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Merlin’s lost count of how many missions he’s been on. He doesn't care to know. All he knows is he’s the Magical Defence Force's top agent. That's why he's been assigned this target, he requires careful handling. They've thrown countless women at him; Freya, Elena, Mithian… none were successful. They need him incapacitated, preoccupied whilst MDF agents acquire the Crystal of Neathid before MI5 can discover it's whereabouts.
When HQ realised he'd be more likely to go for a man, Merlin had been assigned. Which is why he's standing on a hotel balcony in Monaco, much to his chagrin. He's much more than a whore, thank you very much. He's a deadly assassin.
Behind him his target steps out to join him.
He wraps an arm around Merlin's waist.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” says Merlin, the only honest thing he’s said all day.
He feels a pang of sadness he never usually feels when lying to his target. But there's something about Arthur. He seems… earnest. But it's probably just an act; it always is.
“Come inside, it’s getting cold,” Arthur says, pressing his lips against Merlin’s cheek.
Something stirs inside Merlin he hasn’t felt in years. He shakes his head trying to shift it.
“Well, we don’t have to if you’d prefer to stay.”
Merlin turns in Arthur’s arms, smiling.
“No, let’s go inside,” he says, running his hands along the edges of Arthur’s silk robe, eyeing Arthur’s toned chest.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” says Arthur with a grin.
He kisses Merlin softly, passionately, walking him back into the suite. Hands slip under Merlin’s shirt, touching skin. They sink into Merlin's hair, gripping it just right. Merlin has to admit, Arthur's the best kiss he’s ever had, and Merlin's kissed many people.
One thing leads to another and soon Arthur has Merlin pinned down on the bed in a state of undress. He lays between Merlin's legs; licking, sucking, penetrating Merlin with fingers and tongue. Merlin's fingers curl around the sheets as he holds back a moan.
Arthur pulls away his face sticky and wet. He wastes no time lining himself up, sinking into Merlin with one long thrust. Merlin’s heels dig into Arthur's back as Arthur fucks him with ruthless precision.
Merlin gasps, arching into Arthur's movements; fingers biting into Arthur’s biceps as he brushes Merlin's prostate.
Arthur grins down at him, hair clinging to his forehead.
"Yeah, y'like that, don't you?"
With a grunt, Merlin flips them over so he's on top. He grasps Arthur’s cock, sinking down, taking it in one go.
That's better. Now he's in control.
He smirks at Arthur, who hauls him down for another kiss. When they part Merlin rides him hard, chasing his own pleasure, feeling more alive than he's been in years. This feels like it means something; like he's valued rather than being used and abused.
Arthur’s hands dance reverently along his thighs, all the way to Merlin’s hips. Merlin closes his eyes, his head tipping back. Arthur shifts to sitting, fingers tracing along Merlin’s flanks.
“Gorgeous,” Arthur murmurs, lips pressed against Merlin’s shoulder.
Merlin’s eyes fly open as cold metal meets his skin. Arthur glares at him, eyes flinty as he runs his pistol slowly along Merlin’s neck before pressing it into his jaw.
“So James, tell me… what do you want with the crystal?”
Merlin’s breath hitches, the muzzle digging into his skin.
“C—Careful,” he warns, magic gathering in his fingertips.
Arthur laughs. “You really think your magic will be quicker than me? You willing to test that theory?”
Merlin swallows.
“I’ll ask again; why do you want the crystal?”
“It’s a powerful artefact of the Old Religion. It doesn’t belong to you!”
Arthur grits his teeth. “It’s a dangerous weapon; no one should have it.”
“Shame you can’t do anything about it…”
“If you’re talking about your friends; I disposed of them earlier.”
Merlin’s heart leaps into his throat; Gilly and Daegal.
Arthur slides the pistol down Merlin’s neck again, watching it glide over glistening skin... He smiles as it traces a line along Merlin’s cock, which twitches with interest.
“Shame you’re the enemy,” he says softly. “We’d make a great team. There’s something about you, James… Tell me, do they treat you well? Do they even care about you? You’re nothing more than a weapon to them. You deserve better.”
Merlin’s resolve falters. It's all true. The MDF took him from his mother as a child. Trained him as a soldier. When he tried to find her, he discovered she'd died alone. His humanity had died with her.
Tonight’s the first time in ages he's felt human, loved.
“Join me. Save yourself James, before they destroy you. When I first met you, I thought you were a monster—” He runs the gun tenderly along Merlin’s cheekbone, his free hand wrapping around Merlin’s cock, “—but I’ve seen the real you.”
“It’s too dangerous to leave,” Merlin gasps, rocking his hips.
“I’d protect you.”
“MI5 hates magic-users.”
“Used to. We have a magic division now.”
Merlin shakes his head as Arthur bucks up into him. “Don’t want that. Want to be free.”
“We’ll destroy the crystal then run away,” pants Arthur, discarding the gun. “Where no one will ever find us.”
Merlin feels his orgasm cresting, magic sparking through him, despite the circumstances.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” he pants, fingers clutching Arthur’s shoulders, legs trembling with effort.
“James, James,” Arthur whispers, pulling Merlin close.
“Call me—My name's Merlin.”
Arthur rolls them over again, thrusting into Merlin, hips pumping hard, fast.
“Merlin,” Arthur mutters, his face at Merlin’s neck. “Merlin, Merlin—”
Arthur’s rhythm begins to falter, his hand snaking between them. He strips Merlin’s cock with firm tugs, coming with a choked off moan, throbbing his release deep inside.
Merlin follows, magic drowning him, body pulling taut as his cock pulses; Arthur’s name on his lips.
Entwined together basking in their afterglow, Merlin traces fingers along Arthur’s chest.
“Let’s do it,” he whispers.