[ don't smile, athena. don't smile. you're supposed to be co- no... she can't help it. she smiles. but hopefully, merlin is too busy with his weird emotions to see. ]
[ Weird emotions? He's not the only one who is currently a mess of feelings. He has no idea which to even stick to as he hasn't even known her that long but somehow his heart is jumping because this is warm. She's happy. He's happy.
It's then that he decides to just yolo it and lay there, soaking that feeling up without really thinking about where thing might be leading to.
There's plenty of time for that in the future, and he definitely doesn't want to ruin this moment. ]
It is. [ Is what he repeats back at her, squeezing her hand back as his heart skips again. ]
Not as weird as you. [ Sorry Athena, but you walked right into that one. It's also a bluff to hide how unsure he is about this whole thing. It is pretty weird. He can't imagine doing this with Guinevere. Even if he'd want to with Morgana to help her feel safe and not alone now he knows her secret he wouldn't be able to.
[ she opens her eyes as she thinks, though she just stares at the sky without moving.
it is weird for her too, but she likes it, anyway. the hand isn't familiar in any way, but the sensation is. she knows what it's like to like somebody, and this is it... again. ]
But, no... I'm not bothered. Just- your heart is being weird.
Sorry. [ It's the only thing he can think to say, because while she's explained about her own ability it's a little hard to imagine how it must sound. He can't put a name to anything and he doesn't really want her to listen to it either, not until it makes more sense.
But he'd rather keep this moment than lose it by saying something dumb.
So he takes a long breath, focuses on the sky instead until he manages to calm down a little. He has too much to consider to get caught up right now.
But this is a nice feeling. Warm. Caring. Just like her. ]
[ He quietens for a minute, just to slowly tilt his head to look towards her. Candle light flickers across her face, across her hair and skin. Whatever mix of feelings had been there before (probably a hot mess of happy, sad and shocked) has dulled into a quiet mix of the three that's a lot less deafening.
But it's still present. He can't change that. ]
The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable. [ It comes out as a murmur. They're close enough like this that it'll be easy for her to hear no matter how quietly he says it anyway. ]
[ she can see him in her periphery, but she doesn't look at him no matter how hard she wants to. he's already uncomfortable, she'd rather not make it worse. the unwanted noises have calmed down a bit, at least, and that eases the heavy feeling in her chest. ]
That's my line. [ and then she closes her eyes again. ] Just tell me if I'm being too much.
I know I can be like that. [ so she's told, anyway. ]
[ that's true. and it makes her feel better upon hearing those words. and she does stop thinking about it, and focuses on the good side of this situation. ]
Thanks... I'll try.
[ she shifts to lie on her side and looks at him briefly.
nope. nope. abort mission. she quickly looks back up, and ends up squeezing his hand tightly. ]
[ He doesn't shift to his side, but he does roll his head to look at her when he feels her body moving next to his and... then the pain that shoots up his hand. ]
Ow?! [ Athena, what is wrong with you??? He almost jerks his hand back. He's definitely looking at her now though, distress at the throbbing in his poor hand. ]
[ He really has no idea what he did wrong here. Since crushing his hand (thanks Athena) she's only been getting weirder and weirder.
Why are girls so complicated. ]
...Not the first time I've heard that. [ He shifts back then though, moving to sit up instead. He rubs at the back of his neck, his other hand that's still connected to hers going slack. ]
[ it is getting pretty late, and it shows by how high the moon is... ai would probably worry if she came home late, especially since she didn't say where she was going.
she slides her hand away from merlin's and slowly gets up, even putting on her shoes back in the process. ]
[ It had to be late enough for the candles to show properly really. They need to cool before he can put them away anyway. Once she's up he moves as well, tugging his boots back on and then finally shaking out the blanket. That done, he lays it flat. With a glance and a flash of gold it folds itself.
Guess who uses magic for their chores? This guy. ]
All done.
I need to put this back to normal though first. [His hand moves towards the candles, and with a quick look the lights go out, leaving them mostly in darkness. There's only the light from the moon now. Thankfully it doesn't take long for a candle to cool, especially one that's not really had the flames attached for that long. Sort of.
He dumps them in a bag, then shoves them inside his own bag. The blanket follows after.
If Athena wants to leave in the meantime she's free to go, though he'd obviously(?) prefer it if she didn't. ]
[ merlin doesn't have to worry about anything. athena just watches him and waits, and once the candles are out, helps serve as a light with widget on her neck. not that widget really helps a lot in keeping things illuminated, but he's still a source of light. ]
How come you don't always say anything when you use your magic? [ the spells, she means. ]
[ Once everything is back in his bag he pulls it onto his shoulder, both hands flattening towards the ground. He doesn't murmur anything, but slowly they start to sink again, revealing the hiding place to the gardens again. ]
It depends on the type of spell. Moving objects I've been able to do since I was young. It was one of the reasons I knew I had magic, it's instinctive. Other spells require... direction.
[ He shrugs. ] Over time it'll get easier to do things non-verbally though, I think.
