Chapter 28

Back to the Future

As they neared the town, Marian recognized where they were. They had landed just outside of the city where she had lived before being whisked away to Camelot. Her apartment was only a few minutes away, so she asked the driver if he could drop them at the end of her street.

She thanked the man as she and Gwaine exited the truck. The sun was beginning to set as they walked up the street and to her complex. Gwaine looked at his surroundings in awe. There were so many tall buildings and paved roads, he had never seen anything like it. He turned quickly and watched with wide eyes as a woman on skates flew past them.

Marian led them to a row of brick townhouses and walked up to the first door, her door. It had been nine years since she'd been pulled to Camelot. She wondered if the same number of years had passed before being pulled back to the present. The doormat in front of the door was definitely hers. It was one of the grassy brown ones with a black monogrammed R. She lifted the mat, finding the hidden house key beneath it.

"Well," she said, "here goes nothing." She pushed the key into the lock and turned it with a loud click! The door swung open, and warm air blew past them.

Holding Gwaine's hand, she stepped inside, pulling him behind her.

"This is where you live?" he asked. It was bigger than he'd imagined, with several rooms attached to the main one.

"Yeah…" she said as she let go of his hand. The furnishings were hers, so she knew they were in the right place. She flipped switches and turned on lamps as she walked throughout the apartment.

Gwaine jumped when the first light had come on. He stood there in disbelief as the place was lit by what seemed to him to be magic. He didn't understand how it worked, but he accepted that it did. He guessed there would be many more things in this time that were beyond his understanding. What had she called it? Technology.

Marian finished turning on the lights and walked back to Gwaine. She reached around him, holding tightly, and buried her face into his chest. "I can't believe we're really here."

Gwaine held her close, bending to place a kiss on top of her head. "Does that please you?" he asked.

Marian shrugged. She felt indifferent about it at the moment, plus she was too tired to even think. "As long as you're with me, I really don't care where I am," she said, though she felt she may start to miss Camelot before long.

Gwaine smiled and squeezed her in his arms. Right now, he felt the same way.

000

As she foraged in the kitchen for anything edible, she noticed that everything was just as she remembered it. The food in the fridge and pantry were still fresh. Marian pulled open her laptop on the kitchen counter and looked at the date. October 30, 2018. "I'll be damned," she muttered.

Gwaine came up behind her and looked over her shoulder at the strange contraption. "What's the matter, love?"

She didn't remember the exact day she had left, but it hadn't been long. She had lived for years in Camelot, but barely any time passed in the present. "I've only been gone a few days, not years," she said, looking back at him with raised eyebrows.

"Is that a good thing?"

"Well, it is if we want to eat tonight. The food is still fresh," she told him, grinning as she tossed an apple his way.

000

After they ate, Marian showed Gwaine around the apartment, taking extra time in the bathroom to explain the facilities. "Just press this lever, and it all goes away. No emptying a pot or anything," she told him as she pointed to the toilet.

She tore off a piece of soft toilet paper and handed it to him. "This is for… erm… wiping anything that needs wiping," she said, thoroughly embarrassed. Gwaine took the piece and rubbed it between his fingers. It was much softer than the bog paper he was used to. "When you're finished with it, you throw it in the bowl and push the lever."

Marian walked over to the sink and turned the taps. "And turn these to get hot and cold water. The soap is in this," she pointed to the hand soap on the sink counter, "just press down, and the liquid will come out."

Gwaine nodded to her. "Mind if I try? Call of nature and all," he said, grinning.

Chuckling, Marian quickly excused herself and closed the door, walking back into the living room to give Gwaine some privacy. A moment later, she heard the toilet flush.

"HOLY HELL!" Gwaine cried out.

Marian laughed.

When he left the bathroom, Gwaine went across the hall to the only bedroom in the apartment. He looked around, smirking at the single queen-sized bed.

"Marian, love," he called out. She turned to him just as he stuck his head into the hallway. "There's naught but one bed," he stated, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.

"That's very true," she replied as she walked into the bedroom. "What is an innocent maiden to do?" she asked coyly.

Gwaine stepped up to her and put his hands on her hips, drawing her close. He placed small kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

"As a noble knight, I must protect her reputation," he said between kisses.

Marian smiled and moaned as Gwaine smoothed his hands down to her backside and cupped her cheeks in his palms.

"And if I don't care about my reputation?" she asked huskily, her hands winding in his hair. She pulled his head back up and pressed her lips against his.

Gwaine pulled back and smirked.

"Then I guess I have a duty to take the lady to her bed."

Marian grinned. She pulled herself from his arms and went to her chest of drawers. If she remembered correctly, she had a sexy silk nightgown that she'd bought for herself after she'd moved. It was short with a plunging neckline, perfect for seducing handsome medieval knights.

"Let me go change first, loverboy," she smirked at him. As she went out of the door and to the bathroom, she called over her shoulder. "Go ahead and get comfortable!"

Gwaine sat on the bed to pull his boots and socks off as she shut the bathroom door. Standing from the bed, he went to her full-length mirror to gauge his reflection. He smoothed down his hair and checked his breath. Comfortable, she had said. Removing his belt, Gwaine shrugged as he reached for the hem of his tunic and pulled it over his head, dropping both to the floor.

Watching his reflection, he turned slightly to get a different view of his body. He was fit and muscled, scars from battle covering his tanned skin. He lifted his arms and sniffed, making sure he wasn't too musky. Marian seemed to enjoy being close to him, so he assumed she liked his scent. He pulled the waistband of his trousers out and looked inside, double-checking that everything had made the journey through time in one piece.

He turned around to get a view of his backside, hoping it was nice enough for Marian to appreciate it. He'd never had the luxury of a full mirror before, so seeing all of himself at once was a new experience. He flexed his muscles, watching as his buttocks tensed and then relaxed from beneath the fabric of his trousers. The muscles in his back rippled as he moved. He turned back around and flexed his chest and arm muscles, watching the shadows move along with him.

Very nice, he thought, grinning. Surely this is what women liked, wasn't it? A strong man who could protect them? Muscles that you could see but not so big you couldn't move? It was what Marian liked, he hoped.

Satisfied that his appearance was alluring enough for his beautiful healer, Gwaine went to the bed and laid down. It was the most comfortable bed he had ever been on. It was firm, but still very soft. He dropped his head down to the pillow, softness enveloping him. He felt like he was lying on a cloud from Heaven. How anyone could go back to the hard scratchy mattresses of Camelot after sleeping on this, he'd never know.

Marian stepped out of the bathroom a few moments later, her silk nightgown gliding over her smooth skin. The hem reached the middle of her thighs, and the V-neckline dipped down to the bottom of her breasts. She walked into the bedroom and ran her hand up the doorframe, popping her hip out slightly.

"I'm ready for bed, Gwaine," she purred. The only reply she got was the knight's soft snores.

Marian laughed softly and went to the bed. He had undressed to his trousers and had fallen asleep on top of the comforter. She smiled as she pulled a throw from the end of the bed up to cover him. Walking to the other side, she sighed. Marian climbed in under the comforter and scooted up against Gwaine, wrapping her arm around his waist. She supposed he was drained from their journey and realized that she, too, was exhausted. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes, letting sleep take her.

000

Light filtered through the closed blinds of the bedroom window and shined on Gwaine's face at just the right angle to wake him. He breathed in deep, relaxed and comfortable. He was lying on his side, curled up with his arms wrapped around a soft, warm body. Marian. Gwaine grinned and opened his eyes.

She had her back to him, snuggled into the pillow. Gwaine hugged her around her belly, pulling her closer, and sighed. Her nightgown was smooth and silky and terribly thin. He felt the warmth of her body through the fabric and slowly moved his hand to follow the curve of her breast. His breath hitched in his throat when he realized the material didn't completely cover her chest; instead, her rosy bud peaked out from behind the silk. As he slowly massaged the supple flesh, his thumb teased her nipple erect.

She stirred, moving her backside further into his hardening groin. Marian turned her head to look at him, smiling.

"Good morning, loverboy," she chuckled.

Wordlessly, Gwaine turned her onto her back and hovered over her. He met her lips, kissing slowly. A soft gasp escaped her as he maneuvered himself under the comforter and between her legs, laying his full weight on her. She wrapped herself around him, pulling closer. Her hands trailed down to his firm backside, grabbing the flesh tightly.

Just then, his stomach growled loudly. Marian couldn't help the giggle that escaped, breaking the mood. Gwaine sat up, irritated at his traitorous body, but smiled down at her nonetheless.

"Good morning, beautiful," he finally greeted.

"Breakfast first it is, then," Marian said as she sat up.

She climbed out of bed, her backside flirting with him as it bounced, and went to the bathroom, closing the door.

His trousers became unbearably tight as he watched her leave in her scandalously short nightgown. She was going to be the death of him, he was sure.

When she was finished, she called him over to explain how the shower worked.

"Turn those until the water feels warm enough. Use this," she picked up the bottle of shampoo and showed it to him, "in your hair and this," she put the shampoo down and showed him the body wash, "everywhere else."

She turned to the sink and opened one of the drawers beneath. Pulling out a new toothbrush, she opened the plastic and pulled the brush out, handing it to him.

"Use this on your teeth in place of birch sticks," she said. She reached behind her and picked up the tube of toothpaste lying on the counter. "And just a small amount of this rather than chalk. Just make sure you spit it all out and don't swallow it."

Gwaine laid the toothbrush and paste back onto the countertop.

"What are you going to do while I'm naked in the hot water?" he asked, sliding his hands around her waist, down to her backside, and pulling her close.

She rose up on her toes and placed small, lingering kisses up his neck, gently sucking his skin. When she got up to his ear, she bit down on his lobe gently and tugged, causing a low guttural moan to escape him.

His stomach growled again.

Marian let go of his ear and chuckled.

"I'll be making breakfast for a very hungry knight."

Gwaine pouted as she turned and left the room.

000

When he had finished with his shower, Gwaine dressed back in his tunic and trousers and went in search of Marian. She was in the kitchen, dressed in a long robe, and humming to herself. She must've been at some sort of a stove; there was a sizzling noise coming from where she was standing, and the smell in the kitchen made Gwaine's mouth water.

He stayed in the doorway and watched her for a few minutes before announcing himself.

"My God, Marian, you are entirely too beautiful," he said breathlessly.

She smiled and looked back at him over her shoulder.

"You flatter me, Sir Gwaine."

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That smells delicious. What is it?"

"This," she said, pulling his hands from her and picking up the pan, "is an omelet." She slid the folded egg dish from the pan and to a plate. Handing it to him, she picked a fork up and placed it on the plate with a clatter. "You go ahead and start while I cook mine."

Gwaine kissed the side of her head and then took the plate over to the small kitchen table and sat down. He cut down on the omelet with his fork, melted cheese and grilled vegetables pouring out of the side. Gwaine took one bite and rolled his eyes up into his head before closing them in delight.

"Mmm…" he sighed.

"You like it?"

"Very tasty!" he said with his mouth full of another bite.

He was almost done when Marian brought her breakfast to the table and sat down.

"I was afraid I'd forgotten how to cook. It's been a while," she laughed, bringing the first bite up to her mouth.

"No, love, you definitely remembered how to cook."

They ate in silence for a few minutes, both enjoying the hot meal. When they had finished, Marian took the plates and set them in the sink to deal with later. She poured two mugs of coffee and sat back down at the table with Gwaine.

He took a sip of the coffee and smiled at her over the mug. Marian tried to smile back, but it came off as a grimace. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as she thought of the conversation she didn't want to have but desperately needed.

"What's wrong, beautiful?" Gwaine asked at her look.

She set her mug down and sighed.

"I think…" she began, her voice cracking. "I think we need to talk… about how we left things over the last few months."

"Alright," he agreed. "Where do you want to start?"

"Do you still want me?" she asked in a small voice. "Not just to bed, but do you want to be with me?"

Gwaine sighed and smiled softly at her. "Marian, I've always loved you," he admitted. "From the moment you came barging into my life, quite literally," he chuckled, "you captured my heart. With every argument we had, I fell further in love with you. You never let me get away with arrogance or stupidity; you've held me to a higher standard. You made me a better person. I definitely want to be with you, love. I always have."

Gwaine reached over and held her hand in his, his thumb traced circles around her knuckles.

"My goal has always been to be the man you needed me to be." He took a deep breath and continued. "I'm sorry that I failed. I regret that we grew apart. I was afraid and foolish." Gwaine looked away from her in shame. He knew what she really wanted to know. He knew why she had her doubts.

"Eira was… a distraction that I thought I needed. In the end, that distraction cost many lives. I'm not proud of it. I should have just talked to you. Forgive me."

She looked away, her brow furrowed in thought. She knew what she wanted to ask him, but she was afraid of the answer. Marian took a deep breath and built up her resolve.

"Did… did you love her?" she asked quietly, looking up at his face.

Gwaine sighed and closed his eyes. He knew this would come up at some point, but he was still not prepared. He didn't want to hurt Marian further, but he refused to lie to her.

"I could have, I think, given time. But no, beautiful, I was not in love with her. I cared about her, yes. Though that all changed when she betrayed me, used me against Camelot. None of it was real," he said bitterly.

Marian winced. It tore her apart that his heart had suffered so much. He had thought she loved him, and then she turned him away. He thought Eira loved him, and then it turned out to be a ruse to get information. Marian didn't see how Gwaine would ever trust his heart again, but here he was, loving her as if nothing had happened between them.

Marian looked lovingly at his face. "Gwaine, I'm just as much to blame, if not more. I ran away from you when I should've been honest. I knew I was falling in love and that I couldn't be with you, but I continued anyway. I pushed you away and to another woman. It's my fault."

Gwaine looked at her thoughtfully. Ever hopeful that she wouldn't run away from him again, he dared to ask what his heart feared. "You said before that you were careful with your feelings because of the spell that brought you to Camelot. Are you sure that's the only reason you couldn't be with me?"

"Wouldn't it have been worse if we were together, and I disappeared, but you didn't know why?"

"You're telling me now, though we've journeyed to the future. Are we still not to be together?"

"What do you mean?"

"We could be pulled back still, could we not?"

"I don't know. It's not… I was scared. I didn't know what to do. What would you have had me do then, Gwaine?"

"Confide in me, love."

"I was terrified!"

"Of what?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

"Of you knowing the truth that I had magic, that I was really from the future. Magic was banned, I would have been executed."

"Do you think so little of me? That I would turn in the woman I love?"

"No, I…"

"I think you weren't scared of me turning you in. I think you were scared to love me. I think you're scared now."

"What could I possibly be scared of now? Everyone knows the truth. We're not even in Camelot anymore."

"You're scared of the possibility that you're in love. That there is someone in the world who is willing to bear their heart and soul to you, only ever asking for your love in return."

She stood and went to the window, tears building but never falling. He knew her better than she knew herself, it seemed. "I've never felt anything this intense. It scares me, Gwaine. When I thought I had lost you, I… I felt like I couldn't live." She turned as she felt him come up behind her. "It frightens me to think that my happiness, my existence could depend so much on one person."

"I've felt the same, beautiful," he said, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. "But is it not worth the risk of heartbreak? Remember what you told me when we were stargazing on that tower so long ago?" He looked at her lovingly and smiled. "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."

