An Unexpected Surprise [Modern AU]

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur felt her return the kiss, in the same way he had given it; soft, lingering, gentle . . . a kind of kiss that they had not shared before. And one that he was savoring right now, finding himself wishing that it did not have to come to an end. He felt so many different things right now as her soft lips touched his. He wasn't sure how to explain any of those emotions . . . he just knew they were so strong in his heart, consuming his entire being. It was different this time. Different from other women; different even from when he had kissed her with such intense passion. In a way, it felt like this was their first kiss. When it came to its inevitable end, Arthur slowly opened his eyes, looking down at her. He had never been good with words, and especially now . . . he was at a complete loss as what to say. Usually he would offer a joke, or tease . . . but not this time.

This moment called for something softer; something that could be expressed through actions and looks as oppose to verbal expression. He moved forward, not to kiss her again, but to move as close to her as he could. He lowered his head so that the bottom of his cheek -- closer to his chin -- was rested on the side of her head. He continued to sway to the music, which was perhaps the only thing that prevented this from being a proper hug. Still, his arms were around her and he was holding her close. He closed his eyes, wanting to just completely absorb this moment and not think of anything else or anyone else . . . apart from the woman he was holding here in his arms right now. In what felt like a perfect moment in time.

[Guinevère]

She wasn't sure how long they stayed like that as one song faded into the next. Arthur holding her, and her just clinging to the emotional warmth that he filled her with. Finally she pulled back just enough to look at his face, "Arthur," She whispered, getting lost in his eyes and feeling something so strong in this moment, "I--" The crowd of people let out an 'ooo' and her words were cut off. Looking up she gasped, and held tighter to him.

The stars filled the sky, but there also looked as if some where moving. As if the sky held many falling stars, and you could make wishes on each one. A few of them seemed to form an oval in the way they fell, but most of them just left streaks of reds and blues in the dark night sky! Guinevère just looked up, using Arthur to keep from loosing balance as she took in the sight that she had been waiting for. It was beautiful! The whole night was perfect! Ever thing about it was perfect!

Because Arthur was here to complete it. Looking at him, she smiled brightly, "It's beautiful!" She told him, "Thank you, for tonight." Leaning forward she kissed the corner of his lips, wrapped her arms around his neck and looked back up at the sky, taking in nature's greatest show.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When he felt her pull back, he slowly did the same until their eyes met. He found himself waiting with great anticipation to hear what she wanted to say . . . but her words were cut off by the crowd around them who were making noises of awe. That was when Arthur realized that it wasn't just the two of them. That more people actually existed apart from her. And he tried to break out of the trance that gazing upon her seemed to put him in. Every single time. He looked up at the night sky, never having quite seen a sight like this before. These sort of activities were not things that he and his friends did . . . it wasn't how he spent his spare time. And he knew that if it wasn't for her, then he never would have even considered doing this. Quite frankly, he was glad for it. Grateful for the opportunity even though his primary reason for coming still and always would be to spend time with her.

"It's beautiful!" It wasn't until she spoke that he realized his eyes had at some point fallen from gazing at the sky, and instead, look at her as she was so close to him. "I agree. Beautiful," he said in a soft voice though in his mind, he was not talking about the brilliant show of shooting stars. He was talking about her, for even all of nature's glory paled in comparison. Eventually, he joined the crowd in looking up at what everyone had gathered here to see. He smiled when she thanked him, knowing that it should be the other way around. "I should be the one thanking you," he said, speaking aloud his thoughts. "For letting me share this night with you," he added as he put his arm around her waist to hold her close to him.

[Guinevère]

"I agree. Beautiful," Yes!! "It reminds me of that painting, the one of the night sky where everything is blue and has lines instead of shapes. Stary night I think it is called." While the sky was not blue, it was just as beautiful, and she knew that painting would forever remind her of dancing under the stars with Arthur Pendragon and the delicate and perfect kiss he'd gifted her with while the best song in the world made this feel like a movie.

"I should be the one thanking you," She looked at his face, her own bright with wonder and joy, thinking that he should not be thanking her. Arthur had come here uninvited and made her night go from enjoyable to ecstatically loveable in the span of an half hour. "For letting me share this night with you," His charm was so casual, and real--genuine. It did not feel like lines but words from the heart. "I am glad you came, for I think tonight . . . . This last half hour . . . "

"It was perfect, and I am grateful you were here to share it with me. You made it perfect."

[Arthur Pendragon]

The painting . . . Starry night. "By Van Gogh," Arthur said, knowing exactly what she was talking about. He didn't really have the opportunity to hold conversation about such arts with other people. Most of his discussions were either about medicine or politics and by the time he was free of both tedious topics, then he just wanted something not to intellectual. Yet with her, conversation came easy and without strain or awkwardness. Well, despite those moments where something happened and there was a brief tense silence. But he was not thinking of such things right now. "At least we got to see the real thing," he said, going back to his awe in never having seen nature in this way before. And again, it was thanks to her. For he never would have thought to spend his Friday night here . . . and now, she had made it an ideal way to spend it.

