[He winces, but at least this time it's a sympathy wince.]
Yeah, uh. I imagine your story isn't quite complete without her, huh.
[He sighs and settles back against his headboard, crossing his arms beneath his chest while he delves through his mental library for this fairy tale.]
Ssso, uh. Snow White's story, in my world, it's called "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--Dwarves? Dwarfs. I-- I dunno which one it is-- Eh, anyway, it involves her being a kind-hearted and beautiful girl who sings to animals and they all flock to her to help her clean the cottage she shares with the seven dwarves and decorate her pies and there's a mean old witch who is jealous of her beauty and goes and feeds her a nasty apple and--
[He lifts a hand to tap his chin thoughtfully.] Well, I kinda forget what happens after that. It's been like a million years since I saw the movie.
[As Hanna explains the story, Merlin finds himself opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, as if he wants to correct him with every sentence, but then chooses it's better not to interrupt. Well, kind-hearted and beautiful is right, but....sings to animals? Maybe she could do that...if she felt like it. Although he sure didn't see any animals flock to her, unless the bunny counts... And a cottage?? SHARING??? It all just sorta becomes similar-but-not-quite from there, Hanna didn't even mention the tree thing.
The tree thing never leaves you.]
Maya tried to explain it to me earlier, but she didn't believe the dwarves had any names. Is that true?
There's uhhh... Happy and Dopey aaaand Doc. That's three.
[Once again, counting on his fingers.]
Uh. ...Sleepy? Uhhh... Oh! Grumpy! and... Giddy? Silly? No, it's more like... Flirty. Or Shy, but it's not "Shy" What's another word for "shy--" Bashful. Bashful aaaand.
Ugh, c'mon, I almost got'em! [He's just wracking his brain here to remember-- give him a sec.]
Surely Hanna is joking, those aren't even names he's listing. But the more adjectives he lists, the more it becomes apparent that he's being serious, and Merlin is left trying to figure out which one of his friends is supposedly Dopey. Which one is he supposed to be?!
Who is writing these stories?!]
No, stop! STOP! That's quite alright, those are definitely not their names!!
[Ah, finally, a target. When he has time, he'll have to destroy this....Disney person.
But more importantly, Merlin glances towards the door again, making sure there aren't any sudden Maya's that might be overhearing. With a sigh, he turns back to Hanna, looking as seriously as he can about such a subject matter. His words from earlier still live rent-free in his head, he knows Hanna is trying to spare his feelings.]
Don't play dumb with me, Hanna. You know exactly why I know their names....don't you?
Augh, alright, fine. Yes, I'm sorry, I thought you were one of the seven dwarf-ves! It's just-- all the pieces fell in place and it sounded a lot like the story I'd heard and I got too excited! I-- It just.
[Groans, ruffling his kelpy curls in frustration.] I wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything, I just got way ahead of myself. I shoulda asked mono-y-mono, man to man, and not like, put you on the spot like that. It sucked, and I'm sorry.
That's...a genuine apology, isn't it? Wow! Wow, alright then, looks like this is really happening, Merlin can't not tell Hanna if he's going to apologize like that, huh? With another heavy sigh, Merlin double checks the door one last time before looking up at Hanna with the most pathetic eyes.]
I- listen. It's alright. I only got testy because you aren't......entirely wrong. [Oooooohhhkay, he can do this. Maybe. A part of him feels like he can back out quickly and just yell sike, but then he'll just have to keep living with constantly guessing if Hanna believed that or not. Perhaps if he gave himself the reassurance...] What I'm about to say, I'm begging you to PLEASE keep between us. Lord knows Maya looks for any opportunity to push me off my pedestal, she would ABSOLUTELY tear me apart if she knew....
...but...I may have just gotten over a particularly nasty curse before arriving here. So I'm a little.........sensitive.
[Oh, well that's got his attention. He sits up straighter, scooting forward a bit so he can speak low and keep this hush-hush, as requested.]
A curse that turned you into a dwarf?? That makes way more sense than some girl living with a bunch of little old men! Like, that's a way more compelling story--
[Not...the reaction he was expecting and Merlin can feel his face flush at Hanna's sudden excitement in his misery. Of course, this only means his face gets even greener instead of a typical blush, which in turn only makes him feel worse because IT'S ALWAYS GREEN, AIN'T IT?!]
Wha- It is NOT compelling, it was humiliating!!
[Merlin hisses much like a cat would when presented the entire face of a horse.]
I'll have you know I was like that for over a year! We all were! We were so ashamed, we had to go live out in the woods. ...Which, speaking as both a human and a nymph, was actually quite pleasant. BUT STILL!! We had missing posters, Hanna!! It was a whole thing!!
