#support: roy

[higaneion]

father look away

lionsword: (con't)

Roy had read the note about ten times. He paced, as if there was some sort of strategy he needed to come up with, but there was none. Of course he should just go and play it cool, like he hadn't spent all day thinking about her note. Okay. He'd faced armies and all number of difficult battles. Lilina liked him, right? So why was he so worried? He patted down his pockets, shoving a mint inside his mouth. No reason. Maybe he'd have mints before every meeting from then on. He jogged up the steps to the Goddess Tower, arriving a few minutes early. "Lilina?"

What if he didn't show up? Lilina paces the floor of the tower, thumbnail pressed to her lip creating excuses as to why he may not show. And if he did? Would he think she looked silly? She didn't tell him why in her note, but the ball was the event she was looking forward to all year. A dance with her father, a dance with Roy, laughing and chatting with the other nobles, only for it to fail to come to fruition. She couldn't travel back in time, but maybe she could still make this night special.

           She had spent so much time trying on dresses with Cecilia, so she might as well wear the one they had picked out tonight. And telling him any detail about the dress code would ruin the surprise that she hoped he would like. Plus... she didn't care what he wore, she would fall for him each time.

           Her footsteps slow to a stop as she hears her name.

           "Roy!" Lilina turns to greet him, expression bright as ever only for it to fall briefly. In turn, a bashful flush colors her and her gaze is drawn to the floor. "I'm sorry for disappearing on you at the dance. ...I fell asleep and well..."

           She takes a step forward and reveals the sunflower boutonniere she had meant to give to him much earlier. Shaky hands move to pin it to his chest where a pocket might lie. "Not that it was intentional, but... I wanted to make it up to you by inviting you here tonight."

@lionsword

[higaneion]

a kiss like they’re trying to convince the other to love them 

Roy didn't think she needed convincing, probably, unlesshe was even worse at understanding girls than he thought, but the thought flew through his mind as he did offer and give a kiss that he should do his best, that he should try and say all his words couldn't. He was a little shy and a little shallow with it, but he was emotional, just lips against hers, urgently trying to say I love you.

He had one hand on her shoulder the other on her cheek. The kiss was only a few seconds, but it was clear his intentions were romantic. His palms were sweaty and he swallowed hard, face red, eyes dangerously close to getting moist.

"Lilina... I..." He gave her a pleading expression. "Do you feel this way too?" he whispered.

Most confessions she had seen were large, ornate displays of affection accompanied by flowers and pretty words. She imagined this moment with Roy before, but his comes in the form of a kiss that stole any other thought aside from a dizzy affection. He addresses her, her name sounds the sweetest on his lips, quiet and almost unsure but where words leave him, actions fill the gaps. 

           Lilina is silent, trying to process all that happened and come up with a suitable response. After all, how could she say that he was the very definition of loveliness itself, that his smile was brilliant enough to rival the sun, that he charmed her with both his boyish nature and the brave soul of a lion to lead Lycia. 

           Leaning forward with the intent of returning a kiss in equal measure, she falls just short, bumping his nose with her own instead. Bashfully, she casts her glance aside as a quiet chuckle leaves her to fill the empty air. She glances back at him. Should she try again? This time, she takes hold of his hands, interlocking them with her own and leans forward, taking caution to where she lands now.

           She had wondered before, oft in her daydreams, how it might feel to kiss him, how long should it be, would she know how. All those previous worries dissipate in this moment of intimacy they share as her lips meet his, hesitant in the path, sure in action. She holds it for as long as she can — he could steal her breath if he so wished — before pulling back slightly, beaming with the shy profession of her feelings written on her face.

           “Roy,” Lilina finally says, letting go of one hand and placing it over his. “Was that alright…? If we are of the same mind, I… would like for us to continue like this.”

[higaneion]

axing for a friend

𝗥𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗮 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 a nose up at and the sun’s rays banding across the water only added to its view. All the villagers were at ease and spoke with kindness, as if they had known each other for years. There were moments while on this trip she had to remind herself they were assigned on a mission, not a vacation. 

          The request for firewood for the evening and nighttime was simple enough to snap her out of thoughts that were a bit too lax. She happily volunteered, though, she truthfully didn’t have much knowledge on foraging for wood. Any wood would probably do, right? 

          Lilina doesn’t think much of the warning that heeded them. They were in an unfamiliar setting and nightfall was quickly approaching, but of all volunteers, did she have to be partnered with Roy? 

          She had harbored no ill will towards him, and they were on good terms last they had spoken, but she was hoping to distance herself for a little while longer to sort out her own feelings. Though, another part of her was quietly pleased to see him again and was grateful it was someone she knew. 

          Regardless, Lilina found it difficult to swing back into a rhythm and wanted to avoid as much awkward small talk while on their task. It was only until the woodsy paths had split off into two that she stops and turns to him to ask his opinion.

          “...They look the same, but... did you have a preference?” Surely, they would find enough firewood without much issue, right? 

@lionsword

[higaneion]

Roy had a little gift for Lilina. It was a few scented candles, one flowery, one citrus and one sweet like a bakery. All of them were decently sized to last a few burnings, three wicks on each round candle. He approached her and smiled, setting them down on a table near them. “I got you a couple things too. I don’t know what you like best, so I got a few.”

He took out his Binding Blade and it sparked with fire. He gently lit the sweet scented one with the sword and then smiled at her. “Happy holidays!” Okay, he was having a bit much fun, but it was worth it.

She sits in the middle of the dining hall, the evening bustle filling the room with conversation. She is alone finishing up a chapter while waiting for the food to be ready when something is set in front of her. Candles, then a voice she recognizes. She hadn't forgotten her gift delivery, but has pushed it out of her mind, offering her friend a smile in greeting.

The candle is lit and her eyes widen at both his method of doing so and the delicious scent that fills the air. It reminded her of gingerbread or maybe vanilla.

"Thank you, it's lovely." When it seems there's nothing more to say and that he may leave, she stands, the wooden chair scraping the floor. She begins wringing her hands, only glancing up at him occasionally. "...Um, Roy? Since you're already here and it's lit, would you like to have dinner together?"

[higaneion]

Continued from here. / @lionsword

His laughter is enough to dry tears and part the clouds. Despite everything they’ve been through, he has the strength to smile and comfort her. If anything, she was the selfish one. 

          Part of her feels like a child again, having her hair stroked and her worries soothed by small words. In place of her father, it is Roy who comforts her after a long and tiring dream. Is this what growing up felt like? 

          His embrace warms her from the inside out. Though she hadn’t actually lost her life, even after waking, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being in limbo as she prepared for the trip back. 

          “I...” She pulls back from him, fingers still interlocked. He missed her. She could be honest, she should be. Her gaze drops down to the ground. “They weren’t the most pleasant dreams, but I.. no, we will be alright.” She gives his hands a light squeeze as she makes eye contact with him again. Lilina does not need to ask, she is sure that his experience was nothing short of frightening either. 

          “...And for the record, I missed you too.”