Complete Summary: Arthur Pendragon has never been attracted to another man. Can he admit certain men are attractive? Sure. He's just never been into them. But Merlin is different. There's something about him that draws Arthur in, and it's more than a desire for friendship.
So Arthur figures out how to get close to Merlin and to his surprise, tutoring for one of his university classes quickly takes a turn for the unexpected and Arthur finds things out about himself he never imagined.
*Features sexy, in-control Merlin & supportive (modern) knights of the round table, all of whom help Arthur discover who he really is and what he really wants
AN: Inspired by my desire to see Merlin through Arthur's eyes (in a purely AU modern setting) and to explore how their relationship might look with Merlin in a more authoritative position...sort of.
This is: tutoring session quickly turns porno, so just suspend your disbelief and go with it. I tried not to make it too abrupt or unrealistic, but again, porno type situation requires a stretch from reality. Heavily smut driven, though other events do occur
This is not a D/S story, but later parts will contain some D/S type content. There are hints of it early on. Everything that takes place is consensual and makes both parties very happy. See the tags as they are updated for further info on that content.
If all that works for you, please continue and enjoy!
Situated at his table in the university library, Arthur glances up when he hears a loud giggle echo through the quiet air, a loud shushing sound soon after. He rolls his eyes, scanning the room as he returns his attention to his studies. At the last second, he catches sight of a familiar face: Merlin.
He and Merlin aren't exactly friends, but they know each other from around campus. Merlin was in one of his classes last fall and Arthur has seen him at a handful of parties too. They've never said much to each other, but from what he's seen, Arthur likes him. Merlin seems to be the type of person that everybody likes. He's friendly, helpful, really cares about the people around him. Plus he's got a sarcastic sense of humor that makes people laugh.
The times Arthur has been around him, Arthur feels drawn to him in a way he can't explain. He would think he just wanted to be friends with him, if it wasn't for the hard-on he got just about every time he saw the guy smile. And isn't that a mind-fuck? Ladies man, always interested in boobs and curves, Arthur Pendragon, suddenly lapping up every chance he gets to admire a man.
In addition to his sweet personality, Merlin is good looking too. He has dark hair that curls adorably at his nape, brilliant blue eyes, high cheekbones, and slightly too-big ears that just make him that much more endearing. He's got muscles on top of everything else, not bulky, but lean and clearly strong. Arthur wants to lick his arms.
God, it's stupid how into him Arthur is. He's casually thought certain actors were good-looking, is even capable of admitting other guys are attractive, but he's never been actively attracted to them himself. It's fucking annoying that now he's in university, Arthur is suddenly having an existential crisis of sorts over one man.
Arthur scrubs a hand over his face, drags it through his hair. Fuck. He forces himself to look back down at his laptop screen. He has work to do.
About a week later, Arthur sees Merlin again, this time at the on-campus café. Merlin is grinning at the person behind the counter as he accepts his coffee. "That's a great class! I had it last semester. It's tough, for sure, but the professor is awesome. Just stick it out. And hey, if you need help with any of the papers, swing by the tutoring center. Not all my hours are full yet. I'd be happy to help you out."
Arthur takes in the offer absently, more focused on the sharp cut of Merlin's jaw, his long, slender fingers curled around the coffee cup. As the line moves, Arthur steps forward. It isn't until he has his coffee in hand, that Merlin's offer sinks in.
Tutoring. Writing help. It's perfect. He's pretty good at writing, doesn't really need help, but it would give him a way to get close to Merlin, spend time with him one-on-one. He's got to be crazy. He's never tried to get a guy's attention before. Hell, he doesn't even know if Merlin swings that way, but something about him calls to Arthur.
The next day, Arthur strolls into the tutoring center as casually as he can. "How can I help you?" asks a voice from behind the desk.
"I uh, was looking to get some help with a paper I'm writing. I heard, uh, Merlin works here and that he offers help with that." Arthur clears his throat, sure he's blushing.
The woman just nods and glances down at the directory next to the phone. "Sure, hon. I'll give him a call, see if he can pop up here to talk to you."
A few minutes later, Merlin turns the corner with a smile on his face. When he sees Arthur, his brow furrows a bit, though a second later it evens out. "Uh, Arthur, hey."
Arthur clears his throat again. "Hi. Um, I've got this paper for one of my business classes. I'm having trouble piecing the ideas together and heard you could help."
Merlin looks surprised. "I mean, yeah. It's one of the things I offer. I'd be happy to look at your paper with you. Do you have time now?"
"Oh, er, yeah. Yeah, now is good." Arthur has never felt more awkward in his life. He's not sure if he's ever said more than "hello" to Merlin before.
