[attr="class","matias"]only then does he sip, relishing in silent victory. he finds it difficult to shift his gaze away, drawn to the redness of her cheeks, so he lets it stay.

he offers her a lifeline in the form of a question.

"i know you probably don't have time for much else, but what do you do like doing?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Kanto. Lavender Town. Flashback.
MATIAS SILPH

His gaze remains fixed, which doesn’t help . . . at all. She feels the delayed heat of the blush rise in her cheeks. A part of her wants to just melt away out of raw embarrassment but his hand is still holding her in place. The laugh stifles wicked thoughts but it doesn’t help her find her voice. He does, with a question. She gives him a grateful smile, relaxing the tension that built up. Her eyes flicker towards the clock. No, she doesn’t have much time (thankfully), “Oh, um,” her brows pinch to think for a moment, “Well, I pretty much like anything outdoors, especially on the water. I like trying new things, like new food, new places . . . I like training but, that’s kind of part of the job, I guess. I love what I do so it honestly takes up the majority of my time . . . Especially with everything going on,” She hasn’t done much for herself since all this started. There’s a sense of guilt she can’t shake when trying and have fun while others are suffering. That problem is solved with more work, “What about you?”

[attr="class","matias"]he settles more into the bed, comfort taking him as he listens to her speak. her voice is soothing, he decides, and he's drawn towards her as his body shifts closer.

when the question's flipped, he hesitates.

"mm."

after a moment, he continues.

"i haven't had time to do much else besides the job. but i like training, traveling, drinking."

it all sounds so boring now that he voices it. he shrugs, leaning closer.

"i like anything outdoors, too."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Kanto. Lavender Town. Flashback.
MATIAS SILPH

“Hm, those all sound like fun things,” vague, but fun. They rouse another series of questions but his movement closer distracts her. Eva’s thoughts stop for a moment, she smiles, studying his face thoughtfully, “I guess that’s something else we have in common then,” besides being consumed by work, of course.

Her eyes break away to look at the clock, “I’ve gotta get going,” she stands to leave, slowly sliding her hand out from his, “Thanks for having coffee with me.”

[attr="class","matias"]his mind fleets the moment she stands, soon forced to remember as he returns to bitter reality. he nods, shifting away.

"i'll see you once i get out of here."

truth be told, it will likely be a little longer than that.

he flashes her a smile, warm and genuine.

"stay safe, eva."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales