Part 10: link
This is my last chapter for this work, so forgive me for the length. But it was necessary.
Seattle, WA, 1994
kbrand5333
MONDAY
“Arthur, anda don’t even like coffee,” Merlin says, confused, following Arthur inside a small storefront coffee house. He looks around the place. It appears to have just opened for the day, as there are no customers yet and everything is spotless.
“You’re late,” they hear a smoky feminine voice say from somewhere behind the counter. “Usually you’re in before I’ve even turned the sign over. I was beginning to wonder if anda were at halaman awal sick atau something.”
“His fault,” Arthur says, hooking his thumb over his shoulder at Merlin as a cute, petite woman emerges from behind a large espreso, espresso machine.
Aha, Merlin thinks as he sees her. In the midst of pulling long dark curls back into a ponytail, she is wearing jeans and a plaid flannel kemeja over a simple t-shirt with a large script G on the front – the name of the coffee house – and an celemek at her waist. She smiles at Arthur and does her best to disguise her surprise at seeing him with a companion. “Who’s fault?”
“His. My friend Merlin, freshly arrived here from Ireland,” Arthur says.
“Nice to meet you, Merlin. At least I know your name,” she says, looking pointedly at Arthur with a smirk on her face.
“Oh! I, um… yeah. I guess I’m in here every hari and I’ve never diberikan anda my name, have I?” Arthur blushes.
“No, anda haven’t. Merlin, I’m Guinevere, but my friends call me Gwen,” she says. “Welcome to my little headache.”
Merlin laughs and holds out his hand across the counter for her to shake. “Well, Gwen, since we are friends now, I’ll introduce you,” he grins. “Gwen, this is Arthur, a man with apparently very few manners.”
“Hello, Arthur, nice to finally meet anda officially,” she says.
“Nice to meet you, Guinevere,” he says, taking her soft slender hand in his.
“Now, Merlin: what can I get for you?” she asks, slowly pulling her hand from Arthur’s as if she doesn’t really want to let go.
“Just plain black coffee. Is that possible in a swank place like this?”
She laughs and quirks her head to the side, “I thought all anda British Isle types drank tea,” she says.
“Not me. I got hooked on this stuff when I was here last time,” Merlin says.
“Very well, plain coffee it is,” she says, turning. She turns back and asks, “Are anda sure anda don’t want me to make anda something lebih interesting?”
Merlin shakes his head no while Arthur laughs. His eyes haven’t left her since she appeared, Merlin notices.
“Aren’t anda going to take Arthur’s order?” he asks.
“I know what he wants,” she calls back.
Do you? Merlin quirks his eyebrow at Arthur, a knowing smirk crossing his face.
“Shut up,” Arthur mutters, surreptitiously watching her work. Why can’t I ask her out? He is frustrated, coming in every day, drawn to the sweet woman behind the counter, yet he can never seem to muster up the courage to ask her out. Which is weird. I’m a freaking lawyer. I laugh in the face of nervousness. But in the face of Guinevere? I shrink.
“Here we are,” Gwen says a moment later, producing two thick paper cups. “Boring – I mean plain black coffee for the new guy with the awesome accent,” she hands him his cup, “and skim susu hot cocoa, no whipped cream, for my new old friend Arthur,” she says, handing him his.
Arthur takes the cup from her with a shy smile, and takes a sip. “Mmm… what did anda put in this?” he asks.
“Cinnamon. Do anda like it? I just did it on a whim,” she asks, biting her lower lip.
“I do,” he says, taking another drink. Cinnamon. An apt keterangan for her; spicy and sweet all at once. “Crap,” he says, seeing his wristwatch as he lifts his cup to his lips. “We’re going to be late. How much do we owe?”
Gwen waves her hand at them. “It’s on me,” she says, smiling at them. Mostly at Arthur, Merlin notices.
“No, I can’t let you…” Arthur argues.
“Do not insult me, now, I’m trying to welcome your friend to America and you’re making me look bad,” she warns, but her eyes are twinkling.
He sighs. “Thank you, Guinevere. Come on, Merlin,” he says, gently pushing Merlin on the shoulder, guiding him out the door.
“See anda tomorrow,” he turns back and calls to her.
“I’ll be here,” she says, smiling at him.
“Bet you’d like to be on her,” Merlin mutters suggestively to Arthur as they walk to the door.
“Shut up, Merlin.”
As they exit, another customer approaches to enter, a tall man with a neatly-trimmed short beard and tousled brown curls.
“Hey,” he says to Arthur.
“How’s it goin’?” Arthur jawaban back, allowing the man to pass.
Merlin watches the man go by. “Who is that?”
“No idea. He comes in every couple days atau so and we usually bump into each other in the doorway,” he answers. He lifts his eyebrows at Merlin. “Why ever do anda want to know, as if I need to ask?”
“Hey, I can look,” Merlin says defensively.
“Slut,” Arthur teases back. He glances back to see the man looking back out in their direction as well.
TUESDAY
“Ah, good morning, boys,” Gwen says to them as Arthur and Merlin walk through the door, this time at Arthur’s usual time. She is casually strolling back behind the counter, having just turned the sign in the window from Closed to Open.
“Good and rainy, yes,” Arthur says, shaking the excess water from his umbrella before placing it in the umbrella stand near the door. She looks really cute today, he thinks, though she is wearing pretty much the same thing she always wears. But today her hair is in a braid down her back.
“Well, that’s Seattle for you,” she shrugs. “Merlin, same again, atau will anda let me get a little lebih creative?”
“No, same,” he grins.
She makes a small growling noise, shaking her head in frustration. With a sigh, she asks him, “So, how long are anda visiting for?”
“Indefinitely, I hope,” he says, glancing at Arthur. “Provided I can get licensed to practice law in this country. And this state.”
“You’re a lawyer?” she asks, peeking out from behind the machines.
“We both are,” he motions to Arthur.
“And anda will not have any problems getting licensed. Especially with my father’s influence behind you,” Arthur says. His voice is confident, but Gwen can hear that he isn’t exactly pleased oleh his father having berkata “influence.”
Redirect. “Found a place to live yet?” she asks.
“I’m staying with Arthur,” he says.
“Oh,” she says, coming out with their cups. “Ohhhhh….” she repeats, her tone changing to one of realization as she looks again at the two men, who are obviously close and quite comfortable with each other. Shit. He’s gay. Why are all the hot ones gay?
Merlin chuckles at this while Arthur looks from him to Gwen and back. “Am I missing something?”
“She thinks we’re gay,” Merlin says, still laughing.
“Hey, whatever makes anda happy; I don’t judge,” she says, holding her hands up before turning quickly away to wipe at a nonexistent spot on the counter behind her before they see the disappointment on her face.
“I’m not gay,” Arthur says, as if it should be obvious.
Hooray! “Still not judging,” Gwen jokes, her back to them, smiling widely now.
“I am,” Merlin casually chimes in.
“Hey, fifty percent correct, then,” Gwen turns back to them. “So if you’re not together, and you’ve just moved here from Ireland, how is it that anda know each other so well? ’Cause it’s obvious anda do. Are anda related? Oh, six thirty-one,” she says, ringing their order.
Arthur hands her a ten and says, “Not really. Merlin was a foreign exchange student back in high school. My father and I were his host family. We’re very different, but we somehow get along. We kept in touch after he went back to Ireland, and now he’s decided to come back.”
“Well, they say that opposites attract. It applies to friendship as well, anda know,” Gwen says with a nod, giving him his change. Arthur drops it all in the tip jar. “I wish anda wouldn’t do that,” she sighs, giving him a reproachful look. “Every damn time,” she explains to Merlin.
“My money. I can do what I want with it,” Arthur says, smiling a little.
They meet the tall man again on their way out, and once again exchange mild pleasantries. Arthur can’t help notice that the man smiles pointedly at Merlin this time.
WEDNESDAY
“Why don’t anda just ask her out?” Merlin gives Arthur a shove as they walk to the coffee house.
“She probably has a boyfriend. And besides, that would be weird, wouldn’t it? Asking the coffee house girl out? What would I say, ‘Would anda like to get some coffee?’ Oh, wait, she’s around coffee all day.”
“Arthur, you’re freaking out. And what’s wrong with asking her out to dinner? Honestly, is this the same Arthur Pendragon that dated two girls at the same time back in school without either of them finding out? Since when do anda have no confidence?”
“I don’t know. She just makes me… tongue-tied. I can make casual conversation, but the things I really want to say just get… stuck. I want to tell her things, tell her how adorable she is, how much I want to take her places—”
“Like your bed,” Merlin interrupts.
“Show her things,” he presses on.
“Like your—”
“Take her in my arms,” Arthur cuts off Merlin’s words, “and ciuman her until neither of us can remember our names.”
Merlin stops. They are just outside the door. “Wow. You’ve got it bad.” Arthur glares at him. “I’ll shut up now.”
They get their usual order, and Arthur pays too much, as usual.
Gwen’s eyes widen as she looks at them. “Oh! I know what I was going to ask anda guys. Don’t move,” she says, scurrying into a back room.
Unprompted, Merlin and Arthur instantly freeze in their places, Arthur leaning on the counter, Merlin with his cup half-raised to his lips.
Gwen comes back out with a small piring in her hands. She sees the two men Frozen like two ridiculous statues and bursts out laughing.
They pindah again, laughing with her. She has a fantastic laugh, Arthur thinks. He tries to say it aloud, but the words won’t come.
“I’m thinking about adding some bakery to the menu. I’d like it if you’d be my guinea pigs,” she says, placing the piring on the counter.
“I’ll be any kind of pig anda want,” Merlin teases as she hands him something.
“Scone. I want anda especially to try this one, Merlin.”
“Since I’m Irish?” he asks, taking a bite.
She nods. “Arthur, try this one. blueberry muffin,” she says, handing it to him.
“Um…” he hesitates.
“What?”
“He’s allergic to blueberries,” Merlin says, his mouth full. He snags the kue serabi, muffin from her hand.
“Oh! I was worried that anda were afraid of my cooking!” she says, relieved. “Here. This one’s banana. I promise it was nowhere near any blueberries at any time.”
“Thank you, Guinevere,” Arthur says. Do it. He reaches for the kue serabi, muffin and intentionally touches her fingers with his, a split-second caress. Oh, my God. Did anda feel that? Yes, I did.
“This scone is excellent. Tastes like the ones my Gran used to make,” Merlin says, finishing the scone and diving in to the muffin.
Gwen isn’t listening, because she’s too busy looking at her hand. It feels like I’ve been burned, but in a really good way. “What?” she shakes her head a little to clear the fog.
“I berkata your scone reminds me of my Gran’s,” Merlin repeats, smirking. She likes him, too. This is too easy.
