-> I'm Just A Block Or So Away So I Can Meet You At Your Place?

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.

Lily at least attempted to pay for their meal, sticking her tongue out at him as she stepped aside to wait with him.

"Then shouldn't you call me once you're caught up and ready for the rambling?" She asked, her tone both playful and genuine. She doesn't want to rush him after all, so it's better for it to be on his terms.

She took another sip of her drink, which was also mostly empty, though she didn't seem phased by the cold condensation.

"Maybe?" She hummed thoughtfully, absently chewing on the straw. "It would be nice, just get to relax for a bit."

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.

*Gives Lily a piece of grapefruit and runs*

// Give Lily an item and see how she reacts!!

Lily blinks in confusion watching you run off after depositing the piece of fruit into her hand, head tilting ever so slightly. Shaking her head to dismiss the confusion for the moment, she examined what exactly you had given her.

"Oh, grapefruit! I haven't had this in forever!" She beamed, eating it carefully since she doesn't want to make a mess. "Nice little treat." She hummed to herself, having honestly forgotten how it tasted it's been so long since she'd allowed herself to have any. One tiny piece can't hurt, right?

Lily couldn't help but giggle when he pressed his head into her hand, beginning to gently run her fingers through his hair, even occasionally using her nails to very gently scratch at his scalp. The cat-like behavior certainly didn't go unnoticed, endearing her all the more. If she didn't know any better, she'd half expect him to purr at this rate.

"It's not a bother at all. You're not a bother." She reassured, tilting her head against his for a moment. "I'm here to help however I can."

( 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.

pearl stars

What are you seeking? - HOME

"i wish i could say i am a light that never goes out, but i flicker from time to time." 

oh, little one, you have burned for so quietly for so long, haven't you? burnt yourself out trying to give others light? wishing, desperately, that they would notice the way your hands shake or the wildflower bruises under your tired eyes. but they never have, have they? and so, it obviously wasn't bad? right? you had more to give, didn't you? how much could you pour yourself out before they noticed? it is all you've ever known, after all. help, help, help, help. (are you providing it, or begging for it?)

but you've given too much, spread yourself too thin, didn't you? you are so heavy, so tired. you have spent your life carrying for others the way you wished someone would care for you. but you're worried, aren't you? that if you can't be what they need, if you can't be the pillar for others to lean on, they'll leave you.

what you seek is home, a safe place to rest and be taken care of. and little light, you deserve it. you have earned it. you are worth more than what you can provide for others: you deserve the same care you so freely give out. they will love you all the same, honey. set down the world, and rest that weary heart of yours

Tagged by @mikiquette ! Thank you so much!

Tagging: @dolasach , @deepspacepunk , aaaand anyone else who wants to do this!

Honestly, Lily hadn't thought too hard on him knowing where her building was. Xavier had been over to visit plenty of times, and considering his apparent habit of bragging to Jeremiah about the plushies he wins her, it's not far fetched to figure that he's mentioned they live only a floor away.

So his quick clarification just makes her laugh at her phone, shaking her head affectionately as she types her reply.

[ -> Jeremiah: Don't worry, I honestly figured that Xavier had mentioned it at some point. It's nbd. I'm actually the apartment just below his. ]

[ -> Jeremiah: But that sounds like a plan! ]

Some part of her told her that she shouldn't give out the specific location of her apartment so freely, but if he and Xavier get along so well, he must be a good guy! Plus he was so concerned about not creeping her out, she can't even pretend she's concerned.

( @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.]

Once freed from his grip, Lily hummed and put the tray in the oven, setting a timer on her phone.  

“I don’t imagine cleaning will take too long, since it’s just what we need to clean and put away from this batch, and there’s two of us,” she mused, already starting to make sure that everything got put back where it belonged.  

She’d visited just enough to not have to open every cabinet to find where things belonged, so she let him handle the washing for the time being.  At least it isn't quite as much washing as when she'd first gotten up there.

[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.

My muse is feeling touch-starved.

Send one of the following touches for my muse’s reaction. Bonus points for a description/context of some kind to make it easier for your partner to respond!

❤ - gentle or loving touch (romantic or platonic!), such as face caressing, holding your muse, rubbing their back, petting their hair, hugging them tightly, etc

ღ - kisses of any kind (romantic or platonic) such as cheek kisses, hair kisses, mouth kisses, kiss to the hand/fingertips or eyelids, etc. feel free to specify a body part!

☕ - reassuring touch, such as holding their hand, gripping their shoulder, guiding them by the arm or by a hand on the small of their back, etc

❥ - rough, violent, or dominant touch, such as gripping the back of their neck, holding them down, shoving them into a wall, digging their nails into them, grabbing their jaw, etc

❣ - add this to any of the above to make it sexual. 

¿ - write your own touches!