When He Set The Tray On The Counter, Lily Moved To Stand Next To Him And Look At The Cookies. She Was

“I look forward to it.” She hummed happily, holding the door open for him as they finally entered the complex, relieved by how cool it was inside compared to being outside.  

She snorted at his reassurances regarding her likelihood of winning, leading the way to the elevator. “That’s fair, I suppose. What, do you think you’re at risk of falling asleep mid-race since you’re full and comfy?” She teased lightheartedly, some part of her hoping that he’s not that exhausted... But if he does manage to, she fully intends to let him get as much rest as possible.  

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.

We never back down, pookie! We don't take L's, only D's! 😙

I agree on never backing down!

Though, uh... I'm a bit lost on the second part? I thought it was 'we don't take L's, only W's' for winning?

Once Xavier leaned down within her reach, she hummed affectionately and worked on gently wiping the flour off of his face, ever careful not to be rough. Deciding to continue the playfulness, she grinned and reached up to tousle his hair to get any flour out of it, but she had the forethought to ensure she set her hand above his eyebrows to keep any of it from getting on his face again.

"Is that so?" She asked, somehow surprised that it sounds like he's never ended up with flour all over the floor and counter in past baking endeavors. Her surprise only grew when he placed the flour on her nose, prompting her to go cross eyed trying to look at it. "Very special indeed." She agreed with a soft smile, leaving the flour on her nose as she turned her attention back to measuring her own ingredients and ensuring that the oven was preheating properly.

To his question, she shook her head. "No, I was working on a new yarn project, actually."

[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 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!?"

As a heads up, I'm trying to work on revamping this account a little, cleaning up my tagging system and such. So bear with me if things look kinda messy!

Lily felt her cheeks warm at his proximity, only to flush fully at the small kiss.

After everything they've been through, she'd think that she would be harder to fluster, but well... apparently not! Not that she's complaining, either.

Seeing him grab the plate helped to draw her attention away from the fluster, giggling softly at how cute the plate was. "A wonderful choice for red velvet."

Accepting the spatula, she took to humming as she started to carefully remove the cookies from the tray and only the plate. Her eyebrows were furrowed ever so slightly in concentration, as though she were working on something far more important than simply moving cookies.

"Do you mind checking on the batch in the oven? They should be ready here soon."

[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 hummed her agreement, since she knows full well that caffeine is only good in moderation. She made that mistake once, and that one time was plenty enough warning.

She hummed happily as she headed out with him, thanking him for holding the door for her. The teasing made her cheeks flush pink as she lightly nudged him with her elbow, giving him a playful pout.

"It wasn't that late!" She insisted though there was of course no heat to her fussing. "But you're right that I really shouldn't make it a habit. If that keeps up, it'd be my luck I'd fall asleep just outside the building or something." She snickered, opening the door to the building and holding it for him this time.

"Well, first things first I figure we go to the tea place, then figure out what food we're in the mood for. Then from there, see what we have the energy for?"

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, any chance you're free for a little afternoon tea soon? It's been a while since we last caught up~

Dola! Assuming nothing pressing comes up, I'm available for the next few days, so I'm all for afternoon tea with you!

Even if I weren't free, I would've found a way to make time. :P

Lily stuck her tongue out at him playfully in response, even with her cheeks still pink. "You know what I mean." She insisted, even as she's already fighting down her giggles.

Though his more serious admission made her hum in response, finishing off her drink finally and seeming a little surprised to have already reached the end. However she just set it aside for the moment to throw away once they're done.

"I know... I think sometimes it's hard to think of a good question to ask, or I have something to ask but it's a bad time." She looked a little sheepish as she attempted to explain her train of thought, absently fiddling with a napkin as she wiped some sauce of of her hands. "Plus it's a little embarrassing when it feels like something I should know by now."

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.

Perhaps she was more in-tune with him than she thought, because as he stared almost longingly at the other cookies, she had only one guess what was on his mind. 

"Don't...." She warned gently, her shoulders relaxing when he seemed to decide against burning his mouth further. Shaking her head affectionately, she grabbed a mitt to playfully nudge the hot tray just a little further away from him. 

"Where would you be without me?" Lily echoed, the sincerity of the question catching her off guard. In hopes of keeping the mood light, she laughed a little and cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm, well, I suppose you wouldn't have burned your mouth in your excitement to try the cookies."

[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.