Telling him, a thousand times, that everything would be alright. Letting him know that he doesn't always have to be the protector, because there's someone who is protecting him and loves him very much,and they could sleep in just so Merlin could hold him as long as he could. Things would be alright.
/ “Fine, you insufferable nag, maybe I want another kiss.”
Merlin gives him seven or eight. Arthur's face twists into faux-irritation as Merlin peppers doting kisses across his face. Arthur loves the attention, he can tell, and he’s asked, a greater feat and a more wonderful gift than Merlin had ever expected of him.
/I need you," says Arthur quietly. Merlin knows. They don't talk about it, just like the many other things they don't talk about.But they're touching, and Merlin is naked, and the candles burn around the room. Maybe things are different now.
"No one polishes armour like me, eh?"
"More like no one else could do it as poorly without losing their job."
It feels too easy, to gain something so great without paying a price. The knotted mess of memories tells him so, for every time he has gained something valuable he has paid and paid and paid. But Merlin is beginning to understand that such things are possible, despite the doubt that clings to his mind.
“Fine, you insufferable nag, maybe I want another kiss.”
Merlin gives him seven or eight. Arthur's face twists into faux-irritation as Merlin peppers doting kisses across his face. Arthur loves the attention, he can tell, and he’s asked, a greater feat and a more wonderful gift than Merlin had ever expected of him.
Arthur whines, hips jerking even as he looks mortified at his own reaction. Oh, Merlin is going to eat him alive.
"No one polishes armour like me, eh?"
"More like no one else could do it as poorly without losing their job."