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Merlin really should have been paying attention. Especially with Morgana having been recently sighted and yet another assassin sent by Odin recently caught.
But it was because of all that that Merlin wasn't paying better attention. He'd spent the last week when not busy with Arthur's and Gaius's chores searching spells, setting wards, subtly questioning other servants and trying to learn how to scry. (That was going as well as healing).
So because he wasn't paying attention, he didnt see Uther's studious glare as a servant casually passed Merlin a glass of water during yet another feast in celebration of... Merlin didnt know. Something Uther made up probably just to show off his riches and his sons hunting prowess with the two deer Merlin made sure not to scare off as to not embarrass Arthur with this.
With the exhaustion and stress of the last week or so, Merlin hadn't been taking very good care of himself. The most food he got was when he habitually stole some off Arthur's plate and he maybe drank some water when Gaius found him sitting by a stack of books and would bring him a glass.
So the full glass of water that Merlin could feel was ice cold seemed like salvation. He gulped it down fast, almost dizzy with relief at the sudden disappearance of thirst he hadn't even really realised hed been feeling so strongly.
He also didnt really notice the slightly sweet flavor of the water, passing it off thinking this probably had a little wine in it before refilled with water. It wouldn't be the first time.
The feast wound down about half a candle mark later, nobles retiring to their rooms, stumbling as servants politely helped their inebriated selves out of the hall. Arthur himself seemed a bit tipsy, Merlin not looking forward to helping him up the stairs to his tower.
Uther seemed completely sober though, something that gave Merlin a half second of pause before dismissing it. He didnt get drunk every feast, though he did more often than not. But Merlin wasn't his servant, nor wasn't really fond of the king. So he didn't care.
Uther was still talking to Arthur so Merlin stayed by the wall, watching as the kitchen servants came to gather dirty dishes and leftover foods. Merlin knew some of the maids would secretly package up some of the food and bring it to the lower town, made easy by the subtle charms Merlin had placed in secret on the bags. The maids just thought they were good at sneaking.
Merlin yawned, the week pressing on him. "You alright Merlin?" A maid, Reese Merlin remembered, asked him softly. He opened his mouth to reply that he was fine but what came out was, "Just exhausted, its been a long week."
He paused, blinking as Reese smiled understandingly. "It really has been. Here's hoping we have a slower week this time, even if only a day or two of calm. But who knows. I hope you get some rest," she said and Merlin nodded, smiling politely while his mind whirled.
Why had he answered as such? That was way more truthful than how he'd wanted to answer. A faint flash of memory of the water he'd been given flashed in his mind, Uther's looks also appearing.
Well that was no good. Merlin sighed and went to carefully slip out the door. Maybe Arthur would think he was going to get his chambers ready early, he'd done it before.
"You, Marvin," Uther called, Merlin sighing as Arthur corrected him with "Merlin, Father."
"Whatever. Come here," the king ordered and Merlin did so, standing perfectly polite and a good distance away. "Yes, Your Majesty?" He asked with a bow and Uther leaned back, swirling a glass of wine.
"I've heard some rumors, and have had a few reports about you. I have some questions," Uther said and Merlin kept his face impassive as panic sparked in his stomach.
"One of the Knights reported seeing you do magic. Are you a sorcerer?" Uther said, blunt as hell. Arthur's mouth fell open as Merlin locked his jaw a moment.
But wait. "No sire, I am not a sorcerer," Merlin said calmly, technically telling the truth. Merlin was a Warlock, not a sorcerer.
Uther paused, a frown on his face. "But you have magic, yes?" He demanded and Merlin swallowed.
"No sire, I dont have magic," he said carefully, fighting back amusement. Who knew all those arguments with that annoying dragon would come in handy? No, technically Merlin didnt have magic, he was magic.
Uther frowned angrily, glancing at the servants entrance. "You gave him the water, yes?" He demanded, Merlin clenching his jaw. Well that confirmed it, Uther had dosed him with truth serum.
"Y-Yes sire, I did. He drank all of it," the kid whispered, Merlin raising an eyebrow. "That glass? Yes, I drank it," he said, Arthur frowning confused.
"What? What was in the glass?" He demanded and Merlin said, "I'm assuming truth serum, sire. I am feeling rather compelled to answer all of His Majesty's questions."
