Any Time

Arthur collapsed onto his bed, mind still slightly woozy from the copious amounts of booze he had consumed. Well… that had certainly been a night. It wasn't necessarily a bad night – after all, Merlin had been there… wait, what? – but the way that Gwaine had been watching the pair all evening was slightly unnerving. It was just the way that the minute Arthur did anything towards Merlin, he would be there, staring and noting and shooting these annoying, little knowing glances at them, as though he knew something that they didn't. In fact, they knew something that he didn't… although he didn't think Merlin was ready to tell any of the knights that anytime soon.

So… so what, if Arthur had a new-found desire to be nearer to Merlin, to, sort of, protect him, if you will? And, every now and then, wanted to take him to the side to check up on him. Or smile at him more, to make sure that he was still smiling back.

And how he loved that smile. It could light up a whole room, it could. Mmmm. Dreamy and creamy and pearly white teeth. Cheeky, little dimples and gorgeous, smiling eyes. Oh, how he wanted to always be the reason for that smile. Oh… that smile…

Arthur jolted his head from side to side suddenly.

Wait.

What?

He coughed and sat up.

This was the cider talking.

It was just the cider talking.

Pah.

He may be looking out for Merlin, but he wasn't in… in love with him – er, his smile – or anything.

Slowly, he got up and started undressing himself for bed, undoing his shirt buttons painfully slowly.

'Usually Merlin does this…' he thought. And that thought totally did not make his heart jump.

What was wrong with him?

He shook his head and continued trying to make his buttons co-operate. He was still only on the second one.

'Just go to bed and everything will be normal in the morning' he told himself.

'Just go to bed and everything will be normal in the morning.'

'Just go to bed…'

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

He froze.

Wow… was he really that drunk that he was hearing knocks? He didn't think he'd had that much.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Arthur?!" Came a call.

That sounded like Merlin's voice.

Was he imagining this? He'd only had a few ciders seriously.

Wait… why would he be imagining Merlin's voice?

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK "ARTHUR?!"

Ok, he definitely wasn't imagining this.

He rushed over to his door, or rushed as much as he could in his… state, and flung it open.

"Merlin?!" he cried incredulously.

Because there, outside his door, stood a very real, very wet, Merlin.

There was a pause.

"I can explain…" Merlin attempted, blushing.

"Why are you so wet?" Arthur asked, eyes wide.

Merlin stared at him for a second, in disbelief. Then, for some strange, unfathomable reason, he burst out laughing.

"What?" Arthur demanded, confused. "Did I say something funny?"

"I'm… standing here, outside your… chambers, in… the middle… of the night… and that's the question you… choose to ask?!" Merlin managed to get out between peals of laughter and shivers. He really was very beautiful when he laughed, Arthur's tipsy brain decided, and Arthur was too bamboozled by the whole situation to argue. "If you must know, it's because it's raining." Merlin finished, still grinning from ear to ear.

Arthur immediately turned to look out the window, and saw rain lashing at the panes. How had he not noticed before? 'Too enraptured in your thoughts of Merlin, probably' the little voice in his head muttered.

"Why are you here then?" Arthur blinked.

"Ah… erm." Merlin shuffled uncomfortably.

"Bit of a long story?" Arthur suggested and Merlin nodded gratefully. Arthur hesitated, then "Come in."

Merlin slipped through the doorway, and Arthur glanced either way along the corridor, thankful that the guards weren't passing. Not that they were doing anything wrong… just… everyone else seemed to take Gwaine's opinion that there was more to Arthur and Merlin's relationship than was… proper. More than there was, as well, Arthur hastened to add. Because, honestly, there was nothing there beyond the correct feelings for prince and servant who are relatively good friends.

Honestly.

'Yeh right.'

"Shut up."

"What?" Merlin asked, confused.

"What?" Arthur imitated.

"You said shut up?" Merlin questioned.

"No, I didn't." Arthur protested.

Merlin raised an eyebrow about to argue, so Arthur changed the subject.

"You look freezing."

"To be honest, I am." Merlin admitted.

