[ And at six, there is a curiously paint smudged mage considering the closed doors of the club. Well, he's only marginally pain smudged as he actually tried to clean it off and managed mostly. Half of his hair is up on a bun and the back side of it is nicely red.
Other than that, Merlin cleans up nicely if with a hint of vintage feel to it. Vest and trousers, a button down shirt.
He considers knocking but then decides to go with a phone call. ]
[The club isn't officially open until seven so there's not much going on. There's always the business of getting everything ready. He was still able to answer his phone when it rang.]
No, no, we're supposed to go out right? So, I'll come meet you. I'll show you the place after.
[The club has protections and other standard warding but also spells to create bubbles of quiet at tables so people can talk, various magical alcohols in the bar, and magic in the lights. It's all very decorative and meant to entertain and it all carries Dean's signature.
It only took him a moment to step outside and meet Merle with a smile. He's dressed for work in a suit and tie but has a leather jacket on.]
[ Merlin spends that brief moment by studying the magical defenses, soaking in the feel of them in hopes of learning to recognize the handwriting by heart. All magic is unique to its caster in some ways and if you pay enough attention, you'll learn the signatures.
If you want to believe Merlin's older brother, his signature is arrogance and sloppiness.
He brightens up a bit when Dean walks out, letting go of the sign as he steps to meet Dean at the door. ]
[There was a little coffee shop not too far from the club that served affogato, espresso with a scoop of ice cream. It would be the perfect combination of his suggestions.
Dean hunched his shoulders and shook his head.]
My family and I don't talk. They're not really supportive of the gay thing.
[ Merlin gives him a sideways glance, his brows furrowing. He's quite a bit taller than Dean, it's hard to see his expression when he hunches his shoulders like that.
Not that it would be anything good.
Amazing topic, Merle. ]
I'm sorry to hear that, [ he says earnestly. ] They're adamant or just not ready to accept it?
Very adamant. I haven't talked to them since I left home at eighteen.
[There's some sadness when he looks over at him but his smile his genuine.]
But look, I've got magic and I've got a successful business. What do they have? Bigotry and hate. The way I see it I've got the better end of the deal.
[It may hurt sometimes but he knows he's better off without them.]
[ That is probably the usual way of viewing it. Merlin and his family are in a unique position where they have to endure each other until the end of days. Soon his mother and his father will start to push him for the marriage with Gilva that he hasn't yet agreed to. But in the end he probably will have to. He has to provide an heir unless someone can unearth a candidate for the throne who won't be too weak and too much of an asshole.
But none of that has to be today.
Today he's going to grab that hand and spin Dean around by it.
Because he can. ]
And now it's a gay life for you, [ he says with grin and a bit of dramatic flare. ]
[He wasn't expected to get twirled around but he managed to keep his balance and not make an ass of himself by falling over or tripping over his own feet.]
Yeah, it's a pretty gay life. It's a damn good life too. Some of the beds I've woken up in have been great.
[Dean winked at him and tugged him around a corner to the coffee shop. It was a little place, not a chain but just about as pretentious. He tolerated it because their coffee was actually amazing. He'd put up with a lot for good coffee.]
Oh, yeah, so I'll just pop on over to New Orleans again. [As nice as the idea is things are a little more complicated than just showing up.] I still don't even know how I got to your place in the first place.
[It's obvious Merle can get to him with a bit of magic but things aren't as easy for him but he ignored that for now and focused on ice cream and coffee.]
I'm pretty partial to chocolate. Or caramel. If I'm feeling adventurous there's always Ben and Jerry's.
[ That is a matter easily settled but Merlin doesn't say that. He smiles and keeps quiet. If that arrangement will be more than a joke one day, he'll provide the means to get in and out of his flat. ]
You seem like the chocolate type, [ he says without explaining at all. ] I like mint. But chocolate is good too.
[ He settles behind Dean as they line up to order. But soon he leans over to ask: ] So, what do you recommend?
[He grinned over his shoulder at him, not the least bit bothered by how close he was. They were flirting. It seemed like Merle was into him. He wanted to encourage this.]
Well, I usually get the dark roast and if I'm feeling fancy a caramel latte. After a long night of work I get a latte with two extra shots. [He nudged him with an elbow.] Get whatever you want. It's on me.
[ But it's a good kind of obvious. At least they didn't agree on vanilla.
Merlin looks at Dean instead of the coffee choices, enjoying the easy air between them. They definitely are flirting, but he's in no hurry to take it further. It'll go there if it does. And until then, it feels nice just being friendly. Well, more than friendly. ]
So it is a proper date then, [ he muses just before it's their time to order. He waits for Dean to get his out of the way and then settles on that dark roast. It sounds like something that would have a handsome flavour to it. ]
I mean, I didn't want to assume but you did ask me out for coffee or ice cream and that totally sounds like a date. [If he assumed too much, well, it wouldn't be the first time he did that. Dean tended to leap before he looked.
They had to step to the side to wait for their orders.]
Better speak up now if you want me to stop thinking of it like one.
[Which he wouldn't be offended by if Merle wasn't into that. It wouldn't be the first time a cute guy flirted with him and turned out it was just flirting. It was a damn shame that Merle was really attractive and totally magical but such was his life.]
[ This time there is a hand landing on the small of Dean's back, holding him lightly to Merlin as they wait for their order to be finished. ]
You misinterpret me, [ he says calmly to the vicinity of Dean's forehead, then turns to look down at him, a small smile curving those lips slightly. ] Yes, I'd like to be on a date.
