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[ It's definitely annoying, but... it's also something he's been used to thinking like. Back home he's more powerful than anyone else he knows, and really even if Uther wanted to kill him he wouldn't be able to. Not really.

But... he can try and let that mindset fall through a little, while they're holding hands like this. Under the same night sky. On the same blanket. He lets his eyes shut. ]

So if I watch your back, will you watch mine? [ It's the closest she's getting to him being a little more careful about himself anyway smh ]

[ hey. merlin may not notice that it perks her up a bit. ]

I can do that. We'll be like a team!

[ she laughs, just wanting to hold his hand a bit longer more than anything else. ]

We can discuss it another time?

[ Considering it was what he was aiming for--

Yeah, he definitely notices. He breathes out slowly instead, not replying right away but instead looking at her quietly. Even if she's still looking at that sky that was twinkling brightly, he's looking at his favourite star right beside him. ~~gross~~ ]

Another time. [ He clears his throat as he looks away, and considering the random questions she asked earlier, he decides to bring something else into the conversation. ]

Other than the aquarium... is there anywhere else you'd want to go?

[ that is gross, merlin. . .

she looks back at him without saying anything, but eventually breaks the ice with a cheerful grin. ]

Wow, that's a tough one. . . [ she looks at him curiously, eyelashes batting every now and then. ] There's no place else that I want to go right now. Why do you ask?

Edited 2016-03-05 14:46 (UTC)

[ king of grossness

though thankfully he smiles right back at her, laughing slightly because: ]

It's going to be difficult to top the dates we've had, isn't it?

[ He definitely just said the "d" word. ]

Edited 2016-03-05 15:20 (UTC)

D- dates?

[ she... never really considered those times when they would spend time together as dates.]

I- I don't— Were they dates? I just thought were spending time together.

Technically? No. [ He just... wanted to fluster her. ] Though even if neither of us were entirely sure, that night in the gardens came close.

[ She did leave by hugging him and kissing him on the cheek-- ]

I didn't really know of the term until I came here, so I have a loose idea of what it means but for me it feels like a time when you spend a precious moment with someone. Right? [ Like when Arthur took Gwen on a picnic... offered to make her "dinner" (guess what didn't happen there) ]

[ he's definitely done a good job of getting her flustered. she turns to the side so merlin can't see how embarrassed she looks.]

I don't think we have to call it anything... do you want to call them dates? [ a beat. ]

Or, the next time we do something together. . . would those be dates?

Edited 2016-03-05 15:39 (UTC)

[ How precious... Isn't it such a shame he's harder to fluster like this? Rather than leaning to try and see her face though, he curls his arm around her, pulls himself closer until he can easily give her his answer by talking quietly into her ear: ] Next time. Though we could call them something else.

I'd have a different name for it anyway. [ "courting" u//u ] What do you want?

[ ah, that's close... and she feels uneasy for a few good seconds before her mind and body realise that it's just merlin. it's okay for him to be this close to her.

her thoughts get even more jumbled up when he whispers in her ear. her ear suddenly feels warm from his breath touching her skin, and it sends a tingling feeling down her spine. it's not bad, but it does make her feel absolutely giddy. ]

Well, I'm not sure... but traditionally. . . courtship would be the right term for it.

I'd like to think so, anyway.

[ A small laugh follows that, and even though she can't see him he chews his lip a little. ]

That's what it would be to me. [ A beat, then: ] It feels more meaningful.

[ It's after murmuring that he shifts just a little more so he can press his forehead against her neck, successfully curling into her properly. It's warmer like this, for one thing, but it's to hide how happy he feels about her response. ]

[ not that merlin would need to court athena... he's won her already tbh.

she shifts a bit to face him, hands sliding down his back to embrace him. she's hit with the tiredness again, but she tries her best to fight it. she'd do anything to keep the night alive... even if it's past midnight now. ]

Then that's what it is. [ her voice is soft and gentle, and most of all, warm. ] That's what it will be for us.

[ it's the night of stupid smiles. ]

[ ah... it's okay, it's the same in reverse.

Which is why is makes a lot of sense when he makes a small noise in the back of his throat, happy when she twists to hug him back. His own arm rises, finding it easier now that it's her back he's holding, to gently rub along her spine, finally ending at the back of her head which he tucks under his chin. ]

Sounds perfect. [ There isn't any sarcasm in his voice at all, for obvious reasons. ]

[ despite being an incredibly hot mess earlier, she's calm now and is at peace with the situation. this night didn't turn out as well as she had planned becauss she really wanted to show him how pretty the stars are, tell him various stories about constellations and whatnot, but... things don't always go as planned

she rests her head against his chest and just closes her eyes. he's happy, and it's more than she could ever ask for. the sounds his heart makes is amazing to listen to -- like a dream come true. though it brings her even more joy because she's not the only one benefiting from this situation emotionally.

it's so peaceful like this. she might end up falling asleep if he doesn't say anything. ]

[ They don't go as planned, but it wasn't all that important. The visuals were more than enough for him anyway. Looking at the stars, looking at her and the lights and the fact that they had this cosy little bubble going on made it perfect for him.

