WHEN ARTHUR MET GUINEVERE
Summary: This is the story of how Arthur and Guinevere first met told as a modern fiction so there's a fair bit of AU and OOC. Multi chapters and rated T just in case. In this one there's different kinds of steps (taken, and er...well you can read it and find out!), M&M antics, Merlin and Arthur and chocolate...(no, not the naughty kind!) ;), and some ArWen too :)
AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. Thank you all for the alerts, favourites and reviews - they're much appreciated...I know some of you are wondering what 'ol Aggravating's up to and when he's gonna get his just desserts well please just bare with me a little while longer. It'll all come out soon enough ;)
Also, this story is still rated T but this chapter may be verging on a moderate to strong T because there are some suggestive adult themes in here so if you're a younger 'un reading, then please don't come back until you're over 13 or so I believe :) Anyways, enough ranting, I hope you all enjoy the update! :)
Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Merlin or the characters but I do like to play with them sometimes.
Chapter 33: The One With Steps
The pilot has just announced over the intercom that they should be on the ground back in Camelot in about an hour and a half.
Arthur rubs his eyes again. It has been a tiring two days with meetings and progress updates on their Brighton interests but he is more than happy that things are slowly improving after the scam.
It's been so busy he hasn't had time to ring the number that the doctor gave him to find out what's wrong with his father. He pulls the business card back out of his jacket pocket and thinks back to the strange conversation he had with their company doctor the day before he left for Brighton.
Three days ago…
After finally tearing himself away from Gwen which was made all the more difficult because after telling someone you love them you kind of don't want to leave them anytime soon, Arthur had gone home and had a quick bite to eat before he called the PI doctor to ask if he could meet him ahead of work.
Dr. Moliva was an old family friend and had readily agreed to see him at 7:30 so Arthur had driven out to their offices in mid town.
"So how are you Arthur? How are things downtown? You still attempting to play rugby and football with the lads?" Dr Moliva had asked him in a friendly manner after they shook hands and sat down in his office.
"Fine thank you. Yes, we still try to keep in shape despite our schedules. Actually I'm here about my father Dr. Moliva. I know he's currently on leave as per your instructions and…may I be completely honest with you?"
Dr. Moliva's expression remained pleasant but he seemed to sit up straighter when Arthur mentioned Uther.
"Well, doctor, I was wondering if you could tell me something more about his leave. Is he well I mean? I know you cannot say too much but…well, I am asking you, more as a family friend and not as our company doctor…Sorry...I shouldn't have even said anything. Please forgive me for even asking you to say anything..." Arthur suddenly stopped talking and then got up, taking the older man's silence as an indication that he has gone too far.
Dr. Moliva sighed and looked contemplatively at the younger Pendragon before standing up with Arthur and walking with him to the door.
"Arthur, I did examine your father – and made the recommendation that he get some rest…he is under a lot of strain right now and it will do him a world of good. Now, as you rightly say, even though your company see the medical reports each year after I examine all the top executives, I cannot disclose any of the specific details that are discussed between myself and the patients and I am sorry, even if we are family friends I couldn't place my practice or your company in jeopardy if I was to do so now".
Arthur gave him a contrite look, and as he was leaving Dr. Moliva unexpectedly put a hand on Arthur's shoulder and he paused.
"As I said, I cannot do much but should you ever need to reach me again, for any other matters regarding the company health checkups, I want you to be able to reach me on my home line too. Let me give it to you. Here." Dr Moliva handed Arthur a white business card with his residence number scrawled on the back. When Arthur flipped it over he read the worlds 'Dr. R. B. Grayson. Director, Templeton Clinic, ChCh'.
Frowning slightly he looked up at Dr. Moliva who nodded quickly and said loudly as he opened the door for him to leave, "As I said, if there was anything else I could do for you I would. Have a good day Arthur".
Arthur smiled his thanks and left.
Running a hand through his hair as he muses over this, he returns the card to his pocket, knowing that he must do it as soon as he gets back.