"Er… dry. We need to get you dry. You need to get dry." Arthur fumbled with his words. "Because you're wet." He added without thinking, then blushed. He hurriedly added "I mean, your clothes are wet… Take your clothes of."

"At least buy me dinner first." Merlin returned cheekily on instinct, turning to see a very flushed, very frantic Arthur mumbling in front of him. He couldn't help but chuckle again, already feeling better.

"Shut up, Merlin, you know that's not what I meant." Arthur attempted, although he soon smiled too. He just couldn't help it when Merlin looked so beautiful.

"Ok, ok." Merlin conceded, voice still light and teasing. "I'll strip." He winked.

Arthur tried so very hard not to let his mind wander on that thought.

He didn't have long, however, to ponder, because suddenly Merlin was gripping the bottom of his dripping top and tugging it over his head. And suddenly Arthur's vision was filled with smooth, milky skin, stretched over a perfect, tight framework. And suddenly Arthur couldn't breathe, suddenly Arthur couldn't think, suddenly Arthur couldn't do anything apart from stare at this masterpiece of flesh before him.

Then Merlin looked up. And their eyes met. And Arthur swore that he was flying.

But then Merlin coughed and Arthur landed with a bump, eyes widening and breath hitching. Oops.

'It was the alcohol!' his brain screamed at him. 'Just the alcohol.'

But even Arthur couldn't believe that anymore.

"Erm." Pronounced Merlin hesitantly. "Do you have anything that I could put on?"

Arthur nodded jerkily. "Of course. Over here." He jolted over to the cupboard – despite the fact that Merlin probably knew his way around Arthur's wardrobe better than he did – and started rummaging through it for a shirt. "They might be a bit big but I'm sure we can find something…" Arthur spun back around abruptly, and practically toppled Merlin standing right behind him.

On instinct, he reached out to catch Merlin, forgetting that he wasn't wearing a top. His hands made contact with an ice cold waist, steading the boy, before immediately letting go in shock.

"God, Merlin, you're absolutely frozen!"

Merlin shrugged, planning to disregard it and shrug it off, but didn't get a chance to speak before Arthur did again, hands splayed against his hips.

"Here, take my shirt. It will be warmer than one from the cupboard… and comfier too." Arthur insisted, mouth speaking before his mind even considered the words. His body was apparently a traitor too because it started shrugging off his top and pulling it over Merlin.

Merlin began to object, but the second the soft, toasty fabric brushed over his body, he was too grateful for the comfort and warmth it provided, he couldn't say no. Naturally, it was far too big for him; sleeves hanging over his hands, the hem dangling mid-thigh, collar stooping down to mid-chest. But in some ways, that just made Merlin like it even more. The feeling of being engulfed by Arthur, surrounded by his heat, his smell, it was… surprisingly nice.

Arthur's mind only seemed to come back to itself by the time Merlin was clothed in Arthur's, too big, garment. And even them, it could focus merely on the way that Merlin looked, shrouded by the hanging fabric. It made him seem even smaller, emphasising their size difference. But for some reason, it also gave Arthur some sort of possessive… desire... over him. The need to pull him closer practically overwhelmed his misty mind. The need to feel him. To have him.

Stop.

He forced himself to snap out of it.

"So…" he asked instead. "Why did you come here? Is there something wrong?"

Merlin immediately became awkward and embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck and mumbling. "Er… It's just… You see… Well… You did say 'any time'…" he trailed off. "Actually, don't worry. This sounds so stupid now. No. I'm fine. It's ok…" he hurriedly started heading for the doorway.

However, Arthur was too quick and darted forward; catching his hand and spinning him back around. "Merlin?" his eyes searched the other boys' desperately. "Merlin, what is it? It must have been something for you to come all this way in the pouring rain?" Merlin still hesitated, so he added. "Merlin, tell me. Please."

"I…" he faltered. "It's just… you said 'any time' and…" Merlin repeated, drooping his head shamefully. The quiet gasp told him that Arthur understood.

"Merlin…" was the whispered response. "Do you mean you… you wanted to… you know?"

Merlin nodded, hiding behind his fringe. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here. I should just…" Merlin started for the door again.

"Why, Merlin?" Arthur begged, jumping around him to stop him leaving.

