Sticky Sheets – Epilogue
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 2000 approx for this part
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, they belong to the BBC. No profit is made by me *sob*
Summary: Merlin and Arthur finally get their happy ever after.

oOoOo

They had chosen to walk together up the aisle. Merlin had put his foot down when Arthur suggested that his mother could give him away. Arthur, just because I bottom for you, it doesn't mean I'm the girl in this relationship. Arthur had smirked at his indignation, and relented. It made more sense this way anyway. He wanted Merlin to be respected as his consort, so walking side by side to kneel before the priest as they were bonded seemed fitting.

Uther had been surprisingly easy to convince when Arthur and Merlin had informed him that they wished to be together – legally bonded in a way that would be recognised by all. Despite his desire for a more conventional match for his son, he would do anything to ensure Arthur's safety. The connection that had somehow formed between Merlin and the prince could not be denied. Despite Uther's mistrust of anything magical, he would not do anything that might put Arthur in danger again. He had somewhat reluctantly given his blessing for their union.

Gaius had reassured him that despite what he might assume, his son's marriage to Merlin would not necessarily mean that there would never be a Pendragon heir. Indeed, the prophesy itself had suggested otherwise. Gaius had murmured soothingly about surrogates and had even hinted at magical means of ensuring the Pendragon line would continue. Uther hadn't asked for details.

As Arthur knelt beside Merlin and their hands were tied together as a visible symbol of the love that bound them, he met Merlin's deep blue-grey eyes. They spoke their vows in voices that were husky with emotion. Merlin's lips curled in a soft smile and his fingers squeezed Arthur's gently.

Once the formal ceremony was over, all Arthur could think about was getting Merlin alone again, away from the watching eyes. They had spent the night before their wedding apart for the sake of tradition, and Arthur was already half hard at the thought of having Merlin back in his bed after the celebrations were done.

The feast was spectacular and the ale and mead flowed freely. Arthur kept Merlin close as the evening progressed and could feel the need growing between them. They played their part graciously, thanking their well-wishers and charming the visiting dignitaries. But each touch of Merlin's hand; and each loaded glance from beneath dark lashes stoked the fire growing in Arthur's belly.

They moved around the room, mingling and chatting, Merlin a constant reassuring presence by his side. Always close enough to touch, the heat of his body warmed Arthur and made his cock ache.

They reached the knights, who were more than a little merry by this stage of the evening. There had been some teasing initially, a few weeks back, when Arthur broke the news of his betrothal. But their loyalty to Arthur and their respect for Merlin himself meant that it had all been good-natured and they wished their Prince well.

"Congratulations Princess," Gwaine's wide smile belied the teasing words as he slapped Merlin on the shoulder. "You're a lucky man," he grinned at Arthur. "So are you of course Merlin," he winked.

"Thanks Gwaine," Merlin replied with a grimace, "but don't get into the habit of calling me Princess... really."

"Ah don't mind him," chuckled Percival. "He's just jealous, he's always had a bit of a thing for..." he was cut short by Gwaine shoving him hard. He stumbled drunkenly and muttered an embarrassed apology.

Arthur stiffened as the other knights laughed and Gwaine flushed, avoiding Arthur's glare. Merlin grinned and dragged him away, a reassuring hand on back of his neck.

Merlin pulled him close so he could mutter into his ear. "We've been through this, I only have eyes for you, remember?"

Arthur shivered at the touch of Merlin's hot breath on his jaw and wished the time would pass faster.

Finally the end of the evening came, and the newlyweds took their leave from the great hall. The guests lined their path as they walked through the huge arched doorway, shaking their hands and wishing them well. Gwaine winked and grinned suggestively as they passed him.

XOXOXOXOX

Arthur took Merlin by the hand and led him up the stone staircase and round the corner into the corridor that led to his chambers. As soon as they were out of sight he pressed Merlin up against the wall and kissed him hard. Merlin felt Arthur's tongue draw along the seam of his lips, and parted them willingly allowing his mouth to be explored until he gasped and pushed against Arthur, pressing their hips together.

"God Merlin, it's been torture," Arthur muttered between hot kisses, "I've been wanting to do this all day!"

"Mmmmm," Merlin hummed his agreement, the sound getting lost in Arthur's mouth, but then he tangled his hands in the blonde hair and gently pulled. "But unless you want to consummate our bond in the corridor you'd better stop kissing me and get us to your chambers."

"That's our chambers now," Arthur grinned. "I won't be sleeping in there alone anymore. Come on then, what are we waiting for?"

They ran along the corridor, laughing at their own impatience. When they reached the large oak door Arthur paused and pulled Merlin to face him, they kissed again, breathlessly. Arthur pinned Merlin against the door, wrapped his arms around his waist and hitched one of his legs up over his hip.

"Hold on tight," the Prince murmured, pulling up his other leg.

"What are you doing?" Merlin protested, wriggling half-heartedly, distracted by Arthur nipping an insistent line from his ear to his collarbone. He clung around Arthur's neck tightly for support.

"Carrying you over the threshold, Merlin, what do you think?" his voice was impatient, "now stop struggling!" Arthur smacked his arse lightly with one hand. The shock went straight to Merlin's cock and he gasped and flushed, grinding into Arthur's erection.

"Liked that did you?" Arthur chuckled as he reached for the door handle by Merlin's hip, and pushed the heavy door open. "Hmm, maybe a kink to explore another time then..."

He finally staggered into the room with Merlin wrapped around his waist, and shut the door firmly behind them. The room was dimly lit with candles and the bed made up with fresh white linen. Flowers had been brought in to decorate the surfaces, and the air was filled with a heady scent of jasmine. Arthur set Merlin down beside the bed and they looked at each other for a long, intense moment. Arthur's blue eyes were dark in the dim light and burned with desire, Merlin felt his hot gaze, almost palpable as it swept down his body.

