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[ ok but she'd burn the whole apartment down if she ever tries something like that... and she'd end up pulling an arthur and buy the meal from a restaurant instead.

... sweats. ]

Even if I was being weird earlier?

[ this is her craving for validation... help.............. ]

[ It's a good job he said spaghetti then isn't it?!?!?! Though if it came to that it would be him running to a restaurant for it. smh. ]

Even if you were being weird earlier. It's fine. Everything is alright now, isn't it?

[ Well he hopefully... helps........ ]

I want you to remember something for me. [ He shifts onto his back, leaning on his elbows as his head tilts to look at her. It's just because his arm is going a little dead. ] I'll fight for you. If you ever feel like that again, if anything comes up... I'm not going to let go. I told you that already, didn't I?

[ ... not really................

she twists her body a bit to face him properly, though it's more like she's flopping on her belly now, head canted his way.

you're so gross, though, merlin. ]

I'll remember. [ this is the meekest she'll ever get, too.

her tone becomes a bit more serious when she brings this up, though-- ] Do you remember what that Flamine said? I still think about it... Do you?

Edited 2016-03-03 14:40 (UTC)

[ He lets himself drop back onto the blanket (wary of his head, of course) when she shifts and offers that meek reply. Though it's the way the path goes that has him looking up at the sky. ]

Are you worried? [ It's hard to get comfortable when it's a topic like this, and really he had pushed too far, yet at the same time... he doesn't really regret it (yet) ]

Of course, I am. [ she's really trying not to be loud right now, especially when they're next to each other. she doesn't have to be loud. her intonation serves its purpose of showing how mad she is. not at him, but at the flamines. ]

They've been harming people all this time, and now one of them even said that to you. [ she folds her arms and buries her face in between. her voice is muffled now as she speaks. ] I know you can probably handle yourself, and so can other people like Rei and Yu, but I don't want my friends getting in danger.

[ He doesn't flinch, but he definitely winces when she replies like that. It's clearly visible on his face, thankfully she's burying her face against her arms. ]

I wouldn't say I'm worried, though maybe I should be. Maybe I will be. But I've been trying to learn more at a faster rate. When I arrived her, I found that Gaius'--my--book was here.

The problem is that we don't know what they can do.

[ There are other things he could tell her too. That Rei and Yu are two people he can contact without using his hands, that he tried to see if there was information, a translation anywhere of his other name "Emrys" and all he could find was that there was something Welsh that meant immortal.

He doesn't know what that means, but... that name is the one that gives him even more recognition in some places.

He can't risk using it, not when there are suspicions that CERES is watching their every move. ]

[ she takes a peek to look up at him curiously. this guy is crazy -- not even thinking about it so much. or maybe it's because he might be able to put up a fight against the flamines that he's not worried. even rei told her to not be so worried.

the people here are strong. athena may not be one of them, but she should believe in the people around her.

even though that's a bit difficult to do at a time like this. ]

Don't get hurt.

[ the last thing she needs is more of her friends dying in this place. let's seriously not have that. ]

[ It's a number of things, really. But also because he somehow feels like he has more room to flex his abilities here. Hiding away in his room to try and learn spells at home doesn't compare to here when he can go to the gardens and practice. That, and there are people here who make him feel stronger too.

She does that. She might not really realise it, or believe it completely yet, but that need to protect her will definitely come in handy one day. ]

I won't. [ haha....ha...

Though right after he twists around again, just so he can reach for her hand, idly brushing his fingers over the back of it--at least of what he can reach with her head using it as a pillow on and off. ] And even if I get a little hurt, I'll be okay. Alright?

[ Good luck with that tbh. ]

[ she shifts to sit up, and a hand makes way for his wrist only to slap him in the cheek very lightly. it seriously doesn't hurt. though-- ]

I might have to break my promise if that ever happens. [ hitting him, she means. no one's ever told her to tsun responsibly... so...

it's not reassuring in the slightest, even though she should be believing in his words. despite that, she still smiles. it's the hardest times when a lawyer has to force their biggest smiles, after all.

she still will punch him if he ever dies, though. ]

[ He blinks at her for the slight slap, even going so far to puff up air in that cheek before he moves the arm that is being held at the wrist so he can hold hers in return and pull her forward into himself. ]

I'm prepared for the worst.

