The two men went to the bathroom and washed and changed before returning to their room for the night. Merlin was the first back and was led in bed at close to the edge as he could when Arthur entered the room. Arthur looked at Merlin's back and got in and also made sure he was near the edge of the bed.
"Sorry" Merlin muttered "I should have realised the beds wouldn't be king size"
"Merlin we're grown men, it's not the first time we've shared bed and it won't be the last. If we end up tangled in the morning I won't shoot you ok." Arthur said with a hint of amusement in his voice "Lighten up its Christmas, as we're in your family's house, nothing will happen."
"Thank you, it was nice today, at one time I didn't think mum would be here this Christmas, and she might not have been if it hadn't been for you" Merlin said his voice emotional.
"It's a pleasure Merlin, your mother is a lovely lady" it all went quiet then but both men led there awake for some time until they gradually drifted off to sleep.
In the morning it was a knock on the door that woke both men, they were indeed tangled up together.
"Are you decent boys? I have a cup of tea for you" came Hunith's voice though the door.
Arthur reacted first "Yes Hunith come in" he quickly cuddled up to Merlin who stiffened and tried to pull away.
Hunith walked in a with a tray in her hands and a grin on her face "Good morning to you both, sorry Arthur but Merlin always liked a tea before he got up on boxing day ,it's sort of a tradition and I didn't think you'd mind"
Merlin glared at Arthur as his mother put the tea on the bedside table. "Morning Mum, thank you" he grunted.
"I hope you had a good night" Hunith said "Breakfast is only toast or cereal so get up when you like." She told Arthur.
"I'll get up as soon as I've drunk my tea mum and help you tidy up downstairs and get dinner ready." Merlin replied.
"No rush have your cuddle first, I know I used to enjoy that part of the day with your father" Hunith said "Just come down when you're ready." With that she left a twinkle in her eye.
Merlin sat up and picked up his tea "She hardly ever mentions Dad." He said in between sips of his hot tea. Arthur heard the catch in Merlin's voice and put his hand gently on Merlin's shoulder as a sign of support.
"It can't have been easy on either of you to lose him so young, Mum died when I was really young so I can't remember her at all, but I know it changed father. Gaius used to tell me about them" Arthur revealed.
"Yeh well, I suppose we both mostly knew ourselves as one parent families." Merlin swung his legs over the bed. "I'm getting up, I don't want to get maudlin it will upset mother." With that he shot off to the bathroom, his clothes under his arm.
Arthur led there for a bit longer hugging Merlin's pillow with its scent of the younger man, before getting up as he heard Merlin go downstairs. He then had his wash and got dressed before collecting the cups and making his way downstairs. He found them all in the kitchen and so sat down by Merlin after giving the raven head of his husband a kiss. He said good morning to Gaius and the two men were soon reminiscing over old times when Arthur was small. After lunch to two men said their goodbyes and went back to Arthur's and settle back into their own routine.
The days between Christmas and New Year passed quietly with both men doing their own things. They did go out together once for a meal with Arthur's friends Lance and Gwen. The couple had invited them over and rather than cause Gwen more work they decided to go to a restaurant instead. It was a lovely evening, Merlin liked the couple but once again Arthur pushed the boundaries and was very affectionate. Merlin smiled but inside his heart was breaking. Once home he wasted no time in asking Arthur to cool it.
"We are past the honeymoon phase now can't you cool off on the PDA." He demanded.
"Merlin I am a possessive man, all my friends know that. They would think we had argued if I didn't mark my man while out." Arthur told him.
"I'm not your possession! And you don't need to mark me!" Merlin said angrily. "Just keep your displays to a minimum."
"I disagree" Arthur was hurt by Merlin's words and wanted to hurt the other man "You are my possession for the next five years! You agreed to act as my husband in public and you will, I will mark you as mine if I want to!" he paused "Remember that and get used to it. I bought and paid for you!" as soon as he said the words he regretted them but it was too late. He had said them out of frustration but Merlin wasn't to know that.
Merlin glared at Arthur and walked out of the room into the room he used as a bedroom. Arthur heard the door slam and turned and punched the wall in frustration at what he had said and done. He sat down and put his head in his hands. Had he just ruined any chance he had of then becoming at least friends?
The next couple of days the men hardly spoke to each other. Merlin was angry at the position he had put himself in and the fact that Arthur thought he was bought and paid for. Arthur was kicking himself but to proud to apologise for his remarks. When seven o'clock on New Year's Eve came round things were still very strained but they were getting ready to go to Morgana's. Arthur spoke to Merlin "We need to leave soon I agreed to go early to Morgana's. Please try not to let your mood spoil everyone's evening; my sister works hard arranging her parties."
Merlin looked at Arthur in disgust "I realise that, and I like your sister and Leon, don't worry I'll play my part. I'll be your 'loving husband' as you said I've been bought and paid for"
Arthur had the decency to look ashamed "I shouldn't have said that ….I'm sorry"
"Sorry? Why should you be, it's true. I thought a Pendragon was never sorry; no you do as you wish, and I can put on an act if I need to. Mum's going to be there and I would never hurt her, she thinks I love you and you love me. A real love match, like she had with dad. So that's what you'll get." He looked down at his hands "I'm going to get changed; I suppose you've put my clothes out?"
Arthur had got into the habit of selecting the clothes for Merlin to wear when they went out. It had started when they first went out together, so Merlin wouldn't feel out of place and had just continued. Until then Arthur hadn't realised just how he was controlling Merlin. "I have, but wear what you want, you look good in anything" he added.
"No I'll do as I'm required I wouldn't want my pleb ways to embarrass you" Merlin walked off.
