The Dam Breaks
Author: 
gilli_ann
Title: The Dam Breaks
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Summary: Arthur's self-control is considerable, but it only goes so far.
Word Count: 600
Prompt: 534'bathe'
Author's Notes: Fluffy canon AU. Maybe not even AU...?
The Dam Breaks
It had been a brutal battle, so in addition to the usual scrapes and bruises, Arthur had several lacerations and cuts that needed tending to. Gaius carefull cleaned each one. The gash in the prince's thigh needed a considerable number of stitches.
Arthur, lying straight out on the physician's work table, was stoic about the medical attention. Still, he turned paler and more drawn with every minute, and breathed an audible sigh of relief when Gaius finally told him it was all done.
"There you go, Sire. I think you will heal nicely, as long as you take the necessary precautions. No weapons training, look out for infections, and keep the wounds dry. You cannot bathe while they heal."
"But, but..." Arthur spluttered.
"Merlin will have to give you sponge-baths, Sire. It's only for a week or two."
It would have been difficult to gauge who blushed the most, Arthur or Merlin. Merlin probably won, since the prince had just lost a lot of blood. But Arthur didn't notice his manservant's reaction, since the two of them studiously did not look at each other.
Silence reigned in the room for a moment, before Arthur collected his wits. He sat up and slowly swung his legs off the table, looking a bit wobbly as he stood up. " Of course, Gaius," he said. "As you instruct. Thank you."
*-*-*
Arthur's many wounds pained him, and he'd slept poorly. At least the injuries were his official reason for his lack of sleep, should anyone ask.
He glared at Merlin ominously when his manservant arrived with breakfast. "Late as always."
"How are you feeling, Arthur?"
The prince just grumbled in response, but found that he did have an appetite, so he started tucking into the deliciously smelling fresh bread and creamy cheese, gulping it down with the weak but excellent ale. His mood improved.
"Right," Merlin said. "I'd better go get a bowl of warm water and the sponge for your bath."
Arthur's mood plummeted to recent low levels. "That can't be necessary already, Merlin. It's not been a day since Gaius tended to me."
"It's important to keep the wounds clean, and I must look for infections. Gaius gave me some salve, too, that I can use to help with the healing. You can undress while I fetch the water."
And what could Arthur really say to that?
Merlin was not only Arthur's manservant, but also Gaius' apprentice. He knew how to tend to wounds. Gently and diligently, he cleaned each of Arthur's arms, his chest and back, and looked at each of the cuts and scrapes. Arthur stood still for this, biting his lips, very barely keeping his composure.
"The cuts have scabbed over already, Arthur. They're healing nicely. I don't need to put salve on them. Now, time to look at that gash in your thigh..."
Merlin sank to his knees in front of Arthur, who bit back a groan and looked ceiling-wards pleadingly. Merlin reached for the sponge.
"Could you spread your legs a little wider, Arthur? I can't quite—"
"Stop jabbering and just get on with it, MERlin!" Arthur roared.
Merlin looked up, startled. Their eyes met and held, wordlessly communicating what they'd never voiced and barely admitted to themselves.
Merlin was very fetching when he blushed. Arthur observed his ears turning a bright and enticing pink. Merlin's lovely plump lips were rosy and slightly moist.
With a sigh and a huff and a deafeted little laugh, Arthur gave in. Leaning down, he hoisted Merlin to his feet, held him tight, and kissed and kissed and kissed him.
gilli_annTitle: The Dam Breaks
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gaius
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Summary: Arthur's self-control is considerable, but it only goes so far.
Word Count: 600
Prompt: 534'bathe'
Author's Notes: Fluffy canon AU. Maybe not even AU...?
The Dam Breaks
It had been a brutal battle, so in addition to the usual scrapes and bruises, Arthur had several lacerations and cuts that needed tending to. Gaius carefull cleaned each one. The gash in the prince's thigh needed a considerable number of stitches.
Arthur, lying straight out on the physician's work table, was stoic about the medical attention. Still, he turned paler and more drawn with every minute, and breathed an audible sigh of relief when Gaius finally told him it was all done.
"There you go, Sire. I think you will heal nicely, as long as you take the necessary precautions. No weapons training, look out for infections, and keep the wounds dry. You cannot bathe while they heal."
"But, but..." Arthur spluttered.
"Merlin will have to give you sponge-baths, Sire. It's only for a week or two."
It would have been difficult to gauge who blushed the most, Arthur or Merlin. Merlin probably won, since the prince had just lost a lot of blood. But Arthur didn't notice his manservant's reaction, since the two of them studiously did not look at each other.
Silence reigned in the room for a moment, before Arthur collected his wits. He sat up and slowly swung his legs off the table, looking a bit wobbly as he stood up. " Of course, Gaius," he said. "As you instruct. Thank you."
Arthur's many wounds pained him, and he'd slept poorly. At least the injuries were his official reason for his lack of sleep, should anyone ask.
He glared at Merlin ominously when his manservant arrived with breakfast. "Late as always."
"How are you feeling, Arthur?"
The prince just grumbled in response, but found that he did have an appetite, so he started tucking into the deliciously smelling fresh bread and creamy cheese, gulping it down with the weak but excellent ale. His mood improved.
"Right," Merlin said. "I'd better go get a bowl of warm water and the sponge for your bath."
Arthur's mood plummeted to recent low levels. "That can't be necessary already, Merlin. It's not been a day since Gaius tended to me."
"It's important to keep the wounds clean, and I must look for infections. Gaius gave me some salve, too, that I can use to help with the healing. You can undress while I fetch the water."
And what could Arthur really say to that?
Merlin was not only Arthur's manservant, but also Gaius' apprentice. He knew how to tend to wounds. Gently and diligently, he cleaned each of Arthur's arms, his chest and back, and looked at each of the cuts and scrapes. Arthur stood still for this, biting his lips, very barely keeping his composure.
"The cuts have scabbed over already, Arthur. They're healing nicely. I don't need to put salve on them. Now, time to look at that gash in your thigh..."
Merlin sank to his knees in front of Arthur, who bit back a groan and looked ceiling-wards pleadingly. Merlin reached for the sponge.
"Could you spread your legs a little wider, Arthur? I can't quite—"
"Stop jabbering and just get on with it, MERlin!" Arthur roared.
Merlin looked up, startled. Their eyes met and held, wordlessly communicating what they'd never voiced and barely admitted to themselves.
Merlin was very fetching when he blushed. Arthur observed his ears turning a bright and enticing pink. Merlin's lovely plump lips were rosy and slightly moist.
With a sigh and a huff and a deafeted little laugh, Arthur gave in. Leaning down, he hoisted Merlin to his feet, held him tight, and kissed and kissed and kissed him.