He looks up to see Merlin rummaging loudly through his laptop bag, probably looking for a Snickers bar or something, Arthur thinks with a grin.
"A ha!" Merlin sounds triumphant as he holds a Mars Bar up and waves it towards Arthur, offering him a piece. Arthur nods and Merlin breaks off a piece and gives it to him over the aisle.
"Thanks…" Arthur replies hesitantly, biting into his chocolate.
He waits for Merlin to finish basically inhaling his share of the chocolate and then clears his throat.
"Merlin? I was…well, I know things haven't been that great between us lately, not since that time –
"- When you blew up at Gaius and I even though we were just basically doing our jobs?" Merlin interrupts him with a sharp look.
Arthur bites down on the retort that is dying to come out and settles for a slight nod.
"Right…Well, perhaps I was a bit strong and I uh…apologise. You are quite correct in saying that it is your job to advise on documents and policies. I do value Gaius' and (sometimes) your input on all PI matters Merlin…" Arthur concedes.
Merlin cocks his head to one side and studies him, "Look Arthur…You are right – you're the 'Boss Man', we all know that and I was not trying to overstep my boundary, but someone needed to tell you straight. Sometimes when things look and smell fishy, well…they are…um…fishy".
Arthur blinks and stares at Merlin who is also trying not to grin at his messed up point which by the way made perfect sense in his head.
"I am sure you were trying to illustrate quite an important point somewhere in there before you started talking about fish Merlin but as I've said to you before; sometimes I have to be firm and while I value your input and friendship, we have to be able to keep business and friendship separate, especially when it comes down to desci-"
"- Hmm...Well that's funny you should say that; as I said earlier, I thought that Gaius and I were acting as we were supposed to in a work environment and I get that part. What I don't get is how you've gone from fair and being your own man to being…well… not."
Merlin doesn't sound annoyed or even sarky anymore, just concerned as he looks at his friend.
Sighing Arthur leans back in his chair, "I am trying my best here Merlin. Sometimes though…there's only one way to go and you have to be firm. This is something my father has been trying to drum into me all these years and now Agravaine's more or less saying the same thing…", his voice trails off and he looks out the window at the clouds floating by.
"Yeah sure, we all know that. But Arthur…The best way to do your job is to do it by being yourself. That's how you've always wanted to run this company and you can still do that. You don't have to change the way you are and how you think completely".
Arthur is still looking out of the window and he nods thoughtfully.
"All I'm asking is you that you exercise your usual level headedness and…watch yourself. That's all", Merlin says carefully.
Arthur finally looks at him, with a slight frown.
"What do you mean by that? Do you know something I don't about the company?"
Merlin shakes his head slightly, silently cursing his inner Gaius voice.
"I wouldn't be doing my job – as an advisor to you, or as a friend if I didn't try and remind you to do something to that effect once in a while would I? Or to let you know that you've got people around you – to support you no matter what happens," he answers.
Arthur gives him a sincere smile, then looking more closely at Merlin with his chocolate stained jacket he snorts, an impish grin forming on his face.
"Yeah, I can just see it now; Merlin helping me to take down the corporate bad guys. What would you use anyways? Your heavy legal statute books to chuck at their heads? Ha ha!"
Merlin rolls his eyes, "Laugh away Pendragon. At least I have street smarts", he quips, settling back into his own chair.
"Street smarts? That's brilliant. I see you've been reading Morgana's "Inner Diva Self Help Guide" again haven't you?"
"At least I'm not a dollop head like you", Merlin's rejoins, as he closes his eyes and stretches out.
"What the hell is a dollop head?"
"It's idiomatic".
"Idio-what?"
Exasperated sighing
"I don't have time to advise you on every little thing! You need to be more in touch with everyday people and speak instead of only mingling with country club coke fiends who end every sentence with 'jolly good show 'ol boy!'".
"Alright then Wordsworth, describe dollop head".
"In two words?"
"Yeah why not?"
