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[ Did they even decide on a movie... whatever, he's picking whatever 3D option is available, apparently about animals (?) and pays for it all with his card. It comes out pretty high in credits but whatever... he's paying for it with... questionably sourced money anyway. Hopefully Athena never finds out about that. ]

Why are you back to that? [ WHAT A LAME NICKNAME.... ]

Come on, we're in screen...7? [ He reaches out with one hand to slide the 3D glasses onto the top of her head, shoving his on right after.

]

I think it's upstairs?

[ hopefully she never does find out... she'd rather give him all her money than have him do shady things for credits... seriously. ]

Back to what? [ no, tell her, she's clueless.

but merlin, you aren't supposed to put on those glasses until you're in the theatre itself... ah. . . whatever. she finds a table to put their snacks on for the meantime, puts on her glasses and then pulls him close. ]

Come on! Let's take a picture before the movie!

[ It's just easy.......... okay......... ]

The name. [ He follows her along, presuming she was trying to get a better hold on all the stuff they got when she pulls on the glasses as well and pulls him in. ]

Do you have your device on hand? [ Definitely not a no, though his CereVice is going to have an embarrassing number of photos with just them on it at this rate. ]

[ she cants her head, peering at him curiously, though it's probably not obvious when her eyes are covered by plastic... or whatever shut up liah. ]

Merl's not a bad name, is it? You don't like it? Or-- [ hm. maybe she should let him call her by something else? it's only been juniper who calls her by a different name. it's okay for merlin to call her by that same name. it makes things more special. ] Do you want to call me Thena? That's my nickname.

[ though as she says that, she's already setting up her cerevice and setting it to selfie mode. she has a ton of images of merlin from the cosplay cafe; candid pictures, of course, but she'd never tell him that.

or let his slimy hands on her cerevice. ]

Ready?

Edited 2016-03-14 12:59 (UTC)

[ Look... It isn't my fault you're behind with the times?!

Either way, he wasn't really expecting this either. The only person he's ever had to deal with nicknames before with is Guinevere, and that was merely because her name is longer than most people and she just shortens it to Gwen. ] Do you want me to? And really it isn't bad I'm just not used to it, I guess? No one really has nicknames that I know of at home.

[ He shifts so they can both fit in the frame anyway, and right as she takes the click he shifts quickly to press his mouth against the side of her cheek, laughing at the same time.

Don't......... kill him. ]

Right! Let's go before it starts then. [ Like nothing...... happened at all. ]

[ SHOVES YOU INTO A DITCH. ]

Well, I don't mind, either way. You can call me whatever you like. [ wait. no. she immediately regrets saying that. ] So long as it's not annoying. [ because she definitely won't call him "boob" in an endearing manner. ] But I can just stick to Merlin if that's what you want.

[ she'd do anything he wanted her to do at this point. being smitten sure has its cons.

and she's definitely surprised once the photo's taken, even grabbing him by the shirt after he pulls away. she gives her a look, but she can't fight how giddy she is. especially when a smile escapes her lips and she can't do anything to hide it. ]

I'll get you next time.

[ up the floor they go! not forgetting their snacks, of course. ]

[ DIES........ ]

Whatever I want as long as it's not annoying? [ He repeats it back at her, and it doesn't really matter to him whether she "gets him back" but when she grabs his shirt he uses the momentum keep close. ]

I don't know what you're talking about, Buttercup.

[ No wait... maybe that's a little too embarrassing........... even he's embarrassed by that. Enough that he definitely takes off with his share of the snacks to carry. ]

[ she's silent.

too silent.

until-- ] Buttercup. [ said flatly. ] That's the worst you can think of, Amore Mio?

[ thank god it's only athena who can speak italian between the two of them... or so she thinks, anyway. . .

then she stops and almost trips when she realises what she just said. her face turns as red as her hair and she covers her face, paper bag hanging by her hands. ]

Oh my gosh. I didn't say that.

I wasn't trying to think of anything bad. [ There's a chill down his spine at the silence, even as he walks down the corridor, finally glancing back at her to witness...

Athena being a hot mess. ]

What? That language even was that?

[ softly: ] Italian...

But I don't to tell you what it means. [ never, ever. that was just too much. she may like him, but to call him her love is just something else. she just wanted a cute pet name, and that was the first thing that she ever thought of.

and she regrets it. ]

I think I'll just call you my Prince from now on. Even without the costume, you are one. To me, anyway.

Italian? [ He doesn't even know Italy is a country so... even if he asked, it doesn't help.

It's with restraint that he stops asking her about it, gaze softening as he watches her admit everything else. Instead of winding her up further, instead he says: ]

Let's go inside then, my Princess. Before we end up too late.

