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The night sky was blanketing the men as they idled around the fire. Roasted duck was still turning on the fire and a pot of soup was steaming next to it. The knights, Arthur and Merlin, were gathered around when the question came up; “Who and when was everyone's first kiss? Go!”
Gwaine, having brought up the topic, went first, “A friend of my brother's, she was a girl from church and I distinctly remember chewing on some mint leaves beforehand.”
“Aline, the baker’s daughter,” Elyan supplied.
“Some kid from town.” Percival shrugged, sipping from his bowl.
“Gwen,” Lancelot answered softly. The boys cooed and he blushed deep. “I was a little grown, twenty summers old when I met her.”
“Still sweet,” Leon nudged him. “Mine was a squire when I was eleven. It had been an accident.”
“How do you accidentally kiss someone?” Elyan asked.
“I had longer hair than this and I was a child, barely grown into my boots, he thought I was a girl. He only ever saw me outside of my uniform around the castle.”
Arthur choked then cleared his throat, “Mine was a girl when I was probably nine. But it was hardly a kiss, so I’d say Sophia– Merlin, remember her?”
Merlin grimaced, “Don't remind me.”
“What about you, Merls, who was your first kiss?”
His eyes flitted around the circle of men, sparing only a moment's glance at the king before looking down at the ground with a shrug. “Haven't had mine yet.”
Of course that was a lie, but he couldn't bring it up in front of them because the subject of his first kiss was sitting right there and he has never brought it up since. Merlin even doubts he remembers the occurrence.
Confused gasps carried around the flames. Arthur frowned then looked around at his men and something sunk in the pit of his stomach at the eager looks in their eyes. Merlin was none the wiser, as he turned back to the duck over the flames, that the knights of the round table were each plotting ways to be his first kiss.
Arthur had caught Merlin in his chambers the moment they returned to Camelot. He shrugged off his jacket and allowed Merlin to undo his laces. The conversation from the fire and the determined looks of his men burned into his skull, he needed to find a way to put a stop to it before it started.
“Why didn't you tell them the truth?”
“Tell who what truth?” Merlin asked absentmindedly, as he tugged on the tunic and lifted it up over Arthur’s head.
“The knights, about your first kiss. You’ve been kissed before.” He turned to the screen and stepped out of his breeches. Merlin handed him a towel and he wrapped it around his waist before stepping out.
“Have I? I don’t recall.”
Arthur sputtered embarrassedly, his cheeks warm. How could he not remember? He couldn't have been that drunk. “You don't remember snogging me in the dead of the night at an Inn in the middle of nowhere!?”
Merlin recoiled at that, his breath caught in his throat. “When was this?”
“You, me and Leon went on a mission to help a village that was taken by a troll.”
“That was five years ago!”
“Yes, Merlin, but your first kiss doesn't reset every five years now does it?”
The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried to contain a smile. He turned to the bath and ran his hand through the water, steam weaving out of it. “I honest to god didn't think you remembered that, you were pretty drunk when you practically forced me into your bed and kissed me. I didn't think you’d appreciate me bringing that up in front of the knights.”
Arthur’s blood went cold. “Oh. I suppose that would've been a surprise, I didn't really remember it until it was brought up either.” He walked over to the bath, dropped the towel and stepped into the warm water. He sighed as he pressed back into the edge.
He turned to where Merlin was shoving his dirty clothes into the hamper and pursed his lips. “Merlin?”
“Hm?"
“I didn't force myself on you did I? As in, you– I don't know, you didn't hate it did you?”
Merlin softened, then gave a small chuckle, “No, sire, you may have been drunk but so was I. It was an honest drunken mistake, I don't hold anything against you.”
Arthur soured. A mistake. Of course it was a mistake. Why else would he kiss his manservant, if not influenced by substance? An honest drunken mistake it was.
1. Percy
The first time it happened Merlin didn't think much of it and he definitely couldn't possibly expect the way things would unfold after.
He was carrying Arthur’s training equipment when he ran into Percival just outside the armoury. The shield slipped from his fingers and clattered to the floor. He winced at the sound and swore under his breath.