[ athena fixed her hair first, putting all of it on one side before she scoots closer to him. she's not letting herself get dragged, but eventually, she lays back down until she's near him to the point where she can hear the sound of his heart without the use of her ability.

that response, though... nobody's ever prepared for the worst. but she won't argue. she'll just be very, very upset if something does happen. hopefully, the flamines are all talk. hopefully, ceres will do something. hopefully.

she rests her head on his chest and nuzzles against it to get comfortable. this feels like home. and it's why she says nothing and instead just closes her eyes. it's silence again that lingers, and while merlin isn't used to it, athena loves it. ]

Edited 2016-03-04 00:48 (UTC)

[ Thankfully he didn't do it too hard, but merely as an indicator that this topic was... difficult. Of course it was. It also meant that he'd rather not have her too far away from him--it's such a relief (and a genuinely excellent surprise) when she not only comes back but lays down to rest on him.

His heart probably sounds like it's doing somersaults at first as he looks down at the top of her head, his arm curling around her shoulders to cradle her in. Finally it settles into a soft trill like hummingbirds.

It's so warm. It feels warm, inside and out and that's enough to draw a tiny smile onto his face as he looks up at the sky. ]

[ there it is. the sound she's been waiting for all night. she makes a sound of approval when she hears it, nuzzling against him even more. like a cat craving for attention. ]

I heard it-- I hear it now. I'm so glad... [ she breathes a sigh of relief. ] It's music to my ears.

[ he can't see it, but she smiles, too. one hand rests beneath her side to keep her weight steady, but one rests by her face. she might not be at home right now in her bed, but she feels like she could fall asleep like this. ]

[ His eyes flutter when she keeps nuzzling against him like this, the sound probably getting louder until it finally levels out. His hand smooths over her hair, fingers teasing over the edge of her ear but he makes no move to stop her.

Even when his own skin feels like it's growing redder from how she's listening to this.

He traps his lips between his teeth and exhales through his nose, trying to stop himself from smiling stupidly. ]

This is all you needed to do from the start. [ Maybe this is a sign that they both keep trying Too Hard. ]

[ she doesn't mind it getting louder, nor does she makes a face at it. in fact, it makes her happier to hear it get louder. it's like a marching band passing by her street, but soon, they disappear and turn to another. that's fine. she can still hear it. and while she can't ever forget what it sounds like, she'd much rather listen to it in person.

and if she could do it all the time, she would. ]

It's not like I knew... [ she lets out a soft laugh at that. ] But I know what to do now.

[ instead of trying too hard, yeah. but she does like the surprises a lot. a lot. the candles, the costumes, the magic -- he's magic. and it's like a dream come true.

hopefully merlin is prepared for sudden signs of affection while at work just to hear his heart thump like how it is doing now. (he might regret this.) ]

[ It's not like I knew... Maybe not, but she has a clear advantage over him in this. If she were any better at hiding her emotions, anyway. In contrast, he can't hide his in the slightest. The soft "But I know what to do now" makes his heart jump a little again, because it sounds like he's given too much away now.

And she'll use it against him. Definitely. He can't read her thoughts though, so he has no idea how on point this probably is. ]

What-- [ He murmurs it softly, growing sleepy while they're curled up like this. ] --about you? How does yours sound? Can you hear it?

[ she shakes her head slowly, her smile not faltering in the slightest. that's a no. ]

I can't, but Widget can. [ and it probably doesn't make any sense to him, or maybe it does. after all, he's seen widget's screen change various times already. ] He works by listening to my heart, so nobody else but me can wear him.

[ she shifts in her position to flop on him, both hands on his chest gripping on his shirt tight as she looks at him excitedly. ]

... But I can tell you what I think it sounds like.

[ He's content enough with the faint shake of her head, not needing more, when she moves to flop on him instead and he just really needs a new heart at this point. Her weight is properly on him now and while that isn't an issue it also means she's even closer. He swallows hard. Both of his hands slide along her back, trying to focus of her face as she pulls at this shirt. ]

Tell me. [ Is what he says, breathless and more than a little winded about how close she is and he feels as though he's delirious. ] I want to know, so i can try and remember this expression too.

