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Leon didn’t like how everyone seemed to forget that even Merlin had his limits.
He was aware that most people didn’t know about the true nature of Merlin’s work, thankfully so because Leon feared that if the King of all people knew, Merlin wouldn’t have to worry about being exhausted any longer.
After all, Leon was committing treason just by staying silent about the magical protector in their midst. Still, the dark circles and the bruised skin, Merlin’s gait and the wince now and then weren’t small signs something was going on.
One night, Leon ended his patrol late and decided to write down the report at the same moment Merlin walked past him on the courtyard stairs and slipped.
The bucket full of water Merlin had been carrying spilled and the younger man’s arms flailed, trying to prevent his fall. Luckily, Leon caught him.
“You look exhausted.” Leon tried to be gentle, yearning to see the side of Merlin that allowed others to take care of him.
“Ah uhm. I'll go to bed soon then,” Merlin evaded and slipped away into the dark of night.
Another such incident occurred the next night too.
“Merlin, rest.” Leon tried to be commanding this time.
Merlin's answer was a laugh and a wide grin before he hurried off.
So Leon tried to be stealthy. He ordered a bath for himself. The maids and chamber boys easily procured it, and he sent for Merlin to deliver him a potion intended for pain relief.
A knock on the door indicated Merlin’s arrival and Leon called him in, finishing a report paper to give this whole thing a more casual feeling.
“Thomson said you needed pain relief?” Merlin asked as he strode in, setting the bottle on the table and looking at Leon critically.
Leon smiled. “Stop trying to fathom out where I am hurt. I won’t need it right now, but later.”
“Huh? Why do you need it later?” asked Merlin confused.
“Because it is not for me. It is for you.”
Merlin’s eyes widened and he looked cornered. Leon stood, choreographing his movements, and went over to the bathtub. “Come. I’ve seen how thin you've stretched yourself, Merlin. You promised to come to me when it was too much.”
Merlin stood rooted to the spot. Leon knew other people would feel annoyance or exhaustion at this repeated spiel. Rinse and repeat of reassuring Merlin that he was welcomed in Leon’s chambers, in Leon’s life and that Merlin could trust Leon with his burdens. All Leon felt was sadness that Merlin was unable to believe someone cared. Unable to understand and accept that he was worth loving.
Leon rolled up his sleeves. “Come here Merlin. You require a good wash and some relaxation. Take the potion, will you? I promise even if you fall asleep I will wake you before you need to be anywhere.”
Still, Merlin didn’t move. Leon sighed and strode back to Merlin, holding out a hand for Merlin to take, leaving him the choice to accept the care or to leave. When Leon noticed how Merlin's eyes moved: first him, then the steaming bath, then him again, he knew he had won.
--
The washcloth glided easily over Merlin’s scarred skin. Gently, Leon tried to avoid the younger-looking scars, but avoiding them all was impossible. Merlin’s back and chest, arms and legs were a canvas full of scars - telling a story of great suffering he had overcome.
“Leon-” It had been a fight to get Merlin to let himself be washed and pampered. But now that Leon had permission, he was not going to let Merlin shy away again.
“It’s alright Merlin. I won’t ask, but I will always listen when you are ready to tell,” replied the older man tenderly, before rubbing the cloth over Merlin’s lower back. “Relax now. Let me take care of you and your needs.”
Leon had seen the slow filling of Merlin’s dick and he hoped Merlin trusted him enough to let him help with that too. Merlin made a sound in the back of his throat that sounded like a cross between a content hum and a slightly distressed whine.
“I won’t judge. It is okay to feel comfortable and relaxed. God knows I have had plenty of erections during a bath myself.” Leon’s hand guided the cloth from Merlin’s back to his hips and he smiled as Merlin’s legs spread for him.
“Exactly so, Merlin. You’re doing so well for me. Just close your eyes and imagine whoever you want.”