“Oh, sorry Merlin. Here,” the large man bent down and picked up the fallen items. “I’ll carry them for you, come.”
“Thank you, Percy.” As he leaned in to take the equipment from his arms he bowed his head and pressed his lips against Merlin’s. It was an incredibly short kiss, Merlin barely had the time to register it happening before Percival pulled away with a smile. “Let’s get you on the field before the king loses his head.”
Percival didn’t bring it up afterwards, just gave him a private smile and a wink like Merlin was in on a joke that was happening. So Merlin decided against bringing attention to it, there was no point when it was clearly just a friendly morning peck. He’s had morning kisses before; mainly from Gwen and sometimes Morgana and they were just his friends. He’s never thought of Percival that way either, sure he was handsome and sweet but there was nothing remotely romantic between them. Hence the lack of need to mention it.
2. Gwaine
The next time it happened Merlin had completely forgotten about the occurrence with Percival that he was even more taken aback when Gwaine approached him as the sun was setting and the training field was empty; the knights having left after the training ended.
“Gwaine, did you forget something?” Merlin asked ingenuously, stacking the wooden targets on top of each other.
The knight’s hair bellowed in the gentle breeze as he stomped down the small hill like a man on a mission. “I might’ve lost something,” He replied with a smirk as he got closer. Merlin frowned by the lack of space but before he could ask the knight what he had lost, his face was cradled and pulled forward, smacking his mouth against his.
His tongue immediately licked into his mouth. Merlin gave out a small yelp that was muffled and unacknowledged. The young warlock felt tingles rush through his body as he tried to pull away without any luck. Defeated, he relaxed into the knight’s hold and let the tongue roam his mouth, his own tongue licking back in a fight of dominance.
He hasn’t felt a man’s tongue in his mouth since that night at the Inn. Gwaine was a rougher kisser than Arthur and yet still more methodical, like it’s a choreographed dance he’s been following since he first learned to kiss. Arthur was messy and sensual, perhaps it was the mead swimming in his system but it was nothing more than pure feral need to be kissed.
Gwaine moaned a little once Merlin started to reciprocate, his hands trailing the muscular back of the knight’s until one of them slipped into his luscious locks, fingers raking his scalp. Merlin couldn’t lie, he had imagined before what it would be like to kiss Gwaine. Simply because he was always so open about his dalliances with women and men alike, and because he bragged about being such a good kisser that Merlin wondered if it were true.
It was. Aside from practically attacking him in the middle of the training field and going tongue in first, Gwaine was decent–great even.
He finally pulled away and the first thing he saw was his maddening smirk on his spit-slick lips, bruised and red. Merlin scowled and pushed him away, “What the hell, Gwaine, I almost choked.”
The man let out a bark of laughter, “Oh please, I know you can handle more than a tongue, Merls.”
His cheeks glowed crimson. “You’re terrible.”
“You’re not too bad for someone who just got their first kiss.”
Merlin paused. So that’s what this was about. Was there some sort of silent vow to try and get him his first kiss? Maybe Arthur was right, he should’ve told them the truth to begin with to stop them wasting their time with this nonsense.
But then again… Gwaine isn’t the only one he’s wondered about. Merlin’s terrible, he knows, but if a bunch of gorgeous manly knights were lining up to try and kiss him, who is he to stop them? That would be just awful.
3. Elyan
On the occasion that Merlin went into the woods to collect herbs and ingredients for Gaius, Arthur would send one of his knights to accompany him for protection. Merlin had made it clear that he was perfectly fine on his own and could protect himself but the king still insisted.
Normally if he was actually going for sorcery reasons he would take Lancelot or Leon who were aware of his powers and they would keep him company and help out with whatever magical quest he had to do.
This was not one of those magical occasions and he and Elyan were chatting near a tree with a patch of mushroom growing at its base when the cries of bandits permeated the air and they went running.