"Arthur Pendragon".
Silence
"Owww!"
"Oops, there goes my arm spasm thingy again. My bad…"
"Dollop head!"
"I heard that!"
Arthur laughs, and then switches on his phone to send a quick text message to Gwen, feeling that familiar pull in his stomach whenever he thinks of her.
Merlin glances at his friend's dreamy expression and smiles knowing he must be messaging Gwen.
"Say Arthur? Can we meet up later this afternoon and maybe grab a quick drink at the pub? There's kind of something I want to talk to you about…Not work related but yeah…It's…important".
Arthur looks back at Merlin and catching the serious expression on Merlin's face, asks him in a concerned tone, and "Sure…is everything ok?"
"Yeah, more or less".
The rest of the plane ride passes quickly. Arthur watches his friend rubbing his barely sore arm and smiles. He is relieved that things are okay again between him and Merlin.
Gwen and Morgana are at Morgana's studio sorting through decorations and samples from different arts & crafts stores that Morgana stocks. Since Gwen had first mentioned the benefit and her job to recruit sponsorship, Morgana's design firm had already offered to supply all the decorations for the anniversary benefit free of charge and Morgana herself had agreed to work with all the kids who are on the decorations committee to design and set it up.
"I can't tell you enough how wonderful it is of you and your partners to agree to help us like this Morgs. The kids are super excited and it's so great to see everyone getting into it", Gwen looks at Morgana affectionately, as she sifts through the fabric in the boxes and she shrugs, brushing her brunette locks out of her face.
"We are just happy to be involved in something so positive and educational and its good free press for us too, plus you know I'll always support you no matter what. We're sisters Gwennie", she says smiling at her curly haired friend.
Smiling back, Gwen continues separating the different colors of fabric.
"So…How are things going at home? You not planning on kicking Merlin out yet?" she teases.
Merlin and Morgana had 'officially' moved in together two months ago when Merlin gave up the lease on his flat. Although it was kind of an anticlimax as Gwaine has unnecessarily pointed out because "Dumbo's been there since last Christmas, and then some!"
Morgana sighs blissfully and shakes her head.
"Nope. Let's be honest, he's sort of lived there since we started dating! Ha ha…We are like an old married couple now. It'll be two years now in October…" her voice trails off as she stares into space and Gwen touches her arm to get her attention.
"What's up Morgs?" she asks gently.
Morgana shrugs, a wistful smile gracing her porcelain features.
"I love Merlin. More than anything and…well moving in together is a normal transition for us and it feels right. The thing is…well we've talked marriage and commitment and all that but...I have this sort of crazy fear that maybe…he won't ever want to get married. Well, not take that step again. I mean, you probably know more of the details than I do! About how he was engaged to Freya for a year and had no idea she was a lesbian and then she left him two weeks before the wedding. I don't know, maybe it's just my emotional qualms coming up or me over imagining things, but…What if he never wants to take the plunge again? You know me; I want to get married someday. When we were younger we'd talk about what our weddings would be like…I wanted the beach or lake side do with violins, you wanted the lovely garden with full blooms and an arch…Our loved ones gathered around us…Making that commitment with a man that was worth the wait. Well…I think Merlin's that man but…yeah. Tell me honestly Gwen, am I being an idiot and are you going to ban me from watching any more wedding movies?"
Gwen bites back a laugh at her last comment and shakes her head. Putting her arm around Morgana she moves closer.
"No…You can keep 'The Wedding Singer" on DVD. I might have to confiscate "My Best Friend's Wedding" though! Seriously Morgs, no one including yourself can doubt for one second that Merlin loves you. That man would steal a dragon's egg for you if dragon's eggs existed and he had access to them…okay, that's a weird one Gwen! Anyhoo! So yes, he had an experience in his past that made him more cautious about his future choices but guess what? He chose you two years ago. He wants to be with you and you live together and you're happy aren't you? I think it's important to focus on all the positive things that have happened for the two of you and to talk things through and be honest with each other. If anyone can work things out, it's you two. Come on, you're M&M!"
