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Yule comes to Camelot and brings with it a snap of cold and a blanket of snow that keeps most of its citizens confined to the castle. The servants work hard running about the castle with logs, torches and candles to warm and brighten the place and the maidservants bring in fir boughs, sprigs of holly and mistletoe from lower town to bring some festive cheer.
Everyone is excited about the passing of solstice and the fact that soon the days will become lighter and spring will arrive in all her glory.
There are perhaps no happier people than Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen, who go about the castle laughing together.
"So Merlin," says Morgana. "I trust Arthur has told you all about Camelot's Yule traditions."
Arthur sighs internally.
"Um," Merlin replies.
"Arthur," Morgana admonishes, hitting him on the arm. "Tell Merlin."
"I don't think it's anything particularly exciting to tell," Arthur protests. He can’t imagine Merlin ever having found the news of preparing for celebrations as something to be excited about. So he never bothered about telling him. "Another fest, good food, dancing, presents—"
"That masters and mistresses give to their servants. Don't let him wriggle out of that one."
Arthur scowls at her. He's already prepared a gift for Merlin. A new neckerchief with the Pendragon herald stitched in gold thread on the inside. "For your information, I already got him something."
Merlin and Gwen exchange amused smiles.
Morgana nudges Arthur. "Tell him about The Hunt."
“A hunt?” asks Merlin, looking apprehensive.
“Oh, don’t look so worried. It’s not that kind of hunt. The Hunt is where the servants hide and their masters—”
“Or mistresses,” interjects Morgana.
“—have to find them.”
“Ah,” says Merlin with a look of realisation. “People from the village used to hide in the woods at Beltane.”
Arthur coughs and feels his cheeks flush. “Yes, well, it’s not like that Merlin. This is a much more dignified and sophisticated affair.”
More's the pity.
“All the servants get a candle mark’s head start and then the hunt will start,” Morgana tells him, her eyes sparkling with merriment.
Arthur leans closer to Merlin, looking at him under his eyelashes. “Don’t expect me to take it easy on you, Merlin,” he murmurs.
Merlin raises his eyebrows at him. “Don't fret, my lord. I'm sure I can handle your ‘hunt’,” he mocks.
Morgana clears her throat pointedly and they spring apart.
“So, when exactly does this hunt start?” Merlin asks as they start down the corridor towards the Great Hall.
“Uther will announce the start in a few moments. The noblemen and women wait in the hall whilst you servants go and find your hiding places. Then—the hunt begins!”
Merlin shoots Arthur a knowing look; a challenge.
They enter the Great Hall which is already a bustle of noise and activity, full as it is with most of the castle’s residents. Gwen and Morgana walk in alongside them before they part ways; Morgana and Gwen going to the left side of the hall, whilst Merlin and Arthur go to the right.
People babble excitedly around them, everyone is excited about the game that’s about to occur.
When King Uther enters and a hush falls over the room.
He walks through his people and then takes his seat on the throne.
“Thank you all for coming,” he says. “Camelot welcomes you, especially those who are visiting our kingdom for this Yuletide season. As many of you know, it is tradition here at Camelot for the Yuletide Hunt to take place the day before Yule. Today is that day. It is a day for much joy, happiness and celebration.
“Now I know that many of you are eager to begin the festivities. So I shan’t keep you much longer…
“Let the hunt… BEGIN!”
There’s a flurry of activity as many of the servants start to run out from the room, eager to find good hiding places.
Arthur turns to Merlin and offers his hand. He’s nothing if not a good sportsman.
“Well, good luck, Merlin.”
“Likewise, sire,” says Merlin, and then he ducks closer so that Arthur can hear him over the noise as he says, “Who knows, maybe I’ll let you kiss me if you find me.”
Arthur inhales sharply at such a bold, forthright offer. It’s true; he and Merlin have been dancing around this—whatever it is between them—for some time now. Their flirting has been outrageous lately, even for them and nine times out of ten when they look at each other the tension is palpable.
Merlin grins wickedly at him, before he turns on his heels and dashes from the room. Arthur clenches his fists, and stands still, even though every instinct of his is screaming to give chase and get his kiss. Instead, he knows he needs to think with his head, strategically, rather than with other parts of his body. What Morgana hadn’t mentioned earlier is that there’s a prize for the last servant to be captured and a prize for the first noble to capture their servant. Arthur usually wins the hunt. Morris was so boringly predictable. Merlin keeps him on his toes.
The nobles wait in the Great Hall, chattering lightly to keep themselves entertained until Geoffrey announces that a candle mark has passed. And then, despite Arthur’s earlier claims, there is a rather undignified scramble as people push and shove to leave the hall.
Arthur shakes himself out of his daze and rushes after them, wondering where Merlin could have hidden himself.
