"hmm?" it takes him a second to remember. "oh yeah. of course."[break][break]

he shifts up, propping an elbow underneath him before leaning down to kiss her cheek.[break][break]

"it's so tempting just to stay in bed with you, though."[break][break]

but he does oblige, moving to get off the bed before offering her his hand.[break][break]

"come on."

[attr="class","ooc"]willow atkins[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-shedinja"]

and stand she does, discarding the bedsheet covering her bodice. but not before she impishly takes his hand and raises it to her lips, swiftly kissing each of his knuckles before gliding out of the room. she tosses a smug smile over her bare shoulder, savoring her own playfulness and hoping she doesn't come off as weird. 

more light glitters through the full length windows, reflecting brilliantly from the white-capped surf. her arms come around her stomach as modesty finally catches up to her. stretch marks hide under subconsciously splayed fingers. 

still, she lounges by the window, completely taken, and can't will herself to look back at lance when she says, breathlessly, "you weren't kidding. this is beautiful."

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

it does not take him long to join her by the window. he reaches out for her the same way he had done last night, pressing his chest to her back as his arms fall around her side to hold her close.[break][break]

there, together, they watch the sun come up over the horizon, casting an orange glow over the sea.[break][break]

"you're beautiful."[break][break]

his head tilts down to kiss her on her cheek, nuzzling close.

[attr="class","ooc"]willow atkins[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-shedinja"]

the sun continues its slow climb as though it's drawing itself from the ocean into the otherwise empty sky, dripping gold and orange as it rises. her hands fall over his arms; fingertips trace circles over his sinewy muscles. memories of last night linger sweetly between them, as close as they are. 

skin on skin, a warm flush rises back to her cheeks. the froth rolls over the sea and she sinks into this quiet pocket of peace, gaze wandering over the shallow waters by the shore.

"you're not so bad yourself, vollans," she quips back, harkening to his earlier comment.

she nuzzles him and then disentangles, gathers her hair up into a sloppy bun. "do you have time for breakfast?"

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

warmth fleets the moment she pulls away, though he pays it no mind, choosing to focus on her instead.[break][break]

"i do."[break][break]

he's not sure if he does but he'll make time for her. it's easy to ignore everything else when it's just like this, anyways. just them and no one else.[break][break]

"what are we making?"

[attr="class","ooc"]willow atkins[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-shedinja"]

okay, now she is starting to feel ridiculous. she gives him a quick peck on the cheek and scampers back to his bedroom so she can snag a sleep shirt and some underwear from her bag. when she emerges, she goes to open up all the cabinets in his kitchen. 

it's depressingly empty. plenty of takeout boxes are in the fridge. lots of canned goods. he works so much. too much to have fresh ingredients and the time to cook. but he has eggs and flour and she can work with that.

she finds a can of peaches and grabs a couple of pots and pans. 

"french toast with peach compote," she says with a smile. "how about you make us some coffee and then relax? let me cook for you."

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

it's a miracle he has eggs and flour. he must've bought them earlier in the week out of routine more than anything. never know when he might get that late-night craving.[break][break]

"you sure?"[break][break]

but he's quick to accept her offer and does so with a chuckle.[break][break]

"you're the best."[break][break]

he kisses her on her cheek before moving to start the pot of coffee. while it heats up, he disappears into the bedroom again for a moment to put on some pants before returning.[break][break]

pouring coffee into mugs, he sets one down by her while she cooks, smiling before sitting down by the counter. there, he does what he's told and relaxes.

[attr="class","ooc"]willow atkins[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-shedinja"]

"yes, i'm sure," she says and leans into his kiss on her cheek. she watches him go, cheeks flushing. her hands trail idly over her own collarbone, reliving the kisses he'd placed there last night. but then she shakes her head, grabs a few eggs, and searches his kitchen for the proper utensils. 

by the time he's back, she has a little work station set up for herself and is busy whisking the ingredients together. his milk had gone bad, but she doesn't let that stop her. some of the peach juice goes into the mixture to bulk it up. 

motherhood has taught her how to make anything work in the kitchen.

soon the pan is hot and the butter is sizzling. she lays the dipped bread onto the pan and then leans against the counter, holding her mug of coffee in hand. 

"i know," she says with a smile. "so...about last night. i'm glad i stayed." her eyes betray her nervousness. "and i think i'd like to do this more often."

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

for a while, he takes in the moment. how the rays of the morning sun shine through the windows, basking them in a warm orange light. how the smell of butter wafts around them. how she's right there in front of him.[break][break]

it's nice. it's something he has deeply missed.[break][break]

her admission is met with a smile.[break][break]

"yeah? well i have nothing planned over the weekend."[break][break]

he says more of a joke than anything. it's accompanied by a chuckle.[break][break]

"i'm glad you stayed, too. you're welcome over any time you want."

[attr="class","ooc"]willow atkins[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-shedinja"]