Marian lowered her head to his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Why do you even want me, Gwaine? I'm such a mess."

His chuckle reverberated in his chest. "That you are, love." He brought his hand up to her hair and wound his fingers through her silken locks. "But knowing that I have even the slightest chance, I can wait for you. Knowing that it's not hopeless makes all the difference in the world."

He held her for another few moments before she pulled back.

"I want to take you shopping," she said, almost out of nowhere.

He looked at her curiously, not understanding what she meant.

"Let's go get you some modern clothes, shall we?" she asked, smiling brightly.

000

Marian showered and dressed before ordering a Lyft on her newly charged cell phone. She gave her phone to Gwaine as they waited so he could play around with the camera. Though it was a brand new experience for him, he became pretty comfortable with taking pictures, especially of Marian, when she wasn't looking.

"Gwaine!" she admonished when he showed her his latest. "That's my ass!"

"And a fine ass it is, beautiful!"

The Lyft pulled up, and they got in the car, headed to buy him some modern clothes. Marian took Gwaine to a department store, and they stayed in the men's section for two hours, at least. He tried on everything from jeans to khakis to dress pants, sport shirts, sweaters, casual tees, shoes, and jackets. Marian was convinced that Gwaine would look good in a paper sack if they'd had one. By the end of it, Gwaine was thoroughly worn out. Marian picked up all the clothes he had tried on and added a few packs of boxer briefs to the pile. She ended up buying everything. What else are credit cards for? she thought.

After paying for Gwaine's new wardrobe, Marian asked him to wait by the door while she went to get a surprise. He dutifully stood, bags in hand, and waited for her to return. When she did, she was carrying a paper sack folded down to hide its contents. As they rode in another Lyft to go home, he stared at the sack, trying to imagine its contents. At first, his imagination took him to all of the food possibilities. Was it fruit, maybe apples? Or had she found some meat pies he'd like? Perhaps it was an entire roasted chicken? Gwaine's stomach growled as he grinned at the thought.

Marian chuckled and asked the driver to make a quick stop at the supermarket, so she could run inside to buy a few bags of groceries. They had been out far longer than she'd realized, and they were both hungry. When she got back to the car, she handed Gwaine an apple to tide him over until they got home.

With his stomach no longer a distraction, Gwaine began imagining all of the soft and thin night-things Marian could have purchased. He shifted uncomfortably as his body reacted to the memory of her short silk nightgown from that morning.

When they got home, Gwaine brought in his shopping and helped to carry the groceries in. Marian sat the mysterious bag on the table and went to make them sandwiches for an early dinner.

"I had almost forgotten that it's Halloween," she said as she held up a paper sack after they'd eaten. "You, my dear, are about to be in for a treat!"

Gwaine looked inside the bag. It had shiny cloth and what looked like chainmail inside. No food and no naughty night-things for her to wear. He tried to hide his disappointment.

"What's Hallow-een?" he asked.

She grinned at him. "It's what Samhain has become. Children and some grown-ups dress in costumes and go door-to-door for treats."

Gwaine shook his head, not understanding.

Marian reached in the bag and held up the shiny blue fabric. "You dress up as something you aren't. Um…" she looked up thoughtfully, trying to figure out how to explain it better. "You can dress up as a witch!"

"But you are a witch, love."

"Okay, bad example," she laughed. "You can dress up as a ghost or a king or a monster. Then the children visit in their costumes, and you give them sweets while telling them how scary or how cute they are."

Gwaine's eyebrows rose. "You mean to tell me there's food involved?" he asked, excited.

Nodding, Marian reached into the bottom of the bag and pulled out a small square object. It was shiny and mostly brown. In big blue letters, it said Snickers. She held it out for him to take.

Gwaine picked it up and sniffed. He touched it to his tongue and made a face. "I hate to break it to you, beautiful, but this has no taste. Children really want this sort of thing?"

She rolled her eyes and took the square back. Ripping the wrapper, she pulled out the candy and showed it to him. "This, my dearest knight, is candy. It's covered in chocolate. Wars have been fought over chocolate. Your mouth will thank you," she said.

Gwaine smirked as he opened his mouth. Marian popped the square onto his tongue and waited. He brought the candy into his mouth, chewing slowly, his eyes widened in surprise.

"This…" he tried, the sticky caramel nearly gluing his teeth together. "Mmm, this is very sweet! And a little salty." He swallowed and smiled brightly at her. "I like it!"

Marian laughed. "Right, so we need to get ready and dress in our costumes." She rummaged in the bag and pulled out a shirt, trousers, a crown, and chainmail. Luckily, she'd already had a toy sword that would go perfectly with the rest of the costume. "You get to be King Arthur!"

"Hilarious," Gwaine said, cocking an eyebrow at her. He took the costume and went into the bedroom to change.

"The sword is on the bed. You do know how to use a sword, don't you?" she teased.

Gwaine poked his head out of the door. "You think you're so funny," he grumbled.

Marian waited as he got ready. After a few minutes, she heard a loud sigh.

"Marian, love," Gwaine called out from the bedroom. "I don't think this armor will protect me. It seems to be made from cloth and not metal."

"It's not real, it's a costume."

"Ah. And there seems to be a problem with the sword," he said.

She stepped into the room to see what had happened. Gwaine was standing before her, dressed in fake chainmail and looking ever so dashing. He held the sword up with the blade pointed at his gut and pushed it into himself. The sword bent, causing no damage.

"Let me guess, not a real sword?" he asked dryly.

She shook her head, unable to contain her laughter. "It's for children, Gwaine. You wouldn't give a child a real sword, would you?"

"I had a real sword," he mumbled as he turned to pick up the plastic crown and set it on top of his head. "What do you think?"

Marian walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She reached up and kissed him. "Very royal," she said as she stepped back. "I have to get ready now, so shoo!" she said as she pushed him to the door.

Gwaine closed the door behind him and went in search of more candy. A few minutes later, the door to the bedroom opened, and Marian stepped out.

Gwaine's eyes widened when he saw her. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?" he asked.

Marian was dressed in a shiny blue robe with giant stars printed on it. The robe was oversized and looked like something Gaius would have worn. She had a matching pointed hat on her head. Her hair was long and stringy and white, and on her face sat a long, white beard.

"I'm Merlin," she smiled at him.

Gwaine doubled over in laughter, having never seen a woman with a beard before. He calmed but started back up again as he thought of the noblewomen of Camelot dressed in beards.

"You're joking!" he laughed, his hands on his knees.

"No, I'm serious!" she said with her hands on her hips. "What's so funny?"

"A woman with a beard!" he howled. "And I think you're a few hundred years too old to be Merlin, sweetheart," he said, finally calming.

She crossed her arms and pursed her lips. "Gwaine, even you've seen him with a white beard," she said matter-of-factly.

"When?"

"Well, when he failed to save Uther's life. And I believe you ran into him on patrol. Got knocked around a bit?"

"That wasn't… it couldn't…" Gwaine's good humor faded as he remembered how the old sorcerer insulted the knights and, using his magic, had easily bested them. "That bastard! I injured my head, not to mention my pride!"

Marian went up to him and rubbed his arms soothingly. "Yes, but it gave you an excuse to come see me," she said with a sly look in her eye.

Gwaine looked at her and burst into more fits of laughter. "Please tell me that thing will come off your face. Please, love, tell me it isn't a real beard!" he said, laughing heartily.

She pulled the beard from her face briefly and glared at him. The beard, held on with elastic, popped back onto her face as she let go.

"Of course it's fake."

"Well, thank God for that!"

He pulled the beard down and kissed her, still chuckling.

