Title: Sticky Sheets Part 3/?
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they belong to the BBC. No profit is made by me *sob*
Summary: Arthur is frustrated, Merlin loves to provoke him and luckily horses don't tell tales.
A/N: This is a continuation of a short ficlet that was written for the Merlin Frottage Fest over on Live Journal. Read Parts 1 and 2 first.
Thank you so much for the reviews so far, they always make my day!
Also thank you hugs and smooches go to my beta Mina Violet. If you like Twilight fic she's writing a great Alice/Charlie story at the moment, with some Alice/Jasper on the side. Check it out, it's HOT, tell her I sent you!
Merlin watched Arthur's retreating form with bewilderment. What on earth had he been doing in the linen cupboard with the pillowcase? This really was turning into a frankly bizarre morning. He shook his head and fumbled to open the closet door with his burden of folded sheets, moving to put them away on the orderly shelves.
As he sorted and stacked, he shuddered in recollection at his burning mortification earlier when he had realised that Arthur was in the room with. The prince had been in the chamber watching as Merlin humped his bed like an oversexed hound against a handy leg. Merlin felt his face flame as he wondered how much of his depravity Arthur had witnessed. He must have walked in at some point during Merlin's shameful display; had he entered afterwards there was no way that Merlin could have missed the sound of the door. Therefore Arthur must have seen the thrusting; and the moaning... and... Oh dear God no! He would have heard his own name falling from Merlin's lips as he reached his noisy climax.
Merlin groaned aloud, and let his head fall forwards to meet the folded sheets. The usually comforting smell of fresh, clean cotton did little to quell the nausea rising in his stomach. So Arthur knows he thought; with this realisation there came a strange sense of detachment. There was nothing that he could do about it now, and Arthur hadn't put him in the stocks yet. He cast his mind back to the way that Arthur had stared fixedly at his arse. Although he had looked shocked... he hadn't looked appalled or disgusted at the thought of Merlin doing what he was doing. Quite the opposite if truth were told.
Merlin ran his hand distractedly through his hair. Let's just pretend this never happened. He sighed, knowing Arthur well enough by know. If that was the way he wanted to play it then that was the way it would have to be. After a year in Arthur's service Merlin had had plenty of practice at hiding his feelings, he could pretend with the best of them. He pulled himself upright and hurried out of the closet – pausing to chuckle at the irony – and headed in the direction of the stables.
XOXOXOX
As Merlin reached the stables he could hear the sounds of crashing and princely swearing coming from the tack room. He paused in the doorway, bracing himself to face his obviously irate master.
"Can I help Sire?" he couldn't quite bring himself to meet Arthur's eyes, glancing instead at the bridle in his hand.
"About bloody time," Arthur snapped at him. "Help me get my horse saddled up and find my armour. The knights are all out already; it looks very bad when I'm late for training." Merlin thought it prudent not to point out that he might not have been so late if he hadn't been wasting time in a linen closet.
"Of course Sire," he steeled himself to meet Arthur's clear blue eyes for a split second before Arthur cleared his throat and looked away, a slight flush staining his tanned cheeks. Merlin reached to take the bridle from Arthur and their fingers touched. Arthur snatched his hand away as if he had been burned and turned away to peruse the saddles stored on the back wall of the tack room.
Merlin paused to take in the tension in Arthur's broad shoulders, the red tunic pulled tight across his muscles as he reached for a heavy leather saddle. That's interesting. It seemed that his master was having a few problems pretending that nothing unusual had happened that morning. Merlin began to suspect that Arthur was affected by it in a way that he could never have hoped for. However he could never dare risk speaking his thoughts aloud, if he was wrong it would be the stocks for sure. Maybe... if he could push the prince far enough then it would force Arthur to crack and respond to the undeniable tension between them.
"Allow me," Merlin moved to stand behind Arthur, a little closer than was needed. As Arthur turned with the saddle one of his hands grazed Merlin's chest. Their eyes locked. Merlin slowly and deliberately lowered his gaze to Arthur's perfectly sculpted lips for a moment. Then he looked back into Arthur's blue gaze noting with satisfaction that his pupils were dark and he looked slightly dazed. Arthur blinked and the spell was broken. He shoved the saddle roughly at Merlin, carefully avoiding any touch of hands.
