Title: Bed role games
Rating: M
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Summary: Anyone wonders what will King Arthur find Merlin doing in his bedchamber after a hard day? Well, Arthur too.
Warnings: Series of related one-shots. Unbeta'd. Slash m/m Merlin/Arthur. Established relationship. CanonAU. Smut, fluff and everything you could think of. I own nothing. English is not my mother language.
Word count for this chapter: around 4,900
AN: Sorry for the late update! I've not abandoned this fic at all! It's just that I've been busy with work and other fics (well, that's kind of an excuse but the truth is that I'm becoming terrible at updating...) As always, thanks to everyone that keeps following, favouriting or simply reading this! And a special thanks to all the amazing people who have reviewed! Among them the guest that inspired this chapter with one of the ideas they left in a review (I had already planned to do something similar to the other idea you suggest in a future chapter!). I don't know if this is what you had in mind, but I hope you like it anyway. Also, I have already outlined the next two instalments since I intend to develop the plot (or what little plot this has) further. You'll definitely realise something is going on between Arthur and Merlin in this and the next chapter, but you'll understand everything when you see the eighth one. Now, enjoy!
-~oOo0oOo~-
6 - The Ally
It hadn't been a tiring day at all. Everything from the training with his knights to the council meeting went smoothly. The king had had an uneventful dinner with some foreign dignitaries and then he had retired to his chambers to find everything ready for him to go to sleep. Just a few candles were burning, his night clothes were prepared in a chair and even his bed was open. Everything was perfect. And yet the young king had been all day absent, his mind elsewhere, as if he were extremely concerned by something – which being an important king wasn't strange at all.
Still musing about something or other while undressing, Arthur heard a soft knock coming from the door to his rooms. It was pretty late but it wasn't uncommon to turn to the king when something important arose. With a sigh Arthur muttered a 'Come in' loud enough to be heard from outside and waited for someone to enter still in his tunic and breeches. Well, at least he was decent enough. In less than a few seconds a lanky young man got in and closed the door behind him. He was all pale skin, black hair, prominent cheekbones and big blue eyes, which were brought out by the silky blue tunic he was wearing, along with black breeches and high brown boots. He was dressed with high quality clothes, a clear signal that he was a noble at least.
"Sire," the newcomer said with respect and a slight inclination of his head. "I'm sorry to disturb you at such an hour... and I know it's improper for a prince... but..." He seemed extremely dubious as if he expected the king to throw him out of his rooms, not matter who he was. "I... I wanted to discuss the peace treaty between our people with your highness... away from the council chambers..."
"It's late," Arthur stated almost coldly. The boy's hopeful glance seemed to flatter and that made the king hesitate. The boy had such a beautiful face, it wasn't made to show such a sad expression. Besides, Arthur had his duties and responsibilities too. He knew the pressure that they brought and, anyway, there should always be time in a king's agenda to negotiate a most beneficial treaty with an alleged foreign prince. He sighed and finally conceded with a curt nod. After all, he had nothing to lose. A small grateful smile illuminated the boy's face in return.
"Here, we can talk without being disturbed," Arthur said as he gestured for the young prince to sit at the large table in the centre of the antechamber. However, he didn't join him immediately. Arthur went to a small table where a jug of exquisite spiced wine and some cups were. He himself served two cups for them while the prince sat in one of the smaller chairs. When he turned around he offered one of the cups to the boy, who accepted it with a whispered 'thanks', before sitting on the biggest chair, a throne-like one presiding over the table. The king leaned back comfortably and stared at the prince with curiosity as the boy took small sips from his wine and looked back at him quite nervously. Arthur simply relaxed and let his visitor take the lead since he didn't know yet exactly why he had come to him at such an hour.