[ He smiles up at her, just about managing to lean up enough to kiss her nose. ]

Edited 2016-03-04 02:33 (UTC)

[ this isn't even a big deal to athena now that they've kissed, because as far as she's concerned, that's about as close enough as they can get. so whatever shyness she ever felt towards him is mostly gone now. and now that she's let it all out, she feels that she can be utterly comfortable and honest with him.

well. maybe the honesty part needs some work, but she's definitely very at home with him now. ]

It's like waking up on Christmas day because you hear the sound of snow pitter-pattering on your window. And then you can smell the sound of hot chocolate and bread from downstairs, so you immediately put your sweater on and rush down the stairs. Breakfast is ready, and you're going to spend the way with the people you care about. And everything's just right with the world.

But then it's time to open your presents, so you rush to where the tree is and you grab all the gifts that are yours and you start unwrapping them. Paper being torn and crumpled as you throw it away excitedly, and when you open your present, you'll find that it's what you've been wanting all your life.

[ she beams him a grin before she rests half of her face on his chest. his eyes look at him gently, and she finishes. ]

It's like glitter, magic, and sparkles all at the same time.

[ that's an oddly specific story, but he might be able to tell that she's been dreaming of saying something like this for a long time. except nobody ever asks if she can hear her own heart. it kind of blows. ]

[ It isn't that he's uncomfortable but Athena is warm and her body is just. Right there. It's more that while often some men of his time would sleep around or something gross, he's definitely a huge believer of love conquering all and he's new to certain aspects of this. Her on top of him might just be one of those.

Her story, at least, is nice to listen to. It warms his heart, makes him smile back at her with an utterly gentle smile. ] That does sound magical. [ A bit like when he makes pictures in the flames or creates a flower or butterfly between his palms.

Then there's also the fact that she mentioned a present you've wanted all your life and his stomach flips around uselessly, full of butterflies. ] Though... [ He trails off, fingers grazing close to her sides. ] I have to ask, am I supposed to be a present now?

[ she feels a chill down her spine and she shivers a bit, only to hide it by gripping on his shirt tighter and furrowing her brows. ]

Don't ge too cheeky.

[ she didn't mean him.

okay, maybe she did mean it? she still doesn't know, but she does know that this won't last forever. it's only until one of them enters the nexus... they might come back, but the chance of them remembering each other is so little.

her hands loosen and her index finger scratches gently at his chest. she doesn't look at him when she continues, feeling a bit bashful. so much for thay newfound confidence she found earlier. ]

But. You are a nice surprise.

[ Look it's helping him feel less unsure of himself right now, it's just a shame it's a terrible way to do it. ] ...Sorry. [ Is what he says instead, smile relaxing into something more natural. He keeps his eyes on her face, though maybe he should be looking down with what she's doing to his poor shirt. He probably should have worn something without buttons as with a gentle twist one does slide out of the hole. Thankfully, it's just a bad strike of luck. ]

I feel incredibly lucky though. Almost as though I was brought here for this. [ How is this a real conversation? ]

[ what with him telling her something like that and her finger accidentally making circles at his chest because she thought it was still his shirt, she turns absolutely red. you can't just say things like that! ]

M- Maybe you were? [ heh... she can't hide a smile, even when she bites her lip. ] Maybe we were fated to meet even though we're from different worlds.

[ this is such a gross conversation. ]

[ He jumps slightly as it starts to tickle a bit, biting down on his lip in a way that hopefully shows it isn't over anything bad. In fact he's trying to not laugh. ]

We'll never know for sure but... in my heart. I just know this is ... It's special.

[ she does stop, at least, and rolls over until her head hits the other pillow. she could have just slept that way, but her chest was beginning to hurt what with putting so much weight on it. and she's quiet again, taking all of this in. it started off so messy and she even cried so hard. . . but she's more than glad that the issue's been resolved. she just hums in agreement moments later.

without looking at him, she pats around for his hand and takes it, entwining her fingers with his. it's started to get a bit cold; how long have they been up here? it's probably so late now... but checking her cerevice would be rude at a time like this. not when she's trying her best not to mess things up again. ]

I should have brought an extra blanket. [ she says softly, feeling a bit cold. but she'll manage. it's not like they're going to be here forever, anyway... ]

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