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 dayâs unspoken residue⌠Agravaineâs 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. Arthurâs 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.
âYou okay?â Merlin murmured, voice low, thumb brushing Arthurâs wrist where the pulse still fluttered.
Arthur exhaled, a shaky laugh ghosting past his lips.
âAfter that? Barely.â He paused, the grin fading, and his hand slid to Merlinâs neck, thumb tracing the damp hairline.
âItâs⌠a lot. Monday. Agravaine. I donât doubt who I am, but heâs 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. âYou donât have to prove shit to him. Youâre Utherâs sonâanyone with eyes can see it. Heâs just a vulture circling a throne heâll never have.â
His fingers tightened on Arthurâs chest, grounding them both.
âWeâll bury him. Together.â
Arthurâs smile was small, tired, but genuine, his breath warm against Merlinâs forehead.
âYeah. Together.â
