fic: Cheap Indemnity
Title: Cheap Indemnity
Rating: PG-13
Ship: Merlin/Arthur
Warning/Spoilers: Mentions of ep. 2X7 "The Witchfinder". Oh, I definitely stole the "lower-back-thing" from the nautibitz story, Crave.
Summary: Arthur apologizes to Merlin for not helping defend Gaius better during his trial w/ the witch finder. If that grin-worthy admission weren't enough, Arthur has also required Merlin's service working out some kinks, four nights in a row. That is, until something rather unexpected happens.
Word Count: 2,135
Author's Note: I've been wanting to post something FOREVER! But I kept feeling like I had to keep up with the story line as this season progresses. I'm so ridiculous. Anyway, this is potentially chapter 1 of a longer story. (I def. have like 15 pages already typed, which definitely descends into NC-17 land.) But I'm all worked up about being original etc. and I'm kind of at a stalemate. PLEASE let me know if you enjoy this and if so, what you might like to see next. OOO reviews, comments, suggestions, questions, encouragement, all lovely!!
1.
“Thank you, Merlin.”
“Ehm, for what exactly?”
“For saving Gaius.”
Merlin stilled, and let his fingers involuntarily twist in Arthur’s sheets. Arthur paused too, he’d been making his way to the door, but something about Merlin’s reaction was off.
“Aren’t you going to finish making my bed then?” He prompted.
Merlin, his back facing him, shrugged before he went back to work, his movements automatic, practiced. Arthur took a few steps toward him. Merlin could feel his presence but ignored it.
Arthur stepped closer. “Merlin?” He was now at the edge of the bed, watching as Merlin bent to tuck in the sheets.
“Yes, Sire?” Came the measured, quiet reply.
“Ok. What is it?” Arthur rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest.
“Nothing. I’m finished.” He turned to go. Arthur caught his shoulder.
Merlin studiously looked at his feet. Arthur frowned, “What?”
A brief glance up was all he got before, “If you don’t have any further instructions, I’m needed downstairs.”
Arthur raised his other hand to hold both of Merlin’s shoulders in place. He frowned, trying to look into Merlin’s averted eyes.
“Thank you. Really. I should have been the one to...well to fight back. Thank God Guinevere got to me in time though.”
Merlin looked up, smiling slightly. “This is getting to be a habit isn’t it?”
Arthur rolled his eyes again and released him. “So why are you being all melancholy. Come on, you know you want to tell me.”
Merlin made an effort to be brisk, normal. “It’s nothing. It was just hard...Gaius almost died.”
“I’m sorry.” Arthur turned towards the door again. “I should have done better.”
Merlin perked up a little more. “Wow, a thank you and an apology all in one go. I’m very impressed.”
“I mean it Merlin,” he glanced back at him, “I’m glad you at least did the right thing.”
Merlin opened his mouth to speak, but Arthur was striding to the door and then he was gone. Merlin sat on the edge of the bed, wishing he’d done the right thing in the first place and kept his magic out of sight.
The rest of the afternoon, Merlin spent working with Gaius. Apart from Arthur’s comments that morning, everyone in the castle had chosen to let lie the events of the past week. Gaius especially, having said his peace to Uther, focused instead on his patients and getting some rest himself. Merlin had been sent on an increasing number of errands for Gaius, delivering medicines and the like while his mentor regained his strength. Later, in their main room, Gaius sat separating a bundle of herbs Merlin had bought in the market.
Merlin was sweeping, thought creasing his brow.
“Arthur apologized this morning,” he finally blurted, pausing in his work.
“About what?”
“I guess he feels guilty for not having done more to help you himself.”
Gaius raised an eyebrow. “That was very gracious of him.”
“I think he meant it.”
“What’s that grin for?”
“It is rather novel isn’t it? I got a thank you too.” Merlin went back to sweeping, still grinning.
That evening, Merlin prepared the meal. Gaius had finished bottling several potions to be delivered to patients the next day and sat thumbing through some papers. Merlin swallowed against an uncomfortable twinge in his gut. He knew he could do more to help Gaius. His mother would have had his head herself if she’d known...Mother...It had been ages since Merlin had seen her. Another twinge. The last time they’d met was not under the most auspicious conditions either. Merlin glanced at Gaius, wondering for the millionth time how he and his mother knew one another. How she had known to send him there.