Both of them laugh and Morgana hugs her back, just as Gwen's phone rings.
"Hey you're back! Yup, I'm with Morgs just looking at some ideas for the benefit decorations….Really? I am very glad to hear that! It's about time too. Yes I am smiling. I would clap if my hands weren't full too. Sorry, it's just that you took so long to talk to him properly but its good Arthur, it really is. Okay sure. See you at home then? Drive safe. Love you too".
Turning around after ending the call, she notices Morgana looking at her with her mouth wide open.
Grinning, Gwen moves back to the fabric, trying not to blush.
"Close your mouth Le Fay! You might catch a fly!"
"'Love you too?'...Sigh…I love it when I'm right", Morgana smirks with satisfaction as Gwen rolls her eyes.
"So I want to ask Morgana to marry me but I'm scared she'll say no".
Arthur has only just sat down and taken one sip of his beer and that's Merlin's opening line?
He swallows quickly and sets the bottle down to look at his friend.
Merlin taps his bottle top and keeps talking.
"I loved Freya and we were happy. We were together a year and then two weeks before we're supposed to get married in Hawaii she runs off with her yoga instructor. Do you think...? Am I…Am I moving too quickly? Sorry mate…I just…I needed to talk to someone about it and well, if Gwen wasn't Morgana's friend I would've gone to her first – maybe…"
Arthur nods slowly and takes another drink of his beer before speaking.
"First of all, do not ask Guinevere for advice. Nooo. You did the right thing by coming to me and secondly, usually, I would tell you to go talk to some other guy about this stuff because let's face it; I am the last person who should talk to anyone about lifelong commitments but –"
"Yeah if you could just get to the positive aspect of me deciding to come to you with this that would be grand 'cos listening to you right now I'm starting to think my third choice re: Gwaine might've been much better".
"Slow down Gilmore Girls", Arthur says, rolling his eyes, "I was going to say that it's perfectly normal to have doubts or to be thinking things through more because of your experience with Freya. However, you've pretty much done what any other guy would do; you got to know her, you live with her and you've obviously talked to her about the whole marriage thing right?"
Merlin nods uncertainly.
"Yes but…I think she has this fear that I'm still not completely over the whole Freya thing. She doesn't say it so much, but it's just a feeling I get".
"Well is she right? About you still being hung up about it?"
Merlin shakes his head vehemently.
"No! I got over it, forgave Freya, moved on. I love Morgana more than anything in the world and I can't imagine a life without her".
Arthur smiles at him.
"Well then", Arthur replies, "I'd say you already know the answer to your dilemma Merlin."
Merlin grins at him.
"I'm still not sure if you didn't just cast some bewitching spell on Morgana, seeing as she's pretty much a goddess and you're…well…you- OUCH!"
"I will take that 'you' as a compliment and you'll accept that punch 'cos you deserved it and its karma, but go on".
"Yes, as I was saying before I was assaulted, she is lovely and trust me mate, she loves you. Very very much. So if you're thinking of doing it, then I say go for it".
Merlin is surprised by Arthur's reaction. He has never really been one to talk about or sit through emotional and (heaven forbid) 'relationship talk' and yet here he is giving his encouragement.
"Wow…Thanks Arthur…I never thought I'd see the day when...Hah! Like pigs flying almost!"
Arthur glares at him then he points to their beers when the waitress comes by again so she can get them another round.
"No seriously…You're like a regular Agony Aunt these days", Merlin laughs into his bottle.
Arthur shrugs, then smiles.
"Well…I guess in a way that I can't explain, every since I met Guinevere I don't see this sort of thing as foreign territory or think of root canals instead anymore. She's a wonderful person and…well, I…I love her. A lot".
Merlin gapes at him trying to think whether he's misheard his friend utter the 'L' word. He can't remember the last time he's heard him say that about any woman before, including Vivian.
