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[faithfulflame]

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[sortileges]

I'll be there in ten minutes.

[ Mostly because he needs to get there and make sure he's dressed well enough. He's only wearing a thin hoodie and loose jeans but it's better than the clothes he was wearing before. He knocks before he pushes the button for the door anyway, peering out to check he's got the right place.

Seeing Rei though almost makes him want to double back. Not for what she might suspect, but guilt at himself for thinking the way he had before. It had been unfair. ]

...Hi.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's dressed simply, a red sundress and flats, seated on a small deck chair near the edge of the roof. There's a little umbrella set up, with a second chair and cooler too. When he appears, that tight knot of emotion in him gets her to stand up straight, and eyebrows raised she faces him.]

You look like you're worried I'll snap your head off. [A beat.] I won't.

[sortileges]

[ An arm instantly moves to rub the back of his neck as he looks at her, a little... worried, sure but also sheepish as well when she points it out instantly. ]

I don't know about that.

[ But at least he doesn't double back and actually steps over to her. ]

[faithfulflame]

And why is that?

[Rei settles back into her seat, watching him while he steps closer. What the hell was wrong with him?]

[sortileges]

The way I last talked to you. The reason for it.

[ He edges into the other seat she has out, but doesn't actually look her in the eye. ]

[faithfulflame]

I don't yell, or bite, without a lot more provocation. You should know that by now.

[Folding her arms, she leans back in her seat.]

You're hardly the first person to be curt with me. I know that I can be overbearing.

[sortileges]

I'm not worried about you yelling or biting. [ He chews on his lip. ] It's more ...disappointed. Now, I mean.

I was jealous, I think.

[faithfulflame]

You. Were. Jealous?

[Rei mouths the words, slowly and deliberately.

Her voice is carefully contained, neutral and calm, but jealously? That doesn't make sense.]

Of what, exactly?

[sortileges]

[ It's stupid, really, but... ]

Back home I'm used to... no one being as powerful as I am. I guess I just took it personally when you found her and I couldn't do anything.




Sorry. [ At least he's looking her in the eye now, hands clasped together as his thumbs twist anxiously. ]

[faithfulflame]

[It's monumentally stupid, but Rei tries hard to keep her head clear and free of anger, because holy shit this is stupid. What is wrong with this boy.]

You took it personally that I was able to find Athena and you weren't. Right.

[She sucks in a breath, lets it out slowly...and nods]

Merlin, I am sorry for what happened. I should have known better than to activate that robot, but I wasn't thinking clearly. It was my mistake to fix, and I'll be frank. Sometimes that is just how this place works. Nobody can do everything they can at home, and I'm sorry that the realization came this way for you.

[sortileges]

[ See, this is why he's been anxious about it, because she doesn't have to tell him now. He's been away, he knows that now. Sure, it was a rude awakening, but it was one he needed. He's fine now really. He's more worried that she's going to judge him than anything else. ]

I wouldn't be here if I hadn't worked that out already.

[ It's a shame pride gets in the way of things, isn't it? ]

I don't really blame you, I wanted you to know that. Things haven't been easy. I didn't make it any easier.

[faithfulflame]

[She clasps her hands together, but nods, meeting his eyes. She had meant the apology, and pitied him a little bit.]

No, they haven't, but I can't fault you for it. You were frustrated, and that's alright. I would have been, in your position, too. I've been there before, and it's a bitter pill to swallow.

[Rei undoes her hands and reaches for his.]

Athena's alright though, which is the most important thing, and I destroyed the robot. I don't want to think about you fighting that thing. That would've been ugly for everyone involved.

[sortileges]

[ He just nods slightly, staying quiet for a moment. He doesn't know what else to say without going on for hours about everything ever. ]

I shouldn't have brushed you off, but I think if I'd come to you before I left for the Labyrinth, I wouldn't have been as open minded.

And I should have just been happy she was safe. That you were safe. That it was gone. I... don't know.

[faithfulflame]

[Patting his hand, she nods. She has time, really, and he's welcome to ramble.]

You remind me of myself when I first awakened, you know. When I was fourteen. Not in a bad way, just...basically for a while I thought I was indestructible. And that I had to do everything on my own.

I made a mess of things. I'm glad you didn't have to go through that.

[sortileges]

[ He doesn't want to have to exhaust himself over it again really but... ]

I have had to do everything alone. Before here, I did. Sometimes Lancelot was there, but then he left. Gaius... [ He just shakes his head then, looks down at the floor. ]

But I know it's different here now.

[faithfulflame]

Good.

[It was more than that though. She smiles now, much more openly.]

I'm glad you have that. I...hated being alone. There's nothing in the world quite like knowing someone is watching your back.

[sortileges]

It's... been nice. [ He smiles a little there, expression softening. ] I know I should trust people here a lot more. The rules are different. It's just... habit, I guess.

[ He finally moves his hands to squeeze hers now. ]

I wanted to apologise for feeling as I did though. I should have known better.

[faithfulflame]

[She smiles back, curling her hand up in his. Here's a boy she can respect. One of the few.]

It's alright. Don't...take it the wrong way, but you're still adjusting. It's natural, and this place causes all sorts of problems.

[sortileges]

I won't. Not now. [ His teeth pull on the corner of his lip, and now he looks down a little awkwardly. ]

I want to do better next time, because I know there will be one here. I know it'll probably take a while to adjust too, but I think I'm doing better now. Than before.

[faithfulflame]

Well, the fact that you realize it is definitely better than not. Athena was upset. She said I could punch you.

[To which Rei only laughs.]

But I don't think that would serve a purpose now. Do you?

[sortileges]

[ He scrunches his face up at that. ]

Well she already did it, you can as well if it'd make you feel better. I'm used to it.

[ ...pathetic tbh. ]

[faithfulflame]

[So pathetic.]

You know, an apology is worth more than that to me. I'm not really the violent type.

[Says the god of war...]

[sortileges]

[ Look, it isn't like he can hit a Prince back and get away with it...





not that he hasn't tried. ]

Something I'm thankful for.

[faithfulflame]

Just don't give me a reason, and you'll never need to thank me. Being a little stupid after a stressful situation is no cause for violence. From me, anyway. I can't speak for more high-strung people.

[Patting his hand again, she leans back and opens the cooler with a foot.]

Drink?

[sortileges]

I'll try not to. But don't worry, I'm pretty sure she's done it even at times when it wasn't stressful. [ ...What is he doing with his life-- ]

A drink sounds great though.