Thank you all so, so much for sticking with this story. This chapter's longer than usual, but the pay-off in the end is well worth it, I think. I had most of this written out, so I figured I may as well post it before work gets too crazy tomorrow.


XII

Morgana took a long sip of coffee as she and Gwen sat on their couch, still in pyjamas. Morgana's once perfectly curled hair now hung limp and matted from sleep. Gwen's sleek hairdo was now regulated to a bun at the top of her head. Needless to say, it had been a long night.

They'd gotten back to their flat around two in the morning, Morgana going inside first to give Lancelot and Gwen a bit of alone time. Fifteen minutes later, a dazed and deliriously happy Gwen practically floated inside, much to Morgana's amusement.

Now they sat in their living room, the small, plastic Christmas tree on the coffee table.

"Merry Christmas to us," Gwen quipped tiredly.

"Ugh," was Morgana's response. She had a bit of a hangover, having spent most of the night at the bar.

Gwen laughed and plucked a wrapped box from under the coffee table, handing it to Morgana.

"Aw, Gwen," Morgana grinned and took the box. She too reached under the table, handing a box wrapped with Christmas tree paper to her friend.

"Morgana," she smiled.

"Count of three?" Morgana asked.

"Three," Gwen said.

The two tore into their presents like children, positively giddy. Morgana received a knitted scarf or blue and gray with a matching blue beret. Gwen had received a pair of leather gloves and brightly coloured socks.

"Morgana, I can't accepted this," she said of the gloves. They were leather, and looked and felt quite expensive.

"It's Christmas, you have to accept it," Morgana smiled, "and thank you so much for these. I love it."

"I knitted it," Gwen informed her, sounding a bit embarrassed.

Morgana immediately wrapped the scarf around her neck and placed the hat on her head, "I love it all the more."

She reached forward and gave Gwen a hug, who hugged back.

"Thanks for being my best friend," Morgana mumbled.

"Thanks for being mine," Gwen laughed softly.

The two girls separated, incredibly pleased with their gifts. Morgana checked the time and groaned.

"I have to be at Uther's in an hour," she made a face.

It was still far too early for her to deal with the Pendragons.

"That means I have to be getting home," Gwen sighed.

"I'll be by later, okay?" Morgana said.

Gwen nodded and stood, taking their mugs of coffee. It'd probably best if they got dressed and made themselves look presentable to the world. Morgana seemed to have no such thoughts as she curled into a little ball on the couch.

"Morgana," Gwen frowned, trying not to laugh.

"What?" Morgana asked petulantly.

"You need to get dressed," Gwen said.

"Make me," she fired back.

Gwen shook her head. Her mobile rang and she picked up, grinning.

"Merry Christmas!" Merlin's voice rang in her ear.

"Merry Christmas to you, too! How are you?" Gwen asked.

"Good. Just done with breakfast, actually. Do you mind getting your present after I get back?" Merlin asked.

"You didn't have to get me anything," Gwen bristled.

"Too late," Merlin grinned, "so I just called to wish you a Merry Christmas. I'll leave you to your Christmas plans."

"Thanks, Merlin," Gwen said.

Morgana uncurled herself from her seat on the couch, and tilted her head, mouthing 'hi!'.

"Oh, and Morgana says hi," Gwen said quickly.

"Tell her I say hi, too. Look, my mum's calling me to go to church," Merlin said. They had missed midnight mass the night before so they were going now.

"Alright. See you soon, yeah?"

"Yeah. In a week. Bye," Merlin said.

"Bye," Gwen hung up.

By this point, Morgana had washed the mugs of coffee and was now actually getting dressed. She emerged wearing a knee-length blue sweater dress with thick black tights. Her hair was perfectly curled once more and her smudged makeup was wiped off of her face. All she needed at the moment was under-eye concealer to hide the bags under her eyes and lip balm to ward off the cold. She wrapped the scarf Gwen had made around her neck, and placed the beret on the couch for when she left.

"Aww," Gwen said, grinning.

"You're amazing. Have I told you that?" Morgana asked with a smile.

"Not lately," Gwen said, trying to hide her amusement.

"Well, you're fucking amazing. Never forget it," Morgana smirked at Gwen's little smile.

"Alright. Well I'm going to get dressed," Gwen said as she walked away, "we'll leave together?"

"Yep," Morgana flopped back onto the couch, waiting.