The silence is only broken when the beers arrive.
"So you're going to do it tonight?" Arthur asks Merlin, eager to change the subject.
Merlin nods, looking more than a little nervous.
"Good luck and…well, don't screw it up", he offers, lifting up his bottle to Merlin's.
"Coming from you, that's not saying much is it?" he sarcastically replies.
CLINK!
Arthur follows Gwen into the flat and pauses to hang both their coats on the stand.
"So where's Elyan tonight?"
Gwen smiles slyly as she fills the kettle with water for tea in the kitchen.
"He spends most of his time at Sophie's place these days. While I do miss having him around sometimes, it's actually not that bad, and he's not the tidiest person so yeah, I don't mind that much…" her voice trails off as she feels Arthur come up behind her and nuzzles her neck, pulling her against him.
"Mmm…I don't mind that much either", he says teasingly as he nips her neck.
Gwen laughs and turns to him, putting her hands on his chest as she leans up to kiss him and he pulls her closer to him, backing her against the stove top, not wanting to break the kiss.
The high pitched whistling of the kettle never sounded so loud and Gwen sighs before moving away again to make some tea and Arthur goes back to the lounge, and switches the TV on, dropping himself on the sofa.
"So…what's on? Do you want a…re-run of 'Friends', a documentary on dingoes, an infomercial on the 'Ab Blaster 2000', 'Space Jam' or…'Location Location Location'? Hmm…no guesses which one you'll go for though", he mutters over his shoulder to her.
Setting the tea down on the coffee table, she smiles at him, "Ooh, Phil and Kirsty please!"
Arthur nods and she settles down against him and they lean back on the couch to watch the show.
An ad for medical insurance comes on and Arthur remembers that he needs to call the number on the business card that Dr. Moliva gave him. He ends up telling Gwen the whole story so far.
"It all sounds a bit too cloak and dagger to me to be honest. I mean, I know my father's hiding something and now after talking to Dr. Moliva and the way he gave me the card makes me apprehensive…Like maybe he is really sick. I know it's definitely something more than 'tiredness' that's keeping him away from work and I need to know what it is. I don't understand why he wouldn't just want to tell me. I mean, he's my father right? Why would he hide it? Anyway, I know this place is in Christchurch city – maybe after I call them, I will take a drive down or something…"
Gwen sighs and moves closer to Arthur and caresses his cheek softly.
"It does sound a bit…top secret but Arthur, there's only one way to find out and you've already tried to talk to your dad and not had much luck. I think you should do this, if for nothing else than at least to put your mind at ease. He's your father; you have every right to be worried. Would you like some company tomorrow? I could come with you if you'd like?"
Arthur looks down at her and feels his breath catch in the back of his throat as he looks at her warm brown eyes staring at him filled with love and concern. For him...For his father who has never had a good thing to say about her and who Arthur is certain will disapprove of their relationship once he is told.
Arthur's POV
Still…This is Guinevere…My Guinevere. She loves me for me despite all of this…However did I get so lucky?
He nods, somewhat shyly and she smiles and nods, moving to straddle his lap on the couch as he leans back. He's surprised for a nanosecond that she's being so forward tonight, but he definitely likes it.
"Good. Now…Where were we before the boiling water interrupted us earlier in the kitchen?" she asks in a very enticing way.
Arthur pulls her towards him forcefully and cupping her head, he kisses her fervently. Gwen returns the gesture and runs her hands through his hair, before moving her hands down to his chest. He can feel his heart beating in triple time as he pauses for a bit and she's not helping the situation by lightly kissing his Adam's apple right now, it just makes him more than a little excited. He moves his hands through her curls and then starts nipping her neck and her shoulder eliciting soft moans from Gwen which drive him crazy.
Willing himself to stop, or at least slow down, Arthur musters his last ounce of self restraint and pushes himself away from her. Gwen looks up at him, her beautiful eyes puzzled.