[ It is probably Merlin who puts more weight to it than he should. That's just how he is, both feet in. ]
[There's no denying the slight thrill that goes down his spine. Yeah, they're on a date and it seems like Merle is on board with touching as well. That's nice.]
Nice to see we're on the same page. [Dean put a casual arm around his waist as well.] Though give me a little warning next time and we can do something better like dinner. I've got to work tonight.
[Though, Merle could hang out at the club. He was magical.]
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How about six?
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Yeah, sure. Works for me.
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I'll see you there.
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Other than that, Merlin cleans up nicely if with a hint of vintage feel to it. Vest and trousers, a button down shirt.
He considers knocking but then decides to go with a phone call. ]
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Dean speaking.
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This is Merle. I'm outside your club. Do you want me to come inside?
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[The club has protections and other standard warding but also spells to create bubbles of quiet at tables so people can talk, various magical alcohols in the bar, and magic in the lights. It's all very decorative and meant to entertain and it all carries Dean's signature.
It only took him a moment to step outside and meet Merle with a smile. He's dressed for work in a suit and tie but has a leather jacket on.]
Hey, man, good to see you again!
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If you want to believe Merlin's older brother, his signature is arrogance and sloppiness.
He brightens up a bit when Dean walks out, letting go of the sign as he steps to meet Dean at the door. ]
Likewise. I like what you've done with the place.
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[He grinned, really pleased by the words.]
So, ice cream or coffee? I know a great place for both. Or if you've got someplace in mind let's go.
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[ And even then he was concerned about something else.
Hands in his pockets, he'll fall in step beside Dean. ]
So, you know I have three brothers. How about you? Any siblings?
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[There was a little coffee shop not too far from the club that served affogato, espresso with a scoop of ice cream. It would be the perfect combination of his suggestions.
Dean hunched his shoulders and shook his head.]
My family and I don't talk. They're not really supportive of the gay thing.
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Not that it would be anything good.
Amazing topic, Merle. ]
I'm sorry to hear that, [ he says earnestly. ] They're adamant or just not ready to accept it?
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[There's some sadness when he looks over at him but his smile his genuine.]
But look, I've got magic and I've got a successful business. What do they have? Bigotry and hate. The way I see it I've got the better end of the deal.
[It may hurt sometimes but he knows he's better off without them.]
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He hesitates for a moment but then reaches over to place his hand on Dean's shoulder, squeezing it gently. ]
You are much better without them. It doesn't mean that it's easy to accept never having them in your life, though.
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[He reached up, caught his hand and squeezed it.]
And I get to enjoy the company of attractive men without guilt or shame which yeah, I'll definitely take that.
[It was so much better to enjoy his sexuality than hide it. Dean will take flirting with cute guys like Merle over his family's love any day.]
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But none of that has to be today.
Today he's going to grab that hand and spin Dean around by it.
Because he can. ]
And now it's a gay life for you, [ he says with grin and a bit of dramatic flare. ]
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[He wasn't expected to get twirled around but he managed to keep his balance and not make an ass of himself by falling over or tripping over his own feet.]
Yeah, it's a pretty gay life. It's a damn good life too. Some of the beds I've woken up in have been great.
[Dean winked at him and tugged him around a corner to the coffee shop. It was a little place, not a chain but just about as pretentious. He tolerated it because their coffee was actually amazing. He'd put up with a lot for good coffee.]
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Yes. You should come test drive the bed some time again, [ he say nonchalantly as they enter the coffee shop.
It has a nice quaint feel to it. Small and cozy. A little bit too shiny for his tastes but hopefully the taste would make up for it. ]
So, ice cream flavours? What's yours?
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[It's obvious Merle can get to him with a bit of magic but things aren't as easy for him but he ignored that for now and focused on ice cream and coffee.]
I'm pretty partial to chocolate. Or caramel. If I'm feeling adventurous there's always Ben and Jerry's.
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You seem like the chocolate type, [ he says without explaining at all. ] I like mint. But chocolate is good too.
[ He settles behind Dean as they line up to order. But soon he leans over to ask: ] So, what do you recommend?
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[He grinned over his shoulder at him, not the least bit bothered by how close he was. They were flirting. It seemed like Merle was into him. He wanted to encourage this.]
Well, I usually get the dark roast and if I'm feeling fancy a caramel latte. After a long night of work I get a latte with two extra shots. [He nudged him with an elbow.] Get whatever you want. It's on me.
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[ But it's a good kind of obvious. At least they didn't agree on vanilla.
Merlin looks at Dean instead of the coffee choices, enjoying the easy air between them. They definitely are flirting, but he's in no hurry to take it further. It'll go there if it does. And until then, it feels nice just being friendly. Well, more than friendly. ]
So it is a proper date then, [ he muses just before it's their time to order. He waits for Dean to get his out of the way and then settles on that dark roast. It sounds like something that would have a handsome flavour to it. ]
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They had to step to the side to wait for their orders.]
Better speak up now if you want me to stop thinking of it like one.
[Which he wouldn't be offended by if Merle wasn't into that. It wouldn't be the first time a cute guy flirted with him and turned out it was just flirting. It was a damn shame that Merle was really attractive and totally magical but such was his life.]
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You misinterpret me, [ he says calmly to the vicinity of Dean's forehead, then turns to look down at him, a small smile curving those lips slightly. ] Yes, I'd like to be on a date.
[ It is probably Merlin who puts more weight to it than he should. That's just how he is, both feet in. ]
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Nice to see we're on the same page. [Dean put a casual arm around his waist as well.] Though give me a little warning next time and we can do something better like dinner. I've got to work tonight.
[Though, Merle could hang out at the club. He was magical.]
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