Once She Was Satisfied With Her Own Ingredients, She Set It Aside To Wait For Him Patiently. She Did

⋆.˚𖦹⋆✮⋆.˚

Honestly, Lily hadn't thought too hard on him knowing where her building was. Xavier had been over to visit plenty of times, and considering his apparent habit of bragging to Jeremiah about the plushies he wins her, it's not far fetched to figure that he's mentioned they live only a floor away.

So his quick clarification just makes her laugh at her phone, shaking her head affectionately as she types her reply.

[ -> Jeremiah: Don't worry, I honestly figured that Xavier had mentioned it at some point. It's nbd. I'm actually the apartment just below his. ]

[ -> Jeremiah: But that sounds like a plan! ]

Some part of her told her that she shouldn't give out the specific location of her apartment so freely, but if he and Xavier get along so well, he must be a good guy! Plus he was so concerned about not creeping her out, she can't even pretend she's concerned.

( @lily-of-the-linkon )

~ Hey, Jer, about that plushie date, I've got the next few days off

~ If you want / are able to, we could try to get together sometime soon?

~ Otherwise I can grab us a bite to eat and bring it over during lunch one of those days as repayment?

[->Lily: Hey, Lily! That would be great. I'm no Xavier at the claw machine but I'll do my best 😊]

[->Lily: No need to treat me to lunch. We can just do milk tea if you'd like. Let me know what day works best for you. Don't worry about the shop, things are slow lately so I can close up one of these days and save on electricity.]

"Xavier! I know I'm a little late, but I have something for you!"

Lily beams as she offers him a plushie of an all-white, very sleepy cat, with embroidered paw pads. If he got close enough, he'd realize that it has the faintest floral scent, like the perfume that Lily uses on special occasions.

"It's a weighted plushie! I know you don't really need help falling asleep, but... maybe it'll make the sleep a little better?"

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

@lily-of-the-linkon

More than the spirit of the holiday, was the fact that for the first time in his life he had someone to spend it with,

And she was looking at him like that.

He wished he could capture this feeling like a photograph.

Taking it into his arms, he gave her a small look while he smiled, a bit shy.

"So you're saying I can imagine it's you when I need to hold you? I could get used to that."

Reaching out he brushed his fingers along her hairline and drew closer to place a kiss on her cheek, dwelling there long enough to take in that pretty perfume he loved.

"I can't wait to grow our plushie family more. They'll have many adventures with us. I'm just looking forward to spending every Azure Echo Day with you from now on. I'm... happier then I've ever been, Lily."

His lips traced her cheek towards her lips, teasing before chasing after them. "I love you, Valentine."

"I'm honestly trying to be flexible with weaponry, but I'm most comfortable with a gun. I prefer keeping a distance where I can." Lily answered honestly "Though I've been practicing with the sword lately. It is a lot more active, and exhausting." She laughed sheepishly, shaking her head. "Talk about a workout..."

She looked at the jacket curiously and felt it curiously, humming happily "Ooo it feels nice!" She beamed, checking the size before taking off her white jacket to try on the blue one. "I think this is actually a really good fit. Good choice!" She praised, turning her attention back to Kaia.

"Oh, wait! Before you leave, what color do you think the jacket should b—" Not looking away from the clothing rack in front of her, she grabs the sleeve of the person nearest to her without thinking, and realizes a little too late that it felt... Different. She turns, blinking; the person she'd been talking to had left, and beside her instead was...

"Wait, you're—! Lily?! You're Lily, right?! Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I totally thought you were someone else! Gosh, and this is the first time I'm actually talking to you, too..."

—&&. @kaiakaya 🤍

Lily was more than a little startled to suddenly feel her sleeve grabbed while she was looking for a new jacket to replace her favorite one that has... been through it. It's getting a few small holes in it but she's already mended it so many times it's time to retire it.

She blinked in surprise at Kaia for a moment before she started laughing, keeping it relatively quiet for the moment so they don't draw too much attention.

"Yes, I'm Lily. You're Kaia, right?" She asked, hoping she doesn't make a fool of herself.

At Kaia's concerns about how this is the first time they're speaking, she shook her head with a smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry!" She reassured easily "Do you need help finding the person you're here with?" She offered, tilting her head slightly.

If she were to be completely honest, Lily hadn't realized how much she needed the company. Perhaps that's what she needed, more than anything else...

Before she could dwell too much on the thought as she fell into step beside him, his warning sets her on alert again. She started to look around for what had set him on guard, using her Evol to try and sense for any threats their watches hadn't picked up on yet. She took a slight step closer to him, turning slightly to see if the threat might be behind them.

When she feels him relax she followed his gaze, relaxing when seeing the cat just across the street. Letting out a small laugh she carefully squatted down, still holding on to Xavier's hand for balance this time, trying to coax the cat over.

"Nothing wrong with that... It's nice, at night." She mused absently. "Especially outside, it's just so... peaceful."

❛ 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."

"I get that, trust me." Lily reassured, shaking her head with a chuckle. "I can't count the number of times I've defaulted to neutrals for others, but it hasnt failed me yet!" She snickered.

With the questions, she nodded with a sheepish laugh, putting her hands of the white jacket. "Mmhm! It's really comfy and not too heavy, but it's not trapping heat as well as it used to, and the pockets are hanging on with a prayer." She admitted, even showing her.