When Arthur came out from getting ready he found Merlin having a brandy. Merlin looked at him "I know it's early but I needed something to calm me down. Don't worry I won't drink much tonight I know I'm a light weight, I'm always careful in case I get a loose mouth."
"I know you are Merlin, and I appreciate it, it might not seem like it, but I do, you have done all that I have asked and more. I will try to take your feelings into more consideration." Arthur gave Merlin a rueful grin. "You have been far better at this than I have"
As Arthur went to pick up his overnight bag Merlin noticed Arthur had the cuff links on that he had given him for Christmas. It was a small touch but showed Arthur wasn't such a prat as he sometimes appeared. "The taxi's here" Arthur said. Merlin finished his brandy and followed Arthur out and into the car.
As soon as they arrived at Morgana's Arthur was playing his role. Even though his sister and brother-in-law where well aware of the true nature of his marriage. It had become such a habit with him that it was an unconscious action. As it happen it was just as well, as Hunith and Gaius were also early attendees. Leon and Morgana were dressed immaculately as always and Merlin had to agree that Arthur's choice in what he was wearing suited the occasion. Hunith and Gaius's clothes although not as expensive they weren't out of place. Hunith was a canny shopper and always had been. Merlin was sure she had made her dress herself and was proud of his family. They might not have the money of the Pendragon's but in their own way they had class. Merlin could cope with the ever present hand in the small of his back and the brandy had helped him to relax enough to put on his normal goofy smile. He refused a drink when they arrived saying he wanted to pace himself and settled for a coffee. Arthur decided to do the same. The six of them sat and chatted until the others started to arrive.
Once the party was in full swing Merlin managed to get away from Arthur for short times, either sitting with his mother or as Arthur spoke to friends, but still most of the evening they were together. Morgana seemed to have purchased London's entire supply of mistletoe and so there was plenty of kissing going around, including Merlin and Arthur. But Arthur did at the beginning tone down his touching. But as the evening progressed as the drinks flowed it gradually increased. Merlin tried to play the part of the loving boyfriend but was finding it harder and harder, all he could hear in his head was Arthur's words 'bought and paid for' To make matters worse Agravaine and Morgause had turned up, uninvited. In the spirit of the holiday session Morgana said nothing and let them stay but they did make the situation between the two men more fraught.
Arthur, who by now had drunk a reasonable amount, was out to prove his relationship with Merlin was close and passionate became more and more handsy with his husband. So much so that at one stage Morgana intervened as she saw how uncomfortable Merlin was getting. She borrowed Merlin to help her get out the Champaign for the midnight toast.
"Sorry our uncle is here Merlin, I didn't invite him but I can't cause a scene and ask him to leave. But I know it's making Arthur … well more"
"Grabby" Merlin added for her "Yes he is and I don't like it, even if we were ….. I still wouldn't like it"
"I know Merlin, but go with it please; he's a good man underneath it all" Morgana looked at Merlin before continuing "I realise you're not an overly demonstrative person but could I ask you a big favour?"
"You can ask" Merlin said defensively, thinking it strange she could have got him so wrong."
"Agravaine has been watching you both all evening, so has Morgause. They are sharp, the pair of them, could you initiate something with Arthur, maybe at midnight, so they think you are madly in love with my brother?"
Merlin felt his gut clench, could he do it without exposing himself to Arthur? He wasn't sure. But at the same time he would love to get one over on the couple who had caused him so much trouble. "OK I will" he agreed.
"Come on then we have half an hour, meet me here in fifteen minutes to pour out the Champaign.
Merlin did as he was asked and poured out the drinks and helped hand them out. Then he took as place by Arthur's side. He noticed that Agravaine was beside Leon and in plain sight. As the countdown happened reached midnight Merlin turned to Arthur and pulled the blonde down into a kiss, it was a long and dirty one, as passionate as he could, he poured all his feelings into the kiss and his hands went up under Arthur's shirt. Arthur returned the kiss and one hand went behind Merlin head to pull him in, his other hand went to Merlin's arse and pulled them close. Merlin knew he was hard and felt Arthur's erection against him and just for that moment let himself believe it was real. Then as he was forced to come up for air he heard Gwaine whistle in the background and the moment was over. He looked into Arthur's eyes and saw the arousal in them, forcing his own feelings down he pulled away and picked up his glass and gave a mock toast to Arthur whispering "That was for your Uncle"
He noticed what seemed to be a flash of disappointment cross Arthur's face before the blonde replied in a whisper "I hope he was watching then." Then in a louder voice he called out "Gwaine have you nothing better to do?"
"Well Princess you know what they say kissing those closest to you at midnight of the New Year strengthens your bond in the following year. You two are going to be sickly sweet is all I can say. That was some kiss you're a lucky man."
Merlin blushed and looked down but couldn't resist a look at the man by Leon's side, Agravaine looked livid. It had been worthwhile just for that. As well as giving his dream material for ever.
As the party continued Arthur kept Merlin by his side and gave the younger man the occasional kiss, nothing as passionate as the one Merlin had initiated. But he did keep Merlin close. Morgana approached the pair and winked at Merlin whispering to him "That blew more than Arthur's socks off; I didn't know you had it in you"
Once the party was over the two men retired to their room, at least this time they had a king sized bed. Once they were in the dark Merlin spoke "That kiss was for your uncle's benefit you know that don't you?"
"If you say so Merlin, I felt your reaction remember, and perhaps we should change the arrangement to include benefits" Arthur found himself saying, trying hard to hide how much he had wanted it to be real.
Merlin gasped in disbelief "You don't think I meant that to happen do you, I'm not a monk you know. Your sister asked me to do it for your uncle's benefit! Otherwise I wouldn't have. Don't kid yourself the last thing I want is that!"