The prompt for this story was Inspiritation, written for Ella Rose, modern, Arthur/Guinevere, Merlin, Lancelot, mentions of Uther, Beverly (OC Gwen's mom), general, mild angst, rating: g
Camera
When they'd checked into the hotel last night they been too busy, too preoccupied with being newly married to unpack. Guinevere looked at the little gift bag in surprise. She didn't remember putting that in their suitcases. More than a little curious she sat down on the bed and opened the bag to find a little box with a card attached.
To The Newly Weds, enjoy
Guinevere smiled and opened the box. A red digital camera, it didn't look old, it looked new but it was open. She studied it a moment and saw that the memory light was flashing full. Curious she looked at the first picture her mother's face appeared and beneath it a sign that her mother made.
'I love you darling and I know you're going to be happy in your marriage.' Guinevere smiled. The next was Uther. 'Guinevere, Arthur I know I gave you a hard time in the past and I'm sorry. Guinevere I will always treat you like one of the family and now you have it in writing.'
The next one was from Lancelot. 'You made it,' was all his sign said and Guinevere sighed.
She, Merlin, Arthur, and Lance had all met at the same time while in college. They'd somehow coalesced into a little group and right around the time she and Arthur had started dating, Lancelot and Merlin had started dating. They'd been a happy little foursome.
While she and Arthur had struggled a bit during college, Arthur with his daddy issues and she with her finances they had stuck it through and after college it had been smooth sailing for the two of them. It was the opposite for Merlin and Lancelot.
The depression that Lancelot had struggled with since high school seemed to magnify after graduating college. Medication, therapy, nothing helped. He and Merlin grew a part and one day Merlin called Gwen in tears, Lance had simply disappeared. Still he had managed to resurface for their wedding.
"Arthur come and look at this." Guinevere called to her husband and Arthur came out of the bathroom wearing nothing, but a towel. She swallowed, and licked her lips. Arthur was broad shouldered, and fit. Not grotesquely so like some muscly guy from a body building magazine, but there was a bit of definition to his abs and his pecs sat-up nicely. She eyed his nipples a moment and then let her eyes follow the dusting of golden hairs to where they met his towel.
"Guinevere," she could hear the smile in his voice. "Did you call me out here to ogle me?"
She tore her eyes from his abs.
"You can keep looking at me like that," Arthur said with smile, "just be warned it only goes one place."
She rolled her eyes.
"I was unpacking and I found this," Gwen held up the camera. "Come and look at it with me, our friends left us messages."
"Really?" Arthur asked.
She nodded and he sat down beside. His bare damp shoulder brushed hers and he settled one hand palm down on the bed behind her. Warmth tingled between them where their bodies touched, knee, thigh,hip,waist...and Gwen felt a tightening in her loins. She met her husband's bright blue eyes and he gave her a knowing smile.
"Let me see the pictures Guinevere."
She bit her lip and swallowed.
"All right." Gwen turned her attention back to the camera.
They scrolled through the messages together, some funny, some serious, some advising and some heartfelt.
They came to Merlin's, his was next to last.
'I'm so happy for the two of you, I know things are going to be fine and you'll be happy.'
"He looks truly happy."
"Yeah," Gwen said remembering the lines of strain she'd seen around Merlin's eyes and mouth when Lancelot had come to the rehearsal dinner.
"What's the next one?"
Arthur pushed the button and both felt relieved smiles bloom over their faces.
Merlin and Lancelot sat side-by-side, holding hands and grinning as if they felt all the happiness in the world with a sign that read:
'Don't worry about us.'
And for a little while, at least, they wouldn't.
-End second story