Work Text:
Prompt: Scars
Arthur couldn’t really believe his luck. Ever since the moment he’d tearfully confessed to Merlin how he truly felt, he’d felt lighter, freer and more himself than he ever had before. The day those words had escaped his lips, feelings and emotions flowing freely from his mouth, had been one of the greatest days of Arthur’s life. Merlin had stared back at him in shock and confusion at first, eyebrows furrowed adorably.
Arthur had sniffled, and looked down at the floor. “I… I just needed you to know.” His words were hardly more than a whisper.
Merlin lay before him, bandaged up and sleepy but awake and alive, and that had been all that mattered to Arthur. He’d nearly lost the man in a stupid raid where the servant had stupidly run headfirst into stupid danger acting… stupidly. But that was Merlin all over, wasn’t it? Acting without thinking, leaping into action with no regard for his own safety. It frustrated Arthur to no end and endeared Merlin to him all at the same time. The way Merlin was so willing to fight for him, to fight beside him… Arthur had never known anyone so loyal.
And then when Merlin had taken a hit, when he had fallen to the floor, Arthur did as Merlin would do. He had leapt into action without thinking, heading straight for his manservant, who lay on the ground. Arthur had scooped him up in his arms and ordered the knights to retreat, return to Camelot quickly and find a goddamn horse for Merlin!
Then there came the days and days of endless waiting, as Gaius got to work. Salves and medicines and herbs were given to Merlin by the old man's practised hand, and all Arthur could do was hope. Hope that Merlin wouldn’t let go just yet, that he wouldn’t leave without knowing. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, not without Merlin knowing how he truly felt.
So, on the fourth day, when the manservant’s eyes finally flickered open, Arthur reached for his hand and smiled, letting tears fall over his cheeks.
“A-Arth…ur…” Merlin murmured.
“Shh, it’s okay… Don’t talk. I’m here, you’re okay.” Arthur brushed the dark, damp hair back from Merlin’s forehead, before calling for Gaius.
It had been a few hours later when Merlin woke up again, more alert this time, that Arthur had begun to spill his truth. “Gods, I thought you were gone… I was so scared, Merlin… So afraid…”
Merlin gave his usual smirk, and rolled his eyes. “Y-you’d get nowhere without me.”
That had made Arthur chuckle, the spark in Merlin’s eyes quickly returning to what it should be; bright and beautiful, just like the man himself. “I need to tell you something, Merlin,” Arthur had begun, already feeling the wetness of tears at the corner of his eyes.
Merlin had simply nodded, the movement a little jerky in his recovering state. And Arthur had opened up; admitted to every hidden thought and feeling that he had about his manservant, laying the truth before him and wishing beyond anything that Merlin could, would , feel the same.
And then there came the confused look, the furrowing of brows, before a bright, wide smile. “You clotpole…”
“What?”
“My gods, of course I love you too! How could I not? Arthur, you’re my destiny, my life, the reason I wake up each day. All those things you just said… I… You mean everything to me.”
The words had echoed in Arthur’s mind for a moment, before he finally registered what had been said, and he leaned down in a rush to hold Merlin close. Merlin winced in pain a little but clutched Arthur’s tunic tightly, burrowing his face into the crook of his neck.
Now, months later, Arthur couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t love Merlin, when he wasn’t greeted each morning by a soft pair of lips brushing against his own, when his world didn’t feel complete just from seeing Merlin’s smile.
Of course, much had changed since then. Uther had passed away, Arthur had become King, Merlin had revealed his deepest secret to Arthur in a flurry of tears and had expected to be executed. But Arthur in return, lifted the ban on magic that had had a hold on the kingdom, and declared the druids welcome under his ruling.
So Merlin had become court sorcerer and King’s consort, spending more time in Arthur’s chambers than he ever had before. And Arthur knew he wouldn’t have it any other way as Merlin quickly lit a fire with a flick of his wrist and a light in his eye. Arthur knew he’d also never get over how enchanting it was to watch Merlin perform magic.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, Sire?” Merlin asked softly, moving towards Arthur on the bed.
“Merlin, for the last bloody time, you don’t need to call me Sire anymore. You’re no longer my servant, you’re simply mine .”
Merlin chuckled. “I know, but it feels right. I like it… Sire.” Merlin’s eyes grew dark, and Arthur knew that look, knew exactly what thoughts were flashing through the young warlock's mind as he began to crawl over the bed.
“ Oh… ” Arthur breathed out, reaching forward a hand and pulling Merlin in by the front of his shirt. “I suppose there is something you could do for me,”
“Name it and it’s yours.”
“Make love to me.”
Merlin sighed happily, leaning down to place a gentle kiss to Arthur’s lips. “That I can do.”
Arthur grinned into Merlin’s mouth as they kissed again, tongues sliding against each other, and hands grasping at whatever they could reach. They’d done this so many times, but Arthur still marvelled at how incredible it felt to have Merlin in his arms. To be able to brush his hands up and down the man's side, wrap his legs around Merlin’s waist, to simply know that Merlin was his and his alone.