Arthur is destroying his muffin, breaking off chunks and popping them into his mouth. “This is excellent,” he says, taking a sip of his cocoa. “I like the streusel topping,” he adds, picking some off and popping it in his mouth.
“My favorit part, too,” she smiles.
Just then the door opens and the tall bearded man enters. Arthur looks up. “It’s that late already?”
“What, is Leon your alarm clock?” Gwen jokes. “Hey, Leon,” she waves.
“Hey, cuz,” he waves back, sitting at a meja with his newspaper.
“He’s your cousin?” Merlin whispers to Gwen, glancing over at Leon.
She nods, an impish smile slowly crossing her face. “He’s early today, actually, so you’re probably fine,” she says, glancing at the clock.
“We probably should get going anyway,” Arthur says, studying the half-eaten bakery in his hand. “Oh, and I vote yes on the baked goods.”
“Me too,” Merlin says, swallowing the last of the muffin. For a skinny guy, he can really pack it away, Gwen thinks.
THURSDAY
“Do it. anda know anda want to,” Merlin whispers into Arthur’s ear.
They have just entered the coffee house to find Gwen attempting to hang a large dry-erase board on a nail advertising her new baked goods. Unfortunately, the nail is a little too high and she’s having trouble snagging it with the wire on the back of the board. Too stubborn to go and retrieve a stepstool, she teeters on the tiptoes of her little purple Doc Martens, her compact body stretching as tall as it can, yet it is not enough.
Arthur takes a deep breath and walks up behind her. He reaches up and takes the board from her, lifting it up onto the nail, holding his breath because she is so close and smells so good.
“Thank you,” she whispers, turning around, practically in his arms. He is so close, so warm, so…
“My pleasure,” he says, his voice a quiet rumble as he looks down at her, his arms aching to hold her, his lips aching to ciuman her.
Just ciuman me already, Arthur. Hell with it, I’m going to ciuman him. Gwen lifts her face to his when the door opens and Leon strides in, a lot earlier than usual.
The spell is broken and Arthur takes a step back, clearing his throat awkwardly. I think she was about to ciuman me.
Gwen is already behind the counter making drinks oleh the time they reach the counter.
“And a kue serabi, muffin as well, please,” Arthur finally manages to speak. Damn it damn it damn it damn it.
“What kind? pisang again? I’ve got apel, apple cinnamon that turned out quite nicely.”
Gwen looks down at the cup in her hand. jantung racing, she reaches for the purple Sharpie she keeps back there to write on the cups to keep the orders straight. Quickly she writes her phone number on Arthur’s cup.
“I’ll try one of those,” Arthur says.
“I’ll have another one of those scones,” Merlin says.
Gwen comes out with two cups and two scones. She hands it all to Merlin.
“What…?”
“This is your coffee,” she indicates one cup, “and this is Leon’s cappuccino. And a scone for each of you. Take it over,” she prompts.
Merlin’s bright blue eyes widen in realization. “Why, anda pushy little minx, you,” he says, grinning.
“Time’s wasting, Merlin; tick, tock…” she says, pointing to the watch on her wrist. He goes over to the meja where Leon is sitting. Arthur and Gwen watch as Merlin introduces himself, apparently saying something funny, because Leon laughs and gestures for Merlin to gabung him.
“Playing matchmaker?” Arthur asks quietly.
“Perhaps,” Gwen says, studiously keeping her eyes on her task. She brings Arthur his biji cokelat, kakao and muffin, taking care to keep the side of the cup where she’s written her number facing away from him.
“Merlin’s stuff is free, since I’m pushing him at my cousin,” Gwen says, ringing him up, knowing that he’s still going to overpay.
He laughs a little, glancing over at them. “They seem to be getting along,” he comments.
She is watching Arthur, head quirked at an angle. “You need to laugh more,” she says. “I’ve only heard it a few times. anda should really make sure to do so lebih often.”
“What?” he turns back to her, her beautiful face hitting him square in the heart. “Oh. I know that. Everyone tells me that I’m far too serious,” he says with a half-smile. “That’s part of why I keep Merlin around. He makes me laugh. Even when he’s not trying to. Especially when he’s not trying to.”
“He’s a good friend, then,” she says, reaching over and touching Arthur’s hand, almost unconsciously. She only realizes what she’s done when the jolt of lightning shoots up her arm at the contact. They both stare down at their hands for a detik before she shyly retracts it again, tucking a stray curl behind her ear and turning away to putter at some acak task, her jantung beating furiously.
Merlin stands and shakes Leon’s hand, holding it just a moment longer than necessary. He strolls back over to a slightly shaken Arthur, pointing at his watch. “Time to go, Cabbage Head.”
“Have a good day, Arthur,” Gwen says softly.
“Thank you, Guinevere, you, too.”
Outside.
“She was so going to ciuman you,” Merlin says.
“I know.”
“She likes you.”
“I know.”
“What’s that on your cup?” Merlin asks, pointing.
“What?” Arthur lifts his cup to eye level, turning it to see seven purple numbers carefully written on the side. He smiles.
“Looks like she’s braver than anda are.”
“And how did anda do with Leon?” Arthur asks, turning the tables.
“We exchanged numbers. He’s really cute and totally sweet.”
“Mmm.”
“He’s a musician.”
Arthur looks at his friend. “Merlin, not again. Didn’t anda learn anything from that whole fiasco with that gitar player? The one that turned into a drug-addled psycho?”
Merlin waves him off. “No, no, Leon’s a proper musician. He’s in the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and teaches lessons.”
“Oh really? He doesn’t moonlight in a grunge band atau anything like that?”
“I appreciate your concern, Arthur, but he plays the bassoon.”
Later.
Merlin bursts into Arthur’s office, an envelope in his hand. “Guess what I just got?”
“Publisher’s Clearing House?” Arthur jokes.
“What?” Merlin asks, not understanding the reference.
“Never mind. What did anda just got?”
“A courier just brought me these,” Merlin pulls some tickets out of the envelope.
“Tickets. For what?”
“Leon sent them over. They’re for Saturday night,” Merlin says excitedly.
“Well, well, it seemed anda made quite an impression on your little klarinet player,” Arthur says, taking the tickets to inspect them.
“Bassoon,” Merlin corrects.
“Whatever. Three tickets? That’s a strange number to send,” Arthur comments, handing them back.
“Ah, but that’s the best part,” Merlin grins and hands Arthur a folded piece of paper.
Arthur sighs and unfolds it.
Dear Merlin,
Please accept these tickets for Saturday’s performance. I hope anda don’t already have plans; we’re doing one of my favorit pieces. I’ve sent along 3 tickets because maybe this will encourage your friend to grow some balls and ask my cousin out. We can all grab a bite to eat after, if anda want.
It was great meeting anda and I hope to see anda again soon,
Leon
“‘Grow some balls?’” Arthur quotes.
“So now anda have a reason to ask her out,” Merlin says.
“You were talking about me to him?”
“Arthur, it’s so obvious. I didn’t have to; he spotted it a week ago.”
8:55 p.m.
Go in, go in, go in. Arthur is hopping around like a hyperactive child just outside of Gwen’s coffee house. Out of sight from any of her windows, obviously. Okay. He peeks. Empty.
He takes a deep breath and opens the door, silently thanking her for not having any bells hanging on it to alert her of his presence. He doesn’t see her.
Lock the door. Turn the sign over. He walks slowly in. I should have brought some bunga atau something. Where is she?
He reaches the counter, trying fruitlessly to peek through the door leading to the back.
“Are anda lost?”
He wheels around, her voice startling him. “I…”
“Someone has turned my sign over and locked my door. anda wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” she asks, walking towards him.
“I…”
She is standing right in front of him, her hands on her hips. Is she angry? I can’t tell.
Arthur’s body acts where his brain cannot. He steps in closer and brings his right hand up to her face, his fingers at her neck, his thumb stroking her cheek. Her lips part as he swoops down, closing his own lips over hers, ciuman her softly, his other hand wrapping about her waist.
She melts in his embrace, lifting up onto her toes to press further into the kiss, her hands gripping his jacket, slightly damp from the light rain falling outside.
He reluctantly withdraws his lips from hers. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime,” he says, the ciuman freeing the restraints on his voice.
She laughs. Not unkindly, not mocking. Her laughter is genuine amusement at his following a ciuman that left her weak with such an inane question. “If anda hadn’t asked me out soon, I was going to ask you,” she says, her hand coming up to touch his face. “I thought the phone number on the cup would be a hint.”
“Um, yeah, about that. I’m going to need that number again. Some over-ambitious member of the cleaning staff pitched my cup.” I cinta the way her hand feels on my face.
She laughs again. “I think that can be arranged. So do anda have a specific time in mind to go out, atau were anda just taking a survey?” She toys with the edges of his jacket.
“Saturday. I suddenly seem to have symphony tickets.”
“Leon sent some to Merlin, didn’t he?” she asks knowingly.
He nods, and impulsively kisses her again. She is still in his arms and doesn’t seem interested in leaving any time soon. “So Merlin will be there too. Leon sent a note saying something about makan malam after, too. I guess it’s a double date.”
“I can’t wait,” she says, leaning meneruskan, ke depan to rest her head on his chest. “You smell good,” she says. You feel good, too. Right.
“You smell like coffee,” he chuckles, tightening his arms around her.
She sighs. “I know.” Looking up at him again, she asks, “What are they playing?”
“Huh?”
“The symphony.” She leans up and kisses him. “What’s the piece they are performing?”
“What did it say… something about spring. The Rite of Spring? Does that sound like something?”
Her face lights up. “Yes. You’re going to cinta it.”
“You know it?” he asks, toying with a loose curl.
“Mmm-hmm. Stravinsky. Great piece.” She looks at him. “Are anda hungry?”
He nods, finally releasing her.
“Come on,” she says, taking his hand and pulling him behind the counter, to the door beyond. “I’ll make us some makan malam and we can watch Fantasia.”
“Fantasia?”
“The Rite of Spring is in it. Well, a shortened version. anda can get a preview. Though you’ll find it is much better live.”
“I’ll watch anything, as long as I can watch it with you,” he says, letting her lead him up a flight of stairs to her apartment above the shop.
She smiles back at him, pausing on the steps to turn and ciuman him again. Her face is about level with his from her elevated position. Arthur eases her lips apart with his tongue, snaking in tentatively. She delicately touches his tongue with her own and then withdraws it, just a tease; a taste.
Arthur moans softly in the back of his throat and presses further, hungry for more. He can feel her lips smiling against his as she acquiesces, ciuman him back with equal hunger, no longer teasing.
She is the one who breaks the ciuman this time, reluctantly. She opens her eyes and stares into his. Both are breathing rapidly, heavily, lips parted as they regard each other. Predator and prey, but which is which?