“Gaius, I---”
“Isn’t the Prince expecting you?” His eyes remained trained on his work. The moment to ask never seemed to be right.
“Oh. Oh, what time is it? Let me just finish this.” Merlin turned back to the pot of soup.
Gaius smiled. “Merlin, I can do it. Run along or you’ll be late.”
When Merlin reached Arthur’s room, he knocked once before letting himself in. Arthur, for the fourth night running, was waiting for him. Bare chested, he sat reading by the fire in his favorite chair.
“What’s this? A book?” Merlin smirked. “I had no idea you owned such a thing.”
Arthur pulled a face and swatted away Merlin’s hand as he attempted to grab the book.
“Um, excuse me, that is not yours.”
“Don’t pout, it’s unattractive.” Merlin stepped behind the chair. “Shall I begin my lord?” He spoke the last two words in a somewhat less than respectful manner.
“Yes. Stop being a git.”
“Be nice or I won’t help you.”
“Get on with it.”
Merlin’s hands descended on Arthur’s wide shoulders. He kneaded gently at first, feeling out the knots and when he found them, digging in much harder.
“So what is it?”
“What?”
“That you’re reading, idiot.”
Arthur jerked his head to glare at him. “And why do I put up with your insolence?”
“Because I’m special and you know it,” Merlin snapped back.
Sinking one of his thumbs into a sore, gnarled bit of muscle, he added in a quiet murmur,“You know you like what I do to you.”
Arthur grunted throatily, his breath in gasps as Merlin’s thumb circled and pulled and dug in. Arthur had been forced to put the book down as his eyes rolled back. All he could do was concentrate on opening up for Merlin, clinging to the right side of pain as he loosened the knots.
“ ‘Magical and Mythical Beasts: The Differences?’ ” Merlin’s hands slowed as he stared at the book’s spine.
“Don’t stop,” Arthur swatted at Merlin’s hands, “if you must know, I borrowed it from Gaius yesterday.”
“Oh.” Merlin was confused.
“Look, I don’t need to explain myself to you. Merlin---Merlin, come on.” He reached up to start his hands moving again, slipping his fingers in between the ones on his neck and rocking them a little.
“Sorry.” Merlin frowned down at the hand still on his, but Arthur was already moving it away. He brought his hands to the sides of Arthur’s throat and gently rubbed his way up until he was kneading somewhere behind his ears, Arthur’s hair getting in the way.
Arthur was so pliable in his hands, his eyes closed like he could drift off to sleep. Instead, brow crinkling, Arthur murmured, “Go back to that spot.”
Merlin knew where and dug his thumb back into his shoulder. Arthur hissed with satisfaction.
“Arthur?”
“What?” He replied easily, missing the higher pitch that meant Merlin was going to ask for something.
“I was thinking, when Gaius is feeling better, I’d like to visit my mother.”
“Why don’t you just have her come live in Camelot, wouldn’t that be easier?” Arthur wasn’t paying attention, his head lolling to one side in pleasure as Merlin worked on him.
Merlin wasn’t prepared for that. “Uh, ehm, she already has a life and a way to make her living that suits her in Ealdor, I guess.”
“Uh huh.”
“Arthur, listen... Could I go home, just for a while, for a visit?”
“This is your home.”
“Arthur.” Merlin stopped kneading.
“What, what?” Arthur opened his eyes and looked up. “Why’d you stop?”
“Do you even know what I’ve been saying?”
“Um hello, me prince, you servant, so shut up. You want to go see your mother. Fine, that’s fine. Just not for too long.” Arthur looked away again.
Merlin resumed his work on Arthur’s shoulders. “Why? It’s not like you can’t replace me easily enough.”
“Shut up Merlin.” Arthur closed his eyes again and leaned into his touch. Then he said, “You can go only if I can come too.”
“What?” Merlin’s hands faltered, his voice mildly incredulous.
“Why not? I’ve met Hunith before. Besides, who wouldn’t want a Prince for company.”
“You prat.” Merlin snorted softly. “You want to go on a trip with me then? To see my mum?”
