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?
[ 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.
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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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? ]
[ 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 ]
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. ]
[ 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?
[ well, she won't argue. she just nods and heads back to her seat waits.
she wishes that nobody would ever come in until closing time. this is actually a lot of fun, being alone like this. and she isn't smothering him with a pillow or even arguing with him.
her voice is soft and barely audible, but she says: ]
You know, when you said that you're glad that Ai and the others aren't here... [ her eyes move to look at him, then they look down at her hands on the table. she fidgets and plays with her fingers. ] Me too. [ she laughs through her nose. ] Me too.
[ He pulls off the crown first and leaves it on the side, just so he can muss his hair a bit. It gives him something to do while he listens to her, hand lingering on the table. His heart is thudding so hard and loudly and he wonders if that must be deafening for her.
But at least there's only joy there right now. Off the scale joy.
His hand drops to his mouth so he can laugh into it, embarrassed and quiet before he clears his throat, trying to not put too much attention to her quiet words lest he make her just as embarrassed as he feels right now.
Is it supposed to feel like this? He doesn't really know (not yet, anyway, not yet) ]
I. [ His voice cracks so he clears his throat again. His throat really is dry. ] I'll only be a minute, okay?
[ what she can hear is similar to the sound of blaring trumpets, as if something is on parade. it's loud and cheery, though not at all distracting as she should be. she's elated, too, possibly more than he is. especially when it's her joy and his that she feels.
she cants her head, not at all worried. ]
You're still here, though.
[ even though it does feel better if he's actually close by. ]
I'm... [ Right. He's... still here. Biting his lip when she points it out. ] Going.
[ He takes the tea set on the tray, the empty plate from the cake and slowly walks to the back. He thinks he's got it until he walks into the corner of the counter, pain shooting up his side that he bites back. He doesn't look back to see if she saw that--he doesn't want to know.
Instead, to calm his nerves, he sets about making a fruit and mint tea. It should be calming and offer more for his throat than a black tea would. It takes a little more time than he promised, but that's partly because he almost splashes scorching water on himself.
In the end he has to cheat and just use magic to do it, not trusting his hands to stay steady enough at the moment.
When he does return, it's been around eight minutes and his hands have stopped shaking enough that he can carry the tray with ease. The dishes have been placed in the kitchen for the staff to clean, and he's swiped his card for all the items they've used. Just to make sure it's already done.
He places the tray down gently, doesn't look her in the eye. ]
It's still hot, so we'll need it to cool a little first.
[ when she finds out later that he's paid for everything, she's going to be upset... it's not fair, okay. especially when she still blames herself for emptying merlin's pockets.
while he may not be looking her in the eye, she's looking at him. her fingers, on the other hand, poking at the teapot curiously. there's nothing else to do, after all. ]
I don't think I've ever said anything about it, but the butterflies have always been nice. [ heh heh... somehow she has so much courage to be shameless right now and talk about what's made her happy recently. ] Especially when I've been having a bad day.
[ Look, he can make money with very little effort, it isn't a problem. And she can pay him back in other ways. She already is. He feels alive like this, especially compared to what they went through before. It's better seeing her like this than blacking out from trauma.
He gently swats at her hand when she pokes the teapot, mostly because he doesn't want her to burn herself. ] Careful. [ Though ah...
What is he supposed to say to that? ] And everything else?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fights a lion in a tournament and dies
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.
kisses you back to life
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.
(blushes)!!!!!!
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. ]
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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. ]
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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?
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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!
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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?
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[ 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... ]
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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. ]
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[ it's a very cute bulletin board, ok ok. ]
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Please. Let me watch, I'll remember for next time. [ n e x t t i m e ]
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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. ]
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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? ]
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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.
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...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 ]
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[ 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.
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So just a small one, right?
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[ she's totally forgotten that they're "playing a game" by now. ]
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I'll make it. [ Then softly: ] Take a seat.
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she wishes that nobody would ever come in until closing time. this is actually a lot of fun, being alone like this. and she isn't smothering him with a pillow or even arguing with him.
her voice is soft and barely audible, but she says: ]
You know, when you said that you're glad that Ai and the others aren't here... [ her eyes move to look at him, then they look down at her hands on the table. she fidgets and plays with her fingers. ] Me too. [ she laughs through her nose. ] Me too.
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But at least there's only joy there right now. Off the scale joy.
His hand drops to his mouth so he can laugh into it, embarrassed and quiet before he clears his throat, trying to not put too much attention to her quiet words lest he make her just as embarrassed as he feels right now.
Is it supposed to feel like this? He doesn't really know (not yet, anyway, not yet) ]
I. [ His voice cracks so he clears his throat again. His throat really is dry. ] I'll only be a minute, okay?
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she cants her head, not at all worried. ]
You're still here, though.
[ even though it does feel better if he's actually close by. ]
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[ He takes the tea set on the tray, the empty plate from the cake and slowly walks to the back. He thinks he's got it until he walks into the corner of the counter, pain shooting up his side that he bites back. He doesn't look back to see if she saw that--he doesn't want to know.
Instead, to calm his nerves, he sets about making a fruit and mint tea. It should be calming and offer more for his throat than a black tea would. It takes a little more time than he promised, but that's partly because he almost splashes scorching water on himself.
In the end he has to cheat and just use magic to do it, not trusting his hands to stay steady enough at the moment.
When he does return, it's been around eight minutes and his hands have stopped shaking enough that he can carry the tray with ease. The dishes have been placed in the kitchen for the staff to clean, and he's swiped his card for all the items they've used. Just to make sure it's already done.
He places the tray down gently, doesn't look her in the eye. ]
It's still hot, so we'll need it to cool a little first.
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while he may not be looking her in the eye, she's looking at him. her fingers, on the other hand, poking at the teapot curiously. there's nothing else to do, after all. ]
I don't think I've ever said anything about it, but the butterflies have always been nice. [ heh heh... somehow she has so much courage to be shameless right now and talk about what's made her happy recently. ] Especially when I've been having a bad day.
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He gently swats at her hand when she pokes the teapot, mostly because he doesn't want her to burn herself. ] Careful. [ Though ah...
What is he supposed to say to that? ] And everything else?
[ Well, it could have been wor.....se...... ]
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vomits
same tbh...
oh no this song is cute wails
except for the part about cumming
CHOKES ON TEA????????? i didn't hear that in the lyrics?!?!
yeah... (unsure)
sweats....... yeah not that ok
it's a nice song otherwise ;o;
;u; yeah!!!
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sweats