I've lost hope of getting many reviews for this fic but I shall persist and write because its the only plot that's flowing out of my mind at the moment.

And thanks so much to people who did take the time to review or add this story to your favorites, love you all!

Chapter - 4

The next day Gwaine woke up to find that on his table was an assortment of flowers sitting in several vases.

Gwaine who was just waking up found this very odd indeed for he'd never asked for anyone to put flowers or vases in his room, he found them tiresome to move around and what was the point of it when they only wilted away and made the place dirty, not to mention the mess he would cause if he moved wrongly and broke a vase.

Thus was his confusion in his state of half slumber that he slumped back into the bed, deciding to worry later about the fact that his room was apparently decorated with flowers, he had no duties to attend to in the morning now that he wasn't allowed to drill with his knights because of Arthur the Prince Prat.

It was only then that his mind chose to remind him that 'flowers' were courting gifts and he sat up abruptly giving the innocent looking red, blue and yellow flowers a dirty look. He crossed the room on quick feet and pulled up the note attached to it with fury.

'I'm sorry for having embarrassed you in front of everyone yesterday Gwaine, I was out of line and I hope you will forgive me, the flowers are entirely Morgana's doing, please don't assign guilt on me for that, the least I could do was to stop her from sending her ill written love note along with them.'

Gwaine smiled despite himself, maybe the Prince had a decent side to his personality after all, he'd thought for a moment there that Arthur was trying to send him 'flower's' like he was a girl. He'd have cracked Arthur's nose for that if he'd tried. No wonder Morgana was being meddlesome and sending him flowers in place of Arthur, just taking a look at them now Gwaine could see this was all Morgana's doing, he couldn't imagine Arthur having the patience to pluck flowers from the palace's garden.

Gwaine was not sure about forgiving Arthur though; the prince had acted arrogant and assuming, and had even insulted Gwaine calling him less capable because of his omega status. No, he would not let a measly little note no matter if it were sincere enough sway him from his judgment of Arthur.

Gwaine then thought on what his father said to him the night before and decided he would give Arthur a chance but only if he proves himself to be the man his father thought Arthur to be would Gwaine even entertain the notion of being married to the man.

With that in mind Gwaine dressed up making unusual fuss about his clothes for once that Edgar sighed and muttered, "My Prince, you'd look dashing in anything you wear."

Gwaine then selected dark black trousers that hugged his legs and arse in all the right places and a white shirt loose and showing a strip of his chest.

"Right Edgar, I want you to prepare my horse for tomorrow, I'm going for a hunt. This inactivity imposed upon me by the castle's guests is making me restless."

"Of course your highness" Edgar muttered what suspiciously seemed like 'restless indeed' but Gwaine shrugged it off and cast one long look at the flowers deciding he'd throw them out in the evening before he walked out of his chambers.

He did not do it intentionally but his feet lead him to the training grounds, and he saw Arthur practicing with one of his Knights, he kept himself hidden behind a stone wall to observe surreptitiously. Arthur was Gwaine begrudgingly accepted a very good fighter indeed, they were practicing in pairs and so far Arthur had defeated five of his opponents and out of the lot only two of them were worthy opponents, one of them Leon and another dark haired Knight Gwaine had no clue as to whom.

Arthur moved with a kind of fluid grace showing surprising agility in his bulky armor. His footwork was excellent and unlike some men he'd seen who reacted on impulse in a fight Arthur planned every move before making a strike, he seemed to anticipate every move of his opponent and had a handy move to thwart them.

After the dark haired man, who was quite handsome in Gwaine's observation was defeated, Arthur seemed to take pity on his men and said "You're dismissed for today, please do improve yourselves on the morrow, you're all a great embarrassment to Camelot."

Arthur said it in the most obnoxious voice possible standing stiff and regal and Gwaine rolled his eyes, 'prat' he thought in his mind as Arthur strode off to the side leaving the knights of Camelot to groan and moan in pain.

Gwaine appeared from where he'd been hiding for so long, Arthur knew because he'd been attuned to Gwaine's scent ever since he met the omega and before long Gwaine was standing opposite to him giving him an apathetic look.

