Lily Had Taken To Quietly Humming While She Put Things Away And Tidied Up, Only For The Gentle Melody

The Butterfly Nebula (HST)

Lily gave a thoughtful hum as she considered their options. She kept near Xavier but still managed to avoid the other people on the sidewalk with ease.

"Maybeeee sushi? Or a new type of pizza?" She suggested after some thought.

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 laugh to herself when listening to his audio message, shaking her head affectionately. He sounded half asleep still, meaning he must just have been waking up. She almost felt bad for potentially waking him, but well... He shouldn't go sleeping the whole day away either.

She'd opted for a simple pair of black slacks, a tank top, and a jacket just in case the shops are cold. She'd already gone through her morning routine, so once he acknowledged he was awake, she made sure she had her wallet and phone, and waited to hear from him again.

When he knocked she was quick to answer the door, offering him a relaxed smile. Seeing how tired he still looked, her expression became more sympathetic. "Did I wake you up?"

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.

pearl stars

When he mentioned 'writing it out', she tilted her head in confusion. She didn't bother questioning it though, just giggling at his reaction to her request.

Once she had the mitt on and took the tray, she took a moment to get on tip toe to gently kiss his cheek. "Thank you~!"

She did take the opportunity to grab a few ingredients to make a test batch of icing for the cookies, humming along to the music again. Is it selfish of her to hope that they can get more moments like this?

[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.

Send “⚠️” plus a warning label for my muse.

(If you cannot see the emoji send “Warning”)

Lily brought the bowls over at the request, offering him a reassuring smile. "I know that you didn't mean to cause the panic. But the way it sounded, I thought you were being attacked or something." She explained, finding a cloth to start cleaning up the batter from... everywhere.

"Red velvet cookies, hm?" She hummed thoughtfully. "Well, we can give the recipe a try after we clean up, but let's read through all of the instructions before we try it." She suggested with a lighthearted laugh.

With the initial panic subsiding, she was back to finding his kitchen struggles endearing, her expression softening. "And if you're ever struggling with a recipe, you can call me for help."

Yes, he's done so by calling her today... but hopefully he'll call her before his apartment explodes next time-

[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.

Since Xavier had opted to work on the dry ingredients, Lily worked on measuring out the wet ingredients. Humming absently to the music he'd selected, she somehow didn't think that she'd need to worry with him working with dry ingredients.

She forgot just how chaotic things like flour can be.

She had only just glanced over, not having enough time to even think about helping him catch it. It almost seemed to happen in slow motion, but so quickly that she was still processing once things had settled.

Then she started giggling, eventually leaning against the counter to support herself as she laughed. "Oh, Xavier." Her tone was both playful and affectionate, getting a paper towel and dampening it so he could wipe off his face. "To be fair, it's not a true baking experience until flour has gone where you don't intend it to."

[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 managed to avoid blinking in the photos, though it got close a few times from the urge to giggle at his determination.

When he held the phone within her reach she reached out to help steady it, nodding happily. "Send them to me, please?" She asked, looking up at him and making no attempts to move away.

Sure, photos are hardly perfect, they're even kind of blurry, but it's so him.

“I trust you” - @lily-of-the-linkon

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

--

Ask meme

"Interesting is one way to put it, that's for sure." Lily snickered, shaking her head in amusement. "Loud and chaotic, for sure, especially if alcohol gets involved." That was a tactful enough way of explaining that it was a rambunctious and entertaining group, if rather draining in large doses, right?

Jeremiah's casual dismissal of the importance of the charm didn't go unnoticed, but she left it at that for now. It seemed like something to ask Xavier about himself instead. So she watched curiously as he set to work tending the plants, since she's always eager to see a professional at work!

Though when he hesitated, forgetting that she knew about his 'hidden talents', Lily couldn't help but giggle again, nodding in understanding. "I might need to take you up on that. I've wanted to get into crafty things anyways for my... more low key days off. Something lower energy than working out."

"That outfit was very well done too, the quality was amazing!" Credit where credit is due! "I'd love to see more of what you're able to make, though."

( 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!?"