[ Even if neither of them would truly have that kind of title. ]

[ oh, thank god, he didn't decide to prod on it further. she would have died in a heartbeat. not that she isn't dying now. she's still so nervous and confused; lightheaded to the point that his words are the only ones guiding her on where to walk and where to go.

she still can't believe she said that. she didn't mean it. she didn't mean it. and it's going to eat her up alive just thinking about it throughout the movie. but hopefully, merlin doesn't notice that she's disturbed by anything and just eats his snacks and enjoys the whole 3d experience. ]

Do you mind if we sit in the middle?

[ He probably won't while the movie is starting up at least, giving her a little time to get used to this. Granted, when they walk through the door he's distracted enough anyway. The advertisements have already started and the screen is already brightly lit up. It's a miracle he doesn't throw nachos and cola all over the place as he yells out (far too loudly for a cinema): ]

WOAH. HAVE YOU SEEN THE SIZE OF THAT?!

[ and you thought you were embarrassing... Athena............ ]

[ her eyes dart around the cinema, seeing each and every patron's eyes focused at them... jesus. WHAT AN EMBARRASSING PERSON MERLIN IS-- holy lord. she shushes him and decides to run to the back of the room instead, up the stairs they go far from where people can see them because...

there's no need for anybody to be subjected to his commentary. just her. her alone is fine, and more than enough. ]

Don't be so loud! [ she says loudly, in a loud voice.

... they're hopeless. ]

[ The worst part is that he hasn't even noticed that they're getting all this attention now, he's trying to not trip up while staring at the screen, especially as he has the glasses on already and when he's in the middle he can see the effects in place.

Thankfully his attention is obviously also taken up by Athena most of the time and he glances back when he feels she's started going up already--

then proceeds to laugh because what a pair they make. Hopefully no one they know is in here tonight to see this display. ]

Have you used these before? [ He settles into his seat, barely registering that she chose the back instead. No one is watching them anymore. He balances his nachos on the chair next to him, putting his drink in the holder. ] I never thought I'd ever see something like this.

[ Well at least his rambling is quieter now ]

Used what? [ her tone's all hushed now, and she's even begun stuffing herself with some popcorn. actually, she just wanted those other snacks to take home. :) ] The glasses? Of course I have.

[ not unless he meant the cupholders or whatever else! she wouldn't know. ]

Enjoy yourself, alright?

[ because she'd enjoy the night more if he did. ]

[ Athena??? He isn't a credit machine... ] What else would it be?

[ Though he's practically leaning on the seat in front of them when the trailers start, nachos completely forgotten to the side because this is mesmerizing. Like watching spell after spell unfold but zoomed in.

When an explosion happens on screen, some kind of car racing movie with the car crashing he goes flying back into his seat with a loud: ] Woah-- [ He sounds breathless already.

Was this really a good idea???????? ]

[ BUT HE DID SAY HE WAS BUYING FOR THE NIGHT!!! :) She'll try to eat everything, anyway. Don't worry. But she's definitely leaving some candies for later when she studies. Not unless she passes out again. (She'll pass out again.)

The couple in front of them looks back when Merlin reacts to the crash, and Athena just laughs and explains that it's his first time.

And then to Merlin-- ] You can't just keep yelling like that or else we'll be asked to leave. [ she isn't angry or anything, just concerned. ]

[ He did... what a mistake that was. (not really)

He does at least look at little guilty for spoiling that poor couple's evening (well, only slightly. But he has to hold himself back for 2 hours. That's a challenge. ]

What do you want me to do? [ At least he isn't being loud when he says that, sulking slightly now they've been judged just because he was taken in by the experience. How sad. ] This is really intense, isn't it?

[ it really is a challenge, even for athena. they haven't been able to chat with each other in a while so going to watch a movie where they can't talk to each other so much is going to be a challenge. she'd love to catch up with him and hear his stories about his magical shop.

alas. ]

How's this? [ she shoves some popcorn into his mouth. ] If you feel like screaming, just grab hold of me instead.

[ athena cykes' famous last words. ]

[ There's always after but... it's really difficult to keep his mouth shut to begin with. He ends up slowly chewing the popcorn, slouching down in the seat as he tries to get comfortable. ]

Does that mean I can hold your hand, or is it too busy stuffing you with popcorn?

[ He glances at her, not even minding that the movie is actually starting now and he isn't as focused on it. He's still a bit worried he'll embarrass her again now honestly. ]

[ what a loser. ]

I have two hands.

[ she even slides her arm into his now and leans on his shoulder. happy? ]

You do, but you also have a huge bag of sweets. [ Thankfully his nachos haven't gone flying off the other chair and he can use his free hand for one of those, warmth flowing into the side of his body where Athena is tucking herself now.

Even if he might want to jump when at certain scenes, it's easy to ignore the feeling like this. ]

[ it's gotten darker now, but she gives him a look. ]

What? I can do it. I can be there for you while I eat and watch the movie.

[ He squints at her in the darkness. ] I don't have some kind of mental affliction, you know? It's just... exciting. Experiencing this for the first time. With you.

[ kill me ]

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