Gwaine saw that the bruise from his fist hadn't faded from Arthur's skin and felt contrite just for a second before he rallied back his mind, Arthur deserved the punch.

Arthur who felt uncomfortable being stared at by Gwaine rubbed his neck in a self conscious gesture, "Well…am I forgiven?"

Gwaine gave him a considering look, did Arthur really think Gwaine was going to forgive him so easily?

"No" said Gwaine honest and Arthur frowned, his shoulders slumping a little though Gwaine could only see it because he was standing so close to Arthur.

The Knights were observing their interaction with ill concealed curiosity and Gwaine though he was all for letting Arthur wallow in his guilt and be miserable said "But there's hope for you yet…"

Arthur looked ahead not meeting Gwaine's eyes but his lips turned up in a little grin which made Gwaine feel lighter.

"Scoot," Gwaine motioned for Arthur to move aside so that he could also sit on the stone bench Arthur was currently occupying.

Arthur moved albeit reluctantly, after Gwaine had sat himself down near to him, their arms and legs brushing together through their clothes Arthur felt uncharacteristically nervous. A hot flush was making its way up his neck so to dispel the awkwardness he felt he said "I really am sorry for how I treated you yesterday Gwaine….my apology was…is sincere, I hope you believe me."

"I do, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to forgive you yet."

Arthur nodded his head expecting that already.

"I will forgive you though if you accept for a duel."

Arthur frowned and shook his head, he could not, not in good conscience and he said as much, "I can't…you're an omega."

Gwaine raised his eyebrows and glared and Arthur held out his hands in supplication saying, "It is not because I think you cannot fight, I can't fight you because you're an omega and my natural instinct is to protect you not harm you. I couldn't forgive myself if I'd caused you harm…especially…." Arthur hesitated and then braved on, "especially if you are going to be my…." He trailed off unable to settle on an appropriate word.

"Broodmare?" retorted Gwaine looking and feeling bitter.

Arthur though looked shocked, "I'd never….I'd never treat you like that, things are different in Camelot."

"Yes I know" said Gwaine gritting his teeth, he knew indeed but it did not change anything, if they were to be married Gwaine had to carry Arthur's heir. He might have said that out aloud and Arthur looked discomfited.

Gwaine to break the painful silence that had fell over them said "You had no problem challenging me yesterday and humiliating me, in fact I believe there were some very inappropriate innuendo's regarding my mouth" Gwaine smirked and Arthur floundered, feeling ashamed now that he remembered what he'd said to Gwaine.

"Its only you who provokes me in quite that way, I've never behaved so rudely to another omega in my life, even Lady Sophia who tried to drown me."

Gwaine eyes were questioning but Arthur shook his head, "That's a story for another time; I believe you'd find it amusing."

"You bet, so I'm the only lucky one then" said Gwaine contemplative.

"Yes" said Arthur, inhaling Gwaine's scent for so long was making him grow frustrated and he was putting all his effort into not embarrassing himself further and not grabbing Gwaine right this instant and take the insolent omega to his bed to bugger him silly.

Gwaine could feel Arthur discomfort which was painfully obvious but he didn't feel the need to move away despite their stilted conversation. If it had been anyone else Gwaine would assume they were shy but Arthur preferred to remain silent and Gwaine couldn't help but think he'd rather have the Arthur who was full of bluster and bullheadedness, atleast that Arthur was entertaining.

However he'd seen Arthur fighting with his knights who had all disappeared at this point leaving only the two of them sitting with each other while the odd maid or servant passed by. Arthur had been a prat to his Knights, it seemed he was censoring his behavior for Gwaine's sake but the thought did not sit well with Gwaine, he was just about to say something when he saw Mordred enter the courtyard and address Arthur.

"Prince Arthur, my father the King would like for you to attend the council this morning."

Arthur stood up intent on leaving though all he wanted was to sit close to Gwaine and talk some more.

Gwaine however had different plans in his mind, Mordred was smirking and Gwaine knew it to be because he had not been asked by his father to attend the council today.

"Prince Arthur and I were having a conversation Mordred and if you knew of any mannerisms at all you would have known not to interrupt."

Arthur quietly observed the stand off observing the hatred that seemed to radiate from Gwaine and Mordred.

