Part 28: link
2 WEEKS LATER, FRIDAY
Guinevere has taken the দিন off. She and Arthur are moving her things to Arthur’s flat. They’ve been making runs back and forth all day, and have taken a break to eat a ডিনার of কারি takeaway.
Morgana comes প্রথমপাতা during their dinner, and she retrieves a plate for herself and sits.
“How’s it going?” she asks them as she pokes through the boxes and scoops some dishes onto her plate.
“Almost done. I think we can get the rest in one আরো trip,” Gwen says.
“Good. Because we’re going out tonight,” Morgana declares.
“Morgana…” Gwen starts to protest. She is tired.
“No. I won’t hear any arguments. We are going out. We are meeting Merlin at Excalibur at eight. No discussion.”
Gwen looks at Arthur, who says, “Well, don’t expect us to stay very late. We’ve been lugging boxes and things all day. Plus, don’t আপনি need to be up in the morning?”
“Elizabeth won’t be that early,” Morgana says.
“I thought আপনি ব্যক্ত she was eager to get out of her parents’ house?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, but remember she likes her evenings out as well. So. After dinner, take the rest of your rubbish to Arthur’s, change clothes, and meet me over there at eight.”
“Rubbish!” Gwen exclaims, feigning offense, but she cannot help but laugh.
“I don’t really want to go out, আপনি know,” Arthur tells her. They are obediently changing clothes and getting ready to leave.
“Neither do I, but it’s the least we can do, since I’m abandoning her for you,” she tells him, walking over to him and fixing his collar, which was half flipped inside his shirt. He pulls her into his arms, shoulder now healed, and leans her back for a kiss. She reaches up and hangs on to his neck.
“I want to stay here with আপনি and… get আপনি properly moved in,” he says suggestively, স্নেহ চুম্বন her again, his tongue searching for hers as he holds her suspended in his arms. She kisses him back, enjoying the moment, the feel of his arms around her, his soft lips and warm, wet tongue on hers.
“We need to go,” she whispers against him.
“No,” he protests.
“Arthur.”
“I know,” he gives in, pulling her upright again. “You look beautiful,” he adds.
“Thank you. But আপনি know now that I’m living here, you’re going to see the worst of me,” she smirks, pulling out of his arms to put her shoes on.
“I’m sure your worst is still impossibly cute.” This earns him a guffaw from Gwen.
They arrive at the club and find Merlin and Morgana waiting outside for them.
“Seems quiet here tonight. That’s weird,” Arthur says as they reach their friends.
They walk through the doors and the place is dark.
“Are they open?” Gwen asks quietly.
“Of course they’re open; the doors were unlocked,” Arthur replies.
“SURPRISE!” Suddenly there are people everywhere; বন্ধু and family.
“Morgana!” Gwen exclaims, wheeling on her friend, who is grinning madly. So is Merlin. Hugs are had all around, and they walk further into the club.
“How did আপনি manage this?” Arthur asks Merlin.
“Morgana did it. She knows someone, apparently.”
“The owner’s wife. I do her hair,” she explains.
“That’s quite a favor, having them close the club for us,” Arthur says, impressed.
“We bartered. She’ll be getting her hair done for free for a several months,” Morgana says, laughing.
“Arthur,” a deep and familiar voice calls behind them.
“Father!” Arthur turns, surprised. His father gives him a brief hug, then turns to Gwen.
“Hello, my dear,” he says, hugging Gwen warmly. Arthur watches them, wondering what spell his fiancée cast over his father at that brunch. Probably just being herself, he thinks.
“Are আপনি keeping her all to yourself, Uther?” Gwen’s father finds them, and pulls his daughter to him for a hug.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Tom,” Uther says, and the two men shake hands.
“Arthur, good to see you,” Tom offers his hand, which Arthur grasps. “How’s the shoulder?”
“Right as rain once again,” Arthur tells him. He spots Merlin’s mother off to one side, and wants to introduce Gwen. “If you’ll excuse us, I see someone I want Guinevere to meet.”
“Behave yourselves, gentlemen,” Gwen warns them playfully as she allows herself to be pulled away. Arthur also grabs Merlin as they walk.
“Arthur!” Merlin’s mother sees them coming and walks to meet them, arms outstretched. She gives Arthur a tight hug.
“Oh, that’s fine, mother, I’m not here অথবা anything,” Merlin teases.
