AN: Thanks, once again, for the positive reviews. I wasn't expecting that. I'm doing quick updates for this story because I want to finish it before I end up neglecting it (and my other story.) Here's Chapter 3, it moves things along quite a bit, and is somewhat heavy.(Note that Gwen's behaviour is MEANT to be OOC).Hope you enjoy it! Reviews are always appreciated.
Chapter 3
Uther had been working in his office quietly when his son knocked softly on the door before allowing himself in. Uther looked up at him, an expectant smile on his face as he gestured towards the seat in front of him. Arthur smiled nervously at his father; he hated having to speak to him, it was always a slightly elaborate formal occasion. Even something as minuscule as asking if he'll be at home for the night required making an appointment.
"Well?" Uther says, putting his pen down in front of him, placing his hands underneath his chin as he waited patiently for his son to begin speaking.
"I was just wondering if you were going to be home tonight." Arthur says, playing with his fingers nervously. 'Please say no', he thought to himself.
"I'm afraid I won't be at home, I'm leaving for Wales tonight, actually. I thought Morgana would have told you." Uther says, taking a sip from his glass of red wine. He offers a glass to Arthur who declines.
"She didn't. Why are you going to Wales?" Arthur says, a little annoyed at his father's rather frequent trips away from home. As awkward as he found speaking to his father, he did like having him around. Arthur had never known his mother, and so regarded his father as a very important figure in his life, albeit a slightly intimidating figure.
"I have to shoot another documentary, Arthur. All part of the job." He pauses to take another sip, emptying his glass. "Anything else?" He asks, his attention slowly returning back to the work in front of him.
"No. Just that I'll be inviting a few friends round, to watch a film together, but you won't be home anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter." Arthur says as he begins to leave his seat, smiling softly at his father before making his way out.
"Gwen!" Arthur runs after Gwen, holding her copy of Paradise Lost in his hand. She stops in her tracks, smiling once she notices the book in Arthur's hand.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost that." Gwen says, hugging Arthur briefly.
"You left it at the lecture theater. You're always in a rush. I'm out breath trying to catch up with you!" Arthur says, laughing softly. They stare at each other for a moment, unsure of what to say.
"Well... I guess I'll be going then. I'm meeting David for lunch." Gwen breaks the silence, looking away from Arthur before placing the book in her handbag.
"Oh. Right. See you tonight, then." Arthur watches as she walks off, annoyed with himself. He kept doing that. 'Why do I keep doing that?' He couldn't help but get lost in her eyes, he was giving himself away, and it was beginning to frustrate him. He didn't want to have a crush on his best friend. He knew it would complicate things. He knew it would hurt to see her with other men, but she was just so wonderful, he couldn't help himself. The feelings of jealousy and loathing that filled within him whenever he heard the name of David was indescribable.'Why could no one else see it?' Why could no one else see that he was a controlling bastard, and that Guinevere could do much better? Arthur shook off his thoughts as he noticed Elyan, Leon and Gwaine approaching him. He forces a smile.
"Arthur, is tonight still on?" Gwaine asks, as he punches Arthur softly on his shoulder.
"Yeah. It's still on." Arthur replies, watching as Leon and Elyan indicate that they're leaving.
"... And Gwen is still bringing David?" Gwaine asks, his tone reluctant.
"Yes." Arthur says, his voice blunt.
"Give him a chance, Arthur. Gwen's good for him. She's the only think keeping him sober."
"What do you mean 'sober'?" Arthur asks, a deep frown on his face.
"You know..."
"I know what?" Arthur's still confused.
"Oh great, so you don't know. Forget I said anything." Gwaine says, as he makes to leave.
"No. You can't just bring that up and go. What did you mean when you said 'sober'?" Arthur's persistent. Gwaine sighs, irritated at his friend.
"I meant that David had an alcohol problem... and a slight drug problem, but hes fine now. Thanks to Gwen."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Guinevere's dating a crack-headed drunk?" Arthur says, his tone filled with anger.
"No. She's dating an ex-crack-headed drunk. He's 3 months sober." Gwaine says, a little unconvinced by his own argument.
"And that makes it better, does it? He's even worse than that crazy Alvarr guy Morgana dated."
"Arthur, we all make mistakes. He's trying to put his right."
"I can't believe you're defending him. Am I the only person concerned for Guinevere's well-being?" Arthur continues, his anger building.
"Arthur, calm down. Of course we all care for Gwen's well-being. It's just, we don't feel we have any reason to be concerned. David's a friend-"
"-So you keep saying. But you're also forgetting that I'm your friend." Arthur interjects, his anger still growing.
