How Arthur managed to get himself into these situations, he had no idea. Well, he had some idea. He had been cursed. It was the only explanation for why he was standing awkwardly, arms full of flowers meant for the woman in front of him, who had had apparently the same idea as him, to confess her love for him, except now she was crying because she thought that the flowers were meant for someone else.
It had all started off when Gwen had yelled at him for being a complete and utter ass. Of course, Arthur's friend Merlin had always been saying that, but to hear it come out of someone else's mouth was revealing. Then, Arthur had started getting fluttery feelings every time he saw her, and he had an overwhelming urge to want to impress her.
Merlin, of course, had found the entire debacle quite ridiculous, as Arthur tried to skirt around his obvious feelings for Gwen. It had been even more embarrassing when the man had invited himself into Arthur's work, striking up a conversation with Gwen before Arthur could get there. Merlin had been far too smug throughout the entirety of their lunch after.
Then, Arthur found out that Merlin and Gwen were having lunches together, catching the two of them leaving one day, Merlin laughing slightly when Arthur brought it up with him.
The next day, Merlin told him that Gwene liked flowers.
Arthur had gotten the not so subtle hint from his friend, and, a week later got up the courage to get Gwen some flowers, and hopefully reveal how he felt for her.
Flowers and card in one hand, he had been nervous for the entirety of the morning, and when he finally arrived at the office, he swore that his heart was pounding so loudly nobody would be able to work.
He had stepped out of the elevator quickly, checking for Gwen. He wanted this to be a surprise after all. His heart rate had decreased for a moment when he saw that she wasn't in yet, only for it to pick up again in worry when he realised the time. Usually she would be in the office by now, so that meant that either something terrible had happened in her life or she was sick.
He had moved through the office as fast as he could, towards his own desk, keeping his head down as much as humanly possible. At least if Gwen didn't show up he could always say that someone had gotten the flowers for him. Or maybe that Merlin had left them at the front desk as a joke.
After what felt like years, he made it to his small enclosed office, turning as he closed the door behind him to rest his head on the cool wood. It would seem that today wasn't going to be his day.
He turned, flicking the lights on as he did so an- oh. Wow.
"Hi."
Gwen was leaning against his desk, chocolates in one hand, a rose in the other. Her face was flushed slightly when saw him.
"I- um, well… I just wanted to tell you that I really like you, Arthur Pendragon and…"
She trailed off, her eyes moving down to the bouquet in his hands, her eyes immediately growing sad.
"Oh… I'm sorry, I guess I'll just leave."
Soft sniffles were already erupting from the back of her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Gwen?" Arthur felt confused. Very confused. Why was she crying? They had both been about to do the same thing, he had been about to confess to her, when she had already confessed to him, so why was she crying?
"I'm sorry, you don't want to deal with me today," she laughed lightly, turning her head away from him. "Not when you probably have someone far prettier or smarter than me waiting for you or something…"
Once again, she trailed off, but Arthur didn't notice. His mind was in overdrive as realisation took over. Gwen moved for the door, her hand already reaching for the handle when Arthur came back to his senses.
"Gwen, wait," he reached out, his hand brushing lightly against her wrist.
"It's alright, Arthur. You don't have to feel pity for me. I'm an adult. I should know how to handle rejection by now."
She wiped the snot on her sleeve, smiling at him sadly.
"Gwen, no, the intelligent, pretty woman…" Arthur trailed off, breath catching in his throat as a fresh wave of tears slipped past Gwen's eyes. "It's you."
Her entire body tensed, eyes immediately seeking his.
"You better not be lying about that Arthur Pendragon, or god help me…" her threat trailed off as she glared at him. Arthur took that as permission to continue.
"Since the moment we first met, when you yelled at me for being an ass, well… to begin with I thought that I didn't like you. But then… then I started to look forward to when I would see you in the office. I got worried when you weren't here. And as we became friends, or more accurately, as Merlin and you became friends and we were forced to spend time with each other… well, I got to know you, Guinevere Smith, and then I knew I was gone. You're beautiful and kind and smart, you could also kill a man with your wit, you're amazing and breathtaking and I love all of your little quirks, like when you ramble on… and, and I love you, Gwen."
Arthur could feel his cheeks heat up with every word he spoke, finally focussing back on her face. The tears had dried, and he had to resist the urge to brush the dried tracks with his thumb. A soft smile now adorned her face as she stared up at him.
"I love you too, Arthur," she whispered, leaning up towards him.
The kiss was everything that Arthur had hoped it would be.