“Merlin, I already saw you, আপনি jealous boy,” she smiles at her son, patting his cheek sweetly.
“Helena, this is Gwen. Gwen, this is Merlin’s mother, Helena,” Arthur introduces them.
“So nice to meet you, Gwen. Merlin has told me about you. Seems you’ve stolen our Arthur’s হৃদয় clean away,” she smiles and holds Gwen’s hand between both of her own.
“Nice to meet you, too,” she says, noting there is no ring on Helena’s hand. She is a lovely woman, with dark hair and blue eyes like her son, but short like Gwen. I wonder why she and Uther never… Gwen thinks randomly.
They chat for a bit, and Gwen learns that Helena thinks of Arthur as almost another son, and Arthur is quite fond of her as well.
They cruise around the room, mingling. They chat with Leon and his wife, Thea. Paul envelops Gwen in a large hug, smiling broadly at them. Arthur meets Gwen’s cousins Freya and Ethan.
Morgana intercepts them. “Who is that?” she asks, pointing.
“Him? That’s Wayne. He works with Arthur.”
“Yum,” Morgana says, clearly appreciating what she sees. “Single?” she asks Arthur.
“Most definitely,” Arthur tells her, sneaking a sideways glance at Gwen that says this could be interesting.
“Hmmm…” Morgana watches him, debating.
“Play hard to get. It will drive him crazy,” Gwen tells her. Arthur just about sprays his drink when she says this. He coughs, sputtering, and Gwen pats his back as Morgana wanders in Wayne’s direction, swinging her hips seductively. She walks right past him, flips her hair, and continues on to go talk to Gwen’s father. Wayne definitely notices. The fact that she is wearing a short, tight black dress doesn’t hurt at all, either.
“She’s good,” Arthur says to Gwen. Gwen laughs. Arthur takes advantage of their brief moment alone and pulls her to him. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her chin on his chest, looking up at him.
“This was really nice of them,” she says up at him.
“Unbelievable,” he agrees, স্নেহ চুম্বন her on the forehead. “Oh, wait, he’s going for it,” he says, turning her around so they both can watch, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her head.
Wayne waits until Morgana leaves Tom, and approaches her. He introduces himself and offers his hand. When Morgana gives hers, he does the same thing he did to Gwen – he kisses it. Gwen laughs, a little snort. Morgana raises an eyebrow at him, slides her hand out of his, says something, and walks away again. Wayne stands, dumbfounded, and when Morgana is three steps away, she turns her head back, looks at him, and then continues on her way, this time to the bar. They see the defeat in Wayne’s face, but something else as well.
“The chase is on,” Arthur whispers to Gwen. She laughs again.
“Oh, no,” Gwen says, her laughter abruptly stopping. Morgana is standing on the bar with a microphone in her hand.
“Hello? Helloooo… Hi. For those of আপনি who don’t know me, my name is Morgana, and I am Gwen’s best friend and now former roommate.”
This statement is met with some cheers and whistles from the firefighters in attendance. Champagne is now being circulated around the room.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for coming to celebrate Gwen and Arthur’s engagement. And I cannot forget to thank Merlin for his help. I couldn’t have done this without you, my friend.” She throws him a kiss, and he grins and waves. “We are sorry about the short notice, however. But throwing a party for two people who get engaged after one week is a dangerous thing, আপনি know. I’m actually surprised we didn’t have to turn the party into a wedding reception!”
This is met with laughter, as their short courtship has now become a common topic for teasing the two of them.
“In all seriousness, though—wait, does everyone have their champagne? Gwen, did আপনি take one? Good. Arthur, আপনি are getting simply the best woman in the world. Take good care of her. Make her smile, make her laugh, make her scream,” she says this last as suggestively as she can manage, eliciting আরো cheers and catcalls, “make her happy. Gwen, keep him in line and on his toes. অথবা on his back, your choice.” She winks, then raises her champagne flute. “To Arthur and Gwen,” she announces.
“To Arthur and Gwen,” the room echoes, and everyone drinks to their happiness.
Gwen takes the tiniest sip of her champagne, and makes a face.
“So that’s why আপনি don’t drink?” Merlin asks. He had moved to যোগদান them during Morgana’s speech. “You don’t like the taste?”
“Pretty much, yes. It all tastes like total crap to me,” she says, handing her champagne to Arthur.
“Ooo. The show’s back on,” Arthur says, inclining his head to the bar area.
“What show?” Merlin asks.