"Father!" Arthur hissed, Uther waving a hand at him. "I was told he was suspected of sorcery, Arthur. And if he was corrupted with magic, then he would obviously lie. Are you corrupted by magic, boy?" He demanded Merlin.
"No sire," he said, fully believing he was not corrupted by magic. It was a tool, and he was born with it.
Uther huffed irritated, slamming his glass down. "You boy, bring Sir Reginald here immediately," he demanded of the servant who'd given Merlin the water.
Merlin stood patiently, fighting to keep his face impassive. He was really too amused by all this, and it was only the worry lurking under the rage on Arthur's face that kept Merlin's hold of his emotions.
He met his prince's gaze, smiling faintly in reassurance. Arthur eyed him a moment, frowning in suspicion. It didnt seem negative, so Merlin didn't worry too much, but something told him Arthur suspected something.
They only had to wait moments before the servant returned with the Knight. Merlin recognised him as one who'd been Knighted only the year before, new enough to not fully realise how much of a blind eye most people turned on Merlin but here long enough to still crave that validation.
Arthur eyed him too, taking another slow sip from his glass. Merlin fought a yawn, tilting his chin down a bit as to not show the two exactly how tired he was.
"Sir Reginald, you came to me yesterday claiming this servant here had magic. But the truth serum proves otherwise. What was your proof?" Uther demanded and Merlin looked over curiously. He wanted to know this too, and he hoped whatever Reginald said didn't get back to Gaius because he knew if it was something stupid he'd be stuck scrubbing the floors for hours again. Without magic.
"I saw him Sire! In the armory, sharpening the Knights swords. He had one in his hands and two were floating beside him sharpening themselves!" Reginald insisted and Merlin cursed internally. Of all the stupid-
"Well? Did you make the swords float, Merlin?" Uther demanded and Merlin blinked at him.
"No sire, I didn't make the swords float," he said, because technically he wasn't aiming to make them float, he just wanted them to be sharpened. The floating was just a side affect.
Uther gestured at Merlin with a sigh and Reginald's mouth fell open. "No! Your Majesty, I know what I saw! The boy has magic!" He demanded, Merlin eyeing him as he grew increasingly agitated.
"Ive already asked, and the truth serum is potent and tested. He says he doesn't have magic," Uther said bored, Merlin's stomach relaxing. They believed him.
"Guards, put this Knight in the dungeons for the night, teach him not to waste my time again," Uther called, Reginald snapping his head around to glare at Merlin.
"I don't know how you did it, boy, but you lied! I know what I saw!" He yelled, Merlin stumbling back as the Knight lunged for him.
"Merlin!" Arthur yelled, jumping over the table. It took seconds though, by which Reginald already had his hands wrapped around Merlin's throat. Merlin struggled, gasping for air as he scrambled against the hands pressing against his airway.
Arthur and the two guards got Reginald off Merlin, the guards holding him while Arthur caught Merlin before he collapsed. Merlin coughed hard, Arthur holding his arm tightly to keep him upright.
"A week now! Get him out of my sight!" Arthur demanded, Reginald glaring at them furiously. The two dragged the Knight away and Uther sighed annoyed.
"Take him to Gaius," he said bored, Arthur nodding quickly as he carefully tugged Merlin forward. They left the dining hall, Merlin putting a bit of resistance as Arthur tried to drag him to the physicians quarters.
"I- I'm fine, Arthur, really," Merlin said, trying his best not to sound hoarse but definitely failing. "Those marks on your neck say otherwise, Merlin. Let me get some bruise salve at the very least," Arthur whispered, Merlin sighing.
"You have some in your rooms, Sire," he said tiredly and Arthur frowned, blinking at him. "I keep basic salves and first aid in your rooms for when you decide to act a heathen while training and come back bruised and sore. You get crabby when youre hurt and I dont always feel like having things thrown at my head for existing."
Arthur swallowed before nodding once, changing direction to head straight to his quarters. Merlin carefully pulled away, his lightheadedness already fading. His throat just hurt, which he knew would for a few days since Reginald had his gauntlets on, but considering what could have happened after that whole interrogation, a couple bruises was nothing.
Arthur frowned as Merlin put space between them, reaching over and grabbing Merlin's wrist to continue pulling him along. Merlin sighed though not a single person glanced twice in their direction. They were all too used to Arthur dragging his manservant around.
