"Sorry, Sorry," She Apologized Quietly When Hearing Him Hiss In Pain Despite Her Trying To Be Careful.

Blinking up at him when he said her name, she found herself melting into the small affection.

Knowing better than to try and argue, she simply offered a small nod and leaned back against the couch, putting the ice pack on her head for the time being to help with cooling herself off some. She can clean up the medical supplies... later.

"I know I took my dailies... if I took my other ones they should be at the very front of the cabinet...," she called to him.

Perhaps fortunately, Xavier wouldn't have to search too hard, considering the pill bottle sitting on the counter right next to the medicine cabinet, with a water bottle sitting next to it, both unopened. Looks like she'd been about to take them, then got distracted.

"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.

Lily hummed and pulled her phone out so she could make a note in her calendar so she won't risk forgetting, nodding along in her agreement with Kaia's plans. Honestly by the end of the little rambles, she was laughing quietly and accepting Kaia's phone to put her contact in.

"It's hardly stolen if it's freely given, but yes, you can have my number. It'd be rather hard to coordinate if I didn't, wouldn't it?" She asked playfully as she offered the phone back to Kaia, then offering her own in turn.

"And I can definitely share my schedule with you. It really would make it easier for planning to train together, and we can fine tune the plan some over lunch." She reassured, finding Kaia's bubbly excitement so endearing honestly. Cute.

"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.

So when I first started the game and saw the photobooth gave the option for blue hair, of COURSE I immediately shoved that on my MC... Until I started to think about her as a character more and ended up making her Lily proper, who vibes more like she'd be blonde.

Honestly aside from that, she hasn't changed all that much?

Tagged by: @jasminfated

Tagging: Anyone who wants to, since I know I'm a bit behind XD

Just for funsies, I wanted to start a thing. Let's show each other how our MC started & how they look today. I will start!

Now it's your turn! Tag 5 people & let's see those glow ups!

Tagging:

@ladyparamount @moonsavior @irandial @sakura-chan-25 @cherimoyatea

The Butterfly Nebula (HST)

She didn't resist the suggestion, even as her cheeks flushed at the proximity. She doesn't have the energy to try and be more independent, and is content for now to enjoy the company while she can.

"That sounds like a good plan." She agreed, looking up at him with a quirked brow in response to him doubting himself. "I have a feeling you know me better than you think. Or at least, better than you let on. I don't imagine that I'm difficult to figure out, either."

Turning her attention forward again so she wouldn't risk tripping over her own feet and taking a moment to tuck her hair behind her ear, not used to having it down while she's out and about, she hummed. "So, who should start with the questions?"

❛ 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."

"Not just a toy, no." Lily reassured quickly, even if she knew he was just joking, shaking her own head. "But that doesn't change the fact that I love how you react to things."

His question earned a thoughtful hum as she put her phone away, after sending him the best of the pictures, of course.

"Well... Is there anything you want me to do?"

“I trust you” - @lily-of-the-linkon

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

--

Ask meme

Lily blinked at his response, still flushed as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.

It didn't take long for her to start giggling, moving her free hand to cup her own cheek in hopes of cooling off some. "I'd say that means I lost, since I didn't ask a question for you to answer? So I owe you milk tea."

While she didn't sound too certain, she didn't mind losing either. Either way it's a chance for more quality time with him, and that's still a win in her book.

Seeing their complex in front of them, she couldn't help but be a little... disappointed? That their impromptu walk was coming to an end so soon. But it was late, and they both desperately need the rest, so it's not like she can try to detour or anything to selfishly get more time with him.

❛ 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."

Lily hummed happily as she led them out, nodding approvingly to the taste. Exactly what she was after!

"Anything in particular you feel like having?" She asked curiously as she looked up at him for his answer.

"The drink is really good, actually! Would you like a sip?" She offered, even holding the cup up slightly for further emphasis.

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 beamed as she watched him place the book on the shelf, proud of her choice when seeing how perfectly fit in. While she was relatively confident that he'd like it, she still had that little inkling of doubt that could finally be silenced.

She stood when he did, humming happily as she followed him to the door. "You don't have to worry about giving me anything in return." She reassured, even waving a hand dismissively. "You look out for me, so that's the least I can do in return." She insisted, nodding to his instruction. She'll do her best, if nothing else!

Routine appointments with Zayne were common, to make sure that Lily's heart wasn't suddenly deciding to rebel against her. However, she was more eager than usual for this appointment to end. Once they had finished the usual routine and she would normally be getting ready to leave, she instead reached into the bag she'd brought with her for running her errands for the day.

"Oh! Before I go, I have something for you." She chirps, pulling out what seemed to be a book, and setting it on his desk. She was ever careful not to cover any paperwork or anything, and made sure that it wasn't in his way either. The book was in various shades of blue with some gold accenting to it, and no words on either cover or the spine. If he opens it, he'd find that it's a fake book, and inside are a few baggies with sweets in them, including some homemade cookies.

( - @lily-of-the-linkon for Dr. Zayne, for whenever you have the energy for it! <3 happy to have you back, mun!)

Zayne almost stands up to walk her to the door, but her announcement makes him stay seated. He looks at the book, curious, then looks back up at her.

"What's the occasion?" He raises an eyebrow.

Looking at it, he notices all the details, surprised and grateful for such a gift. Seeing no markings on it, he brings it closer to him to open it. It's then that he sees it's a box.

The sight of sweets makes him smile.

"You didn't have to... Thank you." He picks one of the bags, studying its contents. "These look delicious. Did you make them yourself?"

He feels his mouth already watering, wishing his break was sooner so he could eat them without having to wait.

How Xavier manages to say just the right thing as though it came as naturally to him as breathing, Lily will never understand. She already found herself a little flustered by his words, so when he followed it up with a move straight out of a fairytale?

Made her feel like royalty, regardless of how exhausted she felt?

Her face flushed, color flooding or originally pale cheeks, taking to searching for his phone in hopes of recomposing herself. Picking it up once she saw it on the coffee table, she offered it over to him and set the first aid kit on the table in it's stead. Within reach, but out of the way.

Satisfied with their little makeshift recovery set-up, and thoroughly done with moving, Lily carefully leaned against his side. Doing her best not to irritate his injuries, she offered a quiet hum of approval. "The audiobook sounds perfect."

Wanting to return the affection, but not wanting to over-exert either of them, she turned her head slightly to plant a small kiss against his shoulder, hoping it could at least somewhat convey her gratitude.

"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.