[FIC] Princing Up Merlin (Arthur/Merlin; NC-17)
Author: dirty_darella
Title: Princing Up Merlin
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Arthur’s making Merlin his prince for the night.
Warnings (if any): Barebacking, explicit sex, PWP
Total word count: 3,700
Original prompt number: 36 - Submitted by say_thanks
Disclaimer: This story/artwork is based on characters and situations created and owned by the BBC and Shine TV. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's/artist's notes (if any): Thanks to whoever submitted this prompt, it was fun to write! And thanks to my lovely beta!
Beta(s): tari_sue
"How can you stand these clothes?" Arthur heard Merlin say and he looked down to see him squinting at said clothes. "They're so soft they tickle."
Merlin ran a hand over the cape Arthur had draped around his shoulders and snickered in that charmingly boyish way of his that pierced straight into Arthur's chest. They were both in a silly mood. Well Merlin always appeared to be in a silly mood, but for once Arthur was allowing himself to indulge as well, forgetting for just a little while that he was prince and princes should always act dignified and posed. That didn't matter when it was just Merlin and him.
It was way past any decent hour. The room was dark, but his eyes had adjusted. They had a fire going, and all the candles lit were helping a little to illuminate the room. There was just enough pale light to make Merlin's skin look soft and touchable. Not that Arthur would, of course, because even if he forgot he was a prince, it didn't mean he could take advantage of his status over Merlin like that.
God, but he wanted.
He cleared his throat and circled around Merlin letting his eyes look their fill. He hadn't expected himself to react this way to Merlin in his clothes. His manservant had walked into his room an hour ago looking like a drenched dog, dripping all over Arthur's floor and shivering pathetically. Which was when Arthur had generously suggested (No, Merlin, you're not leaving unless you're wearing something dry. The last thing I need is you getting sick and sniffling while serving me dinner) he borrow something.
Everything was too big, tailored for Arthur's broader shoulders and thicker chest. It made Merlin look rather vulnerable in all that fabric. He'd only meant to offer Merlin some of his old, warn out clothes, but then, as he'd been rummaging through his tunics (doing so because Merlin was such a horrible manservant he failed at even doing tasks for himself), he'd glanced over just in time to see Merlin pull off his wet shirt, the muscles of his slim back moving elegantly under pale skin. He had averted his gaze before Merlin had noticed him staring, but he couldn't completely control the unsteadiness of his breathing, or the twitching of his fingers.
He'd thought about how Merlin was going to be in his clothes. His naked, pale skin was going to be touching the very garments that had rested against Arthur. The clothes that still smelled like Arthur, embracing his slender frame. And afterwards, the clothes would smell like Merlin, too. Like them, the two of them.
The thought had brought a stupid grin to his face. Obviously, he had been hanging around his idiot, stupidity-grinning manservant far too much.
"Only girls are ticklish, Merlin. Oh, wait."
Merlin glared at him, but the corner of his mouth turned up. Really, he was about as fierce as a kitten. A fluffy one with great big blue eyes.
"Prat," Merlin mumbled just loud enough for him to hear. Arthur raised an eyebrow, unimpressed and ready to tell Merlin off, but then he shot Arthur one of those guileless smiles that was all soft lips and white teeth and ducking head and Arthur had to roll his eyes lest he be caught staring at Merlin's mouth.
"Something's still missing," he said as Merlin fidgeted with the cloak's clasp. He was still sitting in the chair Arthur had proclaimed his 'throne', but he made a lousy picture of how an actual prince should sit, all hunched shoulders and awkward limbs. Still, there was something utterly charming about it; there was always something utterly charming about Merlin.
"If you're going to put me in armor next, then I'm leaving," Merlin said with a raised eyebrow. Like he could really walk out on the crown prince. Arthur scoffed.
He smirked at Merlin as if he was actually contemplating dragging his armor out and strapping him head to toe in the heavy metal pieces. It was true that Merlin looked quite entertaining while in armor, especially if Arthur was smacking him around with his sword. But that was what was so great about Merlin, no matter how many times he was knocked down, he always got back up to face Arthur's next challenge.
"Ah, I have it," Arthur said. "Your head is missing something. Besides a brain, that is."
"Tell me you don't keep that hat in your room." Merlin looked a little worried at the thought. Actually, Arthur did, if only for when he was feeling particularly down and liked having the reminder around of Merlin blowing ridiculously huge feathers out of his eyes. If he ever felt really miserable, he might pull it out and command him to wear it for the day.
"I was thinking something a little more shiny."