They got to his rooms and Arthur shoved Merlin into a chair, the younger wincing as his shoulders and neck twinged at the impact. Arthur grimaced at Merlin, which he knew was probably the closest he'd get to an apology.
"Right, where are these salves you've got hidden in my rooms," he demanded and Merlin raised an eyebrow.
He pointed at a shelf by the wardrobe, several vials and tubs just laid out in open view. Arthur flushed but went and grabbed a couple, frowning at Gaius's handwriting.
"Right, this one for pain i think, it smells like whatever i usually get when I'm injured. And this one i think says bruises?" Arthur hummed, Merlin chuckling hoarsely as he took the offered vials.
"That's right," he said amused, Arthur grinning self satisfied to himself.
Merlin went to open the first one but Arthur took them back, making Merlin frown. "Here," Arthur said quietly, moving to crouch down in front of Merlin.
Merlin froze but let Arthur gently smear the pain reliever across the marks on his neck. He avoided Arthur's eyes, unwilling to start rambling as he normally would as he didn't know if the truth serum was one that would force him to just speak the truth or answer questions honestly.
"You seemed as if you were hiding something during Father's interrogation," Arthur remarked quietly, fingers gently prodding at a bruise.
Merlin didnt open his mouth, eyes focused on a spot above Arthur's head. "Merlin, did you manage to lie to Father about something?"
Merlin swallowed, the compulsion pushing at him. "Technically, I didn't say a lie," he said carefully and Arthur paused, frowning at him.
"What do you mean technically?" He demanded and Merlin flinched.
"I mean, your father kept his questions rather broad, so technically my answers were all truthful," he said and Arthur stared at him.
"Merlin, do you have the ability to use magic at will?" He whispered and Merlin closed his eyes as his mouth opened.
"Yes, sire," he whispered shakily. "Your father asked if I were a sorcerer, and technically I am not. I am a Warlock, meaning I was born with my gifts, I wasn't taught. He asked if I had magic, and from what the Druids and the Great Dragon have told me, I am magic, I dont just have it. And- well magic isnt a corrupting force, Ar- Sire, its a tool. So I have not been corrupted by magic."
Arthur stared at him, the bruise paste still coating his fingers but the prince making no attempts to move. Merlin stared back, fingers trembling terrified but unwilling to back down.
"Are you telling me you managed to outwit my Father off some technicalities?" Arthur hissed and Merlin couldnt help the sheepish grin.
"I- yes?" He answered, a bit proudly as he was rather smug about being able to do so. "You can't call me an idiot now, being able to outsmart an actual truth serum."
Arthur blinked at him and sighed annoyed. "Wait, Father asked if you had made those swords float, did you?" He demanded and Merlin snickered.
"Well, technically-" Arthur gave him a look at that but Merlin didn't stop outside grinning. "I hadn't made those swords float, I had the stone sharpening them. The floating was just a side affect of the spell I was using. So no, I didn't purposely make those swords float."
Arthur dropped back on his heels, sighing deeply again. "Of all the dimwitted, idiotic bull you could have pulled. I'm not even 22 summers, Merlin, I should not be feeling this stressed already. You're going to give me a heart attack created out of worry!" He ranted under his breath, scooping the bruise paste again and pressing it into Merlin's throat.
"Y-Youre not angry? Or- you won't tell your father?" Merlin whispered nervously and Arthur blinked at him, eyes wide.
"Oh, I'm angry. I'm also a bit hurt you didn't trust me, but I can understand it. I can. It- its going to take me some time to come to terms with all- this. But you're- you're you, Merlin. I won't have you killed for this," he said softly and Merlin couldn't stop the tear.
Arthur clicked his tongue at him, brushing the tear away with his thumb. They both paused at the motion, Arthur pulling away with a clearing of his throat.
"Don't be such a girl, Merlin. Why would I want to have you killed, hmm? Who else would let me throw pillows at their head or yammer away during all hours of the day? Who else would I do this for?" Arthur said defensively and Merlin just blinked at him with a soft smile.
"Gwen?" He answered, still compelled. "She- she would do anything for you, I believe, as you would her."
He fought to keep the trace of bitterness out of his voice, unwilling to condemn the love his two closest friends had. Even if he wished-
Arthur hummed, fingers still on Merlin's throat though Merlin was certain the paste had already been applied and rubbed in.
"Perhaps. But- shes not you, Merlin," he said carefully and Merlin immediately clamped down that burst of hope.
