💖a Hug!

Lily found herself snickering at Kaia's attempts to defend herself, holding her own hands up slightly in surrender. She's hardly in a position to argue since she doesn't have evidence one way or another, after all.

After placing her order, she turned her attention back to Kaia and laughed softly at the questions, waving a hand at her playfully. "Well, what do you want to know?" She tried, quirking a brow playfully. "Perhaps we could start with hobbies, for getting to know each other?"

That feels like a safe enough starting point, and can actually say a lot about a person. How active they are, how much they practice coordination skills outside of training, a glimpse into other possible interests, things like that. It's also a good basis for an outside-of-work friendship, and good inspiration for future gifts!

"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.

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 went through the transaction easily, laughing quietly at the peace sign as she followed her out of the store, but staying close to the wall while they figure out where they wat to go. "I think there's a few new places, from within the past few months?" She hummed thoughtfully as she looked around.

She shifted her bag to settle it on her wrist, crossing her arms as she considered. "Hmm... I had a pretty light breakfast so maybe something a bit heartier..." She mused, cupping her chin as she considered their options and what was nearby.

The question regarding souvenirs earned a small laugh. "I suppose that that depends on the person. Some people are satisfied with food as a souvenir, but some prefer to have something more long-lasting, like a trinket of some sort."

"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.

[-> Jeremiah: Maybe we can get together tomorrow then? Get some food or tea or something then go to the claw machines?]

[-> Jeremiah: Meeting up around noon means we won't have to rush around in the morning at least.]

( @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.]

Lily ended up giggling right alongside him, but nodded her agreement. He’s right that it’s best to just see what it’s like once they get there, no matter how much she may want to try and plan ahead.

“That’s true, and I don’t think either of us are going to complain about a good night’s sleep.” She mused playfully.

Once the pizza shop was within sight, she gently took his free hand in her own to tug him towards it. Since it was about lunch time it was getting busier, but fortunately they still had plenty of room to breathe.

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 was caught off guard for just a moment at his attempt to imitate her, but she was quick to start giggling, elbowing him. Though she ended up leaning against him again for support through her laughter that she tried to keep under wraps to not draw too much attention to them.

"Oh shut up." She snorted, shaking her head. "Besides I'd be more upset about missing an episode of a TV show than I would be some celebrity news." She added playfully, beaming up at him.

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 turned to Xavier more properly, giving him the chance to catch up to her if he wanted to.

"Fair enough." She hummed in understanding, having absolutely left important things places before and had to go back for it later than she'd prefer.

The offer for company was met with a beat of silence as she considered, before she quickly settled on a nod. "I'd appreciate it." She answered easily. "We're going the same way, after all."

❛ 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."

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

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

Lily didn't mind him leaning on her more properly in the slightest, shutting her eyes as she continued to gently card her fingers through his hair. While she could tell he had needed the hug, she hasn't realized just how bad he needed it.

She's just happy she could provide him with some semblance of comfort.

"Of course." She hummed softly, an acknowledgement of his gratitude. "We can stay like this for as long as you need." She added, so he knows he won't have to move anytime soon if he doesn't want to.

She's rather comfy, holding on to him like this. The weight of his head against her shoulder and neck was just the right amount of squish for her without it being uncomfortable.

( 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 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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