Merlin avoided his gaze. "It's… difficult to explain. I… I can't really say… Not yet."

Arthur seemed to consider this. It was so strange, this predicament. Because he couldn't order Merlin to tell him, or torture him until he did. Well… he could. But he didn't want to. And really he should respect Merlin enough to let him have his reasons without telling Arthur. It was just so… annoying. Because he wanted to know… he needed to know. He didn't want Merlin doing it ever again.

"I'm sorry, sire. I shouldn't have come here. I don't really know what I was thinking. Because I can't really tell you why. And now it just looks like I'm being needy… I'm sorry…"

Merlin's babbling was cut off by Arthur's strong hand clasping over his mouth.

"Don't you ever apologise for this. Don't you ever apologise for coming here when you need to. Don't you ever, ever feel bad for… anything. Ok?" Arthur's voice was calm but forceful, yet desperately kind.

Merlin blushed and nodded, too surprised and embarrassed and, I guess, emotional to reply. Not emotional in a girly way though. Just that… Arthur was being so nice, and… yeh. Shut up, brain.

"Good." Arthur breathed, apparently just as shocked at his outburst as Merlin.

There was a pause.

Then, Merlin just about managed to mutter "Thank you."

It was Arthur's turn to shrug and flush. "I meant it when I said 'any time'."

Merlin nodded.

Another pause.

"Right, I should get going." Merlin attempted.

"No." Arthur rejected.

"What? But I'm feeling better. I'm fine now. Thanks to you."

"But I'm still not letting you leave."

"Why?"

"Because if I did and then you… you know… I would never forgive myself. Even if you say it's not my fault, it still would be… see?" Arthur rambled, apparently having been thinking about this for a while. It might be a little impractical saying he couldn't leave until God knows when… but Arthur just couldn't bear the thought of him… hurting.

"Arthur…" Merlin protested.

"Merlin…" Arthur mimicked.

"I need to go…" Merlin attempted.

"No you don't…" Arthur returned.

Merlin, only half-teasingly, made as if to go forwards, but Arthur was standing right in the way. He tried to dash round him, but Arthur simply stepped to the side. He tried the other way but the same thing happened. Then, Merlin raised his hands as if in defeat, pretending to step back… before charging past Arthur.

He was so close to the door. He could make it. And get away from this strange tension he had created upon the pair. Get away from Arthur's concerned, beautiful face and his ridiculous good looks, all twisted with worry. Get away from all the problems he had now created, and all the embarrassment of appearing weak, and just get back to his chambers. Maybe stare at the blade. Promise himself that he wouldn't. Then halfway through the night probably grab hold of it anyway and just cut, cut, cut and it would all be alright…

"Oh no you don't." Arthur declared, and for one terrifying moment Merlin thought he had spoken out loud.

But then Arthur's strong arms encompassed Merlin's form and Merlin realised he was referring to his attempted escape. He apparently hadn't done a good enough job of 'being fine'. Or maybe Arthur just knew him too well.

Merlin struggled, as was only natural. But Arthur held fast. Then, suddenly, Arthur's grip shifted, and Merlin felt himself being lifted off his feet.

"Arthur!" he shrieked, flailing his legs in the air.

Arthur had literally swept him up into a bridal-style lift. Seemingly instinctively, Merlin had wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck.

Arthur just grinned and Merlin sighed.

But that sigh caused Merlin to realise just how close he was to Arthur. He could smell him, all around him. His simple, manly scent, a mixture of plush linen, fresh meadows and gentle sweat, surrounded him. It was surprisingly pleasant. But then Merlin became aware of his… body. The way his arms were bulging and tense and muscular. Effortlessly wrapped under his legs and back, carrying him without any apparent problem. God, he was so… strong! And then there was his chest. Merlin's face was practically pressed against it. And he could hear the heavy thumping of his heart. He could feel the sculptured, chiselled form beneath his skin, knowing all too well the way it could twist and work in a fight. He suddenly felt very light headed and faint, thankful for Arthur's tight hold. He tried to convince himself that this feeling had nothing to do with this revelation or Arthur's proximity. But he didn't think he did a very good job of that.

