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Ever since Arthur was told about his destiny by the dragon, he had dreamed about meeting the younger boy who was going to complete him.
When he did finally meet him, he realized how much Merlin feared being discovered. Arthur had given him a few opportunities to confide in him, but Merlin didn't take them.
It was just as well: they both knew of their destiny and both protected the other in secret. Of course, Arthur would have loved to move forward with the next part of their destiny. He mostly wanted to move forward with their union. Really badly.
Regardless of his insults and insolence, Arthur had fallen in love with the man.
He couldn't wait to see Merlin use magic in the open.
For now, though, he was content with the shared knowledge of their fate.
' Purple really does suit him ' he reflected with a smile after turning away from the blushing Merlin.
His smile dropped as his thoughts quickly went back to the situation at hand. What Halig had told him wasn't to be taken lightly. Whatever this creature was, it was a danger to his people and had to be eliminated. He guessed Merlin's recent behaviour was because the sorcerer was doing what he always did: Working in the shadow to find a solution to the problem, but once again, not including him in his plans.
Arthur decided he would do what he had done in the past and follow Merlin to make sure the idiot wouldn't hurt himself.
Arthur stood stock-still in the dark, trembling, with the odd urge to vomit. He knew that tears would have fallen from his eyes if the habit hadn't been slapped away in his younger years. He watched as Merlin leaned in for one last kiss before leaving, and tasted bile in his mouth.
That girl was the beast. The very same one who had been terrorizing the town's people the last two nights and had killed two of his knights and the baker's daughter. Merlin had been helping her. Had kissed her. Made promises in soft tones which Arthur had been waiting to hear for years.
He couldn't understand-- Had Merlin been lying to him all this time? They were destined… they were supposed to--
Something in Arthur's soul died, and with it, the hurt and confusion were washed away by an all-encompassing feeling of hate.
He stalked towards the figure on the floor, who only had the time to mutter a quick, "Merlin?" before Arthur plunged his sword into her chest.
Putting the cold iron on Merlin had been a weird feeling. Arthur couldn't recall how many times he had woken up in a cold sweat after having a dream of the very same thing happening. And now, he was the one turning the key.
Just before Merlin would have left his chambers with a ' Gaius has a long list of chores for me, don't be surprised if I won't show up tomorrow! ' (That's how Merlin would have left him! Abandoned him forever. With one last lie and not a glance behind!) Arthur had grabbed his wrists and clasped the shackles around them, putting a hand on his mouth to cover his scream.
He hadn't had a long time to think about what would happen next. He didn't think much at all. Now, with Merlin curled up on the floor, he felt a sense of calm wash over him.
Merlin had tried to leave him and his destiny behind. Now Arthur had ensured that Merlin would stay forever by his side, helping him fulfil it.
As the Gods had intended. And they would start right away.
And to do so, they would need to be united.
Arthur picked Merlin up, holding him in his arms as the man weakly struggled, and placed him on their bed.
"Hush," He whispered as he saw the other tremble, "I'm doing this for the both of us. You'll understand when I make you remember our destiny."
He started undressing himself and Merlin, disliking the feeble resistance in the man's movements. Both sorrow and hatred weighed in his heart as he continued and finished undressing the other, tunic pooling at his clasped hands, "Just stay still! After what you've done-- After what you were going to do, you'd deserve retribution instead of the forgiveness I'm showing you! I should have given up on you, instead, I'm here, trying to make this work!" As he snarled that last word, he grabbed the vial of oil on the nightstand and started preparing Merlin's entrance. He massaged the hole and coated it with a generous amount of oil, managing to insert his second finger after a while, and deciding he was ready.
As he lined up with his cock, he could hear mutterings coming from Merlin.
"I didn't-- I didn't do anything..."
That insubordinate voice made Arthur's vision go red. On impulse, he grabbed the man by the throat and shoved himself in sharply.
"You helped that beast escape. You were going to leave me!" he wasn't proud of how his voice cracked at the last two words and blamed it on the pleasure of being inside Merlin after so many years.
He started moving, the friction painful, but perfect to override the despair inside him, and so he kept going until only perfect pleasure was left. He delighted in the little screams, moans and gasps coming from Merlin, perceiving them as the apology he felt he deserved.
When Arthur heard his name among those sounds, little zaps ran through his body, muscles locking up far too soon and reaching completion inside Merlin, overwhelming pleasure washing over him.
They were united now, they'd be able to fix all of this.
Looking at the barely-conscious Merlin, he wondered how it was possible to hate and love someone so much at the same time. Arthur traced his fingers through the dark hair and kissed the line of his jaw.
"We'll fix this." He promised, hopeful they would.