Selfishly, Lia would like to think that he only looks at her this way; that only she gets to see this side of him that’s so warm and nice and sweet.

Adorable.


Her words from before hold true, and even though she knows she’s probably not the only one who gets to see all these things, she’s happy they’re being shared with in this moment…

A moment that belongs just to the two of them.

How could she not smile at that?

His touch is gentle, and she leans into it just as gently.

What is there to say?

There’s not really much need for words, for the moment is already perfect.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

When the Mantyke releases an AQUA RING too, there’s a chuckle of her own, watching the way the water is illuminated and sparkles under the sun. This would all probably look even better at night, but even if it’s in the middle of the day, it’s still wonderful…

That’s partly because of Lance’s company, and Lia knows as much.

So, it’s no surprise that soon enough she finds herself turning to look at him, only to then meet his gaze.

Has he been looking at her?

”...Hi.”

She chuckles once more, a sound soft and light, and the word is no more than a whisper between them.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Truth be told, Lia has never cared much about most pokémon. She loves her own, and she loves some species, but not all of them.

The well-being of pokémon is not why she chose to become a ranger, but that of people who are threatened by some of them.

And yet, as she watches the way the Corsola’s AQUA RINGS illuminate the water, a new appreciation is perhaps earned for them.

She allows herself to lean just so slightly against Lance, simply enjoying the moment…

”...That’s beautiful…”

The whispered words are nothing but a thought spoken out loud – ever honest.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Enjoying the journey.

That’s all they can really do, isn’t it?

At least it comes easily enough, especially when she can feel the way his hand rests at her waist, pulling her close to him. It really is a nice feeling, one that she could get used to, just like the whispered words that come with it…

’And stay close, Lia.’

So, that’s what he wants from her?

”I’m not going anywhere, Lance.”

Her words are also no more than a whisper, but with them comes a decision that has been made together...

Why does her heart race?

She takes a breath to steady herself, her attention falling on the group of Corsola, even if the situation is all too distracting.

Still, distracting or not, it makes Lia smile to herself.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Did he make the right choice?

Truly, Lia doesn’t know, but at those moment, she also doesn’t bother with considering things like those.

There’s just the way she smiles when he takes her hand; the feeling of their fingers interlacing coming with memories attached to it even if things are different now – it makes her happy, and she easily realizes as much.

Being close to him like this… Having him holding her even while they’re in the cold water… It’s nice, and it makes her feel warm inside.

Maybe those feelings are wrong. Maybe they shouldn’t be there. But, for now, she’ll ignore thoughts like those.

There’s Lance, and there’s also the mission…

”Of course, captain.”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Of course her words are thrown right back at her, she shouldn’t have expected any less.

With a sigh, Lia looks ahead towards the group of Corsola, catching Lance’s gaze as the Mantyke goes around her.

”Do I really need to answer that, captain?”

She holds her ground (although not literally, considering that they’re in the water) and she still looks at him in the eyes, even when the next question makes those pink shades at her cheeks deepen.

She’d definitely be distracted. They both know as much.

”...I didn’t say that.”

Despite her words, she offers him a gentle smile, a hand then being extended towards him – leaving it for him to decide.

It seems like a simple and casual gesture, but all actions have consequences, and this time, Lance will choose of which kind.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

She could call out his Azumarill. Honestly, she probably should. But, the suggestion makes her pause, and she finds herself watching him as the Mantyke drags him through the water. It’s cute.


The Corsola will be fine, so why not?

He’s the one who said it, after all.

Yet, this is still a mission…

”Is that what you want me to do, captain?”

She settles for meeting his gaze, a slight smirk tugging at her lips with just a bit of playfulness. Through the water, she moves closer.

”It could decrease our mobility and impair our ability to act, you know?”

Obvious things to point out, and yet they come with a pout, even if she doesn’t move from where she is.

Of course she wants to hold onto him.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

’Just for you.’

It’s silly, because she knows there’s no way it’s something she’d do just for her. He’d probably get in the water no matter who his partner was, and those are also words used way too often when flirting.

