Fic: Moment # 4: Tea, Arthur/Gwen, G
Title: Moment # 4: Tea
Author: kepp0xy
Rating: G
Characters/Pairing: Arthur/Gwen
Warning: Nooope
Summary: Gwen goes to the kitchen in the middle of the night after soothing one of Morgana's nightmares, just to discover Arthur there ahead of her.
Author's Notes: I have a series ficlets that are random A/G Moments that span from just after Le Morte to the night before Arthur rides to the battle of Camlann; since they were just sitting in my documents, I thought I'd start posting them. Because they're ficlets, they're unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine. I'll probably aim to post one every two weeks. # 1: Check Up; # 2: Counsel; # 3: Delay. Comments are ♥ & concrit appreciated!
Gwen watched him as he filled the kettle with water. His hair flopped down over his face, shielding his eyes from her view, but a small smile spread his lips and she knew he was aware of her attention. She sat perched on a stool next to the preparations table; Morgana had just fallen asleep after another nightmare, and Gwen had come down for a piece of bread and tea. The kitchens were empty at this time of night, the staff's snores and rustles sounding quietly from their rooms just off the side of the castle, and she had been surprised to discover the Prince there before her, in the midst of taking out a kettle.
"I would never have thought I'd find you here," she finally said slowly as he put the kettle on the stove, bending to light the tinder.
Straightening, Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. He shrugged and Gwen raised a brow at his silence. "I also never thought I'd see you at a loss for words." A laugh thread itself through her tones and she hoped he did not miss it. She was surprised at herself for being so forward, but Arthur had recently been receptive to her thoughts and that, combined with the comforting scents and warmth of the kitchen were lulling her into a higher sense of security in his company.
He snorted and ducked his head, surprisingly hesitant, before looking up at her from beneath his fringe. "I don't come down often. But sometimes... after a long and particularly stimulating day..." His eyes went somewhere far from the kitchen and Gwen tilted her head as she watched him. She tried not to consider what weight must be on his and Uther's shoulders as they considered the whole of Camelot; but as his eyes focused elsewhere, and the muscles on his face tightened, Gwen couldn't deny her sympathy to him. She wished she could help ease his load in some way, but it was a daft conception and she banished it from her mind.
He shook his head as his eyes refocused on the present before clearing his throat uncomfortably and looking away from her. "I find the stillness of the kitchen in the middle of the night and the taste of a fresh cup of tea soothing."
She could not find fault in that sentiment, as it was that very thing that had drawn her there. Gwen wasn't aware that her thoughts showed on her expression until he had glanced at her just to look away again in embarrassment. "Is your tea any good?" she asked teasingly, after allowing the silence to settle between them again.
"It's fine for me," he said, chin rising somewhat defiantly. The rising storm cleared from his expression after a beat and he met her gaze more softly. "I... well," he paused to think through his words and straightened his shoulders. "I put on enough water for you as well... If you're interested."
Gwen let the offer hang between them before standing and nodding, making her way to the counter that held the castle's selection of teas.
Next Moment...
Author: kepp0xy
Rating: G
Characters/Pairing: Arthur/Gwen
Warning: Nooope
Summary: Gwen goes to the kitchen in the middle of the night after soothing one of Morgana's nightmares, just to discover Arthur there ahead of her.
Author's Notes: I have a series ficlets that are random A/G Moments that span from just after Le Morte to the night before Arthur rides to the battle of Camlann; since they were just sitting in my documents, I thought I'd start posting them. Because they're ficlets, they're unbeta'd so all mistakes are mine. I'll probably aim to post one every two weeks. # 1: Check Up; # 2: Counsel; # 3: Delay. Comments are ♥ & concrit appreciated!
Gwen watched him as he filled the kettle with water. His hair flopped down over his face, shielding his eyes from her view, but a small smile spread his lips and she knew he was aware of her attention. She sat perched on a stool next to the preparations table; Morgana had just fallen asleep after another nightmare, and Gwen had come down for a piece of bread and tea. The kitchens were empty at this time of night, the staff's snores and rustles sounding quietly from their rooms just off the side of the castle, and she had been surprised to discover the Prince there before her, in the midst of taking out a kettle.
"I would never have thought I'd find you here," she finally said slowly as he put the kettle on the stove, bending to light the tinder.
Straightening, Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. He shrugged and Gwen raised a brow at his silence. "I also never thought I'd see you at a loss for words." A laugh thread itself through her tones and she hoped he did not miss it. She was surprised at herself for being so forward, but Arthur had recently been receptive to her thoughts and that, combined with the comforting scents and warmth of the kitchen were lulling her into a higher sense of security in his company.
He snorted and ducked his head, surprisingly hesitant, before looking up at her from beneath his fringe. "I don't come down often. But sometimes... after a long and particularly stimulating day..." His eyes went somewhere far from the kitchen and Gwen tilted her head as she watched him. She tried not to consider what weight must be on his and Uther's shoulders as they considered the whole of Camelot; but as his eyes focused elsewhere, and the muscles on his face tightened, Gwen couldn't deny her sympathy to him. She wished she could help ease his load in some way, but it was a daft conception and she banished it from her mind.
He shook his head as his eyes refocused on the present before clearing his throat uncomfortably and looking away from her. "I find the stillness of the kitchen in the middle of the night and the taste of a fresh cup of tea soothing."
She could not find fault in that sentiment, as it was that very thing that had drawn her there. Gwen wasn't aware that her thoughts showed on her expression until he had glanced at her just to look away again in embarrassment. "Is your tea any good?" she asked teasingly, after allowing the silence to settle between them again.
"It's fine for me," he said, chin rising somewhat defiantly. The rising storm cleared from his expression after a beat and he met her gaze more softly. "I... well," he paused to think through his words and straightened his shoulders. "I put on enough water for you as well... If you're interested."
Gwen let the offer hang between them before standing and nodding, making her way to the counter that held the castle's selection of teas.
Next Moment...