Fifteen minutes later Gwen emerged with her hair in a sleek ponytail. She wore a black blouse topped with a polka dot cardigan, and dark blue jeans. She wore a pair of the socks Morgana had gotten for her (the neon green ones).

Morgana smiled at her choice. They were so weird sometimes. She loved it.

"Ready to go?" Morgana asked. Gwen nodded and they put on their boots (Gwen's were the dark brown pair shined to perfection while Morgana's were her black combat boots that she knew would squeak all over the Pendragon's hall). Morgana decided to wear her houndstooth Burberry coat while Gwen wore her dark blue one. Morgana couldn't help but frown. Maybe she should've bought Gwen a new coat? She shook her head, knowing her friend would see it as a charity instead of as a gift.

They locked the doors and left the building, heading towards their respective family homes.


Morgana picked at her food, still feeling a bit hungover. Arthur had bags under his eyes, and his hair was sticking out on end.

"Long night?" Morgana smirked.

"Sophia wouldn't leave," he grunted.

Uther glared at his son across the table, "Excuse me?"

"Don't worry, dad. We weren't here. I took her back to the flat," Arthur said reassuringly, unaware that he was about to give Uther a stroke.

Morgana snorted while Uther glared at Arthur.

"You're such a pig," Morgana muttered. And he wanted Gwen. Over her dead body. She would not let Arthur Pendragon hurt her best friend. He may not even intend to, but he tended to grow bored of his girlfriends pretty quickly.

"Oh, and you're one to talk. Tell me, who was it that stayed with you in Ireland?" Arthur smirked.

"Shut up," Morgana glared daggers across the table.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Uther glanced between the two foster siblings.

"Nothing," Morgana shook head quickly.

"No really, Morgana. Please share," Arthur grinned at her discomfort.

"Morgana?" Uther asked, concerned.

Morgana sighed and dropped her fork in annoyance, "It's nothing. Arthur's just being a prat."

Arthur frowned and opened his mouth to say something, before a glare from Uther silenced him.

"It's Christmas. Can we all just have a civil meal?" Uther asked.

"Yeah. Of course," Morgana agreed.

"Sure. Sorry," Arthur said.


Morgana entered the Smith home with a smile, greeting Tom and Elyan as Gwen made introductions. Tom seemed to visibly relax and Elyan grinned.

"So you're the perfect flatmate?" Elyan said as she was led to a small dining room table for lunch.

"Gwen's the perfect flatmate. I'd go crazy without her," Morgana said, grinning at her best friend.

Lunch was delicious, courtesy of Gwen and Tom, and Morgana and Gwen left together, despite Tom trying to convince his daughter to stay with them the remainder of the holidays. Gwen declined, claiming she wouldn't want to leave Morgana alone, and Morgana corroborated on this excuse.


"I don't think I could stay with them the rest of the holidays," Gwen sighed, curling up on the couch with some tea in hand.

"They're great, though," Morgana said, queuing up an episode of Doctor Who. They'd finally gotten to the end of series four, and needed to watch the David Tennant specials.

"I know. It's just that they treat me like a child," Gwen wrinkled her nose.

"Families, huh?" Morgana asked sadly. What she'd give for her parents fretting over her, even just one of them. She knew Gwen had lost her mum long ago, so they bonded over their dead parents one night after Gwen knew that she was Uther's ward.

"Yeah," Gwen sighed, settling in to watch the episode.

Just as the opening credits ended, the buzzer signalling a visitor from downstairs sounded.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Morgana asked.

Gwen shook her head. Morgana stood and hit the intercom.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Morgana, it's me," came a feminine voice.

"I'll buzz you in," Morgana grinned.

"Who is it?" Gwen asked as Morgana stood by the door like a kid waiting for a pony ride.

"My sister. Well, half-sister. I hadn't been able to get a hold of her, but I guess she was on her way," Morgana smiled brightly.

The doorbell rang and Morgana opened it.

"Dearest sister!" Morgause hugged Morgana enthusiastically.

"Hey, Morgause," Morgana grinned.

The sisters parted, and Morgana and Morgause took in the other's appearance. Morgause looked the same as always. Petite, with long blonde waves, and perfect cheekbones and hazel eyes.

"How are you?" Morgana asked.

"Wonderful. Cendred and I were travelling in eastern Europe, you know," Morgause said.

Morgana closed the door behind them and Morgause shed her coat and gloves. Gwen stood, and Morgause stepped forward to shake her hand.

"You must be Gwen," Morgause greeted.

