[ Way to make it creepier than it really is... He picks up the crown and the sword, sliding the crown onto his arm, holding the sword. ]
Thanks.
[ She's moved some stuff around in the back but thankfully it's easy enough to put everything away and find his original clothes of the day anyway. They're tucked aside for closing. He pulls them on quickly enough, even if buttons on shirts are an entirely new concept. There are too many of them so he gives up when the shirt is high enough. He shoves his CereVice in his pocket again and grabs his credits card along with anything else he brought with him, shoving them into his jacket that he pulls on.
After a quick sweep over to make sure everything's tidied away he walks back out. ]
[ she cleans up at the cafe proper while he's away, even turning the open sign by the door to say the cafe's closed. the kitchen staff seemed to be just as bored as they were, playing card games when athena entered. she told them that they could go since nobody's really coming and they're closing anyway, and the lights in that part of the cafe get switched off when they leave.
when merlin gets back, the lights have been dimmed a bit as only a couple of lights are on. she's by the cash register where they swipe their cards, but there aren't any open tabs anymore. ]
You paid for my stuff? [ sorry, did you ask something, because she's asking you something else. ] I was supposed to do it.
[ Ah... he actually forgot about that. They're doing so well today. He pauses by the back door, leaning against it before he steps forward. Right. The tea. The cake. ]
I already have enough credits again and... [ And what? Exactly? Why is it so dark in here? Or at least it feels like it when she's definitely annoyed. ] You can pay me back with something else I just didn't want to forget while I was already there--I mean we were pretty caug--nevermind.
[ she shakes her head slowly, leaving the counter side and heading towards the door. she's not annoyed, though. just surprised. she feels like she lost a race... and losing is not good. ]
I'll transfer some of my credits to you later. Archer's going to let me work at his food stand starting tomorrow, so I'll have more sources of income.
[ Stop being competitive with the weirdest things. Thankfully, he knows who that is now or at least i think this is after so it doesn't sound as strange. ]
There's no rush. [ He's done strange poker deals, magic parties and ViViD levels already Athena. He's definitely alright again. No worries. ]
If you want to pay me back so much, why don't you take Ai something instead? I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
[ Money is just money......... ] We can go whenever you're ready.
Then everyone wins. [ No, only 3 people instead of 2, but that's good enough. Ai better thank him for that, but it's also a means of saying thank you for That Time before too. Even if it isn't directly from him.
It's amazing that at this point he doesn't even think of it when his hand takes hers, threads their fingers together and squeezes gently. ]
Good. [ He lets her pull him along on the walk to the train station honestly, mostly because he's still a little dazed from this evening. His CereVice somehow feels heavier in his pocket even if it's the exact same. ]
[ the walk to the train station is silent. she doesn't say anything and instead, just listens to the sound of his heart. she even hums along to the tune of it, not that he would know what it is.
they say the entertainment district is a dangerous place, but she feels so at ease right now. she's never really feared for her life while walking in its streets, but she feels a hundred percent safe like this. ]
[ He really doesn't, he just presumes she has a song stuck in her head of something. Not to mention if anyone tried to do anything untoward here he'd stun them so hard they'd knock their head on the floor and potentially end up comatose.
sweats.
He stays silent as he lets her onto the train first, and even when they have to break their hands apart to enter and pay for the train he's reaching for her hand right after to lead her to the train. It's late enough that it isn't too full, but it isn't a long journey anyway.
It's nice, in its own way. Being comfortable in each other's silence. Well, almost silence. ]
We're nearly here. [ It isn't too quiet, but no one really pays them any mind anyway. He moves first to get off the train, and at least then it's only a short walk to the apartments. ]
[ it's almost a miracle how she can enjoy the silence even though she's only known him for a month, or maybe even less. she's quick to make friends, there's no doubt about that, but to not talk and just appreciate each other's company... that's something else. and it's not even something that she can share with ai, or her other best friends in the colony.
her hand immediately feels empty and she feels something in her chest sink when their hands unlink, but she's glad that this little problem of hers is quickly remedied. today's just been such a nice day, even if the night started out to be absolutely dull. ]
Oh, before we split up - could you free your weekend for me?
[ as she said, she wants to make it up to him and make him happy, too. this weekend seems like a good enough time as any. she'll be busy these next couple of days, after all, working three jobs. ]
CHOKES ON TEA????????? i didn't hear that in the lyrics?!?!
[ He is terrible with silence. In the future--his future--this is probably why he and Gwaine get on so well. They're both chatterboxes. It's definitely a special moment when even he is being quiet.
He glances back at her as he steps off the train, already starting the walk back to the apartments (and there's that moment again, when their hands have to separate to go through security, but he's thoughtlessly reaching out for her again as if it's the most natural thing in the world. ]
Which day? Or ... both? [ Weekend is 2 days Athena... Please be more specific. ] I probably can though, yes.