Arthur sighed in frustration and reached up to set Merlin’s hands to rights again.
“You’re usually better at this. Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not Merlin, but Camelot has had it’s fair share of--of weirdness lately and I for one would be glad to get away for a while.”
“You could go hunting with your knights.”
“Do you not want me to come?”
“Don’t sound so hurt. Come if you want to.” Merlin pulled a face and rolled his eyes.
“I will thanks.”
Later, Merlin lie on the cot in the ante chamber, thinking. Who was Gaius to his mother? He didn’t remember hearing about him before he was sent to Camelot. His mother had to tell him. Merlin sighed and rolled to his other side. He missed her. It wasn’t just the question of Gaius, but also the need for guidance. Hunith’s advice was invaluable for one as prone to disaster as Merlin. Living in Camelot unable to show himself was wearing thin. Not that the people in Ealdor would honestly be more accepting. Will was gone now...Arthur, he couldn’t figure out. If His Royal Pain-In-The-Arse wanted to come it wasn’t like he could say no. Merlin sighed again, questions dimly surfacing and drowning in his mind as he slipped into sleep.
“Merlin! Merlin!”
Merlin groggily rolled off the cot with a heavy thump. The cold flagstones woke him up quick enough and he sped into the main room. Arthur was thrashing about his bed, the sheets and blankets twisted around his limbs uncomfortably.
“Merlin!”
“Yes, I’m here.” Concern tinged his words.
“Oh thank God.” Arthur exploded as he sat up.
“What is it?” Merlin moved to the bedside.
“I cannot sleep. You, being totally inept at everything left me with this huge sore spot down my back.”
“It’s not my fault you nodded off before I could get that far.” Merlin yawned. “Turn over then, tell Mummy where it hurts.”
Arthur made an indistinct noise of disgust in the back of his throat but flipped onto his stomach nonetheless. Merlin sleepily pushed at him as he tried to sit on the edge of the bed.
Grudgingly Arthur shifted a little. “Here, it hurts here.” He gestured vaguely down his left side.
“Ok, ok.” Merlin yawned again.
He placed a hand on Arthur’s side, feeling the heat coming from the knotted, twisted muscle beneath the skin. He pressed his fingers into it. Arthur moaned into his pillow. Merlin sat up a little straighter and rubbed firm but gentle circles up, down, and across his side. He placed the palm of his other hand on Arthur’s ribcage near his spine, letting it conform to the natural contours. Soon both his hands were rubbing, kneading Arthur on both sides, moving lower until he was digging into his lower back with his palms.
“Ahh...” Arthur moaned again, the sound sticking in his throat a little as Merlin got to the root of the problem.
“Yeah, I thought so.” Merlin muttered. He pushed harder.
“Stop.” The command had no power coming from Arthur all breathy and muffled.
The pressure increased, Merlin’s fingers divining the tensest spot of all and driving home.
“Stop.” Arthur tried again weakly, another moan escaping him.
“This will help, I promise. I just need to get it to release and we can all go to bed.” For better leverage, Merlin folded one leg under him. He used both hands to pull at the skin, at the muscle that refused to fall in line.
“Please, Merlin, I---I...” Arthur’s face, already buried in his pillow, if possible, smushed further.
It was almost there, Merlin could feel the tension breaking apart under his fingers though at the same time, the rest of Arthur seemed to be coming undone in an entirely different way.
“Arthur?” He was still pressing down and kneading his lower back as Arthur’s body trembled, his skin going goosebumpy. Then Arthur’s hips jerked up and Merlin knew. Arthur was coming.
He reached back and grabbed one of Merlin’s hands pressing it firmly against his back. Both were quiet a moment as Arthur sunk into the mattress.
“I told you to stop.”
“Sorry.” Merlin whispered.
“I’ll see you in the morning Merlin.” Arthur withdrew his hand.
Without a word, Merlin stood and left. Before closing the door he glanced at Arthur who hadn’t moved a muscle, his broad back silvery in the filtered moonlight. Merlin went back to his room instead of the ante chamber. He had made Arthur come. In bed, Merlin’s heart fluttered and his breath streamed out in a harsh gust. Pressing his eyelids closed, he let his hand roam across his chest and slip beneath the waist of his breeches.