"Get on with saddling her up," his voice was rough as he turned and strode away. "I'll go and find my own bloody armour." Merlin grinned to himself, eyes narrowing slightly. He stopped briefly to pocket a small item from a nearby shelf, just in case... and went to find the prince's horse in the darker warmth of the stables.
XOXOXOX
Merlin worked swiftly, enjoying the warm sensual smells of horse and leather and the feel of the supple straps under his fingers. Arthur's mare, Filonia, snickered at him as he pulled the girth of her saddle tight and he patted her rump affectionately.
"Merlin," Arthur's voice reached them faintly but clearly. "I need help with this." Merlin waited and the horse snorted, her ears pricking up at the sound of her master.
"Don't worry old girl," Merlin patted her nose. "He'll be along in a minute, just you wait."
"Merlin!" the voice was closer now, and more irritable. "Where in God's name..." he trailed off as he rounded the corner.
"Just finishing up here Sire," Merlin glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to fiddle with the saddle again. He bent to check the girth was adjusted correctly, sticking his arse out just a tad more than was required... hoping that Arthur's eyes were on him. He straightened up and turned, amused to see that Arthur had a glazed expression again. This was just too easy.
Arthur's arms were full of chain mail and bits of armour. He pulled himself together and bent to put them down on a bale of straw.
"I need your help with this lot Merlin," he avoided the darker man's eyes. "Get on with it please, I haven't got all day."
"Of course Sire," Merlin's voice was smooth with just a hint of amusement. He was beginning to enjoy this new power he had over his master.
He approached Arthur, meeting his eyes boldly and reached for the mail shirt. He stood waiting silently until Arthur lifted his arms, and Merlin carefully lowered the supple metal over his waiting head and shoulders. He took his time, smoothing it over Arthur's chest, the outline of Arthur's muscles hard under his fingers. He stood just a little too close, to ensure that his breath would touch Arthur's cheek as he slid his palms over the cool silky links.
He heard Arthur's breathing hitch and cast his eyes up to his master's face. Arthur was glaring at him now, his face suffused with colour and eyes glittering dangerously. Merlin felt a thrill at the visible emotion he was provoking – he could almost see the tenuous thread of Arthur's patience stretching to breaking point. He stared into Arthur's face and allowed his lips to part slightly, blatantly moistening his lips with his tongue.
With the speed and savagery of the trained soldier, Arthur pounced. Before Merlin had time to react Arthur had grabbed him and pinned him down on his back over a bale of straw, trapping him with the weight of his body. His hands held Merlin's wrists above his head and his breath was coming fast, all pretence of control now lost. He thrust his hips and Merlin gasped as he felt Arthur's hardness even through the bumpy texture of the chain mail.
"Do you feel what you do to me Merlin?" Arthur growled; his eyes positively feral. "Is this what you want?" He pressed his hips into Merlin's rapidly growing erection. "You little whore. First I find you half naked rolling around on my bed... what the hell was that?" The outrage in his voice almost made Merlin smirk but he sensibly managed to resist the urge. "Then you tease me with your touching and staring. You could hardly be more fucking obvious."
Arthur lowered his head and ran his nose up Merlin's neck towards his ear, making him twitch helplessly. He felt warm breath on his cheek, then the searing swipe of a tongue across his cheekbone. Merlin moaned and bucked his hips up.
"You're going to have to tell me what you want Merlin," Arthur's voice was silky and menacing. "I'm tired of playing games."
Merlin turned his head, seeking Arthur's mouth with his own but Arthur pulled back out of his reach, eyes challenging.
"What do you want Merlin?" their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Merlin grudgingly conceded defeat. Hell if he played his cards right no one was going to be a loser here and he couldn't wait any longer. He was painfully hard and desperate for Arthur's touch, exhilarated by the powerful chemistry between them.
"You... oh God... I want you!" His voice was so hoarse with need it felt as though it belonged to someone else. "Please, I need to feel you."
Arthur closed the gap between their lips and claimed Merlin's mouth with a hot kiss, tongues sliding and teeth clashing. Merlin groaned as his lips parted. Arthur released his wrists and Merlin felt the warm touch of his hands, under his shirt, smoothing over his abdomen and chest. His own hands found their way into Arthur's hair and tangled wantonly there, luxuriating in the silky tresses, pulling his head deeper into the kiss.
