[ he probably won't find out that she's seen something of his until much later. she doesn't want to get so bothered by what she saw, even if it was mildly terrifying. even if she did feel a bit of jealousy in her. she doesn't even know how to bring it up anymore.
[ He watches her back quietly and slowly moves a hand to rub at his forehead. As if it wasn't bad enough already, really. ]
I know what I said. But you won't even look at me and... [ That hurts too, you know. He'd needed time as well, but she's making it look like it's his fault. At least it's how it feels when she keeps her back to him. ] It's fine, I'll just... [ He'll just study or something until she comes around as well. In which case, she'll see the book that has been stuffed in the corner of the room go flying up over the room and finally into his hand. He settles back against the bed, being just as stubborn about this. ]
Do you want me to get the ice pack? [ He only used it a little, he felt more nausea than headache, at least. But she isn't wrong... it's why he would have preferred something more traumatic in a sad way honestly. ] I'll make something in an hour.
[ He shifts off the bed then, reaching to get the ice pack so he can take it to her instead. ]
[ ugh... she faces him now to take the ice pack, but her eyes don't stay open for long. as soon as she places it on her forehead, she closes her eyes and tries to remember how to relax. ]
I'll do it. You're a guest, silly. [ a beat, and she lets out a pained groan. ] I'm sure Clonco would want to play with you while waiting.
[ she doesn't move and doesn't speak for a few minutes, but she's thinking very deeply about what just happened. she's definitely not happy with what she saw. him being in tears. and she's even more unhappy about what she heard. there was just so much pain.
she really needs to make it up to him at some point. but for now-- ]
Merlin? [ she can't see where he is, but she lets one hand drop to the bed, palm facing upwards. ] Can you hold my hand?
[ After putting the ice pack on her, he'd just settled to the side though, so he isn't far. His hand doesn't hesitate in reaching for hers even if it triggers another spaced out session on his part. Hopefully his hands are still cool enough that it won't get her too. This time it's a memory of Lancelot doing the tests set for him so he could aim to become a knight. Before it kicks in though, there's a soft whisper of "Anything you want." ]
[ unfortunately (or fortunately?!), his hands have gotten a bit warm and it triggers another memory for her, too. it's not a bad one this time around, thankfully. though it is pretty painful. she's running in the waterpark, racing with rock lee on their way to one of the lap pools. and then she trips on a hose and falls on her face, causing a nosebleed.
fun times.
but the memory passes quickly, and it only makes her squeeze merlin's hand when it finishes, wanting to know if he is truly there. she can hear some soft purring from under the bed. not that they can see it, but it's her fox nuzzling merlin's before resting its head on the other's back.
when she finally speaks, though, it's totally unprompted. ]
Iris told me I was cruel for hitting you. I didn't know you were so hurt by it-- so hurt because of me... I won't do it again, I promise.
[ why!!! is he being!!!! so difficult!!! she only puffs her cheeks when he cups her face and then blows some air onto his face like an angry child. take that!!!!!! ]
[ Ouch... What a memory, but it's still better than what it could have been. His hand squeezes hers in return as his other hand flips the page of his grimoire, taking note of a new spell he hasn't studied yet ehen... Athena says that. ]
She... What? [ Well it gets his attention then because wow thanks Iris, that isn't what he said at all. ] But I didn't... [ The book just gets left on his lap as his hand smacks himself in the face. ] Well it came up that you hit me when I flustered you, but I told her I thought it was ...more funny than anything else. I didn't say I was hurt, she just put her own ideals on people shouldn't show their feelings like that.
Yesterday, when you left... [ she takes off the ice pack with her other hand so she can move closer to him, face burrowing at his side. ] She posted on the network and asked to talk to me.
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