At Merlin's confused look, Arthur turned on his heels and strode to large cabinet on the opposite side of the room. He stepped over Merlin's sodden clothes, which he had thrown in front of the fireplace in some pathetic attempt to dry them. The freezing February rain was still pouring down outside, beating against the steamed-up glass of his window in a steady, peaceful rhythm, but inside it felt like they were in a completely separate world.
"Arthur," Merlin murmured, a warning as he craned his head to see what was happening behind him. He jerked when Arthur placed the heavy gold crown on his dark hair, the tips of it curling softly around the base.
"There," Arthur said, pleased with himself as he circled around Merlin.
"This isn't…;" Merlin said, fingering a tiny ruby that adorned one of the points. "Tell me you didn't just put your crown on my head."
Merlin laughed, sounding a bit nervous, and before he could think about what he was doing, Arthur kneeled down, bowing his head. Merlin drew in a breath with such force it sounded painful.
Arthur had never kneeled before anyone but his father. Never. But he needed Merlin to understand just how important he had become to Arthur, and he needed to show him because if he tried to explain it, he knew words wouldn't be enough.
"Arthur," Merlin said with a voice that was disbelieving, but gentle and light, ready to turn joking if that's what the situation called for.
This was Merlin, who was loyal and devoted to a fault. Merlin, who always made him laugh. Who made silly expressions behind the king's back when he was giving Arthur a stern lecture. Who talked to his dogs in funny voices. Who continuously went to the stocks when he lied for Arthur, but kept a smile on his face all the while. Who he even once caught trying on parts of his armor and doing a very poor job of acting like a brave knight saving an invisible, helpless maiden.
Arthur let his forehead rest against Merlin's knee for a moment, overwhelmed by the warmth that suddenly crashed over him. He'd been tutored since the age of four on how to be articulate and speak, but now, trying to voice any of what he was feeling made an invisible hand squeeze his throat.
"Order me to do something," Arthur said, looking up.
"What?"
"You are my prince now." He smirked as Merlin's brow crinkled. "You can give me orders. Your highness."
Amusement danced in Merlin's blue eyes like the flickering of a candle flame. He sat up a little straighter and tilted his head. "Alright, I command you not to be a prat."
Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes, especially with the way Merlin sniggered afterward, clearly thinking he was so clever. Well, maybe if Merlin could make himself laugh like that, until his eyes were crinkling and his lips were parting in a brilliant smile, it wasn't so bad.
"As you wish, my Lord." Arthur let his lips just barely graze the side of Merlin's clothed knee, his thumb rubbing circles on the other side. Merlin froze, and if Arthur hadn't been so hyper aware of him at the moment, he would have missed the small tremble in Merlin's body. Arthur's heart suddenly sounded louder than a horse's gallop in his ears.
"You can order me to stop, if you'd like," he said in a rush, summoning his bravery to allow him to look up. Merlin was silent for a while, eyes fixed on him with an inscrutable expression. Just as Arthur was about to ease off his knees and try to think of a way to salvage the disastrous mistake he had just allowed himself to make, Merlin spoke again.
"Kiss me like you mean it."
Arthur looked up, mouth open and eyes wide.
Perhaps he stared a little too long because soon he saw the change in Merlin's face, a flicker of panic turning into a grimace before a strained smile stretched across his teeth. He knew Merlin was about to make it all into a joke, and before he could, Arthur surged up, cupping his hands under Merlin's jaw and paused for a brief moment to let Merlin see just how serious Arthur was, gazing steadily into his eyes, before leaning the rest of the way in and brushing their lips together.
He wasn't sure what he was expecting, perhaps for him to lean back and see a surprised expression on Merlin's face, but before he had time to move there was a hand at the back of his neck and he was swallowing Merlin's groan as they both open their mouths.
Merlin's tongue met his, timid but insistent, and by the time they parted they were both breathless and gripping each other tightly. Restless hands began to roam freely, and he let his thumb rub circles at the dip of Merlin's throat, loving the way Merlin's breath would shudder against his lips.
Arthur wasn't really sure where all this was going, but he knew something significant had just bloomed between the two of them. Something had been slowly spreading its roots inside of him until they were embedded so deeply they could never be removed. Something Merlin had planted, and Arthur could no longer ignore.
Then Merlin leaned forward, turned his lips to Arthur's ear and whispered, "Take me to bed."
