Carry On My Wayward Servant
Chapter 12: The Pendant
Arthur walked Merlin back to his chambers, not even bothering with the pretence of Merlin going to his. He had dismissed the guards to go ready the horses. They would be leaving at dawn for the field. Merlin was ill by this point, a shaky sweaty mess as they got into the chambers. He began pacing, still in the damn towel. Wetness rolled down his thighs from where Arthur had filled him, the cooling cum sticky between his cheeks.
"Merlin…" Arthur tried, but Merlin didn't stop pacing. His thin stomach was heaving by this point, not able to breathe with the weight of it all. Arthur would find out...his prince...his lover...he would find out and have him beheaded. He would find out and never look at him the same again. "Merlin?" Arthur asked a little more insistently, but Merlin couldn't focus. He ran a hand through his messy shaggy hair, close to passing out by this point he was hyperventilating so much. "Merlin!" Was the final snap, Arthur grabbing his arm and turning him to face him. "Tell me what's going on."
Merlin stared into those impossibly blue depths, not ready to lose him. He'd never be ready. "I don't want you to hate me...not when I just got you." He reached out, wanting to know that Arthur was real, that this was real for just a little bit. He laid his hand over his heart, the steady beat almost calming under his fingertips. "I don't want you to hate me." He repeated, staring into those eyes. "Don't hate me...Don't cast me away."
Arthur covered Merlin's hand with his own, squeezing it reassuringly. "I adore you Merlin, you're not going anywhere." He drew it up, kissing the back of his hand. "I hate seeing you like this. Just tell me." His lips caressed over his knuckles. "Please?" He had never heard Arthur ask him for anything like that before, he didn't even know his bratty prince were capable.
"I hear it talking to me…" He confessed, too mentally exhausted to do anything else. "It's in my head. I look at my reflection, and I don't see me...It's someone else." He spoke of every last terror of his life. He spoke them, hoping he could trust Arthur. "I keep losing track of time. When I do I'm somewhere else, covered in blood." His voice was shaky, but the prince never interrupted him. "I did something terrible. Lancelot said the Lamia used to be human, that it consumes souls trying to regain its humanity. It makes them insane."
The prince took it all in, raising his eyebrow at that last part. "You? Merlin, why on earth would it want you?" There wasn't smug superiority in his voice though, only concern.
"I don't know." Merlin answered, it was only half a lie. He didn't know why it wanted him. "It's going to kill me Arthur...it's going to drive me mad, and then it's going to kill me. It's not safe to be around me." He would leave. He would run far away from Camelot before he ever hurt anyone else.
Arthur laughed at that, cupping his face with both hands, the warmth making his skin tingle. "You're not going anywhere. You're mine. We'll handle this."
"Your father would have me slain if he knew I was responsible." Merlin argued, worry in his voice. Arthur didn't seem worried, that bravado still strong on his face.
"My father would have you slain if he knew about us as well you realize...I can keep this secret too." He had too many secrets for the prince to handle. Why would he? Why would he risk this?
"I should leave." He argued again, stubbornness winning over Arthur's comfort. "I'll go back to Ealdor...I'll let it eat my soul Arthur, but I won't be responsible for laying a finger on you."
"Which finger?" Arthur asked, bringing up Merlin's hand. "This one?" He asked, taking his pointer finger into his mouth. Merlin stared incredulously at Arthur's audacity. At a time like this? He opened his mouth to speak up on what an unbelievable letch the other was to actually be able to think of sex right now, but then Arthur did this amazing thing with his tongue, and Merlin's knees actually went weak. They collapsed from under him and Arthur grabbed the back of his legs at the same time, lifting him like he was nothing as he gripped his ass, Merlin pressing their foreheads together as Arthur continued to suck. Where did he learn to do this, where did he… His dick was so hard it hurt by this point as Arthur took in another finger, delicious moans escaping Merlin's lips. "God…" Arthur spoke around the digits. "Why can't I stop wanting you?"
Arthur carried Merlin to bed, throwing him onto the feather mattress, the towel riding low on his hips. Merlin was started to come to his senses, pushing up to put a stop to this, but the prince was on him in an instant.
"You're not going anywhere Merlin. I don't believe for a second you would hurt me." Merlin tried to wriggle away, but the body on top of him was too heavy. "Stop fighting me. You're not going to Ealdor, because you're staying by my side...in my bed. If there is a magical creature trying to take you away, to hurt you, then that's the worst mistake it has ever made." Arthur reached to his bedside table, grabbing what looked like an old concoction of Gaius's. "To help you relax."