After an uncomfortable silence, the boy left the cup on the table. He seemed to have made up his mind. "The truth is that I wanted to negotiate with you personally, without old councillors and advisers giving their opinion every few seconds." The king hummed a little to encourage the boy to go on talking as he drank from his cup. That worked because the boy opened himself to him quicklier now that he thought he had the king's attention. "I think that in a treaty, as in any kind of relationship, trust is of the utmost importance. That is, I wanted you to know that you can trust my people... that you can trust me... in a more intimate level."
The young prince's cheeks turned slightly red after that last insinuation, making him even more alluring if that was possible. The king felt trapped in those apparently innocent eyes that were clearly trying to convey him a hidden message. A message he wasn't sure he wanted to know. But he couldn't leave the conversation at that, so he also left his cup on the table and replied seriously, "I used to pride myself on being quite sharp when it comes to understand things, but as I have lately discovered I might not be so... Pray tell me, sire, what have you come here for tonight?"
Silence reigned again for a few moments in the king's chambers as they studied each other. The prince nibbled his lower lip distractedly as if he were trying to make the decision of his life. Unexpectedly, he provided a cloth from nowhere and showed it to a surprised frowning king.
"What is that for?" Arthur couldn't avoid asking.
"To prove my point, sire," the boy answered truthfully. "If you let me... I want to show you you can trust me in this." Those dark blue eyes bored into the king's soul and he understood he wouldn't be able to deny anything to this boy. He nodded imperceptibly but that was enough to let his visitor know he was willing to go by whatever he had in mind. The prince didn't waste any time. He grinned stupidly at him and sprang to his feet. In no time the king had the cloth firmly secured around his eyes. For a moment, Arthur had doubted his decision and had lifted his arms to stop him but a mere whispered 'Trust me' had calmed him.
Now, king Arthur found himself in his own chambers, sat in his throne-like chair and readily blinded in the hands a foreign prince. His feelings were quite contradictory. He debated between the fear that this could be a trap to kill him and win over his kingdom and the excitement of giving himself over so gropingly to someone (and no, he hadn't meant it like that!). Then he felt a soft hand caressing his hair and he released a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. Now he understood. Somehow this was kind of a test for both of them. A test to make a king trust a foreign prince on the grounds that they shared common interests for their people.
However, the young prince was taking it further than a simple negotiation to become allies. His hands had descended from Arthur's golden strands to his shoulders, which he was massaging gently. The king couldn't see where exactly he was, but he could distinctly feel his presence very near, his breath ghosting over his own lips. And, gods, it felt good. So good he was tempted to lean down and close the small distance between them, but then the moment passed and Arthur heard the prince's whispering voice in his ear.
"You know, at the beginning trust is a bit like faith." His hands continued massaging Arthur's shoulders. "You put yourself, your confidence in the hands of someone else and you believe in them blindly, thinking they would act for the best of your interests." A groan escaped the king's mouth when he felt a talented mouth nibbling and playing with his earlobe. The boy's hands had left his shoulders behind and they were now stroking his chest, visibly travelling south. However, he did nothing to stop him, his arms resting comfortably on the armrests. They were talking about trust and that was exactly what the foreign prince was asking of him at the moment. Being a stubborn man, Arthur decided to play along and find out if it was all right to seal such a treaty.
"But with time you realise that trust must be earned." The boy's lips were again near his. "Not by empty words in a council chamber, but by actions." Now they were even closer. "By showing your allies they can truly count on you in the most difficult times." Arthur felt the tip of the boy's nose touching his in a kind of unusual kiss. "I've showed you that much in the past... in past alliances... And if you let me, I'll be there for you in the future." Their lips barely brushed against each other. "Trust me and you'll see..." Arthur heard a soft chuckle. "Well, not see... but you'll most definitely feel..."
Finally, their lips rubbed against each other in a series of tempting butterfly kisses. When they parted, it was because the boy's hands were sliding Arthur's tunic up his stomach, his chest, and even his arms since he was forced to raise them. A soft rustle indicated that the tunic was in the floor beside them. Now a blinded and half-naked Arthur felt more exposed and vulnerable in front of his visitor. However, he couldn't let him realise that, that he had the upper-hand, that he affected him so much, so he decided to cover up.
