Naked was much easier to deal with. Merlin felt less clumsy when he didn't have to worry about getting out of his clothes, and much to Arthur's amusement he tided everything up.

"While you're there, bring the oil. There is another jar there, next to the box."

"I don't have the key for this," Merlin said, rattling the door of the little chest. Arthur reached out and opened the draw on the bedside cabinet and pulled out a small brass key. Merlin took it from Arthur's outstretched hand.

"It's always in that drawer. That is not something I need to lock away for the safety of the kingdom."

"That might be," Merlin said, nodding in the direction of Arthur's erection. Merlin contemplated the fact that it was going to end up inside him. It looked more threatening than the carefully crafted metal wands that had been in the same place. Arthur laughed, sprawling back on the bed and shifting pillows and blankets around so they would be comfortable. He watched as Merlin came back, studying the oil bottle which Arthur hadn't used in a while. The last time he had had someone in his bed was a long forgotten memory.

As Merlin clambered onto the bed, carefully holding the oil Arthur had to admit there was something aesthetically pleasing about Merlin. Despite his slight build, his muscles were still in evidence, a little more developed now he had been training and hunting with Arthur. Arthur reached out and ran a hand up Merlin's torso. He almost dropped the oil. Arthur steadied Merlin's hand with his own, reacting with his usual reflexes.

"Careful," Arthur warned him. Merlin flopped onto the bed and relinquished the oil to Arthur. He was the one that needed it. Arthur reached out and put the oil onto the nightstand and reached for Merlin, taking him by the hips and lifting him so Merlin was laid on top. Arthur settled Merlin between his legs, and Arthur planted his feet down to cage Merlin in. Merlin calmly lay on top of him and waited. As Arthur took hold of him Merlin allowed himself to be pulled down into the kiss.

Arthur took his time, kissing Merlin with the briefest of touches and just as Merlin responded he pulled back. When Merlin waited for him, Arthur came back into contact, kissing him gently. Merlin jerked in Arthur's grip as the prince's hand stroked up and down his spine. It made Merlin squirm against him.

"Are you ticklish?" Arthur asked.

"First I've known of it, if I am."

"Up, on all fours," Arthur said, giving him a shove. Merlin obliged and Arthur lowered his legs, managed to shift and roll out from underneath him in the same moment that Merlin moved into position. Arthur knelt by his side while Merlin stayed on his hands and knees, intrigued by what Arthur would do. Arthur's hand moved over his back again and Merlin's back dropped under the touch, then arched as Arthur played along Merlin's ribs. One hand located a nipple and Arthur gently rubbed his fingertips against it. Merlin gasped as Arthur pinched and then pulled. He shifted in position.

"Nice?" Arthur asked.

"Not sure," Merlin said. "It hurts a bit."

Arthur returned to stroking.

"Better," Merlin said, moaning as Arthur leant over to lick his shoulder blade.

"Okay," Arthur said. He ran his other hand down over Merlin's backside and down the back of his thigh, then he stroked upwards, making Merlin tense.

"Stop assessing me like a new horse," Merlin said, as he gasped.

"The whole point is to assess and find out all the good and bad points."

It didn't sound like an unreasonable argument to Merlin. He was trying to find a way to answer when Arthur moved behind him, spread his cheeks apart and licked him, probing his tongue into Merlin's anus. Merlin yelped, part with shock but part pleasure.

"You can't do that!"

Arthur stopped, but kept his hands on Merlin's hips. "Why not?"

"Well, erm…"

"I am the prince, the future king and your master," Arthur said. "So I can do what I like, and you can't stop me."

Arthur went back in on full attack. His hands gripped hard to keep Merlin in place and he ran his tongue up Merlin's inner thigh, over the edge of his left buttock to the small of his back and then came back down the other side. He almost went down Merlin's right thigh but that was just a feint as he went back to lick between Merlin's legs catching the soft flesh of his balls. Merlin yelped again and Arthur moved his grip to spread Merlin's legs for better access. Merlin dropped his lower body, resting on his elbows and then folding his arms down to lower his shoulders to allow Arthur as much access as he wanted. Merlin gasped and whimpered as Arthur's tongue ran over his most intimate areas, his tongue and lips tracing lightly. Merlin just closed his eyes and let Arthur play with him, but Merlin tensed and then tried to spread further as Arthur's finger probed into him.

The finger pulled back and Merlin felt the cool oil against his skin as Arthur coated his finger and then pushed it back in, working his way to push two fingers into him. As he pulled back Merlin pushed his hips to follow him.

"All right," Arthur said.

"Arthur."

"I want to make sure you are ready, I don't want to hurt you."

"I am ready, and I don't care."

Arthur took a grip of Merlin's right side and yanked him up, pulling Merlin back hard onto his fingers. Merlin yipped in shock.

"I do, and I am not going to hurt you Merlin."

"Arthur, please."

Merlin shifted his hips to squirm onto Arthur's fingers. Arthur added more oil and went up to three, spreading them inside Merlin, causing him to groan.

"I'm ready."

"Yes," Arthur said.

Merlin went very still, rising fully onto his hands as Arthur slowly pushed into him. The sensation was strange as his muscle was pushed open and Arthur forced his way in. He took it slowly but jerked the last little bit to slam his body against Merlin's. Merlin gave a breathless gasp and stayed still contemplating the fact that Arthur was inside him.

Then Arthur moved back, taking his time, to allow Merlin to feel it. Then he pushed back in again. It made Merlin give another little groan. Arthur carried on, moving slowly, thrusting gently as he controlled himself. Merlin got the feeling that it wouldn't last, but he had to appreciate the effort. Arthur moved in and out of him in slow, smooth strokes. It was gaining a little speed as he moved but as Merlin started to rock his hips in time with it and Arthur really started to speed up.

Merlin relaxed his body and let his legs spread wider. The sensations sparked through his body, making him jerk every time Arthur thrust. Then as Arthur slowed, Merlin gasped again as he felt Arthur's hand gently brush his erection. Merlin jerked back into Arthur.

"Stop that!" Arthur complained, moving carefully, trying to move his hand to the same speed as his thrusts, and move his hand in the right way, so he put the right amount of pressure onto Merlin as he thrust in, yanking his hand down to the base of Merlin's erection as he entered.

Merlin squirmed, jerked and whined. Arthur carried on moving, finding the right rhythm and staying with it. Without even realising he was doing it he started to move the right way. Merlin relaxed, rocking with the momentum as Arthur thrust and yanked his hand, letting the ripples of pleasure run through him. Merlin realised he was just complicating matters if he tried to actively do something. All he needed to do was let it happen, and just allow the pleasurable feelings wash over him.

It didn't take long. Merlin felt the muscles in his body start to clench. His stomach started to feel warm, the sensation spreading out up his spine and he jerked again. Arthur gave another deep, hard thrust and Merlin felt Arthur spurt inside him as Merlin jetted all over Arthur's hands and the bedding underneath him.

Merlin whimpered, wavering in position as his body relaxed and he yipped as Arthur withdrew from him, pushing him down onto his side. Arthur flopped down next to him, pressing against his back, and wrapping an arm around him.

"Are you all right, Merlin?" Arthur eventually asked. Merlin roused himself long enough to say.

"Yes, Sire."

Before they both settled down again.