A/N: This one is a little different. I wanted to do something from Guinevere's point of view because I rarely do so. Originally, I intended for this to be all journal entries, but then I realized it was rather limiting and I couldn't achieve the level of detail I normally like. The narrative is a mix of journal entries intertwined with scenes, so we get Gwen's inner thoughts along with the actual story. Her journal entries are in italics.
8 May
So, I got married today. I wasn't planning on it. It just kind of happened. I know that's not how weddings usually go down, but this is kind of how my life happens.
I was at the park with Tito, taking him on a walk. I sat on the bench for a minute, and a frisbee landed at my feet. I picked it up and saw a guy looking expectantly at me. He was really cute. Okay, he was probably the most gorgeous man I'd seen (in person) in a while (or not in person) (wow). Maybe ever.
I can't throw frisbees. I've tried. It always ends badly. Once, I gave Gwaine a black eye.
So, like a huge dork, I got up and walked towards him with his frisbee. He jogged towards me, meeting me halfway, and I gave it back to him. He took it, smiled (OMG), patted Tito, and said thanks. I smiled and walked away...
Less than a minute later, he is at her elbow again, frisbee gone, probably thrown to his friend. She hadn't even gotten back to the bench yet.
"Hi, I'm Arthur," he says with a warm smile, extending his hand. She takes it and he kisses her hand instead of shaking it, inhaling slightly to catch the light scent of lavender from her skin. He asks, "Will you marry me?"
Gwen stares, stunned. Did he just... "Excuse me?" She looks around briefly, wondering if there are hidden cameras somewhere.
He looks straight into her eyes, and she forgets how to breathe for a moment. So does he. His heart is pounding, and he knows it is because of this woman in front of him, with her clear brown eyes and the gorgeous smile he needed to see again.
"Will you marry me?" he softly repeats, his voice like warm honey.
"That's… quite a pickup line you've got there. How many times has it worked for you?" she asks, gently but definitely extracting her hand from his.
Arthur releases her hand, not wishing to overwhelm her any more than he already has. "It's no line, I promise," he says, his face serious, but soft.
"Right. So, this is one of those awful hidden camera programs then. You know, one of those that puts people in 'wacky' situations, thinking it's funny?" Gwen asks, still not convinced.
"No, no, I promise you it's not. I don't have a film crew, that..." he looks around, "that baby carriage there is just a baby carriage, not a camera in disguise, and no one's going to come up and ask you to sign a release form."
She blinks. "So, you just decided to come to the park and propose to a random girl?"
"Not a random girl," he says, slowly, carefully. "You. And, I actually came to the park to play frisbee with my mate, Merlin. But, fate intervened."
Guinevere gapes. What is this bloke's deal? I mean, this is kind of creepy, but—
Tito pulls the leash, having spotted a squirrel or something, and snaps her back to reality. "Very funny," she says, and starts to turn away.
"I'm quite serious, I assure you," he says
She turns back. "You want to marry me? You don't even know me."
"That's what I'm trying to correct," Arthur says, smiling the same affectionate smile. He offers his hand, holding it steady, not reaching towards her, letting her make the decision to take it or not. After a few seconds hesitation, and while looking into his eyes, Gwen slowly places her much smaller hand in his. Arthur wraps his fingers around hers and grins, followed by a short pleased laugh. Her hand is slender and soft and fits into his perfectly. He is holding it gently but securely, as if she is precious and requires great care.
Gwen looks down at their joined hands and inexplicably begins to feel a bit foolish. The caress of Arthur's thumb over her knuckles combined with the plaintive look in his eyes indicates he is in earnest. He isn't just being a jerk, playing a stupid prank. His proposal isn't just a stupid pick-up line.
She tries to ignore how his touch makes her feel a bit warmer and makes her stomach wobble in a very nice way. She angles her head at him, regarding him for a moment, noting his expensive trainers and manicured hands. Intentionally, artfully tousled salon haircut. Straight, white teeth. If he's a creeper, he's a posh creeper with good taste.
He's also ridiculously handsome and well-spoken and seems to be serious... and I really should say something instead of just staring.
"Kind of putting the cart before the horse, aren't you?" she finally asks, trying to push down the baser instincts that are threatening to take over her brain. I don't know why I keep talking to him.
