What if I'm working elsewhere? How will I know? [ Do you know how many jobs he has now, Athena???? Well technically 2 with 2 for special events but that isn't the point now is it. ] That's hardly being fair now is it?
[ it wasn't nothing. not to her, anyway. tonight, she found out that he does keep his promises. that's a very important thing to her, after all. and she has to give him credit for making her heart knock at her ribs all of a sudden. but of course, she won't tell him that. ]
It was nothing. Of course.
[ the bell rings and the elevator doors slide open. athena slowly walks inside, then turns to face the door. she sets down her bag on the floor before exhaling audibly. this is it, athena. fix things for sure. you can do it. ]
[ It actually took a lot of effort to gather enough candles and find a decent spot in the gardens for this to work, so it was anything but "nothing". There are a lot of things, like that, that he doesn't say to make it look like he isn't trying as hard as he is. He's used to hiding how much effort comes from him, after all.
He keeps his own bag on his shoulder for the first two floors before just dropping it next to his feet. His floor is first, but she'll notice he pressed hers first anyway. Just to make sure she got back alright. ]
You make it sound as though you don't believe me. [ She has every right to though????
As he doesn't have anything to do though he slides his hands into his pockets, this time watching the monitor on the inside of the elevator as it goes up. ]
It's not disbelief. It's just- [ a light laugh. ] Funny.
[ when they reach her floor, she takes a quick step forward, ready to go, but she turns back to face him. deep breaths, athena, you can do this. ]
Well, good night. You don't have to go down.
[ and it all happens in a matter of seconds. she wraps her arms around his neck for a quick and subtle embrace. though before she starts melting into him and letting the sound of silence in the elevator take control, she tiptoes and gives him a peck on the cheek.
and she rushes to get her bag and runs out of the elevator before merlin could react. though she ends up tripping the moment she's outside her door. ah...
[ He doesn't pout, but his mouth does twist a little at the laugh. He was about to move to hold the elevator in place until she went inside but then she's moving towards him and not the door and he swears his heart actually stops.
It isn't as though she hasn't been this close before, but that was when he put her to sleep to get her to safety and he'd been just as distraught at the time that he didn't think anything of it, other than the pain and suffering.
Like this, it's impossible to not notice her warmth, the way she has to lean up a bit and how her body moves to complete the actions. He doesn't move, and somehow one simple minute feels like eternity. He's too late though, when he finally moves to hold her back she's running for her bag and the door, his cheek feels hot and he just ends up slapping himself in the face.
He can't even remember what floor he lives on now. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I'll send you a text. And then you have to reply in five seconds.
[ she's not completely serious about the latter. ]
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What if I'm working elsewhere? How will I know? [ Do you know how many jobs he has now, Athena???? Well technically 2 with 2 for special events but that isn't the point now is it. ] That's hardly being fair now is it?
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[ she just wanted to see how he'd react, tbh. ]
But I'll definitely text you. Or you can let me know when you're free.
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Give me a day and a time and I'll make sure I am.
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I had so much fun. Thanks, Merlin.
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Instead... now he's being awkward. It's too bright here, compared to outside. He presses the button for the elevator, waiting for it to descend. ]
It was nothing. [ He watches the numbers tick down on the monitor, not looking at her yet. ] But you're welcome?
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It was nothing. Of course.
[ the bell rings and the elevator doors slide open. athena slowly walks inside, then turns to face the door. she sets down her bag on the floor before exhaling audibly. this is it, athena. fix things for sure. you can do it. ]
Of course it was.
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He keeps his own bag on his shoulder for the first two floors before just dropping it next to his feet. His floor is first, but she'll notice he pressed hers first anyway. Just to make sure she got back alright. ]
You make it sound as though you don't believe me. [ She has every right to though????
As he doesn't have anything to do though he slides his hands into his pockets, this time watching the monitor on the inside of the elevator as it goes up. ]
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[ when they reach her floor, she takes a quick step forward, ready to go, but she turns back to face him. deep breaths, athena, you can do this. ]
Well, good night. You don't have to go down.
[ and it all happens in a matter of seconds. she wraps her arms around his neck for a quick and subtle embrace. though before she starts melting into him and letting the sound of silence in the elevator take control, she tiptoes and gives him a peck on the cheek.
and she rushes to get her bag and runs out of the elevator before merlin could react. though she ends up tripping the moment she's outside her door. ah...
at least the elevator doors close soon after. ]
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It isn't as though she hasn't been this close before, but that was when he put her to sleep to get her to safety and he'd been just as distraught at the time that he didn't think anything of it, other than the pain and suffering.
Like this, it's impossible to not notice her warmth, the way she has to lean up a bit and how her body moves to complete the actions. He doesn't move, and somehow one simple minute feels like eternity. He's too late though, when he finally moves to hold her back she's running for her bag and the door, his cheek feels hot and he just ends up slapping himself in the face.
He can't even remember what floor he lives on now. ]