Guinevere had not seen much of Arthur, since their almost kiss which happened three months ago. Apart from their weekly run ins during anthropology class, not much had transpired between them. She was dating Lucas, and they had been going strong for about two months now. He was fun, adventurous and a thrill seeker. He allowed her to explore a different side to life, one that she had never experienced before. Lucas took her on weekend trips to the country side, concerts, and the finest restaurants. All the things every girl could dream of, but it just didn't feel right, and Guinevere couldn't really understand why thoughts of Arthur coincidentally popped into her head at that moment. As she stood outside her flat wrapped in a grey coat to keep warm from the chill of the incoming winter weather, she contemplated ending things with him. He explained his past to her, how much trouble he used to get into and essentially acting out due to the problems with his father. But he had promised, that life was behind him, and that he wanted to start afresh which began with her.
"Hey babe." He said pulling up in front of her, with a new motorcycle, taking off the helmet that protected his head and shaking out his sandy brown wavy hair.
She stared at the bike, mouth wide open "What the bloody hell is that?"
He chortled "What does it look like. It's a bike silly." He teased sending a smile her way.
She narrowed her gaze at him, and looked between the bike and him. She had to admit he looked pretty hot on it. "I know what it is. I just don't know what you're doing on one."
"Well I just got it...and I thought we would go for a ride." He replied.
"Oh no...no...no way are you getting me on that thing." She gestured towards the bike.
"Come on Gwen...it'll be fun. Where's your adventurous side? Please." He said a pout fixed on his face, hands clasped together to show his desperation.
A moment passed between them and Gwen puffed out a breath "Alright, fine. Do you even know how to drive that thing?" She asked tone apprehensive.
Perking up, he answered "Of course I do...I wouldn't risk your safety. Now get on." He turned to pat the seat behind him. Gwen shook her head, and took tentative steps to him, took the helmet he handed her and slowly occupied the seat behind him.
"You can put your arms around me. I don't mind."
A light chuckle escaped her mouth "Am sure you don't." She leaned into him, delicately wrapping her arms around his stomach, which she noticed were very hard.
"Alright you all set." He asked. She nodded in answer, which led to him starting the engine of the bike and slowly moved out of the driveway.
Arthur sat with Morgan by his side as they traded inadequate jibs at each other as in the student union center. It was rare, that he actually got to relax, have a conversation with his sister. He had to admit, time with Morgan was always eventful, even if he would never admit it to her face. Three months had gone by since the almost kiss with Guinevere, he rarely saw her since then and the distance between them disappointed him greatly. Thoughts of her never drifted far from his head which led to him immersing himself in his work, having a social life wasn't really a priority for Arthur. Until about two months ago, when Mithian invited him for a faculty party, he was not planning on attending but went, because a friend had asked him to. One thing led to another, and they found themselves in a kiss at the end of the night. The rest was history, and he and Mithian had been dating since then. He liked her a lot, but she didn't make his heart beat the way someone else did. The picture of a curly haired beauty popped into his mind at that moment. Disregarding those thoughts, Arthur turned to Morgan "So who's the poor soul, you are currently devouring Morgs?"
She frowned, a look of almost disgust on her face "Like I would tell you. No way in hell that's happening."
"You don't want to tell your favorite big brother. I'm hurt." He gasped feigning mock hurt.
Morgan rolled her eyes "Yeah...I believe that...so where's Mithian anyway? I thought she was meeting us." She asked glancing around the room.
Arthur laughed, and did the same checking to see if a familiar brunette had walked in. He gestured to look at the watch on his wrist, "I don't know. She was supposed to meet us ten minutes ago."
"There she is." He continued, pointing towards the now approaching Mithian who came to stand beside Arthur leaning to give him a quick peck on his lips.
"Hey hon. Sorry I'm late." She said moving to sit opposite him.
"Hi Morgan. How are you?" She turned to the girl sitting beside Arthur.
"Good. You? She replied, a smile on her lips.
"Great. Just been busy, a lot of work to get through. Part of the reason for being late. Sorry guys."
"That's okay. I understand." Arthur chimed in, a tender gaze on his face.
"So you want to order something to eat...drink?..." He continued, a buzzing noise cutting his speech. "Excuse me. It's my phone." He said taking the device out of his pocket to see who was calling. It was Merlin. He answered, "Hey Merlin. What's going on mate?"
