AN: Thanks for the encouraging reviews. Here's chapter 2. I hope you enjoy it... it's mostly just building things up and helping you get a better feel of the characters and their relationships. Feedback is always appreciated. Sorry for any typos, I did a really quick proof-read.
Chapter 2
Arthur was sitting down at their favourite cafe waiting impatiently for his two best friends to arrive. He wasn't too hopeful with regards to Gwen actually turning up, but was unpleasantly surprised to find that he'd been waiting for Merlin's arrival for the past 15 minutes. Merlin was never late. Ever.
Arthur sighed heavily, taking his phone out from his pocket as he glanced at the time before biting his nails. He was starting to look like a loner. Arthur Pendragon was not a loner, in fact, he was anything but. He was the son of Uther Pendragon, an Oxford History Lecturer with amazing credentials; he even has his own show on BBC 2. Arthur had spent his life trying to veer away from his father's path. Despite his father's wish for him to study History at Oxford, he decided to undergo a Literature degree. It was this bold choice that led him to Guinevere. He can remember the first time he met Guinevere, it wasn't a meeting of immediate friendship, though it did show a lot of promise. They'd been friends for a year now, and Arthur just couldn't imagine his life without her. He was protective of her, but not in a controlling way, in a loving way. He wanted her to be her, not to change for anyone, not to try impress anyone, to be happy with who she was, though oftentimes, Gwen didn't need Arthur's protection. In fact, Arthur's overprotective nature was seemingly wasted on Guinevere as she could always hold her own, was always sure of herself. Her independent nature was one of the many things Arthur loved about her, not to mention her curly mane of hair, her infectious laugh, and her acerbic wit.
Merlin walked into the cafe, an apologetic grin on his face, he took the seat opposite Arthur as he began taking off his jacket, making himself comfortable.
"I was thinking, maybe we should watch Twilight for 'bad movie Friday night'" Merlin says, in an attempt to break the awkward silence, shoving a croissant in his mouth.
"It's Gwen's turn to decide what we watch." Arthur replies as he also takes a bite from his croissant, frowning at Merlin's suggestion.
"Oh, speaking of Gwen. I just saw her-"
"Really? Is she okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't she be? Anyway, she said she's bringing David along." Merlin continues, his tone casual as he continues devouring the croissant, his face covered in crumbs.
"David along to what?" Arthur's voice turns cold.
"To'bad movie Friday night'." Merlin continues, oblivious to the change in Arthur's demeanour.
"But, 'bad movie Friday night' is what we do. Just you, me and Gwen."
"I know. I thought that too, but she insisted." Merlin pauses as he takes the last bite from his croissant. "She said we could all bring dates. Make it 'bad movie Friday date night'."
"And break a year of tradition?" Arthur struggles to hide his frustration.
"It's probably just going to be a one off. My biggest concern is who to bring... I still haven't plucked up the courage to speak to Freya, I think she thinks I'm weird." Merlin says, now playing with his iPhone. Arthur rolls his eyes at his best friend. How could be okay with this? Gwen wants to bring her boyfriend to'bad movie Friday night'.'We don't even let Morgana come', Arthur thought to himself.
"Who are you going to bring?" Merlin interrupts Arthur's train of thought.
"I don't know.. Gwaine, maybe." Arthur says, still not at all keen at the idea.
"I was thinking someone more... female, but if it's Gwaine your heart desires..." Merlin replies jokingly. Arthur doesn't laugh.
"Did Gwen say why she couldn't meet us for lunch?" He asks Merlin, as he begins packing his things into his bag.
"She's at the library, studying."
"Is David with her?"
Merlin shrugs, unable to answer Arthur's question.
"I'll see you later." Arthur murmurs, placing his bag over his shoulder as he exits the cafe making his way to the library.
Gwen was sitting down, her books sprayed in front of her as she stared into his space, her mind empty. She'd been so tired recently and for the life of her, couldn't figure out why. She shook herself out of her daze, picking up her pen in an attempt to get some work done. The pen hovered in her hand, as she remained unable to put pen to paper. He thoughts wondered to David. She'd began questioning her feelings for David as of late, and it worried her. She loved David, at least she thought she did. Why wouldn't she love him? He cared for her, he wanted her to be safe, happy, satisfied... but he hated Arthur. He hated her best friend, and it was beginning to bother her, not greatly, but enough to make her think.
"Why didn't you come for lunch?" Arthur's voice startled her. She looked up to stare at him, clutching her chest in shock.
"Arthur, you frightened me." She whispers angrily, before hitting him playfully on the arm. Arthur feigns hurt, as he takes the seat next to her, a smile on his face.
"Well... why didn't you come for lunch?"
"Wasn't hungry." Gwen replies, placing her pen in her mouth as she begins chewing it. Arthur frowns at her, grabbing the pen out of her mouth, as she struggles to reach high enough to retrieve it back from him. Arthur laughs at her feeble attempts.