“Maybe makan malam and Fantasia can wait,” Gwen whispers, still braver than Arthur.
Without a word, Arthur grabs her and slings her over his shoulder, carrying her the rest of the way up to her small apartment.
FRIDAY
Merlin arrives fifteen menit before the coffee house opens. He pounds on the door, waiting, a duffel bag in his hand.
He peers through the glass, his hands cupped around his eyes, and he sees Gwen come flying out from behind the counter and run to the door, ushering him in and locking the door again behind him.
“So do anda have him chained to the bedpost back there atau something?” Merlin teases as she takes the bag from him and hands him a large cokelat chip cookie.
“You guessed,” she cheerily says over her shoulder, heading back to the door. “Coffee’s not quite done yet, atau I’d get anda a cup.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says, sitting at a meja to wait. “Go give Arthur his things. I’ll just be down here looting while you’re away.”
“Okay,” Gwen says and disappears.
Twelve menit later, Arthur and Gwen emerge again, blushing but grinning like a pair of kucing who found a whole toko of canaries.
“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” Merlin stands and grins.
“Thank anda for the change of clothes and the toothbrush, Merlin,” Arthur says, ignoring him.
Gwen goes to open the shop. On her way back to the counter, Arthur grabs her, pulling her into his arms for a lingering kiss.
“Arthur…” she protests mildly, but she is smiling at him.
Merlin smiles.
The two men leave with their beverages. Merlin finally let Gwen make something lebih interesting than black coffee.
Leon stops them in the doorway. “Are anda coming tomorrow?” he asks Merlin shyly.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says back. “Oh, Leon, this is my friend Arthur.”
“Leon, nice to finally know your name,” Arthur smiles.
“Yours, too. Will anda be coming to the concert?”
“Yes. And I read your note,” he says ruefully, but he is smiling.
“Hey, Gwen is my favorit cousin. She’s been pining after anda for weeks, man.”
“There was plenty of pining on my part as well,” he admits.
“Really, I hadn’t noticed,” he grins. “All right, I’ll let anda guys get to work. See anda tomorrow? I’ve, um, made reservations for after, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely,” Merlin smiles at him, squeezing his elbow affectionately before they head off.
“I do like this,” Merlin admits, taking another sip of his Vanilla Latte. “It’s a little sweet, but it’s good. Don’t think I could have it every day, though.”
Arthur nods vaguely, not paying attention.
“Arthur?” Merlin looks at his friend, who is completely lost in his own mind somewhere. His mind that is still back in Gwen’s bed.
“I’m thinking of dyeing my hair green and tattooing my face with alligator scales.”
Nothing.
“Got a letter from queen Elizabeth today. She berkata that she’s going to knight me. And she also berkata that I can have Prince William for my cinta slave.”
Arthur just sighs, and takes a drink of his cocoa, staring down at it like it is Guinevere. She’s drawn a big jantung on the side of the cup.
Merlin rolls his eyes.
“Arthur, I cinta anda and I want to have your babies.”
“What?” Arthur finally notices Merlin has been talking.
“Come here, big boy, give us a kiss,” Merlin grins, leaning over.
“You’re such a degenerate,” he pushes him playfully.
“I’ve been talking for the past ten minutes,” Merlin chides him.
“And I’m sure I missed something truly inspiring,” Arthur rolls his eyes.
“Was she that good?”
“Don’t know yet. We didn’t.”
Merlin stops walking and looks at him. “You spent the night together.”
“Yes. I slept with her, but I didn’t sleep with her. We made out a lot,” he grins.
“Really? Wow.”
“Still the best night of my life. She’s amazing.”
SATURDAY
Gwen brushes her teeth and throws her hair back into a quick ponytail, planning on showering later. Grabbing the latest batch of bakery from her kitchen, she heads down the stairs.
Arthur is waiting outside. Gwen’s face breaks into a broad smile as she approaches the door and sees him, dressed casually for a change in jeans and a Seahawks sweatshirt.
“I missed anda last night,” she says, opening the door for him.
“I missed you, too. It was my father’s birthday so I was obliged to be in attendance.” He brings his arm out from behind his back, producing a bouquet of bunga for her. “For you, my sweet.”
“Thank you.” She smiles and takes them in one hand, grabbing his hand with the other, pulling him with her to the counter. She set the bunga down and pulls him close, her arms around his neck. His hands stroke her back, holding her close, pulling her up slightly to receive his kiss.
“Can I get anda anything?” she asks, opening her eyes.
“Not anything I can have right here,” he smiles seductively, and she laughs, slapping his chest playfully.
Later.
Arthur pulls his bmw up to the front of Gwen’s coffee house, waiting.
“Is she coming out? Do we go pound on the doors like a couple of hooligans?” Merlin asks.
“I told her I’d be here at 6:30. She berkata she’d meet us out fr—oh, there she is,” he says, opening his door. “You: back seat,” he orders Merlin as he exits.
“Yes, Sire,” Merlin rolls his eyes and exits as well, moving to the back.
“Guinevere, anda look gorgeous,” Arthur sighs, momentarily forgetting how to walk. She’s wearing a mantel against the chilly autumn air, but her hair is down, one side tucked back with a bunga nestled in and she is wearing makeup as well, her succulent lips shiny and tempting. Her shapely legs taunt him above simple black heels, and he can see the hem of something purple peeking out from beneath her coat.
“Thank you, anda look very handsome,” she answers, leaning in while he kisses her cheek. And he does. He’s usually in a suit, atau at least a kemeja and tie, but I’ve never seen this one. At least I don’t remember it. Is that black atau navy? And cufflinks, very classy.
Arthur opens the door for her and gives her a hand in. “Hi, Merlin,” she says, looking back at him. “Do anda have enough room?”
“Hi, Gwen. Not really. anda look great. I think Arthur forgot his name for a detik there.”
Gwen laughs, and scoots her kursi forward. “Better?” And he only just saw me in my coat. I hope he likes the dress.
“Yes, thank you.”
“You didn’t have to pindah back there,” she says as Arthur buckles his kursi belt.
“Yes, he did,” Arthur smiles. Merlin reaches meneruskan, ke depan and smacks him lightly on the back of the head. “Put your seatbelt on, Merlin.”
They check Gwen’s coat, which is removed to unveil an aubergine dress, simple but elegant. Arthur stares as the rest of the room blurs. Her curves are outlined perfectly but demurely, the rok falling just below her knees, slightly flared at the bottom, leading up to a lovely narrow waist and a v-neck exposing a bit of tantalizing cleavage. The sleeves are long and fitted, outlining her slender arms.
“Wow,” is all Arthur can manage. Gwen smiles and looks down.
Merlin taps him on the shoulder. “Hey. Seats. Feeling like a third wheel here. And Gwen, anda look stunning.”
They follow the signs to their seats. “We’re in the first tier, I guess,” Merlin mutters, looking at the tickets.
They sit and look down over the konser hall. “These are good seats,” Merlin gushes. They are dead center in the detik row of the lowest balcony.
Gradually the players take their seats, and Arthur and Gwen watch in amusement as Merlin leans forward, eyes glued, searching for Leon.
He strides onstage in his tuxedo, bassoon cradled casually but carefully in the crook of his arm. He sits and peers up in their direction. Merlin ventures a small wave. Arthur snorts. Gwen smiles. So does Leon; he sees them.
The lights dim, and Arthur reaches for Gwen’s hand, holding it on his knee. “You really look beautiful, Gwen,” he leans over and whispers, brushing his lips against her soft cheek.
She squeezes his hand in thanks as a rakishly handsome man with long brown hair strides onto the stage like he owns it.
“Oh, not him,” Gwen says.
“What’s that?” Arthur turns to her.
“Piano soloist for the first half. Gwaine Appleby.”
“What about him?”
“He’s an excellent player. Fun to watch, actually. But he always tries to hit on me when I go backstage to see Leon,” she sighs.
Arthur’s brows furrow as he tries to form the pertanyaan in his head tactfully.
“No, I’ve never gone out with him, though not for lack of trying on his part,” Gwen chuckles, squeezing Arthur’s hand again.
“Shhh,” Merlin says as the conductor, an old man with white hair and expressive eyebrows, walks slowly onstage.
Arthur flips open the program. Rhapsody in Blue oleh Gershwin. Hmm. Must have missed this one on the ticket, I only remember seeing that Spring one. His eyes lift for a moment as the klarinet solo begins the piece, soaring out and over the theatre, capturing the crowd’s interest.
Just not Arthur’s, not really. He glances over to see Gwen and Merlin watching attentively. Merlin is just watching Leon, the little tart. He does like watching Gwen enjoy the music, though. I would watch her floss her teeth, though, I think.
He turns his attention back to the orchestra, watching the soloist, secretly hating him already for trying to pick up on his girl. But it was before anda had any claim on her, idiot, a voice in his head tells him. Doesn’t matter, he argues back. Okay, he is kind of fun to watch, I will admit that. Arthur watches the soloist, his long hair flying as his fingers dance over the keys. How can he even see? Well, I suppose anda don’t have to see to play piano. Look at Stevie Wonder. Gwaine lifts his head for a moment and Arthur can see he is grinning, leering at the piano almost lustily. Yeah, he thinks he’s hot shit.
Merlin leans over and whispers something to Gwen, and she nods in agreement and responds, gesturing with her free hand as they discuss some interesting aspect of the performance. Arthur adjusts his position in his kursi as the musik grows quiet. His eyes drift closed.
Her hand feels so small in mine. Very soft. Absently he strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. He opens his eyes again and glances at her, her face bathed in the ambient glow from the faraway stage lights, eyes bright, clearly enjoying the performance. I have never seen anything so beautiful. He longs to pull her into his lap and lavish kisses upon her. But that won’t do at all. Not here. He closes his eyes again.
She was so wonderful Thursday night. She made me spaghetti. Eventually. I cinta spaghetti. Cozy on her couch, cuddled under a soft blanket, watching a disney Movie. She felt so right in my arms. It was like I’d known her forever, like we had been together for years…
...Gwen turns to Arthur, her dewy lips parted, her sweet breath coming in short bursts, her breasts rising and falling in a most alluring way.
“Arthur,” she calls to him, her voice husky and soft. He reaches for her, paying no heed to the others in the seats around them, pulling her into his lap. The narrow theatre kursi expands to fit both of them comfortably as his lips find hers. The world around them shifts and they are in a field of purple flowers, a rolling meadow in the sun. He can feel the sun ciuman the crown of his head, warming his bare toes. He can feel the breeze blowing her hair against his neck, the soft curls tickling his skin.