"Great. You can follow me back then."
Arthur nods. They go back to a small room where Merlin's own books are spread across the table surface. The dark-haired man quickly goes to gather his things into a pile.
Once they sit down, Arthur finds it very difficult to pay attention. Merlin is distracting. Everything about him is attractive and Arthur just wants to stare. He knows he's fidgeting. Fuck, he has to focus.
Merlin asks him questions about what he wants the paper to accomplish, what points he wants to make, what evidence he's gathered. Arthur answers the best he can, but he's not fully focused. Merlin is here helping Arthur create an outline for everything he needs to say, and Arthur is sitting there like a buffoon.
"Arthur, are you paying attention?" Merlin is turned towards him, brows drawn together in clear annoyance.
"Yeah, yes! Sorry. Er," Arthur grimaces.
"You realize we're here working on your paper?" The question is clearly rhetorical. Fuck, he's messed up.
"Shit. I suck, I know." He fumbles for an explanation. "The organization piece is just, a lot, you know? I get all tripped up, can't focus."
Merlin's glare softens. He pats Arthur on the shoulder. "It's fine. I get it. Let's look at one last part today."
"That mean I can come back?"
Merlin smirks. "If you can be good for the rest of this."
Arthur sucks in a breath, can feel the blood rush to his cheeks. "I'll do my best," he manages, throat getting tight.
They make it through the rest of the outline before Merlin stops them. "I think that last part went better. If you can get started on at least the first paragraph or so tonight, I can help you tomorrow. Same time?"
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, that'd be great." Arthur fights not to grin, feeling blood heat his cheeks anyway. He hopes to god Merlin hasn't noticed.
The next day, Arthur goes back to the tutoring center. Arthur wants so badly to impress Merlin, he was up all night writing the entire paper. Merlin raises his eyebrows in approval when he sees and helps him edit. They volley ideas back and forth until Arthur has a solid paper, even better than what he usually comes up with on his own. When Arthur stands up to leave, they're both grinning.
"Thanks, Merlin."
"You're welcome. Glad I could help you."
"Think I can come back for others?"
Merlin shoots him an assessing look. "Yeah, Pendragon, I think that'd be fine."
"Good." Arthur nods, gathers up his things and heads out.
It's another two weeks until Arthur sees Merlin again. He's had another paper assigned and he's been itching to see him again. When he walks into the tutoring center, the woman behind the desk tells him Merlin isn't in.
"Oh," Arthur says, disappointment clear. He's just turning to leave when Merlin barrels through the door, juggling a pile of books, coffee, and his laptop, hair windswept and gorgeous as ever.
Merlin is so distracted, he almost crashes right into Arthur. "Oh! Hey! Uh, you here for me?"
"If that's not a problem."
"No! Not a problem. Just…" He gestures with his chin at the massive pile he's carrying.
"Right," Arthur nods, reaching out to take some of the books.
They go back to the workroom and get started. A while later Arthur hears Merlin's stomach growl. They've been so hard at work, neither of them realized how late it's gotten. "God, sorry. I didn't mean to keep you after hours. Can I buy you dinner as a thank you?"
Merlin looks at him, seeming to search for something. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to. You've been incredible about helping me. Please."
And Merlin agrees. They go grab pizza and beer, and it's nice. They're not friends, not really, but it's nice all the same.
They turn it into a habit. On the evenings they meet up to work on Arthur's papers, they go get dinner afterwards and chat for a bit. Arthur finds himself more enamored with Merlin than ever and it's becoming a major distraction. As difficult as the first day was, their meetings are ten times more difficult now.
It's another afternoon, at least 30 minutes since the last of the tutoring office left, and they are still working on Arthur's most recent paper. Problem is, Arthur can do nothing but stare. Merlin keeps tucking a curl behind his ear and all Arthur wants to do is nuzzle his nose into the tender skin there. Every time he swallows, Arthur can't help but follow the bob of his Adam's apple, the short flick of his tongue over dry lips. It's mesmerizing and distracting, and Arthur is fucked. Because sooner than later Merlin is going to notice.
"— want to put here?" Merlin's voice cuts into Arthur's focus.
"Er, what?"
Merlin turns his whole body to face him. "What the hell is going on with you? Your focus today is fucked." His eyes flash, broadcasting his annoyance.
"Yeah," Arthur swallows, feeling his cock begin to fill. This man is perfect. "I'm having a hard time paying attention. Sorry." He swallows again, feeling flushed. Merlin is staring at him, eyebrow raised.
Arthur shifts in his chair. God, he's so hard now. He's barely breathing.
