InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "gurrrrrrrl, please"

Merlin (youngmagician) wrote in colligo_threads,
@ 2009-12-25 00:16:00

Entry tags:

arthur pendragon, guinevere, merlin, morgana

who: the camelot gang [ and anyone else they invite ]
what: celebrating christmas
where: gwen & arthur's room
when: christmas day
notes: tobias is welcome since i just realized these are his rooms too. merlin is sorry for constantly breaking in an never introducing himself.

Merlin decided he liked this Christmas stuff. Maybe he didn't understand it all -- he still couldn't figure out how Santa Claus figured into the birth of a baby because he was pretty sure they didn't talk about a big guy in a red suit in the Jesus story -- or what the nine candle thing he bought was for except that it was part of the holiday season as well (menorah or something like that), but no matter. The traditions were still fun. It was an all day thing, just like the solstice back home, spent cooking and just enjoying the company of your family and friends. Morgana had agreed, and he probably could have waited for her, but he was excited -- And it was breakfast time!

Never mind the constant habit of breaking and entering. It was just Arthur and Gwen's apartment, right? They didn't care. Plus, he'd be quiet. He set a few gifts under the tree Gwen decorated. (He was glad it made her happy because he'd nearly killed himself trying to lug that thing around, and nearly took a few strangers out when attempting to do it with magic. Still, it had been worth it.)

He already knew what they had in the way of food, and went shopping the day before for anything else they might need. Some of it Merlin could cook, his job was coming in handy that way, and Gwen would have to help him later with dinner. He doubted she would mind. Anyways, he could make all sorts of breakfast food just fine, it was an easy meal. Pancakes with chocolate chips and blueberries on the side to be added in occasionally. Bacon with eggs to follow once they started to wake up. Orange juice and milk in the fridge, he found hot chocolate mix in the store too. He even managed to be sort of quiet, as per the plan, only clanging the pans once, and dropping small items that made very little noise.

Oh, and was it mentioned that Merlin had not only worn a too-big santa hat, propped up by and emphasizing his ears, with a green and red reindeer tie that lit up at the nose, and played jingle bells through his belt loops, and started cooking after hanging mistletoe over the door way because he was told standing under it with someone was 'good luck'? Well he was and he did.

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youngmagician
2009-12-27 04:41 pm UTC (link)

Merlin finished up the last of the bacon and turned the heat off, putting the plate in the oven to keep warm. The pancakes went into the microwave covered in foil for the same reason. Now he just had to wait for everyone so he could start on the eggs. So far so good. Nothing burnt or on fire. All the food tasted good. Then a knock at the door.

He beamed as he pulled open the door and caught sight of Lancelot. Merlin, in his too-big santa hat and flushed from the heat of the kitchen looked, admittedly, kind of funny. Just the sort of thing if you needed some cheering up. "Lancelot! Merry Christmas!"

Merlin was more then a little relieved to see him. Lancelot had been so quiet lately, and not around when Merlin came to bother him. "I'm almost finished with breakfast. There are presents, and anyways - It's good to see you!"

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lots_of_lance
2009-12-28 07:24 am UTC (link)

His had been right about Merlin not letting him down. It was literally impossible not to crack a smile at the sight that awaited him. With all the fondness in the world, he laughed and looked up at the ridiculous hat. "What in God's name is that thing?"

He clasped his hands behind his back, momentarily dropping in mood again. "Merry Christmas, Merlin. I'm happy to see you as well, but er... I'm afraid I did not think to bring gifts. My mind has been so full as of late."

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youngmagician
2009-12-28 07:39 am UTC (link)

Merlin grinned and hit the little white poof at the end of his hat. "A Santa hat. There is a story of big man in a red suit who gives gifts on christmas." He liked the hat. It was soft and amusing, and it got a smile out of Lancelot.

"That's alright. You're here. That's what matters." He looked a little concerned because Lancelot didn't appear in the best of moods. Merlin remembered their last chat though, and assumed it was because of Gwen and Arthur. "Do you want a hat?"

Merlin dug a hand into his pocket, pulling out a brightly colored Christmas cracker. The tubes were wrapped in paper, and would pop when opened, usually giving you a paper hat of some kind. "Take the other end and pull."

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lots_of_lance
2009-12-28 07:45 am UTC (link)

'You're here, that's what matters.' A little bit of the chill in Lancelot's heart gained warmth again. Merlin was a good friend, and he genuinely cared about him. If he remembered that, this might be much easier to get through.

"Sure," he agreed, the smile appearing again. He did as Merlin instructed and pulled. There was a loud snap, and Lancelot blinked down into his hand to find the large end of the tube. "Er... how does one wear this as a hat?"

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youngmagician
2009-12-28 08:10 am UTC (link)

Merlin laughed and pulled the the colored paper from the inside of the tube. A light blue paper crown. He unfolded the small hat, reaching up to place it on top of Lancelot's head. It was silly, and would likely rip before dinner. Still it was fun, and it got him looking cheerful again. They could have a proper talk later, but for now he wanted everyone to be happy.

"There you go!" He grinned. "I have all sorts of these. There was a whole display of holiday things at the shop. I bought cookie cutters, the candle thing, these crackers, and -" Merlin paused and glanced up at the plant hanging above them, blushing slightly. "Ah, and the mistletoe."

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lots_of_lance
2009-12-28 08:23 am UTC (link)

Lancelot was certain the flimsy, silly thing was not very knightly at all. But it seemed to please Merlin, and somehow did make him feel a little more lighthearted. So he left it in its place and listened with rising spirits while Merlin talked excitedly of all that he had done and gathered for the holiday. In that moment, Lancelot began to feel like a bit of a fool. After all, Merlin was in the same boat he was, wasn't he? In love with the one person he couldn't have.

