Merlin and Arthur have continued meeting for tutoring and dinner afterwards. After dinner, they've taken to going back to Merlin's place and spending time together. Arthur learned that the curly-haired woman's name is Gwen and she is one of Merlin's closest and dearest friends. His other closest friend is a guy named Lance, who is apparently a real-life prince charming. In the time they've spent together, he's also learned that Merlin has a single mom who calls him every few days and an uncle who is as weird as he is wise. Merlin adores them both. He loves fantasy movies, but hates the idea of destiny. Enjoys sipping wine or beer, but turns his nose up at most liquors because he'll down it too quickly and he's a lightweight.

Arthur is falling for Merlin more every time they're together and it's as scary as it is wonderful. They spend hours kissing, and have gotten each other off more times than should probably be possible, but they haven't yet progressed to penetrative sex. Merlin has asked if Arthur is interested and he is, just it's kind of terrifying and he doesn't think he's ready. Merlin has been cool with that and they've been very creative about how they get off together because of it.

It's not long after he realizes how strong his feelings are becoming that Arthur thinks it's probably time to tell his friends. When he does it, the five of them are siting around, taking a break from one of their video game face offs to scarf down pizza and heaping mounds of the best chips you can get via takeaway. Gwaine has just shoved a giant bite into his mouth when Arthur swallows thickly, inhales deeply, and announces, "I've been seeing a guy."

Gwaine almost inhales his pizza and has to bend over and have Elyan smack him on the back to open his airways. Leon is trying to hide a smile, while rolling his eyes at their friend's dramatics. Percy gives him a knowing smile and approving nod. Elyan just asks, "What's his name?"

Looking around at his friends and realizing there really isn't judgment on any of their faces, only surprise, he says, "Merlin."

"Oh, I've met him before! Real nice guy," Leon offers.

"He is," Arthur says, immediately regretting it because he can hear how soft his voice just got and they're all immediately on his case.

"You've got it bad, mate!" Shouts Gwaine.

"Head over heels," Elyan adds, nodding with a smirk.

Gwaine snorts. "Try heels over head." And then he guffaws and collapses into laughter.

Percy shoves Gwaine off the couch and looks at Arthur. "I'm happy for you, Arthur."

"We all are," Leon nods. "It's about time you found someone who makes you happy."

"Thank you. All of you."

"How's the sex?" Gwaine pipes up from his position on the floor.

Percy shoves a foot at his chest and sends him sprawling. "Shut up." Arthur flushes a bright shade of red and grabs a controller.

"So, who's playing me?"

When Arthur tells Merlin he told his friends about them, Merlin's eyes just about glow with happiness and he pulls Arthur into a fierce kiss. "I'm falling in love with you."

A gasp escapes Arthur as his cheeks turn pink and he grins, leaning close. "I'm falling in love with you too."

It's in the middle of one of their make-out sessions that Arthur admits something to himself. It's been in the back of his mind for a while now, but he can't ignore it anymore. He loves when Merlin is on top. And he means that in the most sexual, raunchy, read-into-that way possible. It's not just having Merlin over top of him; it's having Merlin in control.

From the very beginning, it was clear Merlin had a side to him that flourished calling the shots. Merlin initiated things the first time he stuck his hand down Arthur's pants. Merlin was the one to move Arthur around, guide him as they maneuvered together. Merlin is the one, who almost every time they're together, directs Arthur to lick up their spend. And the more they've been together, the more obvious it's been, and the more Arthur likes it.

Sometimes, Merlin holds Arthur's wrists down, up by his head or near his hips, keeping him in place and at Merlin's mercy. Other times he uses his hips to press Arthur down into the bed or the couch, keeping him immobile. Still others he's used Arthur's shirtsleeves as restraints to keep his arms captive so he can do whatever he wants without interference. Merlin teases him in public, has even jerked him off under the table while friends were there. He's wanked Arthur into more orgasms in one period of time than he thought possible and then pushed him further still until he came dry. And god, that had been an experience.

