See Chapter 1 for warnings & info
Author's Notes: A bit more smut, but then we all deserve a little hurt/comfort goodness after that, right? Sorry it took so long – going back to work after being on maternity leave is kicking my butt.
It was a physical relief to be out of the room. Even being with Julian wasn't so awful. He tried not to think about the fact that his master had been as complicit as Uther in what had taken place. Instead he just tried to breathe and even managed to jerk his pants on before Julian could pull him out into the hallways completely naked. "We should rest for the ceremony tomorrow, sir," he managed quietly as he helped a tipsy Julian back to the room they would be sharing. How he was going to face Arthur after tonight, he had no idea, but Merlin prayed that at least Morena's potion would do its work.
Bursting into their room Julian tumbled over to the enormous bed in the middle of the room, dragging Merlin down along with him. "Ceremony?" he slurred, hands roaming all over the boy as if he wasn't sated in the least. "Is that all you can think about? We're in Camelot, pretty! You were just fucked senseless by the King! And you were so lovely taking his big cock. Don't think I didn't notice..." Julian tugged Merlin's pants down, and mauled his slave's lovely ass. He eased a digit into the boy's abused passage, wriggling around as he chewed on Merlin's throat.
Merlin hissed as too-sensitive skin was roughly stretched. Julian knew how to be careful when the occasion called for it, but obviously not when he was drunk. Merlin winced as his master's weight pressed down against him. He'd half hoped that Julian hadn't noticed, actually, but it had been a vain, vague flicker of hope. There was no point in trying to protest that he was tired, that they both needed rest. Julian's sights were set, and the man was rarely deterred when he'd set his sights on something.
"I loved watching you tonight," Julian breathed across Merlin's passion-marked throat. "You were stunning... taking both those cocks..." He nipped at his slave's shoulder. "Perhaps I should have my own molded? That way... you can keep me inside you... all the time..." His finger disappeared up to the knuckle, probing Merlin deeply. Julian's renewed arousal flexed across the boy's leg, and the older man wasted no time in thrusting shallowly against him.
It had become habitual to want Julian. Drugs or no drugs, Merlin's body reacted instinctively to the intimate contact, to the feeling of his master's hardness sliding against his skin. He hated himself for giving in when he should have fought. There was no end game in being with Julian. It served no purpose whatsoever. And yet... He let out a sigh of pleasure as Julian's finger found his prostate with expert ease and began teasing him back to full hardness.
"That it... That's my boy," Julian purred, feeling a familiar shudder of pleasure coursing through Merlin's sensitive body. "Always sweet... always ready for me..." Easing a second finger inside, he groaned at the wetness of Merlin's flaring passage, which had been thoroughly abused by Uther. "Theoden was delicious, but he's not you. I would have loved to have seen more of you together." That thought made Julian's menacing cock throb with desire. "He seemed to enjoy tasting you, but then... Why not? You are sinfully sweet, pretty..."
"Please... sir..." Merlin most definitely didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to think about it. For the first time since he'd been taken by Julian, he didn't want to think for reasons other than avoiding letting his mind stray to Arthur. It almost hurt being stretched. He felt raw, aching with the abuse he'd taken at Uther's hands, but he wanted it over with. All of it. He wanted to curl up, sleep, and dream that it was all over and that things could start going back to some passable version of normal.
For someone usually concerned only with his own pleasures, Julian focused entirely on Merlin for once. His mouth roamed all over the boy's throat, kissing a path down to those glorious nipples which he licked reverently. His fingers twisted gently within the tender confines of Merlin's passage, brushing that special place that turned his slave into a helpless wreck. "Beautiful... so beautiful," he murmured, moving ever downward until his lips closed around Merlin's lovely cock.
Merlin twisted on the bed, loving every touch even if he hated himself more than a little for wanting it. It had been one thing giving in to Julian when he'd thought that Arthur walked away because the prince didn't love him. Now... now everything was changed and yet nothing had. He was still in Julian's bed, still the property of someone he didn't really like let alone love. Arthur was getting married to some woman that he didn't love just like Merlin had always known he would. She was a servant, she had magic - those things were different. Everything else felt painfully expected. Merlin took a shaky breath and closed his eyes against the flood of emotions he knew he couldn't process, not with Julian playing his body like a well-tuned instrument. Not now.
