A/N: Omg HI! Please dont hate me. I have been stressed out about SATs and exams and tests and hid from them. I'm getting quite good at hiding from my responsibilities. But the stress didnt let me write and I am so freaking sorry I swear.

I sincerely want to thank those who reviewed (some of them made me feel like my heart would pop from happiness, i wish you guests had an account so I could message you omg :3), those who followed and favorited. You guys are amazing and thanks for supporting me. Couldnt have done it without you all.

I am excited about this chapter because I loved writing it and I think I did a better job on this than a few others. You people are the judges! I hope you enjoy!

*throws confetti*

ps: if there are any grammatical errors or something, feel free to point them out, i've been writing for the past few hours and its 2am.

A frustrated noise leaves Arthur's throat and he turns his back to Merlin, running fingers through his hair. 'Merlin-' He starts and then stops, sighing.

The siren of an ambulance wails in the distance and the cool wind blows harder. Both men shove their hands in their pockets in effort to warm them, the blanket abandoned on the ground.

'Okay,' Arthur says so softly that Merlin doesn't quite catch it.

'What?' he looks up at Arthur through his damp eyelashes, noticing his tense shoulders and stiff body.

The once and future king turns around, picks up the blanket and walks to Merlin. 'Okay,' He repeats and covers Merlin with it clumsily. 'If this is what you think is- If this is how you feel, Merlin,' his fingers graze the warlock's cheek slightly. 'Then I wont ask it of you.'

Their eyes meet for but a second before Arthur straightens, turns around and walks back inside. Merlin pulls the blanket tighter around himself and rests his head back, trying to ignore the hollow ache consuming his existence.

He is right there. Arthur. After such a long wait.

Merlin spent a thousand years defending himself against Arthur's absence. And now he is protecting himself from his presence.

Arthur would only be here for a few decades. And then what would Merlin do when he died? It would hurt just as much and-

Just as much.

It would hurt just as much.

Merlin sat up, thinking back to the day Arthur died. There had been pain. So much pain and guilt that he had forgotten the thought that had entered his mind briefly. If only Arthur had not been a king, they could have been together for as long as Arthur had been alive.

The state of their relationship wouldn't make a difference to how much pain Arthur's death would cause Merlin because Merlin didn't love Arthur any less no matter what it was.

The warlock stood up, knees weak with the relief of this realization. 'Arthur,' He whispers before running into the elevator room and jabbing the button multiple times. He drums his fingers impatiently before turning around and taking two steps at a time.

'Arthur!' he says, pushing the door of the flat open and finding the once and future king asleep in the sofa. His hand dangles off it, just above the hilt of the Excalibur that's lying on the floor. He is still in the suit, tie loose around his neck. Merlin lets out a huff of laughter and lifts his hand back in place. 'Arthur.' He murmurs, fingers smoothing out the lines on Arthur's tense forehead. His eyes flutter open almost immediately. 'Merlin,' He says softly.

'Come to bed.' The warlock mumbles. Arthur looks torn for a moment before shaking his head.

'Its better if we sleep separately-'

'No, listen I-' Merlin hesitates.

'What is it, Merlin?' Arthur asks softly.

'I was thinking and- and I would still love you as much as before.' His cheeks turn a light pink. 'So- it- it wouldn't matter whether we were together or not. Because it will still be as painful when you- you-' Merlin gestures vaguely. Arthur sits up, still looking at Merlin. He tugs his arm, sitting him in the empty spot beside him. 'so you're saying that we can-'

'Be together,' Merlin completes for him, shifting his feet awkwardly. 'If you still want-'

Arthur grabs Merlin's shirt and pulls him close, placing his lips on Merlin's. The warlock tenses for only a second before relaxing against the king, hands on Arthur's arms. The kiss is slow and sweet for moments only. The urgency seeps in, as the blond leans back against the arm of the sofa, pulling the dark haired one with him.

'Are you sure,' Arthur mumbles against Merlin's mouth. 'Because-'

'I want this. I want you.'

And that's an answer enough.

Arthur's fingers slip into Merlin's hair, and then under his shirt because that's not enough. 'fuck, Merlin,' Arthur says in a breathy whisper. 'I love your ears.' His forefinger traces the edge of one as he nibbles on the other.