And Merlin is just shifting back to face the table when he pauses, tone full of surprise as he says, "oh."
Arthur panics. Merlin is frozen, staring at Arthur's lap. He's never felt more humiliated in his life. "It's not-" he starts to say, but there's no way to finish that sentence. He's hard. Achingly hard, and it's obvious. His trousers are tented to the point of absurdity, and the more he focuses on Merlin seeing him like that, the more his cock strains for attention.
Merlin clears his throat and grabs his collar, tugging it away from his neck as if he's suddenly feeling suffocated.
Arthur groans and thunks his forehead into his hand, tugging harshly at his hair.
For a moment there's utter silence, then "No wonder you can't focus." Merlin snorts a laugh, then Arthur follows, his laughter bordering on hysterical. "You uh, wanna take care of that before we continue? Or, we done for the night?"
"Take care of…" Arthur would swear his voice didn't squeak in that moment. It didn't. His gaze darts to Merlin and he's shocked to find his tutor's eyes are dark. "Oh fuck," he whimpers.
His hand curls into a fist on the tabletop and he has to fight the urge to buck his hips up into the air. He can't. There's no way he can…but Merlin is watching him, and as he glances over again, he takes in the intense stare, the way Merlin wets his upper lip.
"If I'm to help you, I need your complete focus. So either we stop here tonight…or, you get that distraction out of the way so we can continue."
"Oh fuck," Arthur mutters. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."
"That's what you want, isn't it?"
And oh hell, Arthur didn't expect that. Merlin is one of the kindest, sweetest people he's ever met. He didn't expect his mouth to ever be that provocative.
Arthur groans. Merlin leans closer, his breath ghosting over Arthur's cheek. "You're so hot and bothered, you can't even see straight."
Arthur gasps. Then a hand is on his thigh, edging it's way higher, fingers trailing at his inseam, teasing at sensitive skin. Arthur can't breathe.
"Let's get you taken care of," the words tease over Arthur's cheek, brush his ear, and his head falls sideways, a whimper catching in his throat as Merlin's hand curls around his length. He can't believe this is happening.
His trousers are still in the way, but the pressure is incredible. His hips buck up immediately. Merlin's long fingers press on his length, tease, then retreat, moving to undo his button-fly. When it's fully open, Merlin reaches in and pulls Arthur out through the slit of his boxers. He noses along Arthur's temple, then abruptly stands, tugging Arthur up by his elbow and then pushing him back so his ass is resting against he edge of the table.
"Merlin," Arthur says, not really knowing what to do.
But then Merlin's hand is back on his cock and long fingers are tugging, up down in the sweetest pressure Arthur's ever felt. His toes curl in his boots and he grunts, pleasure gathering too quickly low in his belly. Pressure. There's a finger pressing so good just beneath the head, and god, he's wet, so wet, leaking so much, and Merlin's hand is slick with it, twisting around his length, pulling, dragging in the most heavenly pressure. And fuck, he's going to lose it. His fingers are curled desperately around the edge of the table and his hips buck up, rutting into Merlin's fist, the friction so good. He's almost there. Breath against his cheek. Fingers dip lower to graze his balls. Tug. Oh god. Oh fuck. Arthur comes.
Arthur is swept up in overwhelming pleasure, and he gasps heaving breaths as he rides it out, forehead resting in the crook of Merlin's shoulder as he comes down.
Merlin releases his length and lifts his come-sticky hand. His mouth quirks up at the corner. "Better clean me up so we can get back to work."
Arthur would swear his heart stops. He can't mean what he thinks he means. But the fingers are still there, an inch from his lips, and Merlin's stare is unwavering. Sucking in a shaky breath, Arthur leans forward, his eyes on Merlin's, and darts his tongue over Merlin's fingertips. The taste is strange, salty, mostly bitter. But he's more focused on how erotic this is, licking his own come from Merlin's hand. He feels his cock give a half-hearted twitch. Merlin smirks.
When the come is gone and Merlin pulls his hand away, Arthur feels more exposed than ever before. He's just licked up his own come from another man's fingers with his cock still hanging out of his pants. He flushes a deep red and turns his face away.
"None of that. Come on." Merlin says, tucking Arthur back into his trousers. "Let's get back to work."
Somehow they do. Arthur still feels trembly and embarrassed, but his cock isn't hard anymore and he's able to actually focus on the paragraph in front of him. When they finish, they go to get dinner as usual, and weirdly, even though Arthur can't quite meet Merlin's eyes, things seem mostly back to normal.
AN: Let me know what you think so far! There is much more in store for Arthur and Merlin.
