An Ordinary Life (Merlin 8/8)
2150
The weather was unseasonably cold, even for north Wales, and snow pelted the windshield of the heavy SUV that was inching itself up an unplowed, barely marked road. The driver cursed under his breath, fighting the wheel and the slick conditions until the latter won out and the SUV ended up in a ditch.
"The man is still an idiot," Arthur growled as he reached back for his insulated leather duster, awkwardly pulling it on before pressing his thumb against the ignition to turn the engine off and lock the vehicle once he stepped out of it.
Light leather gloves were little protection against the frigid temperature, and he jammed his hands into his pockets as he started to slog through the calf-deep snow, his course based more on instinct than any map or directions. After an hour of walking, he spotted a thin trail of smoke rising over the barren trees and angled in that direction, finally ending up at the front door of a small cottage.
A gloved fist pounded on the door, followed by an undignified yelp when the lintel discharged its accumulation of snow onto his head. "Merlin! Open the damn door!"
The door was flung open a moment later, and Merlin, once again looking like the young man who'd first traveled to Camelot, stared out, his eyes wide. "A-Arthur?"
"No, it's the Abominable Snowman," Arthur said dryly, his voice breaking at the last as he stepped forward and dragged Merlin into his arms, resting his face against the younger-looking man's while the snow covering him melted between them.
"Arthur!" Merlin grasped him convulsively. "How... When?"
"Damp. Half-frozen," Arthur countered, giving a pointed look at the fire blazing in the hearth.
Merlin yanked him inside and slammed the door, locking it with a thought while hauling Arthur toward the fireplace. He pushed the blonde into a chair and simply stood there, staring at him.
Arthur caught Merlin's hand with his free one so he could shake that arm out of the sleeve before repeating the move, then kicked out of his heavy boots so that he could stand and pull Merlin into an embrace again, sighing in pleasure at the feel of the lean body pressed against his.
Merlin inhaled the familiar scent and closed his eyes against the tears that threatened. "You know yourself," he whispered.
"I do, and more importantly, I know you," Arthur turned his head enough to kiss Merlin's jawline. "I've known for the last twenty years, I suppose, since this body could withstand having an adult consciousness inside it."
Merlin's eyes widened, and he drew his head back just enough to meet Arthur's gaze searchingly. "You've always known who you were this time?"
Arthur nodded somberly, aware of what that meant. "My birth certificate reads Jonathan Carter, but I am Arthur Pendragon. I remember the other lives I spent dreaming, but I am awake now."
Looking shocked, Merlin abruptly sat down on the floor at Arthur's side. "You do? You are? Then why did you wait so long to find me?" The last question took Merlin himself by surprise if his expression was any indication.
"Did you really want a four-year-old showing up at your door? The way you move around made finding you rather difficult, especially with times being what they are."
"Perhaps not four," Merlin agreed. "That would be disturbing on far too many levels... But I wouldn't have minded sixteen," he said with a fake leer, trying to make a joke of it.
"If I could have found you, you would have had me at sixteen; it was only when you came back to here that I felt you again, though it still took me two years to track you down."
"I didn't know," Merlin whispered. "I had no idea you were back this time," he added sadly. "I wish I had. We wouldn't have wasted so much time." He frowned. "But maybe this is the last time we'll do this dance; it's obviously different this time."
"It is," Arthur nodded, slowly drawing Merlin to the floor in front of the fire and settling him into his arms. "None of the others ever remembered me until something triggered them, and even then they were still themselves; I've never been anyone else.
He sighed and rubbed his face against Merlin's. "I'm only sorry you had to wait so long for my return."
"I would have waited forever," Merlin replied simply, leaning back against Arthur's chest and letting a long, slow breath of contentment.
"Almost two thousand years is long enough."
"I've missed you," Merlin said softly. "Though I loved some of your other incarnations in their own rights, I still loved you too, and gods but I missed you."