Yes, I do. He's interesting. He doesn't seem dangerous. And, my hand in his feels right.
"Why walk when we can run?" he asks, kissing her hand again, the texture of her skin beneath his lips like a drug. "What's your name?"
Now he asks my name? "Gwen," she says. "You... you are aware you are a crazy person, right? Is there someone I should call? Do you have a medical alert bracelet, or...?" She turns their joined hands, pointedly looking at his wrist.
"No, completely sane," he laughs, holding up his other wrist for her inspection. She sees nothing apart from a very expensive-looking watch. "Gwen," he repeats her name, trying it out. "Please, at least come sit and talk with me."
Gwen opens her mouth, but he speaks before she can come up with an argument.
"I would like to point out that this is a very public place and you will be perfectly safe. All you would have to do is scream," Arthur says, smiling again. He looks down, almost shyly, then adds, "However, I would never dream of hurting you. I promise."
Something in his demeanor makes her believe him. "All right."
He shifts their hands to hang between them and leads her to the bench, unable to contain the grin on his face. His friend Merlin, now sitting under a nearby tree, looks up, sees Arthur's expression, and dramatically rolls his eyes.
"Okay, Gwen, ask me anything you like," he says, reaching down to pet her dog with his free hand. Tito quickly moves to place his snoot between Arthur's knees, having found a new friend.
Gwen sighs at her dog, then looks Arthur square in the eyes. "Why?" she asks.
He only paused a moment before answering. "The moment I saw you, I knew you were the person with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I've never been more grateful for Merlin's – that's my mate there, Merlin – lackluster frisbee skills," he explains, pointing to a tall, skinny man with black hair and large ears who is peering at his phone, looking rather sunburnt, the frisbee on the ground next to him. He looks up and waves, offering a broad, lopsided smile.
She finds herself smiling despite herself and raises her hand in a small wave. He responds with a thumbs-up, intending to be encouraging.
"See, Merlin says I'm okay," Arthur continues. "And, if you can't trust the endorsement of one complete stranger about another, what can you trust, right?"
"You're strange," Gwen answers, laughing a little. She clears her throat and continues, serious again. "Look, I'm willing to go out on a date with you, but... why get married? Do you have some sort of fortune you stand to inherit, but can only claim it if you're married? Are you in danger of being deported? Did you tell your boss you were married to secure a promotion?" she asks, mentally ticking off scenarios she remembered from various romantic comedy movies.
"Nothing like that at all," he insists, laughing, his blue eyes twinkling at her. "I just don't see the point in the whole process of dating when I already know what I want, and that is to be your husband."
"That's... well, that's really lovely, but it doesn't quite answer my question," she replies, pushing past the strange feelings his sweet words have brought forth. I want to be your husband. His unusual word choice bounces around inside her skull, and she puzzles over why he chose to phrase it that way. Not "I want to marry you" or "I want you to be my wife", but "I know what I want, and that is to be your husband." She files it away under Think More About This Later.
Arthur pauses, trying to put his feelings into words. "I saw you and something just... clicked into place. You smiled and I knew I couldn't let you get away. I... um, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but..."
Gwen raises an eyebrow. "I think we both know that ship has sailed," she says, half-smiling.
"Ha," Arthur exhales a laugh. "Well, at the risk of completely overwhelming you, when I saw you, it... it kind of felt like I found a part of myself that was missing. It was missing and I didn't know it was gone until you smiled at me."
Whoa. "Um, wow. That's..."
"Sorry. I did warn you," he says, lifting her hand to his lips once more. "I should add that talking to you has only cemented this feeling. You're... you're very beautiful, Gwen. I don't just mean on the outside. I like how you look, but I like you, as well."
Gwen blushes at his praise and tries to ignore the increase in her heart rate. "But, you proposed before you found out anything about me," she finally says, cursing at how breathy her voice suddenly sounds.
"I was willing to go on a little faith," Arthur simply says, smiling. He reaches his free hand up to touch her cheek, realizes it may be too soon for such a move, and drops it.
Gwen is surprised when she feels disappointed. She blinks and shakes her head slightly, gathering her logic back together. "We don't even know each other," she says. A very valid argument, but it suddenly sounds really weak.
