My Friend, My Love ~ Merwaine Oneshots

Gratitude

Synopsis: Merlin takes a moment to appreciate his partner
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The bright morning light shone through the close curtains illuminating the room. Merlin groaned quietly and hesitantly opened his eyes, resisting the urge to close them from the painful light. Around this time, Gaius normally would be barging into his room to wake him up so he could begin his manservant duties. But today was different-he was not in his familiar small room.

With a big yawn, Merlin shifted over to his side, minding the arm strewn across his middle, and smiled at the sight before him.

Gwaine was still soundly asleep, snoring softly. The morning sun gave Merlin the perfect opportunity to admire his partner. His eyes roamed over his lover's muscle toned chest until they landed on his peaceful facial expression. Merlin reached out and brushed a stray lock away from Gwaine’s face.

The warlock took a moment to appreciate the man beside him. The man who he loved most dearly and, in return, was loved by. Gwaine filled the void in his heart that was left empty after years of betrayal and loss. He’d been hesitant, of course, to allow Gwaine to become more a part of his life. If past experiences were anything to go by, Merlin felt a bit of cautiousness when they first entered into a deeper relationship.

But Gwaine had proven that he was undyingly committed to Merlin, and soon that fear vanished. 

In shorter words: Merlin owed Gwaine everything. Lately, the weight of his destiny seemed to be crushing him more than ever. It was thanks to Gwaine he didn’t succumb to the darkness fully. 

Gwaine was his anchor.

“I can feel you staring, love,” a gruff voice interrupted.

Merlin watched as dark brown irises were revealed. Gwaine wiped the sleep from his bleary eyes and gave his lover a smirk. “Like what you see?” He teased. Merlin rolled his eyes playfully, “You wish, for your information, I was thinking.” Gwaine tucked his arms behind his head, “Oh really? And just what exactly is going through the great Emrys’ mind?” 

Cue another eye roll from Merlin, he despised being referred to as Emrys, and Gwaine knew that. “You,” Merlin answered solemnly. Gwaine’s joking manner dropped at his lover's tone. “Me? What about me?”

“Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life-wait just hear me out,” Merlin interrupted quickly when Gwaine opened his mouth to protest. “You don’t understand how much I depend on you. You’re the only person, besides Gaius and my mother, who I can just be myself around. I don’t have to hide my magic or pretend to be the fool everyone believes I am. With you…I’m free.”

Gwaine pulled Merlin closer as the two naturally leaned their foreheads together. “You’ve changed my life more than you give yourself credit for Merlin. And for that I’ll forever be in your debt.”

“I love you, Gwaine.”

“I love you too, I always have and always will.”

A comfortable silence fell between them after the heartfelt declarations until a mischievous gleam came to Gwaine’s eye, and he smirked.

Before Merlin could even get a word out, Gwaine was already hovering over him. “You know, I think I have a way for you to show me some of that gratitude of yours.”

Merlin picked up on his lover's playful tone and quirked an eyebrow. “Oh really? And just what pray tell do you wish me to do Sir Knight?” He toyed.

Merlin gasped as Gwaine pressed a kiss to his neck. The kisses trailed down his neck before Gwaine pulled back. “Does that answer your question?” He asked, already breathless. 

A flash of gold eyes connected their lips together.