Chapter Text
Happy to finally, finally make it home after her double shift at the shop, Gwen tosses her bag onto her armchair and curls up on her bed, feet dangling off the side so her boots won’t touch the duvet. She knows she should get up to take them off and change, but she’s so tired she just wants one minute to close her eyes and hope the ache of standing on her feet all day will leave her.
Turning onto her back, she sighs, amazed at how much softer the bed feels after a ten hour shift, and wonders whether she can turn one minute into ten and nap when the door opens and Merlin bursts into her room.
“Gwen!! Good, you’re home. Morgana just rang. She’s stopping by with takeaway in a bit.”
Gwen sits up, running her hand through her now unruly curls. “Is she okay?”
Merlin beams at her. “Yep! We did a volunteer shift at the animal shelter this morning, and she wants to pick up Aithusa.”
“Who?!”
He reaches down into an emerald green carrier that she hadn’t noticed was sitting at his feet. “This little darling!”
Gwen shrieks at the hairless, four-legged creature in his hands, wondering if she had in fact fallen asleep and into a very odd dream. “What is that?”
“Tsk. Not what, who?”
“No, seriously what is that?”
Merlin looks from side to side and shakes his head slightly. “Aithusa is a sphinx cat, Gwen.”
She squeezes her eyes shut and sighs. “And why does Morgana have a sphinx cat?”
“Because she’s adorable,” Merlin deadpans before smiling at the cat and tickling it between its ears, "and was found abandoned in a bin outside of the shelter and we couldn’t just leave her. The shelter didn’t even want her."
Gwen stands and moves closer to the cat. “I suppose she is kind of cute.” She reaches out a hand towards the animal but quickly pulls it back when it hisses at her. “If not very friendly.”
“That’s odd. She hasn’t done that to us. Have you, Aithusa?” he questions the cat and starts making baby noises, oblivious to the amusement on Gwen’s face.
“Please tell me Aithusa is going to be living with Morgana?”
Merlin pouts. “Don’t you like her?”
Gwen gives the cat another look and tentatively tries to stroke it, but it reaches out a wrinkly paw and scratches her before she can give it another chance. “I'm glad you and Morgana are giving her a home, but regardless of how I feel, I don’t think she likes me.” She cringes, examining the shallow cut on her hand. “When is Morgana coming over?”
“In about an hour, but we told Arthur to be here around seven.”
Blood rushes to her cheeks at the mention, even as she wills herself to keep her expression calm. “You did what?”
Merlin looks at her with slightly widened eyes, giving off the overly-innocent expression she knows only too well, as he slowly repeats himself, “We told Arthur to be here around seven.”
Gwen nods and looks away, clearing her throat. "Is he coming alone?"
Merlin nods, giving her his best reassuring smile. "You know he only has eyes for you."
She flushes at that, thinking back to their meeting the night before last, when she’d finally explained the whole ordeal with Lancelot. “I’m not sure I deserve that.”
“Yes, you do, Gwen. In no way were you at fault for what happened.”
“I know, but I still hurt him. I didn’t know I was drugged when he caught us kissing, and he certainly didn’t know.”
“No, but he does now, and he’s sorry, so so sorry.”
She nods, looking down and fidgeting with her sleeve. “I miss him so much, Merlin.”
“I know, and truly, Gwen, I know he misses you more than he can bring himself to say. He’s been a right pain.”
“I’m sorry you’ve been in the middle of all of this.”
“It’s been my pleasure.”
She frowns.
“Well not my pleasure, but I’ve been happy to help. I doubt you and Arthur would be talking again if it wasn’t for me and Morgana.”
Gwen smiles, mouth still closed and the memories of the past few, miserable weeks running through her mind. "Thank you, Merlin.”
“You’re welcome.”
Merlin spreads his arms, Aithusa still tucked into one side, and she steps in to quickly hug him but jumps back as a loud hiss echoes in her ear. “She really doesn’t like me.”
“I don’t understand it.”
“Maybe she’s just bonded to you and Morgana.”
Merlin nods. “I’m sure she’ll warm up to her Auntie Gwen before long.” Gwen clears her throat, and Merlin readopts his normal speaking voice. “I wonder what Arthur’s going to say when he sees her.”
“Ha. I doubt he’s going to take to her right away. I don’t see him as much of a cat person.” She pauses, worrying her lip. “I just hope tonight won’t be awkward.”
“It won’t be. I promise. You can both help me wrap Morgana’s Christmas present.”
Gwen smiles, grateful for Merlin’s relentless efforts to smooth things over between her and Arthur. “What did you get her?”
“I made her gift!” Merlin beams and puts Aithusa back in her carrier.
“Can I see?”
“You’ll see when Arthur gets here.” He smirks. “Speaking of which, we need to get you ready.”
Gwen groans. “No, Merlin, I’m not changing.”
“But, you’re wearing lavender, and we’re being festive tonight!”
“I thought we were just having curry.”
Merlin nods, eyes wide. “And then we’re going to go pick out a Christmas tree! and decorate! and watch Christmas films!”
“All tonight?”
“Yes!”
Gwen sighs, thinking of the long bath she’d planned to take and the night of pyjamas that was not to be. “How much time do I have?”
“About twenty minutes. You go shower, and I’ll pick out your clothes.”
“I can dress myself, Merlin.”
“Yeeees, but you can save time this way. And anyway, Morgana told me what she wants you to wear.”
She feels her brows shoot up before she can even answer.
“She has a specific colour scheme she wants us to stick to,” Merlin elaborates, walking towards her wardrobe.
“She doesn’t want us to dress up as elves again, does she?”
Merlin flushes, and Gwen can’t blame him. The hat Morgana had made him had been exceptionally memorable. And plume-y. “No. No. That was a one-time thing. She knows we’re never doing that again, not even for another charity show.”
“Good, because I don’t think Arthur would comply this time.” Arthur’s costume hadn’t been much better, covered in green and gold tassels.
Merlin shakes his head. “I don’t think I would either.”
She bursts out laughing as he shudders, and she wonders whether she can find photos of the event from last Christmas.
“What does she want this year, then?”
Merlin smirks. “You’ll see. Go on.”
Shooting him a skeptical look, she pulls off her boots and heads towards her en-suite. “Just promise me there won’t be any tassels involved.” The not-so-subtle smell of gingerbread hits her as she opens the door. “Merlin?! Why does it smell like a Christmas bakery in here?”
“Embrace the festive spirit, Gwen.”
She turns, hand posed on her hip. “What did I say about going into my bathroom?!”
Merlin shrugs. “It wasn’t me! Morgana went through the whole flat when she was here this morning. I found peppermint sticks in my pencil jar when I tried to get to work earlier.”
Softly shaking her head, she shuts the door and hopes that the evening won’t be a total disaster.