[ Spring break is an absolute blessing. You're worn down from fall and half of spring. Midterms always take out a major chunk of your brain. This one golden week is a savior. It's necessary. And Merlin's lucky enough to spend it with the prettiest girl he's ever seen.
He's not kidding himself. Cosette could do far better than him. She's beautiful and intelligent and charming and an angel. No, seriously. He's pretty sure that there's an actual singing chorus whenever she walks in a room. The glow he hasn't imagined either. Lancelot confirmed it.
But! He's going to count himself lucky anyway. She seems to either be vacationing close by or lived there or-- Whatever. She's here. She's here, he's here. And they are having lunch together. They definitely aren't strangers. They probably spend more time together than a lot of actual couples on campus. Any time she's willing to give him, he'll gladly take.
Merlin's long since finished his water. The giggles of their last conversation still lingering in the air. It's a beautiful day out. They shouldn't be wasting it. Merlin leans close, eyes narrowing in that playful way that tells you this secret is big. Super important. ]
You want to see the best spot for swimming?
[ There's no trick, no scheme. Merlin simply wants to have fun. More importantly, he wants Cosette to have fun. ]
[ It was a blessing that her father allowed her to spend the week's vacation with her boyfriend. He supposed he could count his lucky stars that his little girl, no longer so small, opted for well-intentioned nerdier types rather than leather jacket wearing jerks. Not that he was completely sold on Merlin, but he had to trust Cosette's word. She had introduced them once, when he came to visit her at university, but it was far too brief for his tastes.
She loves her father dearly, but she is glad to spend this week away without familial pressures. Things are going splendidly. It's a nice change from Paris.
Cosette might act like a proper lady most of the time, demure with her ankles crossed, hands folded in her lap, but that doesn't mean she can't be playful. She narrows her eyes, game to play along, leaning in and whispering conspiratorially: ] Of course. Tell me everything!
[ So on they go! He jumps up from the table and holds out his hand for her to take. It's going to be quite a walk, but nothing they can't handle. If all else fails, he can catch them something for the night.
That's the weird part about growing up in the countryside. You learn all sorts of survival stuff just... because. What else is there to do but know every little thing about nature and how best to live in it?
It's kind of a funny image, her dressed for outdoors... Cosette is always so well dressed. She's polite enough to startle his mother. She's beautiful enough to startle ... literally any man that walks within a mile of her. How he got so lucky, he doesn't know, but he'll take it. ]
[ Cosette is game for anything. She doesn't recall her own childhood of hard work, but she knows that she won't shy away from less dainty activities like hiking. Under the floral, princess-y exterior is a hardier girl. Merlin will soon learn that, the more time he spends with her.
She takes his hand and rises gracefully, eager to see whatever he has in store for the two of them. ]
If you've thought of it, I'm certain I will. [ That's the truth, though. Even if he's in disbelief about her affections for him, she is completely enamored by him. She feeds off his excitement, she admires his loyalty, his devotion to his mother, his hardworking nature. His hand gets a gentle squeeze. ]
[ Smooth, too. She's always got something sweet or clever or both to say. She may look serious all the time from being so polite, but she's sincere. Merlin could tell that with one look the first time he saw her. He glances behind him as their fingers tangle and smiles. ]
When was the last time you went swimming in somewhere that didn't have chlorine? Purposefully added chlorine anyway... Actually, don't they add that to drinking water anyway? It smells like it.
[ Leave it to Merlin to go off on a mini-ramble about the safety of water. What were they talking about again?
Right, swimming. He meets her pace so when they get to the more complicated parts of the trail, he can help her. It's not exactly the most traveled path. ]
[ Cosette has to pause before responding, but that's really how she is for every conversation. She doesn't like to speak before she thinks. The pause leaves Merlin room for that miniature ramble and Cosette smiles. ] I don't think I've ever swum in water that hadn't been processed, now that I'm thinking about it. I've only ever experienced community and hotel pools.
[ A gasp. ] Oh! Do you have a special swimming spot here?
[ As talkative as Merlin can be, he's more than happy to hear her. Even if he weren't absolutely bonkers over her, he would. Cosette's beauty is only some of the reason he loves her, believe it or not.
