Fic: Merlin's Birthday. Merlin/Arthur
Title: Merlin's Birthday
Author:
digthewriter
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 450
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Content: Modern!AU. Slight angst. Minor character deaths mentioned.
Challenge/Summary: Created as a birthday gift for pelydryn77 (December 7). Arthur is here to make sure that Merlin isn't sad all day on the day of his 40th birthday.
A/N: Unbetaed.
Arthur was lounging on the sofa with a book when Merlin came into the room, his shoulders sagging, and his tie undone. He plopped on the sofa and frowned. They were due to go out in an hour, it was Merlin's fortieth birthday after all, and all their friends were waiting, but Arthur also knew how Merlin was feeling.
With his parents gone, Merlin wasn't looking forward to turning a year older. Arthur edged himself closer and his hand rested on the back of Merlin's neck before he started to gently rub it. Merlin liked getting these little messages from Arthur, and if anything Arthur could do to alleviate the stress, he would. He wanted to treat Merlin like his prince. Especially on his birthday.
"Hmm…" Merlin hummed and leaned back against the sofa. "Feels good."
"Yeah?" Arthur asked softly. "I'm sorry, Mer. I'm sorry I can't do anything-"
"Hey…" Merlin turned to look at Arthur and rested his hand on Arthur's knee. "It's not your fault, love, and you're already doing so much…"
"I wish I could make you truly happy on your birthday," said Arthur. He'd never met his own mother as she'd died shortly after Arthur was born, and he knew his loss was different than Merlin's. They'd never compared it. It was stupid to do such a thing.
They could have cancelled the pub night, since Merlin didn't want to make a big deal about his birthday, but he was too kind. His friends wanted to see him, and, as always, he thought of other people before him.
When Merlin smiled at Arthur then, his heart broke a little. His husband was putting up a brave face. "You make me truly happy every day."
"Thanks for saying that," Arthur said, and Merlin turned away from him. Now, his whole back faced Arthur, and Arthur figured Merlin wanted a full shoulder massage. He probably didn't want to dwell on his sad mood. So he did what his prince was asking him. This, he could do.
"You're the best," Merlin said, almost half moaning. "God…"
"If you keep making those noises, Merlin…"
Merlin chuckled then. "How much time do we have?"
"Not enough to make it to the bedroom."
"The sofa will have to do then." The teasing tone in his voice made Arthur relax.
"It is your birthday," Arthur said and his hands roamed down to unbutton Merlin's shirt.
Maybe Arthur couldn't make the pain of losing his parents go away forever, but he could do his part and try to make Merlin forget for a little while, and make him happy in the little things. After all, Arthur was always going to be there for Merlin.
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/545030.html. Please comment anywhere you'd like. Thanks for reading
Author:
digthewriter
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: 450
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Content: Modern!AU. Slight angst. Minor character deaths mentioned.
Challenge/Summary: Created as a birthday gift for pelydryn77 (December 7). Arthur is here to make sure that Merlin isn't sad all day on the day of his 40th birthday.
A/N: Unbetaed.
Arthur was lounging on the sofa with a book when Merlin came into the room, his shoulders sagging, and his tie undone. He plopped on the sofa and frowned. They were due to go out in an hour, it was Merlin's fortieth birthday after all, and all their friends were waiting, but Arthur also knew how Merlin was feeling.
With his parents gone, Merlin wasn't looking forward to turning a year older. Arthur edged himself closer and his hand rested on the back of Merlin's neck before he started to gently rub it. Merlin liked getting these little messages from Arthur, and if anything Arthur could do to alleviate the stress, he would. He wanted to treat Merlin like his prince. Especially on his birthday.
"Hmm…" Merlin hummed and leaned back against the sofa. "Feels good."
"Yeah?" Arthur asked softly. "I'm sorry, Mer. I'm sorry I can't do anything-"
"Hey…" Merlin turned to look at Arthur and rested his hand on Arthur's knee. "It's not your fault, love, and you're already doing so much…"
"I wish I could make you truly happy on your birthday," said Arthur. He'd never met his own mother as she'd died shortly after Arthur was born, and he knew his loss was different than Merlin's. They'd never compared it. It was stupid to do such a thing.
They could have cancelled the pub night, since Merlin didn't want to make a big deal about his birthday, but he was too kind. His friends wanted to see him, and, as always, he thought of other people before him.
When Merlin smiled at Arthur then, his heart broke a little. His husband was putting up a brave face. "You make me truly happy every day."
"Thanks for saying that," Arthur said, and Merlin turned away from him. Now, his whole back faced Arthur, and Arthur figured Merlin wanted a full shoulder massage. He probably didn't want to dwell on his sad mood. So he did what his prince was asking him. This, he could do.
"You're the best," Merlin said, almost half moaning. "God…"
"If you keep making those noises, Merlin…"
Merlin chuckled then. "How much time do we have?"
"Not enough to make it to the bedroom."
"The sofa will have to do then." The teasing tone in his voice made Arthur relax.
"It is your birthday," Arthur said and his hands roamed down to unbutton Merlin's shirt.
Maybe Arthur couldn't make the pain of losing his parents go away forever, but he could do his part and try to make Merlin forget for a little while, and make him happy in the little things. After all, Arthur was always going to be there for Merlin.
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/545030.html. Please comment anywhere you'd like. Thanks for reading