'Shut up.' Merlin mutters, palming the bulge in Arthur's pants, making him raise his hips with a frustrated grunt.

'lets see how you like it.' Arthur grabs Merlin around the waist and after a struggle, manages to flip them over. The warlock's clothes are torn off and the two bodies press together, Arthur grinds his hips against Merlin's watching him throw his head back and bite his lip. And then he pulls away. Merlin's head snaps up, frowning at a smirking Arthur standing beside him. The blond throws his head back and laughs. And just like that, Merlin's annoyance fades away. He stares at Arthur, a funny feeling in his stomach. A smile tugs at the corner of his lips and he stands up, pulling Arthur close and kissing his neck softly. His fingers move to Arthur's waist, unzipping his pants. The king finds them and pulls them away. An impatient noise leaves Merlin's throat. 'let me-'

'shh, come to bed.'

And then it's a rushed struggle, Merlin tugging at Arthur's clothes and Arthur gripping the long fingers in his own hands behind the warlock's back as they fall onto the bed. Merlin lets out a faint 'oomf' into Arthur's mouth, as he tugs on the blond's lip with his teeth.

Arthur slides a hand over Merlin's smooth side and slips fingers around his throbbing erection, coaxing soft groans from his sweet mouth.

'Fuck, Arthur just-'

'Shut up Merlin.' Arthur responds, sucking Merlin's shoulder and deciding that wasn't enough so he sinks in his teeth. The warlock gasps once and then again as he felt Arthur push his legs apart and touch his hole lightly. 'Do you have some oil or-'

'I- Oil.' Merlin says, softly before looking around hastily and pointing to the cupboard. 'Drawer. There is some body oil- scented- fuck, I don't know just get it.'

And then Arthur's finger, coated in oil, is pushing in slowly. His warm breath against Merlin's neck who is breathing heavily, fingers fisted in Arthur's shirt. He cries out as a second finger enters, chest rising and falling rapidly.

'Arthur, please. Now.'

'No Merlin not yet-'

But the rebellious shit that he is, Merlin's fingers find their way in Arthur's pants, wrapping themselves around Arthur's dick. The blond groans and then huffs in annoyance. He pulls his fingers out, ignoring Merlin's protests and flips the pale man over.

'On your hands and knees,' He says, urgency in his voice. Merlin grins in triumph and pulls himself up, presenting his silky bottom to Arthur who quickly pushes down his pants till his thighs and covers his dick in oil before pressing it to Merlin's hole.

'Okay?' He murmurs to Merlin. The warlock nods his head and Arthur pushes in slowly. His breath catches and he bites his lip, fighting the impulse to push in all the way in one go. He breathes out slowly when his entire length is buried inside Merlin. He pauses, letting Merlin get comfortable around him.

'Arthur,' the gangly man whimpers softly. Arthur slips his arms around Merlin's waist, nose buried in his hair. 'You okay?' He whispers. Merlin breathes out slowly. 'Yeah.' He turns his head, lips searching for Arthur's and Arthur gives him just that, pressing their mouths together, open and wet. He pulls out a bit and slides back inside, absorbing the moan that leaves Merlin. 'More,' He whispers against Arthur's chin and that drives Arthur wild all at once. His hips snap over and over, causing Merlin to gasp out the king's name accompanied with profanities. Arthur's hand slides up to grip the slim waist and he takes Merlin's dick in his hand with the other, stroking it hard and fast, mumbling out a series of 'Merlin, Merlin, Merlin,' Unable to register anything past Merlin beneath him and the pleasure that's driving him insane. A few more thrusts and he's pushed over the edge, mouth open, breathing hard. Merlin spills into his hand after some more jerks and his body is quivering ever so slightly.

They stay like that for a few seconds, trying to catch their breath until Arthur pulls out slowly and collapses onto the bed, fingers loosely around Merlin's wrist. 'Merlin,' he mumbles.

The warlock shuffles closer, murmuring a quick cleaning spell and snuggles into Arthur's side. The king shifts so Merlin's head is on his shoulder.

'your ears,' whispers Arthur. 'And the way your skin-' he traces Merlin's eyebrow with his finger and then his temple. 'the way your skin crinkles up at the corner of your eyes when you smile.'