Eventually, Merlin slid a hand over Arthur’s tunic and pulled greedily at the shirt, urging the King to relieve himself of the fabric. Soon enough, the white top had been discarded to the floor and Merlin’s mouth was committing sinful acts to Arthur’s nipples.
“Fuuuck… Merlin…” Arthur leaned up into Merlin’s mouth, eager to feel more. Those plump lips and playful tongue were sure to drive him wild.
As Merlin moved from one nipple to the other, Arthur grabbed the fabric of Merlin’s tunic, tugging gently. Even though they’d been here before, made love a number of times and fallen asleep in each other's arms countless more, Merlin had still never removed his top in front of Arthur.
He’d made an excuse once that it was because he was skinny and didn’t feel worthy next to Arthur’s well built and chiselled frame. Arthur had kissed those worries away, but had still not discovered the reason behind Merlin’s apprehension. To him, to anyone with eyes, in fact, Merlin was beautiful, and Arthur wondered how the man couldn’t see that. He wanted to prove to Merlin just how exquisite he was, but there was something there, a fear, a hesitation.
“Arthur…” Merlin said, his voice low. A warning.
“Please, Merlin. I want to see you… I want to kiss your skin as you kiss mine. I want to cover every part of your skin with my love.”
Merlin sat back with an expression on his face that Arthur couldn’t name. He was worried that he’d ruined the moment. Arthur sat up and cupped Merlin’s face in his hands. “You don’t have to, my love, but… I would very much like to see you. To touch you.”
Merlin bit his lip, eyes glancing down as if he was deep in thought. He opened his mouth once, closed it, opened it again and took a deep breath. “Arthur, I’m not… I don’t… I’m unsightly. You’ll look at me differently and I don’t think I could cope with that.”
“Oh, my dear,” Arthur began, stroking a thumb over Merlin’s jaw. “I love you, every single part of you. I am sure that whatever you’re worried about is nothing. You are.. Beautiful. Enchanting. Gorgeous. Every. Single. Part. Of. You.” Arthur accented each word with a kiss to Merlin’s face.
Still looking uncertain, Merlin took a deep breath and grabbed the edge of his shirt. “I… I am not certain you will find this beautiful. It is the part of me I am most ashamed of.”
Arthur couldn’t bear to see the look of hurt and fear in Merlin’s eyes. It almost broke his heart to see the man he loved in so much pain. He kissed Merlin’s forehead softly once more and smiled softly. “You don’t need to show me, but please.. please know that I will always love you and find you beautiful. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Merlin nodded and then, after a moment or two, he began to lift his tunic, much to Arthur’s surprise. Slowly, inch by inch, pale skin was revealed. Pale skin decorated with… Scars.
A myriad of scars in different shapes, sizes and varying shades of red. A long, crooked pink scar ran down from Merlin’s shoulder towards the centre of his chest. Another warm and ragged edged scar fell just beneath his torso, across his ribs. Arthur sucked in a breath at the sight, not in disgust, but in surprise; in compassion and empathy.
There were at least twenty scars covering his body, and Merlin looked down at them all with shame in his eyes, a look of revulsion at his own body. Who knew how he’d acquired these scars? How long had he lived with the distinctive lines and curves covering his body?
Arthur slowly reached out a hand and traced his fingers over one of the lines, the skin taught and pink under his touch. Merlin shivered, but did not pull away. Silence fell around them, as Arthur explored every curve and line and cicatrix. His hands pressed flat over pink and white, his fingertips followed the trails created by raised skin, and still Merlin did not pull away.
“Merlin…” Arthur breathed after a moment, eyes finally looking back up to the warlock’s face. “How… When?”
Merlin shrugged. “Being a warlock in a country where magic was banned came with its consequences. I… They don’t hurt me anymore. But I hate how they look. How I look.”
Arthur spread his hands over Merlin’s chest, and shook his head. “You are still the most beautiful man I have ever laid my eyes on. Each one of these scars shows me how brave you are, how much you’ve overcome.”
Tears started to fill the corners of Merlin’s eyes, but there was a smile pulling at the edge of his mouth as he finally met Arthur’s gaze. “You’re not put off by them?”
“No. Not at all.”
Merlin visibly relaxed at Arthur’s words, and the king took the opportunity to press an open mouthed kiss to Merlin’s chest. His lips were soft as he trailed one of the scars with his tongue, following the red line down towards Merlin’s nipple where he took the nub into his mouth and nibbled gently.
“A-Ah!” Merlin bucked forward, apparently enjoying the movement of Arthur’s tongue over his chest. “That… That feels good.”
Arthur manoeuvred them until Merlin was the one lying back against the deep, red bed sheets, and continued on his journey of discovery over Merlin’s chest. He wanted to take in every detail, commit each line and curve to memory with his mouth. Merlin reacted beautifully beneath him, gasping and moaning gently as Arthur’s tongue danced over his skin.