Sighing, he moves to sit up straighter but it's a bit uncomfortable right now, considering…
"Guinevere…" he half groans, a little bit embarrassed at his lack of modesty considering she's still straddling him.
"Not that I don't think all my Christmases could be coming early this year but, I think we need to stop now. Before…Before I can't anymore", he finishes, trying to sound more gentlemanly than he feels right now.
Gwen's only response is to kiss him deeply once more, making him melt into her and pull her closer to him again before she moves to lightly nip his earlobe.
"Then don't", she answers with a low and (very) sexy whisper.
Shivering at the sensation, he grabs her face in both hands and looks at her closely.
"Are you sure? We can wait Guinevere…No pressure", he asks.
She smiles at him, and without speaking she nods and pulling away, she stands up and extends her hand to him and they both make their way to her bedroom.
Gwen is startled awake by her cell phone blaring 'Only Girl in the World' and she groans, snuggling closer to the warmth beside her. Its way too early for Morgana Le Fay! Especially on a rare Saturday morning when she doesn't have anything to do. Thankfully the phone stops ringing and she stretches her arm across Arthur's bare chest, feeling his arm heavy against her back.
She looks up to study her barely awake boyfriend with his messy blonde hair and chiseled jaw. Blushing slightly she recalls their activities the night before – which would explain the slight soreness she can feel in her legs and neck. Shifting slightly so she can reach his face, she kisses him lightly on his cheek and tries to move, not wanting to disturb his sleep.
Arthur, who also heard the phone, feels her moving away and grabs her, pulling her back towards him so she is lying against his chest.
"Hey there pretty lady. You trying to love me then me or what?" he jokes, brushing her curls from her face and kissing her lightly on her lips.
Gwen laughs and returns the kiss, then settles back in his arms.
"Blame Morgs and her early calls…No, I just wanted to um…put on some clothes since I'm uh..-"
Arthur tightens his grip on her then runs his hand down her bare back, making her shiver, then he starts to kiss the side of her neck and her collar bone, moving down her arm all the while Gwen attempts to finish her sentence. And fails.
"Arthur…Arth..ur…I..um..Can you…Don't...Stop…Please?.." she stammers hopelessly, trying not to give in to the sensations she's feeling as he kisses her shoulder blade.
"Hmm?...What's that Guinevere?..You want me to stop...Or carry on?...Which is it?.." Arthur teases her as he continues to drop feathery light kisses on her shoulders and neck with a naughty grin on his face.
Gwen decides to stop arguing and hungrily pulls him back to kiss her. Things are just starting to get heated again when the phone rings. Pausing, Gwen looks over at it and Arthur tugs her back.
"Let it go to voicemail…We're about to become very very busy", he growls in an extremely distracting way that makes Gwen forget about everything else.
The phone stops. Then rings again and then stops. Sighing, Gwen pries herself away from Arthur who half groans and reluctantly lets her go as she attempts to sit up and cover herself with the sheet at the same time.
"Sorry!" Gwen murmurs apologetically, "It's Morgs – and that's our signal. She wouldn't be this persistent if it wasn't important. I know her." He smiles and then moves to sit up behind her, as she answers the phone.
She doesn't even get a chance to say hello before Morgana goes off.
"Finally! You know our signal! Three calls in a row means emergency! You've always been a light sleeper so what the hell were you doing and you didn't answer the…Ohhhhh…Ohhhh…Ohh-Ewww! No wait, not eww, but Woo Hoo! Gwennie Girl…Ha ha ha! OMG…No, Merlin go away, no! Merlin! Okay, sorry Gwen, I just have to kill him now for making that comment…" Gwen holds the phone away from her ear slightly, trying not to roll her eyes as she hears M&M in the background having a mini disagreement, followed by a loud slap and a yelp from Merlin before she hears Morgana come back. She makes an exasperated face at Arthur who guffaws and moves closer wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.
