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

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.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

[She only needs one hand to eat, so she reaches across the table to take his hand. That's kind of an overpowering thing to see happen in him, it makes her feel good, happier, just to see it in him.]

Does that mean... this will become regular thing? Could get used to it.

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[He squeezes her hand and then lets them rest together on the table, fingers entwined.]

I don't think once or twice a week would do any harm. Since it's perfect it'd seem unkind not to.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

I'll learn, too. Make dinner for you, sometimes. Only fair, to share that.

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[He smiles.]

It would be a lie to say I'd mind that.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

Been baking stuff, with Anya. Cooking with Alex, too. Getting pretty good.

[Ish. The big improvement came when she got to the point where she could just eyeball what a teaspoon was instead of trying to find the right spoon for it.]

Will make that... pudding thing, you said you like. The apple one.

[Cause that's dinner.]

Spam <3

[takeyouapart]

[Yeah, why not.]

I'll have to dig out Gaius' recipe for it. Though that's if he ever wrote it down.

Spam <3

[hellofist]

Maybe just pancakes forever, if you... can't find it. Or I'll... make something up. Something special, just for us.

[Because there's no way that could ever go wrong.]