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It had been weeks since they had returned from Lord Beorhtric’s, where Merlin had been in heat. It had lead to he and Arthur fucking an embarrassing amount of times, many of which “might” not have even been necessary. Merlin’s face heated, stomach still clenching with embarrassment whenever he thought about how desperate, begging and wanton he’d been. How eager he’d been for Arthur to fuck him. How stupid he’d been.
He still attended to Arthur every day, like a model servant; never making eye contact, just getting on with things. Arthur never stayed in the room any longer than he had to, barking out orders then leaving. It was obvious he was ashamed of what they’d done.
***
When he woke the next morning Merlin felt queasy. But that wasn’t new. He’d been sick on and off ever since they’d got back, because of how he’d fucked things up with Arthur. His gut lurched every morning, but this morning had him running for the bucket to puke his guts up.
He slid down onto the cold stone floor, sweaty and shaking. He couldn’t carry on like this. They’d have to talk eventually.
***
The days passed and Merlin soldiered on. His body was still betraying him with random sickness and tiredness, and he was ravenous like a wolf.
“You should be careful Merlin,” joked Gaius. “You’re getting a little portly around the middle.”
Merlin flushed. It was true. He’d noticed how his stomach had become distended, starting to poke out a bit. It never had before. On the contrary, he'd always been painfully thin.
He had questions and concluded there was probably only one being who could give him answers.
***
Merlin roared out a summons in dragon-tongue as he rushed through the night to a clearing on the outskirts of Camelot. The night was bitterly cold. But he needed to talk to someone about what was happening.
He huddled under a tree to wait when finally he heard the dragon’s arrival overhead and stepped out into the clearing.
“Hello Young Warlock,” greeted Kilgharrah, bowing his head. He came closer and sniffed curiously. “You summoned me?”
“Yes. I need to ask you something.”
“And what is that?” intoned the dragon.
"A few months ago, when we were in Deorham I called for you and you told me about– about, you know. The thing about needing an heir?"
The dragon smiled, his eyes gleaming. "Oh yes."
"You said it was my nature."
"I did indeed," Kilgharrah agrees. "Because that is the truth."
"But what did you mean by it?" Merlin asked.
"You already know, Merlin. You and the young Pendragon copulated, did you not?"
Merlin blushed.
"And need not tell you; it was a success. I'm sure you feel it as much as I can smell it. A new Dragonlord will be born into this world."
"What!" Merlin exclaimed, his hands flying to his belly.
"Close your eyes, Young Warlock and you will sense it."
Merlin closed his eyes and searched with his magic until he felt it. An ovoid with a pulsing heart inside his body.
He opened his eyes, his hands trembling slightly as they dropped from his belly.
"So how does this work then? The—the whole… Oh gods, please don't make me say it!"
"The child will continue to grow within the safety of its egg, and when the time comes—"
Merlin startled and looked away. "EGG!? Nevermind, I changed my mind," he said, covering his ears. Uncovering them when the dragon stopped talking.
"So what do I do? I've been managing so far, I started wearing larger shirts. But even Gaius noticed I'm getting bigger."
"You must tell the old Physician. He will help you get safe passage from Camelot until the youngling is born."
"Leave Camelot?"
"Unless you wish for the prince to find out. If he does not cast you out for your magic, he will surely cast you out for this. As far as I'm aware pregnancy in human manservants is a remarkably rare occurrence."
"But who will protect him? You said it was my destiny!"
"It is. But you are also the last Dragonlord and destiny demands an heir. The young prince will be fine for a time. I will watch over him. And when it is over, you will be able to return to him."
***
Merlin confessed his predicament to Gaius who shook his head, merely commenting, “Only you, Merlin,” and they worked out a plan together. When the time came, Merlin left under the cover of night, leaving a note for Arthur—their relationship still fractious—telling him his mother was unwell and he'd gone to tend to her.
Time in Ealdor passed slowly and Merlin was bored. Everyday he grew bigger. He daren't leave the hut. His mother was thrilled, though bewildered, at the prospect of her son bearing a child, helping him to prepare.
