What a coincidence (Mordred)

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

Meredith was not, in any way, shape or form, a girly girl. She wore dresses under protest, generally had only one of two hairstyles, and only encountered makeup as part of a costume. She had no idea how to use fashion to make herself look better, what constituted flattering or how to walk in heels, and while she knew at least two people here in Tintagel who would be able to teach her any and all of these things, one of them would mock her mercilessly and the other would... mock her only slightly less mercilessly.
Besides. She didn't want to be girly.
She did want to be noticed.

So this morning she had done the unthinkable - she had made... an effort. She was wearing her cleanest jeans, the slightly older ones that clung just a little more tightly than she was used to, and she had scrubbed the dirt off her boots. She'd found a shirt that was missing a button, leaving it just a little more plunging than basically everything else she owned. She'd even brushed her hair - admittedly it was still worn just loose over her shoulders, but it was shinier and neater than it usually was. It was the very best she could do to look good without losing anything she was felt was quintessentially Meredith.

And why had she done this? Well. It certainly had nothing to do with the reason she was outside one of the university classes, leaning against the wall opposite the door looking deliberately casual, waiting for the class to finish and all the students to come spilling out...

[Mordred Le Fey]

Yawning loudly and stretching at the back of the lecture theatre, Mordred didn't hear the research assignment being set by the lecturer - not that there was any chance of him completing it anyway. Earning himself a reproving glare from said lecturer, Mordred flashed him one of most charming smiles and received an exasperated eyeroll in return as the noise level rose significantly, the rest of the occupants of the lecture theatre breaking into conversation as they gathered their things and made their way towards the door.

Grabbing his jacket and holding it over one shoulder with one finger, Mordred pulled his aviator sunglasses over his eyes before he even reached the door, running a hand expertly through his hair to ensure fully effective sculpted 'mess'. He caught sight of himself in a window as he headed out of the building, and smirked at the reflection - he did look particularly good today, as the sidelong glances of many of the female members of his class confirmed.

Looking ahead as he made his way through the door, he raised an eyebrow as his eyes rested on the figure resting against the wall opposite. Pulling his trusty vape out of his pocket and inhaling deeply, he made his way straight over the figure, lifting his sunglasses up and looking her up and down. He exhaled as he reached her, surrounding her in a cloud of vapour that today smelt of strawberries and cream.

"Well, this is different - where's all the mud?" He grinned appreciatively, his eyes resting a little longer than was necessary in the region of her missing button. "And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

Unfortunately, she didn't really have a plan for what would happen when he actually showed up, so when Mordred sauntered towards her in all his artfully dishevelled glory, she became immediately flustered. She smiled awkwardly, breathing in the cloud of strawberry-scented air and tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to remain calm, because he was actually looking at her. He was looking her up and down, she was being appreciated. She listened carefully to everything Gwen had to say about objectification and power and using your looks, but in this instant she couldn't remember a word of it, did this mean he had the power or she did? She had no idea, but she was at least pleased that her plan had worked.

"I'm not always covered in mud you know," she pointed out playfully, though the effect was probably ruined by her blush "I was just passing and I remembered you're usually out of lectures around this time and thought I'd wait for you..." totally casual, totally unplanned, definitely hadn't spent all day thinking about this.

[Mordred Le Fey]

His smile widened as he saw the blush creep across her face, and he sensed her feeling flustered. He loved having this effect on girls - even if those girls were ones he’d known since they were shrieking, irritating babies. At least this one had definitely improved with age.

He leaned forwards, resting one hand on the wall behind her casually; a long time tried and tested move that not only allowed him to lean over his companion and get almost uncomfortably close, but often had the added effect of causing his subject to become even more flustered than they already were. He smiled down at her.

“I’m honoured you thought of me, princess,” he said charmingly, enjoying the closeness. “And in considering my whereabouts, and coming somewhat out of your way to see what I’m up to after my highly stimulating lecture, what did you have in mind to help me wind down?”

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

She found herself leaning away automatically at his sudden, overwhelming closeness, but she didn't have anywhere to lean, her back was literally against the wall. If she breathed in she could smell him, a mix of strawberries and whatever aftershave he was wearing, it was an unexpectedly pleasant scent.

"Oh...well if you're wanting to wind down maybe we could...go... um... hang out or get a coffee or something?" she asked, trying to sound casual despite the breathiness of her tone and her burning cheeks. She could guess what he was probably hinting at, but she wasn't nearly brave enough to actually suggest something like that, and she was never sure how he really felt, he was such a flirt with everyone she didn't know if he was really flirting with her or if he was just teasing because she was his best friend's little sister.

