The Salle, Monday Morning

[bitchprince]

Not that Arthur would admit it, but yesterday had helped to calm him down from the state of introverted confusion he'd been in since Thursday. He was no longer showing signs of such, or at least nothing that was as easily, visibly sedate.

He was, however, very focused on his own swordwork that morning. He'd asked Merlin to stand guard come with him into the salle, but now that what bothered him worst had gotten out, he was free to focus on his movements to ward off the rest of it. Slowly, carefully, and with full concentration, he lapsed into familiar patterns that were as easy as breathing by now.

[[ open salle, but I'll be SP in bursts until the evening ]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin was there, of course, very calmly polishing Arthur's armor off to the side. It certainly could use it to stay in the shape it ought to be for battle.

And to look all shiny.

[bitchprince]

"Think you missed a spot," Arthur called, walking up to him after a finished drill.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Did not," Merlin replied with out looking up. But he was grinning still.

[bitchprince]

"Honestly," Arthur said, peering over him as soon as he'd gotten there, "Worst polishing job you've done in weeks."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You haven't seen me do this in longer," Merlin shot back cheekily.

[bitchprince]

"No, but I've seen the armor," Arthur said, authoritatively, reaching to give him a light thwack in the head so he'd finally look up.

Let it never be said he wasn't occasionally prone to five-year-old tactics.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Have you?" Oh, they could both play at being children here.

[bitchprince]

Now, don't interrupt him while he's busy pulling pigtails.

"I do wear it from time to time," he noted, leaning a hand against the wall.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"You do? I hadn't had to put it on you recently..."

[bitchprince]

Arthur rolled his eyes at him. "Last week," he said, significantly.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Was it then?" Merlin asked, looking up as if thinking about it.

[bitchprince]

"Yes, Merlin," Arthur told him, dryly, "No need to trouble your failing memory."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know how it is here," Merlin replied, sighing dramatically. "Things start to go once you hit a certain age.

NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah wandered over during a break, to whisper, "Surprise party tomorrow!"

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"There is?"

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah nodded enthusiastically, face alight. "I know it's short notice, but I forgot the date 'til last night. Tony turns eighteen tomorrow. So! Ice cream at Chilly Boulder for all!"

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I'm always up for icecream," Merlin replied, beaming.

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah grinned happily at him, then asked, "What are you doing here today, anyway? Not that I'm not glad to see you."

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Oh, the usual," Merlin said with a casual roll of his eyes. "Keeping an eye on Arthur."

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"You need to get more hobbies," Dinah scolded him, mouth quirking. "Or a back-up. Or something."

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"It's not a hobby!"

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"I know!" Dinah responded, sorry she'd tried to joke about it. "Although why you're here now, when you haven't ever been before..." She shook her head. The back-up idea was better, but she didn't think Merlin would go for that either. "You worry me, that's all."

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Arthur and I have been talking." Merlin rubbed a breast plate more determinedly. "Things were a bit strained before, but it's better now, so I thought perhaps to try to be more active around him."

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"After you told him about the magic?" Dinah guessed, even though that was a while ago, then thought of two other things that might have been made awkward. "Oh." Because what was okay to talk to Francine about because she'd needed someone to talk to, was most definitely not something she wanted to clue Merlin in that she knew about. Awkward. Especially when she wasn't sure of any details. "Okay. That's... good, right?"

Re: NFB, Squirrels shhhhh!

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Yes." Merlin nodded soundly. "I think it's much better now."