"Arthur, Gwen got into an accident."
"Wait what?" He shrieked, causing Morgan and Mithian to look at him concerned. His heart thumping louder than it was.
"It's nothing serious, but it was on a motorcycle and she's been taken to the hospital."
"Hospital? Oh my god. How is she? Is it bad? Is she really hurt?" He rambled.
"Calm down Arthur. I told you it's nothing serious. They are checking her out. I'm here with Lucas; he called me and wanted me to tell Morgan. I knew she would be there with you. So can you tell her?"
"Umm...sure...we're on our way. What hospital?"
"Okay come to Saint Pancras, that's where she is."
"We'll be there soon."
"See you soon then." Merlin said, ending the conversation.
Arthur immediately rose from where he sat. "Morgan, we have to go. Guinevere got into an accident and she's in the hospital." His tone urgent.
Morgan stood too, tone frantic "Oh my. Is she ok? How bad is it?" She scrambled to gather her things, her look expectant.
"I don't know but Merlin said it wasn't bad." He sighed turning to Mithian and continued "I'm sorry, I have to go, she's Morgan's friend...and my student. I have to know if she's fine."
Nodding Mithian replied "I understand, I'll come with you. I know how much she means to Morgan." A smile on her features.
"Alright come on lets go." And they all moved to exit.
Arthur didn't know how long the train ride to the hospital was, it was like a trance as he looked into empty space, a blank stare on his face. He couldn't imagine her laying there in the hospital bed unconscious, lifeless. He had never really been scared of anything, but this definitely frightened him. Morgan's tap on his shoulders to signify their reaching the hospital broke him of his reverie as they proceeded into the cold hospital.
"Arthur...you ok?" Mithian asked clasping her hand in his.
"Am fine. Just thinking." He looked to their twined hands and managed a weak smile which she returned. They took cautious steps into the waiting area, where Merlin and Lucas sat. Arthur noticed a slight cut on Lucas's forehead, but turned his gaze to face Merlin who had a sympathetic look directed at him.
"How is she?" He asked, his tone an almost whisper, unclasping his hand from Mithian's.
"They are still checking her out. But the nurse said she should be out any minute now."
"What actually happened? How did she get into the accident?" Arthur questioned concerned.
"Well..." Merlin was about to answer, before Lucas cut in.
"It was my fault." He said coming to stand beside Arthur. Arthur turned to face Lucas, his gaze narrowed.
"What do you mean it was your fault?"
With his head downcast, Lucas continued "I asked her to come on a ride on my new motorcycle that I just got." He sighed and went on "Everything was going well and then the car came out of nowhere...I swerved to avoid it and didn't see the tree in front of me...and we crashed into it." He finished looking up to face Arthur.
Arthur was angry and could feel himself losing control, agitated. He tried to reason with himself, he was in a hospital, causing a scene would not be appropriate. He knew this boy was nothing but trouble, he had tried to warn her, Arthur was not sure exactly who he was angry with, himself or Lucas. Forgetting all protocol or decorum, his features contorted in anger, nose flaring, he grabbed Lucas by the collar of his shirt and said through gritted teeth "So you did this...I knew you would hurt her...I just knew you were trouble.'
Lucas could do nothing but whimper in response "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of it to happen. I'm so sorry..." He kept repeating.
A shell-shocked Morgan and Mithian stood watching, Merlin moved to stand beside Arthur carefully pressing a hand to Arthur's arm trying to wrangle his hold on Lucas.
"Arthur that's enough...let him go." He whispered. Huffing out a long breath, Arthur roughly pushed Lucas back releasing him. There was an awkward tension of silence, before Arthur said his tone threatening "I swear if anything happens to her. I can't be held responsible for my actions." Directing a glare towards Lucas. Everyone was silent.
"What's going on here?" Gwen said as she walked into the waiting area a bandage on her wrist. She roamed her eyes around the room, her glance on Arthur a moment longer, noting the silence.
"Nothing...love. You okay hon?" An enthused Morgan said coming to give Gwen a light hug.
"Yeah am fine...just a scratch." She replied gesturing to the bandage on her hand. "You really didn't need to go through all that trouble of coming here. It was nothing serious, thank goodness." She continued.
"Oh don't be silly. You're my friend. I had to be sure you were fine." Morgan retorted a small smile on her lips.
