it was getting late.

but he hadn't moved either, not quite wanting the moment to end.

"it is..."

he sighed, content, before shifting to kiss her once again.

this time, when he pulled away, he reached for her hand on his cheek.

"come on. i'll walk you home."

Amelia Livy

☉

If he hadn’t offered, she would ask him to, so when hearing him say he’ll walk her home after they kiss once more, she simply smiles.

”I’d like that… It’s not far from here.”

The offer seems innocent, but Lia isn’t foolish enough not to read between the lines. His actual intentions are obvious, or at least they seem obvious, and perhaps, that may just be exactly why she agreed to it to begin with.

Or, maybe not?

After leaning in to quickly kiss him one last time, she stands, sand being brushed off her ranger uniform before turning to meet his gaze.

”Ready to go?”

This time, when she smiles, there’s a certain faint yet clear playfulness to it.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

the offer was innocent, honestly, but he was not innocent enough to discount the possibilities of something else happening. it seemed like an eventuality, one that'd come soon enough. but he paid it no mind.

he brushed sand off his ranger uniform as well before reaching down to pick up their stuff, making sure to leave the beach spotless. he'd have to find a bin somewhere, but he was certain he saw one on the way to.

with a smile, he nodded.

"lead the way."

Amelia Livy

☉

’Lead the way.’

And so she does; calmly walking along the familiar streets near Lilycove’s beach, but not without first taking his hand with no explanation at all – smirking at him as if she thought he would get lost if she didn’t do so.

In reality, it is just an excuse to hold his hand, but of course she’s not going to say that.

”Why Lilycove out of all places in Hoenn, by the way?”

The question comes out of curiosity and nothing more, looking up at him as they walk towards her place.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

her hand found his and their fingers intertwined. he looked over then, meeting her smirk with one of his own. whatever her intentions were, he definitely didn't mind.

"it reminded me of sunyshore a bit. i guess i wasn't ready to fully move on."

he still wasn't, clearly, but he kept this to himself.

"i did work in slateport briefly, though. before the war."

Amelia Livy

☉

No one could blame Lance for not being ready to move on, because really, how could he?

Lia can’t help but feel rather sad at the mention of this, not for herself but for him, and although she doesn’t really intend for it, she finds herself gently squeezing his hand – as if reassuringly.

’Before the war.’

These words have a bitter taste.

”That makes sense, yeah… It was the other way around for me, I wanted something really different from what I was used to.”

Different from those places she loves, but that are filled with painful memories.

Vacation spot as Lilycove is, it really proves for a good distraction – as if an actual vacation from all those worries.

Still, doesn't that just mean she's running away?

”What did you do in Slateport?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

he understood. he moved away from sinnoh because he had been looking for something different as well, but the familiarities caught up to him eventually.

like now, for example. it became too easy to be reassured by her.

at her question, he answered honestly.

"i moved there for someone...but it didn't work out."

this showed that he had been ready to move on, didn't it? that he is ready to move on even if everything in him told him otherwise. he pushed memories and emotions away, burying them under her presence.

"but i'm glad i moved back here, honestly."

Amelia Livy

☉

It’s quietly that Lia listens to him talk, wondering about it.

Perhaps even thinking way too much about it, since really, what good does it do to ponder about things like those? To wonder about why things didn’t work out for him back then?

Isn’t it just better to enjoy the moment? To let it be?

”I’m sorry to hear that.”

Despite everything, there's honesty to this, because situations like those are always painful for the people involved and for whatever reason, she finds herself all too easily caring for him. As if she doesn't want him to go through anymore painful things.

She moves just a little closer, allowing her arm to brush against his.

”I’m glad you moved back here too.”

A smirk is given, and whatever implications there might be to those words are left unspoken between them.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

her presence grounded him, and at the realization of it, he smiled, tilting his head over to look at her.

"yeah? why's that?"

playful as ever, he smirked, drawing circles on her skin with his thumb as he leaned even closer.

Amelia Livy

☉

Of course he asks.

Instead of faltering or laughing about it, Lia subtly but firmly holds her ground, still smirking at him despite the fact that the slight blush on her cheeks is all too visible even under the dim streetlights.

”Hmmm.”

She hums, and there’s something playful about it just as there is about her smirk, even allowing herself to lean in closer too.

”That’s a secret, captain.”

Naturally, a wink accompanies her words.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

she holds her ground, and he holds his. it isn't much of a secret, really, but it's fun to pretend like it is.

her wink is met with a smirk, and he leans in to whisper:

"maybe i'll find out someday."

Amelia Livy

☉

Pretending does make things much more fun, and when he leans in closer to whisper his next words, she stays right where she is – looking at him in the eyes. Then, the hand that isn’t holding his reaches up, oh so very gently caressing his cheek.

”Good luck.”

A smile and she let’s go, turning as if her attention has been stolen away.

And, it has, for it is then and there when she stops; right in front of an apartment building not much different from all the others nearby.

”This is it…”

She looks at him once more, and after a second or two, she smiles in that soft way of hers.

”Wanna walk me up to the door?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

good luck.

perhaps he'll need it.

his attention drifts towards her apartment building, and for whatever reason, it's what he expected. it looks modest, comfortable, and low-key, which he appreciates.

her question is met with a gentle smile.

"of course."

so, with his hand in hers, he leads her towards the door.

Amelia Livy

☉