Gwen has been seeing Gwaine for four months now, and she likes to think things have gotten easier.
They endure light teasing from their friends, but Gwaine's really good at dishing it back out, so after a while they shut up.
They share the same shampoo, and she's delighted to learn he's capable of using a coaster.
She finds that they make, if not a perfect pair, then a good one at least. And she's slightly chagrined to discover he is good in bed.
But Gwaine no longer brags about it, now that he's with her.
""""
It's when Morgana comes back to town that Gwen receives a visit from a nervous looking Arthur at work.
When she asks what he's doing there, he's flustered as he asks her for a favor.
Forty-five minutes later, Gwen's stretching helplessly to reach the zipper that's jammed at her back.
She can sense Arthur's impatience as he hovers beyond the curtain divider, asking if she's finished yet.
"You don't know how much of a pain in the arse this thing is," she says, trying a different tactic. She can almost reach it but she doesn't have the leverage.
"Damnit," she mutters.
The curtain ripples and Arthur stumbles into the small booth. She takes a quick step back to avoid being knocked over as he replaces the curtain behind him.
She has to press the loose bodice of the strapless dress to her chest to keep it from falling.
"What are you—God, you're impatient! I told you I'm almost—" her words are cut off when Arthur covers her mouth with his hand and pushes her back to the wall to keep her still.
His pulse beats frantically in his neck, and she can smell his aftershave. He smells like Arthur and it's entirely too pleasant.
He brings a finger to his lips to silence her as if she hasn't got the idea already, and her brows draw together in irritation.
When he cocks his head toward the curtain, she hears it.
"...many do you have?"
"Too many, I'm sure," comes a familiar dark laugh.
"No worries. You can bring six in with you and I'll hang the rest up right here," says the fitting room attendant.
Gwen's eyes dart to the space between the bottom of the curtain and the floor, and she sees a pair of killer heels saunter past.
It's definitely her. She pries Arthur's hand off her mouth.
"Great timing, genius," she whispers.
"I didn't know she'd be coming here!" he says, and Gwen rolls her eyes.
"Well since you're in here, can you help me with this?" she turns her back to show him where the zipper's stuck.
There's a marked pause before Arthur's warm fingers tug gently at the zipper.
When it's done, he stills behind her and they survey the dress in the mirror.
They're silent until Gwen says, "It's way too long on me, anyway."
He doesn't comment, except to say, "You always traded clothes with Morgana."
"In college, maybe. And that was mostly t-shirts and mini dresses. She's much taller and skinnier than me."
"She's not—you're just curvier," he argues, and then looks away quickly as Gwen raises an eyebrow. She debates commenting on how Morgana's breasts won't fill the bodice the same way hers do just to make him uncomfortable, but decides to spare him the embarrassment.
Gwen sighs. "Okay, can you unzip me then?"
She feels his fingers at her back again. His knuckles graze the bare skin, slipping down her vertebrae, and she can't restrain a shiver. She's trying very hard not to be so aware of Arthur in that way, but sometimes he makes it impossible. Like now, for instance.
His eyes lift to meet hers in the mirror and he hasn't moved his hands away.
Gwen forgets how to breathe.
"Excuse me sir." They both jump, Arthur's hands falling away from her at the attendant's voice on the other side of the curtain. "You can't be in there. I'm going to have to ask you to come out."
Gwen's free hand flies to her mouth to stifle a giggle as Arthur fumbles, poking his head out of the curtain to make sure the coast is clear.
When he dashes out of the booth, she assumes it is. She pulls the dress off with moderate difficulty and lets it pool at her feet, changing back into her t-shirt and jeans.
She gathers her purse and checks her phone, seeing a message from Gwaine.
How's it going Sweetcheeks?
She smiles and rolls her eyes. Eventful. I think Arthur might be banned from the store, she texts back.
Returning a few garments, she exits the fitting room to find Arthur trying on women's sunglasses.
She opens her mouth to speak and then just shakes her head as her phone blips again.
Wouldn't be the first time. Ruddy pervert.
She chuckles and Arthur gives her a quizzical look.
"Come on," Gwen takes him by the arm. "Let's get out of here before she sees us."
""""
"I don't know why you're so set on getting her a dress," Gwen says as she stirs her coffee.
"Because I really want to surprise her with something she'll like for once," he sighs as she fills his cup with hot water from the kettle. "Ta."
"Why don't you have Viv pick one out? She's probably got a much better eye than I do."
"True," he says, earning himself a kick under the table. Arthur smirks. "But she doesn't know Morgana like you do. She'd probably pick out something she wants and you know what she's like when she sets her mind to something."
"That I do," Gwen agrees, thankful she's no longer a candidate for Vivian's legendary matchmaking. "You know, Morgana doesn't really care what you give her."
"Gee, thanks Gwen."
"That's not what I—what I'm trying to say is you're her brother. She loves you no matter what, and she'll love whatever you give her, no matter what."
He's studying his tea, blonde strands falling into his eyes. "I'm not sure that's entirely true, but I guess...maybe the dress idea was a bust."
She smiles. "It was sweet, but it could be hit or miss. Morgana knows what works for her body. Why don't you take her out to dinner or something? Just the two of you?"
"That's actually not a half-bad idea," he lifts his head, considering. Then he clears his throat. "Hey, speaking of dinner, do you—?"
"Hey Babe," Gwaine's voice calls as he slams the door behind him.
"I told him not to slam the bloody—" Gwen mutters through her teeth as she shakes her head, then perks up. "Hiya, we're in the kitchen!"
Gwaine appears in the doorway with a smile, dropping his overnight bag and leaning to wrap his arms around Gwen from behind. They greet each other with a kiss and then Gwaine's raiding the fridge for something edible.
"I should probably go," Arthur says.
"Find anything for the she-devil?" Gwaine asks before taking a bite out of an apple.
"Unfortunately no, but I think this one's given me a good idea," Arthur replies, gesturing to Gwen.
"Ah, she's full of those, isn't she?" Gwaine grins, closing the fridge. "Bad ones, too," he says suggestively, stooping to nip at her ear as he passes by.
She laughs and swats him away and he returns to his apple.
Arthur's mouth quirks into a half-smile and he stands to deal with his cup, placing it in the sink. "I really should go. See you guys at quiz night?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Gwen says, sipping at her coffee.
She doesn't see Arthur's smile fall as he leaves the kitchen and shows himself out.