"Arthur I don't want…" Arthur grabbed for his nose, cutting off his breathing as he struggled, mouth opening to yell when the concoction was poured down his throat. He sputtered, coughing as he tried to get the liquid out, but Arthur covered his mouth.
"It's for your own good Merlin, not stop being such a girl and swallow...I know you're good at that." He mocked, and Merlin tried to bite his hand, causing Arthur to laugh. "Relax darling... you will soon whether you like it or not." Merlin spouted all profanities he thought about the prince at that moment, telling him exactly what he thought of him behind Arthur's hand as he was forced to swallow.
His mouth was uncovered, and he glowered up at the blond. "I hate you."
"No you don't." Arthur assured him. "I had to do it." His face turned almost sad. "I'll fix it Merlin."
"Fix?" Merlin asked, beyond drowsy as he blinked, slurring his words. Gaius's sleeping potion. "Fix...Don't...Don't go...Do…" His eyes shut, and it didn't matter what Arthur was going to do next. Nothing mattered in the world.
When his eyes snapped back open it was daylight, and he shot panicked up in the Prince's bed. "Arthur!" His first thoughts, always. He looked around, frantic as he knew the prince must have gone off on his own. His eyes flickered back and forth, before finally landing on Arthur's chair. The prince was there, goblet poised in his hand as he watched Merlin. His hands...they were dirty...caked in it almost...and was that, blood? "What did you do?"
"What I had to." Arthur said, all of the playfulness from the day before gone from his voice. "It's done. You're safe now."
"What do you mean safe?" He asked, scrambling out of the bed, still only in the towel. "Arthur what do you mean?" He asked again when the prince didn't answer. There was a far away look in Arthur's eyes, haunted. "Arthur!?" He demanded, and those blue eyes finally looked up towards him, lashing out and grabbing his wrist.
"You didn't tell me what you did Merlin." He said, accusation in his voice. "You told me you killed. That wasn't just a kill. You had to have stabbed her over 100 times. You disemboweled her. You cut off her face."
All of the color drained from Merlin's face, and he swore his heart stopped beating. How? How could this have happened? He didn't...He wouldn't. Girl? What girl? Why would this lamia have him murder a girl?
"Who?" He asked, voice breathless. "Silly question." He realized. "She had no face."
"She had yellow hair." Arthur said quietly, almost a whisper of the sin between them. "I recognized her curls."
"Lady Katherine…." He spoke between them. She had been missing for days now. "Why? Why would I? I barely knew her. Why would it make me?" He didn't understand, and Arthur seeing this...knowing about this. It was worse than his sorcery. "What you must think of me…"
"It wasn't you." Arthur said, drinking more wine. He didn't even sound like he believed it. "We'll find this creature and put a stop to it. We ride out to the field in a few hours with the men...Don't worry. They won't find the body." His voice was far away, sickened. "And Merlin?" Merlin looked at Arthur, heart trembling at how closed off the Prince had become. Had he not told him he loved him only yesterday? "Perhaps you should begin sleeping in your own quarters again until we get this sorted." It wasn't a question, the demand was clear.
"Of course Sire." He said, voice as dead as he felt. "I should get ready." He wished for Arthur to grab his arm, to beg for him to stay. Wishes are for children, because Arthur's only response was to pour himself another glass of wine.
He felt sick as he made his way out, shutting the door behind him. He made his way to his quarters, sneaking in when he knew Gaius would be out delivering medicine. He threw the towel away like it burned him as he washed, scrubbing between his legs stiffly, trying not to break down as he bathed. To his credit, he only had one panic attack in the tub, and one more while pulling on his clothes. By the time he was dressed he was almost a normal person again. Almost. He still had sliced a woman's face off without knowing it.
Merlin gripped the table, managing to keep it together somehow. What had Arthur done? Why had he protected him after seeing the nightmare described? Why would anyone? None of this made sense. He was going crazy. He was losing his mind and self, and he was a danger to his once and future king.
"Why is Lancelot in the dungeons?" Merlin looked up at the sound of Morgana's voice, startled at the intrusion. His stomach flip flopped as he realized he had forgotten all about his friend in the dungeon.
