He either fears his fate too much Or his deserts are small... WHO: Merlin and Phryne WHAT: A re-meeting among two who would be more than friends. WHEN: Friday evening WARNINGS: Some kissing and bare talk of sex STATUS: Closed and Complete
Merlin had been home for a little over a day, and had reached out to several people, but there was one he wanted to say hello to in person. He had managed to get an apartment, resecure his old jobs, and was dressed to the nines as he headed out. A small bouquet of roses in colors that really were impossible in the world on one arm, he popped up at Phryne’s door and knocked.
He wore a suit that showed him off quite well, even to a top hat. And a carriage and horse waited outside her house as he knocked on her door. He had a plan.
***
As Phryne hadn’t been paying much attention to the network lately, she was not aware that someone she cared for very much had returned to the crazy little town. She was currently at her desk going through listings for available housing as she had decided that she really needed a bigger place.
A small one bedroom apartment was serving to make her feel claustrophobic and it had to be remedied immediately if not sooner.
She was surprised by the knock as she didn’t believe she was expecting anyone. She ran a hand through her hair to fluff it up and then went to open the door.
She stared in surprise for a moment and then remembered to speak.
“Merlin?”
***
“Hello, Phryne. You look just as beautiful as ever.” He grinned at her, eyes warm as he swept her from toe to hair, and he held out the flowers.
“How’ve you been, dearest of ladies?”
***
Phryne was rarely at a loss for words, but she was having that exact issue right at the moment. She accepted the flowers and then gestured for him to come in.
How was one supposed to greet one you had fallen deeply for, but who had been taken away, and now was brought back again?
“You know me, I’ve been putting my nose into everyone’s business and helping to scandalize the ones in this town who are a little too attached to their sticks and mud.”
***
Merlin followed her, smiling gently, eyes warm as he watched her. He nodded to her words, feeling a pang of sadness for having missed the time with her, for having missed anything involving her. It hurt, a little, and he hated the Dome and anything else that had contributed to that.
“In other words, having way too much fun. Good.” He smiled warmer yet as he looked at her, still feeling as he had. He only knew a moment, even as it had been three months for her. He did not expect anything, really, even if he hoped fro all the things.
“You look as lovely as ever, milady.”
***
Phryne’s feelings hadn’t changed for him one bit, but she didn’t know how his life had gone in the three months he had been gone. Her mind was telling her not to expect anything while her heart was being a right bitch about this whole situation.
She finished setting the very beautiful roses in a vase and then turned to him, making a quick decision.
“If you do not come over here and at least hug me, I may have to break something over your head, Merlin.”
***
And he was at her side immediately and doing far more than hugging her. His arms went around her and his lips met hers and he kissed her, oh he kissed her, as if he had not seen her in ages. He kissed her, and his lips opened and his tongue teased her lips as his body melded to hers, alive, aroused, inflamed with the want and need of her, and the care for her.
And when that kiss parted, he pulled his head back, but that was all. “How was that, my dearest Phryne?”
***
When Merlin greeted her in the way that she had really wanted him to, Phryne had no problem at all kissing him right back. She tightened her arms around him as he pulled her closer and she kissed him as if her very existence depended on it.
When he broke the kiss, she was glad to find that he was still holding her as tightly as he had been.
“That was definitely the best greeting I have ever received, my dear Merlin.”
***
His breathing was fast and his face flushed and he smiled to her. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I do like the way you say hello, too.”
Then he grinned and kissed her again, very like that first kiss, and without hesitation, his hands stroking her back lightly, warmly. When he broke the kiss again, he smiled. “Perhaps we should talk and spend this day getting reacquainted, yes?” he paused and waved toward the outside.
“If you have no other plans, I have a carriage that we could take to eat something, mayhap?”
***
Even if Phryne had any previous plans -- which she didn’t -- they would have been canceled. Merlin was here and right now there seemed very little that was as important as that fact. She let herself melt against him for several moments and then reluctantly pulled back and gave him a smile.
“I think that it is a marvelous idea and no, I did not have any previous engagements claiming my time today.”
***
Merlin smiled. “Then as soon as you are ready, I am willing to sweep you away for the day, and maybe longer. Did you know there are a couple of hotels that are so wanting for business, they are offering their rooms for very low prices?” He smirked. “With free room service, cable, and spa access included?”
His eyes danced with amusement and with the idea of them enjoying such.