000

Soon the neighborhood was filled with children in costumes and anxious parents herding groups from one home to another for treats. Gwaine enjoyed answering the door and seeing the children's costumes. Some were dressed as things he recognized, dragons and puppy dogs and princesses. There were others, though, that he didn't understand.

One little girl in particular proudly displayed the S on her chest as she stood in front of him. Her shirt was bright blue, and her short, ruffled skirt was a metallic red. Gwaine asked her who she was, and she rose to her entire three and a half feet, putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm Supergirl! Duh!" she exclaimed.

Gwaine chuckled at her and reached in his bowl for several pieces of candy, crouching down to her level. "Well, you're the best Supergirl I ever saw," he said as he dropped the pieces into her plastic pumpkin.

As the night wore on, Marian grew more and more sleepy, until finally, she let Gwaine take over all of the candy duties. She took off her hat, wig, and beard and settled on the couch for a quick nap.

After all the candy was gone and the front door was shut, Gwaine went in search of her. When he saw her sound asleep on the couch, he smiled and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom. He was able to pull down the comforter and keep her standing as he removed the rest of her costume. Thankfully she had worn a camisole and cotton boxers underneath, so she was able to maintain her dignity even while asleep.

Gwaine's heart pounded as he looked at her boxers— and the long legs they neglected to cover— and took a deep, steadying breath. He was going to have to deal with the amount of skin shown in this time if he were to survive being with Marian.

He lifted her and set her down on her side of the bed, tucking her in. He removed his costume and put on the sleep trousers she had bought for him. Climbing into bed next to her, Gwaine reached over and placed a light kiss on her brow before settling in. As he started to drift off to sleep, he grinned. He rather liked Halloween.

000

The next morning, Marian awoke before Gwaine. She looked over at him, his bare chest rising and falling as he slept soundly next to her, and smirked. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arm around his torso. Still asleep, Gwaine gathered her in his arms and pulled her up against his side.

Marian took the opportunity to raise her head up and trail soft kisses on his neck. She nibbled and sucked his skin, from his neck over to his shoulder. When she reached his collarbone, she bit down gently, causing him to suck in a sharp breath. Marian slid her leg up his body, resting where the bulge expanded in his trousers. She pulled herself across him and straddled his waist, bringing her mouth to his, kissing lazily.

Waking, Gwaine grinned against her mouth, his fingers clinging to her round hips. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, pushing inside of her mouth.

Marian opened fully for him, tasting him, enjoying him. Her need was instinctual to the point that she unknowingly bucked her hips against him, dragging her moistening sex across his arousal.

Gwaine sat up, pushing her with him and settling her against his lap. He grabbed onto her backside, moving her to bring her sex across his erection again. The soft cotton cloth of his sleep trousers did nothing to hide his hardening pleasure.

Thrills of electric sex coursed through her as the mouth of her arousal glided across his erect length. With her hands on his shoulders and her hair falling in curtains on either side of his head as she kissed him, she lifted her body, hovering over him. In a swift motion, she rolled her hips down and back, pulling her folds across his erection, again and again.

Gwaine's hands slipped beneath the hem of her camisole, inching up the warm, bare skin of her back. With his hands splayed across her back, he moved with her, rocking against each other, teasing the primal dance of two souls merging. As her ample breasts brushed against his bare chest, he traced his hands to her front, intending to pull her shirt from her body. Instead, he became lost in the jiggle of her bosom and the hardening of her nipples.

She gasped at his touch, biting down on his lower lip and sucking it into her mouth. She wanted Gwaine. She craved him, needed him inside of her. God, she thought she'd die if he didn't hurry and take her. Nothing else in the world mattered but the physical need he had for him.

Gwaine moaned into her neck as she reached in front of him, her fingers tickling the top of his arousal when she untied the drawstring of his sleep trousers. All it would take was one quick movement, a flick of her wrist, and he would be free from his cotton imprisonment. With her boxer shorts moved to the side, then he could lift her for only a moment, to slip inside and make her whole.

DING DONG!

The doorbell rang.

"Ignore it," Marian said as she moved her tongue into his mouth.

DING DONG!

"Miss Ragnell?" came a loud voice. "It's me, Ethel! Your neighbor!"

"Fuck," Marian said as she pulled back from Gwaine. She rested her forehead against his, looking into his dark, feral eyes. "She's old. I'd better go see if she's okay."

She climbed from Gwaine's lap, kissing him as she stood.

"I'll be right back," she promised.

She bent down and captured his mouth once more.

Reluctantly, she pulled back and left the bedroom, grabbing her robe on the way.

000

Marian stood on her porch stoop, wrapped in her robe, listening to her elderly neighbor babble on and on about last night's trick-or-treaters. She didn't want to be rude, but she desperately wanted to get back to Gwaine and finish what they had started. She had a full day planned for them and thought that maybe they could have a little naughty fun before going into town.

Fate, on the other hand, had different plans for the lovers. Satisfied with her conversation, Ethel finally bade Marian goodbye and went back into her own apartment. Marian walked back to the bedroom, untying her robe as she walked, but was disappointed to see that Gwaine had already gotten up and gone into the bathroom. She leaned toward the shut door and listened. The shower was running.

"Dammit," she muttered.

She paused as she turned to go back to the bedroom, a wicked idea suddenly coming to her. Marian slowly turned the doorknob and opened the bathroom door. She had intended to undress and hop into the shower with Gwaine, but he was already done and drying off when she walked in.

"Hey!" he said as he pulled his towel around his waist.

"Sorry," she said, turning from him with a smirk. It was just as it had been in Lord Bertilak's castle. She had gotten a glimpse of all of Gwaine. "That was my neighbor. She tends to talk a lot."

"I noticed," he chuckled. "Your turn," he said as he passed her, picking up his discarded sleep trousers.

She shook her head at his back. He hadn't even considered jumping back in the shower with her, had he?

Fucking chivalry, she thought as she closed the door and undressed to take her shower.

000

They sat on the couch, both freshly showered, Gwaine sitting almost too near and facing her. He looked at her with a smirk plastered on his face.

"What?" she asked when she caught him staring.

"Gaius said that your magic only works if you love the person. Is that true?" he asked her.

"Yes…" she said, raising a curious eyebrow at him and wondering where he was going with this.

"So, you love me, do you?" he asked, his smirk widening.

"Well, I used my magic on others, too," she teased him. It seemed the knight was in a flirtatious mood today.

"Yes, but you healed me twice. So, it must be love," he countered. Gwaine scooted closer to her, his arm resting on the back of the couch behind her.

Marian's breath quickened. "I healed Arthur twice, too," she said quietly.

Gwaine scooted closer, his chest against her arm. His hand slid from the back of the couch to her head, his fingers absent-mindedly playing in her damp hair.

"Yes, but you didn't do with Arthur what you did with me," he said, his eyelids heavy as his face drew nearer to hers.

"I don't know what you mean," she said barely above a whisper. His nearness was affecting her ability to think.

"You know, at Lord Bertilak's castle, clinging to my bare chest as you slept in my arms. Kissing me soft and sweet," he said as his nose brushed up against hers. His breath warmed her cool skin.

"And then in the courtyard at Camelot, the wanton way you kissed me… Our tongues entwined… And in your chamber, rubbing yourself against me…" He moved his hands to her thighs, slipping past the hem of her dress.

"And just this morning, rocking your hips against my hard cock… Your breasts soft and bouncy, nipples hardening in the palms of my hands…" he said, his voice caressing her very being.

She swallowed hard as he continued. "So close, I could have just slipped inside of you, with you wet and ready… I could swear you were going to ride me fast and hard…. You didn't do any of that with Arthur."

"Of course not," she whispered.