"We have to get him out." He started, but then remembered he was marching off with Arthur. "When I get back...I have to go with Arthur."
"Go with him where Merlin?" She asked, shutting the door behind. "You were supposed to be leaving. You swore to me you'd leave to protect him." Arthur had mentioned as much, but he couldn't remember. How much of his life could he not remember?
"I know...and I will. I have to do this first." He tried to explain.
"It's not safe!" Morgana argued. "You should leave Camelot now. I'll cover for you, I swear it." She tried. "Merlin please. I keep having nightmares. I keep seeing him...and you. Do this for him!"
"I would do anything for him!" Merlin snapped. "I wouldn't hurt him! I'd die first."
"But you wouldn't leave first?" She questioned him, disbelief in her voice. "You're being selfish!"
"I love him!" Merlin yelled. "I'll do what I need to to protect him, as I always do!" He yelled at her, grabbing his pack as he ran out to meet his young Pendragon. He felt guilty about leaving Morgana there, knowing she could turn him in at any time. He didn't think she would though. She seemed to only want to protect Arthur, and had been his friend on more than one occasion. He trusted her. He was the villain here. How could he protect Arthur from himself? What magic could help him now?
He got out to the horses, Arthur already seated on his with two of his guards waiting. "What took you so long?" He asked, the same haughty tone in his voice, but he wasn't looking at him, couldn't look at him. It felt like he had spikes in his gut at the slight.
"I apologize sire. I desperately needed a bath." He knew it wasn't an excuse, couldn't be an excuse. How could anything at this point? "Are you sure you wish for me to go still?"
"Get on the horse Merlin." Was the terse reply. Merlin didn't argue, struggling up onto the horse. Arthur took off almost immediately, his men following him as Merlin struggled to keep up. He felt hate from his lover, loathing, contempt, mistrust. Would he ever get it back? Could he after what Arthur had seen?
They road the morning in silence, Arthur's men clearly not wanting to get their heads bit off. Everyone could tell when the prat of a prince was in a foul mood. It was usually because of Merlin, but never like this. Arthur must have been riding all night to reach the field. To cover up his mess. They reached the wildflowers by noon, Arthur hopping off his horse as he went to investigate.
"You say there was a grave?" He asked the knights, heading further in. The prince could act when he wanted to he supposed. Maybe he could act like less of a prat? He knew he deserved it, but after everything he had done for Arthur, getting treated like this was beyond cruel. It wasn't him, Arthur knew it hadn't been him. He knew Merlin would never hurt anyone. Well, that didn't deserve it. Why Lady Katherine of all people? She was connected to the snake somehow, she had to be. Nothing else made sense. "Merlin!" He heard the voice demand, and realized he had been spacing out as they examined the scene. "Get over here now."
Merlin rushed over, trained to instinctively listen to that tone of voice. "What is it?" Arthur and the knights were leaned over a disturbed grave.
"It was here!" Gawain assured him. "I saw it with my own eyes. It was a mutilated body!"
"Animals must have done away with the corpse." Arthur murmured. "There are wolves all around this area. You obviously saw the start of one of their feasts and they came back to finish the job." Arthur murmured, sounding bored. How could he sound bored when saying this? He knew it wasn't wolves. He had moved the body himself. He was protecting him, just as he said he would.
"No Arthur. It wasn't wolves...it couldn't have been." Gawain spoke, sounding unsure of himself in the presence of the prince. "I swear I saw stab marks."
"I'm sure it was terrible." Arthur replied, grabbing Gawain's shoulder in reassurance. "No one blames you for assuming. Thank you for bringing this to me. It was better to check."
"But…" He tried, but Arthur had already began to head back to the horses, officially making the discussion moot. The prince would not be questioned, and Merlin saw Gawain eye the grave one more time, before he headed to his own horse.
Merlin attended to the prince when they got back, feeling dirty just being in his chambers. Arthur didn't want him here. That was beyond clear. "Why did you make me come today?" He asked, fingers working to undo his armor. He wouldn't look at Arthur, not able to handle his anger.
"Because I was fixing your mess, and you needed to see it." Arthur snapped at him. "Why wouldn't you have to be there? Grow up Merlin." Merlin's fingers dropped from his armor, backing up as fury lit his face.
"You don't get to talk to me like that. You don't get to shame me for things that weren't my control!" He yelled at the prince, shoving him back. "You grow up!"
