dante_s_hellTitle: Happy To Oblige
Rating: R
Pairing/s: Merlin/Arthur
Character/s:Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Sequel to Unwanted Attention. A brief interlude. Arthur wants to assert his "claim" to Merlin, but is also uncharacteristically uncertain about their relationship. Merlin does his best to reassure him. Or Merlin makes Arthur feel better with lots of declarations and sex (nothing too explicit). Lol!
Warnings: None (might be a pun in there somewhere)
Word Count: 907 words
Prompt: #85 Relief
Author's Notes: I really stretched the prompt on this one and I hope that it turned out okay. Also, not much plot or action in this ficlet, but no worries. I think I have at least two or three more stories to tell in the Merlin the Healer verse. I just hope that the next few prompts work with what I already have in mind. Thanks to everyone who has been reading my little series. I appreciate the comments and kudos. Thank you!
Happy to Oblige
Merlin's eyes fluttered open on a contented sigh. He lay in bed for a moment, snuggled up to a still sleeping Arthur, warm and very comfortable. Idly, he let his fingers drift up and down the arm draped over his waist and felt Arthur shift closer, tousled blond hair brushing Merlin's temple.
It would be so easy to stay like this; all cosy in their bed, wrapped in each other. But Merlin knew it wouldn't happen. There were too many things that needed tending and Arthur would be juggling a full schedule as he did most days. Merlin, too, had responsibilities and was seriously behind what with his recently enforced stay in bed.
Then there was the whole issue with William. It was all rather strange. Merlin had an idea of what had transpired, but he would have to speak with William to confirm his theory. Arthur wouldn't be too pleased about that. So it was best if Merlin took care of that business before Arthur awoke.
Merlin pressed his lips to Arthur's forehead. He gently took hold of Arthur's wrist and lifted the arm pinning him in place. With only a whisper of movement, Merlin reluctantly slipped out of bed.
Arthur mumbled something unintelligible and flopped on his stomach, sprawling across the bed, and burying his face in Merlin's pillow.
Merlin smiled fondly and tugged the blanket up to cover him. He started to turn away when Arthur's hand shot out and gripped his wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?" Arthur demanded in a sleep-roughened voice.
"To dress, Arthur," Merlin explained, naked flesh already goose pimpling in the cool morning air.
"No, you do not have permission to do that," Arthur declared imperiously.
"I need permission?" Merlin said, amused.
Arthur peered at him, slightly bleary-eyed, but with that unmistakable look of a king used to being obeyed. "Back into bed at once."
"Seriously, Arthur, there are a few things which require my attention," Merlin protested, making no move to free himself from Arthur's hold. He was well and truly caught. And in truth, he liked it that way.
"I require your attention." Arthur yanked him none too gently onto the bed.
Merlin flopped not so gracefully onto the mattress.
"You do not get to dress. You do not get to leave this bed," Arthur growled, tugging at Merlin so that he was lying flat on his back.
"Is that so?" Merlin bit his lip as Arthur settled between his legs, offering a tantalizing pressure of things to come.
"I have you right where I want you." Arthur gazed down at him as he grasped Merlin's hands, their fingers threading together.
Merlin thrust his hips and Arthur groaned. "I suppose you do."
Arthur planted kisses along Merlin's neck, nosing at his throat. Then he moved lower to suck thoroughly at his collarbone. He slid his hands along Merlin's arms, causing him to shiver. "That man daren't have touched you. Shouldn't have breathed on you."
"Marking me, Arthur?" Merlin's eyes drifted half-shut and he squirmed in pleasure at the onslaught of Arthur's lips and roaming hands. He hooked an ankle around the back of Arthur's knee, bringing them flush together. Merlin gasped in pleasure. "The bath and our evening's activities weren't enough?"
"The bath was to cleanse you of his filthy touch." Arthur lapped at Merlin's nipple, pulling gently on it with his lips. "And when I took you," Arthur husked, "it was to proclaim that you were mine." His hands skimmed Merlin's sides as he lowered his head to suck a love bruise just below Merlin's bellybutton. "And now everyone shall know it."
"I doubt anyone is going to see that particular mark," Merlin teased.
Suddenly Arthur sat up, pulling Merlin with him. Gripping Merlin's shoulders, he declared, "No one shall ever see you this way. You are for me alone."
A gratifying shiver went up Merlin's spine at Arthur's possessive words. "For you alone. I will always be yours."
"And I belong to you." It was meant to be a statement of fact, but there was a touch of uncertainty in Arthur's voice.
"Arthur," Merlin breathed, his heart aching at Arthur's vulnerability. "You are mine. That will never be in dispute."
A look of relief crossed Arthur's face. "I am happy to hear you say that. I sometimes...worry."
"Worry?" Merlin frowned, wondering how long this had been bothering Arthur. It was the first time he'd spoken of it. "Why?"
Arthur shrugged. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Merlin," he said with all honesty. "And I'm not sure I deserve you."
"I give myself to you freely, Arthur," Merlin said fiercely, staring into Arthur's eyes. "You and I are linked for all eternity. Not even death can tear us apart."
"Merlin?" Arthur looked hopeful, yet bewildered. "What are you--"
Merlin kissed him hard, cutting off whatever else Arthur was going to say, knowing there were still a few things he had yet to tell his king.
Arthur returned his kiss, bearing them both down to the bed as Merlin tugged at his shoulders.
"Finish what you started, my king." Merlin planted his feet on the bed, bracketing Arthur's body with his knees. He thrust his hips upward even as he pulled Arthur to him again for another kiss.
If Arthur needed reassurance, Merlin was only too happy to oblige.
Everything else could wait.
The End.