"Merlin, you've been slower today. Slower than usual," Arthur said, leaning against his bedpost as he watched his man-servant pick up and put away a few articles of clothing. "Why is that?"
"I don't know what you mean, sire."
"You're slow and you're useless, but even more so today. Why. is that?"
Merlin shrugged and gave a small crooked grin. "You know me, slow and useless. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll bid you goodnight, sire." He turned and almost made it out the door before Arthur's voice caught him again.
"Merlin."
He turned and gave him a practiced smile. "Yes?"
He beckoned him over. "Lock the door and come here." Arthur's look left no room for argument. Merlin did as he was told, just a little scared now. He was never told to lock the door before. "What were you doing after you left my room last night?"
"I…went back to my room, helped Gaius with a few things, and went to bed. Why?"
"Because I don't think you ever made it back to Gaius last night." Arthur's voice had turned just a bit dangerous, as had his eyes. He walked closer to Merlin, who backed up further into the room. "I think you made it back to someone else's room last night. A knight's room…"
"Arthur, come on," Merlin tried to laugh it off. "Why would I do that? I have chores for Gaius after I get done with you, and by then I'm exhausted, especially since I have to get up at the crack of dawn to help you, and the day starts all over again."
"So you're telling me I was wrong when I saw Gwaine leading you back to his room, in the opposite direction from Gaius'."
"You—you what?" Merlin's eyes widened in fright. He still had no idea what to make of the night before, and he had been so sure no one else had seen them, but apparently he was wrong.
"I saw you and Gwaine in the hallway." Arthur grabbed Merlin by his arm and shoved him against the bed. "And I bet if I look closer, I'll see a lot more."
Merlin collided with the bed and braced himself against it, facing Arthur. It was frightening to see such fury etched into his face. "Arthur, you're not yourself. Something's wrong. You need—"
"You've been sleeping with him, haven't you?" Arthur bellowed. He stormed over and grabbed him again, despite Merlin trying to come up with something to calm him down. The royal didn't even hear what the young man had to say, instead interrupting him with a hiss. "Let's see what my manservant got out of sleeping with a knight, shall we?"
Merlin didn't quite protest as much as he should have, he knew, when Arthur's strong arms flexed to toss him onto the bed and he started stripping the warlock with angry fervor. And he would have been lying if he had denied being turned on a bit by the chiseled body hovering over him, wanting, almost needing, to see his own lanky body naked under him. Merlin watched as angry eyes raked over him, and he hardened a bit more, his breath catching. Those eyes settled on his hips, then flashed up to Merlin's eyes, locking on.
"I was right," Arthur hissed, strong hands clamping down over finger-shaped bruises. Merlin gasped and arched a bit in pain. "He was here. Did you enjoy it? Betraying me? Giving yourself away to a vagabond swordsman?" Merlin looked away, feeling shamed, though Arthur had made no move for him before now. A hand left his hip to grip his jaw and yank his head back. "Look at me! You are my servant. Do you understand that? Mine!"
"Y-yes, sire…"
"I don't think you do." Arthur flipped his servant onto his knees.
Merlin shivered at both the exposed position and at the sound of fabric rustling. He unconsciously pushed his hips back as he turned his head to peek. Arthur was already fully aroused and the thickness of him made him shiver. Gwaine entering him had made him cry out in pain. What would the Prince do? One glance upwards told him he was still furious as well.
"This is mine," Arthur almost growled, grabbing Merlin's lean ass firmly, "to do with as I please." The blond shoved two fingers into him roughly, twisting them firmly as Merlin gasped in pain and clutched the royal sheets. The warlock could feel heated eyes on him as fingers stretched him roughly, demanding compliance.
There was only very little relief when the hands were moved from his ass to his hips, for the fingers were quickly replaced with a thick and rigid cock. Merlin yelled out in pain and clutched the sheets even more, burying his face in them as tears began to dot the corners of his eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Being with Arthur…It was supposed to be like with Gwaine, only better. How Merlin knew it was supposed to be didn't stop Arthur from wrapping a strong, muscled arm around his waist and pounding into him like he could force Gwaine back out of Merlin. Merlin only gasped in pain as the Prince moved. Small cries and whimpers passed his lips and were almost lost in the mattress. He whispered pleading cries of "Please, Arthur. Stop. Please." on what he was certain were deaf ears. Eventually, Arthur's pace slowed to a more searching pace than a vengeful one, and Merlin was quite conscious of the breathy grunts and moans being exhaled into his ear. And the young warlock shuddered as a last hard thrust signaled a low moan and Arthur's seed spilling into him.
Merlin was reluctant to call it relief when Arthur pulled out of him. He shivered, though, and Arthur turned him onto his back again, a…calmer, more serene look on his face. Merlin panted, turning his own face away from him. Arthur gently knocked his chin back with a finger and gave him a small smile, his hand dropping down to stroke the servant's hard cock.
"Hey. Look at me." The words were gentle, caring almost.
Merlin turned his face back to him, and Arthur kissed him deeply, stroking the slender man until he came in his hand with a moan. Arthur slowly pulled away, almost reluctant in his movements.
"Get dressed, Merlin. You're not sleeping here."
It took a moment for it to register in Merlin's mind what the Prince was saying, but when it did, he got up with a groan and a wince. Gwaine hadn't made him move so early, and certainly not after such pain. Merlin moved slowly as he got dressed.
"Hurry up. And get me a towel while you're at it."
The warlock gave a tiny glare, and with a flash of his eyes, he sent the requested towel flying at Arthur's head. He didn't even look up as Arthur called his name in annoyance. He was still busy getting dressed. When he was done, he limped his way to the door.
"Merlin."
He stopped and looked back, not really caring anymore. Arthur paused before continuing.
"..I want you back here tomorrow night. Please, don't give me reason to do that again."
Merlin stilled for a moment, thinking about it, before leaving the room and limping down the hallway. Three steps past a certain hallway, though, he stopped, retreated those three steps, and looked down the hallway. Serious consideration burned through his mind, weighing out what he really wanted. Whose strong arms he wanted.