Arthur had to use all his concentration not to think about Merlin. But apparently that wasn't enough because immediately his mind was flitting to the way that Merlin's breath was dancing across his neck and skin. Or the way that Merlin weighed practically nothing; that boy needed to eat more… perhaps, at the next meal he would offer him some of his own food. Or the way that his arms were clasped around him, holding him desperately, relying on him, needing him. And he had no idea why that felt so good… it just did.

All too soon, he reached the bed and lay him down on it.

Merlin was jolted back to reality by the fact that Arthur was putting him down. Dammit. Wait… no… that was good. The minute Arthur released him, he was clambering to his feet, face flushing.

"How dare you?" Merlin stuttered.

"I didn't see you complaining." Arthur smirked.

"Yeh… well… I'm complaining now."

Arthur just grinned again. Merlin huffed and made as if to leave. But he obviously wasn't so determined as before, because Arthur simply gripped his waist to stop him from moving, and he didn't bother fighting back.

"Relax, Merlin." Arthur breathed, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

Merlin's knees went weak and he almost collapsed. He gripped Arthur's shoulders to steady himself. Then blushed and let go.

"No need to stop." Arthur's voice came again in his ear, and Merlin swore that it was deeper, almost husky now.

Slowly, he let his hands reclaim Arthur's biceps. They stood like this for a minute, just enjoying the other. And then, gently, Merlin's hand slid down Arthur's arms, feeling all the intricacies of woven muscle, Arthur's fingers intertwining with his when he reached the bottom. Neither of them were entirely sure what they were doing. They just knew it felt… right. Gently, Arthur took his arm again, rolling the sleeve back to find the scars that never ceased to cause a painful jolt in his stomach.

"Oh, Merlin." He sighed sadly, dancing his fingers over it.

Merlin shivered with the contact.

"You like that, hmm?" the husky tone to Arthur's voice returned.

Without thinking Merlin nodded.

Arthur grinned.

Keeping eye contact with Merlin the whole time, he brought Merlin's forearm up to his mouth, planting tiny kisses on the blemished skin. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he shouldn't be doing this. He tried to blame it on the tavern trip, but knew in his heart that he was pretty much sober by now.

Either way, he no longer cared when Merlin's eyes rolled back in his head, and his mouth dropped open.

Smirking again, he moved his kisses further up Merlin's arm, travelling up to his shoulder, then his neck. He sucked a little there, eliciting the smallest of whimpers from Merlin, before moving up to his jaw. Then finally his mouth.

Arthur wasn't sure which one of them groaned that time. It could have easily been him. Their lips, together, were just… electrifying. Merlin's mouth was warm and surprisingly strong, pressing back against his own with a sense of urgency, desperation, want, need, fire. His hands grabbed at his back, his waist, his hips pulling him in, needing him closer. Merlin's arms found their way around his neck, sliding up into his hair, tugging it slightly. Wow… It was definitely him moaning now.

Merlin was crumbling under Arthur's lips, loving the way that they were so strong, so definite. He was completely engulfed by Arthur, with his mouth powering on his, his arms surrounding him, pulling him, holding him. It made Merlin weak, but strong, and desperate, but fulfilled. It was like he was floating, but being compressed, and on fire, but freezing cold, and every single, little nerve in his body was alight and dancing and shouting and screaming and Merlin was purely and utterly and completely… alive. This was right. This was amazing. This was perfection.

But then, as all good things do. It ended.

They broke apart, gasping for breath, hearts pounding, minds racing. Bodies aching for more.

Their eyes met. They both blushed, averting their gazes.

What does one do in this situation? Where you've accidentally just made out with your best friend, of the same gender, who also happens to be your prince/servant?

Apparently coughing and scratching your neck is the thing. Because they both did it simultaneously. Before making yet more awkward eye contact.

Do you apologise? Do you say thank you?

"Erm…" Arthur began.

"I'm sorry…" Merlin half-gasped.

"No…" Arthur protested.

"I should go." Merlin muttered, but that statement seemed to bring Arthur back to normality because he suddenly pulled himself up to his normal, arrogant, powerful stance.