[...well shit, guess it's time for even more confessions. Merlin chuckles awkwardly, the kind of chuckle that drips with guilt.]
Ah, no, actually... This was the, um, faerie...princess...?
[He isn't about to bring up his earlier faerie freak out and something tells him he doesn't have to. All the pieces, here they are. Hanna's been good about solving everything so far.]
Funny story, I may have mistook her as a witch, so...you were close!
...You don't say? If only I got some sort of retribution for my horrible actions. Some sort of cruel punishment to teach me a valuable life lesson. A curse, if you will.
If you think that's a lot, try living it. Being all...short...and chubby......and green...
[Merlin wiggles his fingers aggressively before flopping down backwards on Hanna's bed, blowing the leaves that make up his hair from his face when they eventually flop over his eyes in return. He still feels just a tad nervous over spilling something so personal, but...the sense of control he has knowing it's only Hanna sort of makes this all...relieving? If anyone HAS to know, he'd like it to be his friend.]
I guess I just thought if I'm going to be stuck in a hellish nightmare world, that I could at least cherish the fact that no one would ever have to know, but no. Of course my life and the lives of everyone I care about are universally written down, inaccurate as they are. ...Just not inaccurate enough. I suppose I could've kept keeping it all to myself, I just didn't want you believing I'm some sort of dwarf merely parading around as a prince.
You are, by far, one of the few things I actually like quite a lot about this world. I'd hate for you to think of me that way.
[He fidgets with the hem of his shirt during Merlin's mini monologue, the weight of his actions beginning to settle a little more heavily on his shoulders than it had before... and he even apologized already! He's a man with secrets, he can respect someone wanting to keep something like to themselves
It's that last part that almost crushes him. He went and upset someone who actually likes him! Ugh, he's such a dick. But he's not going to wallow in this one man pity party! He's gonna make up for it, dammit, and fix it. He can't let Merlin regret this!]
Oh, no, man! I never thought you were pretending to be a prince or anything. That part's pretty obvious! You've got, like, a super princely demeanor and all that. Confidence, talent, smarts, the magic and looks to back it all up? Like who wouldn't think you were actually a prince? [Pfft.]
And, listen... I won't tell anybody else what I know. And like, if someone comes to the same conclusion I did, they probably just know the weird variation of your story, and it wasn't me that told'em. I'll pinky swear right here, right now, that my zips are lipped. Scout's honor.
Why Hanna, I never realized you thought so highly of me~
[He'll have to hand it to him, Hanna certainly knows how to butter a prince up. Yeah, Merlin supposes he IS all those things, isn't he? The familiar green plant-blush returns in his cheeks as he shoots a raised pinky Hanna's way. Very well, he'll hold him up to this.]
So you understand why none of this is ever allowed to reach Maya's ears, right?
[Because he will absolutely die, that's why.]
She's the only other one who has any way of figuring it out. At least now I know what parts of my life can clue anyone in, so I'll simply......keep them to myself. No one needs to know how many people I've lived with...or Snow's name...or anything about me, really.
[omg someone is actually engaging in the pinky promise with him?? And not asking if he's twelve? This is such an important step in a friendship: sincerely sharing secrets and promising to keep them! True bestie territory.
Hanna grins wide, hooking his little finger with Merlin's and giving it a shake. If he were a dog, his tail would be out of control.]
A thousand percent. Your secret is so safe with me.
[If he weren't so hush-hush himself, he'd probably be a bit more hesitant to hide things from Maya. But... this isn't his story to tell, and he wouldn't want anybody else spilling his beans, so... it's fine.]
Yeah, that's uh. Probably a good idea. [Especially the "sleeping with six other grown men" thing--]
Man, it's gotta be hard to be that famous, huh. [Snickering a bit. He's only teasing a little bit, but it's true! Merlin's kind of a famous guy.]
[What do you mean no one else sleeps with six other grown men???
Anyone who denies the importance of a pinky promise is the real twelve year old as far as he's concerned. His finger hooks against Hanna's tightly as he seals their gentleman's agreement and suddenly it's like a weight's been lifted off his shoulders. He trusts Hanna, he's a pretty secretive guy himself, so...it should be...fine!!
Once he releases from the pinky promise, Merlin sighs again, but this time much more fondly. Still lying across Hanna's bed, he spreads his flowered arms and smiles as he thinks about his former life.]