"Innocent maidens don't kiss like you do, beautiful," he said as he leaned in and barely brushed his lips over hers.

"Never said I was an innocent maiden," she replied before kissing him.

Gwaine pushed her back against the seat cushions and settled himself between her legs. His hands caressed her head, and his fingers wound through her hair as he kissed her passionately. Marian bent her leg and pulled him against her, the skirt of her dress sliding back to expose her thigh. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and her hands slid under his shirt as she lightly brushed the bare skin on his back.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, and there was a loud beating on the front door. Disappointed that they had been interrupted again, Gwaine lifted himself off her, and she sat up.

"Who the hell could that be?" he grunted in annoyance.

"I have no idea," she replied as she stood. "Goddammit," she cursed under her breath.

Marian stomped to the front door and threw it open. "What?" she yelled at the man standing on her porch. "Oh, fuck! No, go away!" she went to close the door, but the man pushed the door open.

"What? You got nothing nice to say?" he said accusingly.

"No, I don't, Joey. How did you find me, anyway?" she asked. Though she had been gone for nine years, she remembered her ordeal with her ex like it was yesterday.

He leaned against the door jam. "You look fat," he said, ignoring her question. His eyes roamed down her body and back up to her face. "Damn, babe, did you gain weight?"

Of course, her weight was what he had noticed had changed about her. Not that she looked older, but that she wasn't skin and bones. She had changed in more ways than were visible, too. She was happy, confident, and independent. She wouldn't put up with his shit.

Marian's mouth dropped. "Excuse me? No, I've gained muscle because I'm not starving myself anymore. I'm healthy, thank you very much."

"No, babe, you're fat. Don't worry, we'll get you back down to where you were," he said confidently.

"Fuck you, Joey! All you ever did to me was make me believe I was fat. I had a complex because of you!" she bit out angrily.

He continued to ignore her protests and reached up, grabbing her arm. "Now come on home. You don't need to stay in this place anymore," he said as he pulled her.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, asshole! Let go of me!" she yelled at him.

"Is there a problem here?" Gwaine asked as he walked up behind Marian, his face dangerous.

Joey faltered at the appearance of the taller man, and Marian was able to pull her arm from his grasp.

"Who the fuck is this? You cheating on me?" Joey asked incredulously.

"We aren't together, ass. I left you, remember?" she rolled her eyes. She sighed as her shoulders fell in resignation. "Gwaine, Joey. Joey, Gwaine," she introduced them, annoyed. She had hoped that she would never have to see her ex again.

"Ah, the boyfriend," Gwaine said knowingly.

"Ex," Marian added quickly. "Ex-boyfriend."

"Yeah, what's it to you?" Joey said rudely. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I'm the husband," Gwaine lied, grinning from ear to ear.

He figured that if he were going to convince the offensive ex to stay away from Marian, he ought to do a proper job of it. Marian looked up at him in shock, and he smiled at her fondly as she quickly recovered. He pulled her to his side and held her tight.

"The fuck you are!" Joey yelled angrily. "What the hell did you do, Marian? Marry the first asshole you met when you got here?"

"We've been in love for years, actually," Gwaine replied. He bent down and kissed her passionately. His arms wrapped around her waist, and she held on to his neck. When they broke apart, he looked at Joey's shocked face and smiled sweetly. "Sorry, I can't seem to keep my hands off her. You know how it is, don't you, Joey? A voluptuous beauty like this, with a sharp wit as well? Who wouldn't try to win her heart, eh?"

Joey grabbed Marian's arm again. "We're done playing games, you fucking whore! You're coming home with me!"

Gwaine sighed and scratched at his eye with his thumb. "Don't call her a whore."

"What's it to you, fucker? You gonna stand up for your ugly, fat whore of a wife now?" Joey spat out as he pulled her harder.

Gwaine looked at Marian, her face contorted in rage. He, however, simply smirked. Having been intimately acquainted with Marian's temper, he gave the other man a shit-eating grin.

"It's not me you have to worry about, mate," he said calmly.

"What?" Joey asked, confused.

As soon as Joey turned his head to look at Marian, her fist swiftly swung at his face, her knuckles making contact with his nose. Eyes watering and nose bleeding, he let go of her arm and held his face in his hands.

"Fucking hell! You stupid bitch!"

"As I said," Gwaine said as he grabbed the injured man by the back of his shirt, "it's not me you have to worry about." He grunted as he pushed Joey off the porch and away from the building.

Gwaine walked back into the apartment and shut the door, locking it behind him. "You used to live with that horse's ass?" he asked.

"I was a different person, then. You wouldn't have liked me," Marian replied, shaking her bruised hand.

Her anger hadn't subsided, despite the satisfying crack his nose made as she broke it. She stormed off to the kitchen to take care of her pained hand. Gwaine followed her to the other room and leaned in the doorway as he watched her pull a towel from a drawer.

"I don't know, beautiful, I really like the feisty side of you," he grinned at her.

Marian opened the freezer door and pulled out an ice tray. "I wasn't…" she tried twisting it to pop the ice out but was having difficulty. "…feisty!" she grunted. Ice popped out of the tray and flew onto the countertop and the floor. "Fuck. I let him control me, Gwaine. I was pathetic."

Gwaine walked to her and picked up the ice, putting it in the towel. "Here, allow me," he said as he took her hurt hand in his and held the ice bundle to her knuckles. "It sounds like you didn't love yourself. That's not pathetic, Marian. It just makes me sad."

She watched as he brought his lips down to kiss her pained knuckles. "Being in Camelot changed me," she said softly.

Gwaine placed the bundle back on her hand and smiled at her. "It did me as well. At least a certain lovely healer changed me anyway," he said as he caressed her face.

Marian grinned back at him. "I'll have to be sure to thank Gaius should we ever meet again," she teased.

"Definitely not Gaius," he said as he pushed her back gently.

She backed up into the kitchen counter and sucked in a deep breath. "No? Merlin, then?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

Gwaine slowly shook his head and grinned. He held her head, his fingers through her hair. "You changed me, love," he said before he bent down and kissed her softly.

Suddenly, the alarm on her phone went off, reminding her that it was time to leave if they were going to be on-time for what she had planned.

"Well, shit," Marian said, pulling back and turning off the alarm. "I had this whole day planned."

"It's alright, love. We can come back to this," he told her, grinning.

000

They went into town to the local movie theater. There was a Star Wars marathon playing, and Marian wanted to show Gwaine the original three movies. She knew most of it would go over his head, but she thought the characters were compelling enough that he would enjoy the story.

She wasn't wrong. Gwaine thoroughly enjoyed A New Hope, cheering for Luke, Leia, and Han and jeering at the evil Lord Vader. He even let out a wahoo when Han blasted Vader's ship, letting Luke deliver the deadly blow to the giant Death Star.

After the movie ended, they got up to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Marian went to the concessions to refill their popcorn and drinks as Gwaine went back to the theater to claim their seats for The Empire Strikes Back.

Gwaine was more affected by the tragic love story than Marian would have thought. As Han rushed up to Leia, kissing her for the last time before being frozen in carbonite, Marian looked over at Gwaine and saw a small tear fall down his cheek. He squeezed her hand as she laid her head on his shoulder.

When the credits finished rolling, Gwaine stood without a word and walked out of the theater.

"Gwaine?" Marian called after him as she got up and followed him into the hall.

He suddenly turned and grabbed her hand, pulling her into a darkened alcove. He pushed her up against the wall and slammed his mouth to hers. His kiss was passionate yet desperate. He held onto her as if it were for his life. When he pulled back to catch his breath, he looked her over.

"I just needed to make sure you were real. That this wasn't a dream," he apologized.