Rating: PG-13
Ship: Merlin/Arthur
Warning/Spoilers: Mentions of ep. 2X7 "The Witchfinder". Oh, I definitely stole the "lower-back-thing" from the nautibitz story, Crave.
Summary: Arthur apologizes to Merlin for not helping defend Gaius better during his trial w/ the witch finder. If that grin-worthy admission weren't enough, Arthur has also required Merlin's service working out some kinks, four nights in a row. That is, until something rather unexpected happens.
Word Count: 2,135
Author's Note: I've been wanting to post something FOREVER! But I kept feeling like I had to keep up with the story line as this season progresses. I'm so ridiculous. Anyway, this is potentially chapter 1 of a longer story. (I def. have like 15 pages already typed, which definitely descends into NC-17 land.) But I'm all worked up about being original etc. and I'm kind of at a stalemate. PLEASE let me know if you enjoy this and if so, what you might like to see next. OOO reviews, comments, suggestions, questions, encouragement, all lovely!!
1.
“Thank you, Merlin.”
“Ehm, for what exactly?”
“For saving Gaius.”
Merlin stilled, and let his fingers involuntarily twist in Arthur’s sheets. Arthur paused too, he’d been making his way to the door, but something about Merlin’s reaction was off.
“Aren’t you going to finish making my bed then?” He prompted.
Merlin, his back facing him, shrugged before he went back to work, his movements automatic, practiced. Arthur took a few steps toward him. Merlin could feel his presence but ignored it.
Arthur stepped closer. “Merlin?” He was now at the edge of the bed, watching as Merlin bent to tuck in the sheets.
“Yes, Sire?” Came the measured, quiet reply.
“Ok. What is it?” Arthur rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest.
“Nothing. I’m finished.” He turned to go. Arthur caught his shoulder.
Merlin studiously looked at his feet. Arthur frowned, “What?”
A brief glance up was all he got before, “If you don’t have any further instructions, I’m needed downstairs.”
Arthur raised his other hand to hold both of Merlin’s shoulders in place. He frowned, trying to look into Merlin’s averted eyes.
“Thank you. Really. I should have been the one to...well to fight back. Thank God Guinevere got to me in time though.”
Merlin looked up, smiling slightly. “This is getting to be a habit isn’t it?”
Arthur rolled his eyes again and released him. “So why are you being all melancholy. Come on, you know you want to tell me.”
Merlin made an effort to be brisk, normal. “It’s nothing. It was just hard...Gaius almost died.”
“I’m sorry.” Arthur turned towards the door again. “I should have done better.”
Merlin perked up a little more. “Wow, a thank you and an apology all in one go. I’m very impressed.”
“I mean it Merlin,” he glanced back at him, “I’m glad you at least did the right thing.”
Merlin opened his mouth to speak, but Arthur was striding to the door and then he was gone. Merlin sat on the edge of the bed, wishing he’d done the right thing in the first place and kept his magic out of sight.
The rest of the afternoon, Merlin spent working with Gaius. Apart from Arthur’s comments that morning, everyone in the castle had chosen to let lie the events of the past week. Gaius especially, having said his peace to Uther, focused instead on his patients and getting some rest himself. Merlin had been sent on an increasing number of errands for Gaius, delivering medicines and the like while his mentor regained his strength. Later, in their main room, Gaius sat separating a bundle of herbs Merlin had bought in the market.
Merlin was sweeping, thought creasing his brow.
“Arthur apologized this morning,” he finally blurted, pausing in his work.
“About what?”
“I guess he feels guilty for not having done more to help you himself.”
Gaius raised an eyebrow. “That was very gracious of him.”
“I think he meant it.”
“What’s that grin for?”
“It is rather novel isn’t it? I got a thank you too.” Merlin went back to sweeping, still grinning.
That evening, Merlin prepared the meal. Gaius had finished bottling several potions to be delivered to patients the next day and sat thumbing through some papers. Merlin swallowed against an uncomfortable twinge in his gut. He knew he could do more to help Gaius. His mother would have had his head herself if she’d known...Mother...It had been ages since Merlin had seen her. Another twinge. The last time they’d met was not under the most auspicious conditions either. Merlin glanced at Gaius, wondering for the millionth time how he and his mother knew one another. How she had known to send him there.
