"Merlin?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can always ask me anything you want, you are the future king." Merlin looked up from the armour he was polishing only to see the prince watching him intently with an indescribable look on his face. "Are you okay Arthur?"

"Imagine a future moment in your life where all your dreams come true. It's the greatest moment in your life and you get to experience it with one person. Who's standing next to you?"

Merlin felt his heart freeze at that question for he knew that the one person he wanted he could never have, the one person he wanted was looking at him asking who he loved with all his heart. He looked down at the armour setting his reflection in the shining metal breastplate.

"It does not matter Sire. It is of no consequence for the future I wish for will never happen, not in the way that I want to at least," Merlin felt as though he should add on the last part as destiny said he would be next to Arthur, the once and future king. "Why do you ask? Who's standing next to you?"

"Curiosity. You are next me Merlin."

"I meant who is there when you're experiencing the greatest moment of your life you prat. I wasn't referring to our current arrangement."

"So did I."

"You did what?"

"I meant that you are the one that I want to be beside me at that moment Merlin." This time it was Arthur's turn to look down and break the gaze with the younger male.

"Well unless you fire me I'm going to be besides you, aren't I?"

"But what if I don't want you with me like THAT. What if I want you?"

"Well then Sire, you'd have to ask me and you'd find out easily enough." Merlin watched the prince with a smile as he thought over those words before looking at Merlin through his eye lashes.

Arthur sunk to his knees in front of Merlin and swept aside the armour that was between them. He took Merlin's hands in his own and their eyes met. They slowly moved forward until they were so close they were sharing each breath.

Merlin decided that he'd waited long enough so he pressed forward until his lips met with Arthur's. The two of them were lost in the feelings of each other's mouths against their own that they soon opened up allowing the other mans tongue to slip into their mouth. They began a battle for dominance that Arthur soon won, unsurprisingly, as he started to explore every part of Merlin's mouth with his tongue while his hands journeyed along Merlin's arms and across his torso.

Arthur brushed a hand over a nipple by chance causing the rough shirt to rub against the nub making Merlin gasp into Arthur's mouth and suck on the prince's tongue in retaliation. Arthur moaned at the sensation as the feeling was sent straight to his dick, the idea of Merlin's hot mouth around him teasing Arthur so much that he couldn't help but grab the smaller man's top and pull the two of them flush against one another.

Arthur decided that there was still too much space clearly as the next thing Merlin knew they were stood with his legs wrapped tight around Arthur's waist, hips grinding forward while not breaking the kiss.

The young prince moved the two of them over to the bed with ease thanks to all of his training. Once they reached the large bed Arthur lay the two of them down with Merlin beneath him. Arthur pulled back from the kiss to look at the heavy lidded man beneath him, drinking in the sight of a flushed and aroused Merlin.

He was drawn back to the present when Merlin got impatient with just looking and decided to roll his hips upwards making their erections grind against one another. With an animalistic growl Arthur recaptured the pair of soft pink lips below while moving a hand to the hem of Merlin's shirt. He slowly began working the material higher on the sorcerer's torso until he had to break the kiss to take it off completely. He did so quickly before slamming their lips back together.

Merlin started undoing Arthur's top so that he could even the playing field a bit while Arthur remembered how sensitive Merlin seemed earlier and slid his hand up the smaller man's stomach before rolling a nipple between his thumb and forefinger causing Merlin to moan loudly at the sensation while arching his back. When they had to break the kiss to remove Arthur's shirt he didn't allow the kiss to resume, instead he began moving down Merlin's body, sucking at his skin causing the most delightful sounds. He moved along Merlin's neck, and down his chest- kissing, sucking and nipping along the way- until he reached Merlin's nipples. He took one into his mouth while using his hand to work on the other.

By this point Merlin's back was constantly arched away from the bed and into Arthur's arms with pleasure, no longer moaning but rather mewling in need for more. The prince's hand moved down towards Merlin's trousers but the two of them jumped apart when suddenly a knock sounded through the chambers.

"We'll finish this later." Arthur whispered as the two men hurriedly put their shirts then while Merlin donned his scarf to hide the prince's marks Arthur told the person outside the room to enter.

"We were considering going to the tavern and wanted to know if you would join Sire." Sir Leon walked in taking note of Merlin who had his back to him, working on the breastplate while Arthur was stood looking particularly flushed. Arthur nodded his consent and said that he would just change and would meet them there.

Merlin stood up again when Leon left and prowled towards Arthur, taking his time, before he lifted the prince's top off again, "mind if I help you change?" he asked cheekily.

"Not at all." Arthur replied silkily as Merlin stepped closer so he could reach up and pull the new top over the taller man's head and slowly down his body.

"I must say, I think I preferred taking your clothes off rather than putting them on." Merlin's voice was husky with desire making Arthur shiver with pleasure.

Arthur moved forward, pressing a chaste kiss against Merlin's lips before pulling away to answer, "well, perhaps you would be here later to assist me after the tavern," hinting that they could continue their previous activities. Arthur moved to the door, winking at the younger man before walking out of the room.