Title: Staring
Fandom: Merlin
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Gwen, Merlin, Lance[a lot], Morgana
Word Count: 329
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. All I possess is my adoration for it.
Summary: As the headmaster's son, Arthur hardly scores any popularity points. So what chance does he have with the loved-by-all Gwen? Modern AU
A/N: Written for camelot_love's Drabble Tag: Round 1 on LJ. The prompt was "Cheerleader Gwen and Nerdy Arthur".
Gwen's not actually a cheerleader (do they have cheerleaders in the UK?). Excuse the mistakes about Brit [school system] – not Brit-picked.
I think I love adorkable nerdy teenage Arthur.
llllllllll
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She was beautiful.
Her warm eyes and friendly smile. Her freckles and tanned skin. Her gorgeous hair. And, dear lord, her body…
"Stop staring at her."
"What?"
"Stop staring. At Gwen."
"I am not staring," Arthur hissed, leaning across the table. "And shut up before someone hears."
"You are. And I'd rather my neighbor not think I'm friends with a pervert, since we're on pretty good terms."
"You're neighbors?"
"Yeah," Merlin said with a shrug.
"And you've actually… talked with her?"
"Yeah. Fair amount."
Arthur stabbed at his lunch, trying to give proper pause before he innocently asked his next question.
"Can I come over?"
"What?"
"To your house."
"You've been twice and hated it both times. You made fun of my game systems."
"GuinevereLeodegrance!" he whispered harshly.
"As I said, I'm not risking my friendship with her so you can stammer awkwardly at her for a minute and make her think I associate myself with creeps."
"Merlin, come on. Have I ever asked you for anything?"
"Several things. Just last week, I helped you study for maths."
"Mer –!" he begged.
"Just ask your step-sister. They're friends, you know."
"Talk to Morgana about a girl? God, no. I'd rather approach Gwen myself."
"Then why don't you?"
"Because I'd –" he guffawed. "I'd…"
"Make a complete arse of yourself?
Arthur deflated. "Exactly."
He looked back up at her again. Was she ever not smiling?
"Besides, who am I kidding? When's she got perfect Lance…" he sneered.
"She's not interested."
"What?"
"She gave it a try and thinks he's really nice, but feels like something's missing."
"And how –?"
"I said. We talk."
Arthur stared a bit with his mouth open, wondering how he had never known Merlin and Gwen were that close of friends after a year of knowing him.
"Lance would like to keep seeing her, but Gwen's… not keen on it. She'd rather stay friends."
"So she's not interested in Lancey-Pants?"
"Nope," Merlin said with a grin.