Merlin doesn't quite turn to face her as he grins. It only occurred to him just then he didn't blatantly mention where. He'll play it off with a bright puckish grin, as if they're keeping some secret.
Well, it is his spot. That counts, right?
He stops to help her down a particularly steep step, if she'll allow him to hold her by the waist. Merlin's stronger than he looks. ]
We found it years ago. I don't know how no one else has found it.
[ That utterly delights her, sharing in his secret, feeling trusted with such confidential information. She takes it to heart, wrinkling her lightly freckled nose as she leans in conspiratorially. ]
I love secluded little spots, [ she continues. After all, she's the one with the lush, wild garden, tucked away from the rest of the city. ] They're comforting. Cozy. I'm quite honored that I'm privy to this secret of yours.
[ She has to pause their walk once in order to brush a kiss against his cheek, leaving a trail of light pink lipgloss on his skin. Lifting a hand, she rubs it off affectionately, though a part of her thinks that perhaps he might prefer the mark of a lady on him. ]
[ And light pink cheeks to match. Doesn't matter how long they've been together. Merlin blushes every time. Thankfully it's less than the first few... He knew he was impossibly red at first... He scrunches his face at lipgloss being removed. ]
Partially. [ And he keeps the scrunch well after she's stopped. ] Why would I ever want to keep a secret from you?
[ Cosette knows his secrets. She appreciates honesty - she knows there are things that her father keeps from her and while she understands that he has lived a difficult life, she still can't help but harbor some... sadness over it. Being privy to what Merlin does, that means a great deal to her. ]
All your secrets are safe with me, you know that.
[ She gives him a proper kiss this time. ] And I know I can trust you in return.
[ Oh, hello. He wasn't looking for a proper kiss but he'll absolutely take one. It's met with the manliest chuckle he can manage. This close to a giggle Cosette. She seems to have that effect on people...
They aren't far from the spot in question. In fact, they stopped just short of it. To repay her for her kindness and honesty and kiss, he pulls back a branch to show the perfect spot. A tree for shade no matter which angle the sun may be. Plenty of sand (well, dirt...) in the sun. Water that looks like it was made from a movie set it's so perfect. ]
[ She's certainly aware of her effect on people, but she is the last person to exploit her own charms. That would just be unchristian, tbqh. ]
Oh! [ Both her hands go to her cheeks and her eyes light up in delight. Actually, her entire being lights up with delight because it really is a lovely place and Cosette is fond of lovely places. ]
[ He runs out instantly with her hand still in his. Merlin couldn't be kept away from that water if you forced him. He strips down to only boxers - they're the same as swimming trunks? - and looks to see if she's doing something similar.
Oddly, the idea of seeing her wet and in her underwear hasn't quite caught up with him. It's only swimming... ]
[ Cosette, the pinnacle of primness and propriety, honestly had not thought about that either. She had been looking forward a nice dip in the water with her very, very significant other, despite not having thought to wear a swimsuit underneath her clothes.
... Well, it's not as if Merlin has never seen her naked. They have obviously done some things that have always made her giggle in the best way possible. It's only when she starts unbuttoning her sundress that the blush begins to creep over her pale cheeks.
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[ Spring break is an absolute blessing. You're worn down from fall and half of spring. Midterms always take out a major chunk of your brain. This one golden week is a savior. It's necessary. And Merlin's lucky enough to spend it with the prettiest girl he's ever seen.
He's not kidding himself. Cosette could do far better than him. She's beautiful and intelligent and charming and an angel. No, seriously. He's pretty sure that there's an actual singing chorus whenever she walks in a room. The glow he hasn't imagined either. Lancelot confirmed it.
But! He's going to count himself lucky anyway. She seems to either be vacationing close by or lived there or-- Whatever. She's here. She's here, he's here. And they are having lunch together. They definitely aren't strangers. They probably spend more time together than a lot of actual couples on campus. Any time she's willing to give him, he'll gladly take.
Merlin's long since finished his water. The giggles of their last conversation still lingering in the air. It's a beautiful day out. They shouldn't be wasting it. Merlin leans close, eyes narrowing in that playful way that tells you this secret is big. Super important. ]
You want to see the best spot for swimming?
