Spoopy asks? #5, Kingsman, Merlin & Ginger
So since you know me, of course I did the three different number 5 on the different lists I had ;)
“I know the neighborhood by heart, which also means I know exactly which houses give out the King Size bars.”
If someone had told him that he would be brought back to life only to be de-aged a week later at one point in his life, Merlin wouldn’t have believed them. And yet, it’s exactly what had happened.
Luckily, he won’t have to live with the indignity of going through puberty again since Ginger will be finishing on the ‘re-aging’ serum quite soon, but still. Being a kid sucks even if Ginger hasn’t really treated him as one and he thanks all the deities above that it has been decided he would be staying with her until he was back to normal again.
Though he might change his mind if she continues to insist in dressing him up for Halloween.
“I really don’t want to Ginger. Trick-or-treating wasn’t really a thing when I was young.”
“Which is exactly why you must not waste your chance now!” He tries his best to glare but most of the effect must be lost now that he’s physically ten years old. In fact, she only grins harder. “Come on Merlin! You can go as a mad scientist, which isn’t even really a costume for you. And I know the neighborhood by heart, which also means I know exactly which houses give out the King Size bars.”
“I thought there were special size candies especially to give at Halloween?”
“Yep usually. But this is a rich neighborhood. And I bet with your accent you can con some housewives into giving you more ‘cause it’s your first proper American Halloween.”
He knows she’s won when he can feel the smile spreading on his lips without his wanting to.
“Alright,” he sighs with a falsely long-suffering sigh that would make even Harry Hart proud, “let’s go con people out of their chocolate.”
Ginger woops with joy and Merlin will deny with his dying breath that he fist bumped her when she presented him her fist.
“I feel stuck. And everyone is moving without me.”
She’s not surprise when she finds him in her room. “Hey Hamish,” she greets him softly before starting to change out of her suit.
“Elizabeth.” He doesn’t look away nor does he raise up from his seat on her bed to help her. Not that she expected him to. He never does. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too Hamish. I always do.” Once she’s in baggy pants and an even baggier shirt, she finally sits down next to him, her hand nearly touching his. She wants to, but she knows it won’t be the comfort she wants it to be. “You seem sad.” It’s nothing new, but for the short time they’ve known each other, they’ve always been honest with each other. She won’t change that anytime soon.
“I feel stuck. And everyone is moving without me.”
It’s even harder now not to keep from touching him, but her hand passing right through his translucent arm won’t solve anything. “You could move on anytime you want to.”
“I could.” He concedes, a sure proof he hasn’t lost it yet, that he still accepts the truth of what he’s become. It’s both a relief and heartbreaking. “But I’m used to keeping watch. Who knows what you lot would get up to without me.”
She knows what he means. It’s been hard giving up on being Ginger and becoming Whiskey for that exact reason. But for her, moving on doesn’t mean losing all her friends. Though the argument could be made that if Merlin were to move on, he would probably meet up with all the ones that he’s lost. Except, who knows really what comes after this half-life?
So instead of empty comfort and even emptier words, she lets him stay the nights with her whenever she’s home, reminds him why he’s waiting. And while she doesn’t wish bad luck on any of them, for his sake, she hopes Merlin’s wait won’t be so long that he’ll one day lose himself.
Then she would be forced to move him herself and she has little doubt that whatever waits entities at that point isn’t anything good.
being followed by a stranger at night
He can hear the footsteps behind him, but every time he turns there’s no one else on the path. Or maybe there is. That shadow just there, didn’t it just move? Or is that just the wind in the tree branches?
That’s why he hates being outside of the city. Even the darkest corner of London isn’t that dark. And he knows that anything that’s following him there is only a man.
Out here, it’s easy to let his imagination run wild. It’s probably just an animal that thinks he’s carrying food or something.
It’s certainly not the creatures of his childhood his Nan has warned him about.
The shadow is certainly not coming any closer either.
And if he’s walking just a tiny bit faster, it’s only to keep himself warm.
This time, he’s sure he heard something behind him that cannot be the wind nor an animal, something like breathing and he turns around, but of course there’s nothing to be seen under the lights of the moon and stars.
He nearly has a heart attack when he turns back to face forward and nearly walk right into someone’s back. And he totally screams like a little girl in fright. In any other circumstances, he’d be mad that the woman is openly laughing at him, but the sound is calming him after only having his thoughts for company.
“I’m so sorry ma’am. I thought I was alone.”
“No worries, these roads are seldom walked on. Travellers usually avoids them, especially at night.”
It’s sounds like a mere statement, but there’s a question implied. Merlin doesn’t have to answer, but it’s nice to have someone to talk to. “I’m kind of in a hurry.”
“Oh? Shame that, I’d have love to have someone to walk with for a bit.” She pouts and he’s struck by how beautiful she is. So much so that it’s hard to believe she’s real.
“Well… Not that much of in a hurry.” She’s even more beautiful when she smiles and Merlin thinks that maybe, he’s a tiny bit in love already. “My name’s Hamish.” He doesn’t remember the last time he offered up his real name, but he really doesn’t want any dishonesty between them.
“Hamish… What a lovely name. You might call me Ginger.”
She smiles again before taking his hand to start to lead the way and by the time he realises they’re no longer on the beaten path, he doesn’t care anymore.