“Gaius, I---”
“Isn’t the Prince expecting you?” His eyes remained trained on his work. The moment to ask never seemed to be right.
“Oh. Oh, what time is it? Let me just finish this.” Merlin turned back to the pot of soup.
Gaius smiled. “Merlin, I can do it. Run along or you’ll be late.”
When Merlin reached Arthur’s room, he knocked once before letting himself in. Arthur, for the fourth night running, was waiting for him. Bare chested, he sat reading by the fire in his favorite chair.
“What’s this? A book?” Merlin smirked. “I had no idea you owned such a thing.”
Arthur pulled a face and swatted away Merlin’s hand as he attempted to grab the book.
“Um, excuse me, that is not yours.”
“Don’t pout, it’s unattractive.” Merlin stepped behind the chair. “Shall I begin my lord?” He spoke the last two words in a somewhat less than respectful manner.
“Yes. Stop being a git.”
“Be nice or I won’t help you.”
“Get on with it.”
Merlin’s hands descended on Arthur’s wide shoulders. He kneaded gently at first, feeling out the knots and when he found them, digging in much harder.
“So what is it?”
“What?”
“That you’re reading, idiot.”
Arthur jerked his head to glare at him. “And why do I put up with your insolence?”
“Because I’m special and you know it,” Merlin snapped back.
Sinking one of his thumbs into a sore, gnarled bit of muscle, he added in a quiet murmur,“You know you like what I do to you.”
Arthur grunted throatily, his breath in gasps as Merlin’s thumb circled and pulled and dug in. Arthur had been forced to put the book down as his eyes rolled back. All he could do was concentrate on opening up for Merlin, clinging to the right side of pain as he loosened the knots.
“ ‘Magical and Mythical Beasts: The Differences?’ ” Merlin’s hands slowed as he stared at the book’s spine.
“Don’t stop,” Arthur swatted at Merlin’s hands, “if you must know, I borrowed it from Gaius yesterday.”
“Oh.” Merlin was confused.
“Look, I don’t need to explain myself to you. Merlin---Merlin, come on.” He reached up to start his hands moving again, slipping his fingers in between the ones on his neck and rocking them a little.
“Sorry.” Merlin frowned down at the hand still on his, but Arthur was already moving it away. He brought his hands to the sides of Arthur’s throat and gently rubbed his way up until he was kneading somewhere behind his ears, Arthur’s hair getting in the way.
Arthur was so pliable in his hands, his eyes closed like he could drift off to sleep. Instead, brow crinkling, Arthur murmured, “Go back to that spot.”
Merlin knew where and dug his thumb back into his shoulder. Arthur hissed with satisfaction.
“Arthur?”
“What?” He replied easily, missing the higher pitch that meant Merlin was going to ask for something.
“I was thinking, when Gaius is feeling better, I’d like to visit my mother.”
“Why don’t you just have her come live in Camelot, wouldn’t that be easier?” Arthur wasn’t paying attention, his head lolling to one side in pleasure as Merlin worked on him.
Merlin wasn’t prepared for that. “Uh, ehm, she already has a life and a way to make her living that suits her in Ealdor, I guess.”
“Uh huh.”
“Arthur, listen... Could I go home, just for a while, for a visit?”
“This is your home.”
“Arthur.” Merlin stopped kneading.
“What, what?” Arthur opened his eyes and looked up. “Why’d you stop?”
“Do you even know what I’ve been saying?”
“Um hello, me prince, you servant, so shut up. You want to go see your mother. Fine, that’s fine. Just not for too long.” Arthur looked away again.
Merlin resumed his work on Arthur’s shoulders. “Why? It’s not like you can’t replace me easily enough.”
“Shut up Merlin.” Arthur closed his eyes again and leaned into his touch. Then he said, “You can go only if I can come too.”
“What?” Merlin’s hands faltered, his voice mildly incredulous.
“Why not? I’ve met Hunith before. Besides, who wouldn’t want a Prince for company.”
“You prat.” Merlin snorted softly. “You want to go on a trip with me then? To see my mum?”