And God, it was his complete undoing. There was no grace at all as he manhandled a laughing Merlin out of the chair and threw him on the bed so hard he bounced and the crown rolled off to the side, clanging sadly against the stone ground. He heard a breathless "brute" from Merlin, but he ignored it as he crawled up predatorily to position himself over Merlin's body. He dropped down, positioning one leg to rest between Merlin's and both of their breaths hitched as a blossoming hardness pressed against his thigh.
Merlin smelled of fresh hay and sunshine, and a little like soggy wool, and it was so perfect because Arthur could taste all that on his tongue as he licked the soft skin of Merlin's neck. He so sensitive that Arthur couldn't stand it. Every small touch, every graze with his knuckles against soft skin had Merlin groaning or mewing, or making wonderful and lovely noises. His eyes were dark as he gazed up, and there was a blush spread across his cheeks and nose that Arthur had to kiss. So he did, and Merlin laughed as he peppered them underneath his eyes and on the tip of his nose.
It soon became very apparent why his dress-up game with Merlin was so flawed - he was now wearing much too many clothes. Arthur made a frustrated noise as he ripped open the clasp to Merlin's - well, actually his - cape, sliding it away from Merlin's neck and shoulders and leaving it to rumple underneath their bodies. He let his hands slip up to feel the flatness of Merlin's slim stomach, shoving the tunic up and unceremoniously pulling it off his head, leaving his hair a mess.
Actually, he could get used to looking at Merlin with bed-tousled hair and flushed, open lips. Perhaps tomorrow he'd appoint the royal portrait artist to capture that look in a painting for him to gaze upon to his heart's content. Of course, then he'd have to kill the royal portrait artist for getting to see Merlin like this, a sight only he should have the privilege of seeing, so perhaps not.
He got the borrowed trousers down to Merlin's knees before deciding that it would have to be far enough when his chin bumped against something firm and soft and screaming for attention. Merlin's cock was lovely, flushed and hard. He took it in hand, trying to get a feel for the odd angle as he stroked and rubbed his thumb over the head, spreading the gathered precome. Underneath him Merlin's whole body trembled, and when Arthur looked up into wide, glossy blue eyes his breath rushed out all at once and for a moment the room swam. Merlin was helpless underneath him, eyes rolling back while his hands scrabbled around in the sheets. Arthur ran a thumb firmly over the thick vein from base to head of his cock and Merlin's whole body arched, his lips parting to let out the most shiver-inducing moan Arthur had ever heard.
He continued to work Merlin's cock, playing him like a minstrel played his instrument, loving the sounds he was drawing out of Merlin. With his other hand he began to rub up and down Merlin's soft, creamy thigh, letting his fingers travel further and further up. When he reached the sensitive skin of Merlin's arse, he was rewarded with a hiss from Merlin and his legs spreading farther open. Arthur caressed it, just as gently as Merlin's cock, the tips of his fingers traveling up and down his crack until the pad of his middle finger just barely grazed Merlin's hole.
"Wait," Merlin said, and for one horrifying moment Arthur thought he'd gone too far, done something Merlin hadn't wanted, but Merlin just smiled softly and said, "Use a salve."
He blinked, still completely frozen. "What?"
"It goes in better if you use an oily salve."
Arthur stared down at him. "Have you, has..."
Merlin smiled sheepishly while shaking his head. "Just me. I've just, by myself- I."
Arthur groaned and lunged up to kiss him wet and sloppy, too desperate to make it gentle in any way. The thought of Merlin doing that to himself, pushing his own fingers inside to bring himself pleasure was the hottest image Arthur had ever imagined. He knew he'd be putting his hand down his trousers every time he thought about it.
"And you want me to- it's okay if I…;" he said, trying not to blush.
"Yeah," Merlin responded, looking up through his lashes. "Yeah, I want you to."
He sucked Merlin's bottom lip into his mouth and bit down, and he couldn't help but smile when Merlin arched up, desperately pressing against Arthur's body. Tomorrow he thought he should make a royal decree that from now on Merlin was to be in his bed at all times. Not that Merlin would follow those orders, of course, but a Prince could dream.
He stood and took a moment to tear off his boots and throw them in different directions across the room. His tunic and trousers followed, their lacing ripped open savagely and cloth tossed randomly while his mind raced for where he could have placed the salve he used when his skin chaffed in his armor. He was a second away from walking out into the hall, completely naked, and instructing the first servant he came across to bring him all the salve in the kingdom when his eyes spotted a small glass bottle on the table next to his bed. He was sure that salve hadn't been there a minute ago, but he wasn't going to question it now. Not with the way Merlin called to him with that hint of desperation in his voice.