"Get out." Arthur snapped. "I'm not having this fight with you right now. Get out of my sight."
"No." Merlin said stubbornly. "You will listen to me!"
"I did listen to you!" Arthur yelled. "I listened and hid a body for you! You could be showing me some appreciation, but instead you're accusing me of treating you unfairly. I did this for 'you' Merlin! Because of how I feel for 'you'!"
"Apparently you don't feel much any more." Merlin snapped. "I get that. I disgust you. Fire me then. Find another manservant to shag!" He shoved Arthur again. "It wasn't me!"
"It was you Merlin!" Arthur assured him, grabbing Merlin to get him to stop from shoving him. "You did it! Maybe not by your choice, but you did! You killed that girl with your own hands and I sucked the blood off your fingers last night! Do I not get a reprieve to consider that?"
"No." Merlin snapped. "You don't get a reprieve, because I need you Arthur...and if you cared you would understand that!"
"If I cared? I expressed how I cared for you!" Arthur shoved him back, pinning him against the bedpost. "I wouldn't have done what I did if I didn't. Give me time." Arthur requested again.
"No!" Merlin yelled even louder. "You don't get time!" He knew he was being irrational, but Arthur made him so angry he couldn't see straight sometimes. "You either still love me or not!" He yelled, and when Arthur didn't immediately grab for him he knew he had his answer. "I see." He spun on his heels, going to leave the room.
Arthur grabbed his arm, stopping him. "No Merlin you do not 'see' " He mocked. "This isn't me ending the affair...this is just...I just need time!"
The affair? That's all it was then? He ripped his arm away from Arthur, giving him a mock bow. "Take all the time you need...my lord." He snipped, Arthur not stopping him this time as he headed back towards his actual chambers. Looks like the little 'affair' was over.
He was so mad he was seeing red as he stopped himself from letting Gaius see him. The man always knew when something was amiss, and Merlin was acting like a basket case. He would see, and then there would be two people who hated him. ...The only one that didn't was. "Lancelot." How could he have forgotten? As he headed down for the dungeon he thought about the last time he had seen Lancelot. He had confessed to having feelings for him...and Arthur...Arthur had. Merlin's face lit up, leaning against the wall as memories hit him. He shut his eyes. He supposed things like that wouldn't be happening anymore. Why? Why did he have to react so poorly? It was sensible...Arthur needing time. Of course he needed time. Anyone would. His prince was gracious enough to save him, and he had spat in his face because of it. However big of an ass Arthur could be, deep down he was a good man, and he had risked everything for him. He had ruined everything.
Merlin snuck around the guards to get into the dungeons, picking a key off one of them as he stuck it in the lock, the noise stirring Lancelot from sleep. "Hey...sorry about that. I swear I didn't forget about you."
"Merlin!" Lancelot shot up in alarm, rushing to the bars. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Merlin stared in confusion for a bit, mouth hanging open a little. "Arthur?" Lancelot asked. "He carried you out of here kicking and screaming Merlin." He reminded him.
Merlin's cheeks turned a deep scarlet. "Oh that…" He coughed. "We uh...well...we made up." He coughed again, staring at the ground. "But we're on the outs again...anyways. Did he hurt you? Surely he didn't really have you flogged?"
Lancelot had a peculiar look on his face as Merlin explained his situation, and he prayed he wasn't mad at him too, but then his features shifted back to the kind man he always knew. "No. No flogging. Arthur was all talk when he lost his temper. How are you Merlin? Anymore black outs?"
"No." Merlin couldn't tell him about all that had happened this morning. He just couldn't. "Thankfully, but I can't control it. I think the lamia is getting stronger."
Lancelot reached into his pocket, pulling out a small bronze pendant attached to a leather chain. "For you." He said. "When I discovered what we were facing, I traded for it. It wards off the lamia's advances. It can't control you when you have it on."
Merlin stared with wonder at the trinket, relief he didn't know he could feel cascading through him as he opened the bars, grabbing for the necklace. "Lancelot I could kiss you!" But he wouldn't, because Arthur would….
Lancelot pulled him forward then, and Merlin gasped as the back of his head was grabbed and their mouths crashed together. Merlin was too shocked to do anything, hands coming up in surprise as the would be knight kissed him. Lancelot's lips were soft, his kisses gentle...nothing like Arthur's. When Lancelot pulled away Merlin's eyes had fluttered closed thinking about all the reasons he shouldn't be doing this. Thinking about how Arthur would feel about it. Thinking about how Lancelot had helped him with Lamia, never judged him.
