of course she throws it back at him. he should've expected as much.

he takes a moment to mull it over, humming while he considers his options.

"i think you like sweet things like dessert, and as for meals...maybe something a little spicy?"

sweet like he could be at times, as well as spicy. pretty innocent, right?

the doors slide open, leading them out into the open space of lilycove.

Amelia Livy

☉

”Sweet and spicy? Hmm…”

Should she be surprised that he’s actually kind of right? Does that make her predictable, or is it that he can tell after the time they have spent together? For her own sake, she chooses to think it’s the latter…

”I really like dessert, but I don’t eat sweets often otherwise, and I do love spicy food.”

It’s gently and quietly that she chuckles at this.

”What about you?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

it's likely a combination of both, but he also chooses to think it's the latter.

"same as you, except i snack on sweets quite often."

so much so that he has a stash in his office and also some in his backpack whenever he does fieldwork.

but it's nice to hear that they have similar tastes.

"there's a food truck by the beach that does really good jerk chicken."

Amelia Livy

☉

”Wait, do you really? What kind of sweets?”

It’s not actually all that surprising, but she does want him to elaborate, because there’s something that’s just kind of adorable about the thought of Lance snacking on sweets all the time.

It may also just be that she likes learning more about him.

”Oh. That sounds great. Yeah, let’s do that.”

Naturally, it's with this response that she gives him a smile.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"can't go wrong with chocolate. i like milky ways, maltesers, and kit kats."

but snacking on those too often isn't entirely healthy, so he has to limit his intake.

"i really like sour patch kids as well."

while they walk through the quiet streets of lilycove, he makes sure to stand on whichever side of her is closest to the road, just because it's the sort of thing he's observant enough to realize to do. that way, she's safer should a vehicle decide to veer off course.

"what's your favorite dessert?"

Amelia Livy

☉

”Milky Ways, Maltesers, Kit Kats… That’s way too cute.”

Almost like he’s a kid.

A thought which really just makes her wonder about what Lance must have been like when he was much younger…

”I like Sour Patch Kids too, sweet and sour is a nice combination.”

Of course Lia doesn’t realize why he takes the side closer to the road as they walk. She’s enjoying the moment, and she has never had to worry about things like those…

”Hmm.. Tiramisu. Cheesecake is also good, but I really like coffee-flavoured things. Tiramisu is just the best.”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

too cute.

"how is it cute?"

he chuckles because he realizes it's not the first time he's gotten defensive over something so menial. it's kind of funny, actually, and also warm in a way he can't quite describe.

they come to a stop at a crossing, and again, lance makes sure to remain observant.

"tiramisu. okay, i'll be sure to remember."

Amelia Livy

☉

’How is it cute?’

At this, she looks at him, raising an eyebrow because he’s definitely being defensive and it’s also hypocritical when considering he refused to answer when she asked him something similar.

Adorable.

In response, she brings her index finger to her lips, giving him a wink.

”That’s for me to know and for you to wonder, but it’s really cute”

And then, she chuckles too, finding herself to be easily distracted with thoughts of candy and desserts.

’I’ll be sure to remember.

Will he really?

”You better. What’s yours, though?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

and wonder he does.

the moment the light turns green, signaling that it's safe for them to cross, he reaches a hand out towards the small of her back, guiding them along the crossing.

when they reach the other side, he sighs, deciding to answer honestly even if it might backfire.

"...i really like a banana split."

he tilts his head to look at her.

"all vanilla, though. maybe one strawberry if i'm feeling fun."

Amelia Livy

☉

There’s something about the way that he places a hand at the small of her back that makes her look up at him as they cross the street, because it doesn’t feel like a simple gesture – even if involuntary.

For a second, she considers asking him if he’s alright, but that second passes all too quickly, and soon she finds herself confronted with the information that Lance’s favourite dessert is Banana Split of all things.

Naturally, she smirks.

”Oh really? Vanilla, huh?”

Can she really be blamed for teasing him?

”I like ice cream too, though… Usually chocolate.”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"yeah, vanilla. why's that surprising?"

he knows why — the smirk on his face only confirms it.

his hand falls back to his side as they continue down the sidewalk, soon approaching the beach.

"if we ever get a regular banana split, i'll let you have the chocolate one."

Amelia Livy

☉

”I didn’t say it was surprising, I just didn’t take you for a vanilla type of guy. Maybe I’m a little disappointed.”

She’s not, obviously, but teasing him like this is fun.

Even if the thought of sharing an ice cream with him distracts her because it’s way too adorable – almost unfairly so.

”Sounds like a deal, we should do that sometime.”

With these words, she smiles.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"you won't be."

saying nothing else on the matter, he winks, shifting the topic away with a grin.

"we should."

what would it be then? a date? it's easy enough to chalk this dinner as just being dinner, but sharing ice cream together sounds surprisingly intimate.

soon, the food truck comes into sight, and there's a small line to order. he leads them to queue up, patient as ever.

Amelia Livy

☉