sortileges |

[ 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... ]

[ It's a loss of warmth for him, but he makes no complaint of it considering staying in the same position for too long would be bad as well. It's her statement that gets him to move, this time with him sitting up and even though she just took his hand he lets hers go to start tugging off his jacket. He's been through worse, and even then he has a spell or two to warm someone up.

This... is nicer though. ] Here. [ It's when it's properly off he holds it out for her. ]

I still have long sleeves so I'll be alright. [ Not to mention his legs are covered... Baka. ]

[ she has SOCKS on.

but ah-- she hesitates for a bit and even tells him that he doesn't have to do that, but it's too late. she was thinking that maybe it was a bit late already and that he should go back to his apartment, but prolonging the night is fine, too. in fact, it's more than fine. if they could make this last forever, that would be great.

but at least working at the cosplay cafe would be different from now on. waking up in the morning would be different from now on. things are a bit warmer now.

she sits up to take his jacket, and gives it a soft hug before putting it on. her hair gets caught in the back but she fixes her hair soon after. it smells like him, and it's as if he's wrapping his arms around her. she's warm now. ]

Thank you. [ she tugs on the collar with both her hands, as if the jacket could get any more fit on her. ] You are so sweet.

I'll return it to you later?

[ Only on her lower legs you banana!!!

Either way he'd rather make this last as long as it can. At some point they'll have to head back (he wouldn't want Ai or Shigeru to worry) but for now... this is a good compromise. It's when she hugs his jacket first that he has to avert his eyes, a little embarrassed.

It's strange seeing it on her too. Well, it had been strange seeing it on himself first and foremost... but this is nice. She looks...

stunning.

That's all he can think when he looks back at her once she's wearing it and he even reaches up to scratch his head lightly, hoping that hides the fact that he almost stared at her. ]

Later is fine. It isn't as though I don't have other jackets here.

You can't say things like that! [ if the sun could ever laugh, it would sound the same as athena's laughter right now. ] I might never return this, you know.

[ she's only kidding, but if she could keep it, she would. it's something like the butterflies he makes, or the flowers that pop out of nowhere--it's special, even if it's just a piece of clothing. she'd never do anything to it, though... just keep it somewhere to be reminded that he is here.

fortunately, athena's drank two glasses of wine straight and she's tired that she isn't so attentive as she should be. to be honest though, she wouldn't even catch him staring at her if she was sober. she can just be a bit... out of it sometimes. so merlin's lucky. (athena on the other hand wouldn't even hide the fact that she's looking at him, if she ever did. he'll likely find her staring at him if she's manning the counter while he's waiting some tables. ha ha.

oops. ]

I... didn't pay for it, so. [ ty Vietnam..... again. His mouth twitches slightly, trying to not smile because she probably doesn't expect this. ] I wouldn't mind if you did.

[ Just be prepared for Vietnam-nee being a creeper, honestly. Though it would mean a lot that it's with things like those that she now associates it with.

Finally, his hand reaches for hers again, only this time he pulls it up, his free hand peeling the sleeve down slightly to kiss at her wrist. ]

...The sleeves are a bit long on you.

[ it's so cute help him ]

What? [ she blinks, batting her eyelashes as her expression turns curious. ] Who did, then?

[ she can't keep this, if that's the case. it must have been a present or something. merlin has to have it in the end. ]

And that's because I'm not a giant like you. [ why is she so tiny... though once he's fixed the sleeve, she opens her hand to it's flat against one of his palms. it takes a bit of effort to get him to open his palm and raise it to chest level, but she manages. ] See what I mean? Mine's like a baby's compared to your hand.

Vietnam... [ He picks at the sleeve lightly. ] ...took me shopping. [ His voice goes a little dry at the end, and he winces. Athena, does that tell you anything about the day he had... ]

I only had three outfits, and the one I was wearing in that darker place ended up ruined and I obviously didn't have any credits so... [ A shrug.

He goes quiet when she takes their hands to measure against each other, eyes flickering from that to her face. ]

...Well you are a girl. [ I'm so sorry ]

[ that doesn't tell her anything at all... ]

Vietnam, huh? I didn't know she was into fashion. [ her fingers fold into his and she gives his hand a soft squeeze. ] She's amazing. I owe a lot to her for saving my life.

[ it was the worst christmas ever, too. she'd never ever forget almost dying after getting hit by a truck like that. thanks, blizzard! ]

Some girls have large hands, though. I'm not one of them. But at least-- [ ah... this is so shameless of her to say. colour fills her cheeks before she can even add: ] my hand fits so well in yours.

[ It tells her it was a day of suffering. Whether a photography session actually happened or not though, it doesn't come up. ]

I'd definitely say she is after she dragged me around all day. [ His eyes flutter when their hands entwine properly. He blinks them open when she says the rest though, pausing. ] What did she do?

[ He still doesn't know much about her, even if they worked together in the dark pits of hell and they ran from a giant caterpillar together and now... this.

His own skin gets a faint tinge of pink to it when he adds: ] It does.

[ flatly: ]

I got hit by a truck during a blizzard and I was unconscious for a while... I think I would have died of blood loss if-- [ she swallows. she started off nonchalantly, but now continuing is taking a lot out of her. ] they didn't come.

So, I owe Vietnam a lot.

[ even if she's died here already... still, that was still an escape from death, and she couldn't be any more grateful for her. ]

[ He pauses at that, only moving to squeeze her hand again while he watches her. He has to try and remember what a truck even is, but going through all the new vocabulary in his head turns up a result and he winces. ]

What were you doing outside in a blizzard to begin with? [ smh ] Though I'm glad she was there to help you.

[ Maybe next time he won't complain so much when Vietnam treats him like her slave :c ]

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