As fast as he could he was back on the bed, hovering over Merlin, and yes, maybe that meant he had just jumped onto it like a hound flopping into a lake, but how could it matter when Merlin's hair was so messy and his lips parted just so? And when had Merlin learned to smile so sexily? A smile like that could completely wreck a person.
Hell, Merlin already had undone him - broken him up, mixed him around, and pieced him back together until he was a better man.
He was pleased to note Merlin had managed to kick his own boots off. He had still be in the middle of removing his trousers when Arthur had pounced him, and one leg of them had ended up tangled around his ankle, so Arthur tore it the rest of the way off with a growl, earning him another happy laugh from Merlin. He'd have to remember that, he always tried to remember the ways he made Merlin laugh.
The salve was cold so he took a moment to warm it in his hands before smearing it over his finger. Merlin's breath hitched as he touched his entrance, taking a moment to rub around it, watching the liquid smear against his puckered skin. He pushed one finger in slowly - God, it was so tight - and watched as it disappeared into Merlin's body. Merlin's face was scrunched up, and it must have been horribly uncomfortable, but when Arthur paused for a moment he lifted his hips up in encouragement. He worked his finger in and out, exploring gently at first, but when Merlin started to mew pleasurably he added another finger, then another, and started to move them in and out of Merlin's body with a bit more vigor.
"Enough, enough," Merlin said hoarsely, "I want..."
Arthur got the hint, taking a moment to pull his fingers out and spread a generous amount of the unfortunately cold salve - but at least it took away some of the desperate edge he was feeling - across his flushed and hard cock. He positioned himself, and he knew he had just had his fingers inside, but it looked too small, like he would never be able to fit. Gently, slowly, he pushed and the head of his dick slipped into tight, wonderfully tight heat. Out of everything he had experienced in his life so far - becoming a Knight, the first time he was a champion of a tourney, the first time he had brought down a beast - absolutely nothing compared with what it felt like to sink inch by inch into Merlin's body.
He had to pause when he was fully inside, just breathe and make sure to keep breathing or surely he was about to completely lose it and probably offer Merlin his entire kingdom in exchange for getting to do this every day until the end of time.
Long, slender fingers rubbed up and down his back, a tender smile on Merlin's lips and Arthur wanted to know what took them so long to get here. All the months of wanting and yearning were finally catching up to him, and all he could do was hold on, gripping Merlin's hips tightly and dropping his head to mouth helplessly at Merlin's collarbone. A few calming breaths later and Merlin was lifting his hips up and that was all he needed before he began thrusting slow and deep, picking up speed with each wonderful breathy noise of pleasure Merlin made underneath him.
He'd never known he could feel so good, be filled with so much pleasure that his toes curled and his spine tingled. Never knew his cock could get so hard, and when Merlin reached for his own hard cock, pulling it with desperate grunts, he was sure nothing better existed in the world.
Arthur pulled Merlin's legs up higher, thrusting in deeper and faster, forcing his eyes to stay open and take in the vision underneath him as Merlin's whole body started to seize up.
Merlin's neck arched completely off the bed, his eyes rolled back unseeing as his body shook with his release. Arthur fucked him through it, flicking his gaze between the raptured look of bliss on Merlin's face, and the sight of his cock squirting. As soon as Merlin's body went lax underneath him, all limber and soft, Arthur's whole body started thrumming, he could feel everything building in his groin.
"Yeah," Merlin said breathlessly. "Yeah, keep going."
Arthur groaned and lost his mind to the pleasure. His hips snapped forward wildly, thrusting like an animal into the willing and pliant body underneath him, and Merlin kept letting out these soft whimpers and moans, all the while running his hands up and down Arthur's back.
His orgasm hit unexpectedly, too soon for something he wanted to go on forever, and his whole body went tight as a bow. He pushed into Merlin as far as he could while his cock jerked and spilled inside.
He collapsed and pressed his face into the side of Merlin's head, just breathing him in as his body hummed. For a long time all that filled the air was the sound of their heavy breaths and the whispering of their fingers running over each other's skin. Merlin's hand settled at the nape of his neck, caressing him gently, and he had to fight to keep his eyes from closing.
He felt warm and content, and was definitely going to make a royal decree about Merlin staying permanently in his bed.
"I could get used to bossing you around," Merlin mumbled. He sounded sleepy, to Arthur's disappointment. He wouldn't be disinclined for another round or three. Arthur flicked his ear.
Merlin laughed into his shoulder, and he smiled like a loon where his lips were pressed to Merlin's temple.
First thing in the morning he was going to wake Merlin up with his mouth and fingers pressing against his skin.