Merlin responded beautifully to his ministrations, and Julian reveled in the way in which that beautiful body surrendered itself to him. He devoured Merlin's impressive length, savoring the remnants of the boy's release he tasted against the heated velvety flesh. His own cock ached terribly; Julian shifted himself around until he and Merlin were in a position to pleasure each other. He offered himself to that luscious mouth, his weeping length pressing insistently against Merlin's lips.
Merlin gave in to the stimulation and let the man's cock slide in over his tongue. The bitter-salty taste was so familiar that he found himself responding without thought. He allowed that as well. Better to let his body react, to simply see it through. Soon enough, he hoped, Julian would have his fill and he could slink away somewhere to catch his breath and clean up a bit.
Julian groaned around Merlin's arousal as the boy took him inside of that wonderful mouth. Still sensitive from his heated coupling with Theoden, even in his stupor the older man knew he simply could not last long with Merlin working on him. His aching cock found itself soothed by Merlin's slick tongue, and Julian thrust his hips in an attempt to bury himself fully down his slave's throat. His fingers danced along Merlin's ravaged passage, which clenched hungrily around his digits.
Merlin's hips worked of their own accord. He thrust up, hot and eager, into Julian's mouth while his own lips stretched around the man's length. It was going to be quick. He felt the tingling burn of the release working its way up his spine as the man's talented fingers pressed into him, sore and too much and not enough all at the same time, and soon Merlin was bucking helplessly against Julian's mouth. He came harder than before, the release mostly dry after having spent himself so thoroughly in Uther's chambers earlier.
Julian eagerly drank down what little Merlin had to offer, his tongue swirling all around that rapidly pulsing length. Merlin's passage flared around his fingers, clenching tightly as if to snap his digits in two. As sensitive as Julian already was from his encounter with Theoden, it did not take long for the older man to find his own release. He came with a ragged groan, filling Merlin's mouth to overflowing. Only when he was completely spent did the drunken sated slave owner draw away; Julian kissed Merlin hungrily before blacking out dead to the world.
Merlin sighed and slipped out of the bed as soon as he could. Julian didn't even stir and he breathed a sigh of relief. He needed to be away. He needed to clean himself of the whole night. He wanted to forgot, but getting smashed and spending the next day sick and headachey would hardly make it more bearable. Instead he settled for slipping down to the kitchens and begging some warm water to bathe himself with. Merlin felt far more human with the sweat and cum gone from his flesh even with the bruises on his cheeks darkening and growing uglier. He pulled on a fresh linen shirt and dark pants that were more modest than anything Julian would approve of. Stomach twisting, Merlin decided he should still attempt to eat something and headed for the pantry to scrounge up something.
Arthur, having been unable to rest, had worried a path in his room as he paced back and forth for hours while his concern for Merlin mounted. Finally the waiting became far too much for the prince, and the strode out of his quarters and toward his father's. He still couldn't process the idea of Uther Pendragon indulging with servants, let alone male ones. And Arthur breathed a sigh of relief when he listened at the king's door and heard nothing but silence.
Deciding to try the guest room allocated to Julian, he chanced a look inside and found his father's friend in a deep sleep. The urge to grab a pillow and suffocate the revolting man was overwhelming, but the prince kept himself in check. Where could Merlin be? He headed down the hall and impulsively checked the kitchen. "Merlin!" he exclaimed, rushing forward... only to freeze as his eyes widened in horror at the state of his beloved's beautiful face. "What did they do to you?"
The concern in Arthur's voice made Merlin's stomach clench. Tears filled his eyes, and he felt doubly foolish for reacting so strongly. The bruises were nothing, really. The real problem was that he knew he'd never be able to tell Arthur about any of it. He barely wanted to be in his own skin and couldn't help thinking that there was certainly no way Arthur would want to touch him again if he really knew. "It's... it's fine. I'm fine. Tired is all," Merlin muttered.
"No, it's not fine," Arthur insisted, his jaw set with anger. He now wished he had followed his instinct and smothered Julian to death in his drunken sleep. His concern for Merlin overriding his barely suppressed rage, the prince urged his lover into his arms, comforting him and murmuring softly, "No one's ever going to hurt you again. I promise, Merlin. No one."
Merlin shivered and pressed himself into Arthur's arms even if he'd never felt less like he deserved it. Before he could decide it was a stupid thing to do, he was whispering, "I'm sorry... I should... should just leave with Julian. I can't... not like this... not after..." He'd spent months being someone he barely recognized himself, someone he was desperately ashamed of. When he tried to put things into perspective, he'd let one bad thing, one mistake taint absolutely everything, and the thought made him physically ill. "Arthur, the things I... you shouldn't..." He found himself trying to step back, to shrug off the embrace. It was too much, far too perfect after everything else.
"You're not going anywhere," Arthur insisted, refusing to allow Merlin to wriggle free from his embrace. "I don't care about anything but you." His lips were close to his lover's ear, his hands splayed across his back soothing and caressing. "Come back to my room? Please? Julian's passed out, and I'm sure he won't wake until late tomorrow." Unwilling to take no for an answer, Arthur was already leading Merlin out of the kitchen and toward the staircase.
Still feeling utterly undeserving of the Prince's kindness, Merlin still found himself following. He had tried to break free once, but he couldn't force himself to let go of Arthur's warm hand again. Tears blurred his vision, and he let Arthur lead the way down the halls though he knew the route just as well. Even without being able to see Merlin could have found Arthur's quarters - and he had done so half-asleep on many a morning in the past.
Once they were safely alone in his chamber, Arthur gently led Merlin over to the bed and laid down with him wrapped up warmly in his arms. "Forget about tonight," he whispered, "forget about everything except what we shared in the stable." He pressed a soft kiss to Merlin's head, caressing his lover's arm and back, trying his best to soothe away the pain. Arthur would never be able to forgive anyone who harmed Merlin-even if that someone included his father.
"I don't know if I can," Merlin confessed quietly. He felt himself calming somewhat as Arthur touched him. It was new and familiar at once. They'd had so little time to get to know one another and explore on a physical level. The small intimacy made him shiver. "Arthur..." He stopped himself short of saying that he wished they could just forget the past months, the distance between them. That was unfair. It wasn't just them now, and as much as it hurt him to admit that, Merlin had no intention of wishing away Arthur's new family before it properly began. "I'm glad I came. Even with everything, I am. This... this is... worth all the rest."
Arthur's heart ached. None of this would have happened if he hadn't abandoned Merlin at Sir Robert's. At the time it had seemed like the best solution for both of them, but it had only ended up being the worst mistake of the prince's life. He would never be able to make amends to Merlin no matter how hard he tried. "Merlin," he started gently, "I want to run away with you, run away from everything and everyone and just start a new life for the both of us." Arthur's smile was tinged with deep sadness. "I know I cannot do that, but it's what I wish."
Merlin sniffled against Arthur's shirt, but when he straightened up and drew back to meet the prince's gaze, there was a real - if small - smile on his lips. "I wish it too, but... but then... it's silly, and... I wish you weren't marrying her, I do, but..." Merlin shrugged self-consciously and his smile brightened. "I want to meet your son or daughter. It's not something that we could have, and... it's... I like kids. I want to be here so I can help and... if you'll let me. You and Morena, I mean. I want to."
"Merlin, of course," Arthur replied, propping himself up and gazing at Merlin. The cut across his lover's cheek was terrible. Who had caused it? Julian... His father? The prince couldn't bear to contemplate the possibilities. "Whatever happens, you and I will be together. I promise." He gently drew the slighter man back into his arms, his touch warm and comforting. "No one will keeps us apart ever again."
Merlin prayed it was a promise that Arthur could keep. He had no idea what sort of influence Julian held outside of being Uther's friend. A thought struck him suddenly, and he felt sick with himself for being so caught up in his own reunion with Arthur to ask sooner. Not drawing away from Arthur - he couldn't, he simply couldn't - Merlin murmured, "Sir Robert... is he here? For the wedding?"
Arthur paused and frowned as he thought over Merlin's query. "Actually, no-no, I haven't seen him," he replied slowly. Having been caught up in the shock of Merlin arriving with Julian, the prince was completely blind to the fact that his father's other oldest friend had now made an appearance. "It's strange... Perhaps... He's out searching for you?" If Arthur had known about Merlin's predicament, then he would be turning over every stone in an effort to find him.
The thought sent a chill through Merlin, and he shook his head. "No... Arthur, if the slavers find him..." The men would be furious if he interrupted their "business," and Merlin hated to think of the sort of trouble he might get into. "I know you... with the wedding... but... please, can you..." He swallowed hard, hating even the thought of it and finally forced himself to ask, "Can you ask your father if he's been heard from?"