"I know," Arthur answered, breathing the words against Merlin's hair. "They loved you as well; even Charles did, that was why he sent you away. I'm glad you had that, that you weren't alone." His arms tightened around Merlin's body, and he took a deep breath. "But I would have given anything to be the one with you."
Merlin nodded. "I can't live without you again, Arthur," he said quietly. "I don't think I'm strong enough to face losing you a second time."
"Perhaps this time--no, this time will be different. We've both learned from what we have been through, though you more than I had the harder time." Arthur paused and cocked his head to the side as if listening to someone, then smiled wistfully.
Merlin, his head comfortably pillowed on Arthur's shoulder and tilted so he could see the other man's face, regarded him curiously. "What is it?"
"Princesses, hrmm?"
"I'm never going to live that down!" Merlin groaned. "They were... fun."
"And I'm glad you had them," Arthur chuckled quietly, "in more ways than one."
"I'd much rather have you," Merlin retorted.
"That could be arranged."
"I rather thought it might," Merlin said, the somber mood finally lifting as he accepted that Arthur was back and with him.
"We're going to be busy enough all too soon, so for now we should enjoy ourselves and each other." As Arthur spoke, he slipped his hands under Merlin's thick jumper, sighing in pleasure at the skin on skin contact.
"We never had trouble with that, not even when your father would have killed me for it," Merlin replied, his voice growing hoarse as Arthur touched him. His own hands worked under Arthur's clothes, and his fingertips pressed the warm flesh beneath as if testing his reality.
"He would have had to have gone through me to get you," Arthur murmured before leaning in to close his mouth over Merlin's, breathing his breath into the other man's lungs then drawing it back, intoxicated by the faint taste he received this way.
Merlin whimpered softly, twisting so that they faced one another with Merlin's long legs curled around Arthur's waist.
Arthur pulled back far enough to tear Merlin's jumper off him, then yank his own off as well so that they were skin to skin from the waist up, and his hands moved greedily over Merlin's chest and back as their mouths came together again.
"You even taste the same," Merlin groaned, glutting his senses on Arthur.
"I am the same," Arthur promised in between gasps for breath.
"And you're mine," Merlin ground out possessively, his hands cupping Arthur's ass to pull them even closer together. "All mine, always mine."
"Gods, yes." Arthur twisted and kissed his way down the long column of Merlin's throat even as he arched against him, making Merlin gasp and let his head fall back. His eyes flashed gold, and their remaining clothing vanished, leaving them naked and entwined.
Arthur gave a throaty laugh even as his hands closed on Merlin's ass, his fingertips brushing against his hole. "You always did cut right to the chase," he gasped.
"And you always liked it," Merlin returned, gasping and spreading his legs wider apart.
"Damned right, just as I've always loved you."
"I think I knew that from the first time you risked your life to save mine." Merlin caught Arthur's lips in a long, slow kiss. "And I've always loved you."
"You thought I was a prat and you know it," Arthur snorted even as he slowly eased a finger into Merlin, sucking in a breath at the tightness of the passage.
"That's because you are a prat, but I still loved you. Much to my own dismay at times." Merlin moaned softly and squirmed on Arthur's finger.
"And your pleasure--our pleasure," Arthur corrected himself, nipping Merlin's chin at the same time he twisted his finger.
"Gods yes." Merlin shuddered and traced a fingertip between Arthur's cheeks, causing the larger man to shudder.
"And that pleasure will be very soon at this rate."
"That's just the first round," Merlin rasped, pressing inward.
Arthur gasped, his back bowing forward to press his chest against Merlin's even as his own finger pressed deeper. "Good thing we're snow-bound then."
"This may turn out to be the worst storm in history," Merlin said with a breathless chuckle. He rocked in Arthur's lap, pushing back to force the finger deeper and then forward to rub his aching cock against Arthur.
"Oh damn." Arthur pulled his finger from Merlin's ass, kissing away the noise of complaint he made, and rolled them to the floor, the flames gilding Merlin's pale skin with tones of gold. "I believe we can come up with ways to entertain ourselves." He felt Merlin's legs tighten around his hips and drove downward against the other man's body. "I need to be in you; it's been far too long, my love."