-Fin
Title: Princing Up Merlin
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Arthur’s making Merlin his prince for the night.
Warnings (if any): Barebacking, explicit sex, PWP
Total word count: 3,700
Original prompt number: 36 - Submitted by say_thanks
Disclaimer: This story/artwork is based on characters and situations created and owned by the BBC and Shine TV. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's/artist's notes (if any): Thanks to whoever submitted this prompt, it was fun to write! And thanks to my lovely beta!
Beta(s): tari_sue
"How can you stand these clothes?" Arthur heard Merlin say and he looked down to see him squinting at said clothes. "They're so soft they tickle."
Merlin ran a hand over the cape Arthur had draped around his shoulders and snickered in that charmingly boyish way of his that pierced straight into Arthur's chest. They were both in a silly mood. Well Merlin always appeared to be in a silly mood, but for once Arthur was allowing himself to indulge as well, forgetting for just a little while that he was prince and princes should always act dignified and posed. That didn't matter when it was just Merlin and him.
It was way past any decent hour. The room was dark, but his eyes had adjusted. They had a fire going, and all the candles lit were helping a little to illuminate the room. There was just enough pale light to make Merlin's skin look soft and touchable. Not that Arthur would, of course, because even if he forgot he was a prince, it didn't mean he could take advantage of his status over Merlin like that.
God, but he wanted.
He cleared his throat and circled around Merlin letting his eyes look their fill. He hadn't expected himself to react this way to Merlin in his clothes. His manservant had walked into his room an hour ago looking like a drenched dog, dripping all over Arthur's floor and shivering pathetically. Which was when Arthur had generously suggested (No, Merlin, you're not leaving unless you're wearing something dry. The last thing I need is you getting sick and sniffling while serving me dinner) he borrow something.
Everything was too big, tailored for Arthur's broader shoulders and thicker chest. It made Merlin look rather vulnerable in all that fabric. He'd only meant to offer Merlin some of his old, warn out clothes, but then, as he'd been rummaging through his tunics (doing so because Merlin was such a horrible manservant he failed at even doing tasks for himself), he'd glanced over just in time to see Merlin pull off his wet shirt, the muscles of his slim back moving elegantly under pale skin. He had averted his gaze before Merlin had noticed him staring, but he couldn't completely control the unsteadiness of his breathing, or the twitching of his fingers.
He'd thought about how Merlin was going to be in his clothes. His naked, pale skin was going to be touching the very garments that had rested against Arthur. The clothes that still smelled like Arthur, embracing his slender frame. And afterwards, the clothes would smell like Merlin, too. Like them, the two of them.
The thought had brought a stupid grin to his face. Obviously, he had been hanging around his idiot, stupidity-grinning manservant far too much.
"Only girls are ticklish, Merlin. Oh, wait."
Merlin glared at him, but the corner of his mouth turned up. Really, he was about as fierce as a kitten. A fluffy one with great big blue eyes.
"Prat," Merlin mumbled just loud enough for him to hear. Arthur raised an eyebrow, unimpressed and ready to tell Merlin off, but then he shot Arthur one of those guileless smiles that was all soft lips and white teeth and ducking head and Arthur had to roll his eyes lest he be caught staring at Merlin's mouth.
"Something's still missing," he said as Merlin fidgeted with the cloak's clasp. He was still sitting in the chair Arthur had proclaimed his 'throne', but he made a lousy picture of how an actual prince should sit, all hunched shoulders and awkward limbs. Still, there was something utterly charming about it; there was always something utterly charming about Merlin.
"If you're going to put me in armor next, then I'm leaving," Merlin said with a raised eyebrow. Like he could really walk out on the crown prince. Arthur scoffed.
He smirked at Merlin as if he was actually contemplating dragging his armor out and strapping him head to toe in the heavy metal pieces. It was true that Merlin looked quite entertaining while in armor, especially if Arthur was smacking him around with his sword. But that was what was so great about Merlin, no matter how many times he was knocked down, he always got back up to face Arthur's next challenge.
"Ah, I have it," Arthur said. "Your head is missing something. Besides a brain, that is."
"Tell me you don't keep that hat in your room." Merlin looked a little worried at the thought. Actually, Arthur did, if only for when he was feeling particularly down and liked having the reminder around of Merlin blowing ridiculously huge feathers out of his eyes. If he ever felt really miserable, he might pull it out and command him to wear it for the day.
"I was thinking something a little more shiny."