"My father?" Arthur would not deny Merlin anything however, at that moment, he wasn't entirely sure he could face the King again. "Yes, I will ask him," he decided after a moment's hesitation, then added, "It might actually be better to send a rider to his estate and check on him. If you can spare me for a few moments, I'll see to it right now?" He was loathe to leave Merlin's side, but if it would ease his lover's mind then it would be worth it.
Merlin found that he hated the idea as well. He fought the urge to deny the sweet offer and ask Arthur to stay instead but forced himself to nod. "Please?" Some sleep would not be amiss, in any case, before they both had other things to worry about, and Merlin couldn't deny that he rather liked the idea of curling up in Arthur's bed if only for a few hours. "I'd just... like to know that he's alright."
"Wait here," Arthur urged, pressing a gentle kiss to Merlin's lips. "I'll return shortly." He rose from the bed and hastily redressed before leaving the room and finding a trusted courtesan. It only took a word and a rider was leaving for Sir Robert's estate. Tomorrow he would know whether his father's friend was well or not... His father. Arthur still could not accept the King's actions; it was inconceivable, and yet all the evidence was there. It sickened him and made him see Uther for the hypocrite he truly was. Pushing aside such dark thoughts, the prince made a brief stop at Gaius' apothecary and finally returned to his quarters. "Forgive me for taking longer than expected," he said, undressing and sliding into bed beside Merlin again. "But, I thought you might need this to soothe your wounds." He held up a vial of amber liquid, offering to apply the mixture himself.
While Arthur was gone, Merlin had crawled into his bed, slipping between the sheets. They smelled of Arthur, and he'd almost slept with his face buried against the pillow. The feeling of being home was overwhelming. He roused at once at the sound of the door and couldn't help smiling at the sound of Arthur's voice. "S'alright," he murmured at the prince's apology only to look at the bottle. There was one more thing he hadn't thought of. His expression darkened slightly. "Does Gaius... does he know?" It was embarrassing, worse than he'd really thought to have Arthur know what he was, what he'd been reduced to. He couldn't stand to see recriminations or pity when Gaius looked at him too. The fact that his cheeks ached and he felt a twinge in his backside whenever he shifted was forgotten easily at the idea of the comfortable feeling of home being taken by the shame of everything he'd done.
"No," Arthur assuaged the obvious fear in Merlin's voice. "I haven't seen very much of Gaius since... well, since you left Camelot. He's furious I ever allowed you to leave." That was putting it lightly, but the prince did not want his lover to worry. "Here, close your eyes and let me take care of you for a change." Arthur poured some of the ointment onto his fingers, and gently dabbed at the cut slashing across Merlin's cheek. It probably stung something terrible, but he hoped that the viscous fluid would help ease the pain.
The touch hurt, but Merlin braced himself and tried to relax. Instead of the pain, he focused on the fact that Arthur was touching him, soothing him. He should have been disgusted and distancing himself, and instead he was being kinder than ever before. Merlin let out a soft sigh as some of the stiffness drained from his body. It was strange to have anyone taking care of him. He'd grown unused to such sweetness. "Thank you, Arthur." Merlin's eyes opened once more, unable to resist the temptation of actually seeing Arthur again after going so long with only his memories.
"You never have to thank me," Arthur whispered, losing himself in Merlin's tender gaze. His guilt over his lover's fate when all he ever tried to do was the right thing overwhelmed the prince. "In fact, I should be the one thanking you." He clarified softly, "To still have your love after everything that's happened... I'm unworthy of your heart. You are a miracle, Merlin-my miracle." Arthur pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, then urged, "Roll over. I know you need this ointment elsewhere, and no arguing."
Merlin felt his cheeks burning, but he listened anyway. Arthur was right, and there really wasn't any point arguing. He rolled over and buried his face in Arthur's pillow again. He didn't know what to say, so he kept quiet. He didn't want to talk about what had happened. He didn't want to think about it. It took every ounce of strength Merlin had not to apologize again. Maybe it hadn't been his choice, but that didn't make him feel any less used.
Arthur caressed the length of Merlin's spine, soothing him before gently prying him apart. His heart clenched at the sight that greeted him; torn and puffy, that once perfect ring of sensitive flesh had been utterly abused. "Oh, Merlin," Arthur breathed, unable to understand how his lover stood the discomfort. "I'll be careful..." He liberally poured the ointment onto his fingers, then slowly coated Merlin's ravaged opening. His heart aching, Arthur took his time and whispered soft words of love and encouragement.