There were too many of them, seven–maybe eight in total and it would’ve been suicide to fight against them. Merlin could’ve easily taken them had he been with Lancelot or Leon but he couldn’t risk Elyan finding out about his powers and Elyan couldn’t risk getting into a losing battle and having both of them taken or worse, killed. So they ran.
They ended up running into a cave and once Elyan was far ahead of him into the darkness Merlin turned to the mouth of the cave and whispered a quick incantation to conceal the cave from anyone who walked by.
He turned back to where Elyan was leaning against the back of the cave. “I think we lost them, we can stay here for a little while until it’s absolutely safe.” He stepped closer, his vision decreasing with the total darkness. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m– Do you think you have anything in that satchel of yours that we could use for fire? It’s worryingly dark in here.”
Merlin nodded and walked back to the mouth of the cave where he found some wood, twigs and leaves and scooped them in as discreetly as he could. He moved them to where Elyan had sat and began using the flint from his bag to start the fire.
Once it got going he was able to see the other man again, his eyes adjusting to the sudden light. Elyan had a sheen of sweat across his forehead and he was clutching his arm to his chest.
Frowning, Merlin moved closer, “What is it?”
Elyan shook his head, “It’s nothing. Just a cut, I suppose one of them had a crossbow and the arrow sliced me. It’s just a graze though, I’ll be fine.”
Merlin scooted closer to him and inspected his wound. It had been just a graze but it was still bleeding, and it would surely get infected if they didn’t take care of it. He rummaged through his satchel to take out some supplies; a skin bottle of water, a roll of gauze and a pre-made poultice of calendula, aloe vera and tea tree oil.
Once the wound was cleaned and wrapped, Merlin patted his shoulder with a smile. “That’ll be enough for now but just in case we’ll get you to Gaius as soon as we arrive to clean it properly.”
Elyan nodded. “Thanks, Merlin. You’re a star.”
Merlin smiled sweetly, positively glowing at the compliment. The knight leaned in and gave him a sweet kiss, a few seconds long and gentle. His lips were dry but soft and there was a hint of berry juice on them, not unlike the honey taste of Arthur’s lips.
Merlin watched in surprise as he pulled away a little too quickly. A sheepish look graced his features and he gave an apologetic smile.
“It’s okay,” Merlin whispered. He didn’t feel himself leaning back in but soon enough their lips were together again and moving in tandem.
4. Lancelot
When Lancelot came to him he was more surprised than he had been by Gwaine tonguing him.
For two years now Lancelot and Gwen were in a committed relationship that was flourishing and honestly the talk of the castle. Everyone loved Gwen, she had the grace and elegance of a princess and the command of a queen. She served Morgana but she also cared so deeply about the people of the Camelot.
Lancelot was also the kingdom’s sweetheart. He was the sweetest knight to grace Camelot, he was as noble as he was brave. Together they were the perfect pair, the servants and knights alike were impatiently waiting for the news of their wedding.
So it took Merlin by surprise when Lancelot came to grace him with his “first kiss”.
“What?” Merlin asked a third time, still confused by the proposition. He was sitting on his bed with Arthur’s armour on his lap and a polish rag in his hand.
The knight moved from the door, closing it behind him and took a single stride over to the bed. “I’ve been thinking about it, I don’t want you to feel embarrassed about your lack of experience and I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret trying to get your first kiss. As your best friend I believe it’s my duty to help you,” he replied. “If you’re willing of course.”
“Lancelot…” he started cautiously. “You are aware you’re with Gwen right? My best friend.”
“I thought I was–” he shook his head, “Gwen and I talked about it. She thinks it’s sweet to do this for you. She knows there’s absolutely nothing between us anyways. If anything she joked about beating me to it.”
His cheeks bloomed. Gwen was always a nervous mess around him when he first arrived in Camelot, he didn’t really make the connection that she liked him until she started acting the very same way with Lancelot a few months later.
Out of respect for his best friends he really should come clean and tell Lancelot that he’s had his first kiss years ago and the only reason he couldn’t mention it was because he didn’t want the utter humiliation of rejection coming from Arthur in front of all of them.