"Dear gods, yes," Merlin groaned. "Now!"
The flare of gold in Merlin's eyes told Arthur that he had slicked himself, and he breathed out a groan as he positioned himself and pushed inside Merlin's clinging heat. Arthur slowly pressed forward, sheathing himself inch by inch until he was fully held within Merlin's body.
Merlin shuddered beneath the blonde, his eyes half closed as he grounded himself in the sensation within him, filling him, completing him. "Want to stay like this forever," he panted, fighting the urge to move.
"Later common sense will make me argue that, but right now, it sounds perfect to me," Arthur whispered before dipping his head to nibble on Merlin's earlobe.
"I a-always give you good counsel, Sire," Merlin moaned. He pulled himself together as much as possible when he was falling apart and tried to give Arthur as much pleasure as he was being given, adding a second finger to Arthur's ass and pressing inward until he found the sensitive gland deep inside him.
Arthur spasmed, pressing impossibly deeper into Merlin's body before he got control of himself again and began drawing slowly back, prolonging the pleasure for both of them. "That's not all you give me," he rasped.
"Everything," Merlin gasped. "I give you everything."
Unable to hold back any longer, Arthur began to move, driving his full length into Merlin's body, feeling his pleasure in the clench of his arms and legs, the spasm of the sheath around him, all of it driving him on.
"Arthur," Merlin groaned, meeting his rhythm eagerly. "Gods, yes."
"All mine, all yours," Arthur whispered, feeling Merlin's cock slap between their bodies.
"Yes, always," Merlin panted, his back arching as the first wave of pleasure flowed through him.
Arthur nodded, kissing Merlin wildly as they moved together, their climaxes coming at almost the same instant, the pleasure seeming to flow between them, growing and multiplying as it did.
"Oh gods, it's really you," Merlin whispered, feeling the empty spot inside himself filled for the first time in millennia.
Arthur nodded against his neck before kissing the thin skin there and breathing deeply, his whole body replete with satisfaction and one hand gently carding through Merlin's hair.
"Just stay right here for a bit, yeah?" Merlin said, loving the sensation of Arthur's weight on him.
"Of course, it's one of my favorite places to be," Arthur assured him before nuzzling his neck again.
"And my favorite place to have you." Merlin tilted his head slightly, inviting Arthur to continue.
"This time it will be different," Arthur promised before burying his nose in the hollow of Merlin's throat and breathing deeply.
"More like the first time, you mean," Merlin said in a near purr. "Though with a much longer time together, I hope."
"As do I, I want to see you with my own eyes as an old man with a white beard... and a sparkly hat." Arthur chuckled quietly at the last.
Merlin thumped him on the chest. "You are an evil and twisted man."
"Which is exactly why you love me," Arthur laughed, kissing Merlin soundly before rolling to his back.
"Sadly true," Merlin sighed before chuckling. He twisted around to rest half atop Arthur, their legs tangled together and his head pillowed on Arthur's shoulder in what had always been one of their favorite positions.
"Sadly?" Arthur scoffed even as he closed both arms around Merlin's back, holding him close.
"You take dreadful advantage of the fact."
"Oh, and you are just so abused in the process."
"Pointy hats and sparkly robes," Merlin reminded him with great precision.
"And what did you get out of the deal when you wore them?" Arthur asked, smirking at the memory.
Merlin's wry smile turned sensual. "As I recall, neither of us could walk properly the next day."
"Exactly."
"Can't we do that without the ridiculous getup first?"
"I'm planning on it for tonight," Arthur promised.
"This is turning out to be a very good day."
"Though I am going to need food eventually," Arthur chuckled though he didn't loosen his hold on Merlin.
"I see we're back where we started, with you expecting me to serve you," Merlin laughed.
"Are you saying that you won't feed me?" Arthur asked, giving his best pout, which made Merlin laugh harder.
