Eighteenth Unused Utility Belt | Video

[hellofist]

[Oh hi barge. Cass is looking kind of... flummoxed? She's not really sure how to feel about this recent development, but here she is, ready to tell you about it.

She may or may not have some little yellow flowers in her hair, don't worry about those.]

Loki is gone. I don't... know if it's for good. But... he's gone now.

[Will the Admiral even pair them back up if he happens to return? She doesn't know. She doesn't really know if she wants that or not.]

I guess... more free time, now? [Why doesn't she look happy about that?] Don't know. Just wish... I'd done more, for him.

Don't know. That's all... I had to say.

Comments

Private

[takeyouapart]

[He can't help but think that's probably for the best, all things considered.

But he's not going to say that, or that Cass did everything she could, or that ultimately she couldn't do much about Loki's unwillingness to be helped. They're all true, and they've been true of Inmates he's lost before, but the only thing to dull the pain of the idea you've failed is time.

And he's not sure if that's time she wants to spend alone, right now. It's rare that it is, but he doesn't want to press his company on her.]

I'm sorry, Cass.

Private

[hellofist]

[When given the option, she would always rather be with him. It's part of what makes living with him so nice.]

Me too. But I guess... no more worrying about him. Or about you... running into him.

[Is that a joke? It might be a joke.]

Private

[takeyouapart]

We'll both sleep easier, I know.

[Also a joke. Deep down he's kind of annoyed he never had a reason to show Loki exactly how he deals with people who want to hurt the people he loves - but Cass isn't easily hurt, and Loki never really made a move on him.]

The week I made Dr Banner take off is finished, so I'm free this afternoon. I could make us dinner?

Private

[hellofist]

Much easier. Just as long as... you don't start snoring.

[His body language, that unhappiness he never got to go toe to toe with Loki over her honor, has her smiling already, but it's the offer of dinner that really makes it stick.]

Would like that. What will you make?

Private

[takeyouapart]

...It'll be a surprise. [lol he's not sure yet 8|]

Private

[hellofist]

You always do good, with those surprises. Can't wait.

Private

[takeyouapart]

I'll see you later, Cass.

Flowers suit you.

Private

[hellofist]

Yep. Stuck with me.

[And that gets another soft smile.]

Thank you. I love you.

Private

[takeyouapart]

[Which gets a smile back because of course it does.]

I love you too.

Private

[hellofist]

Should I go to CTS, give you time... to set up?

Private

[takeyouapart]

I should be well underway by the time you're finished with Stephanie. Send me a message when you're coming home?

[He has a moment over that, referring to his own cabin as 'home' for Cass, but it feels right and he elects not to take it back.]

Private

[hellofist]

[She's said it before, but hearing him say it? Her cheeks are going to start hurting from smiling so much.]

I will. Will be hard though, all that waiting. Really want to hug you.

Private

[takeyouapart]

Probably best not to hug me while I'm cooking.

Have fun in the gym.

Private

[hellofist]

Will control myself, somehow. See you soon, Merlin.

Assume/Spam???

[takeyouapart]

[Because if the latter, well, you know where he lives. There won't even be any smoke coming from under the door because he's an okay cook thanks 8|]

is that actually a question omg SPAM

[hellofist]

[There's no smoke, it actually smells kind of good when she opens the door and peeks inside.]

Merlin?

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin looks out from the mostly-hidden kitchen area where he and Gaius used to cook for one another.

He's making breakfast for dinner. It's genius, don't judge him.]

Hi, Cass. How are you?

Spam <3

[hellofist]

[How could she judge, it's a brilliant idea. Smartest sorcerer ever.]

I'm okay. Part of why... I like it here, so much? Lots of friends, to help.

[She gives him the fondest smile as she sits at the table.]

Also, you.

Re: Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin chuckles.]

Well, I'm glad I still count as a friend.

[He brings two mugs of tea to the table first, setting them down carefully.]

Noticed Olive saying hello. She and I knew each other well when she was last here.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

Always, Merlin.

[And ooh, he's really going all out with this whole thing isn't he? She reaches for a cup and takes a quick sip, not at all surprised to find it's perfect, just like he always makes it.]

I like her. I'm glad that... you have her back, and I get to... meet someone important to you.

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[Well, we're having breakfast, of course tea's happening. And now he's heading back to go and plate up their food. There are pancakes! Or at least, attempted pancakes. The shapes are weird to the point of being Rorschach-test-like, but they taste good.]

I knew you'd get on. I just worry about her a little. She's very...

[He's hesitant to say 'normal' because what does that even mean.]

I think she was alright here last time, but I don't think there was much in her life at home to prepare her for being here.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

[She's leaning forward, craning her neck to try and see what's there... and grinning at what she sees. She won't mention the funny shapes that aren't exactly intentional funny shapes, but she likes it. It's little things like this, misshapen pancakes and tea for dinner, that she'll always remember.

She sees what he means even though he doesn't say it and nods. It's not untrue, some people are just normal in that they don't have extremely out of the ordinary things happening to them.]

We'll look out for her. She's strong though, inside. She'll be okay.

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

You're right - she is. She will.

[There's also bacon and eggs because he assumed that if you were in the gym you worked out at least a bit and it's not like it's ever unsafe to bet on Cass' giant appetite. He brings their plates and cutlery over before sitting down across from her.]

Hope this is all alright.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

[There was working out, but it was the for fun kind, not the keep going until you throw up kind, so her typical giant appetite is about the same size as normal.]

It's perfect, Merlin. ... Wait.

[She spears a bit of pancake, a bit of egg, and a whole length of bacon and pops it all into her mouth, giving it a proper taste test.]

Yep. Perfect.

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin's smile is broad and pleased, and he feels something click into place. The realisation that six months ago he didn't think he was ever going to be capable of feeling good, of feeling anything, and now he's found the strength from various sources to heal at least enough for his life to go on, even without Arthur at his side.

Things aren't perfect, but he feels like...he feels like he's allowed to be happy, like it isn't just something he's let sneak past in spite of himself, and it means something.]

I'm glad. I'd hate to be banned from cooking for you.