But here Lancelot was perched on the edge of his bed with his big brown eyes so sincere and hopeful and his lips pink and wet from his tongue running across them, how could Merlin say no?
He really was a terrible person. Perhaps if he acknowledged it more it would cushion the severity of it.
Merlin put the armour on the floor and threw the rag next to it. Immediately Lancelot sat up, straightening himself then asked, “Can I kiss you, Merlin?”
Merlin nodded, “Yes, please.” He tried not to sound so desperate. The young nine-and-ten year old Merlin within him that was so enamoured by the brave knight was silently jumping with joy.
They leaned in together and Lancelot took hold on his jaw, his fingers slipping into the short ragged cuts of his hair. He brushed his thumb against his pink pout and on instinct Merlin darted his tongue out to wet his lips, and it accidentally swiped across the pad of his thumb. Lancelot smiled and Merlin couldn’t help the sheepish chuckle he exhaled.
Slowly their lips came together and Merlin sighed through his nose at the contact. Lancelot’s lips were softer than he expected which was saying something because his lips always looked as cushion-y as a maiden’s. He tasted like some sort of oil, the kind he would see Gwen and Morgana putting on whenever he idled around the Princess’ chambers.
Lancelot leaned over him until his back was hitting the pillow–one that he nicked from Arthur’s bed, but he won't miss it. The hand on his jaw gently tilted his head, his lips parting on instinct and letting Lance’s tongue enter, licking into him. The press of his hand on the side of his face reminded him of Arthur cradling his head as he lazily kissed into his mouth in the Inn. But his hands were smaller and softer where Arthur’s were bigger and a little calloused from the sword.
The kiss lasted for a minute, with their heads moving this way and that until Merlin was breathless. Lancelot pulled away and sat back. Merlin just stared at him from where he laid, his lips buzzing.
“Good?”
Merlin couldn’t immediately find his voice. He nodded. “Yeah, yeah. Good.”
5. Leon
The last person Merlin expected to approach him was Leon. Well technically he was the very last but even then he wasn’t expecting to see him. Leon had been his longest friend of the knights, they were comfortable with each other and Merlin had even confided in him about more than one secret.
So when he came to him while he was sharpening Arthur’s sword at the table by the fire in the king’s chambers he didn’t expect him to bring up the kisses.
“I hear you’ve been busy,” He said with a teasing smile as he took the seat next to him. Leon was probably the only person other than Merlin and maybe Morgana who was comfortable lounging around in the king’s chambers without his presence.
“Arthur’s been working me like a dog. Look at this, does this not look sharp enough to cut through stone? He’s so ridiculous.”
“Perhaps he’s upset with you.”
Merlin whipped his head around to face him, “Upset with me? Why– did he say something to you?”
“No, but the knights have and he doesn’t seem to like what they had to say.”
Merlin frowned. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Well, each of my men have been not-so-subtly bragging about being your first kiss.” Merlin’s eyebrows disappeared into his fringe, his mouth falling open. “Why didn’t you just tell them the truth?”
He felt his skin burn. He averted his gaze and returned to running the whetstone across the blade. “I told the truth.”
Leon nudged him with his elbow. “Merlin, you do realise I was there right? The walls aren’t as thick as you think, and you both weren’t as quiet either.”
Merlin winced, a groan of embarrassment falling from his lips. “Leon, why didn’t you say anything?!”
“Don’t turn this around on me! Why didn’t you just tell them before they kissed you?”
He shrugged. He wanted to, he should’ve but he didn’t think there was a reason to do so. They’re all grown men and they had been willing to kiss him without him asking them. The only one he felt only slightly bad about was Lancelot because Gwen was involved.
“It’s not really hurting anyone is it? Besides it’s a one time thing, they’re not going out of their way to snog me any chance they get.”
Leon sighed and stood. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Thanks.”
“This is just going to make things with Arthur worse, you know? You said there was some progress a while ago and now you’re back to–whatever this tension is between you two.”