“Guinevere, my love, my queen,” he mutters into her neck, his hands bunching the material of her dress as he holds her against him. She feels like silk. She tastes like spun sugar on his tongue. He encapsulates her petite body with his, surrounding her, protecting her from every bad thing, every person that may want to hurt her, every harm of the cruel world.
Gwen feels that Arthur’s hand has relaxed in hers, and she glances over at him. Snickering, she pokes Merlin and leans back, pointing at Arthur. They giggle a bit over him, but then the musik turns loud for the conclusion of the piece and his body jerks just slightly as he wakes. He peeks over at Gwen.
Busted.
She squeezes his hand, and he lifts it and kisses her slender fingers, leaning over to whisper, “Sorry.”
The piece ends, and the crowd erupts with applause, standing to tampil their appreciation.
They step out to stretch their legs and empty their bladders during the intermission, knowing that the detik half will be longer. Merlin grins at Arthur as they wash their hands. “You fell asleep.”
“A little bit. I guess I didn’t find the musik that interesting. Had a nice little dream about Guinevere, though.”
“Well, that’s… dangerous,” Merlin chuckles as they walk back out to the lobby area.
“It wasn’t that kind of dream. It was just… nice. Romantic. Cozy.”
“Cozy?”
“What?”
Merlin peers at Arthur. “You’re in cinta with her,” he says plainly.
Arthur opens his mouth to protest, but closes it. No point. He’s right. Besides, she’s coming. “Probably,” he admits, his eyes fixed on her as she approaches.
Smiling, she walks right up to Arthur, grabs the lapels of his coat, pulls his face down to hers, and kisses him. She releases him with a satisfied sigh. “Thank you. I needed that,” she says plainly.
Arthur recovers from his surprise quickly, laughing delightedly at Gwen’s actions. The lights flash in the lobby, signaling that the detik half is going to begin, and they file back to their seats with the rest of the crowd.
The house lights drop. The orchestra seems much larger than it was in the first half. “Are there lebih people?” Arthur asks. He really doesn’t remember much of what he saw atau heard Thursday night when they watched Fantasia; he was otherwise occupied.
“Yes, this piece is for a larger group of players than the last.”
“Hmm. I guess I thought that orchestras were, I don’t know, standard atau something,” he shrugs.
“Not at all. Now shh. Here comes Leon’s big moment.”
The piece starts, and the quiet of it stuns Arthur, who had been prepared to get hit with a dinding of sound from a group that size. Leon is the only one playing, a plaintive, lyrical solo. Haunting, floating, soft. Beautiful. Arthur glances over at Merlin, his eyes wide, on the edge of his seat.
Other players dribble in, adding their voices as Leon continues. It certainly sounds like spring, Arthur thinks. He settles back in his seat, Gwen’s hand still clasped in his on his knee. I already like this one much more.
The musik turns louder, darker, lebih primal. When the entire orchestra plays, he can feel the vibrations of the musik in his belly; the thumping of the drums, the growl of the brass, the bernyanyi of the strings.
This is really cool. I didn’t know classical musik could sound like this.
The three friends watch, each entranced, each lost in his own reverie as they watch and listen. The musik is ever-changing, now so soft and lyrical that they are almost straining to hear; now bombastic and fiery, full of passion and anguish.
There is no way I could fall asleep listening to this.
It ends all too soon, with a tiny floating flute solo and a final jarring chord. The crowd jumps to their feet as one, applauding exuberantly. Merlin whistles his appreciation when the conductor singles out Leon for a bow, followed oleh other soloists.
“Come on,” Gwen urges the two men down the aisle before the applause ends.
“What?” Merlin blusters as she pushes him and pulls Arthur. “Sorry. Excuse us,” he apologizes to the other patrons they are trying not to step on.
“If we’re going to get backstage, we have to go now,” she explains.
They hurry down, Gwen leading, holding Arthur’s hand in one of hers and Merlin’s in the other. Through a hidden door, down a small dank stairwell, to a heavy door. Arthur opens the door and Gwen enters, followed oleh Merlin and about ten other people, and his courtesy waylays him outside.
“Well, well, this is a gift I can really appreciate,” Gwaine says, closing in on Guinevere. People are passing him mawar and bottles of champagne and expensive chocolates, congratulatory spoils for his performance tonight. “I can’t wait to unwrap it,” he grins, leaning in close to her.
Gwen smiles politely and simply says, “Hello, Gwaine, anda played very well tonight, as always,” just as Arthur finally catches up to her.
“Sorry, I got stuck holding the door,” he says, bending to ciuman her cheek and place his arm around her shoulders in a possessive sort of way.
Much to their surprise, the cocky pianist immediately backs off. “Oh, sorry, man, I didn’t realize she had a boyfriend now,” he apologizes to Arthur, “I’m just playing around, anda know…” he backpedals.
I’ll be damned. “Gwaine Appleby, this is Arthur Pendragon,” Gwen decides to introduce them, since Gwaine decided to reveal the fact that he is a human being after all.
“Hi, nice to meet you, anda lucky bastard,” Gwaine says, offering a hand, which Arthur accepts and shakes with a chuckle. “Pendragon? You’re not related to that lawyer guy are you, the one with those really dumb commercials?”
Arthur laughs. “That lawyer guy would be my father,” he says, “and you’re right, those commercials suck. I told him, but he doesn’t listen to me.” He shrugs, finding he likes this piano player despite himself.
Leon and Merlin work their way over to them, and Gwen jumps, throwing her arms around her cousin’s neck in a large hug.
“Lee, that was awesome! anda were freaking out for nothing! It was so good,” she gushes, and he smiles shyly.
“Thanks,” he says. “Hey, Arthur, did anda have a nice nap?” Leon grins at him.
Arthur punches Merlin on the shoulder. “You told!”
“Of course I told; it was too good!”
Gwaine looks at them. “Nap?” he raises an eyebrow.
“During your performance,” Leon teases. “But he stayed awake for the detik half.”
Gwaine laughs again, surprising them once again. “First time for everything, I guess.”
“Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to…” Arthur says, trying to save face.
“Hey, no problem. Hope anda had some dreams about Gwennie-pie at least,” he winks, then turns as someone has tapped him on the shoulder. “Nice meeting you. Later,” he says, turning away.
Arthur glowers at Merlin. “Thanks, jerk.”
“Oh, lighten up,” Merlin laughs, and looks at his watch, then at Leon.
“Yeah, we need to go,” Leon says.
“Merlin, why don’t anda ride with Leon?” Gwen suggests, gently pushing him in the same direction as her cousin.
“Yeah, why don’t I?” he agrees, and walks off with Leon.
“So Arthur, what did anda think of the concert?” Leon finally asks while they eat. He looks both exhausted and exhilarated at the same time, spent yet full of adrenaline.
“Well, the parts I stayed awake for were very good,” Arthur grins. “I really liked Rite of Spring. I’ve never heard anything like it. I mean, Guinevere made me watch Fantasia the other night with her, but, um, I don’t really remember much from it…” he trails off, realizing he may have talked himself into a corner.
They all laugh, and Gwen blushes. “So. I told anda there was going to be a quiz.” She turns slightly toward him, intentionally pressing her knee against his under the table.
Arthur sighs. “All right. The beginning was definitely the spring part. I could totally hear that. So I can assume that the rest would have something to do with the Rite, then. Sure sounded like some sort of pagan ceremony going on. What was the phrase I thought of? Oh yeah: cavemen having sex.”
The meja erupts with laughter, drawing looks from other diners now.
“You’re not terribly far off the mark,” Leon says. “The musik was actually originally written for a ballet. Primitive society, ritual sacrifice of a maiden. She dances herself to death.”
“Lovely.”
“Yeah, the crowd rioted at its premiere.”
“It was that good?”
“No, they hated it. It was 1913, remember. These were sounds that had never been heard before. The audience thought it was noise, and the dancing scandalous.”
Arthur makes a confused face.
“Think of it like our parents and grandparents and all their friends going to a nirvana atau Alice in Chains concert,” Gwen adds, twining her foot around his.
“Ah,” Arthur nods, touching her knee beneath the table, trying not to get too distracted.
“Stravinsky was a rock star,” Leon muses, almost to himself, lifting his glass to take a drink.
The waiter asks if they’d like dessert. They start to decline, but Arthur glances at Gwen. “You want dessert, don’t you?” he asks, smiling knowingly at her.
“No. Yes. Can we membagi, split something?”
“Whatever anda want,” he says, moving his hand to cover hers.
“As long as there aren’t blueberries in it,” she amends, remembering. She picks up the dessert menu the waiter has brought. “Ooo. cokelat kacang mentega cheesecake atau cokelat lava cake?”
“Either would be excellent. Which one is bigger?” he asks the waiter.
“We’ll have one of each and we can all share,” Leon declares, plucking the menu from Gwen’s hands and handing it to the waiter, who nods and walks away.
Outside.
The four friends stand in the cold, damp night air atau the parking lot.
Leon hugs Gwen and shakes Arthur’s hand. “Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot to me.”
“I always cinta your concerts,” Gwen says, inching closer to Arthur. She’s cold.
“So, um…” Merlin says, not sure which car he should go to.
Leon reaches for Merlin’s hand, and Merlin has his answer.
Smiling, he waves at Arthur and Gwen as he walks around to the passenger side of Leon’s car.
“Have fun, but keep in mind anda will have to work on Monday,” Arthur calls, teasing his best friend. Merlin just grins and ducks into the car.
“Are anda tired?” Arthur turns to Gwen, his hands holding her arms gently.
“I’m mostly cold. Can we get in the car?”
“Oh, sorry! Yes, of course,” he quickly opens the passenger door for her and ushers her inside. He jogs around and climbs in, quickly turning the car on and cranking the heat.
Looking over at her, huddled in her mantel trying to get warm, Arthur feels good. Right. Happy. Unbelievably happy. He leans over and touches her chin with his fingertips, turning her face towards his.
She leans into his kiss, her hand coming across the center console of the car to grip his thigh just above his knee while his hand slips around behind her neck, the curious coarse-yet-soft texture of her curls caressing his knuckles.
Guinevere sighs into his lips, parting hers to meet his tongue with her own. Arthur’s other hand reaches for her waist, trying to pull her closer, craving the feel of her body against his, but the layout of the car is against him and all he can do is clutch her mantel in his fist, frustrated.
“Wow, I’m warm now,” Gwen says once their lips part, squeezing his leg gently as she bestows a coy little smile on him.
He smiles back, basking in her presence. “Do you… do anda want to go somewhere?” he asks, his mind empty of anything intelligent to say.
She nods. “Your place.”
Song suggestion: “Girlfriend” oleh Matthew Sweet. And if anda don’t know “Rhapsody in Blue” atau “The Rite of Spring,” do check them out.