He looked at her when she spoke of how she was glad he had come, and how he had made this night perfect. He wasn't sure he could believe that, for he had caused her enough stress as it was. But at least he seemed to be doing something right . . . for once. "I can honestly say, that I can't think of a better way to spend my night." Than with her, here. It was strange that the span of half an hour could drastically change his plans and preferences. But she seemed to have that effect on him. Just as she seemed to effect him in so many other ways as well. Ways that he wasn't going to reveal, for he did not even know how to put them into words.

[Guinevère]

"Yes that one!" She was pleased he knew of which one, though to be honest, everyone knew of that painting. "Do you think a night like this was what he saw? All those years ago?" A star filled field and then everything moved and burst into color lines while the stars glowed almost brighter. "Could that be the lines in the sky?" Guinevère didn't see this as deep conversation as this was just a painting. Just casual conversation on a not so casual night between two consenting adults.

His words made her fill with joy! Arthur and her seemed to be on the same page with the night and how wonderful it was! The wind picked up and Guinevère hugged closer to him, and pulled her scarf up to help keep her hair in place. "I can think of only one thing to make it better," She whispered softly, moving up on her toes to kiss him again. This time slightly more then the lite kiss of before. Though, without her hands on her scarf she felt it tug, and pull away. Reaching for it as the wind took it out of her reach the short kiss broke.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur thought about her question. "He had to have gotten the inspiration from somewhere," he decided . . . though of course was uncertain. It was a beautiful painting and unless it was made clear, one never quite knew what inspired artists to pain what they did. "If I had any talent painting, then I would have been inspired tonight." And the beauty that would have inspired him was not limited to what nature had shown them. "I can think of only one thing to make it better." He looked at her, having a feeling that he knew where it was going . . . and soon that feeling turned to certainty as she reached up to kiss him. He of course like always returned the light kiss, wrapped his arms around her and inhaling deeply.

He had once said that he thought their amorous activities had been earth shattering . . . but kissing her in this way was the equivalent, if not greater than earth shattering. He was losing himself in it despite its short duration, for it was abruptly broken when the scarf blew out of her hands. It was then that he realized the crowd was starting to disperse as the show was over . . . and no one was there to help them catch the scarf. "Looks like nature isn't being so kind after all," he joked, breaking his hold of her so that he could reach for her scarf . . . though it seemed to be blowing further and further away.

[Guinevère]

"If I had any talent painting, then I would have been inspired tonight." She wished that she had a camera to have brought, but the only one she had a need for was on her phone and that one worked out well. She knew she would buy a new one before the baby came, but in this moment she wished she had it now. Something to perfectly capture them together. A photo of them together. How wonderful that could be.

"Looks like nature isn't being so kind after all," Arthur said as he reached and grabbed for her scarf. Guinevère moved forward, and then the wind took it another few feet. Hurrying forward she started chasing after it. "The sky was, but down here not so much!" She joked, laughing as right when she almost had it, the wind took it another few feet again, and then more so. "It's my favorite one!" she squeaked as she hurried after it again!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur's next question was going to be how much did she like that scarf. But she had answered it without him having to inquire about it . . . by saying it was her favorite. And it still kept being pulled out of their grasp. He began to join her, jogging after it yet it seemed that every time it was within their reach . . . the wind blew it further and further away. Deeper into the park. "I hope its worth all this effort," he said teasingly, obviously having no issue with chasing down a scarf . . . apart from the slight embarrassment caused by it. But it appeared that there were not many people around any more. A combination of nature's show being over and them moving further away from the gathering.

As they continued to chase it, the scarf began to move further and further from the ground and higher up into the air. Until it finally reached a stop . . . mostly because it was caught in a tree branch. One that was higher than Arthur could reach. He stopped in front of the tree, and stared up at it, trying to judge the height. "I think we could reach that . . . if I lift you up to get it." His words held a tone of flirtatious teasing as he looked at her. It was either that . . . or having to climb the tree. And Arthur would rather try the former idea before resorting to the latter.

[Guinevère]

"I hope its worth all this effort," "It is!" She cried out, as they chased it, "It was a gift from my father!" Guinevère knew that she would be heartbroken if something happened to it, but she didn't think her father had gifted it to her so she could let it sit in a box. She would wear it, and care for it gently for as long as she could, then when it was frayed and worn she would return it to the box, and only bring it out for memories.

Finally it came to rest in a tree, higher then either of them were tall. She glanced around to see if anyone taller was near, but she noticed no one was near. Not a single person. They'd gone into the woods a bit, and too far away from the crowd. "I think we could reach that . . . if I lift you up to get it." Lift her?! Could she try to climb it? Not in these shoes. "Alright," She said hesitantly, and stepped closer, hoping she wasn't too heavy. "It does not look tangled, I will make sure to be quick." So he didn't have to hold her longer.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur then completely understood her attachment to the scarf. He treasured the few possessions he had that his mother had left for him . . . and it was no easy thing to part with such a sentimental gift. It made him all the more determined to help her get it back. Even from a tree. He looked at her when she accepted the offer, detecting the hesitancy in her voice. "If this doesn't work I'll climb up and get it," he told her, wanting her to know that either way, he would help her get the scarf down. "Lets just try this first," he added. Something a bit easier and less dangerous. Looking back at the tree once more to try and find the best direction to lift her toward, he then turned his attentions to her.