"Lancelot…" Merlin whispered as the man placed the amulet over his head, letting it rest on his chest.
"I know...you love him. I just wanted to see once what it would be like to kiss you." Merlin opened his eyes to meet Lancelot's kind brown ones, the other running his fingers through his hair. "No worries. We'll get you better. We'll defeat this thing."
"You're such a good person." Merlin whispered. "You don't have to do any of this for me...especially when I can't…" He couldn't return his feelings. He adored his prince.
"You'd do the same for me Merlin." Lancelot assured him. "I don't know that the pendant will work, but perhaps it will provide you with some ease until we can find out how to kill it." He thought he would faint with how elated he felt.
"Thank you." Merlin hugged him. "A thousand times thank you Lancelot. You're so kind, and I'll I've managed was to get you locked in a cell."
Lancelot laughed. "I think the Prince was more to blame for that." He assured him. "Though it's not his fault I suppose. I'd be jealous if I had you as well." He sighed. "Merlin. He's going to hurt you, you know that, don't you? He can't be with you."
Merlin's stomach plummeted, not liking to be reminded of the fact that his and Arthur's relationship had an expiration date, if it hadn't already expired. "I'm aware." He opened his mouth, trying to justify his decisions, but he couldn't. "So what is the plan? How do we fight it?"
To his credit, Lancelot did a very good job of ignoring the fact that Merlin had skated around the question. "I have a few more informants to the East I can check with. It shouldn't take long, and in the meantime the necklace should keep you safe. If you can stay out of trouble that is." He teased him.
"Why would you do all this for me?" Merlin asked again. "You'd risk yourself."
"For you, yes Merlin, but also for the kingdom. If she gets her humanity back who knows what could happen?" He smiled fondly at him. "You worry too much."
"I could come?" Merlin suggested. "I could help you." They could leave tonight and go after the informant.
"Tempting as that is…" Lancelot started. "I don't think Arthur would let you go anywhere with me. I suspect you'll be in trouble as it is once he realizes you let me go."
"He doesn't control what I do." Except that he did. "I can come help." But Lancelot was already shaking his head.
"You need to be here, protecting your prince." He cupped his face. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon." But Merlin was worried, because he hated the thought of anyone he cared about risking their life for him.
"Please be careful." Lancelot shot him that grin of his that made his heart flutter.
"Always." Was what he said, looking around. "Now, can you show me a way out of the city?"
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Merlin returned that evening. He had brought Lancelot out the secret passage into the forest, wishing him well. He was exhausted, feeling dead on his feet as he made his way back to his and Gaius's chambers. He pushed open the door, only to raise an eyebrow in surprise. What was a stronger word for surprise, because he couldn't think of it. Shock? Dread? Apprehension?
"Arthur?" Merlin asked, because the Prince was sitting at the table having a conversation with Gaius.
"Merlin!" Gaius said, that berating tone in his voice. "The prince was just about to send out guards to look for you. Where have you been?"
Merlin cursed his stupidity, looking back and forth from furious face to even an more furious face. "I needed a walk is all...I was just down in the village."
"You know you are on strict orders not to leave the castle!" Arthur snapped at him, standing up. "Lancelot has escaped, did you know that?"
Merlin's mouth hung up, trying to wrack his brain for a reply. "No...No I had no idea. Maybe someone let him out cause they realized he'd done nothing wrong?"
Arthur frowned, lips pursed with anger as his eyes were alight with it. "You let him out?" He accused, and Merlin's eyes flickered to Gaius. The old man's eyebrow arched and a frown covered his features.
"Merlin tell the Prince that you would never be so idiotic." Gaius demanded, and Merlin sputtered for an answer. "Merlin!" He looked to Arthur. "I'm sorry sire. I don't know what's come over him."
"I do." Arthur murmured, frowning at him. "I should put you in the stocks." He motioned for him. "Come on. I'm hungry. Bring me dinner." Merlin swallowed, not wanting to be anywhere near Arthur's chambers.
"Didn't you just have…" He started.
"That was your dinner that you never showed up to eat!" He snapped, his mood obviously still foul from earlier. "Let's go. We'll discuss this more in private to find you a suitable punishment."