"I suppose I can do that... I'd hate to have you die of hunger," he finished dryly.
"Feed me this time, and I'll cook for us in the morning," Arthur promised.
"Mmm, that sounds good." Merlin gave him a quick kiss and then murmured a spell that had a full tray appearing on the floor beside them, filling the air with the scent of freshly roasted fowl, gravy, and crispy roasted potatoes and greens.
"And that smells delicious," Arthur groaned.
"I remember your favorites."
"You are my favorite."
Merlin smiled. "As you're mine. But I think you need to eat something."
"It might be a bit easier if I were sitting up," Arthur pointed out, making Merlin sigh and sit up.
"Fine, I'll let you eat... and then you become my pillow again."
"Yes, oh great magician," Arthur laughed, waiting until Merlin moved before sitting and stretching then rolling over and catching the leg of a heavy chair, pulling it closer so that he could lean back against it. "Though there's no law against you leaning against me while we eat."
Merlin smiled and shifted so that he was leaning against Arthur. "That's better," he said happily.
"Mmm, much." Arthur reached over and plucked up a slice of breast meat, offering Merlin a bite before finishing what was between his fingers.
Merlin caught hold of Arthur's hand and drew it to his mouth, licking the grease off and slowly sucking on each digit.
"Mmm, I know what my sweet is going to be," Arthur rumbled.
"Whenever you're ready," Merlin purred.
"After we've both eaten our fill," Arthur promised, feeding Merlin another bite.
"Of the food or each other?" Merlin asked with a soft laugh.
"The food," Arthur said simply, "I'll never get my fill of you."
"Likewise," Merlin replied, turning his head to kiss Arthur, the pair of them finally breaking apart and continuing their meal, sharing bits with each other and washing it all down with wine that Merlin conjured as well.
"I can still hardly believe you're here," Merlin said softly once they were done and he'd made the remnants of the meal vanish. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and find this was all a dream."
"Do you want me to pinch you?" Arthur asked, smiling tenderly and tightening the arm wrapped around Merlin's side.
"Only if you want me to bite you!"
"I was only offering to prove to you that you were awake!"
"I can think of much more pleasant ways for you to do that."
"True, but I highly doubt you ever dream of me pinching you so that would be more effective."
"Forget the pinching!" Merlin twisted around and pulled Arthur into a kiss to put an end to the conversation.
"What were we speaking of?" Arthur asked when their lips finally parted.
"Dessert."
"Ah yes, my favorite meal."
"Some things never change. Fortunately, it's mine as well."
"So, dessert in front of the fire or should we find a bed?" Arthur murmured as he stroked Merlin's back.
"Nice as this is, I think we'll be both be happier in the morning if we move to a bed."
"Which means we're back to you getting off of me again."
"I much prefer to get off on you." Merlin didn't seem likely to move any time soon.
"Mmm, but if we get to that bed, I promise you can get off in me once we get there."
"You always know the perfect thing to say," Merlin laughed, nearly springing to his feet and offering Arthur a hand up.
"Of course, it's because I know you well," Arthur said as he clasped Merlin's hand and stood as well.
"You always have," Merlin agreed, drawing Arthur into a tight embrace. Arthur rested their temples together before straightening and, with a slight grin, hoisted Merlin into his arms to carry him toward the bedroom.
"It's a good thing there aren't any stairs," Merlin chuckled even as he curled into Arthur, inhaling the familiar scent of him.
"I believe I could manage them this time--and that you would catch me if I didn't."
"You tempt me to add a second floor to the house," Merlin laughed, but he seemed more interested in nuzzling Arthur's throat than carrying through on his joking threat.
"Do you really want to add to the time it takes us to find the bed?" Arthur asked, stopping at the side of the bed and lowering Merlin to the thick comforters, then following him down.
"Maybe tomorrow," Merlin decided, wrapping arms and legs around Arthur to hold him close. "We have better things to do tonight."
"Each other," Arthur nodded, rolling to his back and bringing Merlin on top of him.