Despite giving her his jacket, he's warm too. She isn't the only one struggling to stay awake when they're wrapped up like this. He doesn't really speak to offer up a conversation, just murmurs into her hair: ] You don't know how special you are.

[ this guy...

thankfully, he can't see her face looks like right now, because she's wearing a really dumb looking smile. her cheeks have begun to get sore from all this smiling, but it's worth it. he makes her smile.

she buries her face into his chest some more, mumbling words like "you're the most special", or "you're just being silly." her voice has turned soft though, as if everything is hushed. she really just wants to rest like this. ]

[ Everything is hushed compared to before, even in the streets below there are less sounds of cars the closer it edges to 1am. He just wants to stay like this. Maybe she should have brought an extra blanket but... that would mean actively trying to nap together on the roof... right?

Then again, this feels like it might be the best night sleep he'll have in a while. It makes this place, this city, feel better.

Finally, he whispers: ] Stay with me.

[ the grip she has on him tightens, as if wanting more of his warmth, as if wanting more of him. and there she goes, nuzzling against him again, trying to get a bit more comfortable. ]

I wasn't planning on leaving. [ even though she did try to bolt earlier. it wasn't a very smart move. but now with his arms around her, she couldn't wish for anything more. if he ever lets go, that would be such a downer. ] Not anymore.

[ He exhales when she grips him tighter, shifting until his lips graze her forehead, the furthest down he can reach at the moment. She's smaller, so it only makes sense. But.

She'll definitely hear a jump in his heart when she says she isn't leaving, more so when he asks: ] So we can stay here?

[ He'll probably be an ice block by morning but whatever... this is amazing. So much better than home in the sense that he doesn't have Arthur or Gaius running after him to find out where he is or what he's up to. He can do whatever he wants. Be with whoever he wants. ]

[ she moves and cranes her neck upwards to give him a soft kiss on the lips. that's a yes, and if merlin can't tell from that, then he might be able to tell from the joyful expression athena has on her face. her hair is a mess now, and her cheeks are dry from all that crying earlier, but somehow, she doesn't care if she looks like a mess. this is fine. ]

I have to switch off the lights, though... We might end up causing a fire.

[ His hand twitches against her head and his eyes flutter at the kiss, that same humming noise to his heart coming back in full. The expression on her face only makes it louder, too. ]

Where is it? I can probably flick it from here.

[ and then they don't have to move. The important thing right there. ]

The switch should be on your side, actually.

[ it's not just merlin's heart thumping loudly and happily. hers is doing the same. this is still so unreal to her. he isn't sure if she's somebody she's been waiting for all her life because while she has fantasies of what her romantic life would be like, she had to focus on lawyering. simon was nice to her and she liked him too, but... this is just something else.

she's really glad she met merlin. ]

My side? [ It's light enough with the lights to see it when he twists, it means he has to twist his spine though, sliding his hand over her waist as he stretches it behind himself. It's suddenly a lot colder without the contact, but neither of them actually have to get up as his eyes flash and the switch clicks off.

There's still a little light from the sky, though it's not much compared to before. It's a lot more... intimate, somehow. A true bubble just for them even in a place as big as this. He hasn't felt as safe and as content as right then either.

Still, with the night dragging on and it starting to feel cool compared to before, he doesn't wait long before he's twisting back towards her to huddle again. ] Better? [ His voice feels louder now it's darker, even if it's still the same as before. His hand smooths up her back, mouth aiming to give her one tiny kiss only he misses and hits the corner of her mouth instead.

A shame his powers don't include night vision isn't it? ]

[ she nods softly and now that he's back, she moves even closer (if that's even possible) just to get a bit more of his warmth. just to hear his heart louder.

they'll have to go back to being coworkers tomorrow, and athena would do her best not to mess things up by telling everybody. the more private their relationship is -- whatever it is -- the better. it's the same feeling as being excited to go home after a long day's work because you heard a package you've been waiting for has been delivered.

she's slowly dozing off, though. lying down on conrete might not be the most ideal for sleeping, but that doesn't matter to her right now. merlin is here.

he's her favourite. ]

[ In all fairness he's torn on what he'll do about it. He's hinted to Shigeru, though the whole conversation had been pretty ??? considering it started with Shigeru talking about how he wanted to give someone a meal as a gift, then he'd brushed it off and said they could ensure his friend was well fed first.

He's shown Athena he cares in other ways anyway, will continue to do so.

Shigeru is a genuinely nice person though, so one day he'll probably ask her to visit and meet him if she hasn't already it's just...

It's a little scary, isn't it? Scary and exciting all at the same time, especially when they end up tangled like this, eyes closing while wrapped up together and he can feel her breath, hear his own heart lulling into a soft rhythm from being at peace.

It's easy to fall asleep after that. ]

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