Merlin looked from Gaius to Arthur, and then to the food. His stomach rumbled with how hungry and exhausted he was. "Can I at least…"
"Now Merlin!" Arthur snapped, and headed out the door, obviously expecting for him to follow. Merlin did, shoulders tense as they headed back towards Arthur's chambers. the Prince quietly fumed the entire time.
"I don't suppose I could explain…" He tried, shutting the door once they got into Arthur's rooms. "It's a very good explanation. It's one that I'm sure you'll like in fact."
Arthur hadn't turned towards him yet. He reached out, gripping the bed post as Merlin began his rant. "I worried. I couldn't find you anywhere. I thought you were gone again...doing something terrible."
Merlin stiffened at that. Of course Arthur would be worried. For his people...for him. He debated, staring at Arthur's stiff back before deciding to risk it. He walked slowly behind the Prince, arms wrapping around his waist. Arthur sighed, laying his head against the hand gripping the bedpost, but he didn't pull away. Merlin's hands traced up Arthur's stomach, coming to his hips before he pulled back, drawing him close.
"I'm alright...It's going to be alright now." He nuzzled the back of Arthur's neck, braving the Prince's ire to kiss his neck, causing those lips he adored so much to part as he exhaled shakily. "Lancelot found a way to protect my mind. He gave me an amulet to protect against it."
Arthur sat up straight, but Merlin didn't let go. "An amulet?" Arthur asked, voice weary. "Magic?" Oh...that.
"Better magic, than for me to continue killing." Merlin argued, Arthur turning in his arms, grabbing him. "Would you rather I continue losing my mind!?" He accused.
"Magic is a death sentence Merlin!" Arthur snapped at him.
"So is murder!" Merlin argued, eyes desperate. "Arthur please! Don't turn me in!" He begged him, throwing himself at his lover. The other's arms wrapped slowly around him. He relaxed slightly when Arthur kissed his head, not realizing how exhausted he was from fighting with him until he finally received the comfort he had been missing. "Arthur…" He whispered, looking up with his chin still on the prince's chest, meeting soft blue eyes devoid of any anger.
"Of course I wouldn't turn you in." Arthur cupped his cheek. "I won't take the amulet off of you either, even if Lancelot did give it to you." His thumb stroked his cheek, and Merlin tightened his arms around Arthur. "I was worried sick about you Merlin. I haven't been able to think about anything since our fight. I didn't think you'd come to my chambers tonight...would you have if I hadn't come to find you?"
"I didn't think you wanted me to." Merlin said honestly, locked in that blue ocean like gaze.
"I acted poorly this morning. It wasn't fair to you." Arthur kissed his cheek, his lips lingering like he couldn't possibly pull away. "I know you would never do anything like that. Not to anyone."
"I love you Arthur Pendragon, even if you are prat...even if this has an expiration date." Arthur kissed him then to quiet him, as if he couldn't help himself, pulling Merlin closer as they kissed. Merlin was breathing heavy by the time Arthur pulled away, eyelids heavy as he stared stupidly at Arthur. A crooked smile lit his features. "Are you going to shag me now?"
Arthur rose his eyebrows in amusement. "You?" He asked. "Weren't you the one that told me to find another servant to shag? I replaced you hours ago."
Merlin bit his lip, grinning as he backed up towards the bed. "Is that right? So then if I did this...that wouldn't be something you'd be interested in?" He asked, slipping his shirt over his head as he threw it at Arthur's face, the other dodging.
"Not at all...too skinny." Arthur mocked, grinning as Merlin threw a shoe at him. "My new servant is all muscles...very manly." He ducked the other way to avoid the second shoe. "Throws a lot less like a girl." Arthur said, laughing.
"Oh yeah, you want muscles eh?" Merlin asked. "Always knew you were into boys." He began unlacing his trousers as Arthur eyed him with amusement.
"Just one particular boy." Arthur assured him. "An annoying pain in my ass...good for nothing...skinny…" Arthur trailed off as Merlin dropped his pants entirely. "Gorgeous." He corrected. "Insatiable…"
"Oh I'm insatiable?" Merlin tried, but Arthur wasn't done.
"Sexy...addicting…" Arthur slipped his shirt over his head, throwing it across the room. "And all mine." He finished with, tackling Merlin backwards onto the bed, cupping his face as he did. "All mine."
.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.
