Fifth Unused Utility Belt | Video and Spam, backdated to late last night

[hellofist]

[It's late, it's been dark for hours and she's pretty sure everyone else is sleeping, but Cass can't. It's not really a new thing, since generally crime fighters are out all night anyway, but the events of the port haven't helped much.

She's in her room when she turns the feed on, dressed in her Batgirl costume except for the cowl and gloves. She feels more like herself, dressed this way.]

What are... tips, for sleeping? Or... to do, to make tired? Don't say reading.

Is anyone else... even up?



[He said she could visit when she wanted. She even told him it might be at night and he said it was okay. That's why Cass is at Merlin's door in the middle of the night, not knocking before she just goes right in. The door was unlocked, so maybe he remembered she said she'd visit. She doesn't look around before she closes the door behind her because she's not really sneaking, so getting caught isn't exactly on her mind.

It's dark inside, which is good. It means he's sleeping instead of staying up all night doing magic things, or whatever it is Merlins do in their spare time. She makes her way to his bed, then climbs onto it to sit beside him and poke him in the shoulder.]

Hi, Merlin.

Comments

[Private]

[hellofist]

Not a baby.

[It's not meant to come out that harshly, but that's a leftover feeling from the stupid port, something she's still a little touchy about. She chews her lip a moment, then sighs and shakes her head.]

Wasn't you. [That doesn't mean much though. It doesn't make what he said go away.] Why are... you awake?

[Private]

[peektuttut]

[He doesn't flinch, just catches his lower lip between his teeth for a moment. He can't blame her at all, so he runs a hand through his hair. He isn't in his room; it looks like he's in one of the common rooms.]

Can't sleep. [That isn't entirely the truth, and he pauses before adding,] I don't really want to.

[Private]

[hellofist]

[It says a lot that he clarifies that instead of hiding it. He's really trying and it's hard for Cass not to instantly forgive him. She'd held Barbara calling her stupid in the heat of the moment against her for so long, but she knows better now. It's easier to just let it go. She'd rather do that, because it means she gets him back.]

How come?

[Private]

[peektuttut]

[There is a part of him that would love to think like that, but he knows he can't. He can only try, and sometimes pretend. But she always knows better, and usually it frustrates him, but right now - right now he doesn't want to be frustrated. He just wants her not to hate him for the things he said.

He pinches the bridge of his nose and rubs his eyes, slouching a little further into the seat.]

Nightmares. I don't really want to see what new ones have manifested over the last few days.

[Private]

[hellofist]

[She nods because that's where she's at, too. She gave it a few shots, but once she started getting everything played back she gave up. Being exhausted was better than remembering the hotel.]

Wish... Alfred was here. He'd make something... to help.

[Private]

[peektuttut]

Or say there's no changing what happened, so pick yourself up and soldier on. [A beat.] Then he'd make cookies.

[And suddenly, homesick. B(]

[Private]

[hellofist]

[And that's when she gets a completely horrible idea.]

Will learn how. To... cookies. Tomorrow, will find book, someone to read instructions. Will make cookies. Won't be Alfred's, but... will be something.

[There's a long, long pause because she isn't even sure if she wants to offer, if he'll even want to be around her or if she could stand to watch his body tell her exactly how guilty he feels.]

Want to help?

[Private]

[peektuttut]

[Oh Cass. You are the best. He smiles a little to himself, and nods, even if he noticed that pause, even if he thinks she probably won't want him around. He was never good at hiding from her.]

I'm very good at reading instructions.

[Private]

[hellofist]

[She might not be from a point where they're family, but she feels it when he talks to her and she sees it in his body. It's not the knowledge that would cement it, that doesn't really matter to her. What matters is he thinks of her as family and she likes that. It's something she wants too.]

You'll do. What kind... should we make?

[Private]

[peektuttut]

[If there's one thing he's okay with accidentally projecting, it's that.]

Chocolate chip. Definitely chocolate chip.

[Private]

[hellofist]

Good. Will come get you tomorrow.