They broke apart, wordlessly moving to swiftly strip off layers of clothing, both desperate for the feel of skin touching skin. Chain mail clattered to the floor, shoes were kicked off, quickly followed by tunics and trousers until both men stood facing one another naked and panting. They paused, eyes exploring hungrily. Merlin took in naked Arthur in all his aroused glory and wasn't disappointed. His broad chest with its sprinkling of blonde hairs narrowed to slim hips over gloriously long legs. His cock jutted out proudly; big, smooth and glorious and already nearly dripping at the tip. Merlin felt a rush of saliva in his mouth, remembering the taste of Arthur from his sheets that morning. He licked his lips, Arthur's cock twitched at the movement.
"Do you want to taste me Merlin?" Arthur's voice was confident; he was back in charge and seemingly enjoying it.
"Yes Sire," Merlin whispered, eyes still fixed on Arthur's beautiful cock.
"Well get on with it then," it was exactly the same impatient drawl that Arthur used when he wanted Merlin to do any other chore. Although this would hardly be arduous reflected Merlin, as he dropped willingly to his knees in the straw.
He took hold of Arthur's hips to steady himself and parted his lips. He took just the head of Arthur's cock into his mouth and lapped the tip with his tongue to taste the pre-come that was gathered there. The salty bitterness was delightful, so much better from the source than second-hand from Arthur's bed linen. He heard Arthur gasp aloud and his hands moved to Merlin's hair – his touch surprisingly gentle, as if he was afraid of losing control.
Merlin allowed his mouth to move down a little, swirling his tongue around the head as he did so; then moved back up to repeat the action. He set a gentle rhythm, gradually daring to take Arthur deeper each time until he felt the head of the prince's cock touch the back of his throat. Arthur was moaning now, a litany of incoherent sounds. His hands were wrapped in Merlin's hair and Merlin could feel his hips twitching under his hands, desperate to thrust.
"Merlin... ohmygod... stop!" He pushed Merlin's head back and pulled him up to stand again, Arthur's eyes were glowing and breath was coming in gasps. "I don't want to come like that, I want to be inside you..." his voice was earnest, almost pleading. "Can we... do that? I don't know how, I've never done it before... not with another man. I don't want to hurt you." He blushed as the words tumbled out, uncertainty in his face as though he was expecting to be refused.
Merlin smiled, warmth spreading in his chest at Arthur's unexpected vulnerability and concern. He reached his hands out and slid them over Arthur's chest, feeling the warmth and solidity, needing to remind himself that this was real.
"I want that too," he said quietly. "I haven't done it either... but I want to, and I know how." It was his turn to redden. "Gaius has some books and I... er... I've done a little research," Arthur's lips quirked.
"Well done Merlin," he chuckled. "I should have known I could rely on you. So...?" he raised his eyebrows expectantly.
"In my trouser pocket," Merlin gestured to the heap of discarded clothing. "We need lubrication, I have something that will do."
Arthur bent and pulled a bottle of saddle oil from Merlin's breeches. He grinned at Merlin, teeth gleaming white in the dim light of the stable.
"You really aren't as stupid as you appear are you Merlin?" His voice was teasing. "What next?"
"You'll need to use your fingers to loosen me, one at first, then more." Merlin managed to keep his voice from squeaking with embarrassment, thankful that he had read up on this. Not that this was something he had ever expected to be teaching Arthur – the whole day was taking on a decidedly dreamlike quality.
Arthur still seemed unsure, so Merlin took his hand and pulled him down on top of him in a softish looking pile of straw. The straw was scratchy against his bare skin but not unpleasantly so. He pulled Arthur into a kiss, tentative at first, the mood somewhat broken by the interruption. But soon they were gasping into each other mouths again as their bare cocks slid together, leaking wetness on each other's bellies.
Arthur pulled back and moved down, pushing Merlin's thighs wide and settling into the space between them. He removed the stopper from the oil and poured a generous amount into his palm, slicking the fingers of his right hand. His brow furrowed in concentration as he gently put the tip of his forefinger to Merlin's tight hole and moved it in a small circle. Arthur put his other hand around Merlin's cock and began to stroke firmly, making him sigh with pleasure. Suddenly Merlin's eyes flew wide and he gasped as he felt Arthur's finger breach the tight ring of muscle. He whimpered and pushed down on the intruding finger, amazed at the sensations flooding through him.