His cheeks flamed at the reminder. That was another thing Merlin had confided in Leon about, his feelings for Arthur. He was the only person that was sensible enough to understand his feelings and not run his mouth and give him advice, seeing he’s known Arthur the longest.
“I’ll fix it. Leon,” He grabbed his wrist to stop him. “I will.”
“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” He walked to the door and before he could open it Merlin called out for him.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Leon looked around, his hand coming to the hilt of his sword. “No, I don’t think so.”
Merlin jokingly puckered his lips and almost burst into laughter at Leon’s disgruntled expression and heavy sigh.
“No way, Merlin, I prefer my head attached to my shoulders, thanks.”
“You’re not willing to give me my first kiss?”
“Seems to me you’ve already had your first kiss, five times.”
Merlin barked out a laugh. “Oh come on, it’s only fair. I don’t want you getting all jealous of the others.”
“It’s kind of hard to be jealous of dead men walking.”
“I won’t tell, if you don’t.”
Leon huffed out an exasperated laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”
“Elyan said the same thing–” Leon stridden back over to him, sat down and held his jaw in place as he rubbed his nose into the hollow of his cheek, squishing into him causing Merlin to let out a string of giggles. He pecked his cheek a few times for good measure before leaning back and releasing him.
“Asking me to kiss you in his chambers,.. I knew you hated me but not this much.”
Merlin leaned closer, grazing the skin on the edge of his lip with his nose. “Just get it over with before he returns.”
Leon exhaled and brought his hand to rest on the back of his head, bringing him closer until their lips brushed against each other. Once then twice before finally melting into each other. Merlin sighed and moved his lips on instinct, sucking on the knight’s top lip.
He’d be lying if he said he didn’t think about kissing him the most out of all of the knights. Leon was one of those people that seemed entirely too dedicated to his work to ever think about relationships. He was innocent and sweet, and a part of Merlin fantasised about bedding him, to make him come undone and watch him writhe under him.
Merlin licked a strip against the seam of his lips becking them open. An airy gasp filtered through the knight’s lips as he parted them, letting him in. Their tongues twisted against each other, flicking into one another’s mouths. He pulled him closer and trailed his hands along his hips while Leon’s hand gripped at the short hairs of his head, eliciting a moan out of him.
Leon tasted sweet, like honey and the scruff of his beard against him sent tingles down his body. Merlin savoured the feeling before pulling away, his tongue licking at his lips to lap up the taste.
“You taste– did you drink mead?”
Leon hummed, his eyes half shut. “I had a cup at supper.”
“You taste like Arthur.” He couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of him.
Leon threw his head back in laughter. “Have you been going around comparing the knights to Arthur?”
“No! It just…you really do. He was drunk on the mead that night and it’s all I remember, my lips won’t forget him.”
Leon kissed his teeth sympathetically then leaned in and caressed his cheek. “Stop wasting your time with all this then, go tell him that.”
“If he doesn’t like me like that?” He asked, his voice so dainty and shy. His cheeks reddened as Leon leaned in to pepper them with soft kisses. His eyelids fluttered shut, basking in the feel of his lips over his face.
“Then I pray for Camelot for her king is a fool.”
Merlin chuckled, “Thank you, Leon,” he whispered, then caught his lips in a soaring kiss, desperate to taste the sweet honey on them and imagine them as another man's.
(+1)
The next patrol came a couple of weeks after his kiss with Leon and Merlin had decided it was the perfect time to come clean and sort out the tension between him and Arthur, who at that point still refused to be in the same room as him and barely spoke more than a few words of commands at him.
Once the knights were fed and the bedrolls were out Merlin stood from the circle of the fire and stood against the tree. Leon and Arthur were sitting closest to him on his left, Lancelot and Elyan sat on a log in front of him with the fire separating him from them and the other two were on his right.
He clapped to get their attention and the chatter softly died out. “I know we’re all tired but I just wanted to come clean about something.” He took in a deep breath and shook the nerves from his body. “I should’ve been honest from the start. The last few months the lot of you have for whatever reason made it your personal mission to give me my first kiss. It’s really sweet of you guys, but I’m assuming you didn’t communicate about it because multiple attempts were made.”