Marian smiled softly at him. "It's very real, my love," she said, taking ahold of his hand. "Come on, you'll like the last movie."

Again, Marian was right. Gwaine was on the edge of his seat the entire time during Return of the Jedi. He was elated when the lovers were reunited and overjoyed with all the lightsaber battles. They reminded him of home.

Completely satisfied with his first movie experience, Gwaine held Marian's hand as they left the theater, lightly swinging their arms between them. "What now, beautiful?"

"Well, I found something I'd like for you to try," she said, leading him down the street. A few blocks away was a fancy steakhouse with equally fancy desserts.

000

Marian had ordered for them since Gwaine had no idea what any of the menu items were. They enjoyed filet mignons and baked potatoes, loaded with all of the accouterments. She ordered apple ale and stout beer for Gwaine to try, which surprisingly, he enjoyed both. When they were done with their meal, Marian called the waiter over and ordered an item on the dessert menu.

When it came, the waiter placed the dessert on the table between them and laid two forks on the plate.

"What is it?" Gwaine asked, looking at the plate curiously.

"It's a caramel apple cheesecake," she replied with a grin.

Gwaine dipped his fork into the cheesecake, cutting off the end of the slice. As he brought the fork up to his nose, he sniffed it before placing the bite in his mouth. He closed his lips around it, pulling the utensil from his mouth, and rolled the creamy dessert around on his tongue. His eyes rolled back in ecstasy and closed as he swallowed the heavenly concoction. When he realized what the dessert tasted of, his eyes popped open and widened in surprise.

"It… it's a cheese that tastes of apple pie! Ha!" he bellowed.

Marian nodded, her grin spreading from ear to ear. Gwaine dropped the fork onto the plate and reached over to her. He pulled her face toward his and kissed her soundly and deeply. She had remembered the dream he had months ago on their way to rescue the queen. She thought enough of him to actually find an apple pie flavored cheese. At this moment, Gwaine had everything he had ever wanted. Food— specifically apple-flavored food— and a beautiful woman who loved him.

When he released her mouth, he turned, looking at the other patrons of the restaurant who were staring at them. "Sorry," he said, smiling and waving at them in embarrassment.

Marian opened her eyes and grabbed him for another kiss. She didn't care what anyone else thought. Let them look. She was kissing the love of her life, who just happened to taste of apples.

000

It was a lovely November night, neither too warm nor too cold, so they decided to walk back home. Hand-in-hand, Gwaine matched her gait, strolling along the sidewalk. "Thank you, Marian," he said earnestly. "This has been such a wonderful day."

"I'm glad you liked the movies. They were always my favorite."

"I can see why," he said, glancing at her. "A lot about you suddenly makes more sense."

"Oh?"

"You're a lot like Princess Leia, love. Beautiful, headstrong, caring, in love with a scoundrel…" he trailed off. Something about the stories made him think of home. Though he wanted to be wherever Marian was, Gwaine missed Camelot.

Marian quickly recognized the homesick look on his face, having worn that look many times before. She squeezed his hand, and when he looked at her, her eyes went to the Moon. "That's the same moon, Gwaine," she said.

He followed her look and stared up at the bright orb in the sky.

"The exact same moon we sat under in Camelot." She turned her gaze back to him and smiled softly. "It helped me to remember that when I was missing home."

"Thank you, beautiful. You always seem to know what to say. I love being here with you, but when I think that we'll probably never see our friends again, it hurts."

She laid her head on his shoulder as they kept walking. "We'll find a way to make this work," she promised him. "No matter where we are or what year it is."

They walked a little further, Marian thinking about everything she would give up just to return to his time with him. No, it was their time. In the modern world, she felt out of place. Camelot was her home. At least she had Gwaine, though. She could survive anything if he was with her.

"Gwaine," Marian stopped walking and turned to face him, her expression unreadable. He looked at her curiously as she continued. "I want to go to bed."

His face fell slightly. He'd thought they were having a good time, but she wanted to retire for the night. Pushing his disappointment back, he squeezed her hand.

"Of course, beautiful," he said consolingly. "I didn't realize you were so tired."

Marian smirked at him. "No, Gwaine," she said as she dropped his hand and leaned in closer to him. She placed her hands on his chest and pressed herself into him. "I said bed, not sleep," she corrected.

"Oh." His eyes widened in realization. "OH!" he said as he stepped back and began patting down his leather jacket and jeans frantically.

"What are you doing?" she laughed.

"Quick, where is that glass thing?" he asked impatiently.

"My phone? In your left jacket pocket," she answered, amused at his panicked look.

He pulled the phone out and shoved it clumsily at her. "Summon us a ride!"

Marian laughed heartily at him. "You in a hurry for something, loverboy?"

"Marian," Gwaine started. Instead of finishing his thought, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her closer, capturing her mouth with his. After he had thoroughly kissed her, he let her go.

"A big damn hurry!"

000

Marian used the app on her phone to order a Lyft. As they waited for the driver to arrive, Gwaine held her, his arms wrapped around her as he pulled her back against him, nuzzling her neck and kissing her skin.

She turned around and backed them to a bench on the sidewalk, pushing him down and climbing onto his lap. Straddling him, she tried to remain as decent as she could, since they were in public, but he worked her dress up her thighs, exposing her skin.

Marian was moving against him, indecently rocking her hips, when a car pulled up beside them and honked its horn. They parted, and she looked at the driver, irritated.

"Ragnell?" the driver asked them.

"Yes, sorry! Yes," Marian said as she climbed off Gwaine's lap and pulled him up with her. She opened the back door, and they climbed in.

"This the address? 276 Camelot Lane?" the driver asked, holding up his phone with her address pulled up.

Marian nodded. "Yes, thank you." She smiled over at Gwaine, his amusement at her address written all over his face.

When the car took off, Gwaine reached over and pulled Marian up against him. Not interested in the passing scenery, he took her mouth with his and kissed her passionately. His hands went to the short skirt of her dress and slipped beneath it, to her bare legs. He groped her flesh, pulling her up into his lap to straddle him. Holding onto her backside with one hand, he pressed her to his body, while he explored the bare flesh of her leg with the other.

The driver, an older man, tried to keep his eyes on the road instead of his rearview mirror. It was proving very difficult as the young couple making out in the backseat became rather hot and heavy.

All together too quick and not quick enough, they had arrived at their destination.

"Ahem!"

Marian and Gwaine parted and looked to the driver.

"Sorry, but we're here," he said awkwardly.

They looked out of the side window and, sure enough, there was Marian's apartment building.

She gave the driver an apologetic smile, reached into Gwaine's jacket pocket for her house keys, and exited the car. Gwaine smirked at the older man.

"Uh… wow… good luck, man. She's… uh… Whew!" the driver said as he cleared his throat.

"Thanks," Gwaine chuckled. No matter how many centuries had passed, it seemed that men never changed.

Marian was fumbling with her keys when Gwaine made it to the door. Her hands shaking, she kept trying to put the wrong key into the keyhole. He didn't make it any easier when he stepped up behind her, placing his hands on her hips and brushing up against her backside.

Gwaine nearly had a heart attack when she dropped the keyring and bent to pick it up, her bottom still against his groin. When she stood, he leaned over and bit at the exposed skin at her neck. He wrapped his hands around to her belly and pressed her back. Reaching for the hem of her skirt, he worked it higher on her thighs and inched his hand underneath to her hip.

Marian blew out her breath in frustration. "The sooner I can open the door, the sooner we can…"

He grinned against her skin and took the keys from her. Jamming key after key into the keyhole, he finally found the correct one and unlocked the door. Pushing her inside, he followed and slammed the door shut with his foot.

