If only for a second, she almost feels a little sad, because doesn’t he being done with his food mean they should go soon? That they’ll part ways even though they’ll still see each other at work the next day?

Is it selfish to want to spend more time with him?

Is it wrong?

She smiles at him, shaking her head just so slightly.

”I’m done too, but I think I’d like to stay for a little longer... If that’s okay.”

Is it okay?

Lia meets his gaze, and at that moment, there's so much more she wants to say.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

A little getaway...

It sounds a lot like the kind of thing a couple would do, especially when followed by the words Lance whispers into her ear.

”Lance.”

Even if blushing, she can’t help but chuckle – still staying just as close.

”You’re the worst.”

She doesn’t mean this, of course.

It’s obvious too, especially with the way she meets his gaze and smirks so very playfully when doing so.

”I hope so too.”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

The ease with which he makes her blush should almost be expected; pink hues colouring her cheeks at the mention of Lavaridge.

But, it’s not a bad thing.


After all, none of those are bad memories.

She does pout, for his sake alone, but when the kiss comes, there’s also a light chuckle.

”Sure, dinner sounds great. I wouldn’t mind actually going back to the hot springs sometime, though.”

Things had been nice back then, despite everything else that had happened – it's still where they met.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

A soft, white towel wraps around her slender figure, platinum hair falling loose over her shoulders...

In retrospect, she should have probably tied it up, as it is likely it will soon become an annoyance thanks to the sheer amount of steam that fills the small room around her, but the fact of the matter is that Lia simply cannot be bothered with things like those right now.

She sits on one of the wooden benches, crossing her legs, and as she leans back and closes her eyes, it’s a deep breath that escapes her.

Relaxed, or at least trying to relax...

OV26jbdr
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luka chêne

☉

What’s stopping them?

The things that should be stopping them are those like the fact that Lance probably hasn’t completely moved on, because how could he easily move on? Things like knowing that they may end up having different wants from whatever exists or may exist between them. And, also things like the fact that they could so very easily hurt each other…

He could hurt her.

But, when has Lia ever stopped herself from doing things just because she could get hurt?

She will always choose reckless bravery. When the time to make decisions comes, she will always bite the bullet and push all of her doubts and fears aside.

This time, it happens all too easily.

”Yeah, let’s.”

It makes her feel happy.

”I don’t really have much planned. Why? Do you want to do something together?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

For a moment, Lia does no more than watch him, paying close attention to his expression when he says these words. It’s not even all that intentional, because why would she want look anywhere else, but it does make her realize a couple of things…

He pauses, and when he does, it’s as if he hesitates. As if he’s considering things, and truly, she’s glad for it.

Just like she’s glad for the next thing he says.

”Mmm… Then you should get to know me more.”

With a chuckle, she gives him one of those soft smiles of hers, then reaching him for his cheek.

”I’d like that a lot, and I want to get to know you more too.”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

’Then I suppose we're perfect for each other.’

In a way, the words feel hollow, because there’s so very little they know about each other – too little for them to be true.

And yet, they do feel honest, and they feel right, and there truly is no denying the way she feels about him.

Does he feel the same way, then?

But, how could he?

”...You think so?”

The words feel as if suddenly teetering when trying to keep balance, as if she's so very close to taking a fall.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Doesn’t everyone want to have someone look at them like they’re the only thing in the world that matters?

Like everything else is inconsequential?

Like they will always have that person’s full attention?

It’s what Lia wants, at least, and it’s also how she feels when Lance calls her distracting and continues to look at her while so very gently caressing her cheek...

Truly, at that moment, it makes it impossible to deny her own feelings to herself: she likes him, and she probably likes him way more than she should.

”I could say the same to you, though.”

She pouts once more, only to then smile too, gently leaning into his touch.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

What is there to say?

There’s more than a few things that would probably be awkward, some that would likely ruin the moment, and others that she simply doesn’t think she should say.

Even then, even when there’s a few things she does want to say and ask him, she’d rather just smile at him, and after a few seconds this turns to soft and quiet laughter.

”We should probably finish eating before the tacos get cold.”

And yet, despite her words, she stays right where she is; looking at him and smiling.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

It has the potential to be messy and painful.

It has the potential to break her heart.

But, for now, it makes her feel warm and fuzzy and full of those light and wonderful feelings that are cherished so much. It makes her feel safe, it makes her feel comfortable, and it makes her wish to stay right by his side. And when the kiss comes, it makes her want to kiss him back…

So, that’s exactly what she does.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Perhaps, they really shouldn’t be doing all this.

The line was where it was for a reason, and crossing it may just be the greatest mistake they ever make. Not even because of their professional relationship, that’d probably be just fine, but because even while he looks at her like this and leans in so very close, there’s an obvious truth to all of this that Lia is sure of now even if she tries to ignore it...

She chooses to ignore it.

She pushes it aside.

She lets him get close like this and can’t help but smile and feel happy.

She’s playing with fire, and she knows it.

”I know, sorry.”

Despite the apology, she leans into his touch, staying right where she is.

After all, she’s not really sorry.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