[Mordred Le Fey]

"Why, Princess, you seem a little flustered." Mordred teased her, very deliberately and slowly brushing a strand of hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear, making sure his fingers ever so slightly brushed her cheek as he did. "It's so unlike you - you're not unwell are you?" He asked, feigning an innocent tone and putting a hand on her forehead. "You do feel warm - perhaps we should just get you home to bed..." He winked at her, taking his hand away and straightening up, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her tightly to him.

"Or we could start with coffee." He grinned. He didn't know why teasing her was so much more entertaining that it was teasing any of his other many, many victims, but there was something about making Meredith blush that gave Mordred a different feeling to the others, something deeper - an affection he'd never really felt for other girls.

It was probably just because she was his best friend's little sister though... right?

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

Meredith liked to think she was not the usual kind of girl, that she wasn't boy crazy and could resist cliche moves and stupid lines, but somehow that all just went away around Mordred. Later maybe she'd be annoyed at herself for turning into such a mess and submitting so willingly to the way he brushed her cheek and pulled her close to him, but for now it was difficult to think let alone resist him.

"Coffee?" She repeated blankly, before getting control of herself and fighting down the blush, without much success "Yea.. Coffee would be good."

Did he really want to take her to bed? Surely he was just teasing... right? This seemed a lot more than teasing though, it seemed more... genuine. Like he might actually be interested in her, which was an entirely novel concept.

"You're not too busy?"

[Mordred Le Fey]

Damn it she was cute. He'd always known she was attractive, obviously - the Camelot brood were all blessed with exceptionally good genes - but he'd never really clocked that underneath all the mud and toyboy and nerd, she was actually pretty damn attractive. And the blush suited her - Mordred made a mental note to make her blush as much as possible from now on, just so he could enjoy the view.

He laughed at her blank response, keeping his arm around her shoulders as he began to walk and guide her down the path that led to the town. "Yes, coffee, you know - hot, brown liquid beverage, bitter, gives you a kick - I think you need a strong one."

He vaped as he walked, exhaling huge clouds in front of them as they made their way towards the town. Deliberately keeping his arm around her, he held her close to his body, tensing his muscles slightly so that she would feel the firmness of his body against hers.

"Never too busy for my favourite Pendragon." He smiled as they walked. "Erm... don't tell Tris I said that - it would break his heart." He looked at her and winked.

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

"I know what coffee is," she protested, her tone perhaps a little more teasing than the bitingly acid one she usually used for boys flirting with her. Usually she just assumed they were looking for favour or alliance with Arthur and had no real interest in her, but Mordred... he had no reason to actually keep up with this charade, he'd already passed the point he could embarrass her with public rejection and now they were actually going for Coffee? With him still holding her close as they walked, all lean, warm muscle pressed against her side.

" Oh I'm definitely going to tell him," she teased "unless you convince me not to..." she couldn't keep herself from blushing again when she said it, regretting it immediately, it had sounded smooth and flirtatious in her head, but maybe it just sounded stupid out loud and he would laugh at her.

[Mordred Le Fey]

"Oh you do? I wasn't sure for a second there..." Mordred laughed.

What was happening here? Mordred, although aware he was in control of this situation, as he always was, couldn't help but feel that his control was slipping slightly. He'd taken hundreds of girls for coffee, drinks, food, sometimes not even bothering with that bit before taking them straight home - but it had always been a means to an end. This was different - he actually wanted to spend time with Meredith - to talk to her, make her laugh, make her blush - this wasn't something he usually cared about. Normally he just wanted to make a girl want him, then have him, and that was the end of it.

It's because she's a friend... a cousin... you grew up together... that is absolutely all this is.

The only other girl he knew who he didn't mind spending time with in a completely platonic way was Jenny - and that was merely because she had almost as many notches on her bed posts as he did, so they had an unspoken agreement that they'd gain nothing from any interaction of that kind. She was a good drinking buddy, and that was it.

But this wasn't the same as that. Definitely not the same.

He laughed loudly at her teasing of him. "Oh really? Well, I'll have to think of a way to convince you to keep my secret..." He looked at her thoughtfully, as they reached the coffee shop and he released her to hold open the door for her. "What could it be worth?"

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

"Well, you're very giving, I'm sure you can think of something..." since her first attempt had turned out surprisingly successful, she figured she may as well try again. She was too shy to come right out and suggest something herself, but she could encourage him.