Part 12: link
This is my last chapter for this work, so forgive me for the length. But it was necessary.
Seattle, WA, 1994
kbrand5333
MONDAY
“Arthur, anda don’t even like coffee,” Merlin says, confused, following Arthur inside a small storefront coffee house. He looks around the place. It appears to have just opened for the day, as there are no customers yet and everything is spotless.
“You’re late,” they hear a smoky feminine voice say from somewhere behind the counter. “Usually you’re in before I’ve even turned the sign over. I was beginning to wonder if anda were at halaman awal sick atau something.”
“His fault,” Arthur says, hooking his thumb over his shoulder at Merlin as a cute, petite woman emerges from behind a large espreso, espresso machine.
Aha, Merlin thinks as he sees her. In the midst of pulling long dark curls back into a ponytail, she is wearing jeans and a plaid flannel kemeja over a simple t-shirt with a large script G on the front – the name of the coffee house – and an celemek at her waist. She smiles at Arthur and does her best to disguise her surprise at seeing him with a companion. “Who’s fault?”
“His. My friend Merlin, freshly arrived here from Ireland,” Arthur says.
“Nice to meet you, Merlin. At least I know your name,” she says, looking pointedly at Arthur with a smirk on her face.
“Oh! I, um… yeah. I guess I’m in here every hari and I’ve never diberikan anda my name, have I?” Arthur blushes.
“No, anda haven’t. Merlin, I’m Guinevere, but my friends call me Gwen,” she says. “Welcome to my little headache.”
Merlin laughs and holds out his hand across the counter for her to shake. “Well, Gwen, since we are friends now, I’ll introduce you,” he grins. “Gwen, this is Arthur, a man with apparently very few manners.”
“Hello, Arthur, nice to finally meet anda officially,” she says.
“Nice to meet you, Guinevere,” he says, taking her soft slender hand in his.
“Now, Merlin: what can I get for you?” she asks, slowly pulling her hand from Arthur’s as if she doesn’t really want to let go.
“Just plain black coffee. Is that possible in a swank place like this?”
She laughs and quirks her head to the side, “I thought all anda British Isle types drank tea,” she says.
“Not me. I got hooked on this stuff when I was here last time,” Merlin says.
“Very well, plain coffee it is,” she says, turning. She turns back and asks, “Are anda sure anda don’t want me to make anda something lebih interesting?”
Merlin shakes his head no while Arthur laughs. His eyes haven’t left her since she appeared, Merlin notices.
“Aren’t anda going to take Arthur’s order?” he asks.
“I know what he wants,” she calls back.
Do you? Merlin quirks his eyebrow at Arthur, a knowing smirk crossing his face.
“Shut up,” Arthur mutters, surreptitiously watching her work. Why can’t I ask her out? He is frustrated, coming in every day, drawn to the sweet woman behind the counter, yet he can never seem to muster up the courage to ask her out. Which is weird. I’m a freaking lawyer. I laugh in the face of nervousness. But in the face of Guinevere? I shrink.
“Here we are,” Gwen says a moment later, producing two thick paper cups. “Boring – I mean plain black coffee for the new guy with the awesome accent,” she hands him his cup, “and skim susu hot cocoa, no whipped cream, for my new old friend Arthur,” she says, handing him his.
Arthur takes the cup from her with a shy smile, and takes a sip. “Mmm… what did anda put in this?” he asks.
“Cinnamon. Do anda like it? I just did it on a whim,” she asks, biting her lower lip.
“I do,” he says, taking another drink. Cinnamon. An apt keterangan for her; spicy and sweet all at once. “Crap,” he says, seeing his wristwatch as he lifts his cup to his lips. “We’re going to be late. How much do we owe?”
Gwen waves her hand at them. “It’s on me,” she says, smiling at them. Mostly at Arthur, Merlin notices.
“No, I can’t let you…” Arthur argues.
“Do not insult me, now, I’m trying to welcome your friend to America and you’re making me look bad,” she warns, but her eyes are twinkling.
He sighs. “Thank you, Guinevere. Come on, Merlin,” he says, gently pushing Merlin on the shoulder, guiding him out the door.
“See anda tomorrow,” he turns back and calls to her.
“I’ll be here,” she says, smiling at him.
“Bet you’d like to be on her,” Merlin mutters suggestively to Arthur as they walk to the door.
“Shut up, Merlin.”
As they exit, another customer approaches to enter, a tall man with a neatly-trimmed short beard and tousled brown curls.
“Hey,” he says to Arthur.
“How’s it goin’?” Arthur jawaban back, allowing the man to pass.
Merlin watches the man go by. “Who is that?”
“No idea. He comes in every couple days atau so and we usually bump into each other in the doorway,” he answers. He lifts his eyebrows at Merlin. “Why ever do anda want to know, as if I need to ask?”
“Hey, I can look,” Merlin says defensively.
“Slut,” Arthur teases back. He glances back to see the man looking back out in their direction as well.
TUESDAY
“Ah, good morning, boys,” Gwen says to them as Arthur and Merlin walk through the door, this time at Arthur’s usual time. She is casually strolling back behind the counter, having just turned the sign in the window from Closed to Open.
“Good and rainy, yes,” Arthur says, shaking the excess water from his umbrella before placing it in the umbrella stand near the door. She looks really cute today, he thinks, though she is wearing pretty much the same thing she always wears. But today her hair is in a braid down her back.
“Well, that’s Seattle for you,” she shrugs. “Merlin, same again, atau will anda let me get a little lebih creative?”
“No, same,” he grins.
She makes a small growling noise, shaking her head in frustration. With a sigh, she asks him, “So, how long are anda visiting for?”
“Indefinitely, I hope,” he says, glancing at Arthur. “Provided I can get licensed to practice law in this country. And this state.”
“You’re a lawyer?” she asks, peeking out from behind the machines.
“We both are,” he motions to Arthur.
“And anda will not have any problems getting licensed. Especially with my father’s influence behind you,” Arthur says. His voice is confident, but Gwen can hear that he isn’t exactly pleased oleh his father having berkata “influence.”
Redirect. “Found a place to live yet?” she asks.
“I’m staying with Arthur,” he says.
“Oh,” she says, coming out with their cups. “Ohhhhh….” she repeats, her tone changing to one of realization as she looks again at the two men, who are obviously close and quite comfortable with each other. Shit. He’s gay. Why are all the hot ones gay?
Merlin chuckles at this while Arthur looks from him to Gwen and back. “Am I missing something?”
“She thinks we’re gay,” Merlin says, still laughing.
“Hey, whatever makes anda happy; I don’t judge,” she says, holding her hands up before turning quickly away to wipe at a nonexistent spot on the counter behind her before they see the disappointment on her face.
“I’m not gay,” Arthur says, as if it should be obvious.
Hooray! “Still not judging,” Gwen jokes, her back to them, smiling widely now.
“I am,” Merlin casually chimes in.
“Hey, fifty percent correct, then,” Gwen turns back to them. “So if you’re not together, and you’ve just moved here from Ireland, how is it that anda know each other so well? ’Cause it’s obvious anda do. Are anda related? Oh, six thirty-one,” she says, ringing their order.
Arthur hands her a ten and says, “Not really. Merlin was a foreign exchange student back in high school. My father and I were his host family. We’re very different, but we somehow get along. We kept in touch after he went back to Ireland, and now he’s decided to come back.”
“Well, they say that opposites attract. It applies to friendship as well, anda know,” Gwen says with a nod, giving him his change. Arthur drops it all in the tip jar. “I wish anda wouldn’t do that,” she sighs, giving him a reproachful look. “Every damn time,” she explains to Merlin.
“My money. I can do what I want with it,” Arthur says, smiling a little.
They meet the tall man again on their way out, and once again exchange mild pleasantries. Arthur can’t help notice that the man smiles pointedly at Merlin this time.
WEDNESDAY
“Why don’t anda just ask her out?” Merlin gives Arthur a shove as they walk to the coffee house.
“She probably has a boyfriend. And besides, that would be weird, wouldn’t it? Asking the coffee house girl out? What would I say, ‘Would anda like to get some coffee?’ Oh, wait, she’s around coffee all day.”
“Arthur, you’re freaking out. And what’s wrong with asking her out to dinner? Honestly, is this the same Arthur Pendragon that dated two girls at the same time back in school without either of them finding out? Since when do anda have no confidence?”
“I don’t know. She just makes me… tongue-tied. I can make casual conversation, but the things I really want to say just get… stuck. I want to tell her things, tell her how adorable she is, how much I want to take her places—”
“Like your bed,” Merlin interrupts.
“Show her things,” he presses on.
“Like your—”
“Take her in my arms,” Arthur cuts off Merlin’s words, “and ciuman her until neither of us can remember our names.”
Merlin stops. They are just outside the door. “Wow. You’ve got it bad.” Arthur glares at him. “I’ll shut up now.”
They get their usual order, and Arthur pays too much, as usual.
Gwen’s eyes widen as she looks at them. “Oh! I know what I was going to ask anda guys. Don’t move,” she says, scurrying into a back room.
Unprompted, Merlin and Arthur instantly freeze in their places, Arthur leaning on the counter, Merlin with his cup half-raised to his lips.
Gwen comes back out with a small piring in her hands. She sees the two men Frozen like two ridiculous statues and bursts out laughing.
They pindah again, laughing with her. She has a fantastic laugh, Arthur thinks. He tries to say it aloud, but the words won’t come.
“I’m thinking about adding some bakery to the menu. I’d like it if you’d be my guinea pigs,” she says, placing the piring on the counter.
“I’ll be any kind of pig anda want,” Merlin teases as she hands him something.
“Scone. I want anda especially to try this one, Merlin.”
“Since I’m Irish?” he asks, taking a bite.
She nods. “Arthur, try this one. blueberry muffin,” she says, handing it to him.
“Um…” he hesitates.
“What?”
“He’s allergic to blueberries,” Merlin says, his mouth full. He snags the kue serabi, muffin from her hand.
“Oh! I was worried that anda were afraid of my cooking!” she says, relieved. “Here. This one’s banana. I promise it was nowhere near any blueberries at any time.”
“Thank you, Guinevere,” Arthur says. Do it. He reaches for the kue serabi, muffin and intentionally touches her fingers with his, a split-second caress. Oh, my God. Did anda feel that? Yes, I did.
“This scone is excellent. Tastes like the ones my Gran used to make,” Merlin says, finishing the scone and diving in to the muffin.
Gwen isn’t listening, because she’s too busy looking at her hand. It feels like I’ve been burned, but in a really good way. “What?” she shakes her head a little to clear the fog.
“I berkata your scone reminds me of my Gran’s,” Merlin repeats, smirking. She likes him, too. This is too easy.