"I thought we'd gone over this, Merlin." He teased. "You're not leaving." And he lay down on his bed.

Merlin looked confused. Arthur sighed.

"Get in here, you cabbagebrain." Arthur lifted up the covers, sticking out his tongue.

Merlin pretended to object, but all too willingly clambered into bed alongside Arthur.

Instinctively, Arthur wrapped his arms around Merlin, and Merlin rested his head on Arthur's shoulder.

"Night, Merlin."

"Night, Arthur."

Arthur twisted his head to give Merlin a small peck on the lips before relaxing back and promptly falling asleep. Merlin couldn't help a small smile before he too slipped into slumber.

The sun came beaming through the windows, far too bright, and the sounds of townspeople making their way around in the square below could be heard. Arthur groggily opened his eyes, very much aware of this strange weight on his chest. He glanced down to see a mop of familiar, dark hair, and suddenly all the memories from last night came flooding back to his brain.

He grinned.

Slowly, he felt Merlin begin to stir, making these adorable, little contented sighs as he did so.

He watched as the same looks of confusion, then realisation dawned over the boy.

"Good morning, beautiful." He whispered, teasingly.

Merlin's head whipped up, saw Arthur, blinked, then beamed.

"Morning, sire." Merlin returned.

"Now, now. I called you beautiful. That's hardly fair." Arthur winked.

"Ok. Good morning, your majesty?" Merlin stuck his tongue out.

"Try again." Arthur pinched Merlin's sides, knowing exactly where he was ticklish.

Merlin squirmed and flailed, then giggled and blushed. "Fine… Good morning… my prince?"

Arthur titled his head in consideration. "I could live with that."

"Certainly, my prince." Merlin laughed again.

Arthur pressed a kiss to his lips. He smiled sleepily.

Then shook himself. "What time is it?"

"No idea. Possibly about 8 by the sun?" Arthur suggested.

"8?!" Merlin exclaimed, sitting bolt upright. "I'd better get breakfast."

"Or you could stay here and we could snuggle all day?" Arthur wound his arms around Merlin's waist, trying to keep him there.

"As good as that sounds, you do still have duties to attend to, and I still have a duty to get you to your duties." Merlin reminded him, slightly fumbling with his words due to Arthur's proximity, and the fact that his arms were around him and that was the best feeling in the world.

"That sounds awfully dull." Arthur grumbled.

"You've been doing it every day of your life…" Merlin pointed out.

"Yeh… but now I have something I want to do more… namely you." Arthur pouted.

Merlin kissed him on his pout. Arthur pulled him in, rolling so that Merlin was trapped underneath him as he deepened the kiss.

All too soon, Merlin started shaking his head, and batting Arthur's chest.

"Bad." He reprimanded him.

Arthur raised an eyebrow at his sudden dominance, but Merlin pushed him back and clambered out of bed.

"Well, if you're going to be like that… go and get breakfast." Arthur instructed. Then added. "But you might want to put some trousers on." Although, if he had it his way, there would be no need for trousers.

Merlin blushed, modestly, and pulled his breeches on. He started heading for the door.

"Merlin?" Arthur called just as Merlin was about to leave.

"Yes?" Merlin asked, spinning round.

"Er… How are you?" Arthur's eyes and voice held a slightly worried, pointed, meaningful quality that made Merlin realise there was more to the question than was immediately obvious. His suspicions were confirmed when Arthur's gaze travelled cautiously to his arm.

He took a moment to consider this, although he knew at heart he didn't need to consider it at all. Then he broke out into a beaming grin. "I'm good." He laughed. "I'm really, really good."

He watched as Arthur grew a similar smile, all worry disappearing.

"In fact," Merlin added. "I've never been better."

"So you're not going to…" Arthur trailed off, a simple look conveying his message.

"Nope." Merlin confirmed. 'Never again' he mentally added. Not now. He didn't need to anymore. Because he had Arthur now.

With a last, happy look, he turned and set off cheerfully down the corridor to get breakfast.

Yes, he had Arthur now. Any time.

Thank you so much for reading and for everything! I hope you liked it! I tried my best not to make it too dark, or offend anyone. Thanks again, more Merthur to come soon.