“Shh. Watch,” Arthur tells him.
Wayne offers his hand to Morgana to help her down from the bar. She hesitates deliberately, then takes it. She steps down to a barstool, and once there, Wayne sweeps her into his arms and lifts her down, setting her gently on the floor, intentionally sliding her down slowly, holding her close to him. He has a determined and lustful look in his eyes. Their audience can practically see the sparks.
“They’ll either kill each other অথবা fall madly in love,” Merlin says.
“We know,” Arthur and Gwen answer together. “That’s what’s making it so much fun to watch,” Arthur adds.
They can see Morgana say, “Thank you,” to Wayne. Somehow she manages to say even that suggestively, because Wayne’s breathing quickens as she pulls out of his arms to find the stiletto heels she abandoned to climb up on the bar.
“Fifteen minutes,” Arthur says.
“Five,” says Gwen.
“I’ll take ten,” Merlin joins in.
“A pound each?” Arthur raises an eyebrow at them.
“Done.” Gwen and Merlin answer.
Morgana continues to work the room as if her profession was throwing parties. She chats with Freya a minute, and Merlin asks Gwen, “Who’s that girl?”
“My cousin, Freya.”
“She’s cute. The man she was with was…?”
Gwen smiles. “Her brother, Ethan. Go introduce yourself, Merlin.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Come on, আপনি both work in the medical field, আপনি know. So আপনি have something in common,” Arthur says.
“Really? What does she do?”
“She’s a veterinarian at the লন্ডন Zoo,” Gwen tells him.
“Well, that’s not exactly…” he hesitates.
“Merlin, don’t be such a girl. Go. We’ll keep আপনি পোষ্ট হয়েছে on the status of our— hello, what’s this?” Arthur’s attention is shifted as he sees Wayne suddenly pull Morgana into his arms, স্নেহ চুম্বন her passionately.
Gwen smiles, knowing she’s won the bet. Even when Morgana pulls away from Wayne and slaps him, she is confident. Because a সেকেন্ড later, she is স্নেহ চুম্বন him right back, shoving him against a দেওয়াল on the far side of the club.
“Pay up, boys.” Gwen holds out her hand for her two pounds. Once paid, she pushes Merlin. “Go.”
Part 30: link
2 WEEKS LATER, FRIDAY
Guinevere has taken the দিন off. She and Arthur are moving her things to Arthur’s flat. They’ve been making runs back and forth all day, and have taken a break to eat a ডিনার of কারি takeaway.
Morgana comes প্রথমপাতা during their dinner, and she retrieves a plate for herself and sits.
“How’s it going?” she asks them as she pokes through the boxes and scoops some dishes onto her plate.
“Almost done. I think we can get the rest in one আরো trip,” Gwen says.
“Good. Because we’re going out tonight,” Morgana declares.
“Morgana…” Gwen starts to protest. She is tired.
“No. I won’t hear any arguments. We are going out. We are meeting Merlin at Excalibur at eight. No discussion.”
Gwen looks at Arthur, who says, “Well, don’t expect us to stay very late. We’ve been lugging boxes and things all day. Plus, don’t আপনি need to be up in the morning?”
“Elizabeth won’t be that early,” Morgana says.
“I thought আপনি ব্যক্ত she was eager to get out of her parents’ house?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, but remember she likes her evenings out as well. So. After dinner, take the rest of your rubbish to Arthur’s, change clothes, and meet me over there at eight.”
“Rubbish!” Gwen exclaims, feigning offense, but she cannot help but laugh.
“I don’t really want to go out, আপনি know,” Arthur tells her. They are obediently changing clothes and getting ready to leave.
“Neither do I, but it’s the least we can do, since I’m abandoning her for you,” she tells him, walking over to him and fixing his collar, which was half flipped inside his shirt. He pulls her into his arms, shoulder now healed, and leans her back for a kiss. She reaches up and hangs on to his neck.
“I want to stay here with আপনি and… get আপনি properly moved in,” he says suggestively, স্নেহ চুম্বন her again, his tongue searching for hers as he holds her suspended in his arms. She kisses him back, enjoying the moment, the feel of his arms around her, his soft lips and warm, wet tongue on hers.
“We need to go,” she whispers against him.
“No,” he protests.
“Arthur.”
“I know,” he gives in, pulling her upright again. “You look beautiful,” he adds.
“Thank you. But আপনি know now that I’m living here, you’re going to see the worst of me,” she smirks, pulling out of his arms to put her shoes on.