Arthur is destroying his muffin, breaking off chunks and popping them into his mouth. “This is excellent,” he says, taking a sip of his cocoa. “I like the streusel topping,” he adds, picking some off and popping it in his mouth.
“My favorit part, too,” she smiles.
Just then the door opens and the tall bearded man enters. Arthur looks up. “It’s that late already?”
“What, is Leon your alarm clock?” Gwen jokes. “Hey, Leon,” she waves.
“Hey, cuz,” he waves back, sitting at a meja with his newspaper.
“He’s your cousin?” Merlin whispers to Gwen, glancing over at Leon.
She nods, an impish smile slowly crossing her face. “He’s early today, actually, so you’re probably fine,” she says, glancing at the clock.
“We probably should get going anyway,” Arthur says, studying the half-eaten bakery in his hand. “Oh, and I vote yes on the baked goods.”
“Me too,” Merlin says, swallowing the last of the muffin. For a skinny guy, he can really pack it away, Gwen thinks.
THURSDAY
“Do it. anda know anda want to,” Merlin whispers into Arthur’s ear.
They have just entered the coffee house to find Gwen attempting to hang a large dry-erase board on a nail advertising her new baked goods. Unfortunately, the nail is a little too high and she’s having trouble snagging it with the wire on the back of the board. Too stubborn to go and retrieve a stepstool, she teeters on the tiptoes of her little purple Doc Martens, her compact body stretching as tall as it can, yet it is not enough.
Arthur takes a deep breath and walks up behind her. He reaches up and takes the board from her, lifting it up onto the nail, holding his breath because she is so close and smells so good.
“Thank you,” she whispers, turning around, practically in his arms. He is so close, so warm, so…
“My pleasure,” he says, his voice a quiet rumble as he looks down at her, his arms aching to hold her, his lips aching to ciuman her.
Just ciuman me already, Arthur. Hell with it, I’m going to ciuman him. Gwen lifts her face to his when the door opens and Leon strides in, a lot earlier than usual.
The spell is broken and Arthur takes a step back, clearing his throat awkwardly. I think she was about to ciuman me.
Gwen is already behind the counter making drinks oleh the time they reach the counter.
“And a kue serabi, muffin as well, please,” Arthur finally manages to speak. Damn it damn it damn it damn it.
“What kind? pisang again? I’ve got apel, apple cinnamon that turned out quite nicely.”
Gwen looks down at the cup in her hand. jantung racing, she reaches for the purple Sharpie she keeps back there to write on the cups to keep the orders straight. Quickly she writes her phone number on Arthur’s cup.
“I’ll try one of those,” Arthur says.
“I’ll have another one of those scones,” Merlin says.
Gwen comes out with two cups and two scones. She hands it all to Merlin.
“What…?”
“This is your coffee,” she indicates one cup, “and this is Leon’s cappuccino. And a scone for each of you. Take it over,” she prompts.
Merlin’s bright blue eyes widen in realization. “Why, anda pushy little minx, you,” he says, grinning.
“Time’s wasting, Merlin; tick, tock…” she says, pointing to the watch on her wrist. He goes over to the meja where Leon is sitting. Arthur and Gwen watch as Merlin introduces himself, apparently saying something funny, because Leon laughs and gestures for Merlin to gabung him.
“Playing matchmaker?” Arthur asks quietly.
“Perhaps,” Gwen says, studiously keeping her eyes on her task. She brings Arthur his biji cokelat, kakao and muffin, taking care to keep the side of the cup where she’s written her number facing away from him.
“Merlin’s stuff is free, since I’m pushing him at my cousin,” Gwen says, ringing him up, knowing that he’s still going to overpay.
He laughs a little, glancing over at them. “They seem to be getting along,” he comments.
She is watching Arthur, head quirked at an angle. “You need to laugh more,” she says. “I’ve only heard it a few times. anda should really make sure to do so lebih often.”
“What?” he turns back to her, her beautiful face hitting him square in the heart. “Oh. I know that. Everyone tells me that I’m far too serious,” he says with a half-smile. “That’s part of why I keep Merlin around. He makes me laugh. Even when he’s not trying to. Especially when he’s not trying to.”
“He’s a good friend, then,” she says, reaching over and touching Arthur’s hand, almost unconsciously. She only realizes what she’s done when the jolt of lightning shoots up her arm at the contact. They both stare down at their hands for a detik before she shyly retracts it again, tucking a stray curl behind her ear and turning away to putter at some acak task, her jantung beating furiously.
Merlin stands and shakes Leon’s hand, holding it just a moment longer than necessary. He strolls back over to a slightly shaken Arthur, pointing at his watch. “Time to go, Cabbage Head.”
“Have a good day, Arthur,” Gwen says softly.
“Thank you, Guinevere, you, too.”
Outside.
“She was so going to ciuman you,” Merlin says.
“I know.”
“She likes you.”
“I know.”
“What’s that on your cup?” Merlin asks, pointing.
“What?” Arthur lifts his cup to eye level, turning it to see seven purple numbers carefully written on the side. He smiles.
“Looks like she’s braver than anda are.”
“And how did anda do with Leon?” Arthur asks, turning the tables.
“We exchanged numbers. He’s really cute and totally sweet.”
“Mmm.”
“He’s a musician.”
Arthur looks at his friend. “Merlin, not again. Didn’t anda learn anything from that whole fiasco with that gitar player? The one that turned into a drug-addled psycho?”
Merlin waves him off. “No, no, Leon’s a proper musician. He’s in the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and teaches lessons.”
“Oh really? He doesn’t moonlight in a grunge band atau anything like that?”
“I appreciate your concern, Arthur, but he plays the bassoon.”
Later.
Merlin bursts into Arthur’s office, an envelope in his hand. “Guess what I just got?”
“Publisher’s Clearing House?” Arthur jokes.
“What?” Merlin asks, not understanding the reference.
“Never mind. What did anda just got?”
“A courier just brought me these,” Merlin pulls some tickets out of the envelope.
“Tickets. For what?”
“Leon sent them over. They’re for Saturday night,” Merlin says excitedly.
“Well, well, it seemed anda made quite an impression on your little klarinet player,” Arthur says, taking the tickets to inspect them.
“Bassoon,” Merlin corrects.
“Whatever. Three tickets? That’s a strange number to send,” Arthur comments, handing them back.
“Ah, but that’s the best part,” Merlin grins and hands Arthur a folded piece of paper.
Arthur sighs and unfolds it.
Dear Merlin,
Please accept these tickets for Saturday’s performance. I hope anda don’t already have plans; we’re doing one of my favorit pieces. I’ve sent along 3 tickets because maybe this will encourage your friend to grow some balls and ask my cousin out. We can all grab a bite to eat after, if anda want.
It was great meeting anda and I hope to see anda again soon,
Leon
“‘Grow some balls?’” Arthur quotes.
“So now anda have a reason to ask her out,” Merlin says.
“You were talking about me to him?”
“Arthur, it’s so obvious. I didn’t have to; he spotted it a week ago.”
8:55 p.m.
Go in, go in, go in. Arthur is hopping around like a hyperactive child just outside of Gwen’s coffee house. Out of sight from any of her windows, obviously. Okay. He peeks. Empty.
He takes a deep breath and opens the door, silently thanking her for not having any bells hanging on it to alert her of his presence. He doesn’t see her.
Lock the door. Turn the sign over. He walks slowly in. I should have brought some bunga atau something. Where is she?
He reaches the counter, trying fruitlessly to peek through the door leading to the back.
“Are anda lost?”
He wheels around, her voice startling him. “I…”
“Someone has turned my sign over and locked my door. anda wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” she asks, walking towards him.
“I…”
She is standing right in front of him, her hands on her hips. Is she angry? I can’t tell.
Arthur’s body acts where his brain cannot. He steps in closer and brings his right hand up to her face, his fingers at her neck, his thumb stroking her cheek. Her lips part as he swoops down, closing his own lips over hers, ciuman her softly, his other hand wrapping about her waist.
She melts in his embrace, lifting up onto her toes to press further into the kiss, her hands gripping his jacket, slightly damp from the light rain falling outside.
He reluctantly withdraws his lips from hers. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out sometime,” he says, the ciuman freeing the restraints on his voice.
She laughs. Not unkindly, not mocking. Her laughter is genuine amusement at his following a ciuman that left her weak with such an inane question. “If anda hadn’t asked me out soon, I was going to ask you,” she says, her hand coming up to touch his face. “I thought the phone number on the cup would be a hint.”
“Um, yeah, about that. I’m going to need that number again. Some over-ambitious member of the cleaning staff pitched my cup.” I cinta the way her hand feels on my face.
She laughs again. “I think that can be arranged. So do anda have a specific time in mind to go out, atau were anda just taking a survey?” She toys with the edges of his jacket.
“Saturday. I suddenly seem to have symphony tickets.”
“Leon sent some to Merlin, didn’t he?” she asks knowingly.
He nods, and impulsively kisses her again. She is still in his arms and doesn’t seem interested in leaving any time soon. “So Merlin will be there too. Leon sent a note saying something about makan malam after, too. I guess it’s a double date.”
“I can’t wait,” she says, leaning meneruskan, ke depan to rest her head on his chest. “You smell good,” she says. You feel good, too. Right.
“You smell like coffee,” he chuckles, tightening his arms around her.
She sighs. “I know.” Looking up at him again, she asks, “What are they playing?”
“Huh?”
“The symphony.” She leans up and kisses him. “What’s the piece they are performing?”
“What did it say… something about spring. The Rite of Spring? Does that sound like something?”
Her face lights up. “Yes. You’re going to cinta it.”
“You know it?” he asks, toying with a loose curl.
“Mmm-hmm. Stravinsky. Great piece.” She looks at him. “Are anda hungry?”
He nods, finally releasing her.
“Come on,” she says, taking his hand and pulling him behind the counter, to the door beyond. “I’ll make us some makan malam and we can watch Fantasia.”
“Fantasia?”
“The Rite of Spring is in it. Well, a shortened version. anda can get a preview. Though you’ll find it is much better live.”
“I’ll watch anything, as long as I can watch it with you,” he says, letting her lead him up a flight of stairs to her apartment above the shop.
She smiles back at him, pausing on the steps to turn and ciuman him again. Her face is about level with his from her elevated position. Arthur eases her lips apart with his tongue, snaking in tentatively. She delicately touches his tongue with her own and then withdraws it, just a tease; a taste.
Arthur moans softly in the back of his throat and presses further, hungry for more. He can feel her lips smiling against his as she acquiesces, ciuman him back with equal hunger, no longer teasing.
She is the one who breaks the ciuman this time, reluctantly. She opens her eyes and stares into his. Both are breathing rapidly, heavily, lips parted as they regard each other. Predator and prey, but which is which?
