Honestly, Lily Fully Expected For Him To Take It And Use It To Decorate Something Else. So Having Him

Flushing at the teasing, she snickered and elbowed him lightly in retaliation. “We’ll see how it goes, I’m still half expecting for you to wipe the floor with me.” She mused playfully, even if she genuinely means it too. He’s full of surprises, so she wouldn’t be too caught off guard if he does manage to beat her at such a simple game.

Her expression did soften though at his admission, looking up at him with an affectionate smile. “I’m happy that we did, too. And we don’t have to go making challenges or anything to hang out.” She added playfully. “We can always just hang out because we want to. You have my number and you know where I live, after all.”

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.

“That sounds perfect!” Lily beamed, playfully motioning for Kaia to lead the way to the restaurant. “I haven’t tried it yet either, no, but I’m up for a little adventure.” She added with a small laugh.

At her sheepishness regarding not knowing the requester very well, Lily gave her a few reassuring pats on the arm. “Nothing wrong with that. Hm... What do you know about them? Are they a foodie at all? Did they know what you planned to be out doing?”

Even little things can help figure out what the other person may be expecting, after all!

"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.

"I'm fine, don't worry... it's just a scratch. What about you? Isn't it a nope day? You should lie down..."

"I'm still going to worry," she insisted stubbornly, her eyebrows furrowed, "Sit down for now, I'll be right back."

As much as she knows she should listen to him and sit down, trust him to tend to himself, not over do it... She can't help but fuss. Is she going to pay for it later? Probably. But it's worth it to know he's okay now.

So she shuffled her way to the bathroom, grabbing a hair tie and messily pulling it back and out of the way for the time being. Once relatively satisfied with that, and once again dismissing the thought that short hair would be easier to deal with on days like this, she grabbed her first aid kit from under the sink and shuffled her way back to Xavier.

His offer to pick her up earned a small laugh from her as she sifted through her closet, still holding her phone to her ear with her shoulder. "You spoil me, Sy," she teased, though she appreciated the gesture all the same. One less thing for her to have to worry about.

"I'll be ready and waiting when you get here. Be safe, okay?"

Does she actually think anything can pose a proper threat to him? Not in the slightest. But that isn't going to stop her from saying it every time. It's the least she can do, after everything.

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 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

Hi pretty Lily 🥹 can I have a kiss please?

"Oh! I'm surprised that you want one from me, but of course!" She answered easily, her cheeks flushed pink. After a moment of consideration, she shifted to give you a very gentle kiss to the cheek.

"How is that? Or would you like something else?"

[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 happily as she looked around, finding herself reassured that it seemed to be a relatively small store. The fact it's kind of small, with a decent line already despite being relatively new, meant that it must be good!

She looked up to Xavier curiously at his question, then flushing a little. "I don't think I did anything too different?" She admitted, then grinning up at him. "Maybe it's just he excitement of getting to spend the day with you~!" She teased happily.

Her amusement turned to a playful pout at his teasing, sticking her tongue out before looking towards the menu again. "I'm not that bad at deciding..." She mumbled, despite knowing she very much can be, to the point she was deciding last night while she was doing her research. And had yet to fully come to a conclusion...

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.