Sorry about the long delay on this update. Here is the 6th Day of Christmas, in which the 12 Days of Christmas earns its mature rating, Merlin threatens to make Arthur shop at Aldi's and we learn Hunith's pet name for Merlin.


The 6th Day of Christmas

When did one go from sleeping to waking? One moment he was surrounded by pies, the next moment he was worrying about Arthur. Thinking things like Arthur shouldn't talk to Igraine anymore or Arthur should call his lawyer if the video was back on Youtube.

Guinevere shifted in her sleep, her cheek falling against his shoulder. He leaned down to nuzzle her hair and encountered one of those ridiculous satin caps she wore. Okay they weren't ridiculous, Gwen swore they kept her hair from turning into a hot, tangled mess but they kept him from doing things like stroking her curls and sniffing her hair.

Arthur's fingertips grazed his stomach and Merlin lifted his head. He peered at the other man in the dim, gray morning light.

"Arthur you awake?" He whispered.

"Yeah," came the muffled reply.

"Gwen you awake?" He whispered not wanting to actually wake her.

When she didn't respond he asked again and got only silence.

"What time is it?" Arthur asked.

Merlin checked the bedside clock, the numbers shown bright green in the morning dark.

"Five."

"We went to bed early last night." Arthur muttered.

"Wake up Gwen?" Merlin asked reaching for the quarter he kept on the nightstand. He eased away from Gwen, tossed the coin in the air and caught it on the back of his hand, covering it as he did so hiding the result from both of them.

"Heads or tails?" He looked towards Arthur who had propped himself up on one elbow.

"Heads," Arthur grinned and Merlin lifted his hand.

"It's your turn."He scooted away a bit to watch.

Arthur stroked his hand across the soft flesh of her belly before sliding it upwards to gently cup one of her breast. The early morning light fell soft and dappled over the valleys of her sweet flesh and cast muted pearl gray shadows throughout the room. He nuzzled her neck and planted kisses along her skin from ear to shoulder. She didn't stir only sighed slightly and titled her head to one side giving him better access to her neck.

The game was simple. He couldn't speak to Gwen to wake her or shift her around; he could touch, caress or kiss the areas of her body that she exposed through her own movements.

Arthur kissed his way down to her perfect freckled breast. Her nipples were already stiffened perhaps from the cool morning air. She arched her back and sighed as he stroked one with his tongue before taking it into his mouth while kneading the other breast with one large hand.

Water, warm and soft surrounded her, let her buoy on its surface but it was particularly warm and delicious at her breast. She lifted her hands thinking to touch them and met Arthur's hand- Merlin's- no definitely Arthur's.

They were playing that game- Wake up Gwen, she thought muzzily. Well she was going to let him work for it. Gwen kept her eyes shut, face relaxed as she felt Arthur's large hand splay across her middle, slide over her, sending pleasant little shivers rippling across the surface of her skin. His finger tips grazed the curling hair of her nether parts and Guinevere let her thighs fall open with a sigh. She felt his warm, moist mouth switch from one nipple to the other.

Merlin watched them intently, Guinevere moaning, sighing and smiling in her sleep; Arthur as he dipped first his hand and then his head in between her legs. She moaned a sweet, breathy sound that reverberated through him and he began to stroke his dick letting the foreskin slide up and down in long fluid strokes and kept an eye on her face. Gwen could be sneaky and pretend to be asleep longer than she actually was. She began to moan and twist in the sheets and Merlin fought the urge to touch her, touch Arthur, join them. Gwen gasped and whimpered her cries of pleasure filled the early morning silence. He resisted the urge to stroke himself faster, join her oncoming orgasm.

Arthur did something and Gwen seemed to bounce as pleasure rippled through her entire body. In the next moment she whimpered. Merlin watched her body grow tight and tense from the curl of her toes to the arch of her neck. He felt a coiling of pleasure in his stomach. Her dark eyes flew open and she clutched at Arthur's blonde hair. She whimpered again and let out long pleased moan that seemed to be an agony of ecstasy and went limp.

