An Interlude || Locked to Saber

[tiercelet]

Despite Merlin's ability to take almost anything life threw at him and simply roll with the hit, routine had always been something of a comfort to him. It kept his hands busy and his mind free to wander as he wished, to quietly contemplate all that weighed on his mind. Recently, those thoughts had been occupied by his closest friends in Johto and

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[tiercelet]

[That has him raising an eyebrow.] Of course not. Why would I want you to leave?

[He slowly approaches until he's standing before her, concern etched in his features. No matter how good Arturia thinks her acting skills are, they aren't fooling Merlin in the least. She might have shown him this side of her when they first met, but those glimpses have become fewer and fewer as of late. The serious look on her face is a far cry from the cheerfulness he's come to expect.

No. This isn't the Arturia he's gotten to know.]

Something's bothering you. You don't need to hide it, you know. Not with me.

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[Perhaps senses her mood, or because he realises on some level that she wants to talk to him. Whatever the reason is, Merlin wordlessly takes a seat next to her and places a hand on her shoulder.]

Hey, this is your room, too, Arturia. You're not intruding.

[He leans forward to get a better look at her face. This is important--whatever it is. Merlin's never heard of the Holy Grail before, but if it's the reason behind Arturia's odd behavior, then he wants to hear about it.]

Why did you?

[tiercelet]

[After helping Arthur settle into his room, Merlin returns to his as quietly as he can. Though he's certain there are still a few people in the house awake and about, he doesn't want to risk waking someone who is trying to get some shut-eye.

The room is dark when he peeks in, so he carefully pushes it open, mindful of the tiny creaks the hinges make while they turn. Only after he's closed the door behind him with a tiny click does Merlin drop his bag onto the floor with a soft sigh.]

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[Yikes, incoming Eeevee! Merlin, bends down, picking Hazel up accommodatingly.]

Yeah, it's me. Why are you still awake?

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[He'd drifted off for a moment, propped against the bed frame, but slowly wakes when he registers the sounds in the room, however quiet they are. Sitting up, Merlin rubs at his eyes.]

Arturia? [He blinks in her direction sleepily.] That you?

[Then his brain finally catches up and he finally realises what he's seeing. He chokes, turns fairly red, and promptly turns around.] S-Sorry! I didn't see anything!

[tiercelet]

[Trying to ignore the heat gathering in his face and ears now, thanks. And just pretend you don't hear the odd squeakiness of his voice when he speaks up.]

It's all right! [He darts a look at Kanji's side of the room, hoping he didn't wake him. Then lowers his voice.] I w-was waiting for you anyway. You didn't really wake me.

☙ NOVEMBER 18; (evening)

[tiercelet]

[After talking to both Kanji and Yosuke, it's little wonder that Merlin wants a bit of time to himself. It's true he might not have been as close to Naoto and Yukiko like the rest of the Team, but they had still been friends. Friends who could have become better friends with time. Now, when they do come back, he knows he'll have to start from scratch again, slowly build up their friendship like he's done several times before

[tiercelet]

[Even if it's Arturia, Merlin has to struggle with himself for the briefest of seconds, wondering if he should answer her or not or simply close his eyes and try to sleep. Drained as he is by this day's events, Merlin isn't sure he'll be the best of company, and he doesn't want Arturia, of all people seeing him in a bad temper.

Thankfully, sense wins in the end, and he lifts his head from the pillow, rearranging himself until he's facing her.]

Just a little. [His voice is rough--from all the speaking he's done today or from exhaustion, he can't tell--and little more than a whisper. He feels oddly vulnerable, letting her see him this distraught, without bothering to hide it. Still, she is the one who approached him this time, and Merlin wants to acknowledge that somehow.

A moment's hesitation later, he lifts the blankets up while looking at her with a tentative expression. It's a silent invitation--one that Merlin isn't sure she'll accept so soon.]