“Wait, you were kissed by someone else?”
Merlin’s eyes flitted between the four that looked more shocked than anything. Percy raised a hand, “Who kissed you first?”
“It doesn’t matter, really.”
“Of course it does!” Gwaine exclaimed. “I put a lot of effort into that kiss.”
Lancelot frowned, “Was this before or after I kissed you?”
Elyan smacked his arm. “Why were you going around kissing Merlin when you’re with my sister?”
“I honest to god thought I was helping him with his first kiss! Gwen knew about it. Merlin!”
He grimaced. “I’m sorry, I am! I didn’t know how to tell you guys, but I’m coming clean now…”
There was an awkward shift in the air as they contemplated the apology and what was supposed to be done about it. Gwaine glanced around the fire then snapped his fingers. “Since you won’t tell us who really was your first, I demand a ranking.”
Merlin sputtered, his eyes wide. The men around the fire agreed in unison, the competitiveness in the air thickening. He turned to his left and Arthur was scowling at the ground, his knuckles white from the grip he had around the stick he was playing with, and Leon was not helpful at all, supplying him only with a shrug. As if to say ‘you got yourself into this’. He did but damn it, he needed someone sensible in his corner!
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“Even if you don’t like your ranking?”
They looked at each other and nodded. “Go ahead, Merlin, lay it on us.”
Who was he to deny them? “Fine, in last place…” he contemplated it. The kisses were all pretty sweet, none of them were awful but if one person had to go last– “Percival. Nothing wrong with it, it was just short. Like a peck.”
Gwaine belly laughed, throwing his head back. He shoved the bigger man who shoved him right back. “You’re such a grandma, Perc.”
“Piss off, Gwaine. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.”
Merlin softened at that. “I appreciate it, Percy. Actually I’ll swap you with Gwaine–”
“What? Why? You were practically moaning in my mouth!”
The snapping of a twig rang from beside him and Merlin forced himself to stay fixed on the knight. “You were the one making noises, Gwaine. And I’m putting you last because you dove in with your tongue! I nearly choked.”
Gwaine chuckled and the others shared his laugh, “You enjoyed it didn’t you?”
“You’re staying in last place,” He turned to the other two and smiled. They returned it just as quickly. “You two were honestly kinda sweet–” they fist bumped each other. “I’ll probably put Elyan above Percy. You were great, I just would’ve preferred not being in a dangerous situation for it though.”
“I’ll take it. At least I’m not dead last.”
Lancelot’s eyes brightened and he turned to Leon, “You didn’t kiss him right? So that means I won? I’m first!”
“Surprise, surprise,” Gwaine grumbled. “The castle sweetheart wins.”
“Well, unlike you barbarians he actually asked to kiss me! He didn’t just catch me by surprise or stick his tongue down my throat for the heck of it.” Gwaine made a noise of dismissal that Merlin chose to ignore. “Unfortunately though, he’s not first because,” Merlin turned to his left. Arthur was still glowering but this time a pout was evident on his lips.
The warlock glanced at Leon who started shaking his head in protest. “Leon’s kiss was better.”
The air became still. The men all turned to the First Knight who started giving Merlin a look that could kill. “Leon!” Arthur shot up in surprise. “You kissed him!?”
“Merlin!” Leon exclaimed.
A laugh erupted from the other side of the fire. Gwaine was practically rolling on the floor, pounding his fist against the ground in a fit of hysteria. Percival joined in soon after and uneasily Elyan and Lancelot followed.
“I can’t believe Leon of all people kissed Merlin and ranked first.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Sir Gwaine?”
“Just that you never showed any interest in the guy.”
“That’s because there is no interest! No offence Merlin.”
“None taken. You’re not number one though.”
A pregnant pause rose between them. “What do you mean?”
Merlin stole a glance at Arthur and bit his lip. “Well, you know when I said I should’ve been honest from the start? I lied about not having my first kiss. I just didn’t want to say it in front of all of you because I didn’t know how he’d react… Arthur?”