It hurt, but the shame went a long way beyond the pain. He'd gotten used to pain, really. Merlin bit his lip and kept his face hidden in the pillow. It was easier that way, easier to try and shut everything out. That way the tears fell without Arthur seeing. Merlin couldn't quite keep himself still as the salve stung the sensitive tissue, but at least he kept quiet. The sound of Arthur's voice helped him. Merlin tried to do nothing but listen to the soft string of syllables and let them soothe his frayed nerves.
Arthur withdrew long enough to coat his fingers again. Then, with the greatest care, he eased one digit inside Merlin's abused passage. He continued to whisper soothing words as he dipped the ointment along the other man's torn channel. Miraculously, especially considering what Merlin had been through, his body reacted to his touch in a way that was all too familiar. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "just a little more." Merlin was so beautiful, so desirable that Arthur felt guilty for entertaining even the slightest bit of passion when his lover was in such pain.
Merlin nodded wordlessly. He didn't want to risk speaking. His cheeks flushed at the realization that the smell of Arthur surrounding him and the intimacy of the touch were having an effect despite the pain. He suspected that his mind and body were latching onto any opportunity to shrug off the shame in favor of something more pleasant, and sex was precisely how Julian had trained him to fill the void. The sorcerer bit his lip again to hold back a whimper and forced his hips to stillness.
Arthur had never intended to have such an effect on Merlin, especially after what he had obviously been through tonight. And the prince felt terrible for allowing himself to be aroused in the slightest. He couldn't help himself; he loved Merlin more than life itself. His glistening finger eased deeper still, and Arthur swallowed as he brushed the swollen nut of his prostate. Merlin's body clamped around his digit as if to trap him inside; Arthur caught his breath. He didn't want to hurt Merlin or use him like a sexual object. "Do... you want me to stop?" he whispered.
Flushed and hard as a rock - there was no denying now just how Arthur's touch was affecting him - Merlin just shook his head. He couldn't help wondering what Arthur must think of him. Despite aching from Uther's abuse, Merlin couldn't help but want Arthur to continue. He wanted to feel the man's fingers and know that the prince still desired him after everything. "No," Merlin whispered at last. "Please... Arthur..." The apology was swallowed in a soft moan. Arthur had told him to stop apologizing, but that didn't say the impulse. He was sorry for not being the same, for not feeling as if he was even himself anymore.
That was all Arthur needed to hear. With the greatest care, he worked his long, thick finger in and out of Merlin's abused passage. His intent only to soothe and care for his lover, if he could bring Merlin any kind of genuine pleasure from this night then the prince intended to do just that. Arthur leaned forward, pressing soft kisses to Merlin's back, tracing the length of his spine with his tongue. His free hand rooted beneath the former servant, closing around Merlin's sensitive length. "I love you, Merlin," he whispered, gently twisting his digit across his sweet spot. "You never have to worry about anything again. You're mine, now and forever..." Aching hard himself, Arthur thrust shallowly against the other man's leg.
The words were so sweet that Merlin found himself wondering if he'd simply fallen asleep in Julian's bed. But when he twisted to look over his shoulder, Arthur was honestly there and looking at him with open lust. The expression sent a shiver through Merlin's slender frame. "After all this... you still..." He broke off, looking away. He knew the answer even if it made no sense. Arthur shouldn't have wanted him, shouldn't have been interested at all, but there it was. Instead of saying no and instead of Arthur turning him away, they were both hard and wanting. "You must think I'm crazy..."
"No, I think you're wonderful," Arthur whispered, pressing even more sweet kisses to Merlin's lovely buttocks. Having thoroughly coated his lover's tender passage, Camelot's heir carefully withdrew his finger and urged his lover onto his side. "Don't hide from me, let me look at you." He nuzzled their lips together, drawing Merlin closer. Their swollen lengths married, and Arthur groaned as he kissed Merlin deeply. "This is perfect," he gasped, staring into those beautiful eyes. Their love for each other was so powerful that nothing could stop them from wanting more than just comfort. Passion ruled their hearts, and Arthur lost himself in the overwhelming desire he felt for Merlin. "Let me love you." Panting now, he surged his hips forward and shivered at the slide of cock against cock.
The shift took Merlin's breath away, and he was glad of it. He couldn't think enough to formulate a proper reply anyway. Instead he began to move, the rhythm familiar despite the partner being new. One shaking hand fell on Arthur's hip while the other cupped his cheek. "No matter what's happened... it's just you. Only you." He hoped that Arthur would understand the words even without the proper clarity to make them any more clear. Maybe it didn't matter who he'd shared his body with since the only one who had ever touched his heart was Arthur.