"I don't know if I can trust you yet," he stated in a serious tone. "So far, I'm the one asked to trust you but I've received no proof that you really deserve so."
In response, the prince straddled his lap and whispered, "And I'm more than happy to show you, my lord."
Their lips joined again. This time the kiss started as gently as before but it quickly escalated. The king, quite fed up with doing nothing, forced his visitor to open his mouth and battled him with his tongue. Of course, Arthur won and soon the visiting prince surrendered and started to make soft whimpering sounds against his mouth. It was a small victory but that encouraged Arthur who left behind his indolence and joined the boy in caressing each other's body. The blue tunic was really as smooth as it seemed but he didn't pay it much attention as he sneaked his hands under it to reach bare skin.
"Trust also means... equal conditions... for both parties..." Arthur groaned between kisses, "and you're wearing... far too many clothes." So he acted consequently and with a fluent movement he took the boy's tunic off. The king couldn't see the prince's face or his chest, but he didn't need it. No, he wasn't going to give in so easily and take off the blindfold just because his lust demanded more. He still had his other senses and somehow that excited him more because not having his eyes had sharpened the perception of his other senses. His hands delighted in exploring such a delicate skin, his ears picked up clearly the sound of every intake of air the boy made, his nose told him what a sweet spicy scent he had. And finally his taste... his mouth ended sucking, nipping, licking the boys' mouth again.
The boy, for his part, didn't stay completely still. As his lips corresponded Arthur's passionate kisses, his hands continued his travel south until they reached the laces of the king's breeches. It was then, when Arthur noticed the prince was trying to untie them that he made himself part from that delicious mouth.
"What are you doing?" he couldn't help asking. Of course he knew what the prince was doing. However, the fact that everything was happening so quickly and that he still had his eyes blinded made him hesitate for a moment. Not that he wanted to leave it at that, but...
The prince seemed to grasp his insecurities in his voice since his hands left his breeches and went to caress and stroke his face. "Trust is also about making concessions so that the alliance can be balanced," the boy stated softly. Arthur could picture perfectly how those pouty lips must be smiling condescendingly at him, a few inches apart from his. "As in relationships, both parts must contribute with something. Both parts must collaborate so that it can work."
And then, quite suddenly, the boy stood. The king was obviously surprised. He had expected something more after those lustful kisses and hot caresses. Despite the strange situation, he must admit he was enjoying himself and the fact that it had ended so abruptly when the boy had clearly stated he had all the intention to make Arthur trust him was shocking in the least. He was about to take the blindfold off and see for himself what the hell was going on when he heard it. The soft rustling of clothes. If his ears weren't playing tricks on him, that could only mean one thing – the boy wasn't gone. He hadn't left him alone and blinded like a fool. He was just there. And the most reasonable explanation for the sounds he was hearing and the movement he could perceive was that he was undressing.
His suspicions were confirmed when the foreign prince straddled him again and he took Arthur's hands in his to guide them towards his body. He was naked. Completely and gloriously naked. He couldn't see it (which was such a pity) but his sense of touch told him that much as his hands descended from the boys shoulders to his back and his round perky buttocks, which he couldn't stop himself from squeezing. He felt the boy's breath on his ear once more before he whispered sensually, "You must offer trust if you want to be trusted."
This time, when the prince unlaced his breeches Arthur didn't oppose. He was too distracted exploring every inch of skin he could reach, kissing blindly every part he could put his lips on, such as those sharp cheeks, that long neck or those bony shoulders. He was so far gone with lust that he just noticed he was hard when the boy finally pulled his cock out of his breeches and gave it a couple of tugs. That was enough to make him moan in pleasure. And when suddenly his erection brushed against the boy's, his mind went blank for a glorious moment. All his past doubts were soon forgotten. All he could think about was the boy. Arthur wanted him as much as the visiting prince seemed to want him and their alliance, their relationship or whatever they were trying to discuss didn't matter any more.
