of university – when Arthur was King – and forced to make diplomatic relations and state visits. Merlin smiled as he pictured himself beside Arthur on those visits… after all, what would stop them now? It all seemed pretty simple: he and Arthur would grow used to their relationships and once they were happy and very secure and used to their new exciting places, somehow Uther would be told about their relationship and they would come out publically as a couple. After that they may be boyfriend and boyfriend for a few years, until they finished their university training and Arthur finished the military training he planned to do after university… and then, well, and then they would marry. Merlin knew that Arthur was the one he wanted to spend his life with and although he accepted that life in the public eye would be difficult, it would be entirely worth it to be with Arthur. Merlin had found his Prince and all they had to do now was ride out into the sunset together. It was simple, right?
Uther, on the other hand – completely unaware of the unbelievable romantic tension in the room (what, with Arthur wanting to get Merlin back into his bedroom – or at least a cleaning supply closet, he figured with a shrug and Merlin wondering what it would be like to shower with Arthur) – continued his rather uniformed, boring account of each and every painting in the palace… and Merlin's thoughts wandered to ways he could commit suicide with the several hundred pamphlets which Uther loaded on him.