“Maybe makan malam and Fantasia can wait,” Gwen whispers, still braver than Arthur.
Without a word, Arthur grabs her and slings her over his shoulder, carrying her the rest of the way up to her small apartment.
FRIDAY
Merlin arrives fifteen menit before the coffee house opens. He pounds on the door, waiting, a duffel bag in his hand.
He peers through the glass, his hands cupped around his eyes, and he sees Gwen come flying out from behind the counter and run to the door, ushering him in and locking the door again behind him.
“So do anda have him chained to the bedpost back there atau something?” Merlin teases as she takes the bag from him and hands him a large cokelat chip cookie.
“You guessed,” she cheerily says over her shoulder, heading back to the door. “Coffee’s not quite done yet, atau I’d get anda a cup.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says, sitting at a meja to wait. “Go give Arthur his things. I’ll just be down here looting while you’re away.”
“Okay,” Gwen says and disappears.
Twelve menit later, Arthur and Gwen emerge again, blushing but grinning like a pair of kucing who found a whole toko of canaries.
“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” Merlin stands and grins.
“Thank anda for the change of clothes and the toothbrush, Merlin,” Arthur says, ignoring him.
Gwen goes to open the shop. On her way back to the counter, Arthur grabs her, pulling her into his arms for a lingering kiss.
“Arthur…” she protests mildly, but she is smiling at him.
Merlin smiles.
The two men leave with their beverages. Merlin finally let Gwen make something lebih interesting than black coffee.
Leon stops them in the doorway. “Are anda coming tomorrow?” he asks Merlin shyly.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says back. “Oh, Leon, this is my friend Arthur.”
“Leon, nice to finally know your name,” Arthur smiles.
“Yours, too. Will anda be coming to the concert?”
“Yes. And I read your note,” he says ruefully, but he is smiling.
“Hey, Gwen is my favorit cousin. She’s been pining after anda for weeks, man.”
“There was plenty of pining on my part as well,” he admits.
“Really, I hadn’t noticed,” he grins. “All right, I’ll let anda guys get to work. See anda tomorrow? I’ve, um, made reservations for after, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely,” Merlin smiles at him, squeezing his elbow affectionately before they head off.
“I do like this,” Merlin admits, taking another sip of his Vanilla Latte. “It’s a little sweet, but it’s good. Don’t think I could have it every day, though.”
Arthur nods vaguely, not paying attention.
“Arthur?” Merlin looks at his friend, who is completely lost in his own mind somewhere. His mind that is still back in Gwen’s bed.
“I’m thinking of dyeing my hair green and tattooing my face with alligator scales.”
Nothing.
“Got a letter from queen Elizabeth today. She berkata that she’s going to knight me. And she also berkata that I can have Prince William for my cinta slave.”
Arthur just sighs, and takes a drink of his cocoa, staring down at it like it is Guinevere. She’s drawn a big jantung on the side of the cup.
Merlin rolls his eyes.
“Arthur, I cinta anda and I want to have your babies.”
“What?” Arthur finally notices Merlin has been talking.
“Come here, big boy, give us a kiss,” Merlin grins, leaning over.
“You’re such a degenerate,” he pushes him playfully.
“I’ve been talking for the past ten minutes,” Merlin chides him.
“And I’m sure I missed something truly inspiring,” Arthur rolls his eyes.
“Was she that good?”
“Don’t know yet. We didn’t.”
Merlin stops walking and looks at him. “You spent the night together.”
“Yes. I slept with her, but I didn’t sleep with her. We made out a lot,” he grins.
“Really? Wow.”
“Still the best night of my life. She’s amazing.”
SATURDAY
Gwen brushes her teeth and throws her hair back into a quick ponytail, planning on showering later. Grabbing the latest batch of bakery from her kitchen, she heads down the stairs.
Arthur is waiting outside. Gwen’s face breaks into a broad smile as she approaches the door and sees him, dressed casually for a change in jeans and a Seahawks sweatshirt.
“I missed anda last night,” she says, opening the door for him.
“I missed you, too. It was my father’s birthday so I was obliged to be in attendance.” He brings his arm out from behind his back, producing a bouquet of bunga for her. “For you, my sweet.”
“Thank you.” She smiles and takes them in one hand, grabbing his hand with the other, pulling him with her to the counter. She set the bunga down and pulls him close, her arms around his neck. His hands stroke her back, holding her close, pulling her up slightly to receive his kiss.
“Can I get anda anything?” she asks, opening her eyes.
“Not anything I can have right here,” he smiles seductively, and she laughs, slapping his chest playfully.
Later.
Arthur pulls his bmw up to the front of Gwen’s coffee house, waiting.
“Is she coming out? Do we go pound on the doors like a couple of hooligans?” Merlin asks.
“I told her I’d be here at 6:30. She berkata she’d meet us out fr—oh, there she is,” he says, opening his door. “You: back seat,” he orders Merlin as he exits.
“Yes, Sire,” Merlin rolls his eyes and exits as well, moving to the back.
“Guinevere, anda look gorgeous,” Arthur sighs, momentarily forgetting how to walk. She’s wearing a mantel against the chilly autumn air, but her hair is down, one side tucked back with a bunga nestled in and she is wearing makeup as well, her succulent lips shiny and tempting. Her shapely legs taunt him above simple black heels, and he can see the hem of something purple peeking out from beneath her coat.
“Thank you, anda look very handsome,” she answers, leaning in while he kisses her cheek. And he does. He’s usually in a suit, atau at least a kemeja and tie, but I’ve never seen this one. At least I don’t remember it. Is that black atau navy? And cufflinks, very classy.
Arthur opens the door for her and gives her a hand in. “Hi, Merlin,” she says, looking back at him. “Do anda have enough room?”
“Hi, Gwen. Not really. anda look great. I think Arthur forgot his name for a detik there.”
Gwen laughs, and scoots her kursi forward. “Better?” And he only just saw me in my coat. I hope he likes the dress.
“Yes, thank you.”
“You didn’t have to pindah back there,” she says as Arthur buckles his kursi belt.
“Yes, he did,” Arthur smiles. Merlin reaches meneruskan, ke depan and smacks him lightly on the back of the head. “Put your seatbelt on, Merlin.”
They check Gwen’s coat, which is removed to unveil an aubergine dress, simple but elegant. Arthur stares as the rest of the room blurs. Her curves are outlined perfectly but demurely, the rok falling just below her knees, slightly flared at the bottom, leading up to a lovely narrow waist and a v-neck exposing a bit of tantalizing cleavage. The sleeves are long and fitted, outlining her slender arms.
“Wow,” is all Arthur can manage. Gwen smiles and looks down.
Merlin taps him on the shoulder. “Hey. Seats. Feeling like a third wheel here. And Gwen, anda look stunning.”
They follow the signs to their seats. “We’re in the first tier, I guess,” Merlin mutters, looking at the tickets.
They sit and look down over the konser hall. “These are good seats,” Merlin gushes. They are dead center in the detik row of the lowest balcony.
Gradually the players take their seats, and Arthur and Gwen watch in amusement as Merlin leans forward, eyes glued, searching for Leon.
He strides onstage in his tuxedo, bassoon cradled casually but carefully in the crook of his arm. He sits and peers up in their direction. Merlin ventures a small wave. Arthur snorts. Gwen smiles. So does Leon; he sees them.
The lights dim, and Arthur reaches for Gwen’s hand, holding it on his knee. “You really look beautiful, Gwen,” he leans over and whispers, brushing his lips against her soft cheek.
She squeezes his hand in thanks as a rakishly handsome man with long brown hair strides onto the stage like he owns it.
“Oh, not him,” Gwen says.
“What’s that?” Arthur turns to her.
“Piano soloist for the first half. Gwaine Appleby.”
“What about him?”
“He’s an excellent player. Fun to watch, actually. But he always tries to hit on me when I go backstage to see Leon,” she sighs.
Arthur’s brows furrow as he tries to form the pertanyaan in his head tactfully.
“No, I’ve never gone out with him, though not for lack of trying on his part,” Gwen chuckles, squeezing Arthur’s hand again.
“Shhh,” Merlin says as the conductor, an old man with white hair and expressive eyebrows, walks slowly onstage.
Arthur flips open the program. Rhapsody in Blue oleh Gershwin. Hmm. Must have missed this one on the ticket, I only remember seeing that Spring one. His eyes lift for a moment as the klarinet solo begins the piece, soaring out and over the theatre, capturing the crowd’s interest.
Just not Arthur’s, not really. He glances over to see Gwen and Merlin watching attentively. Merlin is just watching Leon, the little tart. He does like watching Gwen enjoy the music, though. I would watch her floss her teeth, though, I think.
He turns his attention back to the orchestra, watching the soloist, secretly hating him already for trying to pick up on his girl. But it was before anda had any claim on her, idiot, a voice in his head tells him. Doesn’t matter, he argues back. Okay, he is kind of fun to watch, I will admit that. Arthur watches the soloist, his long hair flying as his fingers dance over the keys. How can he even see? Well, I suppose anda don’t have to see to play piano. Look at Stevie Wonder. Gwaine lifts his head for a moment and Arthur can see he is grinning, leering at the piano almost lustily. Yeah, he thinks he’s hot shit.
Merlin leans over and whispers something to Gwen, and she nods in agreement and responds, gesturing with her free hand as they discuss some interesting aspect of the performance. Arthur adjusts his position in his kursi as the musik grows quiet. His eyes drift closed.
Her hand feels so small in mine. Very soft. Absently he strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. He opens his eyes again and glances at her, her face bathed in the ambient glow from the faraway stage lights, eyes bright, clearly enjoying the performance. I have never seen anything so beautiful. He longs to pull her into his lap and lavish kisses upon her. But that won’t do at all. Not here. He closes his eyes again.
She was so wonderful Thursday night. She made me spaghetti. Eventually. I cinta spaghetti. Cozy on her couch, cuddled under a soft blanket, watching a disney Movie. She felt so right in my arms. It was like I’d known her forever, like we had been together for years…
...Gwen turns to Arthur, her dewy lips parted, her sweet breath coming in short bursts, her breasts rising and falling in a most alluring way.
“Arthur,” she calls to him, her voice husky and soft. He reaches for her, paying no heed to the others in the seats around them, pulling her into his lap. The narrow theatre kursi expands to fit both of them comfortably as his lips find hers. The world around them shifts and they are in a field of purple flowers, a rolling meadow in the sun. He can feel the sun ciuman the crown of his head, warming his bare toes. He can feel the breeze blowing her hair against his neck, the soft curls tickling his skin.