The Lyft driver looked on as the young couple tried to get into the apartment. After they had shut the door, he turned the air conditioner on and pointed the cool air toward him. He glanced at the clock. Two more hours, then he could go home to his Maud. He hoped beyond hope that she was still awake when he got there.

000

They had hardly gotten through the front door when Gwaine pushed her against the wall, nuzzling her neck. She threw her head back, giving him more access as he kissed and nibbled up to her earlobe.

"I love your scent," he said against her skin.

Marian pulled back and looked at him. "I have a scent?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

Gwaine brushed his lips over hers briefly. Lifting her leg, he wrapped it around his hip, and pushed her skirt up. His hand lightly grazed over her inner thigh.

Marian shivered.

"You do," he told her.

He spread his hand, his thumb brushing against the gusset of her panties. Moving the dainty cloth to the side, he caressed her delicate petals before delving his thumb inside. She was already becoming slick with arousal. He smiled against her as he continued kissing her neck, nipping at the skin.

"It's…" he took a deep breath, "intoxicating."

His thumb pressed against her sensitive bud. He rubbed around it in circles, feeling as it became engorged.

Marian threw her head back and panted. "Gw-Gwaine…" she called out breathlessly, her eyes rolling back as her lids closed. "Oh, God…"

She rocked her hips in time with the motion of his thumb, clinging to his shoulders.

As his trousers grew tighter, Gwaine slowly removed his hand from her. Marian opened her eyes, watching him in confusion. He backed away slightly and grinned. Gwaine lifted his wet thumb to his mouth, sucking it in and moaning in pleasure.

"And it's delicious…" he said in a low voice.

Marian's lips parted as she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Gwaine reached down and grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the wall and down the hall to the bedroom. Marian followed wordlessly, willing to let every thought go.

He stopped next to the bed, his heart hammering in his chest. He wasn't sure why, but he was extremely nervous about being there with her. It's not like he'd never been with a woman before, he'd had his fair share of dalliances before he'd met Marian. But this meant so much more to him than a quick night of pleasure. He loved Marian, and he hadn't loved any of the women before, that was the difference.

Gwaine silently asked her for permission. He didn't want to push her into doing something that she wasn't ready for, and he never wanted to take away her autonomy.

Marian looked up at him with doe-eyes and smiled softly at his attentiveness.

In answer to his silent plea, she took ahold of his jacket, slowly pushing it down his arms and off his body. Grabbing the hem of his shirt, she lifted it, pulling the cotton over his head and dropping it to the floor. Moving her cool hands over the warm flesh of his arms, she traced his muscles, dipping and rising across his skin.

Gwaine's hands brushed the sides of her neck before he placed them at her face, cupping her head. His thumbs lightly stroked the helix of her ears as he held her. She was breathtaking. She was the kind of woman kings fought wars over. Tears prickled in his eyes, and his heart nearly burst at the love he saw in her. He gently pulled her forward and bent to kiss her softly.

When he released her, he walked around to the back of her, gathering her hair to the side and laying it over her shoulder. He didn't know much about women's clothing anyway, but even less about women's clothing in this time.

At his hesitation, Marian chuckled softly. "There's a zipper in the back. Just like your trousers," she said, barely above a whisper.

He brushed his hands across the delicate material of her dress until he found the zipper. Gwaine slowly lowered the metal zip, gradually revealing her nakedness. He paused when he saw a black strap going across her back.

Gwaine fingered the black material. It was rough in some places and smooth in others. And most importantly, it was see-through. His trousers tightened just a bit more as he imagined what the front of this strange contraption must look like.

He pulled the zip of her dress the rest of the way down until he reached the gentle curve of her round backside. The open V of the dress uncovered another bit of black see-through fabric covering part of her behind. His breath hitched in his chest, and he grinned as he imagined what the tiny piece of cloth in front must be hiding, something he had already had a taste of.

Gwaine slipped his hands under the soft fabric of her dress and ran them up her back to her shoulders. The thin dress slid down from her body in one last quiet hurrah. He marveled at the contrast of her creamy, smooth skin and the dark fabric of her underthings. Never having seen panties before, Gwaine thought that he quite liked the tight material that covered her flesh, displaying the fold where round cheek met leg very nicely.

The biggest mystery was the strap across her back. He assumed it was some sort of corset, or at least had the same function, though by judging from the fabric of the back strap, it was hardly made of anything that would bind her breasts firmly.

Rising from the back were two smaller, delicate straps, climbing up her back and creeping around the top of her shoulder only to plummet down her front, to treasures unknown. His calloused fingers skimmed her arms and up to her shoulders to the delicate straps. He pushed one of them down, giving him unobstructed access to her skin.

As he bent to kiss her neck, Gwaine noticed a thin white scar going across her left shoulder. She had said once that she didn't mind scarring, that she had scarred before. But what made Gwaine take notice of this particular scar was that it was the exact same shape, in precisely the same place as the ax scar he had received when he fought the Green Knight several years ago.

His brow furrowed as he considered the implications of their matching scars. He knew she had healed him and had taken his injury, but he didn't know what that had meant exactly. He was about to ask her about it when she turned around to face him, stepping out of her dress and flats.

Marian reached over to his jeans and moved her fingers underneath his belt. She pulled him to her, unbuckling his belt quickly with ease. Without breaking eye contact, she bit her lip as she unbuttoned his jeans and pulled the zipper down. She ran her hands underneath the fabric and around to his hips, grabbing onto his firm cheeks.

Gwaine pushed his jeans the rest of the way down and stepped out of them, pulling his shoes off in the process. He stood still as Marian let go of him and backed up slightly.

She looked down at his tight, black boxer briefs in appreciation as they accentuated his erect manhood perfectly.

The distance gave Gwaine a better vantage point to take in her underthings. The see-through cloth enveloping her round breasts did little to actually cover them. Though the small swatches of fabric held her breasts firm, he thought that they might be a bit too small as her breasts seemed to spill over the top. Not that he minded, of course, he enjoyed anything that showed off the skin and flesh of her most private bits. Her nipples peeked out at him from behind the fabric, a deep rose color, erect and calling to him.

Gwaine bit his lip hard and sucked in a breath as his eyes roamed down to her panties. The black triangle of fabric was impossibly small and did absolutely nothing to hide her sex from him; instead, it displayed the curl covered lips that hid her sensitive bud and core. Her underthings seemed to be less useful and more for decoration. Gwaine thanked whatever god above that these tiny articles of clothing had been invented.

Marian grabbed his hand, knocking him from his musings, and dragged him to the bed. They climbed onto the mattress together, and Gwaine sat up against the headboard, pulling her onto his lap. He took a moment to look at her again, his eyes unwittingly trailing down to her cleavage.

Marian hooked her finger under his chin and brought his attention back up to her face. She grinned at him before reaching over and kissing him. Gwaine opened himself to her as she pushed her tongue in between his lips, tasting faint hints of the apple dessert from earlier that night.

As he returned her kiss, Gwaine lifted her hips and adjusted her, settling her against his manhood. He held the back of her head, kissing across her jaw to her ear. As he kissed down her neck, she moved against his arousal, rolling her hips languidly.

"Marian," he growled against her skin. "Keep doing that, and this will be over too quickly."

When he reached the swell of her breasts, he took hold of them in each hand. He could feel her nipples harden beneath his palms as he tenderly worked her.

Marian moaned, the deep purr of her voice arousing him more. She moved against him again, the thin fabric of her panties giving in just enough for his clothed arousal to sneak past her folds and press against her bud. Winding her fingers in his hair, she urged his head to move lower, down to her bosom.

Gwaine kissed her breasts, pressing his nose and mouth between the pliant flesh of her cleavage. He continued his way down, pushing her backward to expose her belly.

