A/N: Presenting Chapter 6. Hope you're liking it so far and please review. Thanks :D
As Arthur sat down on the couch with Leon and Gwaine, Morgana sat down on the couch across him.
"If you must know, Gwen doesn't know that we're going to tell you this." Morgana started, crossing her arms again.
"So she really didn't want me to know anything?" Arthur muttered, looking down with his elbows leaning on his knees.
"That's what she wanted. We just respected her decision." Morgana answered and shrugged apologetically.
Arthur deeply sighed at the thought that that was how much Gwen didn't want to talk to him. As he sighed deeply, Merlin spoke up.
"Arthur, we're sorry but we couldn't do anything. She didn't want to be reminded about anything that lead to you. She just wanted to forget all the hurt she's been through." he said as he felt sympathy for his best friend.
"And all that hurt was because of me." Arthur contradicted and sighed deeply, not even bothering to look up at them.
By Arthur's statement, everything became extremely quiet again. After a few moments of looking at each other, eyeing one another of who should talk first, Gwaine decided to talk.
Gwaine patted Arthur's shoulder twice, gave it a squeeze and said "For what it's worth, princess, she gave us a call some hours ago. We could actually hear her worrying about you when she knew that you stayed in your office longer than you did." he stopped as he noticed Arthur's head snap in his direction, holding onto every word, looking at him intently, allowing him to continue.
"And after I said that you practically lived there already, the tone in her voice changed and she was like out of sorts, not knowing what to say next." Gwaine describes as he shrugs casually, looks at Arthur before continuing " She sounded really worried. All because we told her that you hadn't been home lately." he claps Arthur's back as he finishes before settling comfortably on the couch.
After hearing what Gwaine said, Arthur finally sat up and looked at them and asked "What's that supposed to mean?" hope fluttering from his voice.
"It means she still cares about you. Maybe she just doesn't want you to know that she may still care about you." Leon intercepted and smirked at Arthur, who glanced at him.
"He's right." Percival agreed from across.
Arthur looked intently at Merlin and Morgana, as if seeking confirmation that what they were saying is true.
Morgana nodded gently "It's true, Arthur. She's my best friend. I can tell that she was worried about you. And possibly disappointed when she knew you weren't going to be here tomorrow for the welcome party." she stopped talking and suddenly gasped lightly, realizing that she wasn't supposed to tell Arthur about the welcome party they set up for Gwen. Her eyes widen as internally winced, seeing how the others stared at her with wide, blaming eyes, as if telling her "Great! Way to go Morgana. You had to go and say it out loud."
"What?!" Arthur burst out asking, looking at all them, seeking an answer.
Merlin sighed deeply and rolled his eyes at Morgana, who was shaking her head slightly, keeping her hand on her mouth, as if preventing herself from saying anything private.
"Yeah, Gwen's going to stay at Morgana's place tomorrow while her place is being prepared. In that time, Morgana here," he said gesturing and glaring slightly at Morgana and continued "prepared a simple gathering for all of us." he said, staring at a devastated looking Arthur, rubbing his forehead in frustration.
"But not including me." Arthur stated flatly, looking away as he shut his eyes tightly, readying himself to hear that Gwen didn't want him at the gathering.
Merlin looked at him, swallowing hard before saying "Yeah." quietly, looking at his hands, not knowing how to make Arthur feel better despite his situation.
They all felt sorry for Arthur that he's only knowing this now, but they knew that they had to do it, for Gwen's sake.
"Arthur… I'm sorry you had to know just now. It was Gwen. She didn't want you know anything that's been happening to her... Arthur, surely you have to understand what she's gone through and why she thinks this is for the best." Merlin said after a few quiet moments.
"I know." Arthur said reluctantly, looking down on his feet again. He knew that it was his fault on why Gwen didn't want to see him. He hurt her a lot and he understood that somehow.
"Arthur… we're going to tell her tomorrow, that you know everything." Morgana says directly to Arthur, deciding that they shouldn't have to hide it any longer.
Arthur looked up and slowly nodded. He gave a deep breath and stood up.
"I'm going home." Arthur said sadly and slowly walked to the door. They looked at each other and figured that it's probably for the best for them to let him be for a while after all that's been said. Morgana then looked back at the men before standing up and following his brother to the door.
She walks up to him, holds his shoulder and turns him around gently. She looks at him with sympathy, never feeling this bad for her brother. She holds both his shoulders.
"I'm sorry you had to know this way. If it wasn't for Gwen, you would've known a long time ago, I promise. Things have just been complicated." Morgana said, but anything she said seemed to not have an effect on Arthur as he just stood there, looking away, as if he was a vulnerable little boy about to cry.
She rubs his shoulders gently "Arthur, I know it's been hard for you, but I'm sure it's been hard for Gwen too. I can feel it. I know how you feel about Gwen and how she feels about you. Everything will turn up soon, don't worry." she tries again, seeing if it somehow encouraged him.
He slightly turns to her, looking her in the eye, his face softening. Morgana notices this, squeezes his shoulders and smiled gently at him.
"Everything will be fine, I can promise you that. Alright?" she asks him, hopefully seeking for a positive answer.
Arthur fully turns to her nodded slowly "Alright." he said reassuringly. They hug each other tightly and as they pull away, Arthur looks at her softly.
"Thank you, Morgs. This means a lot. And please… if you can, tell her I'm sorry." he softly pleads.
Morgana looks sincerely at him and nodded "Of course. You know you shouldn't have to ask." she says gently.
"I have to go." Arthur mutters softly.
"Are you going to be alright?" Morgana asked sincerely, a bit worried about what could happen when Arthur's mind is distracted.
"Yeah. Don't worry, I'm alright." he sighs deeply and assures as he rubs her shoulders gently. He hugs her goodbye and Morgana watches by the door as he drove away.
We're all here for you, Arthur. Especially Gwen. You may not know just yet how much she cares about you but, we can feel it. After all this time… I know she still loves you.