At Merlin's confused look, Arthur turned on his heels and strode to large cabinet on the opposite side of the room. He stepped over Merlin's sodden clothes, which he had thrown in front of the fireplace in some pathetic attempt to dry them. The freezing February rain was still pouring down outside, beating against the steamed-up glass of his window in a steady, peaceful rhythm, but inside it felt like they were in a completely separate world.
"Arthur," Merlin murmured, a warning as he craned his head to see what was happening behind him. He jerked when Arthur placed the heavy gold crown on his dark hair, the tips of it curling softly around the base.
"There," Arthur said, pleased with himself as he circled around Merlin.
"This isn't…;" Merlin said, fingering a tiny ruby that adorned one of the points. "Tell me you didn't just put your crown on my head."
Merlin laughed, sounding a bit nervous, and before he could think about what he was doing, Arthur kneeled down, bowing his head. Merlin drew in a breath with such force it sounded painful.
Arthur had never kneeled before anyone but his father. Never. But he needed Merlin to understand just how important he had become to Arthur, and he needed to show him because if he tried to explain it, he knew words wouldn't be enough.
"Arthur," Merlin said with a voice that was disbelieving, but gentle and light, ready to turn joking if that's what the situation called for.
This was Merlin, who was loyal and devoted to a fault. Merlin, who always made him laugh. Who made silly expressions behind the king's back when he was giving Arthur a stern lecture. Who talked to his dogs in funny voices. Who continuously went to the stocks when he lied for Arthur, but kept a smile on his face all the while. Who he even once caught trying on parts of his armor and doing a very poor job of acting like a brave knight saving an invisible, helpless maiden.
Arthur let his forehead rest against Merlin's knee for a moment, overwhelmed by the warmth that suddenly crashed over him. He'd been tutored since the age of four on how to be articulate and speak, but now, trying to voice any of what he was feeling made an invisible hand squeeze his throat.
"Order me to do something," Arthur said, looking up.
"What?"
"You are my prince now." He smirked as Merlin's brow crinkled. "You can give me orders. Your highness."
Amusement danced in Merlin's blue eyes like the flickering of a candle flame. He sat up a little straighter and tilted his head. "Alright, I command you not to be a prat."
Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes, especially with the way Merlin sniggered afterward, clearly thinking he was so clever. Well, maybe if Merlin could make himself laugh like that, until his eyes were crinkling and his lips were parting in a brilliant smile, it wasn't so bad.
"As you wish, my Lord." Arthur let his lips just barely graze the side of Merlin's clothed knee, his thumb rubbing circles on the other side. Merlin froze, and if Arthur hadn't been so hyper aware of him at the moment, he would have missed the small tremble in Merlin's body. Arthur's heart suddenly sounded louder than a horse's gallop in his ears.
"You can order me to stop, if you'd like," he said in a rush, summoning his bravery to allow him to look up. Merlin was silent for a while, eyes fixed on him with an inscrutable expression. Just as Arthur was about to ease off his knees and try to think of a way to salvage the disastrous mistake he had just allowed himself to make, Merlin spoke again.
"Kiss me like you mean it."
Arthur looked up, mouth open and eyes wide.
Perhaps he stared a little too long because soon he saw the change in Merlin's face, a flicker of panic turning into a grimace before a strained smile stretched across his teeth. He knew Merlin was about to make it all into a joke, and before he could, Arthur surged up, cupping his hands under Merlin's jaw and paused for a brief moment to let Merlin see just how serious Arthur was, gazing steadily into his eyes, before leaning the rest of the way in and brushing their lips together.
He wasn't sure what he was expecting, perhaps for him to lean back and see a surprised expression on Merlin's face, but before he had time to move there was a hand at the back of his neck and he was swallowing Merlin's groan as they both open their mouths.
Merlin's tongue met his, timid but insistent, and by the time they parted they were both breathless and gripping each other tightly. Restless hands began to roam freely, and he let his thumb rub circles at the dip of Merlin's throat, loving the way Merlin's breath would shudder against his lips.
Arthur wasn't really sure where all this was going, but he knew something significant had just bloomed between the two of them. Something had been slowly spreading its roots inside of him until they were embedded so deeply they could never be removed. Something Merlin had planted, and Arthur could no longer ignore.
Then Merlin leaned forward, turned his lips to Arthur's ear and whispered, "Take me to bed."
And God, it was his complete undoing. There was no grace at all as he manhandled a laughing Merlin out of the chair and threw him on the bed so hard he bounced and the crown rolled off to the side, clanging sadly against the stone ground. He heard a breathless "brute" from Merlin, but he ignored it as he crawled up predatorily to position himself over Merlin's body. He dropped down, positioning one leg to rest between Merlin's and both of their breaths hitched as a blossoming hardness pressed against his thigh.
