Arthur/Gwen Modern AU.
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters of Merlin
He swears it's a coincidence but Gwen is fairly certain that her boss bribed one of the flight attendants to change his seat.
Actually, she's positive. Because there's no way that Arthur Pendragon would have booked a ticket…well, have Merlin book his ticket…in a seat among the plebs.
"What," she asked. "First class wasn't comfortable enough for you?"
He shrugged, "Seats are too squishy."
"And was your private jet out of service?"
"My father's jet," he corrected her without irony. "And he was using it, so…"
"So you're stuck here with the rest of us."
"Precisely." He was silent for all of ten seconds. "Tell me Gwen, what is it about me that irks you so much."
She felt her cheeks begin to burn. "I-I've no idea what you mean."
"You don't have to hide it. I get why Merlin hates me, but I'm not sure why you do."
"I don't hate you," she insisted.
He smiled. "No, no I suppose you don't, because I doubt there's anyone that you actually hate. But what is it about me that you don't like?"
Gwen bit her lip. "Nothing."
Arthur scoffed, "You're telling me that I'm perfect, then? I'm flattered but I don't believe it."
She could feel her resolve begin to waiver and before she knew it she was blurting out, "You may be managing director of your father's company but that gives you no right to act like everyone else is completely beneath you. Yesterday you asked me to get you coffee like I was your assistant and when I did it you didn't ever bother with a thank you. And then the day before that you ate the lunch that I brought. I wouldn't have minded sharing but you didn't even bother to ask."
The smirk that had been on his face had fallen slightly. "I…I guess I wasn't really thinking, I-"
"That's just it, Arthur. You don't think, do you." She leaned back in her seat and noticed the time to destination on the screen in front of her. 7 hours and 45 minutes. She was stuck next to him, for 7 hours and 45 more minutes after she'd just gone off on him. "I'm sorry," she said immediately.
"Don't be," he said. "Gwen," his hand landed on her arm and she nearly shot out of her seat. "I give you my sincerest apology for my behavior. And as soon as we land, actually, as soon as we've had time to freshen up at the hotel, I'm taking you out to dinner."
Gwen glanced over her shoulder to where Merlin was trying to ignore the boy kicking the back of his seat as Gawaine tried to contain his laughter. "You mean dinner with everyone?"
"No, just the two of us." He pulled out his headphones, "Ah, I've always wanted to see this film."