[ There's no trick, no scheme. Merlin simply wants to have fun. More importantly, he wants Cosette to have fun. ]
no subject
She loves her father dearly, but she is glad to spend this week away without familial pressures. Things are going splendidly. It's a nice change from Paris.
Cosette might act like a proper lady most of the time, demure with her ankles crossed, hands folded in her lap, but that doesn't mean she can't be playful. She narrows her eyes, game to play along, leaning in and whispering conspiratorially: ] Of course. Tell me everything!
no subject
That's the weird part about growing up in the countryside. You learn all sorts of survival stuff just... because. What else is there to do but know every little thing about nature and how best to live in it?
It's kind of a funny image, her dressed for outdoors... Cosette is always so well dressed. She's polite enough to startle his mother. She's beautiful enough to startle ... literally any man that walks within a mile of her. How he got so lucky, he doesn't know, but he'll take it. ]
C'mon then. You'll love it.
no subject
She takes his hand and rises gracefully, eager to see whatever he has in store for the two of them. ]
If you've thought of it, I'm certain I will. [ That's the truth, though. Even if he's in disbelief about her affections for him, she is completely enamored by him. She feeds off his excitement, she admires his loyalty, his devotion to his mother, his hardworking nature. His hand gets a gentle squeeze. ]
no subject
When was the last time you went swimming in somewhere that didn't have chlorine? Purposefully added chlorine anyway... Actually, don't they add that to drinking water anyway? It smells like it.
[ Leave it to Merlin to go off on a mini-ramble about the safety of water. What were they talking about again?
Right, swimming. He meets her pace so when they get to the more complicated parts of the trail, he can help her. It's not exactly the most traveled path. ]
no subject
[ Cosette has to pause before responding, but that's really how she is for every conversation. She doesn't like to speak before she thinks. The pause leaves Merlin room for that miniature ramble and Cosette smiles. ] I don't think I've ever swum in water that hadn't been processed, now that I'm thinking about it. I've only ever experienced community and hotel pools.
[ A gasp. ] Oh! Do you have a special swimming spot here?
no subject
Merlin doesn't quite turn to face her as he grins. It only occurred to him just then he didn't blatantly mention where. He'll play it off with a bright puckish grin, as if they're keeping some secret.
Well, it is his spot. That counts, right?
He stops to help her down a particularly steep step, if she'll allow him to hold her by the waist. Merlin's stronger than he looks. ]
We found it years ago. I don't know how no one else has found it.
no subject
I love secluded little spots, [ she continues. After all, she's the one with the lush, wild garden, tucked away from the rest of the city. ] They're comforting. Cozy. I'm quite honored that I'm privy to this secret of yours.
no subject
Merlin will keep up the act as they continue walking, keeping to a whisper. The trees might hear! ]
I couldn't keep a secret from you if I tried.
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Do I just have one of those open faces?
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Partially. [ And he keeps the scrunch well after she's stopped. ] Why would I ever want to keep a secret from you?
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All your secrets are safe with me, you know that.
[ She gives him a proper kiss this time. ] And I know I can trust you in return.
no subject
They aren't far from the spot in question. In fact, they stopped just short of it. To repay her for her kindness and honesty and kiss, he pulls back a branch to show the perfect spot. A tree for shade no matter which angle the sun may be. Plenty of sand (well, dirt...) in the sun. Water that looks like it was made from a movie set it's so perfect. ]
What do you think?
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Oh! [ Both her hands go to her cheeks and her eyes light up in delight. Actually, her entire being lights up with delight because it really is a lovely place and Cosette is fond of lovely places. ]
Perfect.
no subject
[ He runs out instantly with her hand still in his. Merlin couldn't be kept away from that water if you forced him. He strips down to only boxers - they're the same as swimming trunks? - and looks to see if she's doing something similar.
Oddly, the idea of seeing her wet and in her underwear hasn't quite caught up with him. It's only swimming... ]
no subject
... Well, it's not as if Merlin has never seen her naked. They have obviously done some things that have always made her giggle in the best way possible. It's only when she starts unbuttoning her sundress that the blush begins to creep over her pale cheeks.
Oh. ]