sortileges |

[ He doesn't look back once that is done and instead speeds up to get to the back. He saw a few items in the back before, mostly because there weren't quite as many for guys--at least not until he joined anyway. A few more had been added since.

The chain mail is actually just made of plastic, but it'll do for this kind of purpose. He tugs off the jacket he's wearing first, using the hanger (for once) and then pulling off the shirt to put them on the rack together. It's only been worn today, so it can handle one more day before being washed. He pulls on a light shirt first, much like the ones he wore before coming here but in white. He tugs on the chain mail next.

It's a long process until he has most of the parts, and it's awkward because he knows how easily this would snap. Gwen would be mortified at armor being copied like this, he's sure.

The final touch, however, is the cloak. It takes concentration, but considering it was the wrong colour and didn't have the crest of Camelot, he changes it with magic, pulling it on after. He digs around for a crown, pulling on a belt and a fake sword soon after. Finally--it's all complete.

When he looks in the mirror it looks weird, but that's because he knows what it should look like.

When he walks out his right arm rests on the hilt of the sword, the left swinging freely at his side. He mimics how Arthur walks, all confident and a little arrogant, actually. ]

[ she's never seen merlin look so princely and regal before, so this is definitely a first. and while she's not entirely speechless, she's absolutely stunned. not to mention, he looks like her doodle that she sent him a few weeks ago! how cool is that?

a smile escapes her lips, and she can't even hide it even by covering her hand. this is too... amazing.

he's amazing.

and once he's close to their table, she gets out of her seat and bobs a curtsy to him. ]

Fancy meeting you here, Sir Merlin.

[ oh god, she can't hold it in. she snickers. ]

[ She's probably the only person who ever will, let's be honest here. His mouth twitches as if he wants to smile when she moves to stand, giving a small curtsy (not something the ladies do either, but nevermind, he'll keep that tidbit to himself) ]

My lady. [ She probably doesn't expect it when he drops down to one knee in front of her, cape swooping out behind him to land in a pool of red on the floor. His head bows and his hand reaches for hers. ] It's an honor.

[ Hopefully no customers do walk in and see this display... it's more embarrassing with her than if he'd have to do it to a stranger. Even more so when he pulls her hand closer, his head still lowered, and breathes deeply. She can probably feel his breath on her skin, before presses his lips against the back of her hand. The kiss lingers, soft, gentle. ]

How might I be of service?

[ Well if getting ready and seeing her having cheered up didn't improve his mood, this definitely did. He wants to laugh at himself right now. ]

[ hah... ha hah... it's REALLY CONVENIENT that widget isn't on her neck right now, because if it were possible for the necklace to show heart eyes, it probably would. athena's eyes, on the other hand are focused on merlin, and it's then that her hand starts shaking.

she knows why she's being like this, but at the same time, she can't understand why she's suddenly frozen on the spot. it's as if her brain has short-circuited and needed to be rebooted. she could feel everything but them spin.

and before she knew it, her bright eyes were sparkling. this. this is too much. she's completely astonished, dazzled, and most of all, tongue-tied. ]

I'm— [ she doesn't know what words are, anymore. ] Merlin. [ she takes a deep breath and clears her throat, though her entire body continues to tremble slightly. her face is beet red, and she feels the need to sit down. her heart flutters like the wings of a hummingbird, and she literally doesn't know what to do.

merlin may have to help her regain her bearings now. why is he so dumb!!! ]

[ It's the silence that gets him to look up first, still on the ground, still holding her hand close to his mouth. The look on her face definitely isn't bad, so he doesn't panic. In fact, a slow smile starts to form on his face as he can feel the tremors in her hand and her eyes burn into him more than he expected.

Her skin is flushed, but other than that he doesn't have any further signs of what she's thinking. ]

...Athena? [ Is what he says instead, pulling himself to stand. His hand reaches for her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. Did something happen? Is she...? ] At a loss for words?

[ yes, she's definitely at loss for words.

she nods slowly, eyes still fixed on him. ]

You look amazing.

[ then she blinks. did she say that out loud? she only meant to think it. and it's then that her cheeks grows absolutely red. her expression changes; her brows knit together and her mouth opens to wince, and she huffs out a laugh. ]

I didn't say that.

[ Oh.

Oh.

Damn. ]

Ah. [ Now he's at a loss for words. He can't even swallow, his throat feels dry. He looks down at his hand, still clasped gently around hers. ] You definitely said that. [ His voice is croaky, like he has a frog stuck in it, but he definitely wouldn't cast that spell on himself.

It's just nerves. ]

I'm glad you chose this today and not a day when Ai or the others were here. [ He's embarrassed, and really they're lucky no one came in to try and rob them given the bubble they're caught up in right now. His voice goes quieter, only just audible: ] But I don't want to forget this moment. No matter what.

[ forget about this, athena. just forget about i— ]

It was Widget, not me.

[ ace excuse from an ace attorney.

but that does calm her down a bit, and she clears her throat again so her voice is clearer. she sways the hand that's entwined with his just like a little kid would with her parents. only, you know... merlin is definitely not a parent, but somebody else entirely. ]

It's not like I would have gotten an idea like this if the others were around. We'd all be chatting talking about all kinds of things then.

[ her voice grows softer again, as she's ashamed of what she's saying. ]

... We can take a picture together, if you want. If you don't want to forget.

You aren't wearing Widget, remember? [ Because he certainly does. His eyes dip when he says it, zooming straight back up to her face because he shouldn't be staring at her shoulders like a creep.