Kissing down her ribs and to her navel, he grinned, dipping his tongue into the tiny indentation. Everything about her was delicious. Gwaine didn't know if he could ever stop tasting her.

He held onto her hips, and as he went lower, he pushed her back onto the bed and off his lap. Still between her legs, Gwaine settled on top of her. He kissed and bit at the skin on her belly, down to the tiny, black triangle covering her sex. Her aroused scent driving him wild, he nipped and kissed the fabric of her panties, his beard-covered chin pressing into the gusset.

Gwaine worshipped her body, spending an indecent amount of time with his face between her legs. Marian grew frustrated with the cloth covering her. She held her breath in anticipation, willing him to rip her panties off and hurry to her sex.

She wanted him to touch her again. To make her cry out as his calloused fingers worked magic and his tongue danced over her. She wanted him inside of her. To hold onto her as she rides him like a beast. For him to lose control as much as she wanted to lose control. To spill himself into her in ecstasy. She wanted to hold onto him tightly, quaking around him, to lose herself, and ride the waves of her pleasure with him. She wanted Gwaine with everything she ever was or ever could be.

Aware that she was ready for him, Gwaine quickly moved up her body and kissed her lips. Marian wrapped her legs around him and pushed his hips down until he was pressed firmly against her.

He smiled against her at her impatience. He wanted to savor unwrapping her. Her body was a gift. One that was freely given to him and one that he would cherish for the rest of their lives.

"Gwaine, I need you," she said impatiently.

"Soon, love," he said as he kissed behind her ear.

Marian bucked her hips up to his, rubbing her wet sex against his erection and begging for him to hurry. Gwaine chuckled. She was incorrigible. Having pity, he stood from the bed so he could at least remove his own underpants.

Marian watched him hungrily as he hooked his thumbs in his waistband. He started to pull down slightly when she noticed his brow furrowing in confusion. He let go of his boxer briefs and took a step back. Horrified, he reached out to her.

"Marian! I love—"

He disappeared.

Marian sat up as a cool breeze blew through her bedroom. Electricity crackled, and a low rumbling filled the air. She threw herself to the floor where he had been, the hair on her arms and neck standing up.

"GWAINE?" she screamed. "GWAINE! OH GOD! NO!"

She scratched at the carpet as if she could dig through it and find him. She looked around the room in tears, willing her mind to have been playing tricks on her.

"GWAINE!" she called again.

She crumpled on the floor, knowing what had happened, though not wanting to believe it. He had gone back to Camelot. Away from her. Alone. He was gone forever.

"NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"

Marian burst into tears and screamed and sobbed and called his name. She saw his shirt on the floor and cradled it to her chest. It was still warm. Pulling it over her head and her arms through the sleeves, she curled in on herself and wept for love lost.

000

Gwaine landed in a forest on his knees and screamed. He screamed from the pain of traveling through time. He screamed from the pain of being torn from Marian. He screamed from the unfairness of it all. He lifted his head to the sky, rain pouring down onto him, and cried out until his heart and soul were torn in two. When his throat could take no more, he collapsed into sobs.

He didn't know where he was or if he was in any danger or not, nor did he care. He and Marian had finally, finally gotten together. His heart had healed. He belonged to her, and she belonged to him. He felt complete. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, holding her, caressing her, kissing her. And Fate, the spirits, God… he didn't know who was to blame, but he had been ripped away from the only person he had ever loved.

As he lay on the ground, near-naked and sobbing in the rain, two figures appeared before him. The taller man bent down and checked Gwaine's pulse. The despondent knight didn't respond to the touch. If he just laid still, maybe the pain in his heart wouldn't be as great.

"Elyan, he's alive!" Percival called out.

"Barely, it looks like. Let's get him to Gaius," Elyan said.

Percival lifted Gwaine and carried him over to a horse, laying him on his stomach across the front. After securing him to the saddle, Elyan jumped on behind him and took the reins. Gwaine was barely conscious enough to register that they were riding back to Camelot.

The rain continued to pour as they reached the citadel. Percival dismounted and pulled Gwaine from Elyan's horse, carrying him to Gaius's chambers.

They laid the soaked knight on the cot and told the physician how they had found Gwaine alone in the Darkling Woods. Gaius examined him as Merlin stoked the fire and found a couple of blankets to cover him.

"There was the most haunting scream that rang out. I… I've never heard anything like it," Elyan said as he shivered at the memory. "We followed it, and when we got there, Gwaine was on the ground."

"He's been missing for a week. Do you think he can tell us where he's been? Maybe what happened to Marian?" Percival asked.

Gaius looked over the unconscious man. He had his ideas on where he and Marian had disappeared to, though he'd have to talk to Gwaine to confirm that they'd gone to the future.

"That will depend on how much he remembers. Right now, he needs rest. Thank you for bringing him here promptly. I'll let you know when he wakes," the physician promised.

The knights nodded and left Gaius to his work.

"Gaius," Merlin started. "Do you think—?"

Knowing what he was thinking, Gaius answered before Merlin could finish. "I do. I think Nimueh's spell finally ended and that Gwaine was caught up in it. It seems that being sent to their own times is the end of it all."

Gwaine stirred, his eyes fluttering open. His head ached like he'd been kicked by a horse, and he groaned as he tried to sit up. Merlin rushed to his side and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You should rest, Gwaine," the warlock advised. He unfolded another blanket and wrapped it around Gwaine's shoulders.

Gwaine tried to stand but fell back down to the cot. "No, I must find Marian. I need to… She's…" he said as he broke down in tears.

Gaius and Merlin looked on in shock. They had never seen the brave and often temperamental knight openly cry before. Gwaine was a broken man.

"She's gone back home," he said softly. "We were… I was… I love her," he said as he looked up at the two healers. "Merlin, magic brought her here once, can it again? Or send me back there?" he asked, desperation in his voice.

Merlin sighed. He hated to disappoint his friend. "I don't know of any spell that can do that. I'm so sorry," he said.

Gwaine's face morphed from despair to anger. "What is the point," he stood abruptly, "of all these books?" He walked over to the shelves that housed Gaius's ancient tomes. "What is the point of all this," he yelled as he swept his arm across one of the shelves, sending the books flying to the floor, "if she can't be brought back?"

"Gwaine, we understand how you feel—" Gaius started.

"YOU DON'T! HOW CAN YOU?" Gwaine screamed at the physician. "I LOVE HER, AND SHE'S GONE!"

He picked up a glass jar and threw it across the room. It shattered against the wall, its unknown potion oozing to the floor. Breathless, Gwaine picked up another jar and slung it against the wall while screaming in anger and frustration. He grabbed the side of one of the tables and flipped it on its side, bottles and bowls crashing on the stone floor. Spent, he slumped to the floor and held his head in his hands.

"She's the other half of my heart. I can't exist without her," his muffled cries weren't enough to convey his heartbreak.

Merlin knelt down in front of the shattered man and laid his hands on his shaking shoulders. Gwaine looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes.

"Gwaine, I swear to you that I will find a way to reunite you with Marian. I will do everything in my power," the young warlock promised. When Gwaine nodded, Merlin continued. "Let's get you to your chambers and into some warm clothes." He helped the anguished knight stand.

Gwaine looked around at the destruction his grief had wrought. "I'm sorry, Gaius. Let me—"

"It's nothing, Gwaine. We'll clear this. You need to rest," Gaius comforted.

When Gwaine and Merlin left the chambers, Gaius turned his eyes heavenwards.

"Please let Merlin find the right spell," he said to no one in particular. "I don't think my heart can take any more anguish." He looked at the broken glass and potions on the floor. "Neither can my supplies," he added as he shook his head.