Oh, just Saturday is fine. Saturday night, specifically.
[ you definitely won't be sleeping early this weekend, merlin. just you wait. (this isn't supposed to sound prurient.)
as if to give him a clue, she looks up at the night sky. she's been in cerealia for half a year now, but she still finds it odd that there are two moons in this planet. it's strange in a good way. she appreciates it. ]
...Saturday night is it. [ Even if he had work he'll find a way out of it, no worries there.
The sky seems lighter with the two moons there to reflect the light (now that had been interesting to learn.. there's so much information he didn't have before but-- that isn't as important as when he looks at her and sees the moonlight on her face.
They're walking home. Right. ] Y-yeah. [ He doesn't get the clue. ] They are.
[ He isn't sure if he wants to stop to let her appreciate it or keep walking on so they can get home. It was a long day, even if it ended up being pretty fun in the end. ] What time? Saturday, I mean.
[ merlin doesn't have to decide, because athena pulls him gently to lead the way again when he slows down a bit. she can always look out the window later when she gets home, if she still wants to check out the moon then. though she'll likely bury herself in books upon getting home... there's no end to her studying, even after graduating. ]
It has to be a bit late, so if 10 is good with you, then let's meet up then. I'll text you instructions.
[ she doesn't mean to make it sound complicated, but there are some things she wants him to do and/or bring for this surprise. ]
[ Ah, there we go. She catches up quickly enough, not even thinking about what he's going to do once he gets back. Collapse face first onto his bed? Probably. Not move for a good hour or two? Probably.
He blinks at the time she says, because that is late, but it also means that it shouldn't clash with something else. If he finishes work at 7pm he'll be alright. Plenty of time. ]
Alright. Whenever you have details. [ For this. date meeting. thing. What is it?
He presses the button for the elevator, waiting for it to arrive. ]
Try not to lose sleep over it, [ she says teasingly, even moving to the side to nudge him with her shoulder.
though with this, she's probably making him anticipate it or make guesses on what it could be. hopefully, she won't disappoint when saturday comes. that would be the worst. ]
I don't know, maybe I'll forget this conversation happened. [ He's just teasing. He leans against the side wall of the elevator though (after he presses the button for her floor) as it starts to go up, and it's like it hasn't felt this small in a while. It's fine when he's on his own but their hands are still clasped and...
He definitely hasn't forgotten that incident days... a week ago.
He only moves when the doors open, indicating they've reached her floor. His hand lets go of hers, and he indicates for her to go with a smile. One hand holds the door steady though. ]
Good night. [ It's the only thing he says at first, as he waits for her to cross the threshold and step outside. He isn't sure if she expects anything, if she plans anything.
But he does.
His heart feels like it's going to burst when he reaches for her wrist, calling her name so she'll turn around again. His foot is keeping the lift open for him (hopefully no one is downstairs trying to use it right now) when that hand that reached out for her moves up to cup her cheek.
It's similar to what she did before, that he keeps her steady when his lips press against her cheek. It's similar to how he kissed her hand before too. It lingers, warm. Soft. Then quietly, he whispers against her skin: ] Sweet dreams.
[ Before she has a chance to say anything though he's stepping back into the elevator, pressing the close door button in the hope that he didn't just make things weirder. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ it's just another memorabilia, nothing more. don't worry, merlin. she won't stare at your picture or anything before bed?!??!??!? ]
And don't rush. I'll put these in the kitchen.
[ ... the chefs must be wondering wtf they were doing the whole time. ]
no subject
Thanks.
[ She's moved some stuff around in the back but thankfully it's easy enough to put everything away and find his original clothes of the day anyway. They're tucked aside for closing. He pulls them on quickly enough, even if buttons on shirts are an entirely new concept. There are too many of them so he gives up when the shirt is high enough. He shoves his CereVice in his pocket again and grabs his credits card along with anything else he brought with him, shoving them into his jacket that he pulls on.
After a quick sweep over to make sure everything's tidied away he walks back out. ]
Did we have anything else to complete?
no subject
when merlin gets back, the lights have been dimmed a bit as only a couple of lights are on. she's by the cash register where they swipe their cards, but there aren't any open tabs anymore. ]
You paid for my stuff? [ sorry, did you ask something, because she's asking you something else. ] I was supposed to do it.
no subject
I already have enough credits again and... [ And what? Exactly? Why is it so dark in here? Or at least it feels like it when she's definitely annoyed. ] You can pay me back with something else I just didn't want to forget while I was already there--I mean we were pretty caug--nevermind.
[ clears. throat. ] Sorry?
no subject
I'll transfer some of my credits to you later. Archer's going to let me work at his food stand starting tomorrow, so I'll have more sources of income.
