:D
The fact that Merlin didn't deny the possibility right out was promising in Zacharias's mind. At least, it was more promising than reactions he had gotten from the younger man all previous times, so that was something.
"Well," he said, voice quiet because they were so close - it would only take a small head tilt for their lips to meet once again.
"Usually these things start with dates. Dates where you give me a chance instead of deciding that you hate me straight out." Which had seemed the case for the previous dates they had gone on. "Spend time with me. Get to know me and maybe you'll see that I'm not the scary person you've painted in your mind." He could be quite a gentleman in fact!
"And you can always let me kiss you some more. Might find you like that as well." A smirk hinted on his face.