Sleep is overrated -
MERTHUR (Escort) AU - Dating Mr. Right For All The Wrong Reasons
Chapter 13 now on AO3 (almost the whole chapter is NSFW) https://archiveofourown.org/.../52122565/chapters/162448282
Sneak Peek:
The silence stretched, heavy with the dayās unspoken residueā¦ Agravaineās threat, the court order looming like a guillotine, the photo that had cracked their armor. Merlin felt it settle back in, a cold weight against the heat still pulsing in his veins. Arthurās hand tightened on his shoulder, fingers pressing into the muscle, and Merlin met his gaze. Those blue eyes were softer now, stripped of their steely look, raw with something unguarded. Trust, maybe, or need.
It hit Merlin hard, a quiet ache blooming in his chest, sharper than the lust had been.
āYou okay?ā Merlin murmured, voice low, thumb brushing Arthurās wrist where the pulse still fluttered.
Arthur exhaled, a shaky laugh ghosting past his lips.
āAfter that? Barely.ā He paused, the grin fading, and his hand slid to Merlinās neck, thumb tracing the damp hairline.
āItāsā¦ a lot. Monday. Agravaine. I donāt doubt who I am, but heās got a way of making me feel like I have to prove I'm worth it."
Merlin shifted closer, the sheets rustling, their legs tangling. āYou donāt have to prove shit to him. Youāre Utherās sonāanyone with eyes can see it. Heās just a vulture circling a throne heāll never have.ā
His fingers tightened on Arthurās chest, grounding them both.
āWeāll bury him. Together.ā
Arthurās smile was small, tired, but genuine, his breath warm against Merlinās forehead.
āYeah. Together.ā