"I would hope you'd notice that, sire. As much as you like to joke otherwise, I am not a girl, and Gwen is a- very beautiful woman," he tried to joke, voice wavering.
"She is, and I do adore her. Shes lovely," he said, eyes still locked on where his fingers were tracing Merlin's skin still.
Merlin nodded, swallowing once. The pain reliever prevented the ache from showing at the motion, though Merlin could still feel the tightness of his injuries. Unless that was just a lump in his throat at the pain in his heart.
"She's lovely. I- I should go, Sire. Thank you, for the paste," Merlin said hurriedly, grabbing his neckerchief and rushing to put it on, shoving the chair back so he could step around Arthur.
"Go? Merlin wait," Arthur gasped, reaching out and snagging Merlin's sleeve as he tried to rush past.
"Gwen is lovely, yes, but shes not you, Merlin. Okay? Shes not you. Please, please tell me, I'm not fooling myself. Please tell me, I'm not in this alone," Arthur begged and Merlin's shoulders shook.
"You're not. But it can never be. I'm your servant, a man, and a magic user. I've resigned myself to knowing I could never be by your side the way- the way Gwen can be. You're the prince, Sire. You need heirs, a queen, someone the people would trust. That would never be me. Please, let me go," he begged but Arthur pulled him back, chests colliding.
"Fuck all of that," Arthur hissed. Merlin gaped at him, eyes wide as Arthur started walking him backwards, blue eyes dark with determination.
"I have given everything for this kingdom. For my father, for my crown. I want to choose something for me, and I want you. I don't know what you've done to me, Merlin, but I have somehow found myself endeared by your idiocy, and the mere thought of you hurting or being killed makes me want to burn this castle to the ground just to trap anyone who has caused you harm.
"I would fear you enchanted me, bespelled me, cursed me. But no, I know you. You would never, so this is all me. I will make this country safe for you, my- my warlock, if you'll have me," Arthur whispered, finally stopping their movement backwards as Merlin's knees hit the bed and he fell back.
Merlin stared wide eyes, tears glittering. He couldn't speak, so he just nodded, reaching out to grab Arthur's tunic and yank him down on top of him.
"You utter clotpole," Merlin hissed, Arthur laughing relieved as he pressed his body against Merlin's. "You annoying, vexing, overly dramatic prat. Goddess above, why did my heart choose you to fall for."
"Probably for the same reason mine chose you," he murmured, finally leaning down and kissing Merlin.
The Warlock groaned into the kiss, fingers twisted into the red fabric of Arthur's shirt. The feeling of his Prince's body pressing his against this- holy shit what a comfortable mattress, he had to just be in Avalon.
"You've done it now, Sire," Merlin hummed as Arthur trailed his lips down Merlin's jawline. "Hmm?" Arthur questioned, barely moving away to look at him confused.
"You've got me in your bed, snd I dont think I'm ever leaving it again. This is the softest thing I have ever felt," Merlin teased and Arthur laughed giddily, nipping at Merlin's jaw.
"Hmm, I dont have any complaints. Knowing you were here, in my bed, just waiting for me to return. I would never be able to focus on another council session again, knowing I had this pretty thing in my sheets," he mused and Merlin shivered as Arthur's hand trailed his thigh to hook his knee and prop it up onto Arthur's hip.
"You'd be bored without- oh- without me," Merlin gasped, Arthur's hips settling against his.
"Imagine that, you can be right sometimes," Arthur teased and Merlin bucked upwards, Arthur cutting off with a groan.
"I'll show you sometimes, you royal prat. Now get on with it," he demanded with a groan and Arthur just laughed.
"Giving orders are we? How's it feel?" He asked, sitting back to yank his shirt off. "It'd feel better if you listened. Do I need to go find someone else? I'm sure one of the knights wouldn't mind a-" Merlin was cut off as Arthur grasped Merlin's trousers and tore them off. Literally. Fabric spilt right at the seam.
"You're fixing those," Merlin grumbled, Arthur scoffing as he tossed the ruined fabric aside. "Who has the magic here? You can do that later, after I show you why exactly youre not going to even look at another Knight," he grumbled, biting down on the very small pooch of fat by the strings of Merlin's under clothes.
"Whatever you say Sire, as long as you hurry the fuck up," Merlin demanded, wrapping his thighs around Arthur's head. Arthur just laughed at him, nipping at Merlin's inner thigh.