Or so he thought, until the boy stood again and Arthur was left alone on his throne-like chair once more. He couldn't believe it. Was he really going to leave him like that? He was about to protest but then he realized his visitor hadn't left at all. He could sense he was near. But then, what the hell was he doing now? He didn't have time to ask either when he heard the prince's sweet voice saying, "I won't abandon you. Never."
And then the boy started to sit literally on him, which explained why he had stood up a second time and why it had taken him some minutes to come to Arthur again. He had been preparing himself so that it wouldn't be so painful when he enveloped Arthur's length in his tight velvety channel. But fingering himself briefly wasn't enough preparation and he had to go down slowly, his hands squeezing Arthur's tightly, until the cheeks of his arse rested on the king's lap and he impaled himself completely in Arthur's length. After the effort, the boy simply lay back comfortably, his back against the king's chest, for a much deserved rest, while he led Arthur's hands around him, making the king surround him in an intimate embrace.
Both of them stayed in that position for a few moments, enjoying the soft contact of skin on skin and giving themselves time to adjust, specially to the prince, before starting to rock their hips together. The first thrusts were more experimental. Arthur had the boy tightly hugged and that hardly left him any room to move, what made their movements spasmodic and uncoordinated. However, lust soon overflowed the king's already hazy mind and his fear of losing hold on his lover and make him lose his precarious balance was immediately forgotten. Arthur's soft up and down motions increased in pace and became more bold. His hands loosened their grip on the prince to find their way to the boy's hips. His lips started to travel around the boy's nape and shoulders, leaving a trail of kisses and licks.
Arthur couldn't see anything yet, but he didn't need his eyes at all. His senses were on fire. He was totally overwhelmed by the softness, the sweetness, the tenderness of this prince and he suspected that an image to accompany all that would be too much. He was satisfied enough with a smooth skin to nibble and caress, an earthy smell to sniff and those throaty whimpers and obscene squelches to hear. The prince, however, seemed to want more because his wanton mewlings started to form words that inflamed the king even more.
"You see, my king... I'm completely in your hands too..." the boy breathed falteringly due to their rhythm and Arthur couldn't avoid strengthening his grip on the boy's hips. "I trust you... I give you... everything I am... You should give me something too..." And with that one of the prince's hands took Arthur's and put it around his cock. "Touch... me... please... touch me..." he begged and who would be able to deny him anything. So, Arthur set to work. First, he thumbed the head of the boy's shaft leisurely before descending towards the base and then up again, little by little building up a pleasurable pace that he tried to synchronise with his thrusts.
More groans and pants filled the room as their orgasm built. The prince seemed to be melting in Arthur's hands. The boy had completely abandoned himself to Arthur's ministrations – not that the king was in a better shape. He was barely able to coordinate his movements any more. One thrust, another, one more... And then he let it go. Arthur came inside his new ally as he bit his shoulder in an attempt to muffle his cries of pleasure. He didn't even realise it but he also squeezed the boy's cock harder due to his ecstasy and the boy came too, without nothing to deaden his loud moans.
When Arthur's brain started to work again, he realised they were completely entwined. He had the worn out prince enveloped in his arms and without thinking he hugged him harder against his chest. It felt so good. Even though the sexual intercourse had finished, it felt wonderful just to feel that smooth skin against his and how the boy's hair tickled his nose and forehead. It was complete bliss. However, as the king got his breath back, he decided it was time to get that damn blindfold off. He had followed the prince's rules so far. But he was a king. He had the right to impose his own rules.