Merlin smelled of fresh hay and sunshine, and a little like soggy wool, and it was so perfect because Arthur could taste all that on his tongue as he licked the soft skin of Merlin's neck. He so sensitive that Arthur couldn't stand it. Every small touch, every graze with his knuckles against soft skin had Merlin groaning or mewing, or making wonderful and lovely noises. His eyes were dark as he gazed up, and there was a blush spread across his cheeks and nose that Arthur had to kiss. So he did, and Merlin laughed as he peppered them underneath his eyes and on the tip of his nose.
It soon became very apparent why his dress-up game with Merlin was so flawed - he was now wearing much too many clothes. Arthur made a frustrated noise as he ripped open the clasp to Merlin's - well, actually his - cape, sliding it away from Merlin's neck and shoulders and leaving it to rumple underneath their bodies. He let his hands slip up to feel the flatness of Merlin's slim stomach, shoving the tunic up and unceremoniously pulling it off his head, leaving his hair a mess.
Actually, he could get used to looking at Merlin with bed-tousled hair and flushed, open lips. Perhaps tomorrow he'd appoint the royal portrait artist to capture that look in a painting for him to gaze upon to his heart's content. Of course, then he'd have to kill the royal portrait artist for getting to see Merlin like this, a sight only he should have the privilege of seeing, so perhaps not.
He got the borrowed trousers down to Merlin's knees before deciding that it would have to be far enough when his chin bumped against something firm and soft and screaming for attention. Merlin's cock was lovely, flushed and hard. He took it in hand, trying to get a feel for the odd angle as he stroked and rubbed his thumb over the head, spreading the gathered precome. Underneath him Merlin's whole body trembled, and when Arthur looked up into wide, glossy blue eyes his breath rushed out all at once and for a moment the room swam. Merlin was helpless underneath him, eyes rolling back while his hands scrabbled around in the sheets. Arthur ran a thumb firmly over the thick vein from base to head of his cock and Merlin's whole body arched, his lips parting to let out the most shiver-inducing moan Arthur had ever heard.
He continued to work Merlin's cock, playing him like a minstrel played his instrument, loving the sounds he was drawing out of Merlin. With his other hand he began to rub up and down Merlin's soft, creamy thigh, letting his fingers travel further and further up. When he reached the sensitive skin of Merlin's arse, he was rewarded with a hiss from Merlin and his legs spreading farther open. Arthur caressed it, just as gently as Merlin's cock, the tips of his fingers traveling up and down his crack until the pad of his middle finger just barely grazed Merlin's hole.
"Wait," Merlin said, and for one horrifying moment Arthur thought he'd gone too far, done something Merlin hadn't wanted, but Merlin just smiled softly and said, "Use a salve."
He blinked, still completely frozen. "What?"
"It goes in better if you use an oily salve."
Arthur stared down at him. "Have you, has..."
Merlin smiled sheepishly while shaking his head. "Just me. I've just, by myself- I."
Arthur groaned and lunged up to kiss him wet and sloppy, too desperate to make it gentle in any way. The thought of Merlin doing that to himself, pushing his own fingers inside to bring himself pleasure was the hottest image Arthur had ever imagined. He knew he'd be putting his hand down his trousers every time he thought about it.
"And you want me to- it's okay if I…;" he said, trying not to blush.
"Yeah," Merlin responded, looking up through his lashes. "Yeah, I want you to."
He sucked Merlin's bottom lip into his mouth and bit down, and he couldn't help but smile when Merlin arched up, desperately pressing against Arthur's body. Tomorrow he thought he should make a royal decree that from now on Merlin was to be in his bed at all times. Not that Merlin would follow those orders, of course, but a Prince could dream.
He stood and took a moment to tear off his boots and throw them in different directions across the room. His tunic and trousers followed, their lacing ripped open savagely and cloth tossed randomly while his mind raced for where he could have placed the salve he used when his skin chaffed in his armor. He was a second away from walking out into the hall, completely naked, and instructing the first servant he came across to bring him all the salve in the kingdom when his eyes spotted a small glass bottle on the table next to his bed. He was sure that salve hadn't been there a minute ago, but he wasn't going to question it now. Not with the way Merlin called to him with that hint of desperation in his voice.