Quite the opposite, actually. I rather like being famous. [Of course he knows Hanna is referring more to these weird multiversal stories he's in and NOT his F7 days, but still.] I know it comes off as egotistical, but I'll always be a creature who craves attention. And when everyone knows you AND adores you? Why, it's like being surrounded by friends everywhere you go.
...I wish it was the same here. Instead everyone treats me like some sort of weirdo if they aren't being downright hostile. So...I really must thank you for being the kindest person here.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
momijizukamori
no subject
Okay, a little rude and hurtful. ...N-Not at you, of course, but whoever is writing these stories.
I meant Snow's.
no subject
Yeah, uh. I imagine your story isn't quite complete without her, huh.
[He sighs and settles back against his headboard, crossing his arms beneath his chest while he delves through his mental library for this fairy tale.]
Ssso, uh. Snow White's story, in my world, it's called "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"--Dwarves? Dwarfs. I-- I dunno which one it is-- Eh, anyway, it involves her being a kind-hearted and beautiful girl who sings to animals and they all flock to her to help her clean the cottage she shares with the seven dwarves and decorate her pies and there's a mean old witch who is jealous of her beauty and goes and feeds her a nasty apple and--
[He lifts a hand to tap his chin thoughtfully.] Well, I kinda forget what happens after that. It's been like a million years since I saw the movie.
no subject
The tree thing never leaves you.]
Maya tried to explain it to me earlier, but she didn't believe the dwarves had any names. Is that true?
1/2
2/2
There's uhhh... Happy and Dopey aaaand Doc. That's three.
[Once again, counting on his fingers.]
Uh. ...Sleepy? Uhhh... Oh! Grumpy! and... Giddy? Silly? No, it's more like... Flirty. Or Shy, but it's not "Shy" What's another word for "shy--" Bashful. Bashful aaaand.
Ugh, c'mon, I almost got'em! [He's just wracking his brain here to remember-- give him a sec.]
no subject
Surely Hanna is joking, those aren't even names he's listing. But the more adjectives he lists, the more it becomes apparent that he's being serious, and Merlin is left trying to figure out which one of his friends is supposedly Dopey. Which one is he supposed to be?!
Who is writing these stories?!]
No, stop! STOP! That's quite alright, those are definitely not their names!!
no subject
[Snickering.]
So, you know the dwar...ves... actual names, then? That's pretty cool.
no subject
But more importantly, Merlin glances towards the door again, making sure there aren't any sudden Maya's that might be overhearing. With a sigh, he turns back to Hanna, looking as seriously as he can about such a subject matter. His words from earlier still live rent-free in his head, he knows Hanna is trying to spare his feelings.]
Don't play dumb with me, Hanna. You know exactly why I know their names....don't you?
no subject
...Iiii mean, there's all kindsa reasons! I don't want to presume--
[Except he already has and he was so, so right.]
no subject
[Bestie please don't toy with him.]
no subject
Augh, alright, fine. Yes, I'm sorry, I thought you were one of the seven dwarf-ves! It's just-- all the pieces fell in place and it sounded a lot like the story I'd heard and I got too excited! I-- It just.
[Groans, ruffling his kelpy curls in frustration.] I wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything, I just got way ahead of myself. I shoulda asked mono-y-mono, man to man, and not like, put you on the spot like that. It sucked, and I'm sorry.
no subject
That's...a genuine apology, isn't it? Wow! Wow, alright then, looks like this is really happening, Merlin can't not tell Hanna if he's going to apologize like that, huh? With another heavy sigh, Merlin double checks the door one last time before looking up at Hanna with the most pathetic eyes.]
I- listen. It's alright. I only got testy because you aren't......entirely wrong. [Oooooohhhkay, he can do this. Maybe. A part of him feels like he can back out quickly and just yell sike, but then he'll just have to keep living with constantly guessing if Hanna believed that or not. Perhaps if he gave himself the reassurance...] What I'm about to say, I'm begging you to PLEASE keep between us. Lord knows Maya looks for any opportunity to push me off my pedestal, she would ABSOLUTELY tear me apart if she knew....
...but...I may have just gotten over a particularly nasty curse before arriving here. So I'm a little.........sensitive.
no subject
[Oh, well that's got his attention. He sits up straighter, scooting forward a bit so he can speak low and keep this hush-hush, as requested.]
A curse that turned you into a dwarf?? That makes way more sense than some girl living with a bunch of little old men! Like, that's a way more compelling story--
no subject
Wha- It is NOT compelling, it was humiliating!!
[Merlin hisses much like a cat would when presented the entire face of a horse.]
