With the way Drystan keeps using that nickname, Ercilia's heart can't help but flutter.
Lia. Lia. Lia.
For some reason, it sounds a lot better than her full name.
It's too late at night for her to still be awake. Stifling a yawn so large that it makes her body feel heavy, she slumps into a chair at the lounge and places their mugs of coffee atop the glass surface.
Drystan comes back from rinsing himself and takes a seat across from her shortly after, smiling as he takes a sip from his drink. Seeing him swallow his coffee straight black, Ercilia stops from pouring sugar on her own and comments, "That is… disgusting, Dan."
He gulps, an expression of surprise and confusion on his face.
"What?"
"Since when do you drink your coffee all black?"
"Huh?"
He glances down at his mug. Then, he laughs.
"You know what? I'm so tired I didn't even notice."
"I'm not sure whether I'm grossed out or amazed."