As fast as he could he was back on the bed, hovering over Merlin, and yes, maybe that meant he had just jumped onto it like a hound flopping into a lake, but how could it matter when Merlin's hair was so messy and his lips parted just so? And when had Merlin learned to smile so sexily? A smile like that could completely wreck a person.
Hell, Merlin already had undone him - broken him up, mixed him around, and pieced him back together until he was a better man.
He was pleased to note Merlin had managed to kick his own boots off. He had still be in the middle of removing his trousers when Arthur had pounced him, and one leg of them had ended up tangled around his ankle, so Arthur tore it the rest of the way off with a growl, earning him another happy laugh from Merlin. He'd have to remember that, he always tried to remember the ways he made Merlin laugh.
The salve was cold so he took a moment to warm it in his hands before smearing it over his finger. Merlin's breath hitched as he touched his entrance, taking a moment to rub around it, watching the liquid smear against his puckered skin. He pushed one finger in slowly - God, it was so tight - and watched as it disappeared into Merlin's body. Merlin's face was scrunched up, and it must have been horribly uncomfortable, but when Arthur paused for a moment he lifted his hips up in encouragement. He worked his finger in and out, exploring gently at first, but when Merlin started to mew pleasurably he added another finger, then another, and started to move them in and out of Merlin's body with a bit more vigor.
"Enough, enough," Merlin said hoarsely, "I want..."
Arthur got the hint, taking a moment to pull his fingers out and spread a generous amount of the unfortunately cold salve - but at least it took away some of the desperate edge he was feeling - across his flushed and hard cock. He positioned himself, and he knew he had just had his fingers inside, but it looked too small, like he would never be able to fit. Gently, slowly, he pushed and the head of his dick slipped into tight, wonderfully tight heat. Out of everything he had experienced in his life so far - becoming a Knight, the first time he was a champion of a tourney, the first time he had brought down a beast - absolutely nothing compared with what it felt like to sink inch by inch into Merlin's body.
He had to pause when he was fully inside, just breathe and make sure to keep breathing or surely he was about to completely lose it and probably offer Merlin his entire kingdom in exchange for getting to do this every day until the end of time.
Long, slender fingers rubbed up and down his back, a tender smile on Merlin's lips and Arthur wanted to know what took them so long to get here. All the months of wanting and yearning were finally catching up to him, and all he could do was hold on, gripping Merlin's hips tightly and dropping his head to mouth helplessly at Merlin's collarbone. A few calming breaths later and Merlin was lifting his hips up and that was all he needed before he began thrusting slow and deep, picking up speed with each wonderful breathy noise of pleasure Merlin made underneath him.
He'd never known he could feel so good, be filled with so much pleasure that his toes curled and his spine tingled. Never knew his cock could get so hard, and when Merlin reached for his own hard cock, pulling it with desperate grunts, he was sure nothing better existed in the world.
Arthur pulled Merlin's legs up higher, thrusting in deeper and faster, forcing his eyes to stay open and take in the vision underneath him as Merlin's whole body started to seize up.
Merlin's neck arched completely off the bed, his eyes rolled back unseeing as his body shook with his release. Arthur fucked him through it, flicking his gaze between the raptured look of bliss on Merlin's face, and the sight of his cock squirting. As soon as Merlin's body went lax underneath him, all limber and soft, Arthur's whole body started thrumming, he could feel everything building in his groin.
"Yeah," Merlin said breathlessly. "Yeah, keep going."
Arthur groaned and lost his mind to the pleasure. His hips snapped forward wildly, thrusting like an animal into the willing and pliant body underneath him, and Merlin kept letting out these soft whimpers and moans, all the while running his hands up and down Arthur's back.
His orgasm hit unexpectedly, too soon for something he wanted to go on forever, and his whole body went tight as a bow. He pushed into Merlin as far as he could while his cock jerked and spilled inside.
He collapsed and pressed his face into the side of Merlin's head, just breathing him in as his body hummed. For a long time all that filled the air was the sound of their heavy breaths and the whispering of their fingers running over each other's skin. Merlin's hand settled at the nape of his neck, caressing him gently, and he had to fight to keep his eyes from closing.
He felt warm and content, and was definitely going to make a royal decree about Merlin staying permanently in his bed.
"I could get used to bossing you around," Merlin mumbled. He sounded sleepy, to Arthur's disappointment. He wouldn't be disinclined for another round or three. Arthur flicked his ear.
Merlin laughed into his shoulder, and he smiled like a loon where his lips were pressed to Merlin's temple.
First thing in the morning he was going to wake Merlin up with his mouth and fingers pressing against his skin.
-Fin