She probably shouldn't be encouraging him, but he'd had his arm around her, he was holding the door open, they were going for coffee. This was basically a date, right? She was actually on a date with Mordred Le Fey. There was a horde of girls in school who would be so jealous of her right now... and another horde who had been there, done that... reminding herself of Mordred's reputation was a little sobering, she couldn't get too carried away and think she was different. But.. what if she was...

"So... what are you going to get?" She asked, eyes scanning the menu.

[Mordred Le Fey]

"I'm sure I can..." Mordred muttered with a smirk as she went through the door, unable to stop his eyes trailing downwards to a region where her jeans were a little tighter than he was used to seeing her in. It was a good look.

This was moving beyond his control, and Mordred wasn't entirely sure he cared anymore. She was very clearly flirting, and he was definitely enjoying it - and hey, she'd been the one waiting for him. No one could accuse of him of chasing her, leading her on... she came to him willingly. So what if he just let this carry on for a while? See what happened? What was the harm - and if there was any harm, he could hold his own against Tristian, Gaston Jr, and probably Arthur and Merlin if it came to it.

Why not just see what happened?

He joined her in the coffee shop and looked up at the board, standing extremely close behind her. He didn't need to study the board - he always had the same - but it was an opportunity to potentially fluster her again and see that blush. Plus, he'd never noticed this before, but her hair smelt really good.

"Tall americano with an extra shot." He nodded at the barista. "And whatever the lady would like, he smiled, putting a hand on Meredith's shoulder. "Let me guess, something ridiculously complicated and extravagant?" He teased her with a smile.

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

Meredith had to resist the urge to lean back against him when he stood behind her, there was just something so nice and affectionate about it and that was the thing she really wanted, she wanted this to be a date, she wanted to date Mordred. She really couldn't deny it, even if it made her just like all the other girls, she couldn't help how she felt.

"Actually I just want a tea please," she smiled, tilting her head to look up at him. While she liked sugar as much as the next person, she wasn't a two-shot-venti-caramel-mocha-frappachino kind of person. She blamed Merlin and Gwen, but you really couldn't beat a good cup of tea.

She looked forward again, the glass cabinet of cakes catching her eye, and there it was, the most beautiful strawberry cake she'd ever seen, and after the clouds of his strawberry scented vapour, she couldn't resist it. She spun round, nearly losing her balance and having to steady herself on his chest.
"Can we have cake too?"

[Mordred Le Fey]

Mordred raised an eyebrow at her request of tea. "The lady wants tea!" He smiled at the barista, who returned the smile with a nod and began to make their drinks. "You've been spending too much time with the queen," He muttered with a shake of his head. "The whole wide world of coffee on offer, and you chose a tea. How English of you." He smirked, nudging her with his shoulder.

He was really just after any excuse to make physical contact with her now.

And then she granted his wish, spinning around and steadying herself on his chest. He puffed his chest out slightly, hoping to emphasise his abs and pecs under her hand, as she asked for cake.

He couldn't stop the indulgent smile at her question - there was something very cute about her asking him for cake like a child. "If the princess wants cake, the princess gets cake." He said with a small bow of his head. He ordered a slice of cake and quietly asked the barista for two forks, paying the bill and slipping her a little extra to bring it over to their table.

He led Meredith to a particularly small table, deliberately placing his chair a little closer to hers than was necessary as he sat down. He leant back in his chair and smiled at her, fixing his eyes on her - another tried and tested move that always made the girl opposite him feel as if she was the only person in the world worthy of his attention at that moment.

Of course, this time it wasn't a move.

"So, what's new in the world of Meredith Emrys-Pendragon?"

[Meredith Emrys-Pendragon]

People used the word princess around her a lot, she was one after all, and normally she hated it. But there was something about the way Mordred bowed to her whim that made her feel like she really was a princess, and maybe she could revel in that feeling just a little bit. It was nice because she still managed to feel like her at the same time, and it was rare that those two parts of her world coincided.

Sitting in the corner with him, close enough that their knees pressed together, made her heart skip a beat and gave her a funny feeling in her stomach. It was definitely just anticipation of the cake, really it was.

" Not that much," she admitted "Gaston and I have been working our way through all the stuff we missed on our trip home, and of course we had a star wars marathon again because why wouldn't you?" She laughed.

When the cake arrived, she looked at the two forks and gave him a teasing look "oh, you want some of my cake, do you?"