Arthur has never felt so sexually satisfied as he has the last few months. It's a bit overwhelming to think a lot of that comes from giving someone else control over his body. And most of it has happened without him even realizing it. He's never felt unsafe or like he was giving too much, just that he didn't always realize he wasn't in control until after the fact. When they're together, this cloud of euphoria kind of settles over Arthur and he doesn't think about every little thing in great detail. He follows good sensations, what makes him feel good or safe or cared for, and somehow, that's led him here.

Now, Merlin is lying on top of Arthur in bed, most of his weight resting between Arthur's spread thighs. His mouth works down the open expanse of Arthur's chest and laves at his nipples, the small ridges of his abs, his navel. With his hands holding Arthur firmly in place as he squirms, Merlin continues his path downwards.

Arthur gasps, head pressing back into the pillow as Merlin sucks a mark into the skin of his belly. It tingles and then Merlin is at the crease of his thigh, nosing along the sensitive skin there. "Merlin," he whispers, a plea and a yes and a thank you, all in one. His hands unwind from the sheets and settle on Merlin's shoulders, wanting to touch and keep him close.

For a moment, Merlin gazes up at him and Arthur whines at the sheer lust pouring from him. His lover's eyes are dark, rings of blue very thin around blown pupils. Merlin licks over his lip and smiles crookedly, a promise. "I'm going to suck you now."

"God, yes," Arthur answers.

Then Merlin bends and there is scorching heat dragging along his length. Merlin licks a thick line up to the head and then laps at his slit, pre-come leaking from him already. Angling his head, Merlin takes the head into his mouth and uses his tongue to expertly play at the vein beneath the tip. Arthur howls.

That just makes Merlin suck harder and more of Arthur's cock disappears. Arthur's hips buck as he whines, his hands buried now in Merlin's hair. He loves when Merlin blows him.

Arthur loses himself in the sensations, his hips rolling, lungs gasping for air as it's repeatedly stolen from him. Absently, he notices his hands being pulled from Merlin's hair and then they're stuck, Merlin pinning his wrists next to his hips as he writhes. Merlin takes him as deep as possible and Arthur moans deep in his chest. He loves this.

Merlin swallows around Arthur's length and wriggles his tongue at the same time. He lets one wrist go to hold Arthur's hips flat, and immediately, Arthur is clinging to the pillow under his head, hips fighting to rock up into the sensation.

Just when Arthur thinks he's going to fall over the edge, Merlin withdraws. Arthur chokes on his breath and Merlin hums in his throat. "It's alright, love," he murmurs. "We're not done yet." He soothes a hand over Arthur's belly, and when the muscles have relaxed, Merlin trails his fingertips over Arthur's cock, his balls.

Another moan strangles in his throat and then those fingers are teasing further back and his hole clenches in anticipation. "Please."

"I've got you," Merlin reassures him. And he does. He always does. Merlin nudges his legs further apart and circles the pad of one finger over his taint. The sensation is like nothing else. Tingles shoot up through Arthur's balls and deep inside him. He wants more, whatever Merlin will give him. They haven't done full penetration yet, but right now, Arthur thinks he would be up for it.

"Grab the lube for me." And Arthur does, reaching for the discarded bottle on the nightstand and extending it down for Merlin to grab.

It isn't long before cold gel is being smeared over his hole and then a fingertip is inside him. Arthur chokes and his vision goes hazy, awareness escaping him as the sensations bombard him. He swims in and out of focus, and as he does, Merlin is exploring his body, filling him up more, twisting digits and turning them just right to make Arthur feel wild with pleasure.

As he gasps, two fingers push all the way in to the webbing and twist, curling and spreading as they pull back out. The motion repeats, repeats, repeats, and Arthur wants it to never stop. The fingers twist more harshly on the next stroke and Arthur's vision whites out. His prostate. Fuck, yes. Merlin does it again, flicking his fingertips over that pleasure center until Arthur thinks he might cry or burst.

Again, just before he explodes, Merlin backs off. A tear does fall from Arthur's eye this time, trailing down his temple to wet the pillow beneath him. "Merlin."

Merlin pets over Arthur's hip, soothes up his chest, back down. "It's all right. Arthur, you're doing so well. We're almost there, love. There's one last thing I want to do."

Arthur pants, fights to see Merlin's eyes. "Want to come."