"Shh," Arthur soothed with another tender kiss. "I know, love... I know..." More kisses followed, tender and hot as he continued to rock his hips against Merlin's. Their swollen lengths brushed together, causing sparks of pleasure to ignite throughout Arthur's body. It amazed him that such a simple act could be so blindingly erotic. His breathing hitched as he clutched at Merlin's beautiful arse, relishing the feel of his lover's body pressed flushed against his own. "Merlin," he gasped against his mouth. If he could help his lover forget his unspoken ordeal, then Arthur had every intention of doing so in any way possible.
It thrilled Merlin that the word "love" passed Arthur's lips so easily now. It was beautiful. The sound alone made him smile softly as he pulled Arthur closer. "Love you. So much," he breathed, hips hitching in their movement as they glided together. Somehow Merlin realized he could forget the pain and horror of the night if that one bad memory meant he and Arthur had the chance to make a thousand new ones. It was worth it. It was. He leaned forward and kissed the prince gently. "I won't be without you again." It had been too much the first time. Another separation would kill him, or at least his spirit. They needed one another too deeply.
Arthur gazed meaningfully into Merlin's heavy-lidded eyes. "Never again," he promised, his breath catching as another sharp stab of pleasure gripped him. It amazed the prince how potent the simple act of writhing against his beautiful lover was. Their stiff, dripping cocks brushed together repeatedly, melding together for a blissful moment before sliding away again. One hand cradled the back of Merlin's hand, while the other pawed feverishly at his ass. Arthur felt himself edging closer and closer toward release, but he fought against the inevitable as he yearned to make the most of the moment. Merlin needed him, he needed to forget about whatever had transpired earlier in the night. And Arthur was determined to see happiness shimmering in the other man's gaze again.
It was rather perfect, really. Any sense of shame had long since fled, and Merlin let his consciousness and attention focus in until he saw nothing but Arthur, felt nothing but the prince moving against him. He let himself relax and feel a genuine thrill of hope that however unusual their lives might prove from that moment forward, they would find a way to make things work. He met Arthur's bright gaze and found himself smiling. It was damn near impossible not to smile when he saw the intensity there. They were both close, and tension shimmered in the air, pleasant this time, an aching want stretching out between them. Merlin reached down, fingers finding their cocks blindly and gripping them together as best he could to add just a touch more friction. That was all it took. Merlin's breath hitched and his head tipped forward just to get a bit closer to Arthur's, to close some of the slight distance between them as he came.
When Merlin tumbled over the edge, Arthur's own pent up need came gushing forth. Every muscle in his toned body seemed to clench. He arched his back, his face contorted in brief agony that quickly ran to fierce pleasure, and he climaxed furiously. Arthur sank into a trance of ecstasy, a deep swoon of moaning, trembling bliss that consumed him for minutes. When he finally surfaced from it, he was embracing Merlin, kissing him and whispering, "I was supposed to be taking care of you. I don't know how you make me feel like this. Nobody ever has." The prince's outpouring of deep emotion was so intense that Arthur found himself on the verge of coming all over again. "How could I think we could ever live without each other?"
"You're crazier than you look," Merlin whispered with a shaky laugh. Only Arthur could make him smile after everything. No one else. He fisted his fingers in the man's hair and kissed Arthur with a hunger that had absolutely nothing to do with sexual need. "I'll do whatever I have to do to make this work." He already had, though he prayed that Arthur would never need to know just how far he'd already gone to secure their place in the world.
"And I'm not letting you go, Merlin," Arthur reiterated between panting breaths. "No one's ever going to take you away from me again." Gazing deeply into Merlin's beautiful eyes a moment longer, the prince kissed his way down the length of his lover's body, his tongue making short work of the evidence of their mingled release. Then, he was sweeping back up and offering his mouth to Merlin in a thoroughly decadent kiss. "Sleep," he urged gently. "I'll be here when you wake."
Though he worried about what Julian would think if the man woke to find him gone, Merlin didn't want to leave. He curled up as close to Arthur as possible and breathed in the prince's scent. "Just for a little while," he murmured against Arthur's neck. His body and mind were exhausted though his heart sang to realize that after everything, Arthur still loved him. "Just... till dawn..." Unable to keep his eyes open for another second, Merlin finally gave in and slept.