“Guinevere, my love, my queen,” he mutters into her neck, his hands bunching the material of her dress as he holds her against him. She feels like silk. She tastes like spun sugar on his tongue. He encapsulates her petite body with his, surrounding her, protecting her from every bad thing, every person that may want to hurt her, every harm of the cruel world.
Gwen feels that Arthur’s hand has relaxed in hers, and she glances over at him. Snickering, she pokes Merlin and leans back, pointing at Arthur. They giggle a bit over him, but then the musik turns loud for the conclusion of the piece and his body jerks just slightly as he wakes. He peeks over at Gwen.
Busted.
She squeezes his hand, and he lifts it and kisses her slender fingers, leaning over to whisper, “Sorry.”
The piece ends, and the crowd erupts with applause, standing to tampil their appreciation.
They step out to stretch their legs and empty their bladders during the intermission, knowing that the detik half will be longer. Merlin grins at Arthur as they wash their hands. “You fell asleep.”
“A little bit. I guess I didn’t find the musik that interesting. Had a nice little dream about Guinevere, though.”
“Well, that’s… dangerous,” Merlin chuckles as they walk back out to the lobby area.
“It wasn’t that kind of dream. It was just… nice. Romantic. Cozy.”
“Cozy?”
“What?”
Merlin peers at Arthur. “You’re in cinta with her,” he says plainly.
Arthur opens his mouth to protest, but closes it. No point. He’s right. Besides, she’s coming. “Probably,” he admits, his eyes fixed on her as she approaches.
Smiling, she walks right up to Arthur, grabs the lapels of his coat, pulls his face down to hers, and kisses him. She releases him with a satisfied sigh. “Thank you. I needed that,” she says plainly.
Arthur recovers from his surprise quickly, laughing delightedly at Gwen’s actions. The lights flash in the lobby, signaling that the detik half is going to begin, and they file back to their seats with the rest of the crowd.
The house lights drop. The orchestra seems much larger than it was in the first half. “Are there lebih people?” Arthur asks. He really doesn’t remember much of what he saw atau heard Thursday night when they watched Fantasia; he was otherwise occupied.
“Yes, this piece is for a larger group of players than the last.”
“Hmm. I guess I thought that orchestras were, I don’t know, standard atau something,” he shrugs.
“Not at all. Now shh. Here comes Leon’s big moment.”
The piece starts, and the quiet of it stuns Arthur, who had been prepared to get hit with a dinding of sound from a group that size. Leon is the only one playing, a plaintive, lyrical solo. Haunting, floating, soft. Beautiful. Arthur glances over at Merlin, his eyes wide, on the edge of his seat.
Other players dribble in, adding their voices as Leon continues. It certainly sounds like spring, Arthur thinks. He settles back in his seat, Gwen’s hand still clasped in his on his knee. I already like this one much more.
The musik turns louder, darker, lebih primal. When the entire orchestra plays, he can feel the vibrations of the musik in his belly; the thumping of the drums, the growl of the brass, the bernyanyi of the strings.
This is really cool. I didn’t know classical musik could sound like this.
The three friends watch, each entranced, each lost in his own reverie as they watch and listen. The musik is ever-changing, now so soft and lyrical that they are almost straining to hear; now bombastic and fiery, full of passion and anguish.
There is no way I could fall asleep listening to this.
It ends all too soon, with a tiny floating flute solo and a final jarring chord. The crowd jumps to their feet as one, applauding exuberantly. Merlin whistles his appreciation when the conductor singles out Leon for a bow, followed oleh other soloists.
“Come on,” Gwen urges the two men down the aisle before the applause ends.
“What?” Merlin blusters as she pushes him and pulls Arthur. “Sorry. Excuse us,” he apologizes to the other patrons they are trying not to step on.
“If we’re going to get backstage, we have to go now,” she explains.
They hurry down, Gwen leading, holding Arthur’s hand in one of hers and Merlin’s in the other. Through a hidden door, down a small dank stairwell, to a heavy door. Arthur opens the door and Gwen enters, followed oleh Merlin and about ten other people, and his courtesy waylays him outside.
“Well, well, this is a gift I can really appreciate,” Gwaine says, closing in on Guinevere. People are passing him mawar and bottles of champagne and expensive chocolates, congratulatory spoils for his performance tonight. “I can’t wait to unwrap it,” he grins, leaning in close to her.
Gwen smiles politely and simply says, “Hello, Gwaine, anda played very well tonight, as always,” just as Arthur finally catches up to her.
“Sorry, I got stuck holding the door,” he says, bending to ciuman her cheek and place his arm around her shoulders in a possessive sort of way.
Much to their surprise, the cocky pianist immediately backs off. “Oh, sorry, man, I didn’t realize she had a boyfriend now,” he apologizes to Arthur, “I’m just playing around, anda know…” he backpedals.
I’ll be damned. “Gwaine Appleby, this is Arthur Pendragon,” Gwen decides to introduce them, since Gwaine decided to reveal the fact that he is a human being after all.
“Hi, nice to meet you, anda lucky bastard,” Gwaine says, offering a hand, which Arthur accepts and shakes with a chuckle. “Pendragon? You’re not related to that lawyer guy are you, the one with those really dumb commercials?”
Arthur laughs. “That lawyer guy would be my father,” he says, “and you’re right, those commercials suck. I told him, but he doesn’t listen to me.” He shrugs, finding he likes this piano player despite himself.
Leon and Merlin work their way over to them, and Gwen jumps, throwing her arms around her cousin’s neck in a large hug.
“Lee, that was awesome! anda were freaking out for nothing! It was so good,” she gushes, and he smiles shyly.
“Thanks,” he says. “Hey, Arthur, did anda have a nice nap?” Leon grins at him.
Arthur punches Merlin on the shoulder. “You told!”
“Of course I told; it was too good!”
Gwaine looks at them. “Nap?” he raises an eyebrow.
“During your performance,” Leon teases. “But he stayed awake for the detik half.”
Gwaine laughs again, surprising them once again. “First time for everything, I guess.”
“Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to…” Arthur says, trying to save face.
“Hey, no problem. Hope anda had some dreams about Gwennie-pie at least,” he winks, then turns as someone has tapped him on the shoulder. “Nice meeting you. Later,” he says, turning away.
Arthur glowers at Merlin. “Thanks, jerk.”
“Oh, lighten up,” Merlin laughs, and looks at his watch, then at Leon.
“Yeah, we need to go,” Leon says.
“Merlin, why don’t anda ride with Leon?” Gwen suggests, gently pushing him in the same direction as her cousin.
“Yeah, why don’t I?” he agrees, and walks off with Leon.
“So Arthur, what did anda think of the concert?” Leon finally asks while they eat. He looks both exhausted and exhilarated at the same time, spent yet full of adrenaline.
“Well, the parts I stayed awake for were very good,” Arthur grins. “I really liked Rite of Spring. I’ve never heard anything like it. I mean, Guinevere made me watch Fantasia the other night with her, but, um, I don’t really remember much from it…” he trails off, realizing he may have talked himself into a corner.
They all laugh, and Gwen blushes. “So. I told anda there was going to be a quiz.” She turns slightly toward him, intentionally pressing her knee against his under the table.
Arthur sighs. “All right. The beginning was definitely the spring part. I could totally hear that. So I can assume that the rest would have something to do with the Rite, then. Sure sounded like some sort of pagan ceremony going on. What was the phrase I thought of? Oh yeah: cavemen having sex.”
The meja erupts with laughter, drawing looks from other diners now.
“You’re not terribly far off the mark,” Leon says. “The musik was actually originally written for a ballet. Primitive society, ritual sacrifice of a maiden. She dances herself to death.”
“Lovely.”
“Yeah, the crowd rioted at its premiere.”
“It was that good?”
“No, they hated it. It was 1913, remember. These were sounds that had never been heard before. The audience thought it was noise, and the dancing scandalous.”
Arthur makes a confused face.
“Think of it like our parents and grandparents and all their friends going to a nirvana atau Alice in Chains concert,” Gwen adds, twining her foot around his.
“Ah,” Arthur nods, touching her knee beneath the table, trying not to get too distracted.
“Stravinsky was a rock star,” Leon muses, almost to himself, lifting his glass to take a drink.
The waiter asks if they’d like dessert. They start to decline, but Arthur glances at Gwen. “You want dessert, don’t you?” he asks, smiling knowingly at her.
“No. Yes. Can we membagi, split something?”
“Whatever anda want,” he says, moving his hand to cover hers.
“As long as there aren’t blueberries in it,” she amends, remembering. She picks up the dessert menu the waiter has brought. “Ooo. cokelat kacang mentega cheesecake atau cokelat lava cake?”
“Either would be excellent. Which one is bigger?” he asks the waiter.
“We’ll have one of each and we can all share,” Leon declares, plucking the menu from Gwen’s hands and handing it to the waiter, who nods and walks away.
Outside.
The four friends stand in the cold, damp night air atau the parking lot.
Leon hugs Gwen and shakes Arthur’s hand. “Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot to me.”
“I always cinta your concerts,” Gwen says, inching closer to Arthur. She’s cold.
“So, um…” Merlin says, not sure which car he should go to.
Leon reaches for Merlin’s hand, and Merlin has his answer.
Smiling, he waves at Arthur and Gwen as he walks around to the passenger side of Leon’s car.
“Have fun, but keep in mind anda will have to work on Monday,” Arthur calls, teasing his best friend. Merlin just grins and ducks into the car.
“Are anda tired?” Arthur turns to Gwen, his hands holding her arms gently.
“I’m mostly cold. Can we get in the car?”
“Oh, sorry! Yes, of course,” he quickly opens the passenger door for her and ushers her inside. He jogs around and climbs in, quickly turning the car on and cranking the heat.
Looking over at her, huddled in her mantel trying to get warm, Arthur feels good. Right. Happy. Unbelievably happy. He leans over and touches her chin with his fingertips, turning her face towards his.
She leans into his kiss, her hand coming across the center console of the car to grip his thigh just above his knee while his hand slips around behind her neck, the curious coarse-yet-soft texture of her curls caressing his knuckles.
Guinevere sighs into his lips, parting hers to meet his tongue with her own. Arthur’s other hand reaches for her waist, trying to pull her closer, craving the feel of her body against his, but the layout of the car is against him and all he can do is clutch her mantel in his fist, frustrated.
“Wow, I’m warm now,” Gwen says once their lips part, squeezing his leg gently as she bestows a coy little smile on him.
He smiles back, basking in her presence. “Do you… do anda want to go somewhere?” he asks, his mind empty of anything intelligent to say.
She nods. “Your place.”
Song suggestion: “Girlfriend” oleh Matthew Sweet. And if anda don’t know “Rhapsody in Blue” atau “The Rite of Spring,” do check them out.
Part 12: link