"I know. You will, soon. I have a treat for you first though. You want that?"

Arthur just groans. He does want that. Doesn't know if he can take anymore, but he wants it. Damn it.

Merlin chuckles and kisses Arthur's belly. The muscles quiver, and as he settles, Merlin shifts again. He pushes Arthur's thighs apart, gets his hands under them, and suddenly they're up, his whole ass open and bared.

Before Arthur can voice his surprise or protests, there's wet heat over his hole and he cries out, hips bucking. He can't help squirming, the wet pressure unlike anything else he's ever felt. Merlin traces his rim and the skin tingles. He pushes just inside and Arthur clenches, gasping as the nerve endings experience something totally new.

Arthur's hips twitch. He can't help it. Then Merlin is holding his legs firmly apart and he's using his tongue like weapon. Merlin's tongue pierces his hole and pushes as deep as possible. He flicks it and thrusts like Arthur imagines he would his cock, carving him out and leaving him boneless.

Arthur's hole pulses and Merlin keeps going, flicking, lapping, thrusting until Arthur can't see or think beyond what sensation will be next. It goes on endlessly and Arthur is breathless.

A little longer and Arthur is crying, muscles trembling, his cock purple. Tears stream down his temples. It's only when he sobs that he needs Merlin to make him come that Merlin lets up. He pulls his mouth away and kisses Arthur's thigh. "You're amazing," he tells him, then pushes two fingers inside his pulsing hole. "Hold your legs in place, Arthur."

And fighting shaky limbs, Arthur does, fingers biting into the backs of his thighs. Merlin smiles at him proudly and then thrusts the two digits again, curving them to graze his sweet spot as he wraps his other hand around Arthur's cock. The length is slick with pre-come and his hand glides through the wetness.

Between the rubbing on his prostate and the rapid slick glide of a hand on his cock, Arthur can feel his climax approaching. This time, he doesn't think anything could stop it. Thankfully, Merlin isn't backing off this time and the pleasure builds until Arthur is finally, finally coming. He sobs as the pleasure rolls through his body, vision going white as he plummets over the edge.

When he's able to see again, his legs are flat on the bed and Merlin is hovering over him on all fours, long fingers wrapped around his own hard length, pulling in a way that should probably hurt, but clearly doesn't. Merlin meets his eyes and gives him a pleasure-laden grin. "Fuck, so good for me," he says, and then he's coming too and sticky come is spilling over Arthur's chest.

Unable to stop himself, Arthur drags his fingers through the mess and brings them to his mouth, moaning at the bittersweet taste on his tongue. Merlin gasps, eyes rolling back at the sight, and manages another spurt.

"Let me," Arthur murmurs, reaching for Merlin's hips. He pulls, wanting Merlin to shift up the bed. Merlin follows his lead and then Arthur is opening his mouth and taking Merlin's tip between his lips. He sucks, dipping his tongue into the slit to taste his come from the source. Merlin groans and cups Arthur's face, dipping his hips so Arthur can take him deeper.

Gently, Arthur laps and sucks until every last trace of come is gone. Even then, he holds Merlin in his mouth a bit longer, loving the weight of him on his tongue, the stretch of his lips.

When Merlin is too sensitive to let it continue any longer, he taps Arthur's cheek and slides himself free. "I'm so lucky to have you," he tells Arthur, settling himself down so they are chest to chest. He nuzzles the side of Arthur's face and cards his fingers through tangled blond hair.

"Mmm," Arthurs hums and tucks his face into Merlin's shoulder. "Me too." His eyes flutter. Apparently giving someone else the reigns is exhausting. Or maybe it's being on the verge of orgasm for so long. Either way, Arthur is tired and he wants Merlin to hold him. Seeming to read his thoughts, Merlin curls one long muscular arm across Arthur's chest and pulls him close.

He doesn't quite know how asking Merlin to tutor him has brought them here, but he's thankful it did.


AN: And that's the end...at least for now. I hope you've enjoyed my modern exploration into Merthur and my take on each of them. I had so much fun playing with the knights in the background, so hopefully you liked their appearances as well.

Maybe I'll add more one day, but for the moment, Arthur and Merlin are living happily ever after.