A/N : I hesitated a long time before posting this fic. First, because it doesn't really have a spine bone but the fluff, which is not really my style. Second, because even if I borrowed BBC's characters for their looks and names, they are very different from their original-selves, which suit me just fine. Some allusions are made here and there about the relation between them, adapted from Merlin's BBC series, but the 'so-called' plot is mine, and mine only. Chapter 1
The original idea was to ventile about some development from Season 3. Afterward, the fic evolved by itself, as always. All reference to 'Werewolf' serie, 'Star-Wars' or comic books are accurate, or so I hope. Enjoy :)
All my thanks go to VeryShy, for her neverfading support, her help and the betaing. I love you :)
The ring burst out in the quiet restaurant earning them murderous glances from other diners. Arthur picked up his cell-phone, frowning at the name on the screen. Morgana calling on a Saturday night could only mean one thing… He moved to flick the phone open; Guinevere shot him an angry glance.
"I'm asking you not to answer this."
"She needs me."
"I'm sure she does; but she's only your sister, and I'm your girlfriend."
"She's not my sister."
The text mail alert biped this time and Arthur scanned it rapidly before he stood up. The petite brunette in front of him frowned, menacing.
"Arthur…"
"I'll call you tomorrow."
"No, don't bother."
Arthur shrugged his shoulders, and threw a couple of bills on the table, gesturing the waiter on his way out.
He found her at his place, curled on the sofa with one of his jersey on and a half-empty quarter of Haagen-Dazs' Mayan chocolate in her hand. Her hair was falling in wet tangled curls over her shoulders.
The sweater was too big for her, and she looked lost in it. Her eyes were puffy from crying. And yet she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. The expected pang of desire and guilt sunk into his stomach. He was so used to the feeling it was nearly easy to ignore it as he approached the couch and pointed at the ice-cream.
"Gonna share?"
Morgana made room on the couch and offered a spoonful, before she settled against him comfortably. His comb was lying on the table, and he picked it up.
"Sorry I ruined your evening. Where's Gwen?"
"Gone."
Again.
He had broken up with girlfriends because of Morgana more often than he cared to remember. Either they resented her for being so beautiful and brilliant, or they got fed up of always coming second in his life, way behind her.
"Good riddance."
Surprised by her answer, he stopped combing the dark tangled strands.
"I thought you liked her?"
"That was before I discovered she was cheating on you with Lance."
Arthur froze.
With Gwen it had been different; she understood Morgana and he were close and until recently, she even accompanied them in their wild trips to the park or the country side; she had borne their endless bickering without complaining and participated in their passionate discussions over futilities…
Morgana leaned on him, looking at him with big green eyes, her face just inches from his. She covered her lovely mouth with both hands and he remembered how to breathe.
"Oh God Arthur, I'm sorry… I thought you knew… Even Uther noticed…"
Until recently. Gwen had cheated on him.
It hurt. If nothing else, at least his pride.
"Like you said. Good riddance. Now give me some ice cream and tell me why I'll punch… What his name this week?"
"Lionel. He told me I am an evil bitch and I'll end up an old hag, bitter and lonely."
She was on the verge of crying again; he was going to kill this guy. Arthur pulled her closer. Morgana relaxed in his arms, rubbing her nose in his shoulder like a cat. He wished like hell she didn't do that. The caress was making it harder to ignore how well her body fitted against his.
At least, this time she hadn't climbed on his lap for comfort. He tightened his grip to stop her from bumping into him, vaguely wondering when he swallowed how the ice-cream could still be cold.
After a while, when heat cooled into a peaceful warm, Arthur pushed the shiny curls off her face.
"I'm the only one who is allowed to call you that. But generally I do have a reason to do so…"
Even though Morgana had been able to blow up every one of his neurones since he was fourteen, she didn't blind him so completely that he believed her a saint. An angel, maybe… She snorted against his chest.
"I asked him if he could go without a drink for a month…"
Oh, so it was that Lionel… Former footballer, built like a bull, which was probably what interested her in the first place, and a very strong liking for alcohol… Maybe not a punching candidate.