The king was still avoiding his eyes, but turned his head in his direction.
“I know it happened so long ago but I couldn’t get the feel of your lips out of my mind-”
“Merlin!” He looked around sheepishly.
“See, this is why I didn’t mention it the first time! You act so weird about this sort of stuff.”
Arthur turned to him. “Because, in case you haven’t realised, I’m the King. This is all too weird!”
“Even if I said you have no competition in this department?”
His brow twitched, coming together skeptically. “Really? Not even the one hundred men you’ve kissed?”
Merlin shoved him. “Don’t be an ass.”
“Typical. Show of hands who’s surprised.” Gwaine said. “You do realise Merlin that this ranking is entirely biased right? There’s just no way the princess over here is better at kissing than I!”
Arthur glowered, “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“It just is. We need an impartial judge,” he stood and looked around the fire. “Leon, though reasonable, might as well be Merlin in disguise as he’s completely biased towards Arthur. Percy’s biased towards me of course, Lancelot has a big fat crush on Arthur–”
“Oi! Gwaine, shut up.”
“Elyan is entirely fair–”
“I’m not kissing your ass, Gwaine.”
Gwaine bent over to meet his eyes, “That’s only after if you really want it, darling.”
Merlin rolled his eyes. “Give it up, Gwaine. Maybe next time don’t start kisses with your tongue.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“There won’t be a next time,” Arthur said simultaneously. Merlin looked at him and the animalistic look in his eyes caught his breath in his throat. For years he wanted nothing more than to be claimed by his king, to be his and his alone. It was finally... in front of all of their friends, his knights...
An awkward clearing of the throat pulled them out of their little bubble. “So when did this happen?”
“Years ago, in an Inn.”
“They were awfully loud.” Leon supplied.
“You guys went all the way?”
Arthur exclaimed, “No! It was a kiss.”
Merlin stepped closer to him with his lip between his teeth, then leaned into his ear and whispered, “You still had me coming in my trousers with just that though.”
Arthur’s breathing hitched, “Merlin…” His hand shot up to the small of his back, pulling him close.
“Oh gross, you two please wait till we get back.” Leon mumbled, scrunching up his nose.
“I could have you in the stocks for kissing Merlin, Sir Leon.”
The knight shook his head. “You know, I didn’t want to expose you like this but since we’re all coming clean, the little squire boy that mistook me for a girl was actually our king over here.”
“Leon!”
The circle once again erupted in laughter. Merlin giggled as he rubbed soothing circles into his back. “I was nine!”
“It’s okay, Leon makes a pretty maiden.”
The knight blushed and glared at him. “And Merlin practically begged me–”
“I think we should reenact my first kiss, don’t you think?” Merlin cupped Arthur’s face, his fingers blocking his ears from Leon’s confession. Arthur was none the wiser as he scooped Merlin into his arms and kissed him hard, teeth clashing against each other.
Merlin swooned, his heart fluttering in his chest. He pressed closer, wrapping his arms around his neck and feeling his muscles flex against him. The kiss was less messy than the first time, but the level of heat and intensity was still there, doubled in fact.
Arthur licked at the seam of his lips and Merlin instantly tilted his head to let his tongue in. He let out an obscene moan the moment their tongues pressed against each other, slipping and sliding and collecting spit on the corners of their mouths.
He tangled his fingers into the golden locks and pulled, eliciting a deep groan from him. His hips instinctively bucked into the king’s who held it against his, his hands pressed into his ass. Another moan escaped from between them.
“Ahem, Sire!”
They pulled apart, a trail of spit dripping from their lips. With matching glassy eyes they turned to Leon who was red in the face and avoiding their eyes. “Surely you’re not planning to shag right in front of us.”
“Leon, quit ruining the show for us.” Gwaine called.
“You’re disgusting,” Elyan responded.
Arthur pulled Merlin to him again, “If it’s any consolation, had you really not had your first kiss I would’ve been the first to kiss you.”
Merlin smiled, “Good thing you were my first huh?”
Arthur pecked his lips in affirmation.