"Yes. Hello," Gwen nodded.

"It's so nice to meet my sister's best friend," Morgause smiled at Gwen.

"It's no nice to meet my best friend's sister," Gwen said, furrowing her brow.

"How are you, sis?" Morgause asked Morgana.

"It's settled. I took care of it," Morgana smiled tensely. Gwen didn't know about her little murder investigation.

"And Uther?"

"Had no idea. I'll explain later," Morgana said quietly.

"Would you care for some tea?" Gwen asked.

"If it's not too much trouble," Morgause smiled quickly.

"Not at all," Gwen moved to the kitchen to fill the kettle.

"We're in the middle of Doctor Who, if you'd like to join us," Morgana said.

"You know me well," the twenty-five year old sat down on the couch.

"I've missed you," Morgana said quietly. If Morgause had been here, she wouldn't have felt so alone. But Morgause had her own life now, her own job, her own fiancé, her own house.

"Me too," Morgause ruffled Morgana's hair, earning a patented Lefay glare.

Gwen returned with tea for all of them, and they spent the better part of an hour watching the episode until Morgause's mobile rang. It was Cendred, who was waiting downstairs. With a sigh, Morgause stood and gathered her coat and gloves.

"How long are you going to be in town?" Morgana asked, standing by the door.

"At least until after New Years. Cendred and I were planning on heading towards the South Bank for the fireworks, if you two are interested," Morgause said with a soft smile.

Morgana turned to Gwen, who shrugged and nodded in agreement.

"We'll be there," Morgana said.

"Excellent. Bye," Morgause kissed Morgana on the forehead and left.

"Fireworks for New Year, not bad," Gwen said, "do you mind-"

"We'll invite Lancelot, don't worry," Morgana grinned, reading her friend's mind.

"Great," Gwen smiled.

"Now on with the Who," Morgana jumped onto the couch.


It was finally New Year's Eve, and Arthur was still asleep on the couch. He'd been there since the night before, and Sophia had left long ago. Clothes were strewn about, and dishes from a week before were left in the sink.

The door clicked open and someone walked in, tossing his bag on the ground.

"This is what I get to come home to?" Merlin grumbled. He had taken the train out of Belfast this morning, since classes started just two days after the first of January. It was nearing one in the afternoon, and Arthur was face down on the couch, drooling, more likely than not.

He shook Arthur, trying to wake him.

"Rise and shine," Merlin said, moving toward the window to open the blinds.

Arthur squinted and turned over, confused.

"Merlin! You're back," Arthur greeted.

"No, I'm still there," Merlin rolled his eyes.

Arthur sat up blearily, vaguely recalling that Morgana said the same thing upon her return. They most definitely shared a brain. Buggers.

"What's got your pants in a twist?" Arthur asked.

"This place is a mess!" Merlin raised his arms in exasperation.

"It's not that bad," Arthur scratched the back of his neck.

"I get that you're used to maids and whatever, but I am not your servant," Merlin took his bag and headed towards the bedroom.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," Arthur warned.

"Why not?" Merlin stopped dead in his tracks.

"Sophia, erm, got a little creative with the syrup and whipped cream in the fridge," he said, embarrassed.

Merlin felt sick. He turned around and headed back to the front door.

"Where're you going?" Arthur asked.

"I'll stay with Lancelot until you clean up a bit. His flatmate's on holiday with his family, anyway," Merlin scowled, leaving a confused Arthur behind.


"Thanks so much for letting me stay. And use your shower," Merlin said, buttoning up a dark blue check shirt.

"No problem. I can't believe Arthur left the flat like that," Lancelot said, frowning.

"Well, believe it," Merlin scowled once more. "So what are our New Year plans?"

"Eh, I'm going with Gwen to the South Bank after dinner. Well, Gwen, Morgana, and Morgana's sister and fiancé," Lancelot clarified. "Come along."

"I wasn't invited," Merlin wrinkled his nose.

"That's because we didn't know you were coming back today. Come with us," Lancelot said, smiling.

"Sure, why not?" Merlin grinned.


Since they were going to be standing out in the fucking cold to watch fireworks, Morgana thought it would be best to dress for the weather. She wore a black camisole, and over it a deep blue button-down jumper, paired with black jeans and her go-to boots, along with the scarf and hat Gwen had given her. Gwen wore a white and pink striped jumper and blue jeans with her brown boots, all topped off with a grey wool hat and scarf. Morgana turned to her favourite cape-like red coat once more, and Gwen reached for her purple coat.