“I’m sure your worst is still impossibly cute.” This earns him a guffaw from Gwen.
They arrive at the club and find Merlin and Morgana waiting outside for them.
“Seems quiet here tonight. That’s weird,” Arthur says as they reach their friends.
They walk through the doors and the place is dark.
“Are they open?” Gwen asks quietly.
“Of course they’re open; the doors were unlocked,” Arthur replies.
“SURPRISE!” Suddenly there are people everywhere; বন্ধু and family.
“Morgana!” Gwen exclaims, wheeling on her friend, who is grinning madly. So is Merlin. Hugs are had all around, and they walk further into the club.
“How did আপনি manage this?” Arthur asks Merlin.
“Morgana did it. She knows someone, apparently.”
“The owner’s wife. I do her hair,” she explains.
“That’s quite a favor, having them close the club for us,” Arthur says, impressed.
“We bartered. She’ll be getting her hair done for free for a several months,” Morgana says, laughing.
“Arthur,” a deep and familiar voice calls behind them.
“Father!” Arthur turns, surprised. His father gives him a brief hug, then turns to Gwen.
“Hello, my dear,” he says, hugging Gwen warmly. Arthur watches them, wondering what spell his fiancée cast over his father at that brunch. Probably just being herself, he thinks.
“Are আপনি keeping her all to yourself, Uther?” Gwen’s father finds them, and pulls his daughter to him for a hug.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Tom,” Uther says, and the two men shake hands.
“Arthur, good to see you,” Tom offers his hand, which Arthur grasps. “How’s the shoulder?”
“Right as rain once again,” Arthur tells him. He spots Merlin’s mother off to one side, and wants to introduce Gwen. “If you’ll excuse us, I see someone I want Guinevere to meet.”
“Behave yourselves, gentlemen,” Gwen warns them playfully as she allows herself to be pulled away. Arthur also grabs Merlin as they walk.
“Arthur!” Merlin’s mother sees them coming and walks to meet them, arms outstretched. She gives Arthur a tight hug.
“Oh, that’s fine, mother, I’m not here অথবা anything,” Merlin teases.
“Merlin, I already saw you, আপনি jealous boy,” she smiles at her son, patting his cheek sweetly.
“Helena, this is Gwen. Gwen, this is Merlin’s mother, Helena,” Arthur introduces them.
“So nice to meet you, Gwen. Merlin has told me about you. Seems you’ve stolen our Arthur’s হৃদয় clean away,” she smiles and holds Gwen’s hand between both of her own.
“Nice to meet you, too,” she says, noting there is no ring on Helena’s hand. She is a lovely woman, with dark hair and blue eyes like her son, but short like Gwen. I wonder why she and Uther never… Gwen thinks randomly.
They chat for a bit, and Gwen learns that Helena thinks of Arthur as almost another son, and Arthur is quite fond of her as well.
They cruise around the room, mingling. They chat with Leon and his wife, Thea. Paul envelops Gwen in a large hug, smiling broadly at them. Arthur meets Gwen’s cousins Freya and Ethan.
Morgana intercepts them. “Who is that?” she asks, pointing.
“Him? That’s Wayne. He works with Arthur.”
“Yum,” Morgana says, clearly appreciating what she sees. “Single?” she asks Arthur.
“Most definitely,” Arthur tells her, sneaking a sideways glance at Gwen that says this could be interesting.
“Hmmm…” Morgana watches him, debating.
“Play hard to get. It will drive him crazy,” Gwen tells her. Arthur just about sprays his drink when she says this. He coughs, sputtering, and Gwen pats his back as Morgana wanders in Wayne’s direction, swinging her hips seductively. She walks right past him, flips her hair, and continues on to go talk to Gwen’s father. Wayne definitely notices. The fact that she is wearing a short, tight black dress doesn’t hurt at all, either.
“She’s good,” Arthur says to Gwen. Gwen laughs. Arthur takes advantage of their brief moment alone and pulls her to him. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her chin on his chest, looking up at him.
“This was really nice of them,” she says up at him.
“Unbelievable,” he agrees, স্নেহ চুম্বন her on the forehead. “Oh, wait, he’s going for it,” he says, turning her around so they both can watch, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her head.
