’It's easier to move on here.’

Is moving on okay, though? Is it the right thing to do?

In his case, Lia would agree without hesitation, because for as little as she may know about Lance, she does know he deserves to be happy…

But, what about herself?

Is it okay for her to move on?

At his questions, she sighs, leaning against the back of her chair.

”Not really tired... It just kind of sucks to have everyone know about something that’s intimate and personal for most people, you know?”

Like the whole world knows about her pain and vulnerabilities.

”If you want an honest answer, I…”

She looks away from him, because it’s easier to talk about it without looking at him.

How does she really feel about it?

”...I feel like I failed them.”

Useless.

That’s how Lia feels, and she's not wrong to feel this.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"yeah, i can imagine."

to have his personal life out in the open would feel terribly invasive, so he could only relate to how she must feel.

when she looks away from him, his gaze stays, and he reaches a hand out for hers.

"is that part of the reason why you're here?"

Amelia Livy

☉

Can he really imagine it?

Probably, considering everything he has been through. He can probably understand that it would suck to have every single person around him know about it without him even having a choice on the matter. But, selfishly so, it’s hard for Lia to believe that anyone actually understands her.

At least the way he reaches for her hand is welcomed, and she allows it to happen, even gently squeezing despite still not meeting his gaze when the question is answered:

”Yeah… A part of it... It’s all too late, though.”

Too late to be useful to anyone who mattered to her.

But, at least she can help other people, right?

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"maybe, maybe not."

it isn't in his place to say. the most he can do is offer his thoughts, genuine and honest as they come.

he returns the gentle squeeze of her hand. his voice drops just a little.

"but i don't think you've failed them. you're here, trying, and that's enough."

Amelia Livy

☉

It’s selfish of her.

Why should he have to comfort her?

Despite the way Lance may act, her pain and her grief aren’t any more real or somehow worse than his. He has probably suffered through a lot more than her, he has probably lost much more than what she has, so why is he the one reassuring her?

When she finally looks at him, there is a faint and soft smile, even if it’s not a happy one.

”Lance… I don’t know if it will ever be enough.”

Her words are honest, but she sighs, and she still holds his hand.

”Thank you, though. You’re really sweet.”

He is. To her, at least.

Why is he always so nice to her?

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

honestly, it might never be enough, but he keeps this to himself.

his head shakes just a little at her words, accompanied by a soft chuckle.

"i'm not sweet. i'm just looking out for you."

like any good captain would. but this isn't usual, clearly, as he continues to hold her hand.

"are you done for the night?"

Amelia Livy

☉

At his words, Lia pouts; perhaps to get her point across, perhaps if only for his sake. Probably the latter.

”Lance. You’re sweet.”

She repeats herself, as if nothing he could ever say could convince her otherwise. And, while maybe there are things that could, right here, right now, it feels like that’s just an undeniable truth.

He has been kind to her, he has been honest, he has shared things about his life, and he has tried to comfort her when she has done the same. All of those things matter to her.

”Hmm… Probably. I lost momentum now that you distracted me from working on the files.”

Even if faintly, Lia smirks at him.

Blame it all on Lance, of course, because it’s not as if she'd pick talking to him over working any day.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

this time, he doesn't argue against her. how could he when she pouts like that? it almost feels personal, as though she had only meant it for him.

he smirks as well, more prominent as he shrugs a shoulder.

"i mean i can stop distracting you if you want, lia."

and then he leans foward, maybe a little too close for comfort.

"or we can get out of here and maybe grab some food?"

Amelia Livy

☉

Does she want him to stop distracting her?

Of course not. Never.

Why would she ever?



It may not be the most professional thing to do, and there may only be little that is “captain-like” about the attention Lance gives her. It may come with some unfair advantages toward her, and some people may dislike it. But, despite all that, it’s not as if she can help how happy it makes her when he looks at her just like this – as if she’s the only person to whom he’d ask that question that in reality is so very meaningless and simple.

”Oh.”

She may have been teasing him a second ago, but now pink hues spread across her cheeks with terrible ease.

”Lance.”

Once more, a pout, but this one is soon followed by a chuckle and a soft smile.

”Okay, but you’re paying.”

Doesn't that make it kind of like a date?

Honestly, she'd rather not ask.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

it's cute to see her react the way she does. he wants to reach a hand up to her cheek, to caress them, but he restrains himself for now even if the urge lingers even after her answer.

"sure, but only if you keep the glasses on."

he smirks, staying close.

"it's cute."

after a few more seconds as if to drag out the moment, he finally stands, hand slipping out of hers if only to head over to turn off the lights in the room.

Amelia Livy

☉

’It’s cute.’

Lia has never had a lot of issues with confidence, especially when it comes to her own appearance, but there’s something about the way he says things like those that makes her heart raise, and those pink hues on her cheeks only deepen.

”What... How is it cute? I don’t usually wear them unless I know I’ll be on working on a computer for long or so…”

But he already knows this, doesn’t he?

After all, even if not alone together, they have seen each other almost every single day since she became a ranger.

It’s a bit strange to think about it, isn't it? Even if it makes her happy...

”Fine, though. I’ll wear them.”

She sighs in defeat, but a chuckle comes after it, and the moment he gets up, she turns towards the screen in order to save her work and shut down the computer.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

they see each other pretty much every single day, so he knows, he's noticed, but it doesn't stop him from teasing her. he doesn't respond to her question, choosing to instead flash her a grin and a wink before flicking the lights off.

"thank you."

leaning against the door, he waits for her to finish up, patient as ever.

Amelia Livy

☉

Perhaps it’s a good thing that she’s too preoccupied with grabbing her things so they can leave, because while she does notice the wink and the grin, it’s easy to turn away and hide just how flushed her cheeks are at this.

It’s silly, really, but it also makes her smile, and after getting her phone and her jacket, she takes a deep breath as if to steady herself, then walking over to the door.

”So, what are we eating?”

A smile, soft and playful as ever.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