"Is that OK?" Arthur's voice was tense, his eyes serious.
"Yes... it's... ohhh... it's kind of amazing actually," Merlin replied. "Try another finger."
"So greedy Merlin," Arthur grinned and slid in a second finger to join the first, still working Merlin's cock with his other hand. Merlin grunted this time as he felt burning and stretching, but there was still pleasure too. Arthur pushed deeper and twisted his fingers until Merlin arched and cried out as Arthur brushed something inside him that felt amazing.
"Oh my God... do that again!" Arthur quirked his eyebrows questioningly and repeated the movement. "Fuck... yes..." Merlin's voice was rough. "I'm close now... I want your cock inside me... now, please..."
"It's OK Merlin," Arthur's voice was amused but his eyes were hungry. "I'm not going to make you beg. I think we both need this."
He withdrew his fingers and reached for the bottle again, smearing oil on his cock as he moved to line himself up with Merlin's entrance. Their eyes met and Merlin hissed as he felt the sting and stretch as Arthur pushed slowly in to him. The prince paused, looking intently at Merlin for any sign that he should stop, but Merlin nodded and gasped.
"It's OK... more... all the way..." pushing his hips up taking Arthur deeper feeling his body adjust to the other man's size. Arthur groaned loudly.
"God Merlin... you're so tight... and the heat..." His eyes were clenched shut. White teeth clamped down on his bottom lip, face was covered with a sheen of sweat. Merlin had never seen him look more delicious. He reached up a hand, weaving it into the blonde hair, and pulled Arthur's lips down to his for a wet kiss.
"It's OK," he muttered against Arthur's mouth bucking his hips up in encouragement, "You can move now."
Arthur withdrew and pushed back in carefully. Merlin clutched his hips and moaned as the movement made Arthur's cock brush against that incredible place inside him. Arthur thrust again, then again, finding a rhythm as his breathing became ragged.
"Oh... faster... I'm so close now..." Merlin reached for his own cock, desperate to find release. He pumped it in his fist as Arthur watched him. Merlin tensed and cried out in an incoherent sound of delight then came in thick pearly streams onto his belly, feeling his arse spasm around Arthur's cock.
"Fuck... oh yes... fuck... yes..." Arthur roared and arched above him and Merlin felt the pulsing deep inside as Arthur came too, crying out Merlin's name.
Arthur collapsed heavily on top of Merlin. They lay together, their stomachs wet and sticky, panting and sweaty with their arms around each other. Arthur's face was pressed into the crook of Merlin's neck and Merlin felt breath hot on his skin, gradually slowing as they lay in silence. Arthur nuzzled his nose a little deeper and his arms tightened their embrace.
"Erm... Arthur?" Merlin whispered. "Are you snuggling?" Arthur stiffened and the breath on Merlin's neck abruptly stopped.
"What if I was?" his voice was defensive. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all," Merlin smiled and tightened his grip on his master. "I just never thought you'd be the cuddly type." He paused for a moment then reluctantly continued. "Lovely though this moment is, Filonia is looking really disapproving and if you don't get moving soon you will miss the whole of knight training."
Arthur raised his head to look at the mare and laughed as she stamped her hoof and shook her mane at him impatiently.
"OK, OK, I get the hint." He unstuck himself from Merlin and they hastily cleaned themselves up as best they could dragging their clothes back on.
XOXOXOX
"So..." Arthur turned to face him as he paused, reins in hand, ready to lead Filonia out of the stable yard. Rare uncertainty flickered on his handsome features again. Merlin felt that could get used to the expression – it certainly made a nice change from the usual arrogance.
"So," Merlin raised his eyebrows. "Are we going to pretend that this never happened either?"
"I won't mention it if you don't." Arthur's lips curled into a genuine smile. "But I won't be forgetting it in a hurry. See you later Merlin."
Merlin watched him as he walked away, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight. He wondered if he was imagining the extra spring in Arthur's step and smiled to himself, rather thinking that he wasn't.
End of Part 3
A/N: I've not marked this as complete as there may be more, but probably not for a little while as I have something else that I want to start first. I'm a terrible flitter.
If you enjoyed this please review, it always encourages me to write more (just saying!) and check out my other stories. I write for Twilight and Harry Potter too.