"You're awake," Merlin said moment later.

She just smiled and Merlin leaned down to kiss her sweet slightly swollen lips and tug off that cap of hers, spilling her dark curls across the pillows. A moment later Arthur's lips met theirs and they shifted sharing the kiss between the three of them somehow, Merlin savoring the heady musky fragrance and taste of Gwen on Arthur's lips. The combination sent blood shooting into his dick and Merlin groaned.

"Stop teasing me Arthur," Gwen said.

Merlin felt Gwen shudder and opened his eyes. He cast a glance downward and saw one of Arthur's hands between her legs. Her protest to Arthur stirred something mischievous in him and he reached downward to cup one of her breast, flicking a nipple with his thumb. She whimpered and bit her lip arching into his hand.

"Enough," Gwen said.

A moment later they were shifting her onto her side. She felt Arthur hook her leg round his waist as one of Merlin's long fingered hands slid down her back and round her buttocks. When his hand slipped between her thighs she pressed against him involuntarily and thought at first that he was teasing her but then his hand slid back round to her rear and she realized he was gathering moisture. Arthur entered her in one long sweet stroke and she sighed feeling some sense of relief. Merlin wasn't large which was fine because it let him-

-she moaned and gripped Arthur's shoulders as Merlin entered her from behind pushing all thought from her mind.

Later she lay in between her in two men sated and damp with perspiration. Their arms were warm and strong around her, around each other. The three of them couldn't stop, kissing, nuzzling and stroking one and other.

So when Merlin suddenly got up Guinevere and Arthur groaned a unanimous protest.

"I need to start getting ready for work," he grabbed a pair of pajama pants that had been toss over the room's only chair. "Shouldn't you two be getting up?"

"I'm off today." Gwen looked expectantly at Arthur.

"I'm working from home and planning to get very little work done," Arthur said with a grin.

Merlin frowned. "Small business owners, you both suck."

"But only for you Merlin." Arthur said and Gwen giggled.

He rolled his eyes and left. A moment later they heard the shower start.

Gwen snuggled closer to Arthur leisurely stroking his broad chest.

"You should call the lawyer if that video is up on YouTube again."

"Yeah," Arthur's arms tightened around her.

Gwen propped herself up on one elbow so she could see Arthur's face when he answered her next question.

"Are you feeling okay?"She asked stroking his broad chest.

"Yes, I'm fine," Arthur twined his fingers with her own. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you were awfully drunk last night."

"Gwaine made me drink all that water; eat all those cheese sticks and calamari to keep me from getting hung over." He shrugged and kissed her hand. "It worked. I'm fine."

Arthur smiled brightly at her and Gwen frowned.

"I'm talking about your mother and your Aunt Graine."

"Oh," he was silent, lips pursed a moment over his next words.

"We all know how my mother is. Is anything she does a surprise, really?" With those words Arthur got out of bed and went to the dresser to find a pair of flannels. "I need to get some emails sent to Elle and Kay."

Gwen gathered the bedding around her and crawled to the foot of the bed.

"Arthur-"

"I'm fine." He stroked her hair away from her face. "No need for worrying."

He leaned down to press a kiss on her forehead and strode from the room.

"You're not fine at all." Gwen muttered and got out of bed. Well it would be just the two of them today maybe she could get him to open up a little later. She went to the dresser and found one of the boys pajama tops. They didn't wear them to bed just around the house. Gwen found she preferred theirs to hers. The dark blue top she pulled on fit snuggly fell nearly to the knees and the sleeves had to be cuffed several times, definitely Merlin's. She couldn't identify them by scent both men's soaps, after shaves, colognes mingled comfortingly in the fabric.

Gwen put on her fuzzy, leopard house slippers and went into the bathroom to wash up before starting breakfast.