"The King has asked me to bring Prince Arthur to attend the council; you can have your idle chit chat with the Prince later."

Mordred's tone was condescending and Arthur knew Gwaine was going to react badly, so he stood back to observe, "Tell my father than I've been getting to know my future husband, I'm sure he'll excuse us from attending council meetings on grain reports."

Arthur held back the gasp of surprise that wanted to emerge as Gwaine acknowledging him as his future husband and unwittingly his heart began to flutter in hope, maybe Gwaine was not so averse to the idea after all.

Mordred was insistent however, "I'm sure Prince Arthur would like to know more about the country Camelot seeks to have an alliance with than listen to your nattering."

While his point was valid Arthur had no doubt now Mordred was going to have a matching shiner from Gwaine's fist just like him.

"I'm sure Prince Arthur would rather be getting intimately acquainted with me rather than attending to dull affairs of state which are neither his nor my business now." Gwaine winked at Arthur and asked "Wouldn't you Arthur?" in a breathy voice and Arthur stomach plummeted as his heart sang in nervousness; on the one hand he really did not want to insult the King by denying his request to attend the council, on the other Arthur knew Gwaine would never forgive him if he went with Mordred now.

And anyway, Gwaine was right, he wanted to be with his mate rather than sit with minstrels and listen to one complaint or another, he was allowed too after having waited so long to find a mate who was right for him.

So Arthur made his decision and said "Yes" to Gwaine who grinned at him wide and carefree and Arthur fell a little in love with him just that moment.

He turned to Mordred then and gave as sincere an apologetic look as he could muster, "Could you please inform the King that I apologize and that I'll be sure to attend at a later date?"

"Oh he will" interrupted Gwaine and then said "Run along now Mordred!"

Gwaine grabbed Arthur's hand in his before he dragged him away saying "Come on Arthur, let's go to a place where we will not be disturbed by ill timed brats" he said it loudly enough that Mordred could hear and Arthur heard a suspicious and worrying hiss from Mordred before Gwaine took him up the stairs and lead him through a hallway until they finally reached a door.

Gwaine pushed it open and pulled Arthur in grinning all the way long and Arthur smirked when he found it was Gwaine's room he'd been dragged into. He was quite glad too since he could now observe Gwaine's space without abandon, his eyes fell on the massive four poster bed and he idly wondered if Gwaine had taken any alpha to bed in that four poster.

He clenched his jaw as he decided Gwaine probably had and then found it amusing that Gwaine was still holding his hand unknowingly it seemed. Gwaine was now looking around the room as if unable to believe it that he'd dragged Arthur to his room of all places when he heard Arthur clear his throat.

It was only then Gwaine became aware of holding Arthur's hand, quite tightly too and he dropped it abruptly, saying "Oh sorry…" and turned away to hide the sudden blush on his cheeks.

What was he thinking bringing Arthur to his room? This was his domain and he'd never allowed anybody who wasn't his father or Merlin or his manservant enter his rooms before.

Gwaine then turned to look at Arthur surveying his room with interest and Gwaine really hoped Edgar had done his manservant duties and tidied the room today. And then he berated himself for being conscious, if anything Arthur's room was probably messier than his own.

"Ehmm, you can go back to your chambers if you want to…" Gwaine said trying to get Arthur to leave his room, he did not like feeling scrutinized by the Prince's keen gaze.

Arthur smirked at him and plopped himself down on a chair and Gwaine sighed mentally knowing he couldn't ask Arthur to outright leave.

"Want to kick me out so soon after you just won me from your brother?" Arthur asked teasing.

"No" said Gwaine unconvincingly and Arthur's smirk just grew.

"I didn't know you were quite so possessive Gwaine…"

"Hey, I am not!" protested Gwaine.

Arthur tilted his head and looked contemplative for a minute before saying "You did drag me here by my hand, like I was a favorite candy your brother tried to steal from you…"

Arthur went on noticing Gwaine was speechless this time and delighted at that indeed, "After all we're supposed to be getting intimately acquainted now, aren't we?"

Gwaine could not believe he'd thought Arthur was actually being a nice human being for once, he noticed the teasing glint in Arthur's eyes and couldn't let slide such an obvious challenge.