They were quite predictable in their fashion choices, but it made things a hell of a lot easier on them to limit their wardrobes to basics and necessities (that looked nice, of course).

They locked the doors and went downstairs, to be greeted by Morgause and Cendred. Morgana thought Cendred and Gwaine could be long lost brothers, they looked so much alike. Except there was a harder look to Cendred that Gwaine just didn't have.

They sat in the car and reached the restaurant on the opposite side of where the fireworks would be set off. The group shuffled out of the car, Morgana nearly losing her footing on the pavement due to the rain/snow/slush that had deposited itself there earlier in the day.

Gwen grabbed her arm and steadied her, and Morgana thanked her with a grin. They reached the front of the restaurant where Lancelot stood with a tall man. Morgana raised a brow, then immediately recognised the figure in the black coat and baggy jeans.

"Merlin!" Morgana shouted, causing him to look up. He smiled and waved at the group.

Introductions were made, and Morgause stared between Merlin and Morgana, who were smiling like fools, and Gwen and Lancelot, who had the same stupid grins on their faces. The difference with the latter couple was that they had greeted each other with a quick kiss on the lips. Morgana and Merlin merely looked at each other, smiled, then looked away. She looked to Cendred, who shrugged. He would never understand young love. He and Morgause had it easy, immediately falling for each other years ago while he was just a junior photographer for National Geographic and Morgause was a university student on study abroad.

They went inside and were led to a table by the hostess. Gwen had worried that they (she) would be under-dressed, but was relieved to find most had dressed for the weather. It seemed everyone had the same idea: go watch the fireworks outside.

They sat around the table after shedding their wintry gear. Morgana and Gwen sat next to each other, Merlin and Lancelot across from them. Morgause and Cendred sat at the heads of the table opposite one another. Merlin apologised to his friends for not having their presents with him, and he was shushed by all three, who said it could wait.

"So, champagne?" Cendred asked, browsing through the menu.

"Don't you think it's a little too early for that?" Morgause raised a brow.

"Never to early to celebrate, love," Cendred said, earning a grin from Morgause and a snort from Morgana.

Cendred looked at Morgana, "Problem?"

"No. It's just I'm surrounded by lovey-dovey couples, and it's already hilarious before we've even had our appetizers," Morgana smirked.

Gwen and Lancelot blushed, and Merlin chuckled.

"I know exactly how you feel," Merlin said. He had been introduced to Freya's almost-but-not-really boyfriend Steve just two days ago. He was surprised he didn't have the urge to rip the guy's head off.

"We're not that bad," Morgause bristled, slightly insulted.

"It's okay, sis. You're engaged, you're happy," Morgana smiled, "congrats, by the way. I don't think I ever congratulated you both, just Morgause."

"Oh, wow, congratulations," Gwen grinned brightly, with Lancelot and Merlin also murmuring congratulations.

"Thanks," Cendred smiled slightly, "now if only Morgause will pick a date."

Morgause narrowed her eyes, "We're always travelling. It's not always so simple."

"Well, we're here now. Why not?" Cendred asked.

"We can't get married with a week's notice! These things take time, planning," Morgause spluttered.

"Morgause, we've been engaged for a year," Cendred scowled.

"So what's a few more months? Wouldn't a summer wedding in the country be nice?" Morgause's eyes flashed in annoyance.

The scowl from Cendred's face faded, and he nodded, "That does sound nice."

"So it's settled," Morgause grinned, "now order the champagne, we've got to celebrate."

She turned to her sister, "You'll be my maid of honour, of course?"

"I'd be severely offended if you didn't ask," Morgana said agreeably.

Dinner went on like that, with smatterings of light conversation and the younger dinner guests discussing their schedules for the upcoming term, and Merlin grumbling about Arthur and how he had to stay with Lancelot.

"Sounds like Arthur," Morgana and Morgause snorted at the same time.

"At least you won't be alone," Gwen tried to smile at Lancelot, though she seemed annoyed.

"Yeah, it's great having Merlin around," Lancelot grinned at his friend next to him, oblivious.

Morgana had to hide a smirk. She looked at Merlin across the table and tilted her head at Gwen and Lancelot. He rolled his eyes and nodded, as an 'I know, duh."

The meal continued and they exited the restaurant after dessert, at an hour until midnight.

The group made their way to a perfect spot to watch the fireworks, with Morgana and Merlin trailing behind.