Merlin had enough, using his magic to yank Arthur around and flipping them. Arthur landed with a huffed oof as his head landed on his pillows, a grin crossing his lips as Merlin moved to straddle his waist.
"Utter dollophead," he mumbled, grinding his hips down against the large bulge he could feel against his ass. "Still not a word," Arthur groaned and Merlin grinned, rolling his hips again.
"It is so, because I said so. Where's your oil?" He asked and Arthur waved a hand carelessly towards his desk. Merlin grumbled before letting loose a flash of magic, the vial flying right into his hand.
Arthur looked at him awed, Merlin pausing sheepishly. "Your eyes turn the most beautiful gold when you do that," he whispered amazed, Merlin flushing dark.
"Shut up," he grumbled shyly, fumbling with the strings of Arthur's clothes. He dressed and undressed this man several times a day, but now his fingers wanted to struggle with the strings?
Arthur chuckled as Merlin hissed a quiet curse under his breath and just flashed his magic again. Their clothes just vanished, all of them, leaving them completely bare against each other.
Arthur gasped a moan as suddenly his dick was exposed and nestled right under Merlin's ass, Merlin shivering at the touch. He shoved the vial into Arthur's hands, leaning over him to kiss him again.
"You know how to do this?" He asked and Arthur rolled his eyes. "I do know how to finger someone, Merlin, even if I've never been with a man before," he admitted and Merlin softened.
"Its a little different, darling, I'll talk to you. I've had one or two encounters, though you'll be the first to be in me," he admitted and grinned at the flash of pleased possessiveness in Arthur's eyes.
"Prat," Merlin mumbled, the word filled with so much fondness Merlin flushed. Arthur smiled, an actual, true smile, and Merlin just melted.
A soft kiss, a few murmured words and soft sounds filled the room, Arthur's eyes locked on Merlin's face as he carefully followed his instruction to stretch him properly.
"C-Curl- oh gods," Merlin whimpered, rocking back against Arthur's hand as Arthur stretched all three fingers. "Okay- 'm ready."
He probably wasn't, to be fair, but he was getting really impatient. And besides, from his own hushed sessions in his room, he liked a bit of a burn, the stretch, the ache the next day.
Arthur frowned at him, glancing heated at where his hand was buried in Merlin. "Are you sure?" He asked concerned and Merlin nodded desperately, shifting to slide Arthur's fingers free with a faint whine.
"Need you now," he mumbled, hands shaking as he moved to line Arthur up properly. Arthur's hands grabbed Merlins waist tightly as he sank slowly down, mouth gaped open at the sight of the slim body enveloping his dick.
"Merlin," Arthur gasped, Merlin moaning breathlessly as his ass met Arthur's hips. "Holy fuck you're huge," Merlin groaned, rotating his hips once, twice.
He started to move, Arthur unable to do anything but just lay there and let Merlin control the events. He didn't even mind it, letting his warlock take the control away from him let him enjoy this even more.
Merlin whimpered, leaning down to kiss Arthur messily. It wasn't really even much of a kiss, more a touch of lips as they shared panted breaths and moans.
"Arthur, Arthur please," Merlin begged, his legs shaking and his skin flushed. Arthur grinned as he wrapped his arms tightly around Merlin's waist, using his hips and core to flip them without slipping out.
Merlin let out a oomph as he hit the mattress but Arthur just adjusted his hold on his lover and took over. Merlin's ankles on the prince's shoulders, hands held tightly in Arthur's.
That first hard thrust had Merlin nearly screaming, his body thrumming with magic and sensitivity. The way they were laying had all friction away from his dick, but the overwhelming pleasure building in his stomach probably would make that irrelevant.
Arthur adjusted his knee and was suddenly slamming into that one sweet spot full force. Merlin writhed under Arthur, panting cries of the prince's name and curses falling unwittingly from his lips as he grew closer and closer to the edge.
"Arthur- Arthur I'm- oh fuck please," Merlin babbled, fingers tightening and scrambling at Arthur's hands.
Arthur didnt slow, a bead of sweat dripping down his temple. "Come for me darling," he ordered, and for once, Merlin didn't disobey.
His orgasm ripped through him hard, his eyes rolling back as the pulsing waves overwhelmed his head. He was dimly aware of Arthur's broken moan and the slow jerking of his hips as he finished inside him, but his brain was too fuzzy to really focus on it.