"I won't drop you, promise," he said with both teasing and truth. She was small and he doubted she would prove to be too much to lift. Moving closer to her, he then swiftly lifted her from the waist, hoisting her up a bit more so that she could half sit on his shoulder. It could give her better balance and help her brace herself; giving her more stability to then just focus on retrieving the scarf. He looked up, trying to see if, or when she would get it.

[Guinevère]

"I won't drop you, promise," "I trust you," She told him, as he lifted her up and let her almost sit on his shoulder. She knew he would let no harm come to her, for it wasn't who he was--he valued life and worked to save it. Arthur had always radiated this protectiveness about him, and she had always felt safe with him. It was why she kept letting he do things with her, that she had not let other people--other men.

Guinevère held tightly to his hands at first but then reached up to try to reach the scarf. She ended up having to hold a branch to pull herself a little higher in order to reach it enough to get it down without a tear in it. "I've got it!" She exclaimed, letting the branch go so he could bring her down, and she could thank him for his efforts! He had helped her get the scarf back with out a mark on it! "Thank you!" She told him, "Thank you very much!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

While she was not heavy, it was a slightly uncomfortable position -- for them both he was fairly certain. So when she said she got the scarf, Arthur looked up, and then slowly pulled her down so that she wouldn't fall and he could still have a solid hold on her. As she moved lower, he put his hands under her arms so that could turn her toward him, and thus be able to catch her better to help her ease to the ground. Only, when her feet were touching the ground, he did not exactly let her go. His hands along down her sides, until they rested on her hips. "You're welcome," he said in response to her words of gratitude. He found himself just looking at her.

He glanced down at the scarf and took it in his hand, proceeding to loosely tie it around her neck. "There," he said when he was done. Really, it was just an excuse to be slightly more intimate with her . . . not that he needed one. For these sort of moments never felt awkward. "Best make sure you don't lose that again," he added. He kept one hand rested on her shoulder, while the other one moved to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear . . . letting his fingers graze the softness of her cheek.

[Guinevère]

Arthur turned her to face him after he sat her down on the ground, and Guinevère looked up into his eyes. "Best make sure you don't lose that again," She wanted to say something cute or witty in return but the way he looked at her, and tucked her hair behind her ear was making her feel that warm sort of happy feeling again. Romantic. There, she'd given it a name. Arthur was being romantic toward her and it was inspiring her romantic side to come out.

Pushing up to her toes, Guinevère kissed him. Just once, lightly, before pulling away to whisper just loud enough for him to hear. "Arthur," And then she kissed him, really kissed him. She wished they were back at her home, or his--as she had never seen it before--so they could make tonight perfect. Yet right now, she could only think about how she felt when he kissed her like this.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Guinevère had done what he'd been longing to do, what he had been thinking about -- as he often did whenever they stood so close. This time, there was a stronger passion in the kiss and Arthur intensified it. He stepped forward until her back was against the tree, which was really only a few steps away. He pressed the palm of his hands on either side of her, against the thick trunk of the tree so that he could better brace himself, as he kissed her desperately. The need and desire for her was starting to burn through him. Perhaps it was what tonight had been building to all along. Either way, it was getting stronger and stronger.

His lips moved from hers to her neck, kissing along it and not even thinking of how there could be people walking around right now. In between his kisses, he paused to whisper in her ear. "We should go back to your place." There was obvious suggestion in his voice, just as his actions also indicated his reason for saying so. He would have offered his own place, but hers was closer . . . less of a drive and thus, less of a wait. For he felt like he needed her right now. Wanting to feel more of her his hands fell from the tree and went to her shoulders, moving along her arms as his lips frantically returned to hers. Even though he said that they should go back to her place, he made no attempt to move. For he was far too distracted at the moment.

[Guinevère]

Arthur backed them toward the tree, and she felt it press into her back! "We should go back to your place." "Yes," She agreed, though Guinevère wasn't moving either. At least not toward where they would need to walk to get to her flat. She was however, enjoying his actions enough to begin her own. Holding his shoulders closer, and tilting her head to give him easier access to her. "Yes,"

Her hand moved lower to dip of his back, while the other moved higher to help balance her while one of her legs moved up to rest on the back of his cafe. Not up to his hip, but welcoming him closer. "Yes," She was still agreeing but she could not even recall the question. Had he asked her something? What was she agreeing too? Whatever it was, she was hoping it involved more of his lips on her's. Arthur was an extremely talented kisser, and the feelings he could inspire within her were warm, turning hot and taking over were reason and logic was not fading out of exsitance. "Arthur," She called his name, loving how it felt on her lips.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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[Guinevère]

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[Arthur Pendragon]

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[Guinevère]

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