Do you want to go now?
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or at least i think this is afterso it doesn't sound as strange. ]There's no rush. [ He's done strange poker deals, magic parties and ViViD levels already Athena. He's definitely alright again. No worries. ]
If you want to pay me back so much, why don't you take Ai something instead? I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
[ Money is just money......... ] We can go whenever you're ready.
no subject
Okay, I can do that. [ she nods obediently, then opens the door. her other hand, she offers to merlin. ]
Come on, then.
vomits
It's amazing that at this point he doesn't even think of it when his hand takes hers, threads their fingers together and squeezes gently. ]
Good. [ He lets her pull him along on the walk to the train station honestly, mostly because he's still a little dazed from this evening. His CereVice somehow feels heavier in his pocket even if it's the exact same. ]
same tbh...
they say the entertainment district is a dangerous place, but she feels so at ease right now. she's never really feared for her life while walking in its streets, but she feels a hundred percent safe like this. ]
oh no this song is cute wails
sweats.
He stays silent as he lets her onto the train first, and even when they have to break their hands apart to enter and pay for the train he's reaching for her hand right after to lead her to the train. It's late enough that it isn't too full, but it isn't a long journey anyway.
It's nice, in its own way. Being comfortable in each other's silence. Well, almost silence. ]
We're nearly here. [ It isn't too quiet, but no one really pays them any mind anyway. He moves first to get off the train, and at least then it's only a short walk to the apartments. ]
except for the part about cumming
her hand immediately feels empty and she feels something in her chest sink when their hands unlink, but she's glad that this little problem of hers is quickly remedied. today's just been such a nice day, even if the night started out to be absolutely dull. ]
Oh, before we split up - could you free your weekend for me?
[ as she said, she wants to make it up to him and make him happy, too. this weekend seems like a good enough time as any. she'll be busy these next couple of days, after all, working three jobs. ]
CHOKES ON TEA????????? i didn't hear that in the lyrics?!?!
He glances back at her as he steps off the train, already starting the walk back to the apartments (and there's that moment again, when their hands have to separate to go through security, but he's thoughtlessly reaching out for her again as if it's the most natural thing in the world. ]
Which day? Or ... both? [ Weekend is 2 days Athena... Please be more specific. ] I probably can though, yes.
yeah... (unsure)
[ you definitely won't be sleeping early this weekend, merlin. just you wait. (this isn't supposed to sound prurient.)
as if to give him a clue, she looks up at the night sky. she's been in cerealia for half a year now, but she still finds it odd that there are two moons in this planet. it's strange in a good way. she appreciates it. ]
The moons are so pretty, aren't they?
sweats....... yeah not that ok
The sky seems lighter with the two moons there to reflect the light (now that had been interesting to learn.. there's so much information he didn't have before but-- that isn't as important as when he looks at her and sees the moonlight on her face.
They're walking home. Right. ] Y-yeah. [ He doesn't get the clue. ] They are.
[ He isn't sure if he wants to stop to let her appreciate it or keep walking on so they can get home. It was a long day, even if it ended up being pretty fun in the end. ] What time? Saturday, I mean.
it's a nice song otherwise ;o;
It has to be a bit late, so if 10 is good with you, then let's meet up then. I'll text you instructions.
[ she doesn't mean to make it sound complicated, but there are some things she wants him to do and/or bring for this surprise. ]
;u; yeah!!!
He blinks at the time she says, because that is late, but it also means that it shouldn't clash with something else. If he finishes work at 7pm he'll be alright. Plenty of time. ]
Alright. Whenever you have details. [ For this. date meeting. thing. What is it?
He presses the button for the elevator, waiting for it to arrive. ]
no subject
though with this, she's probably making him anticipate it or make guesses on what it could be. hopefully, she won't disappoint when saturday comes. that would be the worst. ]
sweats
He definitely hasn't forgotten that incident days... a week ago.
He only moves when the doors open, indicating they've reached her floor. His hand lets go of hers, and he indicates for her to go with a smile. One hand holds the door steady though. ]
Good night. [ It's the only thing he says at first, as he waits for her to cross the threshold and step outside. He isn't sure if she expects anything, if she plans anything.
But he does.
His heart feels like it's going to burst when he reaches for her wrist, calling her name so she'll turn around again. His foot is keeping the lift open for him (hopefully no one is downstairs trying to use it right now) when that hand that reached out for her moves up to cup her cheek.
It's similar to what she did before, that he keeps her steady when his lips press against her cheek. It's similar to how he kissed her hand before too. It lingers, warm. Soft. Then quietly, he whispers against her skin: ] Sweet dreams.
[ Before she has a chance to say anything though he's stepping back into the elevator, pressing the close door button in the hope that he didn't just make things weirder. ]