"I've missed teasing you." He says, as he eventually returns her pen back to her. She smiles softly at him.
"You can tease me tomorrow night."
"Not really, David will be there." Arthur retorts.
"That doesn't mean we can't have fun together."
"Well, you've turned it into a date-night thing, so there'll be 3 other people there, excluding Merlin. We barely spend time together anymore." Gwen smiles at Arthur's affectionate reply.
"It's just, I want to make things work with David."
"When I was dating Vivian, I always made time for you and Merlin." Arthur says, now playing with his fingers.
"And look how that relationship turned out. She dumped you via Facebook."
"Only because I said her mother was hotter than her." They both burst into a fit of nostalgic laughter.
"I still don't get why you ever dated Vivian."
"Neither do I." Arthur says, still laughing. His blue eyes locked with Gwen's.
"She always made you make her tea-"
"-two sugars-"
"-3 spoons of milk, stir three times-"
"-and leave to stand for 3 minutes. Not a second less or more." Arthur finishes, unable to control his laughter. He always laughs when he's with Guinevere. Once she starts, he's unable to stop.
"No, really. What were you thinking when you asked her out?" Gwen says, sighing heavily after her fit of laughter.
"I don't know..." Arthur pauses, reluctant to tell Gwen the truth. "I was trying to make someone jealous." He lets out, his eyes penetrating Guinevere's. She looks away.
"Who were you trying to make jealous?"
"No one. I can't remember now." Arthur replies quickly. Gwen stares at him, unconvinced.
A hand presses on Guinevere's shoulder, prompting her to turn around. Her smile is quickly replaced with a blank stare.
"David." She says softly. Arthur turns to see David, rolling his eyes.
"We were having a conversation." Arthur says coldly, David stares at him, seemingly not bothered by Arthur's presence.
"Really. Well, if you don't mind. I'd like to speak with my girlfriend." David replies, a smug smile on his face, as he places his hand on Guinevere's.
"You don't own her." Arthur's voice gets stronger, as he stands up edging closer to David.
"Arthur, sit down." Arthur's head drops to face Guinevere, as she speaks at him through gritted teeth.
"What? We were having a conversation. It was rude of him to interrupt." His face quickly returns back to David, as he begins eyeing him.
"Listen, pretty boy. I don't know what you're problem is, but Guinevere is my girlfriend. I have every right to want to talk to her. I don't need your permission."
"Really." Arthur says, as he struggles to contain his anger.
"Really."
"Arthur, please just go. I'll see you tomorrow, we can talk then." Gwen smiles softly at Arthur, as his anger begins to soften.
"Fine." Arthur walks out, leaving Gwen and David alone.
"You're going to be my date." Arthur says to Gwaine, as he pushes their trolley around the shopping center.
"Is that why you dragged me out on this impromptu shopping spree, so you could pluck the courage to ask me out on a date?" Gwaine says dryly.
"Partly. It's also my turn to do the grocery shopping, and I usually have no idea what to get. I thought you could help me."
"Yes, because I'm really the epitome of a domestic goddess, aren't I?" Arthur laughs at Gwaine's sarcastic reply.
"You are going to be my date though, you have no choice in that."
"I had no idea you felt this way, Arthur." Gwaine says, stopping in the confectionery aisle to pick up a bag of Maltesers, placing it in the trolley.
"Ha-Ha. If I had it my way, I wouldn't even be needing a date. Stupid David convinced Gwen that bringing dates to 'bad movie Friday night' would be a good idea." Arthur says, as he takes the bag of Maltesers out of the trolley, placing it back on the shelf.
"It's not the worst idea on the planet..."
"Yes, well... why change the format? If it aint broke-"
"David's her boyfriend. It's normal that she'd want to spend more time with him." Gwaine says, his voice serious.
"I know, but-" Arthur struggles to articulate his thoughts.
"-But what?"
"I don't now. I just don't like him. I can't explain it, there's something about him."
"You're letting your feelings for Guinevere cloud your judgement."
"Don't say that. I'm not. I wouldn't do that." Arthur says defensively. They begin queuing behind a cashier.
"Then what is your problem?" Gwaine says, confused at Arthur's behaviour.
"Let's put it like this. If Gwen was dating Lancelot, I'd be jealous, but I wouldn't hate the guy." Arthur pauses, as he begins putting items onto the conveyor belt. "I know Lancelot's a good guy-"
"But you don't know David's a good guy, so you start a somewhat irrational vendetta against him?" Gwaine replies, still not understand him. Arthur sighs, frustrated.
"No. He doesn't seem like a good guy. He's not good for Guinevere, that's for sure. You have to trust me on this one, Gwaine."
"David's a friend of mine."
"I know, but so am I. You've known me longer. You trust me more. I wouldn't worry without good reason."
"If what you're saying is true, then Gwen will realise too, won't she?" Gwaine says, an optimistic smile on his face.
"Yes... well, I hope so." Arthur's face is solemn, as he continues placing his items on the conveyor belt.