"I appreciate that. Thanks for coming." She stated returning the same gesture. "In fact thank you all for coming, it means a lot." She turned to look to each person around the room, her gaze resting on Arthur.
He held her look, his more intense. "Guinevere you don't have to thank us. We were all worried about you. You sure everything's okay?"
She nodded "Yes everything's good." A tender smile on her lips.
"Luke, you might want to get that checked out. Why didn't you do it already? She said moving towards where Lucas stood as she gestured to the gash on his forehead, his gaze downcast, like he was studying the carpet he stood on.
He slowly moved to look at her, clearing his voice, he replied shakily "Yeah...I'll go get it checked. I had to make sure you were fine. I'm so sorry Gwen...I...I didn't mean for that to happen...I"
"Shhh...it's alright Luke...it wasn't your fault. These things happen...I know I'm never going on a bike ever again." She said with a light giggle sending a tender gaze his way.
"Now go get that checked." She commanded.
He looked so much like a lost puppy and she couldn't help but feel bad for him. Especially at the guilt he must have been feeling.
He nodded moving to the receptionist area as a nurse took him into a vacant room.
"You ready to go sweetie?" Morgan said, touching her arm lightly, as she came to stand beside her."
"No...I'll wait for him. He didn't want to call his father or Freya so I'll just stay; he deserves to have someone waiting for him when he comes out."
"What? How can you wait for him after what he did." Arthur chimed in, not quite believing what he had just heard her say.
She turned to glare at him "It wasn't his fault...it was an accident. Lucas would never intentionally harm me."
"Oh but getting you on a motorcycle when he hardly knows how to drive one isn't harming you." He replied sarcastically.
She frowned "How do you know that? It was a mistake...everyone makes them or have you quickly forgotten." She retorted narrowing her gaze on him.
He was taken aback and his words came out more stuttered than he had anticipated "Umm...I know...but...I apologized."
"And so did he."
"Okay fine...then am staying...I mean we are staying with you." He replied arms folded over his chest.
"You don't have to...I'll be fine by myself. Besides Morgan you have to go tell Freya. I don't want her worried or anything. I'll be home before you know it."
"Are you sure?" Morgan answered a worried look on her features.
"Yes...am sure." She moved to tighten her arms around Morgan who returned the gesture.
"Alright I'll see you later." Moving towards the exit, she turned to Arthur "Coming?"
Arthur directed a hard stare at Gwen, arms still folded, contemplating whether to leave. He sighed "Promise me you'll take care of yourself."
"I promise." Sending a tender smile his way.
"Okay I'm coming. Merlin?"
"No I'm fine. I'll find my way. You guys go ahead."
Arthur nodded and proceeded to the waiting area exit.
"Am glad you are fine Gwen." Mithian said as she moved with Arthur.
"Me too and thanks for coming."
And all three of them walked out of the waiting area.
"Guinevere turned to face a smiling Merlin who stretched out his hand which she took moving to sit on the seat provided in the waiting room as she leaned her head on his shoulder and they waited.
It had been a week since the accident, the scratch on her wrist healed and faded. She was back to her usual routine which meant work today. She moved to open the door which led to the student center, stepping in, moving to take her position behind the counter. It was late and it was pouring outside by the time she finished her shift, and she groaned about not having brought her umbrella. She peeked through the window to see how bad it was and to see if she could manage it out, but at the rate the rain was coming down, that would not happen. She frowned ultimately deciding to wait it out. As she embarked to sit, a tall built man walked in a hood covering his rain soaked hair in fact his whole body was soaked, he was looking down and slowly turned his gaze up moving to take the hood off. She saw that it was Arthur. She gasped "Arthur...oh my goodness...what happened?" Arthur's blinked, trying to discard the water from his sight. He finally focused on her "Ah...Guinevere...I didn't think you'd be here."
"I had a shift today." She said moving to rid him of his wet coat.
"Thank you" He replied, his gaze tender as she removed the soaking coat revealing a wet white shirt clinging to every part of his chest. She stared at him, mouth agape but his throat clearing snapped her of the action.
"Sorry." She sheepishly stated.
"Were you on your way out?" He asked.
"Yeah...umm...got trapped because of the rain."
"That must suck. I got done with a lecture and did not expect this rain hence the wetness." Gesturing to his drenched shirt and jeans."
"So what brings you here?"