***
She could not help the wicked little smile that graced her lips. “It would be remiss not to help them out with at least one of their wonderful suites and their offered luxuries, would it not?”
She turned and went to grab her coat and her purse. As she was dressed impeccably in one of her favorite blouse and trouser combinations, she was quite ready to go.
“Shall we?”
***
Merlin’s smirk matched hers. “My thoughts exactly, milady. Had I know of this before, I would have invited you then, but it seems a good beginning to a new day, does it not?” He nodded to her, and smiled warmly.
“We shall.”
He offered her his arm, and led the way to the carriage, where he helped her up and vaulted in himself, smiling. They were soon on their way.
***
Phryne was feeling quite a bit lighter than she had been before opening that door. She tucked her arm through his and when she was settled in the carriage, she looked around before letting her eyes rest on his face.
“What kind of adventures have you been on since you were taken away, my dear?”
***
Merlin smiled softly, and sat next to her as the carriage started forward, carrying them on. He felt bouncy and smiling and warm. Maybe his life was on an upturn after all.
“Actually, I went to bed here in town, and woke up falling into a friend’s house. A rude awakening, yes.” He chuckled. “For me, no time at all has passed.” He sighed. “The dome is playing games again.”
***
“No time at all?” Phryne asked, not wanting to tell him how much time had passed as she didn’t want to let him know how sad she had been when he had disappeared. “The dome does seem to enjoy its tricks and treats, doesn’t it? A lot of tricks, but some very good treats now and then.”
***
“I was hoping, when I arrived a day ago, that you would… that you would feel as you are showing. I find I like you, M’lady Phryne.” he used the more intimate way of speaking it, which meant ‘my’ lady, instead of simply a polite word for woman.
“I would much rather see what sorts of tricks and treats we can get up to ourselves.” His smirk was warm and lopsided.
***
“My feelings have not changed,” she murmured, leaning against him. “Yet, I had the same worry -- that you had been gone long enough that what was between us, or burning between us, may have faded some in your time away.”
Somewhere, Dot, Mr. Butler, and Jane would be quite impressed with her speaking about her feelings in non-cryptic language.
“That is definitely something that we must try to do.”
***
Merlin smiled, hope surging in his heart. “Then would you, perhaps, be interested in exploring… something even more serious than devoted friends who enjoy the wit and sex each other provides?”
He spoke on as the carriage moved. “The whole last few days I was here, before I was taken, I was thinking about it a lot, and had a plan to ask just this, then. A few days from when I was abducted, I was going to ask you out, like now. I am sorry that we were torn apart.”
***
Phryne turned her head so that she would be able to look at him as she spoke. “First, you have nothing to apologize for, dear one. It was not as if you asked for this place to tear you to from at its whim.”
She touched his arm lightly. “I had also been thinking about this before you were taken, Merlin. I also had plans to speak to you about it. Granted, I know that traditionally it is supposed to be the man that speaks of intentions first, but we both know that there is nothing at all traditional about me.”
***
Merlin smiled softly and bent his head to kiss her cheek and hair. He was glad to hear her words, her way, to see how she looked to him and spoke. Hope and other emotions rose in his heart. He snuggled close to her.
“I love your spirit, your nonconventionality, and the brilliance of your mind, dear Phryne. I have lived a very long time, and conventions and societal things change. But your heart and mind are one in a million and I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
He leaned in then and kissed her a tender, yet a passionate thing. A thing of hope, and of this newborn relationship.
“Thank you, dear woman, for being willing to believe in me, and take a chance in this strange world.”
***
There were many things that Phryne knew she was good at, but translating her feelings into actual words did not often seem to be one of them. She was relieved to see that her words seemed to be explaining herself quite well this time. When he snuggled in closer to her, she was very happy to relax even more against him.
As he spoke, she couldn’t help but think that there were things inside her that were knitting back together and she felt complete in a way that she had only been once before.
“I always believe in you Merlin, and I believe I always shall,” she returned the kiss and then pulled back to smile at him. “I am not the only one who is taking a chance at something new.”
***
Merlin nodded. “I feel young. But not so young as to be as foolish as i once was. I feel content. And excited.” he grinned at her and his kiss was soft. “And not just because of what you inspire in me when I think of what you look like under those clothes.”
Merlin snuggled her close, happy, warm and feeling utterly like a new day had dawned.