Only For You

Chapter 19

"Merlin." Arthur gives him a little shake, frowning. "Merlin..."

Merlin lay curled up beside Arthur, his arms wrapped tightly around himself. His face is knotted with anguish, and though he still sleeps, his breaths are strained. A small noise of distress passes between his parted lips.

"Merlin..." Arthur's brow furrows in worry. He wraps his arms around Merlin, bringing him close to his chest. "Wake up, Merlin." He holds Merlin tightly and securely, pressing his lips to his forehead. Seeing Merlin like this...so vulnerable in his sleep, obviously suffering from nightmares made Arthur all the more protective of him. "MERlin." He says again, louder this time.

Merlin's eyes snap open, his blue irises wide with fear as he sucks in a shuddering breath. Arms, strong arms around him. Oh god. They'd caught him. He lashes out in a burst of struggle, trying to claw his way frantically out of the arms that held him.

"Merlin!" Arthur says sharply, tightening his hold on the boy. "Merlin, it's me! It's Arthur..."

Merlin goes completely still. He blinks. Not the witch finder. Arthur. Arthur.... Merlin goes limp in Arthur's arms, a long breath escaping him. Just a dream. It was just a dream.

Arthur feels Merlin relaxing and he sighs inwardly, burying his nose in his servant's dark hair. "Are you alright, Merlin?" He asks softly.

Merlin nods slowly, wrapping his arms around Arthur's chest and burying his face against it. "Just a dream..." He mumbles.

"About what?" Arthur begins rubbing Merlin's back.

Merlin hesitates. He couldn't tell Arthur. He could just imagine how that conversation would go... Oh, I had this nightmare about a witchfinder capturing me and burning me alive at the stake because oh yeah I've sort of forgotten to mention that I'm a sorcerer and have been using magic under your nose for years. Like THAT would happen. So he thinks quickly and makes something up. "Loosing my mother."

Arthur makes a soft noise of sympathy into Merlin's hair, continuing the slow, rhythmic circles on Merlin's back. Merlin appreciates the gesture, though it does nothing to calm the rapid beating of his heart. That dream had only reinforced his fears...what if Arthur burned him alive when Merlin told him he had magic? Merlin shudders at the thought.

Arthur mistakes the shudder for one of fear from the nightmare and he pulls back slightly so he can look at Merlin. "Hey..." he murmurs, raising a hand to Merlin's face and cupping his cheek, stroking his cheekbone with his thumb. "It's alright, Merlin. Just a dream."

Merlin manages a faint smile. "Thanks, dollophead."

Arthur smirks lightly, muttering "C'mere." before lowering his head and pressing his lips to Merlin's. 

Merlin sighs, closing his eyes instantly against the kiss. His heart rate quickens again, though this time it's not from a nightmare. He allows himself to get lost completely in the feeling of Arthur's lips against his, their lips parted just enough to become unbearably intimate.

Arthur cups the side of Merlin's face, breathing in his familiar scent. He marveled at how perfectly their lips fit together...like two puzzle pieces. Made for eachother. Almost on a whim, he swipes his tongue across Merlin's lower lip, making the other gasp.

Merlin feels a shiver run down his spine as he gladly parts his lips, allowing Arthur enterance to his mouth. He moans in pleasure as Arthur's tongue explores his mouth, his fingers coming up to run through the blond's hair.

They pull apart after a few moments, both of them breathless and flushed, their foreheads pressed together.

"And that, Merlin," Arthur breathes heavily, a smile upon his lips. "Is how you should wake the King of Camelot. No more tugging me out of bed and blinding me with the sunlight."

Merlin laughs breathlessly, giving a lock of Arthur's hair a light tug. "Is this a permanent arrangement, then?" When Arthur looks confused, he adds, "Me sleeping in your chambers."

"It seems only fitting. You'll be all the closer to attend to my needs. Speaking of which, I've got armour that needs polishing, boots that need mending..." Arthur's eyes glint with humor.

"Shut up, clotpole." Merlin digs a bony elbow into Arthur's chest.

Arthur musses Merlin's hair fondly. "That's not even a word, idiot."

"I'm the idiot? Says the prat who can't dress himsel-"

Arthur throws his pillow over Merlin's face. "Shut up, Merlin."