Reaching down as his tongue continued its exploration, Arthur took Merlin’s cock into his hand and gave it two lazy tugs, eliciting a deeper moan from the man below him. Arthur repeated his action and Merlin bucked up, seemingly beginning to lose control.
“Make love to me,” Arthur said again, gazing up at Merlin and giving him another long stroke.
Merlin nodded breathlessly, as he shifted on the bed, allowing Arthur to retake his position amongst the red cushions. Merlin’s eyes flashed a hint of gold and Arthur moaned loudly as he felt himself opening up, his own body reacting to the heavenly touch of magic. Merlin knew exactly how much Arthur could take, how much preparation he needed, and tonight was no different.
Even with the magic opening him up wonderfully, Arthur was still treated to Merlin’s deft fingers tracing circles round his hole and pushing inside, stroking against a singular spot that made Arthur see stars. Merlin was skilled with his hand, giving Arthur intense pleasure with such a small flick of his wrist this way, or a crook of his fingers that way.
Arthur gripped the bed sheets, as his head fell backwards with a moan, pushing himself down onto Merlin’s fingers. “Oh, gods… Merlin… That feels… incredible…”
A smile spread over Merlin’s face, as he twisted his fingers once more, hitting that sweet spot inside Arthur over and over. After a moment, he pulled his hand back and lined up with Arthur’s entrance, leaning over the king, a hand on each side of his head.
“I love you,” Arthur whispered, just as Merlin breached his entrance.
Merlin let out a long, deep moan whilst bottoming out, his hips flush with Arthur. He stilled for just a second, allowing Arthur to adjust to the feeling. Arthur pushed up insistently, urging Merlin to move and the warlock willingly obliged. Merlin rocked his hips slowly, eyes locked on Arthur as he pushed back and forth.
Arthur could feel Merlin inside him, stretching him out deliciously. He could feel the thrum of Merlin’s magic, and above all of that, he could feel his love for Merlin, as real and as reliable as the rising of the sun.
Merlin continued his movements, sliding in and out of Arthur over and over, as small breathless moans filled the air. He looked a vision above Arthur, all pale skin and long limbs, and dark hair sticking to his forehead. Arthur reached out a hand to push back some hairs then cupped the man's cheek, stroking a thumb over his jaw.
It was a moment that stretched into a lifetime, as Arthur let pleasure wash over him, focusing on nothing but the man he loved. In that moment, nothing else mattered, not the kingdom, not his duties or his responsibilities, just Merlin.
“Merlin… Merlin, Merlin…” Arthur murmured, letting a moan escape his lips as he felt heat pooling in his stomach.
Merlin grinned that sweet smile of his, speeding up ever so slightly, and Arthur could tell Merlin was nearing the edge, just as he was. It only took a few more minutes, before Arthur was gripping at Merlin’s back, arching up into the other man as he felt his orgasm nearing.
“Oh, my love…” Merlin whispered, his cheeks flushed and hot.
Arthur stroked a hand over Merlin’s chest, fingers tracing the scars once more as he let out a strangled moan, spilling over his own stomach. The hot, sticky mess covered his skin and urged Merlin to speed up again. Within a moment, Merlin’s hips were stuttering and he fell forward, burying his face in Arthur’s neck.
“Shit.. Arthur…! I… Ah-! I love… I love you…” Merlin’s breaths were hot and heavy against Arthur’s skin.
Arthur ghosted his hands over Merlin’s back, stroking up and down, as their breathing slowed down together. When Merlin pulled out and dropped beside him, Arthur smiled and let out a content sigh. He'd never felt so happy as he did in Merlin's company, and now, to have been able to finally see the man completely, was utter perfection.
Merlin looked a little flushed still as he rolled over to face Arthur. “That was…”
“Yeah,” Arthur replied simply, reaching out a hand to link his fingers with the Merlin’s. “I meant what I said before. You are beautiful and I love you.”
Rolling his eyes in that playful, oh-so-Merlin way, Merlin kissed Arthur's forehead and stood up from the bed. The dim light of the evening illuminated Merlin’s skin, highlighting each line and scar.
But Merlin didn't look ashamed or scared anymore. He stood in the middle of Arthur's chambers, their chambers, and held out a hand to him.
Arthur obliged happily, rising from the comfort of the sheets to join Merlin in the middle of the room. He took Merlin's hand in his own, and placed the other on Merlin's chest.
“Thank you,” Merlin whispered, letting his head fall to Arthur's chest.
Arthur moved his hand and wound it around Merlin's back, and they stood there together, the candlelight warming their skin. Arthur knew for certain that he would do anything in his power to make sure that Merlin never received another scar. He wanted to protect this man more than he'd ever wanted anything.
This beautiful, incredible, scarred and wonderful man. Arthur really couldn't believe his luck.