***
One day, a young man came to the village, flying through the streets, his red cape flairing.
He approached the locals asking where he might find Merlin.
There was a heavy knock on the door and Merlin froze. Normally his mother would answer whilst he hid away. But today she was tending the fields.
Merlin crept to the door, opening a crack to peer outside.
A strong hand pushed it open and the man barged in.
"There you are, Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, trailing off as he stared at him. "You're— but—"
"Yeah," Merlin agreed.
"I don't even— How did it happen?"
“Arthur, I— I mean, it’s obvious, isn’t it. I’m a man, and yet…”
“Magic?” Arthur asked quietly.
Merlin stayed silent.
"I—I—" Arthur blinked back tears. "And is it— It's mine?"
Merlin nodded miserably. It was pointless to deny anything now.
Arthur stepped closer, placing his hand on Merlin's stomach, shaking his head.
"A baby…" he said, awestruck. “I came to tell you I was sorry. And I still am, even with the— and this.”
Arthur stepped closer still and suddenly he was kissing him, pressing Merlin against the wall, his hands everywhere.
"I missed you," Arthur whispered. "I came because I couldn’t stand to lose you."
Merlin pressed his forehead against Arthur's, his chest heaving, shivering delightedly as he felt Arthur's cock, hard against his hip.
"I’m sorry," Arthur groaned, pulling away. “I shouldn’t be all— when you’re—”
Merlin tugged him back, bringing Arthur's hand to his crotch to show him was equally affected. “It’s okay, it’s happening to me, too.”
“Gods help me I shouldn’t even ask, but can we—? With the baby—” said Arthur with a groan. “You’re just so hot.”
Arthur’s hands went to Merlin’s belly as he ground against his hip.
“Yes, yes, it’s fine. Gaius tells the women in Camelot to get attention from their husbands when they’re due. Arthur, please. It’s been so long.”
Arthur grunted and kissed him again, capturing Merlin’s lips.
He tugged at Merlin’s breeches, pushing his hand inside to palm him. His other hand ran over Merlin’s bump again.
“Fuck, Merlin. You’re so gorgeous like this. I want to— Gods if you knew what I was thinking right now…”
“Tell me.”
“Can we—like before—inside you?”
“Yes,” Merlin hissed. “Yes, I need to— please.”
Arthur walked to the bed and tugged off Merlin’s breeches.
“Look at you,” Arthur said, his hands back to Merlin’s belly. “We made this.”
They quickly stripped and got on the bed. “Do you need any—”
“I’m ready,” Merlin told him.
And when Arthur touched his hole, he found the same slickness again. He wasted no time parting Merlin’s legs pushing in, all the way to the hilt.
“Fuck,” he said, hanging his head between his shoulders as he leaned over Merlin. “Fuck. I need a minute— I don’t want to—”
“Arthur, come on!”
Arthur grit his teeth and started to move, driving into Merlin with deep, purposeful thrusts.
"Merlin," he began, grunting at a particularly hard lunge. "When you—left, I—"
Merlin whined, canting his hips up to meet Arthur's.
"You want to— Now?" spluttered Merlin indignantly.
Arthur gentled him with a kiss, tugging Merlin up and into his lap so they were belly to belly.
He pressed his hand on the top of his bump as he thrust up. “Fuck, I can feel it, Merlin.”
Merlin shivered. He could feel the way the egg was wriggling too, it felt good. He ground down, moving in small circles, groaning appreciatively.
“Merlin, I was so stupid. So stupid.”
“Shh,” said Merlin as he started to work himself up and down Arthur’s cock.
The egg continued to squirm inside him and Arthur groaned.
“Ah, Merlin. I’m—” He wrapped his fingers around Merlin’s cock. “I’m going to—”
His hips bucked up wildly; once, twice until grunted and sagged, clinging to Merlin. Merlin wrapped his hand around Arthur’s to help him and came with a groan.
Arthur toyed with the hair at the back of Merlin’s head, pressing his lips to his neck.
"Come back to Camelot with me,” he said. “Both of you."