Merlin is quiet for a few moments before saying quite bluntly. 'I like your dick.'

Arthur laughs.

'"Did you see that, Arthur? Did you?" Merlin whispered to his friend. Arthur nodded excitedly as another firework exploded into thousands of tiny red stars in the black sky.' Merlin looks up at the smiling faces of the children around him and grins back, holding up the page to show the firework illustration to the children. They all lean in eagerly. 'I hope you all liked the story?' He asks.

Some nod vigorously, others mumble out shy 'yes's. A hand shoots up in the back. 'My favorite story was the one in which Merlin and Arthur rescue princess Guinevere.' A small girl of around nine years pipes up excitedly. 'But you didn't put her in any of the other stories.' She pouts. Merlin laughs along with some of the parents who are sitting on chairs around the shop, waiting for the author reading to children session to finish. His publisher, Anora, arranged it for the release of his latest book, Merlin and Arthur: A New Year adventure.

'What's your name?' Merlin asks the girl.

'Jemma,' She says, a bit shy now that the attention of the entire room was on her.

'Tell you what, Jemma, my next book will be about Princess Guinevere. Would you like that?'

'Yes please!' her eager tone gets another titter from the parents.

'Alright,' Anora stands up, smiling. 'All those who want their copies signed can do so right now.'

The crowd begins to disperse, and some children gather around Merlin, holding out their shiny new books. Anora hands Merlin a pen and then gets busy on a call. The warlock begins to sign books, asking each one their name and jotting down a little message. He glances up after the last book, searching for a familiar flash of golden hair.

'I like your ring.'

Merlin stops searching, disappointed, and looks down to find Jemma holding out her book and looking at the silver ring in his finger.

'Oh I like it too.' Arthur says ruffling Merlin's hair from behind. Merlin laughs and takes the book from Jemma. 'in fact, it used to be mine! He stole it from me!' The blond gasps in mock horror. Merlin splutters. What will the kids learn! He thinks, alarmed.

'I didn't steal it Arthur! You gave it to me! You got down on one- mmft.' Arthur places one hand on Merlin's mouth.

'Its okay.' He says to Jemma. 'He didn't steal it. I was just joking, Merlin.' He rolls his eyes. Jemma grins. Merlin huffs in annoyance.

'Are you Prince Arthur, Merlin's friend from the stories?' Jemma asks the once and future king as Merlin signs her book.

'Why yes I am, m'lady.' He takes her hand and bends down to kiss the back of it. 'Princess Jemma,' he nods. She giggles bashfully and glances back at her mother, excitement in her eyes. 'Look mum! Its Prince Arthur!'

Her mother laughs. 'Come on love, we have to go.'

Merlin hands her back the book and she says a rushed thank you, running back to her mum.

'Prat.' Merlin says, feeling the ring with his thumb consciously.

'And don't you forget it.' Arthur laughs and kisses him on the cheek. 'Come on,' he slips his fingers between Merlin's easily. 'I want ice cream.' They walk out of the shop after a quick goodbye to Anora.

Merlin smiles inwardly and glances at Arthur's hand. It no longer looks empty the way it did in the beginning when Arthur first took off his ring and proposed to Merlin with it. But that's okay. Merlin can still tell when Arthur is in deep thought. He even sometimes twists the ring in Merlin's finger when they're in bed.

'Did you take the bus?' Merlin asks, already knowing the answer.

'Not ready for the underground yet.' Arthur says softly. 'Too many people.'

'That's okay.' Merlin squeezes his hand.

And it is.

A/N: OH GOD WHY DID I THINK REWATCHING 'The Last Dragonlord' WAS A GOOD IDEA I AM DYING PLEASE SEND HELP. The FEEEEELS. The bit where Arthur goes, 'If i wasnt king i think we'd probably get on.' and he's trying to get Merlin to talk about whats bothering him.

And THEN *SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL WATCHING IDK?* BALINOR DIES OMG OMG and Colin Morgan's tears are the worst.

*cries in a corner for an hour*

Okay now that I've gotten that off my chest *whew* please review and let me know how the story was! Also, what was your favorite Merlin episode? I love The Last Dragonlord and Goblin's Gold!

Thanks for sticking with me till the end, it means a lot.