There’s something almost painful about the way her heart pounds in her chest, but perhaps it’s a good kind of pain. The kind of pain that leaves her breathless, the kind that makes blood rush to her cheeks because of how close he is, the kind that makes her smile because of the way he looks at her.

Without a word, she reaches up, arms wrapping around his neck as if clinging to him – as if she would never want to let go of him. And, there’s something almost expectant about the looks she gives him, as if she’s waiting for him to do something…

Wanting.

Wishing.

Craving him.

The elevator keeps going up, and they’ll soon reach her floor.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Her heart pounds. Her mind runs. A million thoughts a second as she looks at him while waiting for the elevator to come down to the ground floor.

A million things she wishes she could say.

A million things she wishes she could do.

And yet, all of them pushed aside in favour of simply smiling at him:

”Yeah, I did too.”

There’s a chuckle, and when the doors open with a familiar ding, she does no more than pull him in, then turning once again to look at him:

”I still am.”

This time, these three words come in company of a playful smirk.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

It’s easy to let him take the lead, to simply follow along.

It feels natural, it feels right, and there’s something comforting about that thought.

Are they doing the right thing? Maybe not, but thoughts like those are far different from the ones that fill Lia’s mind, and all she does is gently squeeze his hand when pressing the button to call the elevator.

”Thanks for today, by the way.”

A smile, one as gentle as the one he had given her.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

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

☉

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

☉

TRADING Amelia Livy's Gacha Unown X
for Remiel Calcifet's Unown P
Unown P goes to Martín del Mar

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

☉

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

☉

Thank you <3

’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

☉

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

☉