[ okay, now it's getting chilly, but not too cold. but athena just walks without making a comment on their scenery. ]
That's lucky. We always have to talk and make note of what we're doing in court. [ which is true, but ahe's only kidding with comparing lawyering to magic. that's all she can do, anyway. ]
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[ don't smile, athena. don't smile. you're supposed to be co- no... she can't help it. she smiles. but hopefully, merlin is too busy with his weird emotions to see. ]
This is fine. [ and she squeezes his hand. ]
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It's then that he decides to just yolo it and lay there, soaking that feeling up without really thinking about where thing might be leading to.
There's plenty of time for that in the future, and he definitely doesn't want to ruin this moment. ]
It is. [ Is what he repeats back at her, squeezing her hand back as his heart skips again. ]
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Hey... [ opening it nicely. . . ] This isn't weird, is it?
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...it's definitely weird. ]
Does it bother you?
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[ she opens her eyes as she thinks, though she just stares at the sky without moving.
it is weird for her too, but she likes it, anyway. the hand isn't familiar in any way, but the sensation is. she knows what it's like to like somebody, and this is it... again. ]
But, no... I'm not bothered. Just- your heart is being weird.
[ and she'd honestly rather not have that. ]
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Sorry. [ It's the only thing he can think to say, because while she's explained about her own ability it's a little hard to imagine how it must sound. He can't put a name to anything and he doesn't really want her to listen to it either, not until it makes more sense.
But he'd rather keep this moment than lose it by saying something dumb.
So he takes a long breath, focuses on the sky instead until he manages to calm down a little. He has too much to consider to get caught up right now.
But this is a nice feeling. Warm. Caring. Just like her. ]
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[ now she's feeling bothered, but ah... she won't say anything about it.
let her be selfish just this once, though. ]
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But it's still present. He can't change that. ]
The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable. [ It comes out as a murmur. They're close enough like this that it'll be easy for her to hear no matter how quietly he says it anyway. ]
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That's my line. [ and then she closes her eyes again. ] Just tell me if I'm being too much.
I know I can be like that. [ so she's told, anyway. ]
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[ He squeezes her hand, slides his thumb and fingers against hers to just enjoy the sensation of such an innocent type of comfort. Of touch. ]
Try to not think about it too much, I don't want you to hurt yourself.
[ His heart is definitely showing a little more of the happy side of things now. Stop worrying, numpty. ]
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Thanks... I'll try.
[ she shifts to lie on her side and looks at him briefly.
nope. nope. abort mission. she quickly looks back up, and ends up squeezing his hand tightly. ]
Whoops.
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Ow?! [ Athena, what is wrong with you??? He almost jerks his hand back. He's definitely looking at her now though, distress at the throbbing in his poor hand. ]
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[ she shuts her eyes tight, ashamed with herself. and it only gets worse when a squeaky voice suddenly speaks. ]
[ WIDGET, NO!! ]
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What. ]
My face? [ Widget, yes, apparently!! He does shift onto his side then, leaning onto his arm to look at her, even though her eyes are shut tight. ]
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Fine... I'll tell you.
[ with her free hand, she pokes him on his cheek. ]
There was a mushroom on your face.
[ totes. ]
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When she pokes him in the face and says that the disbelief on his face is considerate. He's not stupid Athena... please. ]
Better than having a... [ He pauses, looking disturbed by his own words when he finishes with: ] potato on my face, I suppose.
[ aka HE DOESN'T BUY THAT AT ALL ]
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You're a potato... [ no... athena, don't continue. . . ] on your prince's face.
[ WHY THIS. ]
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That doesn't even make any sense.
[ Blame Widget... ]
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You don't make sense.
[ in her head, she calls to widget to stop talking, and thankfully, he says nothing more. and so, athena speaks again. ]
May... be we should call it a night.
[ because she doesn't want things to get any more weird. ]
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Why are girls so complicated. ]
...Not the first time I've heard that. [ He shifts back then though, moving to sit up instead. He rubs at the back of his neck, his other hand that's still connected to hers going slack. ]
And it is getting pretty late I guess.
[ Too late. ]
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she slides her hand away from merlin's and slowly gets up, even putting on her shoes back in the process. ]
You know, you might be right. I'm really weird.
[ and she picks up her bag, then looks at him. ]
Do you need help with the blanket?
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Guess who uses magic for their chores? This guy. ]
All done.
I need to put this back to normal though first. [His hand moves towards the candles, and with a quick look the lights go out, leaving them mostly in darkness. There's only the light from the moon now. Thankfully it doesn't take long for a candle to cool, especially one that's not really had the flames attached for that long. Sort of.
He dumps them in a bag, then shoves them inside his own bag. The blanket follows after.
If Athena wants to leave in the meantime she's free to go, though he'd obviously(?) prefer it if she didn't. ]
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How come you don't always say anything when you use your magic? [ the spells, she means. ]
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It depends on the type of spell. Moving objects I've been able to do since I was young. It was one of the reasons I knew I had magic, it's instinctive. Other spells require... direction.
[ He shrugs. ] Over time it'll get easier to do things non-verbally though, I think.
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That's lucky. We always have to talk and make note of what we're doing in court. [ which is true, but ahe's only kidding with comparing lawyering to magic. that's all she can do, anyway. ]
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