Chapter Twenty One
Merlin stood outside the doors to Arthur's chambers, trying to prepare himself. Waiting outside doors was beginning to become a major theme in his life, he realized. He thought about how strange his conversation with Arthur the day before had been. Why had he just addressed Merlin's leaving as a "trip"? Was Arthur really just going to ignore not only the fact that Merlin hadfled Camelot without a word, but the reasonswhy he had felt he had to do so as well? As he pushed open the door to the King's rooms, Merlin made up his mind that it was not his place to ask Arthur directly, and that he was just happy to be back at work. Maybe Gwaine could come back and…
All thoughts of Gwaine quickly left Merlin's mind when he saw Arthur sleeping peacefully in his massive bed. The sun was streaming through the window and it softly illuminated Arthur, causing his hair to glow brighter than any crown ever could. Merlin felt instantly drawn to his slightly parted lips, wanting to ever so gently part them further. His own lips parted in a loopy grin, any doubts of his feelings for Arthur were instantly forgotten. He was just about to live his fantasy when he remembered his new convictions from the doorway and he elected to lightly shake the king awake instead.
Arthur awoke slowly, and grabbed on to Merlin's hand still gently shaking his shoulder, his face pouting dramatically. "I liked the way you used to wake me up better."
"Arthur!" Merlin said with surprise. "What do you mean—"
Yanking down on his arm with his left hand, Arthur snaked his right hand around the back of Merlin's neck, lacing his fingers through Merlin's hair. Quickly, he pulled Merlin towards him and into a kiss.
Merlin was tentative at first, but Arthur was demanding, and who was Merlin to say no to the king? Arthur sat up more, leaning back against the headboard, Merlin following intuitively as he moved on to the bed above Arthur, on his knees. Gradually, Merlin warmed to the kiss, demanding more and more as he sucked on Arthur's bottom lip, leaving it red, swollen, and glistening. They carried on like this—eyes heavy, tongues darting, mouths hungry—until Merlin's desire became a little too obvious (Arthur's own erection wasn't helping Merlin keep his under control either). Merlin pulled back, and shoved Arthur back down as he tried to follow.
"No, Arthur." Merlin asserted, his voice low and rough. "We need to talk about this."