Substitution and Submission

Warning: Squickiness abounds.

The blond haired man lies nervously on the four poster bed. He had never been worried about not knowing what his father expected of him. No, it was perfectly clear even in this informal setting, what his father had wanted from him. Arthur only feared that he was a disappointment. So every time Uther summoned him, guilt and excitement would lance though him. He wanted a chance to prove to his father that he could be the very best son. In every way. No matter what the cost.

Arthur gapes a little as Merlin strode regally into his father's chambers, it's now their chambers, but to him it will always remind him a little too much of the late king. Merlin looks the perfect picture of Uther, perhaps a young Uther. The father that he will never see again this side of the Gates of Avalon. Merlin is wearing the signature Pendragon red robe with the silver chain clasp. The chain mail tunic. The black leather gloves. The only thing that is noticeably Merlin's is the crown on his head. He is wearing Arthur's and, of course, Arthur is wearing his father's crown.

Merlin strides confidently towards the new king, pushing him towards the bed straight away. "Arthur, you've kept me waiting all day," Merlin growls, just like his father used to. It's not as practiced and the idea of Merlin as dominating is laughable and a little frightening. It's such a start contrast to the Merlin he knows best – his bumbling manservant. Arthur supposes that Merlin just doesn't use his magic to intimidate people even if he could.

With a flare of golden eyes that Uther would have despised, Merlin summons up silk ties. They would hold Arthur in place but not mark him. Arthur was a prince after all. With incredible gentleness, Arthur's hands are tied to the bed posts.

Arthur wets his lips nervously, unsure of what to expect. It feels so surreal. He has no choice but to submit.

Merlin-as-Uther is kissing him wetly, palming his bulge, enjoying the way Arthur-his-son whimpers and struggles. Uther had liked to play power games. Arthur wonders idly how exactly Merlin knows all this but thinks and trusts in his lover's magic. If he needed to know, he'd tell him.

"Shhh, my boy," Merlin-as-Uther says with the slightest edge of warning. It's a command.

Arthur bites the inside of his cheek to keep silent as Merlin-his-father takes a knife out of his belt. He sucks in a breath. It is as he expects, the cold metal of the knife briefly kisses his skin as the tunic is cut from his body. Then he feels caresses. A sudden pinch to a rosy nipple makes him gasp and moan.

"You want this, don't you Arthur?"

It's when Merlin cups his face firmly and repeats the question that Arthur knows he's supposed to reply. What is he supposed to say? He supposes he knows the lines of this script so well so he doesn't know why he is panicking. Perhaps it's just because it still feel slightly uncomfortable. Different. He's aware that it's Merlin. Merlin is his father. Merlin is pretending to be his father. In bed.

"Of course, my Lord," Arthur says obediently, the way he had been trained.

Merlin narrowed his eyes as he felt the slightest hesitation. "Arthur? Are you loyal to me?" The unspoken question hangs between them: Do you trust me?

Arthur does.. "Always, my Lord."

The grip on his face tightens, not enough to bruise, but Merlin tilts Arthur's face forcefully so that they are looking deep into each other eyes.

"And only me?"

Facing his lover, he cannot lie. It doesn't matter if it is his father or Merlin. It doesn't even make sense. Yet, the answer would be the same. "And only you."

Then the warlock's eyes flare a brilliant gold and Arthur's hands are free.

When the blond makes no moves, Merlin prompts, "Arthur, do not keep me waiting!" It is delivered in a suitably demanding tone that kings have when they talk. It is familiar to Arthur and he is comforted by it.

"Merlin! Wait! Do want us to...to..." Arthur is not sure how to say it. Is he playing the part of himself as his father's son or Merlin's lover? Is there a difference there?

A look of regal disdain crosses Merlin's face that would have made Uther proud. The blond hastens on, "He...um he had me service him... but he and I didn't..." Arthur gestures inarticulately. He didn't like to say 'my father' – it sounded too perverted. Feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment, the new king clarifies, "He didn't penetrate me."

Merlin clears his throat with a curious look.

"Nor I him."

This is the only time Merlin breaks out of the role. The brunet leans over to kiss Arthur reassuringly on the lips, before rolling them over so Arthur was on top. "All I ask is that you make me feel like a King."

Arthur inclines his head to acknowledge his lover's request and then he kisses the side of Merlin's neck. His father didn't like to be undressed so he did not attempt to undress Merlin. He merely unclasped the cape so he would be more comfortable. Then the blond ran his hand down the length of the chest and closed his eyes ever so briefly. The feeling was familiar to him. He had done this not so long again. Calloused fingers travelled down a steel path until it finally reached the ornate belt with the Pendragon crest on the buckle. He undid this also and pushed the thigh length mail aside so he could gain access to the pants. Without looking upwards, Arthur undid the laces deftly with his teeth then warmed his hands with his breath before pulling the straining penis out with the required reverence. Arthur carefully positions the clothing so it would not chafe uncomfortably while trying to remind himself it's Uther. Not Merlin. Uther. Uther. Uther. But he's doing this for Merlin. He'd do anything for Merlin. Would he have done anything for his father? Arthur is trying really hard not to compare but he suspects that Merlin knows. Maybe this is why they are doing this. Maybe Merlin was right. This is his chance to prove to his lover that he loves him. That isn't so wrong.

Merlin is growing impatient. Arthur is just staring at his penis and the thought that his lover might be comparing him, irritates him. "Arthur?"

"Hmm, yes Merlin?" Arthur replies distractedly, looking up and realising his mistake a little too late.

The blow snaps his head sideways. The gloved hand that struck him stings more than he remembered. Yet Arthur trusts Merlin not to really hurt him or leave any visible marks on him.

"What did you call me?" Merlin's forehead is furrowed and the wording is oh so much like his father.

There would have been no point in denying it. "I'm sorry, father," Arthur says painfully. He holds himself stoically, expecting a second blow as punishment. 'Uther' would have been ruthless and Merlin delivers a swift backhand that Arthur accepts without flinching. Still he can tell the use of the familial title has abated 'Uther's' anger if only slightly.

Merlin grabs Arthur by his hair not enough to pull it out but enough to hurt. "Arthur, look at me. You will obey me. You will be loyal to me."

"Only you, my Lord," he repeated before lowering his head to Merlin's crotch. Arthur performs perfectly; swallowing every drop of his lover's cum. Merlin is uncharacteristically quiet. Like Uther, Arthur's mind reminds him. Always Uther.

When they are done, Merlin says the words as he always wished his father would say but rarely did, "You make me so happy son, I'm proud of you." Though Merlin is only pretending to be his father, he plays the part perfectly. Arthur feels the power shift between them with fearful accuracy. It is exactly like he wanted it.

With those words, Arthur feels absolved. He is inexplicably happy.

They both take their clothes off and they go to sleep. He is relieved when he wakes up, it's just Arthur and Merlin again. Merlin wants to make love to him and Arthur complies gladly and they don't have to talk about it.

All criticism welcome.

kink: dom!merlin, kink: dub-con, fic, pairing: arthur/merlin, type: slash, rating: r, kink: incest, kink: non-con, kink: role-playing