"I had to grab some food...on late nights like this I like to take something home to eat...can't be bothered to cook." He joked, a grin on his lips.
She laughed "I bet you can't...you don't seem like the chef type."
"Ha-ha...Guinevere you wound me. You would be surprised at my cooking skills." He teased.
"Well I guess I'll have to try it sometime then."
"Anytime just let me know." He retorted with a smirk.
"So how have you been? You better? I haven't seen you in a week."
"Am fine. Wrist healed up pretty well." She replied displaying her wrist.
"Glad to hear that." He frowned and continued "You still seeing that twat? Morgan told me you were dating him."
"Don't start Arthur and he is not a twat." She warned.
He groaned "So you are still seeing him. Guinevere can't you see? He's bad news."
She scoffed, as she moved to the exit and pressed on the door handle to leave "Am not getting to into this argument again. I don't care if it's raining. I'm leaving."
"Guinevere don't be silly it's pouring out there. I just want you to understand what I am saying."
She clicked the handle down and stepped into the rain, tightly binding her coat around her petite frame. She had not taken more than a few steps when he called out to her "Guinevere...stop...come back inside." She kept walking not adhering to his words.
Arthur took long strides towards her "Guinevere...please...stop."
She paused her steps, and then whirled around to face him. "What's your problem? What is it this time about Lucas...oh no wait...he murdered someone...or maybe he's a serial killer. Why do you hate him so much? She said rain pouring, as it soaked her whole body, hair dripping wet.
"No it's not any of that." He whispered softly moving to step in front of her.
"Then what is it? Why does he bother you so much?" She shouted out of breath.
"It bothers me because...because...I love you...I'm in love with you." He blurted, voice raised and continued "I probably have been since the first day you called me clumsy...I tried really hard to fight these feelings Guinevere. I didn't understand what they were or where they came from...you challenge me, you make me laugh, you are intelligent, beautiful and strong...I even tried to see if dating Mithian would take away the feelings." He chuckled, hands in hair, head down and continued "But I've been lying to myself...to you...Guinevere I am utterly and completely in love with you and I don't care anymore. I don't care that you are my student. I just want to be with you. I can't...stand any other man touching you." He concluded breathing shallow and looked to her, his gaze expectant, his look pleading, hair soaked.
Guinevere was staring, stunned really not believing what he had just said. He said he was in love with her, Arthur her professor loved her. She didn't know what to say or how to respond, react. This was all absurd.
"Say something...please." He begged.
"Umm..." She stammered still trying to reel in what she had just heard "I don't know what to say." The words a whisper from her lips.
He moved towards her, he was so close she was sure she felt his breath on her face. He lifted her hand with his and clasped it to his chest where his heart beat wildly. "Just say what is in your heart Guinevere." She looked up at him and could see the love radiating from his look, his eyes cautious. If she was being honest, the idea of Mithian with Arthur troubled her more than it should have. She thought about how her heart beat ten times faster than usual when he was around her. How everything he did, she found absurdly adorable. She thought about how he was never far from her thoughts and knew she was lying to herself if she didn't tell Arthur Pendragon that she was in love with him too. But this was crazy, nothing could happen between them. She sighed "Arthur I cannot deny, I think about you in ways that I shouldn't...I tried to fight the feelings too. It's ridiculous right? Having feelings for a teacher. How can anything come of it?"
He smiled, breathing a sigh of relief "Guinevere, it's not that crazy. I mean we both have feelings for each other. Isn't that what really matters?"
"But I don't think people would see it that way. It's silly." She huffed.
Clasping her hands tighter against his chest, he whispered "Do you love me?" That intense gaze back in his eyes.
She looked at him, a grin on her face "Yes."
"Then that is all that matters." He said returning the smile. She was about to retort with some logical reasons as to why this couldn't happen when his lips crashing on hers interrupted her words. It started out delicate, surprise in her movements but it turned impassioned, when he nudged her lips open with his tongue. She relaxed and tangled her hand into his soft blonde wet hair, his hand on her waist pulling her to him, their clothes clung to each other sopping wet, no sign of space between them. A moan escaped her lips; it was like she was floating. Nothing else mattered, all worries melted away. How could this be so wrong if it felt so right. His hands roamed from her waist to her hips, her hand moved from his chest to his arm, lips still moving, tongues exploring. It felt right. They held on to each other as the rain kept coming down but they didn't care.