"Okay…Where was I? Oh right, sorry, yeah I guess I did disturb you guys from um…Yeah anyways so-"
"Morgs? I get it, emergency ring, three times in a row. Well I'm on the phone now so what's up? It sounds like you and Merlin are both physically ok so…?" Gwen can't help being a bit impatient.
"Gee…someone's cranky when they're 'interrupted' huh? Sorry, last joke, I swear! Wait, can you actually put me on loud speaker? This involves Arthur too so its fine that you both hear at the same time…" she pauses and Gwen sighs, putting the phone back on the table and activating it to loudspeaker before settling back with Arthur on the bed.
"Okay, well…Last night Merlin took me out to dinner at that lovely café, you know the one he took me for our first date? Okay so it was really you that organised that place for our first date 'cos you knew that I've always admired the art work and design of the building there and always wanted to eat there but never had the time or whatever, and you told him what my favourite wine is so he could order it but it was our first date so-"
"Uh Morgs?...Move it along…" Gwen interrupts again with an affectionate smile on her face. She pictures her tall, green eyed friend sitting on the edge of her couch waving her hand in the air as she talks.
"Sorry…Right, well, yes. So we went there and the food was great – as always. So then Merlin asks me what type of dessert or pudding I'd be and we're sitting there describing ourselves and –"
"Let me guess, Merlin you chose fruitcake right?" Arthur quips from behind Gwen. She in turn, nudges him and shakes her head.
"Bloody hilarious Arthur!" Merlin snaps irritably. Gwen can feel Arthur shaking with silent laughter behind her, knowing that he just wanted to rile Merlin up and succeeded.
"Anyway, as I was saying", Morgana cuts in, "I said that I would probably be a lemon tart – can't remember the description I gave, something about sweet and sour sometimes or something, and then he said he'd be a profiterole and I asked him why a profiterole and he said…Wait, honey what did you say again? It was lovely, it really was. Merlin tell them what you said again".
"I said I would be a profiterole because I am like two pieces of choux pastry that come together to create something special and yummy but it's really the cream that holds everything together and makes me that special sort of person and that the cream is you Morgana. I need you to make me that special man so will you-"
Gwen and Arthur attempt to stifle their laughter. Trust Merlin to use food in a love declaration! Well Gwen attempts to suppress her laughter and it works. Arthur doesn't even try.
"Nice one Arthur you dick! Way to ruin my lovely proposal story mate with your immature laughter! I told Morgs not to put this on loud speaker because the beauty of the moment would be wasted on the likes of you since -"
Gwen sits up straight and cuts off the rest of Merlin's lecture.
"What? Wow! Seriously? Morgs! Oh my God ! I am so so so happy for you guys! Yay!" she screams in delight and Arthur (and Merlin on the other side of the line) both wince as both women squeal in delight at the exact same time.
"Yes! Merlin proposed and got down on one knee and I said yes!" Morgana's excited voice shouts over the phone.
Arthur and Gwen look at each other and smile, then Gwen gives Arthur a quick kiss and moving off the bed she pulls the duvet cover off the bed and wraps herself in it.
"Seriously though, congratulations mate! Morgana, that's wonderful news and I'm thrilled for the two of you", Arthur tells them. He is glad for his friend and he knows that Morgana is obviously over the moon.
Gwen picks up the phone and blowing Arthur a kiss, he grins at her and watches as she takes the phone off speaker and talks excitedly to her friend, going into the living room. His and Merlin's input in this phone conversation is obviously now irrelevant.
He can hear Gwen's lovely voice coming from the kitchen talking proposal details and potential wedding plans with Morgana and he lies back down and smiles contentedly.
Yep, it didn't get much better than this.
A/N: Okaaaay so this was my attempt to spice it up a wee bit and hopefully it was still done tastefully or whatever. I am a bit paranoid so if anyone thinks this should be rated higher please do let me know. No Aggy in this one; I thought all of us (including me) could use a break from his dodgy activities ;) As always thanks for sticking around and reading guys! If you have time, I love reviews and feedback, so please drop me a line. xoxox IslandGem