Silvia came out in a cherry-red chiffon blouse that had been his mother's, but she looked completely different from her.
She picked out a few more items like pajamas and other comfort clothing.
Lloyd waited for Silvia to ask him how she looked. He was already formulating what compliments to say to her. How the red was a pretty contrast to her eyes. How it suited her so well. How he could drink out of the hollow of her collarbone.
But she walked past him, shoulder nearly bumping his, without stopping.
"Thanks" she mumbled. Not at him, but at the doorframe.
Huh, that was odd. Very odd.
He scratched his head. Silvia typically was the one who reached out to him first. Usually always starting the conversation and always fishing for compliments.
Is she mad?
Lloyd could tell that something was up, but he didn't know how to lift up her mood.
Silvia already left while Lloyd was stumped.
…
The bedroom light was off when he came in.
His dad always told him to "never go to bed angry" and seeing the frail back turned towards him, Lloyd realized he messed up big time. He took a careful seat at the edge of the bed, as far from her as the mattress allowed.
"Are you mad at me?" He asked hesitantly. No reply.
Okay, that was a stupid question.
"Y-You look very pretty in that blouse." No reply. Not even a breath could be heard from her.
He racked his head on what to say. Think, what was the last thing I did before she got upset?
It was when he switched the topic while talking about his parents.
I guess that was rude but, we barely know each other. She isn't entitled to knowing my trauma. But…maybe I could've been more gentle.
Is she mad that I pushed her away?
He exhaled slowly through his nose.
"I'm sorry for not opening up to you about my parents." He spoke quietly, facing the lump under the blanket. He noticed a slight twitch and steaded his voice.
"I know that I shouldn't have changed the topic and that I should've been honest. I-I'm not used to opening up around people, especially when it's about my parents. It's a topic I've been trying to ignore; trying to runaway from."
He paused and smacked his lips.
"I understand that you were just trying to comfort me but…I really don't need it. I can't have someone baby me throughout my whole processing of my grief. You get me?" With everything said, Lloyd waited patiently, his gaze practically burning a hole through his blanket.
The blanket shifted. Then, pink-hair appeared in his vision, next a small head and a pair of reluctant green-eyes.
"I don't want an apology," she said. Her voice came out smaller than usual. It was a tone Lloyd wasn't used to.
"I shouldn't have pushed you and I shouldn't have tried to give advice over an event I haven't experienced." She held the blanket against her chest with both hands. "I'm not entitled to your thoughts or your feelings or anything of you really."
"I-uh" Silvia froze. A blush was slowly creeping up her face.
"You what? What do you want from me if it isn't an apology?" Lloyd cocked his head to the side.
"I-I just want you to rely on me. I thought that maybe we were pretty close, closer than most people. I don't know exactly what we are, but at the very least, I consider you my closest friend in this place. However, sometimes it feels like you consider me a houseguest who outstayed their visit."
"So you're upset," Lloyd spoke carefully, "because you thought that I don't value you the way you value me."
Silvia nodded her head slowly.
Lloyd looked at the ceiling once, briefly, then back at her.
"I went back into that room for the first time in three years," he said. "I walked past it every time, like it was cursed."
"But, I went with you. I entered, because you were there." Lloyd spoke plainly, but there was a slight ripple in his tone.
"Would you consider that nothing? Something I would do for any old guest?" He continued.
"Over the years, I've become more reclused. I'm…not good with people. I'm not good at showing my emotions. I rather stay cooped up indoors than talk with others. I rarely pay attention to anyone, really."
"I know" Silvia nodded. "So?"
"What I'm trying to say is, I notice you. Every little laugh, every time your eyes curve. When you brush pass me while walking. The way you smile when you look at me." He took in a breath.
"I notice you constantly and that…scares me." Lloyd held her gaze strongly. The look in his blue eyes carried weight, like a storm hitting a calm sea.
Silvia stared at him. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth despite herself.
"Constantly huh? That's pretty romantic."
"That's not the main point–"
"Con-stant-ly~" She cut him off, drawing each syllable out. "Didn't know you cared so much about little ole me"
Lloyd covered his face with his palm, ears reddening.
"This isn't the time to make jokes" He mumbled into his hands.
The goddess laughed out loud.
"My bad. I'm just happy to know that you carry such strong feelings for me" She drawled.
"In all seriousness, I really am happy to see that you care. This whole time, I felt like there was an imbalance between us. A large gap that I couldn't overcome. I'm happy that you let me walk a step closer to your heart."
"So," She tilted her head. "what are we now, Lloyd?"
"Whatever you want us to be." He replied, voice low.
"Then," She hooked her pinky around his. Such a small thing. Ridiculous, even. But, his heart did not treat it as small.
"I'll graciously let you be my boyfriend."
Lloyd finally met her gaze. "And I'll gratefully accept."
A silence overtook them.
Lloyd hadn't noticed how close they'd gotten. He'd been too stuck in his own head to track it, and then he glanced at her and she was just…there. An inch or so away. He looked at her face, then at her lips.
He didn't know who moved first. Be it him or Silvia, the only thing on his mind right now was the softness of her cherry-pink lips. Lloyd was tilting her chin up, his eyes closed. His teeth grazed her lower lip, craving more. He parted his mouth and took that soft skin into it, sucking and nibbling.
The taste was intoxicating, addicting even.
He let go and placed a few, tender kisses onto her forehead, cheek, nose bridge, ear, every part of her face.
She whined, eyes fluttering open, both palms pushing against his shoulders until he finally lifted his head. Her face was flushed, expression caught somewhere between annoyed and pleased.
"That tickles." She pinched his ear, rubbing the lobe between her fingers.
"My apologizes" Lloyd let her mess around.