Instead he quietly squeezes her hand gently, twists his hold to entwine their fingers together. ]

Can we do that? [ He doesn't comment on her reasoning for this idea of this, mostly because that definitely wasn't a complaint from him. It's more that since she walked out wearing those clothes his heart and chest have been doing weird things. Even his stomach is churning a bit. It's enough to keep down, but it isn't easy. He's just 100% avoiding putting words to the feeling. ]

[ she puffs her cheeks at the comment about widget. okay, fine. you got her there. she's totally guilty now, but at least he isn't making a big deal about it. her dumb crush is so obvious now that it hurts, and the worst thing that could happen is that he'd start avoiding her... which he hasn't done yet so she's absolutely grateful. ]

I don't have my CereVice, but you have yours, right? Turn on the camera.

[ she's found her words again, and she's able to talk calmly, but in the back of her mind, she still doesn't know what to do but go with the flow. maybe she should just be herself. she's always been herself with her friends, so why should she be any different when with him?

she can do this, she thinks. ]

[ Honestly? It probably feels more obvious to her than it actually is. You can be inspired, awed by one person in a moment but it just be a passing thing. Considering he was mid-act and it was the act itself she seemed to be referring to, he really is non the wiser. He's infuriating with this... Ask Gwen tbh.

So no, the only thing he'll avoid doing is looking down too much as he tries to squish his own feelings into something less embarrassing.

He nods at her question, free hand digging into his pocket before he tries to turn on the camera--only that sure is a video not picture mode. ] What should I do with it?

[ she moves to his side and peers at his device, pressing at the screen to change it to camera mode. she presses something else again, and the device hovers. ]

Hurry up! It's going to take a picture in five seconds!

[ not that she has to get into a position or pose or anything, but she uses her free hand to hold the arm that's holding her other hand. she moves closer to him so the photo looks better; they can see what they look like on the screen.

she looks so happy. ]

Cheese!

F-five...?! [ That isn't nearly long enough, is it? Maybe it's because of that though that he can duck down while laughing, trying to work out how to handle this would seeming awkward (difficult) and he ends up with his arm circling her waist from the back while he's laughing because this is genuinely such a weird thing to do, isn't it?

But it feels nice, and from what he can tell thus far it's something you can keep.

He's laughing like that when the flash goes off, camera clicking the shot. They both look stupidly happy. ]

Did it work?

Of course it did, see?

[ now the cerevice's screen is showing the photo that they just took. it's a really good one, too. ]

You should send it to me later. [ so she can print it out and tack it on her bulletin board in her bedroom. she has a ton of photos with her friends on there. it's like a link chart by the police... ]

I haven't used it before, so... [ It really is a good picture though, and somehow it doesn't even look forced even if both of them are dressed up in weird outfits. ]

How do I send it? [ He has no idea that's her plan but it would make sense. Except for the fact that it looks like a link chart?? Wow. ]

Open up a text message and click "insert photo". [ then she looks at him. ] Want me to do it for you?

[ it's a very cute bulletin board, ok ok. ]

[ He still hasn't even let go properly, not even aware of it yet as he peeks over her shoulder. ]

Please. Let me watch, I'll remember for next time. [ n e x t t i m e ]

[ she takes the cerevice and clicks on a few things. she does open his inbox but quickly clicks on the new message button. his privacy's very important, of course. she's nosy, but she'd never check his messages. ]

So you just click this, and then this... [ the gallery shows up, and she clicks on the photo. ] and hit send.

[ then she hands him back his device. though she has to blink in surprise... they sure are pretty close to each other right now. ]

[ Probably for the best since apparently his inbox is full of girls....... w h y ]

That seems fairly easy to remember. [ Just 3 clicks? Sure. He takes the CereVice back, finally sliding his other hand back when he also realises that he kept... too close. Way too close. ]

Sorry. I. Um. [ Wasn't thinking? Was comfortable? Does it even make sense to be comfortable like that? ]

[ it didn't make her uncomfortable at all, just incredibly conscious. ]

It's... not a big deal.

[ it's now that the realises that the cape clasp he has on isn't centered, so she fixes it for him. at least she doesn't have to tiptoe to fix it. ]

There. All better.

[ He stops moving as soon as she says it, glancing down as her hands move to fix the clasp. ]

...Thank you. [ He clears his throat, holds back an awkward laugh like he doesn't know what to do with himself now (he doesn't)They aren't as close as before but they're facing each other and Athena's hands are careful as she fixes the cape. He watches quietly, waiting until she finished and his breath feels shaky. Weird. ]

Should I get another tea? I'll pay for this one. [ Abort abort abort ]

If you want to, sure.

[ she takes a step back and looks him over again. it's a lot... stranger up close, but it's not a bad kind of strange. ]

Though we might not have a stomach for dinner anymore when work's over.

I feel... thirsty. [ His hand reaches up to his throat, rubbing the front only lightly before it shifts to press against the side. It's embarrassing to admit, but his throat has been dry for a while now, even the tea from before didn't sate it. ]

So just a small one, right?

What kind do you want? I can fix it up for you.

[ she's totally forgotten that they're "playing a game" by now. ]

[ He raises an eyebrow at that, then slowly tilts his head a bit. His hand drops, probably undoing her work of fixing the capecloakthing, and then dryly says: ] What kind of Prince would I be if I got my Princess to do the work for me?

I'll make it. [ Then softly: ] Take a seat.

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jumps off a bridge

THROWS UP ALL OVER AGAIN

shaking and crying

commits seppuku

fights a lion in a tournament and dies

kisses you back to life

(blushes)!!!!!!

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