Blinking Up At Him When He Said Her Name, She Found Herself Melting Into The Small Affection.

Once he hung up, Lily worked quickly to make herself look more properly put together. While she normally tried to focus on practicality when she knew she'd be spending time with Sylus since it's hard to tell when things are going to get a little.. chaotic, this time she opted to dress more for the occasion.

Grabbing a simple skirt with shorts underneath and a red blouse, she made sure she looked decent and had a hair tie for later, since she knows that it's very likely that he'll show up on his bike.

That thought was confirmed when hearing the engine rev outside, peeking out the window to see him.

Shaking her head in amusement, she grabbed her bag and went downstairs to meet him, her arms crossed playfully as she approached him, quirking a brow with a small smirk.

"Always have to make an entrance, hm?"

closed starter ofr: @lily-of-the-linkon

Sylus picked up his phone, swiping through the screen as he dialed Lily’s number, his thumb tapping rhythmically against the glass. He leaned back in his chair, watching the soft light of the afternoon filter through the blinds. As the phone rang, he let out a small sigh, a hint of impatience buried beneath the calm exterior.

When the call finally connected, he greeted her with a casual tone. “Hey, Lily, you busy? If not… would you want to come see me for the spring? The cherry blossoms are finally blooming, and I haven’t had the chance to see them with anyone yet.”

There was a slight pause as he adjusted his position, a faint smirk creeping across his lips.

"Thought it might be nice, you know... to have someone to appreciate them with."

He exhaled, gaze still fixed on the view outside of the dark N109 zone. "Never had the chance to see it with someone before." The words were quieter, almost absentminded, but laced with something unspoken

Giggles began to mix into the melody as she hummed with him, spinning with his help and a proper laugh.

This is it. This is the kind of moment she's always silently dreamed for. Getting to just be happy and silly in the safety of home, dancing with someone she loves and baking. What more could she ask for?

When he released her to check on the cookies, she went back to humming. Satisfied with how they looked, she found some oven mitts to pull out the tray and set it aside to cook before putting the next tray in.

"Oh that's right!" She beamed as she closed the oven, setting the mitts aside again. "Hopefully they aren't sold out already, because it would be fun if we got to go." She hummed thoughtfully, resetting the timer on her phone.

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

Lily flashed Xavier a playful grin at his teasing, batting her eyelashes innocently. "The most pressing of questions~." She agreed through small giggles.

Truthfully, she'd spent a lot of time trying to figure out his preferences, but... sometimes he could be hard to read, especially in when it came to more 'trivial' matters such as colors. "Lavender, hm?" She hummed, tilting her head. "That makes sense. I honestly was starting to think it was white, since that's most of what you wear." She teased lightheartedly.

She easily followed his guidance around the uneven spot, turning her attention down curiously even though he'd already guided her away from danger. His question caught her off guard, prompting him to look up at him to confirm she heard correctly.

Her perfect life? It's not as though she hadn't ever thought about it. Of course she has. But that doesn't mean she ever thought she'd end up voicing her thoughts.

"My perfect life... All I'd really want is to be generally healthy, and for everyone I care about to be safe and healthy too... having enough time to spend with people I care about."

Perhaps it's the fatigue loosening her tongue, or maybe it's Xavier's presence, but she finds herself continuing despite herself.

"I just... wouldn't want to be alone."

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

Send me a prompt!

~

Normally, Lily tries to be fully aware of her surroundings. Working as a Hunter means she shouldn't let her guard down, especially when by herself. Who knows what threats are just waiting for a chance to strike, after all?

Though normally, Lily doesn't have to resort to late night walks to try and clear her mind so that she can sleep.

Suddenly hearing a voice nearby startles her out of her own thoughts, immediately setting her on alert. Her head whipped around towards the source, her posture tense and ready for a fight. Once she finally recognized Xavier, she let out a slow breath that ended in a sheepish laugh.

"Xavier!" She half-greeted, half-scolded.

Once she finally processed his warning, she offered what she hoped came across as a reassuring smile. "I know, I know. But I'm a big girl, I can handle going for a little starlit walk before bed." She teased, running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm herself down further so her heart wasn't pounding so hard in her chest.

"What about you? You're out rather late too."

If anyone wanted to see what I almost chose for my profile pic :P

Lily has updated her profile picture!

After a moment of consideration and realizing that she hadn't thought that far ahead, she nodded gratefully. "If you don't mind, I really would appreciate it!"

After double checking that she'd gotten responses from everyone, she started to lead him out of the office. "The coffee shop isn't too far, thankfully."

❝ how do you take your coffee? ❞ - @lily-of-the-linkon

"I prefer sweet coffee! So a bit of sugar, a bit of creamer. I know some folks say that's not real coffee, but it's my cup, I get to doctor it however I please!"

His teasing response earned a headshake from his passenger, but she couldn't help smiling all the same.

As he took off, she settled herself against his back, completely relaxed. You would think that, with how much they banter, she'd be more anxious having to trust him so completely like this, but she wouldn't ride with him if she didn't trust him. So she kept her arms wrapped around his torso, simply letting herself enjoy the ride.