He grins and dismissively waves his hand. "Details. They're the easy part."
"You've done this before then?" she asks.
His face falls.
"I'm s—"
"No, I've never done anything like this before," he quietly answers. His lips curve up into a tentative smile, and he adds, "I do understand why you asked though."
She smiles back, then looks down at her hand, still held in his.
"I'm not an impulsive person at all, normally," Arthur continues. "I'm a barrister. We don't tend to have whims. At least, the ones at my office don't."
"That explains a lot," Gwen answers, smiling. "I mean, about your perseverance. You do know how to present an argument."
"I— Merlin, this is Gwen," Arthur says, looking up at his approaching friend. "Gwen, this is Merlin."
"Hi," Merlin says, offering his hand. Arthur releases Gwen's hand so she can greet Merlin.
"Hello," Gwen answers. After a brief handshake, she places her hand in her lap. Arthur glances over at her hand, wishing she had returned it to him, but again, does not press the issue.
"Um, can I take your dog around the park? I mean, it looks like the two of you are going to be a while, and he looks a little bored, and God knows I'm a lot bored..." Merlin asks.
Gwen bites her lip, not sure if she should trust this strange man with her dog. "I don't know," she says, but Merlin is already on his knees, giving Tito chin rubs and ear scratches.
"Hello," Merlin says to the dog, "yes, who's a good boy?" He looks up at Gwen. "Wait. Boy?"
"Boy. His name is Tito," Gwen confirms.
"Look. Here," Merlin stands and pulls his wallet out of his trouser pocket while Tito looks up adoringly at him, short tail wagging. "Insurance. If I don't bring him back, you get to keep my wallet." He holds it out towards Gwen.
"That's all right," she says, realizing the offer is enough for her.
"No, no, I insist," he presses, setting his wallet on the bench next to her. "You don't know me. There's not much money in it and I don't even have a drivers' license, but my Food Palace club card has to be worth something, right?"
Gwen laughs and hands Merlin Tito's leash. "If he, you know, goes, there are bags in the little cylinder," she said.
Merlin looks at the little plastic tube attached to the handle of the leash. "Brilliant. Have fun," he calls, already walking away.
"He likes dogs," Arthur explains. "And, your dog is pretty cool."
"Thanks," she says. She watches the thin, dark-haired man amble away with her dog for a few seconds, suddenly feeling awkward. Merlin had interrupted their flow.
Then, Arthur holds his hand out, offering it to her once again. He smiles broadly at her when she places her hand in it with less hesitation than the first time.
xXx
After Merlin left, I decided to go ahead and ask questions, as Arthur originally suggested. Really, what did I have to lose? I asked him everything I could think of. This is what I found out:
-Arthur Pendragon. Yes, the son of Uther Pendragon, notorious corporate lawyer. Works at Dad's practice.
-26 years old.
-Mother died of ovarian cancer when he was two.
-Has more money than the Queen. I was surprised he so freely volunteered this information, but I guessed since he was trying to convince me to marry him, he would only benefit by telling me. Not that I'm interested in his money. Not that I was actually considering...
(All right. Yes, I was, damn him.)
-Best friend Merlin, who is in his final year of medical school, specializing in pediatrics.
-One older sister, Morgana. Financial advisor. She's married to a man called Leon, and they have a son, Mordred.
-Likes football.
-Favorite food is steak.
-Likes Indie Rock.
-Wasn't working today because he'd taken the day off to relax after winning a case. Said it is his customary practice.
Then I asked him some harder questions.
-Biggest pet peeve is thoughtlessness or rudeness. Like when someone doesn't give their seat to an elderly person on the bus, doesn't hold the door for someone, or is horrid to a person in the service industry who is only trying to do his or her job.
-Happiest when he is allowed to be himself. Not Arthur Pendragon, barrister and son of Uther Pendragon. When he is allowed to relax and just be. He was a little nervous about telling me this, worried I wouldn't understand. I assured him I understood perfectly.
-Angriest when his trust is betrayed. I didn't press, but I assume this must have happened to him at least once. If, one day, he wishes to tell me what happened, he will, but I'm not going to ask. Not for a while, anyway.