And yet, Merlin was not running away from it. He wasn't even letting it dampen his spirits anymore, apparently. Lancelot was supposed to be the one worthy of knighthood here? He was sure Merlin was the strongest, most courageous man he knew.

He cleared his throat and looked upward. "Mistletoe? I have heard of the plant used for medicines... may I ask why it is on the ceiling?"

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youngmagician
2009-12-28 08:33 am UTC (link)

He laughed a little, but mostly looked embarrassed. Merlin supposed he could have stepped away, but instead he just sort of rolled back and forth on his heels. "It's silly. The lady at the shop said it was good luck to hang in in the door way."

Which was true. It was why he bought it in the first place, and it's not his fault the girl lied to him or decided a wink after saying so was enough of an explanation of the sort of luck it was meant to bring. "But Morgana looked it up...Apparently it's luck is in that -- well, traditionally you're supposed to kiss if you stand under it." Merlin was making a point to stare at any point around Lancelot's head or the troublesome mistletoe itself. "It's silly really..."

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lots_of_lance
2009-12-28 08:46 am UTC (link)

Well, that hadn't exactly been what Lancelot was expected. His first thought was to question whoever could have come up with such a strange tradition. His second thought was that he wanted to thank them.

And his third was that he had absolutely no idea where the second had come from. Only that Merlin was giving him this endearing little smile, cheeks all aflame, and he had made Lancelot stop thinking about Guinevere for an entire minute, for the first time in months.

The initial shock of such thoughts coursed through him, and he shook his head and dryly laughed. "There are odd customs in this world," he commented, now also effectively avoiding Merlin's eyes as well. Why, he wasn't sure. After all... what did one small kiss really mean? It didn't have to mean anything. Two friends may kiss in parting, or in greeting, even as a token of gratitude. When it came to Merlin, Lancelot had a lot to be grateful for, didn't he? "Well... part of the Knight's Code is that one must always respect the customs in a foreign land, when one is visiting. However strange."

He looked up at Merlin again, finally, eyebrows raised just slightly and his own cheeks probably tinged even through their natural darkness. He started to lean forward, and his mind went curiously blank.

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youngmagician
2009-12-28 09:15 am UTC (link)

Merlin hadn't expect much more then the laugh Lancelot had given. They could laugh and step out from under the odd plant, and pretend Merlin hadn't gone a ridiculous shade of red as if he'd actually considered anything else. He'd been prepared to agree, odd customs indeed. Of course, that was until the other cited the Knight's Code to him. He couldn't possibly mean -?

Looking at Lancelot this time, not the spot on the wall behind him, or the odd blue crown Merlin had placed on his head, he noticed the faint blush. Maybe it wasn't totally silly, and obviously - whether he'd admit it or not - he'd made no move to step away from Lancelot as he'd explained, but then Lancelot hadn't moved away either. It was just one kiss. For traditions sake, and he did like Lancelot. The other had helped him before when he'd been upset, had kept his secrets, Merlin had even trusted Lancelot where he hadn't trusted Arthur...

But he was over thinking all of this way too much, and Lancelot was suddenly very close. The next thing he knew he'd leaned in as well, and their lips had met, and he really didn't care how or why. Though he may have to invest in buying more mistletoe later.

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lots_of_lance
2009-12-28 10:23 am UTC (link)

He'd known he'd had that thought a minute ago about this only needing to be something brief, something between friends, just something to say thanks. But the moment their lips had touched, Lancelot knew that wasn't going to be the case. He hadn't expected it to feel like this. He hadn't known... hadn't even really begun to consider. But oh, he was considering it now.

For the first few seconds, which seemed to stretch for a much longer time, Lancelot just stayed perfectly still, Merlin's lips under his, lost on what to do next. He was at an impass. He knew he wasn't backing away. But what did it mean to let the kiss flourish? If he moved, if he pressed in farther, if he even let himself breathe... what did it mean?

And was it even alright? Lancelot had always tried to be a gentleman, he tried to be polite and considerate. Was this something Merlin wanted? Was he simply too kind of a friend to magic Lancelot into a wall? The questions pounded through his mind and were impossible to ignore. So finally, slowly, he withdrew enough to look Merlin in the eyes, hoping it was clear that his own were seeking permission. If Merlin wanted to duck away, laugh that ridiculous laugh of his and pass all this off as a little bit of holiday fun, this would be his chance.

But he did no such thing. He only stared back. So Lancelot took that as sign enough to tuck all the questions aside to battle later. Now, he brought his hands up to cradle his friend's flushed cheeks, and leaned in again, hoping to actually let himself feel it this time, without the cacophony of uncertainties.

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youngmagician
2009-12-28 09:16 pm UTC (link)

He didn't know what he expected, but this certainly wasn't it. A quick peck on the cheek at first, maybe on the lips, but no less brief. Something that would happen then they'd step inside, and laugh about silly holiday traditions. Then they would have breakfast, and things would continue like normal. After all, they were just friends. Each with their own affections for someone else, that they (at least Merlin) kept masochistically close, even though they knew there was no chance with that person.

Instead the kiss lasted, and when Lancelot pulled back it seemed too soon. He couldn't make himself move, and he might have spoken but the words caught in his throat along with his breath and heartbeat. Had he stopped time without realizing it? Because Lancelot was staring at him for what felt like an eternity before his hands cupped Merlin's cheeks. Merlin was surprised, but more then willing. He pressed their lips together, a little more certainty behind it this time. Any confusion, or coherent thoughts at all were forgotten. Never mind that Morgana, Arthur, and Gwen were only a room away being coaxed out of the room for a breakfast that Merlin was meant to be cooking.

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