Arthur's fingers were gentle as they tugged at Merlin's clothes, peeling the away the layers, rediscovering the skin beneath. He touched and kissed as each new bit of flesh was revealed. Merlin was passive, allowing himself to be stripped and worshipped. Once Merlin was undressed Arthur paused in his ministrations to pull off his own clothing, helped by Merlin's willing hands.

Naked, Arthur knelt at Merlin's feet and his mouth found Merlin's cock, hard and sticky with need. Merlin whimpered as the heat of Arthur's mouth closed around him. Arthur teased him with gentle licks and almost but not-quite-firm-enough strokes of his tongue until Merlin was bucking into his mouth and moaning, more Arthur, please... more. Arthur clutched Merlin's hips and encouraged him to push into his mouth, harder, allowing him to set his own rhythm. Merlin lost control and fucked Arthur's mouth, thrusting into the wet delicious warmth until he shuddered and came with a keening cry that echoed off the stone walls. Arthur sucked and swallowed around Merlin until his cock was still and beginning to soften, then slowly released it to smile up at him, flushed and hungry.

"I love seeing you on your knees in front of me," Merlin grinned as Arthur got back onto his feet, then yelped as he was picked up and thrown down onto the bed.

"I love seeing you all spread out, ready for me." Arthur smirked, reaching for the oil. He prepared Merlin quickly, fingering him open with careful strokes. Arthur's cock jutted out, beautifully hard, dripping with pre-come. Merlin fixed his eyes on it, admiring the deep red colour of the head, peeking out where Arthur's foreskin drew back with his arousal. He bit his lip, longing to feel Arthur inside him. He felt his own cock growing again already in anticipation.

"Hurry," he panted. "I want you so much."

"So impatient," Arthur teased, but Merlin could see his own need, hot and present in his eyes and in the way they feasted on the sight of his fingers disappearing into Merlin's arse.

When Merlin began moaning and pushing down to meet each thrust of his fingers, Arthur withdrew them and moved to line up the head of his cock at Merlin's entrance. Merlin pulled his knees up and wound his legs around Arthur's waist, savouring the delicious burning stretch and slide as Arthur pressed inside him.

Merlin wove his hands into the blonde hair and pulled him down until their lips met. Their mouths locked and tongues tangled together as Merlin felt himself filled with Arthur. Their breath mingled as their bodies moved together. Arthur moved slowly at first, his body tense with the effort to stave off his climax. The angle shifted slightly and the delicious pressure inside Merlin made him gasp and tighten his legs around Arthur's waist, begging for more... faster... harder... more.

Merlin could feel his cock trapped between their stomachs, leaking wetness as it begged for attention. He moved his hand down to touch himself, but Arthur noticed his movement and batted his hand away.

"Mine... I want to make you come for me."

"Yes... please touch me," Merlin whined, "please Arthur!"

"I love it when you beg, Merlin," Arthur's face was predatory and Merlin groaned as Arthur's hand finally wrapped itself around his aching prick.

He set a brutal pace, slamming hard into Merlin as his hand pumped and twisted. Each thrust of his cock elicited a gasp, and soon Merlin was twisting one hand in Arthur's hair and digging his fingernails into the smooth skin of Arthur's buttock as he goaded him on. Their skin was sweaty and their breathing coming in broken pants, punctuated by incoherent sounds of pleasure.

Come Merlin... Come for me... I need you to... I can't... Arthur's hand worked faster and he gripped even tighter.

Finally with a cry of Fuck... yes... Arthur! Merlin felt tingling heat explode in his groin and he almost blacked out as his orgasm crashed through him. He arched and twitched helplessly under his lover, painting their bellies with his come. He was dimly aware of Arthur spilling his hot release into Merlin before collapsing, spent, on top of him.

Merlin lay, limp with exhaustion but glowing with satisfaction. Arthur was a dead weight on top of him, but a welcome one. Merlin idly toyed with his sweat damp hair and drew patterns on his back with gentle fingers as he felt Arthur's cock soften inside him and gradually slip away. Eventually Arthur lifted himself off Merlin and moved to lie beside him, one arm draped across his chest.

"I love you Merlin Emrys Pendragon," he whispered and turned to brush soft lips over Merlin's cheekbone.

Merlin smiled and whispered sleepily in reply. "Mmm, me too," then he paused. "I mean... I love you not me, obviously. You got that didn't you?"

"Idiot!" Arthur chuckled and poked him in the ribs. "Go to sleep."

Merlin was just starting to drift off when he became aware that Arthur's come was trickling out of him and cooling uncomfortably on the sheets beneath him. He wriggled and shifted, trying to find a dryer patch to lie on.

"Stop fidgeting Merlin," Arthur grumbled, annoyed at being disturbed.

"The sheets are all sticky now," Merlin complained.

"Well that shouldn't bother you – I thought you were keen on sticky sheets?" Arthur smirked, "I'm sure you can always lick them clean if it's a problem."

Merlin huffed as he blushed and settled down again. He knew he should never have admitted to Arthur exactly what he had been doing that fateful day. Now he'd have to put up with Arthur teasing him about it forever, the bastard.

The End

A/N: *fanfare* that's all folks!
Well... there may be some more outtakes but that is the main story done and dusted.
Thanks to everyone who has read, followed and supported this fic. It's been great reading your comments and seeing how many people have put it on alert.
Please review – even if you're reading this in the distant future, it's still always really nice to know when someone has enjoyed a story.