-His fondest hope is that his mother is proud of him. Says he misses his mother every day and would give anything to be able to spend even an hour with her, just to talk. That about killed me. At least I got to spend time with and know my parents before they died.
-He is quite fond of children ("They're hilarious," he said) and would one day like to have one or two. I was a little anxious about asking him this particular question, but, well, go big or go home, I guess. Amazingly, one or two children are what I've always envisioned having one day.
He asked me to answer all the same questions I had asked him. He was actually impressed when I told him I gave up my posh job in R&D at Albion Foods to be a baker. Said he's been to the bakery where I work and has probably eaten my creations. He asked me what kind of dog Tito is and responded that he had never seen a corgi/golden retriever mix before then.
Interestingly, we have the same pet peeve, but he did enjoy learning that a close second for me is grammatical errors on signs. I told him apostrophes make me angry if they are out of place. He laughed, and I realized I liked his laugh. I liked making him laugh.
Talking to him was really easy, and I found myself liking him. Genuinely liking him. I asked him what his dad would say about his little proposition. He shrugged, saying he was a grown man and his father has very little influence over his private life. Then, he added he was willing to risk his father's disapproval if I was willing to say yes.
That was pretty heavy.
The fact that my parents are dead made the decision a little easier, I will admit.
Elyan is going to kill me.
Gwaine is going to kill me.
I haven't told them yet.
But, I did it...
Arthur looks at Gwen. "Gwen. I don't do impulsive things. You don't, either. So, why not do something impulsive for once, together? Throw caution to the wind, come with me to the courthouse, and we'll get married."
"Today?" she asks, her voice pitched a little higher than normal.
He nods. "It's only 2:15. We have two and three-quarter hours."
She hesitates, looking out over the park as if the answer was somewhere in the trees or playground. Am I actually considering doing this? Today?
"I'm sorry, I should have said I meant get married immediately," he sheepishly says. "I guess I figured it was implied."
"You don't walk around with rings in your pocket, do you?" she asks. Then, immediately, "Sorry. You already said you've never done this before."
"It's all right," he answers, his frown once again turning into that smile of his. "I should be the one apologizing. I'm asking impossible things from you, and you haven't slapped me or run off or anything, so I just keep at it. But, I promise I'm almost as surprised by this as you." His fingers drum against his knee, fidgeting.
"Almost?" Gwen asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yeah. Like I said, this is a first for me, too. I didn't come to the park to shop for a wife," he explains. "But, then I saw you and this feeling just…" he lifts his free hand, palm-up, waving it slightly, as he tries to find the words, "came over me. You were it. The only woman I would ever want."
"Oh," she softly says, not knowing what to say. She has to admit he is winning her over. Winning her over pretty effectively. Get a grip, Gwen. "But, why today?"
"Why not today? We have time. We'll get rings and still have time to get to the courthouse before five. Easy," he says, snapping his fingers to punctuate his sentence.
Gwen looks down at her feet, thinking. Looking at him is too distracting. He makes it sound easy. Get rings, go to the courthouse, and Bob's your uncle.
Or, more accurately, Arthur's your husband.
"Say yes. Please." Arthur takes her hand between both of his, holding it gently.
She closes her eyes, thinking about how completely insane this is.
Insane, but... strangely appealing.
He is sweet. Charming. Genuine. Confident without being cocky (well, not too cocky). Handsome. I feel... comfortable with him. Not self-conscious or uneasy. Which is pretty significant, considering it usually takes me a little while to reach this level of comfort with someone.
She opens her eyes and looks at him. He is waiting, his expression expectant. Hopeful.
It feels bizarrely right.
He watches as she thinks, being patient, giving her time. She is worth the risk. I know she is. She's the most wonderful person I've ever met, and I knew it as soon as I saw her.
"I won't push you to do anything... um, you know... physical. I'll wait until you're ready," he softly says. "I promise."
Gwen melts a little, his sudden bashfulness making him sweetly endearing.
That's when she truly knows. She knows he means every word he has said.
"Yes."
