@merthurmicrofic prompt stars (577 words)
Modern AU | first date | fluff with a bite | romcom energy
— The Big and Little Dipper—see them? — I think anyone can find the Great and Little Bear in the night sky, Merlin. — Probably. Now look a bit to the left. See that bright star there—the brightest in that little W of stars? See it? — Yeah. (He isn’t looking at the sky. He’s looking at Merlin.) — That’s Cassiopeia. And if you go right, along the handle of the Big Dipper, there’s another bright star—Arcturus. That’s Bootes.
— You’re quite the expert on constellations, aren’t you. Into astronomy? — Not really. I was ill a lot as a kid, and Mum didn’t want me parked in front of the telly all day, so she got me a telescope and a star atlas. And between the Dippers there’s this long chain of stars—see how it sort of winds around the Little Bear? That’s Draco. — You talk about it like you love it. Your eyes practically glow—like starlight.
— (alarmed) Oh—bloody hell. I got carried away. I’ve ruined it, haven’t I? — Not at all. — (flustered) I just… When I like someone, I get nervous. And when I’m nervous, I start talking. Usually about something I know loads about, and which is generally interesting only to me. Sorry. — You like me, then. Should I be expecting a second date? — Well… if the stars align. — …? (staring questioningly)
— I mean—what if you go home, realise you’ve gone out with a total nerd, and decide you never want to see me again? — I realised you were a nerd when you flooded my place and, instead of helping mop up, your first move was diving under the bed to rescue a box set of every season of Doctor Who on DVD. — …Did I? I don’t remember that. I was in a blind panic. — Sure. And the Deadpool poster in your living room was a bit of a clue as well.
— So it doesn’t put you off? — No. Nor does your nervous chatter. It’s actually quite cute. I like you. What about our second date? — Are you always this pushy? — Yes. I don’t like uncertainty. You like me too. What’s stopping you? — I don’t know. Your overwhelming self-confidence, maybe? — Or your evident lack of it.
— Ouch. That was fast—straight from compliments to criticism. Maybe I should think more carefully before I agree. What would my friends say if I went on another date with a bloke who’s got such arrogant tendencies? — I think you should spend less time worrying about what people might say and accept that our second date is already written in the stars. — Oh really? And why’s that?
