![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
phantomjam) wrote2008-12-06 12:27 am
advent fic: day 5
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: The Pendragons have always found solace in their traditions, but sometimes it's time for a change.
A/N: Ahahaha so this time I am actually late. It was only a matter of time *facepalm*
The Dawning of a New Day
They part almost as soon as the meal is over and go their separate ways. Uther always retires to his chambers, where Gaius will already be waiting. They talk and drink together long into the night, not quite reminiscing – those wounds have yet to close and likely never will, and Uther will not speak of her – but creating a brief space where for one day titles and appearances mean nothing, and there is only the long history of their friendship stretching out behind them, an ease and a comfort.
Morgana spends her time with Gwen, sitting at the window sill in her rooms while Gwen brushes out her dark hair, plaiting and playing with it while they gossip. Morgana rolls her eyes and complains about Arthur, and Gwen laughs, commiserates, shares her stories of Merlin’s latest adorably hopeless escapades. They giggle and speculate and trade secrets while the sun sets and darkness draws deep outside.
Arthur always trains on Christmas, loses himself to the mindless routine of sword drills and the numbing ache of exertion; this is the time he keeps for himself and his thoughts, savouring the bite of the chill day alone. Each year he fights and he trains and resolves to become better, to become worthy. This is his tradition, his promise to himself.
This year is different – this year he too returns to his chambers. Merlin is there, a pitcher of mulled wine and two cups laid out on the table, the fire burning warm and steady in the hearth. Arthur sits in his chair and sips his wine; Merlin leans against the wall, the fire’s light gold in his eyes, and does the same. They talk, laughter flowing easily between them, rich and genuine, and Arthur relaxes, lets the tension drain from his body. They slip into companionable silence and Arthur lets his eyes slide closed in contentment.
He hears the soft thud of a cup being put down and then something block out the soft glow of the fire. Arthur opens his eyes to find Merlin leaning over him, almost nose to nose, braced on the arms of his chair. Arthur tilts his head obligingly as Merlin kisses him.
‘Not going to sleep already are you?’ Merlin asks, grinning against Arthur’s lips.
Arthur snorts, grabs Merlin suddenly by the back of the back of the neck and pulls him down into his lap. His hand cards through short dark hair and Merlin hums pleasantly into his mouth, pliant and eager in Arthur’s arms, thumbs stroking tenderly across the sweep of Arthur’s collarbones.
Arthur holds Merlin tight and loses himself this time in the heat of his body and the sweetness of his mouth. He resolves that this will be his new promise, whispered in endearments between tangled sheets and urgent bodies; this will be his new tradition, the first of many.
no subject
no subject
no subject
*loves the fic* THANK YOU!
no subject
Oh Arthur and his father issues, it breaks my heart :(
But yes, Merlin will definitely change all that and bring THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS for srs! :p
Hee, glad you liked it! ♥
no subject
no subject
no subject
♥
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
I actually adore you and your fics, as you well know, and this was as spectacular as ever. I love the way you contrasted the gloom of the Pendragon Christmas meal with the happiness that each of them finds with a servant, pushing aside status for a day and just being whatever.
And Arthur being distracted from his usual depressing loneliness by Merlin was just fantastic :D
I apologise for the crappy comment...
no subject
You know Arthur needs Merlin to keep from sinking into his pit of princely woe :p
It was an awesome comment! And I apologise for the late reply *wince*
no subject
No worries.
no subject
no subject
Arthur was totally lost before Merlin was around to brighten things up for him ;)
no subject
no subject
They are sweet aren't they? :D
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Love the atmosphere you created.
no subject
no subject
I love, love, how each of the royal family has such a deeply devoted friend/servant. *beams*
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject