@merthurmicrofic | Door | 483 words
âNow, Merlin,â Arthur drawls, fingers clenched around the bones of Merlinâs shoulder, his other hand clutching a bedsheet to his waist, âwhat is this?â
Merlin stares at the slab of hardwood, and is forced to wonder whether all of Arthurâs head injuries are finally catching up to him at once. âItâs⌠a door, sire.â
âVery good,â grunts Arthur, his grip tightening; Merlinâs arm is starting to hurt, a bit. âAnd what is it, exactly, that we do with doors?â
Merlin blinks. Arthur doesnât move. The door offers no extenuation. âWe⌠open them?â
âNo,â says Arthur, pressing himself forward, so that his bare chest is flush with Merlinâs back. Merlin has the distinct sense that if Arthur had a knife, heâd use it; but he does not, so most of Merlinâs blood is staying where it is. âWe knock,â Arthur mutters, into the shell of Merlinâs ear, âand then we open it.â
Several pieces fall into place at once, and it becomes immediately clear to Merlin just what sort of scene he has so blithely interrupted. He shuffles backwards, in search of proof, but Arthur steps away.Â
âIâm not sure I understand, sire,â Merlin offers, fluttering his lashes in a manner he has been told looks quite innocent. âPerhaps you could show me?â
Arthur grits his teeth, but reaches a broad arm around the side of Merlinâs ribs, grabbing his hand and curling the fingers into a fist. Then, slowly, roughly, he drags it up to rap rap rap against the panel of the door.
âI see,â Merlin muses, biting at his lip, as Arthur drops his wrist again with haste. âAnd how do you prefer it, sire? Should I be gentle, or really give it a good pounding?â
He twists around just in time to watch Arthurâs neck flush very slightly red.
âI donât care,â Arthur grates, though he wrenches a second layer of the sheet towards his lap. âSo long as you do it.â
âItâs only that I wouldnât want to tire out my hand,â Merlin explains. âIt would be difficult to service you without it. And your royal wood just seems so hard.â
Arthurâs ears change color, and a strange sound escapes his throat. âWell,â he coughs, inching himself sideways, though Merlin turns as well, in sync. They circle one another until Arthur backs into the door; his eyes are very dark, cheeks red. âSee that you learn quickly. As I wonât teach you again.â
Merlin sighs, and shrugs, and Arthur shifts, making the hinge pins rattle in their shafts.
âNo,â Merlin decides, âIâm just not sure that knocking is for me. Though I can think of another way to use a door. So that youâll know exactly when Iâm coming.â
Arthurâs gaze meets Merlinâs own, and his tongue darts out to lick his lip. âOh?â
âYes,â says Merlin, nodding at the sheet. âBut first youâll have to put that down.â