Wayne waits until Morgana leaves Tom, and approaches her. He introduces himself and offers his hand. When Morgana gives hers, he does the same thing he did to Gwen – he kisses it. Gwen laughs, a little snort. Morgana raises an eyebrow at him, slides her hand out of his, says something, and walks away again. Wayne stands, dumbfounded, and when Morgana is three steps away, she turns her head back, looks at him, and then continues on her way, this time to the bar. They see the defeat in Wayne’s face, but something else as well.
“The chase is on,” Arthur whispers to Gwen. She laughs again.
“Oh, no,” Gwen says, her laughter abruptly stopping. Morgana is standing on the bar with a microphone in her hand.
“Hello? Helloooo… Hi. For those of আপনি who don’t know me, my name is Morgana, and I am Gwen’s best friend and now former roommate.”
This statement is met with some cheers and whistles from the firefighters in attendance. Champagne is now being circulated around the room.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for coming to celebrate Gwen and Arthur’s engagement. And I cannot forget to thank Merlin for his help. I couldn’t have done this without you, my friend.” She throws him a kiss, and he grins and waves. “We are sorry about the short notice, however. But throwing a party for two people who get engaged after one week is a dangerous thing, আপনি know. I’m actually surprised we didn’t have to turn the party into a wedding reception!”
This is met with laughter, as their short courtship has now become a common topic for teasing the two of them.
“In all seriousness, though—wait, does everyone have their champagne? Gwen, did আপনি take one? Good. Arthur, আপনি are getting simply the best woman in the world. Take good care of her. Make her smile, make her laugh, make her scream,” she says this last as suggestively as she can manage, eliciting আরো cheers and catcalls, “make her happy. Gwen, keep him in line and on his toes. অথবা on his back, your choice.” She winks, then raises her champagne flute. “To Arthur and Gwen,” she announces.
“To Arthur and Gwen,” the room echoes, and everyone drinks to their happiness.
Gwen takes the tiniest sip of her champagne, and makes a face.
“So that’s why আপনি don’t drink?” Merlin asks. He had moved to যোগদান them during Morgana’s speech. “You don’t like the taste?”
“Pretty much, yes. It all tastes like total crap to me,” she says, handing her champagne to Arthur.
“Ooo. The show’s back on,” Arthur says, inclining his head to the bar area.
“What show?” Merlin asks.
“Shh. Watch,” Arthur tells him.
Wayne offers his hand to Morgana to help her down from the bar. She hesitates deliberately, then takes it. She steps down to a barstool, and once there, Wayne sweeps her into his arms and lifts her down, setting her gently on the floor, intentionally sliding her down slowly, holding her close to him. He has a determined and lustful look in his eyes. Their audience can practically see the sparks.
“They’ll either kill each other অথবা fall madly in love,” Merlin says.
“We know,” Arthur and Gwen answer together. “That’s what’s making it so much fun to watch,” Arthur adds.
They can see Morgana say, “Thank you,” to Wayne. Somehow she manages to say even that suggestively, because Wayne’s breathing quickens as she pulls out of his arms to find the stiletto heels she abandoned to climb up on the bar.
“Fifteen minutes,” Arthur says.
“Five,” says Gwen.
“I’ll take ten,” Merlin joins in.
“A pound each?” Arthur raises an eyebrow at them.
“Done.” Gwen and Merlin answer.
Morgana continues to work the room as if her profession was throwing parties. She chats with Freya a minute, and Merlin asks Gwen, “Who’s that girl?”
“My cousin, Freya.”
“She’s cute. The man she was with was…?”
Gwen smiles. “Her brother, Ethan. Go introduce yourself, Merlin.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Come on, আপনি both work in the medical field, আপনি know. So আপনি have something in common,” Arthur says.
“Really? What does she do?”
“She’s a veterinarian at the লন্ডন Zoo,” Gwen tells him.
“Well, that’s not exactly…” he hesitates.
“Merlin, don’t be such a girl. Go. We’ll keep আপনি পোষ্ট হয়েছে on the status of our— hello, what’s this?” Arthur’s attention is shifted as he sees Wayne suddenly pull Morgana into his arms, স্নেহ চুম্বন her passionately.
Gwen smiles, knowing she’s won the bet. Even when Morgana pulls away from Wayne and slaps him, she is confident. Because a সেকেন্ড later, she is স্নেহ চুম্বন him right back, shoving him against a দেওয়াল on the far side of the club.
“Pay up, boys.” Gwen holds out her hand for her two pounds. Once paid, she pushes Merlin. “Go.”
Part 30: link