She's aware of all this, but she still smiles when he says it, and once he emerges to the surface, she laughs with him.

”Yes! Much better.”

Her grin is bright, radiant and warm as the sunlight, and if only for a few seconds, she holds his gaze.

Then, she turns to look at the Corsola, perhaps because of the ever so slight blush that colours her cheeks in soft shades of pink.

”So… Do we just stay near them?”

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

”Lance...”

From the water, she looks up at him.

She could easily turn; head towards the Corsola and ignore him, letting him do whatever he wishes. Yet, she remains, and with what may just be the result of a childhood of learning to use her younger sibling charms to get what she wants, the look she gives him is pleading and adorable. Like a puppy pokémon.

”Please? I really do…”

Her words come with a slight pout and a begging tone. Lia may not be innocent at all, but she knows how to act like it in order to get what she wants...

Does she actually want him in the water, then?

Yes, but it may be more about getting him to go against his own teasing words and do what she wants.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Will there be repercussions to this? Probably, as everything always comes with its consequences. Whether those will be good or bad is the real question, but for now, Lia chooses to remain optimistic about things.

In the end, there’s no point in worrying about what may or may not happen when they have a mission to fulfill. That comes first. It should always come first. And yet, she can’t help but watch him…

’After you.’

”Okay.”

Nothing more than a slight smirk before turning away and jumping into the water with no hesitation at all. There’s a splash, and her Decidueye flaps its wings in concern a second before she comes up to the surface.

”Fuuuck… It’s so cold!”

There’s a short laugh, because that much should have been expected.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

Before even looking at him, Lia takes a deep breath, steadying herself.

As she does, she lists in her mind thoughts that ground her: this is a mission, so she has to do well; nothing bad will happen, because she has Lance with her.

Does she really trust him that much already or is it just because he’s a captain? Honestly, despite being her own thoughts, not even Lia is sure of the answer.

Especially not when she turns to face him.

She may not have confidence in her skills as a ranger, but Lia has never been one to be afraid of things. She remains herself of this, and so the answer comes easily:

”No, you can come with… If you want.”

Once again, she smiles at him – this time gently and softly.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

In the end, there’s no point in arguing about how things could have been different. The past is the past, and it cannot be changed, Lia knows that better than anyone after so many years dedicated to studying history itself.

But, that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t get to be upset about how dismissive Ana is being about all of this.

It doesn’t mean Ana gets to act as if nothing happened and move on like it doesn’t matter that both their father and their brother are gone. Is this how she copes? By pretending life is perfect and that nothing is wrong?

Lia sighs, suddenly feeling tired, exhausted, and weak. She changes her position so her feet rest on the small ledge she’s sitting on in the water, and her arms wrap around her knees. The tears keep on coming, as if she were no more than a kid, and yet her next words are quiet, steady, cold, and lacking in any sympathy:

”Fuck off, Ana. You know that’s not true.”

Ana could have done plenty more.

Even if she couldn’t have saved their father, even if she couldn’t have saved Alexander, she could have still been here for the family that needed her when dealing with so much loss. She could have been here for Lia. Instead, she chose to be alone.

”...Do you even care?”

”Do you even care about me, Ana? Do you even care about our family?”

Naturally, the rest of these questions are left unspoken – too painful to be said.

They may have never been close, but aren't they still sisters?

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ANA STONE

☉

Lia pays close attention to his words, her gaze falling on the small island he points towards. A mental note is made on it, making sure to remember it for later, because she knows Lance is right and she will need to learn things like those. She had also meant her words from back then: at these moments, she’s glad to have him here to guide her.

Even if he’s suddenly way too close.

Even if her cheeks flush just so slightly as she looks at the water.

”Oh… Yeah, you’re right. I can see it… That’s really cool.”

It makes her smile, despite the fact that there’s still a certain uneasiness that comes with the thought of deep waters.

Anything could attack the Corsola from beneath...

Is this mission really as simple as they had made it seem?

LANCE VOLLANS

☉