Arthur sighed in frustration and reached up to set Merlin’s hands to rights again.
“You’re usually better at this. Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not Merlin, but Camelot has had it’s fair share of--of weirdness lately and I for one would be glad to get away for a while.”
“You could go hunting with your knights.”
“Do you not want me to come?”
“Don’t sound so hurt. Come if you want to.” Merlin pulled a face and rolled his eyes.
“I will thanks.”
Later, Merlin lie on the cot in the ante chamber, thinking. Who was Gaius to his mother? He didn’t remember hearing about him before he was sent to Camelot. His mother had to tell him. Merlin sighed and rolled to his other side. He missed her. It wasn’t just the question of Gaius, but also the need for guidance. Hunith’s advice was invaluable for one as prone to disaster as Merlin. Living in Camelot unable to show himself was wearing thin. Not that the people in Ealdor would honestly be more accepting. Will was gone now...Arthur, he couldn’t figure out. If His Royal Pain-In-The-Arse wanted to come it wasn’t like he could say no. Merlin sighed again, questions dimly surfacing and drowning in his mind as he slipped into sleep.
“Merlin! Merlin!”
Merlin groggily rolled off the cot with a heavy thump. The cold flagstones woke him up quick enough and he sped into the main room. Arthur was thrashing about his bed, the sheets and blankets twisted around his limbs uncomfortably.
“Merlin!”
“Yes, I’m here.” Concern tinged his words.
“Oh thank God.” Arthur exploded as he sat up.
“What is it?” Merlin moved to the bedside.
“I cannot sleep. You, being totally inept at everything left me with this huge sore spot down my back.”
“It’s not my fault you nodded off before I could get that far.” Merlin yawned. “Turn over then, tell Mummy where it hurts.”
Arthur made an indistinct noise of disgust in the back of his throat but flipped onto his stomach nonetheless. Merlin sleepily pushed at him as he tried to sit on the edge of the bed.
Grudgingly Arthur shifted a little. “Here, it hurts here.” He gestured vaguely down his left side.
“Ok, ok.” Merlin yawned again.
He placed a hand on Arthur’s side, feeling the heat coming from the knotted, twisted muscle beneath the skin. He pressed his fingers into it. Arthur moaned into his pillow. Merlin sat up a little straighter and rubbed firm but gentle circles up, down, and across his side. He placed the palm of his other hand on Arthur’s ribcage near his spine, letting it conform to the natural contours. Soon both his hands were rubbing, kneading Arthur on both sides, moving lower until he was digging into his lower back with his palms.
“Ahh...” Arthur moaned again, the sound sticking in his throat a little as Merlin got to the root of the problem.
“Yeah, I thought so.” Merlin muttered. He pushed harder.
“Stop.” The command had no power coming from Arthur all breathy and muffled.
The pressure increased, Merlin’s fingers divining the tensest spot of all and driving home.
“Stop.” Arthur tried again weakly, another moan escaping him.
“This will help, I promise. I just need to get it to release and we can all go to bed.” For better leverage, Merlin folded one leg under him. He used both hands to pull at the skin, at the muscle that refused to fall in line.
“Please, Merlin, I---I...” Arthur’s face, already buried in his pillow, if possible, smushed further.
It was almost there, Merlin could feel the tension breaking apart under his fingers though at the same time, the rest of Arthur seemed to be coming undone in an entirely different way.
“Arthur?” He was still pressing down and kneading his lower back as Arthur’s body trembled, his skin going goosebumpy. Then Arthur’s hips jerked up and Merlin knew. Arthur was coming.
He reached back and grabbed one of Merlin’s hands pressing it firmly against his back. Both were quiet a moment as Arthur sunk into the mattress.
“I told you to stop.”
“Sorry.” Merlin whispered.
“I’ll see you in the morning Merlin.” Arthur withdrew his hand.
Without a word, Merlin stood and left. Before closing the door he glanced at Arthur who hadn’t moved a muscle, his broad back silvery in the filtered moonlight. Merlin went back to his room instead of the ante chamber. He had made Arthur come. In bed, Merlin’s heart fluttered and his breath streamed out in a harsh gust. Pressing his eyelids closed, he let his hand roam across his chest and slip beneath the waist of his breeches.