"So, what's the plan?" Merlin whispered. Of course, Morgana was the schemer.

"It's obvious Gwen wants some alone time with Lancelot, but you had to go and crash on his couch," Morgana sent him a glare.

"Blame Arthur," he frowned, "I am not spending the night there. Especially tonight."

He shuddered upon the knowledge that Arthur and Sophia would be there, he was sure of that.

"Stay with me," Morgana shrugged. Her eyes widened when she realised it sounded like she was offering more than a place to stay.

"What?" Merlin nearly stopped walking.

"I can make up the couch," Morgana tried to cover up her little mistake.

"I don't know. We already slept in the same bed once before," Merlin smirked, making Morgana blush.

"It was a huge bed, with plenty of room. The bed in the flat's tiny," Morgana quickened her pace.

"Yet you still managed to attach your limbs to mine," Merlin laughed.

"Fuck off," Morgana scowled.

"You tease me all the time, why can't I tease you?" Merlin frowned. She was so defensive and he wanted to know why.

"Because, one day I'm going to think you're serious," Morgana tried to laugh.

"What's so bad about that?" Merlin asked in confusion. He'd just tell her he was joking, and everything would be fine.

"I'll take you up on the offer, and this," she pointed between them, "friendship we've got, will be ruined."

"We're friends, Morgana, nothing more," Merlin said assuredly, looking a bit hurt. What was wrong with him that it seemed Freya was the only woman who'd give him a chance?

"Right," Morgana nodded and looked at the ground, sniffing.

"Morgana?" Merlin looked at her. She looked up, trying to smile, and failed.

"Yeah?" she bit her lip.

"I'll stay on the couch so Gwen and Lancelot get some one on one time, don't worry," Merlin smiled.

They reached the North Bank, and faced the South Bank. A large crowd had already assembled, shivering in the bitter night cold, but eagerly anticipating the fireworks show to ring in the New Year.

So they waited in the cold, snuggled up in their coats and scarves and gloves and mittens. Cendred stood behind Morgause, his arms wrapped around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. She was smiling, and Morgana thought that was the happiest she'd ever seen her sister.

Lancelot and Gwen stood next to each other, arms linked as they looked at the sky.

Merlin and Morgana stood side by side, gloved fingers at their sides. Time passed, and it was soon to be midnight. Heh, Midnight. Like the episode with Jethro. Morgana snuck a glance at Merlin, and she felt her heart clench. A clean-shaven Merlin did look a lot like Jethro. Oh, damn, she had called Jethro hot. But Merlin's hair was wavy and he was most definitely not emo so that was good. Right. All was well.

Except then he looked at her questioningly and held his hand out and she took it without thinking, intertwining their fingers. He smiled, and she smiled.

The countdown started. 10, 9, 8, 7

"Hey, Morgana?" Merlin said as quietly as he could to still be heard above the ruckus.

6, 5, 4, 3

"Yeah?"

2, 1

"Happy New Year," Merlin grinned. Fireworks started to go off in the distance, blinding everyone and lighting the London sky.

"Happy New Year," she smiled, taking in the scene around her.

Morgause and Cendred were stealing kisses, while Gwen and Lancelot were kissing chastely.

Morgana looked at Merlin, taking in his appearance. Messy, wavy hair. Perfect cheekbones. Bright blue eyes. Cheeks pink from the cold. Pouty pink lips. She tore her eyes away from him and gazed at the stars.

"You know what they say," Merlin said softly.

"What?" Morgana asked.

"How you spend New Years is how you'll spend the rest of the year," he offered a half-smile.

She smiled softly and squeezed Merlin's hand. Watching the stars in the night sky as fireworks exploded, standing right next to Merlin, hands entwined, seemed like a pretty fantastic way to spend the rest of the year.

"Good," she nodded.

"Yeah?" Merlin asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," she chanced looking at him, lips quirking into another smile.


Lancelot and Gwen were dropped off at Lancelot's flat, with Morgana making telling them to stay safe as they rode in the back of the car that Cendred had hired.

Morgana dragged Merlin out of the car in front of her building, waving farewell to her sister and Cendred, promising to stop by sometime before the term started.

The two friends practically ran up the stairs, tipsy, but not yet flat-out drunk. Morgana knew how to remedy this. Once inside, they shed their outerwear and shoes, and Morgana unbuttoned her jumper and rolled up her sleeves, as it was warm in the flat.

