Day 2: Cuddling Somewhere
The rain started late last night and was still going strong by six the next night. Merlin stood in the kitchen of the apartment, making tea. He hoped Arthur would come back soon. All he wanted was the warmth of Arthur's embrace to fight against the chill he felt in the apartment. Just the thought of the cold made him shiver.
The door burst open and a wet Arthur tumbled through, mumbling curses at the weather. Merlin leaned against the counter, snickering at Arthur. Arthur's hair dripped water all over the floor and his shirt and trousers were soaked all the way through.
"Ever hear of an umbrella? I'm told they're supposed to stop the rain from soaking through to your pants, dollophead."
Arthur mocked Merlin as he spoke, dumping the bags on the counter. "You better watch it, or you're not getting your biscuits," Arthur said, pointing a finger at Merlin.
Merlin's mouth popped open, "You wouldn't dare…" Merlin reached towards the bag, but Arthur was quicker. He snatched the bag away and held it behind his back. "Arthur!"
"Yes, Merlin?" Arthur cooed his name. He walked towards Merlin, backing him up against the counter.
Merlin put his hands on Arthur's chest to push him away, but quickly withdrew them, "Ugh, Arthur, you're soaked-no-no, stop! Arthur!" Arthur had pressed his body against Merlin. Merlin's clothes soaked through instantly and he shivered at the chill. Arthur dropped Merlin's biscuits on the counter behind him, instantaneously wrapping his arms around Merlin, squeezing him so tight, that water drizzled onto the floor.
"Arthur, you're getting the floor all wet! Get off you great lump." Merlin's attempts at pushing Arthur away were feeble. Nothing could pry the wet, chuckling man away. "I hate you," Merlin mumbled into Arthur's neck.
Arthur kissed his temple and whispered, "Love you too, idiot." Arthur finally released Merlin and turned towards the fridge.
"Oh no you don't, go get changed and dry. We're having a movie night remember, and I am not sitting next to you like that." Merlin pushed Arthur towards the bedroom. Arthur swiveled around, forcing Merlin to lose his balance.
"You're all wet too. You should do something about that," Arthur said with a wink. He pulled Merlin into the bedroom where they fought over towels and who would wear what. In the end, Merlin was victorious as he sauntered out in Arthur's dark red sweats and one of his own gray t-shirts. Arthur settled on his blue shorts and red hoodie.
Arthur grabbed the thick afghan Merlin's mother had made for them, and settled onto the couch. Merlin poured the tea and pulled the biscuits out from the bag. He shuffled over to the couch, tripping once on Arthur's large pants.
"Why don't you wear your own pants? Then you wouldn't almost trip and spill the tea and biscuits all over the floor."
Merlin shrugged as he set the snacks on the table, "What, you don't like me wearing your pants? It doesn't…turn you on?"
Arthur squinted at the dark haired boy and grabbed him by the hips, pulling him onto his lap. Merlin let out a squeak of surprise and grabbed Arthur's hands that gripped at his sides.
"You are taking way too long to settle onto this couch, Merlin," Arthur said into his ear. Merlin chuckled and shielded his ear with his shoulder. Arthur knew Merlin's ears were sensitive, especially to Arthur's whispers.
"I have to put the movie in, Arthur. Or do you want to stare at a blank screen?"
Arthur groaned as Merlin stood up and went over to the telly. "Well, now this view isn't too bad," Arthur said as he watched Merlin bend over to put the disc in. Merlin ignored him as he pressed play and walked back over to the couch, tripping again on the hem of the pants. They now hung low on Merlin's hips and Arthur could just see the top of his boxers and a sliver of skin.
"Damn pants," Merlin muttered, but he did nothing to fix them.
Arthur was glad he had already seen this movie. He wasn't sure if he'd be paying much attention to it.
Arthur stretched his legs out on the couch and waited as Merlin carefully crawled over Arthur's legs. Merlin laid his head on Arthur's chest and wrapped an arm around his middle. His legs tangled up with Arthur's. Arthur threw the afghan over the both of them.
Arthur shivered slightly as Merlin's body heat seeped into his skin. The blanket suffocated their warmth, not even a draft could be felt. Merlin rubbed his cold feet against Arthur's legs for a minute until he was content with his newly warmed feet.
As the movie finally started, Merlin nudged his head against Arthur's chest. Arthur could feel Merlin smile and he glanced down.
"Comfortable?"
"Hm, yes, are you?"
Arthur smiled, "Of course." He ruffled Merlin's hair and let his hand travel down Merlin's neck, his back, and settled it on the small of Merlin's back.
Arthur loved this closeness with Merlin; feeling his small frame against his more muscular one. His long legs tangled with his, Merlin's arms wrapped around his torso; this was Arthur's favorite thing.
As the movie came to end, Arthur glanced down. He smiled when he saw Merlin's eyes were closed, his breathing slow, and his mouth slightly opened. Arthur turned off the telly with the remote and burrowed under the blanket. His movement jostled Merlin, who groaned and unconsciously moved down with Arthur. Arthur stopped moving when he was finally comfortable. He watched as Merlin turned his head left, right, and then finally left again. He nuzzled his cheek against Arthur's chest as he mumbled in his sleep.
Arthur chuckled and tightened his arms around Merlin; his adorable idiot.