Long Live the King, Merlin, Uther/Gaius, pg/pg-13
Title: Long Live the King
Author: Katty, aka merry_gentry
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Slash, Uther/Gaius (mentions of Uther/Gaius/Igraine)
Rating: Pg/Pg-13
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, they do not belong to me. They do conjure up rather pretty images in one's mind, though, don't they? ^_^
Author's Notes: Set pre-series, this was written for rohaa's prompt over on comment_fic: 'crown'
Word Count: 568
Summary: He doesn't want to be here - doesn't want to be standing here, on this day, wearing these clothes.
Uther stands in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection as the latest in a long line of terribly forgettable servants adjusts the lie of his tunic and steps away with a bow. The bow turns into the servant leaving as someone else enters his chambers without knocking and, really, there’s only one person who does that…only one person now, that is.
He doesn’t want to be here - doesn’t want to be standing here, on this day, wearing these clothes. Everything about today is just reinforcing the fact that his father has died, and Uther suddenly has to fight against the pain in his chest that makes him want to stop breathing.
The other man in the room moves up behind him, and Uther meets Gaius’ eyes in the mirror.
“My lord,” Gaius begins, so deferential, and that’s really just too much to cope with today of all days. He spins to face Gaius, moving forward and forcing the older man up against the edge of the table as he reaches for a kiss that eases the pain and makes it possible to breath again even as it takes that breath away.
“Don’t,” Uther says when he breaks the kiss, and he rests his forehead against Gaius’. “Not today, please.”
It’s his coronation, today, and his wedding all wrapped up in one confusing and intimidating day. Igraine is waiting for him downstairs - along with a goodly portion of Camelot - but he needs this, needs Gaius, now. They’ve been side by side since childhood - one raised to be King and one to the exalted position of court physician - and yet Uther cannot remember a time when he needed Gaius as desperately as he does today.
Gaius smiles at him, one eyebrow raised in what looks like humour.
“Uther,” he begins again, still smiling as he wraps one arm around Uther’s waist to hold him closer and reaches up with the other hand to cup Uther’s cheek. “There’s nothing to be scared of, you know…”
And, of course, Gaius knows how to push Uther’s buttons after so long in each other’s company.
“Scared?!” Uther repeats, back straightening in outrage. He knows Gaius is playing him, but it’s taking his mind off everything else, so… “Lords of Camelot - princes of Camelot are never scared.”
Gaius looks suspiciously like he’s forcing himself not to laugh.
“Of course not, my lord,” he says, and now any hint of subservience has disappeared, then he sobers, and leans forward to brush his mouth over Uther’s so gently. “Remember,” Gaius whispers, “Igraine will be there, and so will I. Just remember that, my lord - Uther,” he says, and Uther squeezes his eyes shut against the prickling that is most definitely not tears. “We’ll always be at your side.”
Uther allows himself another minute in the safety of Gaius’ arms, and then pulls away, straightening and forcing himself to think past now, past today and towards the future.
“You will be a great King, my lord,” Gaius says as he fusses over Uther’s clothing.
Later, as the Uther stands with the crown of the King of Camelot placed firmly on his head, his eyes search and find first Igraine’s and then Gaius’, and there is such love coming from both that Uther feels some of this new and frightening weight lift and he faces the cheers of the people of Camelot with his head held high.
My fic masterlist is here.
My please-give-me-a-prompt begging-page is here.
Author: Katty, aka merry_gentry
Fandom: Merlin
Pairing: Slash, Uther/Gaius (mentions of Uther/Gaius/Igraine)
Rating: Pg/Pg-13
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, they do not belong to me. They do conjure up rather pretty images in one's mind, though, don't they? ^_^
Author's Notes: Set pre-series, this was written for rohaa's prompt over on comment_fic: 'crown'
Word Count: 568
Summary: He doesn't want to be here - doesn't want to be standing here, on this day, wearing these clothes.
Uther stands in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection as the latest in a long line of terribly forgettable servants adjusts the lie of his tunic and steps away with a bow. The bow turns into the servant leaving as someone else enters his chambers without knocking and, really, there’s only one person who does that…only one person now, that is.
He doesn’t want to be here - doesn’t want to be standing here, on this day, wearing these clothes. Everything about today is just reinforcing the fact that his father has died, and Uther suddenly has to fight against the pain in his chest that makes him want to stop breathing.
The other man in the room moves up behind him, and Uther meets Gaius’ eyes in the mirror.
“My lord,” Gaius begins, so deferential, and that’s really just too much to cope with today of all days. He spins to face Gaius, moving forward and forcing the older man up against the edge of the table as he reaches for a kiss that eases the pain and makes it possible to breath again even as it takes that breath away.
“Don’t,” Uther says when he breaks the kiss, and he rests his forehead against Gaius’. “Not today, please.”
It’s his coronation, today, and his wedding all wrapped up in one confusing and intimidating day. Igraine is waiting for him downstairs - along with a goodly portion of Camelot - but he needs this, needs Gaius, now. They’ve been side by side since childhood - one raised to be King and one to the exalted position of court physician - and yet Uther cannot remember a time when he needed Gaius as desperately as he does today.
Gaius smiles at him, one eyebrow raised in what looks like humour.
“Uther,” he begins again, still smiling as he wraps one arm around Uther’s waist to hold him closer and reaches up with the other hand to cup Uther’s cheek. “There’s nothing to be scared of, you know…”
And, of course, Gaius knows how to push Uther’s buttons after so long in each other’s company.
“Scared?!” Uther repeats, back straightening in outrage. He knows Gaius is playing him, but it’s taking his mind off everything else, so… “Lords of Camelot - princes of Camelot are never scared.”
Gaius looks suspiciously like he’s forcing himself not to laugh.
“Of course not, my lord,” he says, and now any hint of subservience has disappeared, then he sobers, and leans forward to brush his mouth over Uther’s so gently. “Remember,” Gaius whispers, “Igraine will be there, and so will I. Just remember that, my lord - Uther,” he says, and Uther squeezes his eyes shut against the prickling that is most definitely not tears. “We’ll always be at your side.”
Uther allows himself another minute in the safety of Gaius’ arms, and then pulls away, straightening and forcing himself to think past now, past today and towards the future.
“You will be a great King, my lord,” Gaius says as he fusses over Uther’s clothing.
Later, as the Uther stands with the crown of the King of Camelot placed firmly on his head, his eyes search and find first Igraine’s and then Gaius’, and there is such love coming from both that Uther feels some of this new and frightening weight lift and he faces the cheers of the people of Camelot with his head held high.
My fic masterlist is here.
My please-give-me-a-prompt begging-page is here.