Gwen buttered several slices of toast and put them in the oven. She checked the pan of sizzling sausage patties and flipped. She put them in the oven as they'd finished and saved the eggs for last, no one liked cold eggs.

"Let me help," Merlin strode into the kitchen, with damp hair still wearing only his pajama bottoms.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for work?"

"I decided to call-off."

"Merlin!" Her voice was chastising but she smiled as she said it.

"It's Friday," he grinned at her. "You and Arthur are both here and I never call in."

"Well slice this up then," she handed him a perfectly round Asian pear and turned on the heat under her egg skillet.

"Breakfast is smelling good," Arthur strode into the kitchen with a smile and looked at Merlin. "How come you're not getting ready for work?"

He put his arms round Merlin's waist.

"Called off."

Arthur grinned and kissed the back of his neck. Gwen nibbled a chunk of cheese for the eggs and watched them with a little smile.

"I am sensing a very productive day ahead for the three of us." Arthur said.

"Yes," Gwen said and pointed at him. "You, can finish decorating the apartment. Merlin and I are gonna go to the grocery store."

Arthur stared at her, adorable mouth twisted into a pout and Gwen stared back.

"Fine," he said at last.

They finished cooking and settled down to eat a hot filling breakfast at the bar. Gwen took the middle seat with Arthur and Merlin on either side of her. Shortly after they agreed on being a trio Arthur had insisted on this arrangement when they slept, when they walked down the street, whatever.

If she was on either end Arthur or Merlin's bulk would hide her, cut her off from the conversation, make her feel excluded over time. Whereas in the middle they could all easily, see touch and communicate with one and other. Plus as Arthur had explained, it allowed them to be true gentlemen and look after her properly, whatever that meant. Gwen spun on her stool and stole a sausage from Merlin's plate, and then she spun back around and gave Arthur a little pinch at his waist.


Despite her insistence that they get work done they somehow wound up snuggled on the couch watching courtroom tv. Guinevere and Arthur sat side-by-side, with Merlin's long lean body stretched across their laps, all of them ignoring the fact that the day was slowly getting away. She knew they should probably get started on the day's chores but she could bring herself to move, they were much too comfortable. She stroked Merlin's dark hair from his forehead, kissed Arthur's cheek. Merlin twined his fingers with hers and stroked his thumb across the back of her hand.

"Hey!" Merlin and Gwen cried when Arthur turned off the tv in the middle of the second episode of People's Court.

"It's one o' clock guys, we've been up since five in the morning and we haven't gotten anything done."

"Oh, I can think of one thing that got done." Merlin's bright blue eyes meet hers and they shared a grin.

"That doesn't count," Arthur said emphasizing each word. "Remember decorating and grocery shopping for the big dinner."

Guinevere sighed. "We can do that stuff a little later?"

Arthur gave her a 'don't even' face that she was certain he'd learned from her and snorted.

"A little later will turn into five o'clock and then tomorrow and then, maybe Sunday."

"Merlin?"Gwen looked to him for support.

"He's right," Merlin agreed. "I thought you wanted to get this stuff done?"

"Guys," Gwen weighed her options and snuggled close to Arthur pressing her breast against his side. She looked up at him with wide eyes and bit her lower lip ever so slightly. "We can do it later."

Merlin looked at Gwen trying to charm Arthur and frowned.

"Arthur?"He said.

Gwen saw Arthur's determination waver and let the corner of her mouth turn upwards just a bit while running one hand over his abdomen.

"He's right," Merlin got up and it was his turn to look at her sternly. "You, up." He pointed at her and held out one hand, "Now."

"Fine," Guinevere rolled her eyes and let Merlin help her up.

"I'm on to you missy," Merlin said it for their ears alone.

"I wasn't doing anything," she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

It was Merlin's turn to give her the 'don't even' look and Gwen snorted. She looked to Arthur who sat on the couch with his arms folded.

"Fine," Guinevere surrendered but not without a fight. "Why don't we help Arthur with the decorations and then the three of us can go to the store together?"

