AN: I was really reluctant to start to this story, partly because it involves a controversial subject and partly because I haven't finished my other story (which I will. I promise, I do feel it's gone off track, and my desire to write it has died, but I will continue), but mostly because it involves a controversial subject, abuse. I'm rating it T, but if you think it'd be more suited to M, please say. I don't want to offend anyone or anything like that. Anyway. I really had this idea in my head, because I had a life-skills lesson on abusive relationships and it really made me think about how it's rarely touched on in books and the media etc, and maybe writing a fanfic about it is a little far-fetched... but the idea just wouldn't leave. Anyway, here's the first chapter. I don't foresee this being a long story, but we'll see.

Some background info:

-This story is going to be intentionally ambiguous.

- Arthur, Merlin and Gwen are good friends, and have been for a while. Arthur has a crush on Gwen. Gwen's dating David. Other characters include Lancelot, Leon, Gwaine and Elyan. The characters are about 19-21... and are all studying at the same University. I think that's it. Everything else should make sense as you read the story.

Chapter 1.

Morgana walked into the living room, a tired smile on her face as she spied her brother stalking through Guinevere's Facebook on his laptop. He'd obviously thought he was alone and was free to rile through the many profile pictures of Gwen without his privacy being interrupted. Unfortunately, he'd been wrong. Morgana slowly approached him, walking on her tip-toes, treading softly, trying her best not to make a sound as Arthur continued staring at the photographs of Gwen, oblivious to his sister's advances. Morgan slowly raised her hand up, pressing it down hard on his shoulder. He jerked quickly, closing his laptop as he turned around to see his sister, who now had a wicked grin on her face. Arthur rolled his eyes, sighing heavily.

"Can I not get any privacy around here?" He says, agitated, as he begins picking up his things before slowly making his way out the living room.

"I saw whose Facebook page you were on." Morgana says, prompting her brother to stop in his tracks. He slowly turns around, an unconvinced look on his face.

"Really." He replies, trying not to go give much away. Morgana smiles back at him before slumping on the sofa, her hand digging underneath the cushion in attempt to find the remote.

"Really. Don't worry, I won't tell Gwen of your slightly creepy obsession with her." She says, a smug look on her face as she switches on the television, making herself comfortable.

"I'm not obsessed with her." Arthur replies, a defensive tone to his voice.

"Whatever you say, I guess you won't mind me telling her that I accidentally caught you staring lustfully at her profile pictures then?"

"I was worried about her." Morgana laughs, much to Arthur's annoyance. "I was!"

"And... so staring at pictures of her face was to help ease your worry?" Morgana continues before Arthur can answer. "Anyway, why are you worried about her? She's fine."

"I don't like her boyfriend." Arthur says slowly, as he stares down at his feet.

"It's a good thing you're not dating him then." Morgana replies dryly. Arthur rolls his eyes, exasperated at her smarmy replies.

"No, I mean I really don't like him. I-"

"Whatever, Arthur. I was only teasing. I'm not actually going to tell Gwen. There's nothing wrong with having a harmless crush on her." Morgana says, clearly losing interest in the conversation, her attention now geared towards one of her many programmes displayed on the TV.

"I think he's abusing her." Arthur says, his voice dry. His sister quickly turns to face him, a shocked look engraved on her face.

"What?"

"I think he's abusing her. You heard me." Arthur says, his voice more confident this time.

"Arthur, do you realise what you're saying? You're accusing David of abusing Guinevere. What on earth gave you that idea?" Morgana says, baffled at her brother's words.

"Gwen's suddenly got a lot of bruises as of late." Arthur says matter of factly. His grip on his laptop tightening, a nervous edge to to his stance.

"She fell down the stairs-"

"What, and you actually believe that tripe?" Arthur says, his anger growing.

"David's abusing her. I know it."

"Do you actually have any proof? Have you seen him touch her? Raise a finger to her? Shout at her? Threaten her? Have you, Arthur?" Morgana leaves the sofa, approaching her Arthur, who is now rubbing his fingers softly on his face.

"It's the way he looks at her." Arthur pauses. "Like he owns her, like she's his toy-"

"Arthur, he's just protective of her. He loves her." Arthur shakes his head at Morgana's retort, unconvinced at her explanation.

"No. No, it's more than that. He's infatuated with her. It's controlling. He scares me. Whenever Gwen's around him, she's quiet, sad, she's not herself. I know Gwen, and when she's with him, she's not being the Gwen I know. She's... different." Arthur says, his face solemn. Morgana studies him, a confused look on her face. She shakes her head, unable to comprehend Arthur's words.

"Arthur, I think you might be a little jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"David is a nice guy. Guinevere's 19, she's not a kid. She wouldn't stay in an abusive relationship."

"She would, if she didn't know she was being abused." Arthur persists, his tone cold.

"I don't want to hear any more of this, Arthur. Don't let your silly crush cloud your better judgement. David is one of our mutual friends. Lancelot's friends with him, so's Gwaine and Leon. They're fine with the relationship, you're the only one who seems to have a problem with all this. Which is understandable, because you're the only one with an unhealthy crush on Guinevere. You're jealous. That's fine, I get it, but please, don't make sick accusations. It's pathetic!" Morgana says, the venom in her voice growing as she shouts at Arthur. She quickly walks out of the living room, a disgusted look on her face. Arthur stands still on the spot. He sighs briefly. Struggling to control his frustration, he smashes his laptop on the ground, the pieces flying across the room.

"You never told me why Morgana isn't talking to you." Gwen says smiling as she steals a chip from Arthur's plate. They're at one of the restaurants in Gwen's university and Arthur had insisted on fish and chips, regardless of the numerous times Guinevere tried to remind him she was on a diet.

"I spilled coke on her dress." Arthur lies, as he playfully tries to grab the chip out of Gwen's hand before she shoves in her mouth, laughing.

"Really? And that's why she's ignoring you?" Gwen says, her mouth full as she frowns.

"You know Morgana, ever the dramatic." Arthur continues, placing a chip in his mouth. He watches as Guinevere takes her phone out to read a text. A worried look plagues her face shortly after.

"What's up?" Arthur questions, as he straightens up on his seat.

"It's David. I have to go." Gwen picks up her bag, as she makes to leave.

"We're meant to be having lunch, Gwen." Arthur's unimpressed by her hasty exit.

"Sorry. It's important." Gwen places her scarf round her neck as she quickly places a kiss on Arthur's cheek. "I'll call you!" She hurries out, leaving Arthur alone. A large plate of Fish and Chips in front of him. He bangs the table, annoyed.

David had been waiting impatiently for Guinevere's arrival. She was 10 minutes late, and David didn't like it. He took a drag from his cigarette, dropping it quickly as he noticed Gwen running up to him. She hates it when he smokes.

"You're late." He replies dryly.

"Sorry."

"Where were you?" David raises his hand up to Guinevere's face as he pulls a strand of hair behind her ears. He hates her hair down.

"With Arthur." Gwen replies reluctantly.

"Oh." David's hand slowly falls on top of hers, his grip wrapped around her wrist.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I just don't like him." David says, as his grip round her wrist tightens a little. Gwen smiles at him nervously.

"He's not that bad." She retorts, her voice weak.

"I don't want you seeing him. I don't like the way he looks at you." David says, his thumb now caressing her wrist as his eyes turn cold.

"Arthur's one of my best friends."

"So, he's more important than me?" His tone is harsh.

"I didn't say that."

"Good. Then you'll stop seeing him. Alone, at least. I don't want you alone with him, okay?"

Gwen nods, as David pulls her closer to him. They embrace.