The Physicians’ tower? That’s probably too obvious. But maybe that's what Merlin is counting on. Or maybe he's hidden in Arthur's own chambers. Arthur likes the idea of that; Merlin waiting for him to find him and get his kiss in the comfort of his room.
But again, was that too obvious as well?
He might as well try. He wouldn’t mind betting that Merlin would take a risk thinking Arthur wouldn’t call his bluff. He grins predatorily as he jogs down the hall and towards the staircase leading up to the next floor of the castle. He follows all the twists and turns of the passageways until he’s at his chamber doors.
Arthur debates knocking, before slipping into the room silently. It will be much more entertaining to sneak up on his manservant, rather than alerting him and giving the game away. He glances around. No visible sign of Merlin. Arthur tip-toes across the room and checks around and under his bed. Not there either. Crossing the room he heads towards his desk. Nope, not hiding there. Maybe he’s guessed wrongly.
Spinning around in his room, Arthur suddenly spots a piece of brown material caught in the door of the wardrobe. He smiles to himself, all sharp and knowing. He should have known Merlin would be as bold as to think he could get away with hiding out in his own chambers. He probably thought that Arthur wouldn’t find his hiding spot and once he’d left he would be able to doss around for the rest of the afternoon in luxury.
He whips open the door.
“Haha!” he declares. “Caught you. Couldn’t you think of anywhere bett—”
Arthur finds himself yanked forward by his jacket and he stumbles into the cupboard. He’s about to protest, but Merlin captures his lips with a kiss. It’s hot and wet and urgent, like Merlin is fighting a fight that he was determined to win.
“Well...” Arthur pants when they finally part.
“I wasn’t expecting you to find me so quickly,” says Merlin, starting to regain his breath. “But since you have, I guess I should give you an additional reward.”
Merlin steps out of the wardrobe and tugs Arthur into the room, and then the next thing he does is makes Arthur light-headed, his blood heading rapidly south as Merlin drops to his knees.
"Merlin," he says, his voice husky as his hand finds its way into Merlin's hair. "You don't need to—"
Merlin looks up and his face blooms into that cheeky smile he does where he has dimples.
"Since when have I done anything I didn't want to, my lord?"
Good point. Merlin rarely does as he's told.
He opens his mouth to reply but Merlin is already tugging at his laces and pulling the opening of his breeches open, and the thought is lost entirely.
Arthur's cock springs out without any encouragement and when Merlin runs his cheek along the length of it, Arthur thinks he might pass out. He reaches out to steady himself against a nearby chair.
"Been thinking about this," Merlin murmurs, as he presses soft, open-mouthed kisses along Arthur’s cock, "for ages."
He slides his tongue along the underside of Arthur's cock and then sucks the tip into his mouth, flicking at Arthur's slit with his tongue.
Arthur gasps sharply, his grip tightening in Merlin's hair as Merlin hollows his cheeks and continues sucking him down, completely blind-sided by how good Merlin is at this.
"Looks like—I finally—found a good use—for your mouth," he grits out, wanting to bring back an equilibrium to their relationship.
He feels Merlin's lips curve into a smile and Merlin redoubles his efforts, sucking and slurping as he bobs his head and brings hand up to cradle Arthur’s balls.
Merlin pulls off and Arthur almost lets out an unprincely whine, but just as quickly he just about chokes on his own spit as Merlin mouths at his balls, sucking one into his mouth as his hand fists Arthur's cock.
"Oh Gods!" Arthur cries, feeling his balls twitch and tighten at the wet suction, and the familiar feeling of simmering heat starts to gather in his groin. "Merlin— I—"
Within a few seconds Merlin replaces his hand with his mouth and swallows Arthur down until his nose is pressing into dark blond curls. Harsh puffs of air from Merlin's nose tickles, damp against his skin.
As Merlin’s throat tightens around him, there’s a slick sound of a skin on skin that startles Arthur as he realises that Merlin is getting off on this. Merlin is getting off on this act of servicing Arthur.
"Oh, fuck…" Arthur groans and he tugs sharply at Merlin's hair. "Fuck Merlin, you need to— I'm going to—"
Arthur doesn’t get any further than that before his orgasm overtakes him, and he shoots his load down Merlin's throat. The next thing Arthur’s aware of, is the motion of Merlin's hand, moving rapidly against his leg until he shudders and gasps, pressing his face against Arthur's thigh.
"Shit," mutters Arthur, still trying to gather his wits. "That was—"
"Yeah," agrees Merlin.
They both jump as there’s a pounding on Arthur's door.
Gwen and Morgana's gloating voices came through the door calling to them, "Hey you two, game’s over. We won!"
Merlin looks up at Arthur with a grin; his lips puffy and red.
"No, they didn't," he murmurs softly.