Gwen smiled her most engaging and glanced back and forth betwixt the two of them. She cherished her time alone and she loved time with just Merlin or Arthur but the three of them were in truth the best combination.

"I'm game," Arthur said.

"You know he is useless in the store," Merlin stood with his hands on his hips looking mildly annoyed.

"Well, yeah but."Gwen brushed a hand through Merlin's hair and looked up at him with wide eyes. "It's all three of us together today."

"Oh all right," Merlin said with a little smile, "let's just get started."


Merlin and Guinevere grabbed two carts and split the holiday shopping list in half. They were getting everything for the dinner today with the exception of fresh meat and produce. It was still early enough that the grocery store wasn't yet crowded though they wouldn't have long before the evening rush crowds hit the stores for some after work shopping. They all wanted to be done before then.

While Guinevere and Merlin dutifully shopped Arthur roamed Treasure Island Grocery eating samples, reading magazines, adding delicacies like goose liver pate and gourmandize cheese, none of which were on the list. Guinevere and Merlin complained over the cost of food insisting that Treasure Island was gouging the good people of Hyde Park, while Arthur complained that their wine selection was cheap. Merlin threatened to take him to Aldi's on 63rd and Cottage Grove; Arthur's lip curled in disgust and he wandered away. He returned when they were nearly done with a little bag from What the Traveler Saw.

When Gwen reminded him that he no longer had limitless funds he merely shrugged and reminded her that Penn Advertising was growing daily.

"Do we have everything?" Gwen turned her attention to Merlin with a sigh.

"We should probably do a checklist," Merlin handed her his half of the list.

"Five pound bag yellow cornmeal?" Gwen read.

"Check," Merlin said.

"2 dozen eggs?"

"Check."

"1 gallon milk?"Gwen asked.

"Check."

Arthur leaned against the store shelves looking bored as they continued on down the list; yams, 4 bricks cheese, macaroni noodles, 2 pints cream, 1 box graham crackers, cranberries, etc… the list went on.

When they finished the list Gwen gave Merlin a quick kiss and they turned their carts toward check-out. The checker rang them out and they swiped Arthur's Amex without a problem though Gwen grumbled as they left. Food was way too much. They'd come back in a few days for the mustard and turnip greens and a few other produce items. If they bought any of those things today they'd be wilting by Christmas but everything else was in order.

They'd only just stepped out into the cool evening air when Merlin's mom called. Balinor would be in town and wanted to join them for dinner.

"Well one more won't throw us off." Gwen said and surveyed the grocery bags filling their carts. She was not remotely interested in going back into the store. "And besides my parents really get along with Balinor. Will your mom be okay?" She looked at Merlin thoughtfully.

"Yeah she'll be fine," Merlin sighed. "Oh mom wants to come by for lunch on Sunday and take Christmas pictures."

"Christmas pictures?" Arthur asked a bit confused and Gwen snickered.

"It's an Emrys family tradition every year Hunith buys Christmas sweaters and about a week before Christmas everyone gathers round for pictures." Gwen looked at Merlin. "Did I leave anything out?"

"Nope." Merlin said looking vaguely annoyed. "Do you still have you sweaters?"

"Yup."

"You mean with reindeer and snowflakes?" Arthur asked.

"Mhmm." Gwen nodded grinning as if she were about to burst with laughter at Merlin's obvious discomfort. "Merlin's so cute in his Christmas sweaters and Hunith fusses and dotes on him so. 'My little man is all grown up. Your ears are so cute.'" Gwen mimicked Hunith and started to laugh and Arthur couldn't help but laugh too.

"Can we just get the groceries in the care please?" Merlin said.

"Okay little man," Arthur said and the two of them burst into a fresh set of giggles.

"She calls him Mermer by the way," Gwen said to Arthur looking as serious as she could under the circumstances.

Merlin decided not to say anything else. He just watched the two of them stand giggling under the twilight sky.