"i do."

there's no hesitation in the way he responds. he nods, setting what's left of his food down so he can turn to properly look at her.

gently, he reaches for her hand.

"beautiful, and also smart, kind, sweet, loyal, determined, passionate..."

he chuckles, smiling.

"i could go on, but i'm sure you get the point."

Amelia Livy

☉

Whatever interest she may have had in eating her tacos, whatever hunger or appetite, is all set aside when he looks into her eyes and holds her hand, saying all those words that she honestly would have never expected him to say…

Flirting and compliments are one thing, but this feels different.

It makes her heart flutter, and the soft smile on her lips is one she didn’t even intend for to begin with.

”I… There’s bad things about me too, you know?”

There’s a slight pout, but it doesn’t last long.

”Thank you, Lance.”

For what?

For seeming to see the best in her, perhaps.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

whatever bad things he's yet to see and might someday discover, he's sure he can accept, and even though he realizes the possible hurt that could come from what he's doing, he doesn't stop.

he finds that he doesn't want to stop.

and so, his other hand raises to caress her cheek.

"for what? i'm just telling you how i feel."

Amelia Livy

☉

It could be said that Lance is being selfish, because really, how could he expect her not to feel a certain way when he says sweet things like those? When he looks at her the way he does? When he caresses her cheeks so lovingly?

For a second, she says nothing, for what could she possibly say?

It makes her happy, and she can’t help but smile; soon reaching up to also have a hand rest on his cheek.

”That’s not fair, you’re being too cute.”

This time, she pouts for her own sake, because there’s always the concern that he may not actually mean his words…

Too soon. Too fast.

What if he’s actually just flirting with her?

Not that she would mind, or at least she thinks she wouldn't mind, but Lia knows that would be painful in the long run with the way they see each other every day...

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

selfish.

one of the bad things about him might someday come to fruition. for now, however, it remains dormant, though close to surfacing.

he chuckles, mirroring the pout on her face with one of his own.

is he just flirting with her?

or does this mean something else?

something more?

he leans into her touch, tilting his head briefly to kiss the palm of her hand.

"not as cute as you."

Amelia Livy

☉

His next words are expected. They’re obvious. They’re predictable.

And yet, as predictable as they may be, that doesn’t change the way her heart seems to almost skip a beat, holding her breath while a smile reaches her lips.

’Not as cute as you.’

It’s so simple, it’s what anyone would say, but it feels so different when it’s Lance who says it...

”...You’re such a flirt.”

She chuckles, but she still gently caresses his cheek, never looking away from him.

Hasn't she also been flirting, though? They're definitely both at fault.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

the way she gently caresses his cheek feels familiar in a way he never quite expected. it's difficult to suppress the pang of guilt that rises because of it, but he hides it all the same behind his smile, warm and caring as ever.

"so are you."

and so, naturally, he leans just a little closer, hovering close, close enough to almost brush against her lips.

the hand that had been caressing her pauses for a moment, cupping her cheek instead.

Amelia Livy

☉

Perhaps, they really shouldn’t be doing all this.

The line was where it was for a reason, and crossing it may just be the greatest mistake they ever make. Not even because of their professional relationship, that’d probably be just fine, but because even while he looks at her like this and leans in so very close, there’s an obvious truth to all of this that Lia is sure of now even if she tries to ignore it...

She chooses to ignore it.

She pushes it aside.

She lets him get close like this and can’t help but smile and feel happy.

She’s playing with fire, and she knows it.

”I know, sorry.”

Despite the apology, she leans into his touch, staying right where she is.

After all, she’s not really sorry.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"don't be."

because he's not really sorry either, even if he should be.

even if what's to follow might be messy and painful.

but will it be worth it?

without saying anything else, he kisses her.

Amelia Livy

☉

It has the potential to be messy and painful.

It has the potential to break her heart.

But, for now, it makes her feel warm and fuzzy and full of those light and wonderful feelings that are cherished so much. It makes her feel safe, it makes her feel comfortable, and it makes her wish to stay right by his side. And when the kiss comes, it makes her want to kiss him back…

So, that’s exactly what she does.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

when they finally pull away, he's left breathless, wanting more. it shows in the way his eyes drift down to her lips, lingering for moments before flicking back up to her eyes.

then, he smiles, unsure of what to say exactly.

Amelia Livy

☉

What is there to say?

There’s more than a few things that would probably be awkward, some that would likely ruin the moment, and others that she simply doesn’t think she should say.

Even then, even when there’s a few things she does want to say and ask him, she’d rather just smile at him, and after a few seconds this turns to soft and quiet laughter.

”We should probably finish eating before the tacos get cold.”

And yet, despite her words, she stays right where she is; looking at him and smiling.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"we should..."

but he stays right where he is, too, unable to do anything else but look at her, admiring, appreciating, and remembering.

his hand traces down her cheek, gentle.

"but you're just so distracting, lia."

Amelia Livy

☉