Kaia's offer for company earned another nod of agreement "Sure, I don't mind!" She answered easily. "Plus then we can both tease the person who oh-so-cruelly abandoned you in the middle of the store." She teased lightheartedly.

"Oh, wait! Before you leave, what color do you think the jacket should b—" Not looking away from the clothing rack in front of her, she grabs the sleeve of the person nearest to her without thinking, and realizes a little too late that it felt... Different. She turns, blinking; the person she'd been talking to had left, and beside her instead was...

"Wait, you're—! Lily?! You're Lily, right?! Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I totally thought you were someone else! Gosh, and this is the first time I'm actually talking to you, too..."

—&&. @kaiakaya 🤍

Lily was more than a little startled to suddenly feel her sleeve grabbed while she was looking for a new jacket to replace her favorite one that has... been through it. It's getting a few small holes in it but she's already mended it so many times it's time to retire it.

She blinked in surprise at Kaia for a moment before she started laughing, keeping it relatively quiet for the moment so they don't draw too much attention.

"Yes, I'm Lily. You're Kaia, right?" She asked, hoping she doesn't make a fool of herself.

At Kaia's concerns about how this is the first time they're speaking, she shook her head with a smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry!" She reassured easily "Do you need help finding the person you're here with?" She offered, tilting her head slightly.

"We absolutely could!" Lily beamed, already having a few ideas for simple things they could bake together. Cookies, or even cupcakes, since they could do a lot of decorating, and not have to worry about Kaia handling anything involving heat for long...

Setting aside that thought for now, she let out a small laugh at Kaia's dramatics. "You just seem like the type, I can't quite put my finger on it," she admitted honestly, settling her cheek in her hand for the time being.

At the question, she nodded. "I've been to the library a few times, usually when I'm studying and need a change of scenery but minimal distractions." Though, now that she thinks about it, she really should make more of an effort to try and visit the library...

"Oh, wait! Before you leave, what color do you think the jacket should b—" Not looking away from the clothing rack in front of her, she grabs the sleeve of the person nearest to her without thinking, and realizes a little too late that it felt... Different. She turns, blinking; the person she'd been talking to had left, and beside her instead was...

"Wait, you're—! Lily?! You're Lily, right?! Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I totally thought you were someone else! Gosh, and this is the first time I'm actually talking to you, too..."

—&&. @kaiakaya 🤍

Lily was more than a little startled to suddenly feel her sleeve grabbed while she was looking for a new jacket to replace her favorite one that has... been through it. It's getting a few small holes in it but she's already mended it so many times it's time to retire it.

She blinked in surprise at Kaia for a moment before she started laughing, keeping it relatively quiet for the moment so they don't draw too much attention.

"Yes, I'm Lily. You're Kaia, right?" She asked, hoping she doesn't make a fool of herself.

At Kaia's concerns about how this is the first time they're speaking, she shook her head with a smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry!" She reassured easily "Do you need help finding the person you're here with?" She offered, tilting her head slightly.

( from @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily holds her arms out slightly towards Dawnbreaker, hoping to make it so he won't feel bad if he refuses her invitation.

"Would you like a hug?"

His eyes light up briefly at the prospect of physical comfort.

"...Yes, I would."

He steps towards her, enveloping her in a gentle embrace to avoid causing her any discomfort, despite his wishes. He leans his forehead on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

Lily was still content to watch him work, in the least creepy way possible. Though, it was reassuring to hear his insistence that he was there for her too.

While she isn't the most lonely person in the world, and was in fact very fortunate to have as many friends as she does... it's still comforting to know. Especially with how things have been going, as of late... The more support, the better.

"For what it may be worth, I'm happy to help you out if you need anything. I may not have as many talents as you or Xavier, but I can still try." She offered with a playfully sheepish smile.

"I'd be more than happy to join you two for an outing, so long as I won't be interrupting any plans or anything! I love the arcade, and it's always better with friends!"

( Jump - sender jumps on receivers back - @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily grinned when seeing Jeremiah wasn't paying attention to her, a mischievous little plan forming in her head.

Putting her training to the test, she carefully approached him from behind. She kept her movements as silent as possible, slowly lifting her arms to brace herself for step two.

When she was finally within reach of the (unsuspecting?) man, she lunged to jump on his back. While she was careful not to knock him over if she could help it, she was still dramatic.

Almost immediately after 'impact', she couldn't help but break into giggles, shifting to at least attempt to look at his face. "Hi Jer~" she greeted with playfully exaggerated casualness.

"What the- ah!"

The sudden surprise and sensation of warmth pressed against his back shocked him enough to let out a yelp in surprise, but the familiarity of the voice immediately calmed his instincts.

He adjusts his grip to ensure her safety but doesn't put her down.

"Stars, Lilyyyy! Where did you come from!? How did you manage to be so quiet!?"

Lily snorted and moved to pat his back instead when he came closer, giggling quietly at his dramatics.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry for being such a cruel bodyguard and attacking you," she teased, not sounding the least bit apologetic, "we can go get you some hot chocolate, okay?"

She didn't mind his exaggeration, if only because it was so clearly over the top. That, and she'd never turn down an excuse for a hot drink.

❄️ -@artistrafayel

Send ❄️ to throw a snowball at Lily!

Lily yelped in surprise at the sudden impact before turning to Rafayel, seeming almost offended for all of... two seconds.

A wide grin spread across her face as she leaned down to make a snowball of her own. "Are you sure you want to play this game~?" she asked playfully, glancing up at him from where her hands were making quick work of the snow.