Arthur smiles brightly, like a child on Christmas morning who has discovered a shiny red bicycle under the tree.
xXx
My phone just rang. It was Elyan. I didn't tell him. I don't know how I'm going to tell him. He doesn't need to know right now. I did tell him I met someone. Not a lie. Not the full truth, but I did meet Arthur today.
Where was I? Oh,yeah. I got my dog back from Merlin, who shook his head at both of us,but didn't try to talk us out of it. Arthur walked with me back to my flat so I could let Tito inside and collect my purse. Need ID and all that.
Strangely, I didn't even consider any possible danger when I climbed into his (rather nice) car. He was inside my house, and I was perfectly comfortable with him being there, too. Interesting.
We chatted companionably the whole time. He's really easy to talk to and actually quite interesting. He's got all these great things: fancy job, posh name, privileged upbringing, but he seems to purposely ignore all those aspects of his life unless he must acknowledge them – like at work, where it is his job to be Mr. High and Mighty Barrister. He admitted that he initially went into law because of his father, but once he began his studies, he discovered he had quite a knack for, and actually enjoyed, it.
He likes video games. Likes sport. Typical male things, I guess. Doesn't cook, but likes to eat. He's very happy that I am a baker, he said.
He also said he likes animals (which I could tell from how he treated Tito), and has a huge soft spot for baby animals. However, he admitted he's a little afraid of birds. Says they make him nervous. He told me one tried to make a nest in his garage last spring and Merlin had to chase it out with a broom. Merlin has been sworn to secrecy, apparently.
I had to try really hard not to laugh and felt kind of bad about it. To make him feel better, I told him that I'm afraid of centipedes and am claustrophobic.
We bought rings. Well, he bought rings. He insisted. We just went with simple gold bands, but he told me if I wanted something fancy, he would be more than happy to make it happen. At any time.
I told him I rarely wear rings because they just get caked with dough. He laughed and said, "Perhaps a necklace then."
The courthouse wasn't too busy. We did all the paperwork. Then, we sat in some uncomfortable chairs and waited. There was one other couple (did I really just say "other couple"?) ahead of us. She looked like their next stop would be the maternity unit. Seriously pregnant. Arthur and I realized we were both trying not to stare, and soon, we were giggling like conspiratorial idiots.
I got married in jeans. Gran would have been horrified.
I don't actually remember much of the wedding ceremony itself. It was short and simple.
What I do remember is the kiss. The judge said, "You may kiss the bride," and I realized we hadn't kissed yet. Not when I said yes, not when he bought the rings, not even just because we probably should have.
I remember hoping he was a good kisser...
"You may kiss the bride."
Gwen looks up at Arthur, her eyes widening as realizations hits her.
Arthur holds his breath, trying to remember what he had for lunch. Oh, God, I hope it isn't something with a lot of garlic. Oh, God, I hope I don't disappoint her... her lips are seriously amazing. His mind still reeling with random concerns, he swallows and slowly leans down towards her. The corner of his lips quirks up in a very slight smile.
Gwen's eyes drop to his lips, noticing how they are full yet masculine and wondering what they feel like.
His lips touch hers softly, in a kiss that could almost be called "chaste". Almost. Guinevere's fingers curl into his shirt and she feels her ears heat up. Her heart pounds in her chest.
Arthur starts pulling away, then groans almost inaudibly and presses forward, continuing to kiss her, still softly, but just... more. His arms wrap around her, pulling her closer as he begins to lose himself in her lips.
Gwen's hands slide up around his shoulders, her fingers threading into the hair at the nape of his neck. Arthur doesn't try to deepen the kiss, but when he pulls away both Gwen and he are breathless, dazed and wanting more.
He gazes down at her, his arms still around her. His eyes are glazed and his pupils are huge.
"Wow," Gwen softly breathes. Did I seriously just say "Wow"? I'm such a nerd.
Arthur smiles a little and nods in complete agreement. He doesn't have the words to describe how he's feeling at present, but "wow" covers it pretty well for now.
He bends down and kisses her one more time before they sign the paperwork.
It is nearly five by the time they exit the courthouse, so Arthur suggests going for an early dinner. "Anywhere you'd like to go, Guinevere," he says, taking her hand as they walk to the car.
She looks at him. "That's the third time now."
"Hmm?" he asks, opening the door.
"As soon as you learned my full name is Guinevere, you started using it," she says once he is inside.
"Oh, um... is that all right?" he asks. "I really like it. Guinevere. It suits you."
"It's all right," she quietly answers. "It... sounds different when you say it," she unthinkingly adds.
"Different?" he asks, angling his head at her.
"Good different," she answers. "No one has ever said it the way you do. It sounds kind of, um, sexy, and I can't believe I just said that out loud..." She puts her hands over her rapidly reddening face.
Arthur smiles and gently removes her hands. She's so adorable. "Don't be embarrassed," he says, his thumbs caressing her knuckles. "Would it help if I told you that I like how you say my name?"
"A little," Guinevere says.
"I have an old man's name," he continues, "and you make it sound good. I like hearing your voice say it."
"Oh," she answers, not knowing how to respond. "And, your middle name isn't any better, is it?"
They had learned one another's middle names when filling out paperwork. Guinevere's is Anna; Arthur's is Reginald.
"Definitely not," he says, making a face. "It was my grandfather's name. So, it really is an old man's name." Guinevere laughs, and Arthur smiles. "I like your laugh."
"I like yours, too," she answers. "We're still sitting in the car park."
"That's because you haven't told me where you want to go eat, Guinevere," he says, purposely emphasizing her name.
"Oh. Right. Um, do you like Shogun, Arthur?" she asks.
"Never been there," he answers.
"Oh, we are so going then." She smiles.
xXx
I couldn't believe he'd never been out for hibachi. I had him try edamame and gyoza and he loved them both. In fact, he loved everything. I insisted he get the fried rice when he started to order white rice with his meal. Our chef was really good, too. He threw his knives around and set the grill on fire and made the little volcano out of onions and everything. He tossed pieces of chicken from his spatula to each of us. Arthur caught his. I didn't; it bounced off my chin and hit the floor.
Arthur ate my zucchini and mushrooms. I ate his carrots and broccoli.
We had fun. He's a good date, if nothing else.
I ate too much and am so full right now.
We're still trying to work out living arrangements, but apparently he has a house. Like, a real house. So, I'll probably end up moving there because it would have to be a lot bigger than my place. If this works out. Even so, I have until the end of the month to let my landlord know I'm moving. If I move.
He's there right now. I'm here. He's coming back here tonight.
That was an awkward conversation. He dropped me off because of Tito. He said he'd run home and grab some things and come back. So, I'm writing this while I'm waiting. He's taking longer than I thought he would (he actually lives just on the other side of the park, he said), and for some reason, it's making me nervous. It's getting late (for me, anyway). He knows I need to go to bed by eight because I get up at three, and it's already 7:30.
Why am I nervous? What's the worst thing that could happen if he just married me and then took off? I don't have anything from which he could gain by doing so. He told me who his father is, and I'm sure it would only take a phone call to find him. I've got the marriage documents here, too.
Am I seriously nervous because I really want him to come back? Because I miss him? This is silliness. I met him early this afternoon and married him less than three hours later.
Oh. He's here.
xXx
He took longer because he stopped and got me flowers. Said something about it being our wedding day, and the bride should have flowers. I kissed him when I thanked him, but wasn't brave enough to kiss more. I want to though. Maybe tomorrow.
He's really very sweet. Part of me wonders how long it will last.
Another part of me is telling that part to shut its damn pie hole.
I need to go to bed. I told him he didn't have to join me, but if he did, he could watch TV. I fall asleep with the TV on most of the time. He smiled, so I guess he'll be joining me.
I didn't even bother offering the couch. Technically, he is my husband, so let's do this. Even though we're not doing that. Yet.
Not allowing my mind to go there right now. But... if he makes love anything close to how he kisses...
Stop.
This is going to be strange. I haven't shared a bed with anyone in about a year. And, Arthur is nothing like Will.
Which is a good thing.
Will I even be able to sleep next to this almost-total stranger?
Oddly, I think I will.
This might work. On the other hand, it may be a complete bloody disaster.
But, like Arthur said, why not do something impulsive for once?
The worst that can happen is it doesn't end up working and we get a divorce.
Or, he stabs me in my sleep. One of the two.