Title: Departure

Author: dfriendly

Prompt/s: Third kiss

Rating: PG

Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Gwen

Spoilers: S2

Disclaimer: Merlin doesn't belong to me.

Summary: Set during 2x13. Gwen says goodbye to Arthur before he sets out to find Balinor.

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Gwen hesitated a moment, biting her lip with her fist raised, before finally knocking.

"Enter," she heard him call.

He looked up from packing to see her shut the door behind her.

"Guinevere," Arthur said in surprise.

"I was told you were going to look for help."

He nodded. "Yes. I am."

"Well… I came to wish you luck and a safe journey."

The prince smiled and stepped forward. "Thank you, Guinevere."

"I've heard it's dangerous to be within Cenred's borders," she said worriedly.

"And I promise I will return to you." Arthur's hand came up to cup her face.

She subconsciously leaned into his touch and whispered, "I will hold you to that." She studied his face a moment, trying to memorize his faint smile and the way he looked at her so intently, before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

She felt his chest expand in the small space between their bodies as he slowly inhaled through his nose. He met her gaze when she ended the kiss, their lips still so close they were practically touching, his other hand coming up to stroke the stray hairs by her ear before moving down to caress her bare neck. Her eyes fell close as she sighed.

His lips were on hers again, as gentle as the kiss previous. She returned it with more insistence, her arms circling around his back as she sank into his body. And he kissed her back without hesitance, much like their kiss in the tent.

She moaned, causing Arthur's lips to curl into what she swore was a smile. Then she felt the careful trace of his tongue on the underside of her top lip. She met his tongue instinctually, opening her mouth further and licking the tip of his tongue. He angled his head further, stroking her tongue a few times and making her pull tighter against him before breaking apart and resting his forehead against her.

"Now don't go putting yourself in danger again while I'm away," he whispered shakily.

Gwen shook her head a fraction. "It's not me I'm worried about." One hand moved to his chest, tracing right below his new wound. "You will be careful?"

"Yes."

She sighed and stepped back. "Then the sooner you leave, the sooner you return."

He placed one last kiss to her lips. "And I will see you then."