Leon was aware that Merlin had a big heart and loved freely, even if he never said anything or took any action to court people. Just as he was aware that Merlin’s action spoke of his endless love, he knew Merlin was aware of his feelings. Merlin never shied away from Leon’s touch and their stolen moments together. And while for Leon there was no other than Merlin, he never demanded the same loyalty from Merlin.
Leon directed the washcloth to Merlin’s cock, gently gripping around the hardened length and washing up and down, careful in his ministrations.
Merlin rewarded Leon with soft pants and sounds of pleasure, leaning into the touch and turning his face against Leon’s arm. Leon kept his touch tender, light and pleasurable. He leaned more into the tub, his face close to Merlin’s shoulder and he couldn’t help but be selfish. Leon kissed the top of Merlin’s shoulder gently. The knight closed his eyes and allowed himself to breathe in the scent of lavender and Merlin.
“Leon.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t stop- please don’t stop,” Merlin whispered, breath fanning over Leon’s bicep and Leon opened his eyes again to see Merlin’s cock flushed red and his nipples perked up. “I won’t.” He replied softly and twisted the cloth over the head, cleaning and teasing at the same time.
Merlin arched, hips stuttering and his back pressed against the edge of the tub. “Oh by the goddess.”
Leon smiled. He was addicted to seeing and hearing Merlin like this. “Let go, dear.”
Merlin’s chest heaved, struggling to catch his breath enough, and his legs shook. His moans came louder, and the cock in Leon’s hand twitched. “Yes, like this.”
Leon stroked a few more times before feeling daring, reaching down with the washcloth, rolling Merlin's balls gently in the sack. Pulling softly elicited a surprised yelp before a drawn-out moan followed. “You like this don’t you?”
“Hng. Y-yes.” Merlin’s breathy voice was just as addictive to Leon as the feel of Merlin’s skin on his lips. So Leon started to kiss Merlin’s neck and was delighted when Merlin stretched in the other direction so Leon had more space to kiss. His hand left Merlin's balls and dipped deeper. The cloth skimmed over Merlin’s rim and Merlin pressed back against it.
“Can I, my dear?” Leon asked into Merlin’s ear, eyes wide and breath short. He was as much bound in fascination as Merlin was in pleasure.
“Yes- Goddess yes, plea--se Leon please!”
Carefully, Leon rearranged himself a bit and changed the washcloth from one hand to the other, having his more dexterous one free to prod Merlin’s rim gently while the other one took the washcloth back to Merlin’s cock, continuing the ministrations there.
“Oh, Leon- Yes Leon- fuck!” Hearing Merlin moan his name was the utmost pleasure for Leon.
To Leon’s surprise, his finger slipped in easily and he made a mental note to ask Merlin about it at another time. Right now he focused on bringing Merlin the pleasure he deserved. Leon’s finger moved in and out, circling the rim before pushing back in - and Merlin became an utter mess. Merlin pushed against the finger, moaning Leon’s name and demanding more.
“Faster!”
Leon complied, stroking faster and thrusting his finger in and out, balancing the acts of giving pleasure and keeping them safe in the tub.
This was the other side Leon had craved so much to see from Merlin. He craved everything about Merlin but this - Merlin being open, demanding and craving pleasure - was a treasure of different value.
It didn’t take long after Leon placed another kiss on Merlin’s neck. The younger man froze and suddenly let out a pitiful sound - like it pained Merlin to reach his peak.
Leon helped him through.
He stopped his ministrations before Merlin showed signs of overstimulation, instead helping the younger man out of the tub. Merlin leaned his whole weight against Leon and sleepily let the other man take care of everything. Pliant and soft, Merlin got dried off by Leon and then dressed in one of Leon’s night shirts, before the knight put Merlin to bed.
Leon was aware that before morning came, Merlin would be gone but that was fine. At least for one night, Merlin could get some rest. Leon would have to come up with something new for the next time.
For now, Leon took care of the bathwater and finished with his papers before settling in next to Merlin, holding the smaller man and hoping his presence would scare of some of Merlin’s night terrors.