"You're better without him. Trust me."
She sighed. The gentle breath brushed over his neck and he momentarily forgot why he could not kiss her and make it all better for both of them.
"Can I stay here tonight?"
"Only if you're cooking breakfast. And I've got some shirts to iron."
"Don't push your luck."
Arthur grinned. Morgana got up and smiled at him, her bruised heart forgotten.
"Fine. But I'm taking the bed."
I could have done without the image…
Arthur nodded, his best 'brother' mask well in place.
They had grown up together, raised like siblings by his father. They bickered all the time, challenged one another to no end, and they adored each other. At least he adored her, in every possible ways, most of them inappropriate, and she saw nothing in him but a little brother and an anchor in her emotional chaos. Her light was dooming each of his attempts to relationships before hand, while some stupid guy broke her tender heart every other week.
Arthur got up and started preparing for another restless night on his couch.
At least tonight she was with him. Sort of.
Morgana opened her email to find an alert claiming someone had answered her thread. She logged on eagerly. Some days, her online venturing was far more interesting than her real life was. Only Arthur never failed her. He was a sweetheart; if her dates were just half decent as he was, they would not turn into a disaster that quickly.
ShiningKnight wrote:
'LeiaM got a point. Writers should take care about continuity and how their building of characters is affecting their public. However, no offense, but one should be wise enough to see the difference between fiction and reality. A show is just a show. If a character development is not to your liking, stop watching or just reinvent it. Internet is full of fanfics and most of the best ones are not canon.'
She considered the message a second, hesitating between irritation and amusement. This ShiningKnight was clearly a guy. Subtle psychology escaped him. However, his supercilious reply was enticing. Morgana paused, thinking about her own answer.
Out of curiosity, she clicked on his profile to check him. It didn't display much. No avatar; no personal basics; His answer to the usual 'age' question was 'irrelevant. I'm probably too old for you anyway.' Her mouth twitched. The sarcastic touch was good. He had not filled the 'likes or interests' stuff. Either the guy was new on the forum, either he was just a dilettante, hiding behind the net anonymity and never expressing his true opinions. The signature of her opponent caught her attention: 'To do the right thing does not give the right to do it' (G.K. Chesterson). She gave a appreciative little smile and began typing.
Morgana was pressing the 'post' button when a decided fist banged on the door.
"Come in! You don't have to knock to enter your own bedroom, Arthur."
He grunted.
"Well, last time you nearly beheaded me. Good morning to you too."
"I was coming out of the shower!"
"We used to bathe together, Morgana. I saw you more naked than wrapped in a towel countless times."
She sneered.
"We were kids."
And now they were grown ups. She had looked so incredibly delicious then that he was still gawping when she had kicked him out of the room.
Arthur splashed cold water on his face.
"Anyway. I shower, you make breakfast. Coffee's already on."
He slammed the door in her face. Morgana laughed out loud, but she felt bad. He looked tired. He was always there to help her pick up the pieces, and she had not even asked how he was doing after his breakup with Gwen.
Today, she would spend the entire day with Arthur to cheer him up, starting now. Morgana changed into her jeans and knotted his shirt over her top before going to look for eggs, flour and milk.
She was nearly done when he entered the kitchen, barefoot and looking for coffee. He hadn't shaved. His stubble grazed her skin when he kissed her cheek. He smelled of soap and fresh water, something she automatically associated with him. Arthur sneaked a berry from the bowl and she slapped his hand away.
"No sneaking. Sit."
Morgana pushed him into a chair and poured them some coffee; the pancakes followed shortly, with fresh cut fruits and syrup. Arthur beamed and attacked his breakfast with appetite.
"You guys are so easy… A full stomach and you're happy."
"Don't forget the welcoming arms in our bed, honey."
She pulled out her tongue to him and Arthur replied by taking another mouthful of pancake and his best cocky grin. The battle of the sexes was an all-time favourite in their teasing games.
"Thanks for the pancakes."
"My pleasure. Am I escaping the ironing?"
"Not a chance."
A/N So?