"David's a friend, and so are you, and so's Gwen. I can't take sides. I want you all to be happy. I know it's hard to accept, but Guinevere's happy with David."
"I'm not listening to this anymore, you're letting him win." Arthur walks away from Gwaine, unable to control his anger. Gwaine sighs heavily, struggling to understand his friend's feelings.
Merlin had decided against bringing Freya, in fact he'd decided against the idea of bringing anyone, and so turned up to the Pendragon's residence solo. He pressed the door-bell, and was surprised to find Morgana on the other side of the door.
"Morgana? You're not joining us for'bad movie Friday date night' too, are you?" Merlin says, taken aback by her presence. She'd usually be spending her Friday nights around the town with Vivian somewhere. Morgana and Gwen had drifted apart over the past year, and although the two were still good friends, seeing them actually spend time together at a social meet-up was a rare event.
"No, God no. Vivian's ill, so my plans for the night are cancelled. Don't worry, I won't disturb you. I'll be in my room... painting my nails or something." Morgana closes the door behind Merlin before making her way back upstairs.
Merlin slowly walks into the living room to find Arthur preparing large bowls of popcorn and a few other mini-snacks.
"Why don't you just order Pizza like everyone else?" Merlin says, smiling at Arthur.
"We're watching a film! It's gotta be popcorn." Arthur replies, chewing a popcorn, a goofy smile on his face. "Come on. Help me out, the other's will be here in a minute, and I still need to set the DVD up." Arthur throws a popcorn at Merlin, prompting his friend to give him a hand.
"Why on earth would anyone watch this tripe?" Gwaine says, taking a couple of pop-corns from the bowl before passing it on, his eyes fixated on the film displayed on the screen.
"It's just terrible." Merlin nods in agreement, he hands Gwen the bowl of popcorn.
"Bella is just a complete plank." Gwen also passes the bowl along.
"Plank? Don't insult all the planks out there." Arthur says, laughing. The bowl reaches David.
"Is this butter?" He asks, as he places one in his mouth, screwing his face with dissatisfaction.
"What? Do you not like butter?" Arthur says, his voice cold.
"No. I'm more of a toffee man. Don't you think toffee is better, Gwen?" David says, his hand placed on Guinevere's lap.
"I don't mind butter." She says softly. Arthur frowns.
"What are you talking about, Guinevere? You've always loved buttered popcorn." Arthur's voice grows even colder.
"Well, now she prefers toffee." David interrupts, his grip on Gwen's lap tightening. Arthur notices, his anger building.
"You're hurting her." He says, leaving his seat as he approaches David before pushing his hand off Guinevere's lap.
"Touch me one more time. Go on, I dare you." David stands up. Him and Arthur are now face to face, about to engage in a fist fight. Merlin stands up in an attempt to calm things down.
"Guys, stop. It's just popcorn. Is this really necessary?" He says, his voice confident. He glances at Guinevere, gesturing for her to help him remove the tension.
"Yeah. I like both flavours equally." Guinevere says, as she smiles at the two men fighting over her. The thought of two men vying for her affections would please any other girl, but not Gwen. Not when it was her boyfriend and her best friend.
"But you prefer toffee, don't you?" David's tone turns menacing, much to the surprise of Gwaine.
"Back off, David." He says, unimpressed by his behaviour. He notices Arthur giving him a knowing look.
"Keep out of this, Gwaine." David continues, walking over to Gwen as he grabs her hand pulling her up from the seat, his grip tight on her.
"Let go of her." Arthur says, struggling to contain his emotions. How could Guinevere let him do this to her? "Let go of her, now."
"Guinevere, do you want to leave?" David's grip around her tightens as he asks her the question, his tone still menacing. Gwen nods weakly, much to Arthur's despair. He's unable to look at her, the hurt in his heart growing. This wasn't the Guinevere he knew.
"You heard her, my girlfriend wants to go. You've upset her." David continues, his tone smug. He gives Arthur, Merlin and Gwaine a dirty look before walking out, dragging Guinevere with him.
Once they're gone, the three men stare worriedly at each other.
"I fear you were right, Arthur." Gwaine says, his voice soft. "His behaviour just then was... worrying. Disturbing, even."
"Do you think he's still using something?" Merlin asks, a worried tone to his voice. Arthur nods solemnly, before placing his hands softly on his face as he begins rubbing it.
"I hope not." Gwaine murmurs, hating himself for noticing his behaviour earlier.
"What do you think he's doing to her now?" Arthur asks, fearing the worst. The three young men all sigh exasperatedly, their thoughts now fully focused on the safety of Guinevere.