Gwaine smirked back content to see Arthur expression of utter satisfaction falter as he said "Is that what you want to do then?"

Arthur swallowed, his throat was dry as Gwaine came near him again and Arthur was assaulted with his scent, so tantalizing and so close. Arthur stammered, "Wha…what?"

Gwaine hid his smile behind Arthur's ear as he whispered close to the Prince's ears "Getting intimately acquainted…" God but Gwaine had never scented anything quite so amazing and heady like Arthur's, he was almost tempted to cut the hoax and let Arthur fuck him to see if all the tales of Prince Arthur's virility was true.

Gwaine blew hot breath on Arthur's ears and Arthur groaned before he grabbed Gwaine's neck and pulled him away only to pull him back in and plant his lips squarely on Gwaine's mouth and all of Gwaine's plans to leave the Prince high and dry were shot to hell.

Arthur kissed gently at first, barely there brushes of lips against lips before Gwaine emitted a high pitched moan, he could every nerve ending on fire in his body and all just from a single kiss and Arthur couldn't hold back after that.

He angled Gwaine's head and fitted his mouth closely to Gwaine's biting and sucking and licking for all it was worth until he coaxed Gwaine to open his mouth and then plunged his tongue inside to taste his mate.

Gwaine couldn't help but think Arthur kissed like he fought, with single minded determination to make his prey crumble and Gwaine let him as he felt Arthur thrust his tongue in and out of his mouth in a crude imitation of fucking and god if he could kiss like this then Gwaine bet he could fuck like a champion too.

Gwaine gave back as he good as he got tangling his tongue with Arthur's and pushing into Arthur's mouth, it all felt overwhelming and he was hard and so was Arthur but they kept kissing not able to stop themselves.

Until the door opened and in walked Mordred along with King Lot, Gwaine was too far gone to notice he had an audience, Arthur however was immediately aware and he pushed Gwaine away but Gwaine only looked confused and hurt before Arthur pointed to the door and Gwaine's eyes widened.

Gwaine was all but sitting on Arthur's lap and Arthur's hands were still around his waist and he hastily pulled himself away, pulling his shirt down to cover his hard on.

And to think Gwaine had wanted to embarrass Arthur by rejecting him once he'd had the Prince believing Gwaine actually was seducing him.

"Don't you know how to knock Mordred?" asked Gwaine irritated now. Lot appeared to be very pleased indeed and Gwaine threw his father a pointed glare. Arthur was looking at the wall and trying to escape without being so obvious about it.

Lot put him out of his misery soon however by saying "Prince Arthur I believe the Lady Morgana was asking for you."

"Yes of course…please excuse me" said Arthur before he left leaving Gwaine with Lot and Mordred.

"Such a slag brother" Mordred said and Gwaine smirked, "You're just jealous because the big boys get to have all the fun."

Mordred was about to say something but Lot interfered telling Mordred to leave and Mordred had no choice but to obey the King.

Gwaine watched him go and then felt smug before his father knowing gaze settled on him.

Gwaine hung his head in shame and not a little bit of annoyance as he said "This doesn't mean I'm saying yes."

"OH?" queried Lot incredulous.

"Yes…it was a spur of the moment thing and we got carried away."

"When I told you to give Prince Arthur a chance I did not mean for you to invite him into your bed."

"I know that father…." Gwaine said huffing.

"This will not happen again I take it?" asked Lot and Gwaine looked up to find that his father looked completely serious now, his earlier teasing tone having disappeared completely.

"I thought you wanted this to happen…"

"You should be careful until you're hand fasted….if you want to be hand fasted that is, he's a powerful alpha and laying with him would not be without consequence for you."

"I'm not going to end up pregnant when I'm not in heat…"

"Don't be too sure of that, promise me you will not lay with him until you are married."

Gwaine frowned, it was no big matter really and he should abide as his father was only concerned for him and he didn't really want to fuck Arthur anyway, did he?

Gwaine nodded, after all he did not want to end up pregnant anytime in the near future, Lot was satisfied and left the room leaving Gwaine alone with nothing for company but sexual frustration.