"Merlin," Roxy said as she moved her bishop out of the way of Merlin's queen.
"Mm?" Merlin mumbled, concentrating on his next move.
"How come you've never mentioned your real name?" she asked. Merlin's hand froze over the chessboard, keeping his fingers locked on the piece he was moving. He glanced up at her briefly, eyebrows high up on his forehead, before returning to the game. Roxy waited patiently for him to finish his turn. When he did, she triumphantly knocked his last remaining rook out of the way. He grumbled something under his breath.
"Why would you want to know my real name?" he asked finally. Roxy tilted her head to the side.
"Why not? I know all the other agent's names, and they know mine. But… you're a different story."
"Not tellin'," he muttered. Roxy's eyes widened in mock surprise.
"Oh really," she sighed dramatically. "Oh, alright. I see how it is."
"Mm," Merlin mumbled again before making his next move. Roxy promptly moved her knight forward, capturing his queen. Merlin swore loudly. "How did I not see that?" he exclaimed.
"I have no idea." Merlin's eyebrows were drawn together in pure focus. "So," she continued. "Why won't you tell me?" Roxy gasped theatrically, causing Merlin to glance up in concern. "Is it something really scandalous?" She leaned forward. "Come on, tell me."
"No."
"Please?" she begged.
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"For the last time," Merlin muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "No."
"Yes," she teased.
"No."
"No."
"Yes."
"Haha!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "I win."
"How did I fall for that?" Merlin asked the ceiling, a small smile growing on his lips.
"I have no idea." Roxy grinned, patting him on the head. He gave her an amused look before leaning back in his chair, balancing the two front legs precariously in the air.
Roxy marveled at how close she'd grown to Merlin over the past few years. The two spent all the time they could together, whether just to sit quietly and read, play chess, go for runs… or simply to enjoy one another's company. She wasn't quite sure how or when it happened- but whatever the answer was, she was just glad that it had happened.
"Alright." Merlin sighed. He mumbled something under his breath.
"What?"
"Theodore."
"Theodore?!"
"Yes, now stop laughing, it's your turn." She ignored him.
"You hardly look like a Theodore." She bit her lip. "I'm calling you Teddy," she declared.
"Like fuckin' hell you will."
Two days later, Roxy brought Merlin a cup of tea in his office.
"Brought some tea for you, Teddy."
"Thanks, Lancelot." She waited a moment, watching him sip from the mug.
"I called you Teddy."
"And?"
"You're okay with it."
"No, I'm not." Roxy frowned. "But," Merlin added. "I figured that you'll call me it anyways." He turned away from his work to face her, a smile on his face. She grinned cheekily, before setting herself on the edge of Merlin's desk. Merlin raised an eyebrow.
"Teddy." She snorted. "Imagine if your last name was Bear or something." Merlin choked on his tea, coughing awkwardly. He glanced at her, ears turning beet red. Roxy's face split into an evil grin. "Oh no," she hissed in delight. "It is, isn't it?" Merlin shook his head desperately, but it was obvious he was lying. "Oh, wait 'til I tell Eggsy."
"Please," he begged. "I'll never hear the end of it." She pouted, but gave in.
"Alright." She sighed cheerily. "Teddy Bear. I can't believe your parents named you that. No wonder nobody knows your real name. You poor thing."
"It was awful growing up at school," he admitted.
"I can imagine." They sat in silence for a few more minutes, Merlin continuing to type away on his clipboard. An idea popped into Roxy's mind, but it was too cruel. She shoved it away, but it continued creeping up to her. Finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore, and burst out in song. "Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around. Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the groun-"
"Shut up!"
-agent galahad