I'll have you know I was like that for over a year! We all were! We were so ashamed, we had to go live out in the woods. ...Which, speaking as both a human and a nymph, was actually quite pleasant. BUT STILL!! We had missing posters, Hanna!! It was a whole thing!!
no subject
I'm real sorry that happened to you guys... it must have been really hard.
[But he can't stop himself from digging for a little more information, as always.]
...Was it the witch that did it to you?
no subject
Ah, no, actually... This was the, um, faerie...princess...?
[He isn't about to bring up his earlier faerie freak out and something tells him he doesn't have to. All the pieces, here they are. Hanna's been good about solving everything so far.]
Funny story, I may have mistook her as a witch, so...you were close!
Aaaaaaand I attacked her.
........a lot.
1/2
2/2
no subject
no subject
Look, I'm sorry-- it's a lot to take in, okay!
no subject
[Merlin wiggles his fingers aggressively before flopping down backwards on Hanna's bed, blowing the leaves that make up his hair from his face when they eventually flop over his eyes in return. He still feels just a tad nervous over spilling something so personal, but...the sense of control he has knowing it's only Hanna sort of makes this all...relieving? If anyone HAS to know, he'd like it to be his friend.]
I guess I just thought if I'm going to be stuck in a hellish nightmare world, that I could at least cherish the fact that no one would ever have to know, but no. Of course my life and the lives of everyone I care about are universally written down, inaccurate as they are. ...Just not inaccurate enough. I suppose I could've kept keeping it all to myself, I just didn't want you believing I'm some sort of dwarf merely parading around as a prince.
You are, by far, one of the few things I actually like quite a lot about this world. I'd hate for you to think of me that way.
no subject
It's that last part that almost crushes him. He went and upset someone who actually likes him! Ugh, he's such a dick. But he's not going to wallow in this one man pity party! He's gonna make up for it, dammit, and fix it. He can't let Merlin regret this!]
Oh, no, man! I never thought you were pretending to be a prince or anything. That part's pretty obvious! You've got, like, a super princely demeanor and all that. Confidence, talent, smarts, the magic and looks to back it all up? Like who wouldn't think you were actually a prince? [Pfft.]
And, listen... I won't tell anybody else what I know. And like, if someone comes to the same conclusion I did, they probably just know the weird variation of your story, and it wasn't me that told'em. I'll pinky swear right here, right now, that my zips are lipped. Scout's honor.
[But was he ever a scout? Who knows.]
no subject
[He'll have to hand it to him, Hanna certainly knows how to butter a prince up. Yeah, Merlin supposes he IS all those things, isn't he? The familiar green plant-blush returns in his cheeks as he shoots a raised pinky Hanna's way. Very well, he'll hold him up to this.]
So you understand why none of this is ever allowed to reach Maya's ears, right?
[Because he will absolutely die, that's why.]
She's the only other one who has any way of figuring it out. At least now I know what parts of my life can clue anyone in, so I'll simply......keep them to myself. No one needs to know how many people I've lived with...or Snow's name...or anything about me, really.
no subject
Hanna grins wide, hooking his little finger with Merlin's and giving it a shake. If he were a dog, his tail would be out of control.]
A thousand percent. Your secret is so safe with me.
[If he weren't so hush-hush himself, he'd probably be a bit more hesitant to hide things from Maya. But... this isn't his story to tell, and he wouldn't want anybody else spilling his beans, so... it's fine.]
Yeah, that's uh. Probably a good idea. [Especially the "sleeping with six other grown men" thing--]
Man, it's gotta be hard to be that famous, huh. [Snickering a bit. He's only teasing a little bit, but it's true! Merlin's kind of a famous guy.]
no subject
What do you mean no one else sleeps with six other grown men???Anyone who denies the importance of a pinky promise is the real twelve year old as far as he's concerned. His finger hooks against Hanna's tightly as he seals their gentleman's agreement and suddenly it's like a weight's been lifted off his shoulders. He trusts Hanna, he's a pretty secretive guy himself, so...it should be...fine!!
Once he releases from the pinky promise, Merlin sighs again, but this time much more fondly. Still lying across Hanna's bed, he spreads his flowered arms and smiles as he thinks about his former life.]
Quite the opposite, actually. I rather like being famous. [Of course he knows Hanna is referring more to these weird multiversal stories he's in and NOT his F7 days, but still.] I know it comes off as egotistical, but I'll always be a creature who craves attention. And when everyone knows you AND adores you? Why, it's like being surrounded by friends everywhere you go.
...I wish it was the same here. Instead everyone treats me like some sort of weirdo if they aren't being downright hostile. So...I really must thank you for being the kindest person here.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: