(14)

Morgana was sitting on the counter of Uther's kitchen when she proposed her idea. "What if we kissed a bit?" She asked bluntly, causing Arthur to choke on his toast.

"What if we what?"

Morgana rolled her eyes theatrically. "Oh please. Don't act like you've not at least thought about it."

Arthur drew himself up. "I have most certainly not." He had thought about it though. In fact, he'd even done more than just think about it, but he was most certainly not telling her that.

Morgana swung her legs off the counter and moved to sit on the table on which Arthur was currently dining. "Arthur Pendragon," Morgana said, suddenly business-like. "I need someone to kiss me before I turn 15, and if you'd rather I take this offer to some other young man, I shall kindly do so."

Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Fine. But I'm only doing this because I don't want you kissing some stranger."

Morgana laughed, teasing. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." She moved her hand to brush the hair from his forehead, then moved to touch his cheek.

Arthur stiffened automatically. "What- er," he asked, feeling himself blush. "Why do you need me to kiss you anyways?" Morgana shrugged noncommitally. "I haven't gotten my first kiss yet and I mean, I don't want to be unprepared," she said the last word, almost scandalized at the very thought. Arthur opened his mouth to say something, but Morgana interrupted him and wrapped her arms around his neck. The heat from her skin burned him and Arthur was already finding it very difficult to breathe.

"Now shut up Pendragon, and let me kiss you." She leaned in, her lips brushing his hesitantly, then gently steering him towards her so she could kiss him again.

It was all kinds of wonderful, and she tasted like oranges and mint and something else he couldn't quite place. "Yeah," he said a little breathlessly when she finally pulled away. "Yeah, um that was good." Morgana murmured in agreement, and Arthur added an extra "Yeah", hoping he didn't sound as overwhelmled as he felt.

Morgana, seemingly unaffected, hopped off from the table. "Soooo," she said drawing the word out. "Should I go or-"

"Stay!" Arthur burst out immediately, then backtracked. "I mean, you, you should- we should really practice techniques. Unpreparedness, wouldn't want that! No unpreparedness for you!"

"Techniques." Morgana nodded her head quickly. "Very important. No stone left unturned and all that." She seemed to be about to say more, but Arthur simply grinned and pulled her down so he could kiss her again.

(He sees her at school the next day but ends up going home sick after he finds out that Valiant's asked her out.)

"The Duke is coming for a visit," Uther informed Arthur, who was lying in his bed.

"Great," said Arthur glumly, remembering Valiant. Why'd he have to be so good-looking, anyways? And a senior? It was completely unfair. Not that he was jealous or anything, because really, who'd want Morgana? I mean, she wasn't even his type for starters. And her hair was entirely too shiny. A knock at his bedroom door interrupted his thoughts. The door swung open, and Morgana's face popped out, her face smiling.

"Hi," she said brightly. She walked in, glanced at the new Beckham poster he'd put up and nodded approvingly. She sat down on his bed, extending one leg lazily over his. Her skin was always warm it seemed, always burning. He tried to think of something to say but all he could picture was Morgana kissing Valiant and how her mouth always made a perfect little pout when she got mad at him and fuck Arthur pull yourself together.

"I heard about you and... Valiant," he said abruptly, trying not to sound as betrayed as he felt.

Her smile turned teasing. "You're not jealous are you?" She bent down and fiddled with his collar. She was lying practically on top of him now, and Arthur could feel himself growing red. Just look at her eyes, don't look down don't look down- shit.

"I don't see anything to be jealous of." He blurted and Morgana scowled at him, crossing her arms and pulling herself back up to her previous position.

She refused to say anything more and Arthur was unsure of what to say so they lay in their respective positions silently. Much to Arthur's relief, the silence only lasted a few minutes.

"Morgana! We're leaving!" The Duke's voice rang from downstairs. She flashed Arthur one last disgusted look before slamming the door.

Arthur buried his face in his pillow, desperately trying to think of anything but Morgana, but she envelopes his every thought.

"Arthur!" Arthur turned around, seeing Valiant smirk at him enigmatically. "Can I ask you something?" Arthur nodded, already irritated by his good looks and posh accent.

Valiant lowered his tone. "I just wanted to ask you something about Morgana." He conspiratorially winked at Arthur before continuing. "I made a bet with a couple other guys on the football team, and I just need to know whether she's easy or not." Arthur blinked at him twice in confusion, not understanding. Valiant sighed. "I only need to get to second base, and I know her father and yours are friends so I mean- you've got to have some idea, haven't you?"

Understanding dawned on Arthur and he didn't even think twice when he punched Valiant, his hand smashing the cheekbones he'd heard Morgana wax on about to Gwen.

"Fuck," Valiant groaned wincing, before he hit Arthur in the gut. By now, a crowd had gathered. Arthur had never been a fight before, but really there was a first time for everything, wasn't there? He breathed heavily, and he knew the blow should have hurt, but there was something pulsing underneath him and the hurt would come later. He rushed at Valiant, preparing to elbow him in the stomach, but the angle was off and he could feel himself slam into something hard. His hands reached around on the solid surface was that brick and he could hear jeering then-

"Don't touch him," Morgana announced. Arthur turned his head, dazed. Was that her or was he just imagining it?

"Don't worry about it," Valiant said, and Arthur saw him try and hold her as if to move her away from the fight. She shoved away his hand, and he saw her knee go up, before connecting with Valiant's groin.

"Don't fucking touch me," she hissed, and Arthur wanted to laugh, but the pain was coming in bursts now and god fucking dammit it hurt. "Also," she said, almost as a second thought.

"We're done." Arthur saw her walk over to him, cradling his face in her hands before it all went black.

("It's not every day a girl gets to save her prince," she says, kissing his forehead. Arthur gropes for an indicator of where he is and realizes he's in his bed. He turns his head to focus on the current situation, deciding he feels a bit wounded at the notion that he needed saving. He says something typical of their usual banter but she only ends up looking hurt for a moment before leaving in a flurry of skirts. He's about to say something, but the words get trapped in a tangle and stick in his throat.)

(He lies in bed for a few minutes, desperately inhaling the scent of orange and mint she's left behind.)

(Stay, he remembers. I was going to ask her to stay.)