Once they reached the park, she accepted the offered hand to carefully get off of the bike, because she does not want to go burning herself at the start of this.... date?

Offering quiet gratitude as she finally stabilized herself and put her helmet away, she watched him adjust to their new, very well lit environment, and couldn't help but grin. Reaching into her bag, she offered him a pair of sunglasses, giggling a little bit. "Well, hopefully this will make the sun a little bit less insufferable."

Satisfied with her preparedness, she took to looking around at the scenery around them, her pride softening into awe. While she's seen the cherry blossoms before, she can't deny how breath-taking it is every time. "It really is beautiful, though... A welcome end to winter."

closed starter ofr: @lily-of-the-linkon

Sylus picked up his phone, swiping through the screen as he dialed Lily’s number, his thumb tapping rhythmically against the glass. He leaned back in his chair, watching the soft light of the afternoon filter through the blinds. As the phone rang, he let out a small sigh, a hint of impatience buried beneath the calm exterior.

When the call finally connected, he greeted her with a casual tone. “Hey, Lily, you busy? If not… would you want to come see me for the spring? The cherry blossoms are finally blooming, and I haven’t had the chance to see them with anyone yet.”

There was a slight pause as he adjusted his position, a faint smirk creeping across his lips.

"Thought it might be nice, you know... to have someone to appreciate them with."

He exhaled, gaze still fixed on the view outside of the dark N109 zone. "Never had the chance to see it with someone before." The words were quieter, almost absentminded, but laced with something unspoken

🪦 EPIC: The Musical: Act One: The Underworld Saga sentence starters. Going by the exact lyrics for the most part unless I'm making it less lyric and more dialogue. Definitely change things to fit your muse's situation<3

The Underworld

"No matter what we hear: full speed ahead"

"Full speed ahead until we find the prophet."

"This land confuses your mind"

"All I hear are screams every time I dare to close my eyes"

"I no longer dream, only nightmares of those who've died"

"Nothing's what it seems"

"The past seems close behind"

"Five-hundred fifty-eight men who died under your command"

"Why would you let the cyclops live when ruthlessness is mercy?"

"I keep thinking of the infant from that night"

"That voice, it can't be!"

"When you come home I'll be waiting"

"Even if you're the last thing I see, I'll be waiting"

"I'm right here, mom. Can't you see?"

"I took too long, and ventured too far."

"I'll always love you, I'll stay in your heart"

"Your past is always close behind down in the Underworld"

No Longer You

"I am the prophet with the answers you seek"

"I see past and future running free"

"There is a world where I help you get home, but that's not a world I know"

"I see the sacrifice of man"

"I see portrayals of betrayal and a brother's final stand"

"I see you on the brink of death. I see you draw your final breath"

"I see a man who gets to make it home alive, but it's no longer you"

"This can't be!"

"We've suffered and sailed through the toughest of hells, now you tell us our effort's for nothing?"

"I see your palace covered in red."

"I see your wife with a man who is haunting, a man with a trail of bodies..."

Monster

"How has everything been turned against us?"

"How did suffering become so endless?"

"Do I need to change?"

"I'm surrounded by the souls of those I've lost."

"I'm the only one whose line I haven't crossed."

"What if the greatest threat we'll find across the sea... is me?"

"What if I'm the monster?"

"What if I'm in the wrong?"

"What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along?"

"What if I'm the one who killed you every time I caved to guilt?"

"What if I've been far too kind to foes but a monster to ourselves?"

"If I became the monster and threw that guilt away, would that make us stronger?"

"And now no one dares to piss him off"

"Who would care if we're unjust?"

"Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves, and deep down I know this well."

"I lost my best friend. I lost my mentor, my mom."

"If we must sail through dangerous oceans and beaches, I'll go where Poseidon won't reach us"

"I'll become the monster. I will deal the blow"

"I'll become the monster like none they've ever known"

"So what if I'm the monster lurking deep below?"

"I must become the monster, and then we'll make it home"

Lily laughed sheepishly at his response. "A nap sounds heavenly, but I'm worried it would mess up my sleep schedule too bad." She explained, glancing towards him before focusing on where she's walking again. "Honestly I sometimes envy how easily you seem to fall asleep pretty much anywhere."

She hummed thoughtfully at his suggestions of what they could do, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. So many options... "A video game would work, I think? I figure we've had enough outside time, so we get to be comfy at home." She suggested playfully.

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

Lily couldn’t help but beam as she watched him process, biting her tongue ever so slightly just to keep herself from breaking into giggles and shaking the mirror.

“You can take it out if you want.” She reassured, the giggles finally bubbling up some. “But I saw this cute little set and thought of you, so I had to get it and share!”

When he called her out for already having put her clip in, she tilted her head slightly in surprise. Does he like the idea that much?

“If you want, you can put it somewhere else for me?” She offered, easily letting him take the mirror from her.

“I trust you” - @lily-of-the-linkon

"Huh? What are you up to?" He closes his eyes.

--

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