Bare Necessities [Nako]

[Satra]

"Oh, knitting! I had someone very close to me who loved to knit in her spare time. She made lovely things..." he tilted his head and gazed off into the distance for a moment. Good memories of good people. They distracted him from anything else until Merlin snapped him out of it. He blinked and shook himself in surprise.

"You... don't?" he blinked again, "Really? You're very... er, I mean, I hope you don't mind me being so forward, but I think you're very pleasant. You must do it out of choice... I can't imagine you being completely left alone if you ever go out. You're not hard to look at... uh, if you don't mind me saying that is. I'm sorry, that wasn't rude of me, was it? I, er, I mean, you probably hear people say stupid things to you all the time to get your attention. I wouldn't know, I'm no prize, but I can imagine it gets annoying but... I... uh..." he stopped and flushed, fully aware he'd rambled and possibly stuck his foot in his mouth. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and avoided eye contact.

"I... honestly can't remember the last time I've done anything like this..." he said quietly and cleared his throat.

[Nako]

There Merlin was, having his own personal crisis, and there this Lowlander sat before him fumbling and in an obscenely cute way, admitting attraction to him in a way that Merlin had almost completely missed. It was like being a teen again, fumbling and unsure of what to do, filled with mystery and insecurity and… secrets. The last time he'd done this, his parents had died and he had to kill the boy he'd thought he loved.

But that was an excuse for his loneliness… a life full of excuses. Pushing people away and maintaining distance.

Victor… he was alone as well. But not by his choice. Merlin really… kind of felt like shit for a second there.

Fuck it. Enjoy it. Stop being a retard, Merlin.

He rubbed his eyes with a thumb and forefinger, an almost absurd laugh escaping him. "Oh, I'm… I'm sorry, Victor. I'm acting like a complete adolescent." Oh, that would have almost sounded like a dismissive statement, but the Joker rather suddenly reached across the table and put his hand on the Lowlander's paw. "Victor, you are a delight. I hope to get to know you better. If you can find it in you be patient with my socially stunted self."