Tiredly, Arthur untied the piece of cloth that covered his eyes and dropped it on the armrest. It didn't take his eyes long to readjust since there wasn't much light in the room. And the sight that greeted him was truly one to behold. Apart from the mop of black hair, he got to see the boy's pale body stretched before him, his chest covered in come, his already soft cock and then, when he turned around to look at him, Arthur could also contemplate his beautifully debauched face, with blown wide eyes, rosy cheeks and swollen lips.
Arthur was about to open his mouth to say something, not sure of what to say after such a mind blowing experience, when the visiting prince beat him to it. "Do you finally... trust me, sire?" the boy asked breathlessly.
And what to respond to that? The boy was really amazing. He had certainly made him forget about all his worries, all his doubts, all his fears. For a brief moment, only the two of them had existed and all his world had been reduced to that throne-like chair. He had surrendered to the passion of the moment blindly (and quite literally) without questions and the result had been more than extraordinary. But, did that mean he could trust him?
Now the answer was clear in Arthur's mind. The foreign prince had said it himself: 'Trust must be earned' and 'You have to give in order to receive'. The king needed more and so he stated, "I think I have given you far more than I have received."
The boy spluttered adorably before saying indignantly, "That's not true, you..."
But Arthur shut him with a hungry sloppy kiss that made the boy forget any protest he was about to utter. In fact, he was so distracted by Arthur's exploring tongue that he didn't notice at all how the king had picked the abandoned blindfold again and with skilful hands he put it around the boy's head, blinding him. The prince went instantly to stop it before Arthur had time to make a simple knot, but the king shushed him into submission with his words.
"I also want to check something," Arthur whispered near the boy's ear. "How much trust have you put in me?" And with that he secured the cloth firmly.
Arthur didn't give the prince time to respond, not even to think. Suddenly, he stood with a surprised yelping boy in his arms. Arthur smirked. It was his turn. And the visiting prince seemed to understand that since he didn't oppose at all. All he said was, "I told you, a relationship is a two way thing and I trust you completely, sire... With my life." He declared it so sincerely that Arthur couldn't avoid believing him.
A new assault to the boy's mouth was in order and the king obliged as he cradled him tighter in his arms and walked towards his king sized bed, where Arthur put him carefully. He admired the visiting prince just for a few seconds. Naked, blindfolded and completely still, waiting for Arthur to do with him whatever he wanted. And his heart melted a little.
"You've almost convinced me here." Arthur knelt on the bed beside the boy and he caressed one of his prominent cheekbones. He was entranced by everything this prince represented. However, Arthur couldn't let him know that he had won, that he had destroyed all of his barriers with this little trusting game and now the king was willing to go farther than he had ever thought possible for him. So, he decided to play hard and said, "Now that you're in my territory..." A quick peck. "We have all night to explore new horizons." And so they did.
-~oOo0oOo~-
In the morning...
Arthur could feel a body lying in his bed next to him, or more precisely, wrapped around him. Not that Arthur was going to complain because he knew perfectly well who that person was and it really felt incredibly good to have him with him. Merlin. His Merlin. His loyal bumbling excuse of a manservant. His most trusted adviser. His staunch ally. His best friend. His lover. His everything.
Too lazy to open his eyes, Arthur just squirmed a bit to get a better position and hugged Merlin closer. He could notice a dim light from under his eyelids which indicated that it would probably be very early in the morning. He still had some more minutes before he had to wake up, which suited him just fine as Arthur loved to snuggle in bed with Merlin. As he inhaled Merlin's sweet scene, Arthur couldn't avoid thinking how lucky he was to have Merlin and how much he had missed him the past few days since they had drifted apart.
His relationship with Merlin had always been bumpy in the least. At first, he hated the boy. Well, perhaps 'hate' was a bit too much. But he couldn't stand him. He was little less than a country lad, a simple peasant who dared to stand up to a prince. Then, the worst happened. No, it wasn't that that same unruly peasant saved his life. It was that he was appointed his personal manservant. And Arthur wasn't going to deny that he overworked him in an attempt to make the poor boy quit. But Merlin didn't. He was too stubborn for that.
And as time passed, Arthur started to like how Merlin worked (although he would always claim he was the worst manservant ever). He started to take Merlin everywhere. To confide his troubles to him. To rely on him. To trust him. Before he realised it, Merlin was not only the best manservant he had ever had but also his friend, his only real friend. And from there to love was only a step. One day he was slapping Merlin on the head and calling him an idiot and the next he was kissing the daylights out of him. It was nothing he planned, it just happened. After all, Merlin had always been there for him and little by little he became the most important person in his life. It was just natural for them to be together in a more intimate way.
Arthur sighed and resigned himself to open his eyes. Sleep wasn't going to take him again and he doubted he had much more time to enjoy himself in bed. As soon as his eyes adapted to the light, his gaze landed on Merlin. He looked so beautiful. His dark hair tousled, his eyes closed tight, his rosy lips parted. But he was so much more than a pretty face. Arthur had always sensed it. He had always felt deep inside that Merlin was special. Since the first time he laid his eyes on him and after all those years, he had known Merlin was something more, but he would have never guessed how right he was. And he wouldn't probably know it yet if it wasn't for that fateful day that had changed everything.
He had discovered something about his Merlin. Something that enraged, hurt and confused him beyond description. But now, some days later, he had realised something: that despite everything, he was still his Merlin. It hadn't been easy and it had taken him a great effort to reach that conclusion. Yet, there was nothing else he could do when he loved Merlin so much. He accepted him. And after last night's little game, he realised he still trusted him. It had been the most difficult decision to make in all his life. But now he know what he had to do. And that made him extremely happy. A smile blossomed in his lips unwittingly as he nuzzled Merlin's hair.
Suddenly, Merlin moaned and started to open his eyes groggily. Arthur hadn't intended to wake him up with his caresses, but the damage was already done.
"Arthur..." Merlin mumbled idly. "What... are you... doing?"
"Nothing," Arthur answered automatically. He might love Merlin above everything but he wasn't one to show his feelings often and, well, so openly. Gods, he wasn't going to tell him that all was forgiven and forgotten and they could be all lovey-dovey. "I... I was going to wake you up... because...because... I'm hungry." That's it, a quick cover up. It never failed him. "You're still my manservant, so you should bring me some food."
Merlin just looked at him frowning slightly. "You're acting more weird than usual." Merlin disentangled himself from their close embrace and leaned up to fix Arthur with a worried glance. Then he remembered the previous night events. Did he go too far? After all that had happened the last few days... What to do now? The situation was getting more awkward by the moment. Maybe some teasing could alleviate the tension between them.
"Don't tell me, you've missed my 'rise and shine's and my 'let's have you, lazy daisy'..." Merlin started cheerfully but his voice trailed off when he noticed Arthur wasn't smiling at his antics. In fact, the king was looking at him strangely, as if he had grown a second head. Was he still angry? It seemed his rough attempt at regaining his trust hadn't worked at all and it had only made everything worse. What the hell had he been thinking when he came up with that stupid game?
But then Arthur asked with a serious face, "Merlin, what have I told you about trying to be funny?"
"I shouldn't." Merlin bit his lower lip before sending him a shy smile. For a moment, it felt like everything was right again. Perhaps that was the best way to heal their relationship, just acting as usual. "Okay," he said hesitantly, "I'll bring you your breakfast."
Merlin made to get out of bed but Arthur stopped him by taking his wrist. Merlin immediately turned around and both their gazes locked. It wasn't necessary to say anything else. In that moment, they understood each other perfectly – their fears, their hopes, their feelings. Then, Arthur commented pensively, "You don't have to go yourself. Perhaps it's time to try something new." Merlin's look was one of pure bewilderment. "Perhaps it's time to change."
-~oOo0oOo~-
AN2: Any guess about what Arthur discovered that made him so angry?
Thanks for reading!