mythandmagic (mythandmagic) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-11-08 17:58:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, groot, merlin |
Who: Merlin and Gabe
When: October
Where: A bar
What: Talk of future plans
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete
Merlin had to admit he was really curious about Gabe’s request, he’d help in any way he could of course. Gabe was a good friend and he made Nina happy which in turn made Audrey happy. The four of them were just a happy little bunch which in a world like they lived in was no bad thing.
Having a couple of drinks was more than welcome right now and he knew Nina was going over to see Audrey so she wouldn’t be on her own. It was good for them to socialise. They’d arranged to meet at the bar since they could both meet there straight from work, entering the establishment he looked around to see if Gabe was there already.
Gabe was at the bar, waiting for his drink, leaning in among the patrons as each sought the bartender's attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the door swing open and he turned to see Merlin’s slight frame enter. Raising a muscular arm Gabe waved, hoping to catch his friend's eye.
Merlin noticed Gabe and made his way over, “Not been here long I hope?” he said as he joined his friend at the bar. He’d walked over so he may have been a few minutes late but Merlin still didn’t drive - he didn’t really need to since he could always use magic to get to wherever he needed to.
“Nah, just got here a few minutes ago.” he smiled, clapping his friend on the shoulder in greeting. “How are the kiddos?” He turned as the bartender slid his beer across the polished counter and Gabe slid him the money owed; he hated running a tab. “Thanks for being able to come, man. Appreciate it.” He took a sip through the foamy head of the beer, savoring the strong flavor. It was going to be a conversation where he needed some liquid courage.
“They’re great, getting along well which is a relief. Ben likes being helpful. Aud is already talking about going back to work” he sighed with a slight shake of his head, his wife didn’t know how to rest. “Anytime, sounded like you needed to talk” Merlin said before sipping his own drink, “Everything okay with you and Nina?”
“He's at a good age. They like being able to help out instead of getting jealous that they're not the only one getting attention.” Gabe had grown up in a big family; raised by his grandmother it had been a revolving door of cousins and kids of family friends in and out of the home he shared with his brothers. He’d grown up having to help and teaching the little ones how to help.
He frowned a little as he watched Merlin shake his head. Moving from the bar Gabe led the way, his bulky muscular form immediately commanding people make way for them in the crowded bar. “I take it you would prefer she take the whole maternity leave?” He didn't blame him. He would too. But Audrey was Audrey.
Finally claiming a table, Gabe sat down. “Yeah no we're great. Perfect, actually.” He sipped his beer to try to steel himself for this. “I um...well…” he chuckled to himself and toyed with the pint a moment, looking down at it between his fingers. “Thing is, I was thinking of proposing to her. I just don't know the first thing about it.”
“Oh yeah and we’re more than happy to encourage that. We’d much rather they get on than fight all the time” Merlin smiled, he knew there would be arguments but if they could keep those to a minimum they’d be happy.
“Honestly yeah. She pushes herself too much, too quickly. But if I try and tell her she gets a little grumpy with me. Or as grumpy as Audrey ever gets anyway” He wasn’t the kind of husband to insist on anything but he did wish she’d take just a little more time.
A bright smile spread over Merlin’s face, “That’s brilliant mate, congratulations. She’s going to be stoked” he said, “Proposing isn’t that hard. I proposed to Audrey at a Gala she was holding at Baxter’s, surprised her completely. But something tells me something a little more intimate might work better for Nina. Oh and definitely take somebody ring shopping with you, it helps” he advised. He’d actually taken Nina with him for Audrey’s ring.
“Yeah fighting kids is not entertaining at all,” Gabe smirked and gave him a knowing look. Again, big family, used to it. Party to it himself.
“You think maybe if me and Nina said something, it might convince her?” Gabe offered. “She really should take as much time off as possible. And you know, you got babysitters over here to take Ben off your hands if you need some QT with Bea.”
Gabe’s Groot smile matched Merlin’s exuberant expression. “Thanks, man. But she hasn’t said yes yet.” He chuckled behind his beer. “Something more intimate, okay.” His brow furrowed a moment as he thought. “Well...there is Fullerton. Though it’s kinda winter time so all the super cool flora is done. There’s still some really nice ones blooming though, Amaryllis and Narcissus and Phlox. Any other ideas that might work for her? I guess doing it at a restaurant is probably out?” He cocked his head to the side when Merlin explained how ring shopping worked. “Who do I take with me for that?”
Merlin smiled, being an only child he hadn’t experienced a big family but he knew enough from friends to know that kids fought sometimes.
“It might. I had been thinking about asking Nina to stop by and check on her, she hides her tiredness well but I don’t want her health suffering because she wants to get back to work” Merlin admitted, “I know and I am really grateful that you and Nina are there”
“Oh that’s just formality, of course she’ll say yes” Merlin said confidently, everybody could see how happy they were together. “Fullerton might be a good idea, she likes being with you there. And winter flowers are still pretty. You know I think even if you cooked at home and made it super romantic she’d love it” Merlin said, Nina wasn’t one for being center of attention but something thoughtful would definitely suit her. “Oh well I took Nina with me when I was looking for Audrey, so you could ask her?”
“I can let Nina know. And besides, she's a nurse, and there's no arguing with her once she's got her mind set.” Gabe chuckled. “Aud will have to listen.” Nina’s tenacity was one of her qualities Gabe admired.
To be honest, Gabe knew Merlin was right, but there was always that small chance she could say ‘no'. Whether she might not be ready or whatever other reason a woman might decline, it was a fear that had been present in the back of his mind, hence wanting to talk it out with Merlin. But as his friend looked at him with all the confidence in the world that everything would be okay, Gabe relaxed a little.
Proposing at home was intimate, but seemed so low key to Gabe. They ate over at each others places every day just about. Uncertainty was on his face. “Mm. Will have to think about that.”
“Take Audrey? But what about the kids?”
“That’s true, there is definitely no ignoring her when she’s telling you something especially health wise” Merlin nodded, knowing it would be better if Aud slowed down.
“It has to feel right to you, as soon as it does you know you’ve hit on the right idea” Merlin advised him.
“I am their dad, I can look after them for a few hours without the house burning down” he grinned.
Gabe chuckled into his beer. “Don't I know it. She practically locked me in my own damn house once when I had one of those twenty four hour bugs. I was all ‘I‘m fine, I can work!’ and she was just ‘Nope, your ass is staying here.’ In the end she was right, of course cuz then later in the day I was worse. But don't tell her I said that.” He laughed.
Gabe nodded as Merlin explained about finding the right place and time. Looked like he had some thinking to do.
He snickered. “You sure about that?” But he then leaned back and nodded in appreciation. “But seriously thanks, man. You can tell Aud about this then I'll text her I guess?”
“My lips are sealed” Merlin promised, one thing they could all agree on was that Nina’s heart was most definitely in the right place and when it came to health she most definitely knew her stuff.
“Positive, have you seen Bea’s ears?” he said with a wry smile, there was no doubt about that little girls parentage, “Yeah, that’ll work” he agreed, knowing Audrey would be very excited.
Gabe outright laughed. “No man, I didn’t mean that! I meant you sure you won’t burn the house down while Audrey’s gone!”
“Okay cool. Looks like we got a plan going then.” he smiled, his nerves settling. He raised his glass a bit. “To saying yes.” He said with hope.
Merlin laughed, “Oh that, well luckily if anything does catch fire I’ll be able to use my magic to put it out” he winked.
“To saying yes” he clinked his glass with Gabe’s, he couldn’t wait until his friends were engaged.