"And that's always better than any other option." Merlin lowered his head to kiss Arthur, squirming slightly to settle himself.
"You moving like that is certainly better than any option I can think of," Arthur rumbled, his eyes going half-lidded as he spread his legs and felt Merlin's whole body settle against him.
"Oh, I could think of a few better things... like me in you, you in me..." Merlin laid a line of biting kisses along Arthur's jaw.
"The first," Arthur growled, his fingers digging into Merlin's ass as they rubbed together. "Now."
"Just as demanding as when you had a crown on your head," Merlin half-laughed, rocking against Arthur while reaching for the hand lotion on the nightstand.
"And is this the point where you call me a prat for it?" Arthur laughed breathlessly as he ran his hands over Merlin's back.
"I think that can wait," Merlin replied. "I'm sure you'll deserve it... later. Right now, I'm more interested in your ass than your prat-dom." A slick finger slid between Arthur's legs and over the silky skin behind his balls, petting him before continuing on to find the sensitive ring of muscle.
Arthur gave a pleased rumble in response and took a deep breath as he watched Merlin through half-lidded eyes. "I'm very glad to hear that."
"And feel it?" Merlin took Arthur's mouth in a deep, possessive kiss at the same moment that his finger breeched the blonde.
Arthur moaned in response, clenching down around Merlin's finger before relaxing and allowing it deeper as their tongues dueled together. Merlin continued pressing deeper, groaning at the heat and tightness and imagining that surrounding his cock.
"Want you," Arthur growled against Merlin's lips. "Not your finger; you."
Merlin shuddered with arousal at the throaty tone of Arthur's voice, and seconds later his finger was gone and he was pushing into Arthur.
"Oh yes," Arthur moaned, sliding his hands down Merlin's back so that he could grasp his ass and pull him closer.
"All mine, not letting you go again," Merlin rasped.
"You won't need to," Arthur promised. "Together. Together we'll finish what we were meant to do."
"Right now what we're meant to do is enjoy each other."
"Merlin..." At the pathetic expression that single word resulted in, Arthur growled and claimed Merlin's mouth as he dragged them together, and Merlin opened to him eagerly, submitting and possessing in equal measure.
"Yes," Arthur whispered. "Together we are everything. Together we can save them all." His last words morphed to a groan as he arched up off the bed.
"This time I'm going to save you too though. I'm not losing you again." Merlin pulled back only to press deeper again, possessing Arthur utterly.
"Do it," Arthur rasped. "I don't want to leave you alone again."
"I won't let you," Merlin promised, lowering his head to bite at Arthur's throat, marking him, Arthur's groan filling the air around them in response.
"Yes. Need you, love you, always."
"My king, my love, my Arthur." Merlin began to move faster, Arthur meeting every thrust, his muscles clenching as pleasure tore through him until it proved too much and he came, spasming around Merlin. Merlin shuddered through Arthur's climax and then managed only a few more strokes before he was coming as well, the pleasure overwhelming after all the centuries apart.
"Perfection," Arthur murmured, stroking his hands over Merlin's back and sighing as he relaxed beneath him, his eyes going half-lidded as he relaxed under and around Merlin.
"We always were, together." Merlin sprawled over Arthur and nuzzled the blonde's throat, clearly content.
"And we are again." Arthur stroked his hands over Merlin's back as he kissed his temple. "Sleep, love, rest."
"'Fraid this is just a dream," Merlin mumbled, fighting the urge to close his eyes though that changed when Arthur pinched his ass. He jumped and glared at Arthur. "Oi!"
"This isn't a dream," Arthur assured him. "This is reality."
"If you're gone when I wake up, I'm going to be very unhappy about all this," Merlin grumbled, settling over Arthur again.
"So hang on to me."
"Good idea." Merlin wrapped himself around Arthur so that the other man couldn't possibly get away without waking Merlin and allowed himself to close his eyes. "Love you," he murmured.
"I love you too, Merlin Emrys," Arthur whispered, kissing his temple.
END