Merlin ▻ One-Shots

Skiing

A gift exchange with SsuMmMmerR — merry Christmas, and enjoy!!

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Tightening the final clasp, Arthur unsteadily rose to his feet - hastily grabbing Merlin's arm to steady himself. Cheeks flushing, he raised his eyes to meet his companions; glacial shards of blue, melting under the warm glow of sparkling sapphires that flashed with unspoken fondness.

"I'm sorry," Arthur bumbled, fixing the borrowed beanie to cover his burning ears.

"It's alright." Merlin returned softly, a merry smile tugging at his lips. Glancing down at his feet - buckled to skis and dusted with powdery snow - he tried to imagine how Arthur might fare in these foreign conditions. "Are you ready? We'll go together."

Arthur nodded apprehensively, stumbling to Merlin's side and glancing dubiously down at the skis, and the wintry slope that stretched before them. Wrapping a gentle arm around his waist, Merlin's eyes flickered to meet his lovers; near-hidden beneath messy golden locks, swept untidily across his forehead.

"You'll be fine. I'll lead the way, and you follow." Merlin instructed soothingly, and Arthur nodded; grim determination dashing his handsome features.

With a gentle push, Merlin slid smoothly forward, spurring the downward descent - and after hastily gathering his fractured courage, Arthur followed suite.

Momentum immediately took advantage of the amateur rookie, who felt panic flood his veins.

"M-Merlin?" Arthur yelped, legs trembling with the strain as the wind began to whistle in his ears, and the surrounding pine trees became a blur.

This is it, he thought bitterly, this is where I die. I can't believe Merlin convinced me to do this!

"You're so cute when you're scared." A jeering observation leered from beside Arthur - and there was Merlin, who glided gracefully across the snow with ease, ebony hair whipped into a tangled disarray. Arms trembling and legs askew, Arthur looked far from the royal title he once boasted; much to Merlin's amusement.

"You ass!" Arthur growled, lurching sideways towards his companion - making the skis swerve wildly, ensuing panicked flailing; and shaking, dependant hands that clung to Merlin's parka.

Unbalanced, the pair tumbled and fell; snow jumping up to meet them, the breath crushed from their lungs as arms and legs tangled messily. Hitting the ground - grace a distant trait - they rolled uncontrollably, skis and hats flung skyward in their chaotic wake; until finally skidding to a halt.

A moment's silence - wherein Arthur's breath misted, his face turned up - and the glorious sun turning the snowy landscape to an undisturbed lake; shards of diamonds, sparkling and shimmering in a surreal display. The picturesque scene was only disrupted when a silhouette - in Arthur's opinion, something far more charming - obscured his vision and shielded the blinded sun.

Merlin - cheeks ruddy with excitement and lust, his eyes sparkling with sheer joy, lungs heaving with thrill, heart pounding with adrenaline. He straddled the man beneath him, - fingers clutching at Arthur's chest - the wintry chill no match for the couple's fiery passion.

"You-you idiot." Merlin laughed breathlessly, raven hair tousled and clumped with snow, mere inches from Arthur's nose. Then their lips crashed together, and the world around - including the aching pains from their tumble - blissfully melted away.

After a moment, Merlin broke away and rolled to his feet - somehow having kept both skis during their riotous descent - before gracefully skating away. Arthur was awed at the man's elegance and grace - and the unwavering confidence that accompanied it - as he navigated the slope; however, upon finding himself alone and stranded on the barren hill - with no skis, or suitor to collapse into - Arthur's face fell. Betrayed, he turned to Merlin - who stood in the distance, arms outstretched, expression gay and elated.

"Come on Arthur! You can do it!" Merlin coaxed slyly, slender fingers beckoning his companion to join him, his voice carrying across the slopes like a taunting ghost.

"Merlin! What happened to 'together'?" Arthur bellowed as he retrieved his skis - however, when he turned away, he couldn't help but smile lightheartedly and chuckle - for the kiss still lingered on his lips like a festive gift.

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a/n - merry Christmas everyone!!
I'm off to America tomorrow, so I'm afraid that Heavy Is The Head's update is gonna be delayed! :')
Nonetheless, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!! <3

happy reading x