Merlin sat down on the couch while Morgana set a bottle of vodka and two shot glasses on the coffee table. She took out her ipod and set it on the dock she and Gwen kept near the kitchen, and turned up the music.

"Happy New Year!" Morgana cheered, clinking her glass with Merlin's.

"Happy New Year!" Merlin said, taking a shot.

"Yeah," she took a shot herself, nearly coughing.

"You okay?" Merlin asked.

"Fine. Just wondering how much of these we're going to need before Gwen gets back," she joked.

"Another bottle, at least," Merlin said with false seriousness.

"So be it," she jumped off of the couch and returned with a bottle of champagne and two new glasses, just for a New Years celebration.

"Where do you get all this alcohol from?" Merlin asked, taking another shot.

"Prime Minister's ward, remember?" she grinned.

"How are you dealing with that, anyway?" Merlin asked seriously.

Morgana sighed and took a shot, "Uther had no idea and apologised, almost cried. It was all Aggravaine. I'd rather not think about that right now."

"Right. Sorry," Merlin said, staring at the coffee table.

"Thanks for asking, though," Morgana smiled a bit, before her face turned serious once more.

Merlin nodded, then burst out into a grin, "I so didn't see Gwen and Lancelot as the type to…"

"Shag like rabbits?" Morgana finished, cackling with laughter. She was happy for them, she really was. Part of her even doubted that they were actually shagging.

"They're probably sitting there, talking about their feelings, anyway," Merlin snorted, trying not to laugh.

"For hours on end," Morgana giggled.

"Drinking a bit," Merlin continued, laughing.

"Snuggling on the couch," Morgana smiled, "man they're so boring."

"Right?" Merlin snorted once more.

"They need to wreck some shit. Cause some havoc," Morgana said enthusiastically.

"Like we are right now?" Merlin deadpanned.

"Yeah, we're badass," Morgana said.

"We're sitting here, drinking and mocking our friends. We're such badasses," Merlin rolled his eyes.

Morgana pouted and realised that Merlin was right. She needed a cigarette, but she'd finished her last pack and had resolved to quit for good. She turned to Merlin, and he immediately shook his head.

"I finished my last pack two days ago. So no," he said immediately.

She frowned, and threw the pillow next to her at him.

"Real mature," he tossed it back.

She stuck her tongue out and poured herself a glass of champagne. She shrugged off her jumper, leaving her in a tank top, and Merlin had rolled up the sleeves of his own shirt.

Morgana stood and turned the heat on the radiator off. A little longer in that heat and they'd be disgustingly sweaty.

She sat back down, curling her legs underneath her. Merlin took a sip of champagne, and closed his eyes.

"Don't you fall asleep on me now," Morgana punched his arm lightly.

Merlin opened one eye, "It's nearly three in the morning."

"We've been awake longer than that," she smirked.

An upbeat Of Monsters and Men song started up, and Morgana stood.

"I don't like walking around this old and empty house," Morgana sang along.

"So hold my hand I'll walk with you my dear," Merlin stood as well, offering his hand.

"The stairs creak as I sleep, it's keeping me awake," Morgana continued.

Merlin chuckled and rested his hands on her waist. She placed her hands on his shoulders and they danced around the living room.

"We're really bad at this," Morgana laughed. Merlin nodded in agreement, wincing.

"Sorry," she cringed upon stepping on his feet. At least they weren't wearing shoes.

"I'll just assume we'd be better at this when not drunk," Merlin shrugged.

"That's a fantastic assumption," Morgana said as Merlin twirled her around, then dipped her.

She stood once more, leaning a bit too far, toppling over onto Merlin, onto the floor. Their faces were centimetres apart, both of them panting and breathless because of their terrible dancing. Morgana's heart beat wildly in her chest (because of the dancing, it was the dancing, of course). Merlin licked his lips and was about to say something when Morgana beat him to the punch.

"You don't have to sleep on the couch," she murmured, finally able to run her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them. Blue met green and she licked her lips, burying her fingers into his hair.

"Then where?" he croaked.

She smiled and lowered her head, closing the distance between them. Merlin remained still, unable to move. Morgana pulled away, sitting on his lap. He propped himself up on his elbows, dazed.

"I am so sorry, Merlin." She had just effectively ruined their friendship.

Before she had a chance to apologise again, he leaned forward, crashing his lips on hers.


Kissing. There'll be more of that in the next chapter, as a continuation of this scene. Please review, I really appreciate feedback.