He floated a bit, faintly aware of Arthur pulling out and moving to curl around him with a soft coo. If Merlin was more aware, he'd probably tease him for that sound he had never heard come from the prince, but as it was all he wanted was that warmth.
He wasn't sure how long it was but soon he became more aware of Arthur's arms around him, the prince slowly tracing odd patterns on his skin.
"Merlin?" He whispered and Merlin hummed, nuzzling closer to the others chest. Arthur chuckled, kissing the top of his head.
"What are these?" Arthur asked softly, fingers trailing his ribs. Merlin cracked one eye to see what he was talking about before tensing. "Scars. Please- not right now. I'll tell you everything just- just not right now," he pleaded, hiding his face.
He instinctively drew away from Arthur but the prince refused to let him get far. "Okay, okay darling, not right now. As long as you're okay right now?" He asked and Merlin nodded, finding that the truth serum was still in his system but worn off enough that the compulsion wasn't as strong.
"'M good. And- and you?" He asked nervously, wondering if Arthur would regret it. He wasn't certain, but he'd had moments in the past by himself where his magic would go haywire and being confronted with proof instead of just words could make anyone change their minds.
"I'm perfect, darling," he hummed, Merlin flushing at the endearment. "You're a sap," he mumbled, Arthur chuckling. "And you're half asleep. Think you can magic this mess?" He asked and Merlin grumbled but whispered the cleaning spell he'd perfected months before.
"Just how often do you use your magic to do your chores, Merlin," Arthur asked amused and Merlin said, "Not even a quarter. But you're so fussy about your clothes and the stupidest, tiny stains, I had to learn a cleaning spell just to get them to your insane standards," he admitted, irritated that the truth serum was still working.
"Are you just that bad at magic too then? Because you're still the worst servant ever, even with the boosted help," Arthur teased and Merlin pinched the fat of Arthur's hip. The prince squeaked and Merlin laughed as Arthur pinched him back.
"I'll have you know the druids believe me to be the most powerful warlock to have ever walked the earth, Arthur. It's not my fault I have to limit what I do in order to not be exposed," he mumbled and Arthur pulled back a bit to stare at him.
"Most powerful? You? Really?" He said skeptically and Merlin hummed, adjusting his position so his arm wouldn't fall asleep.
"Yep, me. You'd be dead a hundred times over without me, so I wouldn't piss me off," he joked and Arthur scoffed. "Threatening the prince, Merlin, one would say that's treason," he said and Merlin yawned, nuzzling against Arthur's chest.
"You can throw me into the stocks later, sire, just let me get some feeling back in my legs first," he mumbled and even though he wasn't looking, he could feel the smug grin on Arthur's face.
"Deflate your head sire, it'll never fit through the door. I already have to put another hole in your belt," he teased and then squeaked as Arthur's hand smacked his ass.
"Calling me fat?" He demanded and Merlin hummed, leaning back to run a hand down Arthur's chest and stomach. He watched as the goosebumps raised under his fingertips, a smug grin growing.
"I'm not complaining, you hold a lot of strength here," he mused, Arthur shivering. Merlin felt his cock twitch against his hip and hummed, shifting to press against it.
Arthur shoved him back, rolling on top of him again. Merlin just smirked at him, Arthur tutting. "You like my strength," he gloated and Merlin wrapped his, still shaky, legs around Arthur's waist.
"Ive never been thrown around like how you did, I'm going to be honest. Also have never been fucked like that either," he said thoughtfully and Arthur preened, making Merlin roll his eyes.
"Need another demonstration?" Arthur asked, nosing his way along Merlin's throat. "Insatiable, are we Sire?" Merlin hummed, shivering at the light nips against his jaw.
"For you? I just might be," Arthur admitted and Merlin hummed a faint moan. "And I you, please," Merlin whispered and Arthur kissed him, pulling the covers over their bodies.
"Anything you say, my love," Arthur hummed and Merlin bit lightly at his throat. "I'm going to hold you to that," he teased and Arthur chuckled, searching for the oil vial Merlin had dropped in the sheets before.
"Wouldn't expect less," he whispered and Merlin just kissed him, giving himself over fully to his prince.
He knew there was still a lot to talk about, but for now, he was happy to lay in bliss under his love.