The early morning sun crept into Nico's room at the inn, nudging him awake. Stretching, he opened his eyes, squinting slightly against the light filtering in from the open window. Just then, he noticed movement near the dresser, and he froze.
There was Lila, her back to him, pulling on her tunic and adjusting her skirt. She wore simple, snug-fitting undergarments, and Nico's face turned beet red as he realized he was watching. Heart hammering, he quickly turned over, willing himself to forget what he'd just seen. Stay calm, Nico, he thought, trying to clear his head. But just as he closed his eyes, he heard her clear her throat.
"So…" Lila said, an amused lilt in her voice. "See something you like?"
Nico scrambled, sitting up so fast he nearly fell off the bed. "I-I didn't mean to look!" he stammered, his cheeks burning. "I just… wasn't awake yet."
Lila laughed, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes as she looked him over. "Relax, Nico. Just don't make it a habit," she teased, throwing him a wink as she slipped on her boots.
Moments later, the two of them left the inn and made their way to the edge of the village, where the morning breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers. Today's quest was simple enough: a villager had reported a recent surge of "flower monsters" infesting a meadow nearby, their presence driving away animals and preventing the townsfolk from gathering herbs.
"They're not particularly strong, but they can be tricky in groups," Lila explained as they reached the meadow's entrance. "And watch out for their pollen attacks; they can paralyze you if you're not careful."
Nico nodded, but his mind kept drifting back to Lila's smile from earlier—and the way her eyes sparkled when she teased him. He felt a strange warmth rise up in his chest, realizing he was starting to notice her in a way he hadn't expected.
They entered the meadow, a sprawling field dotted with bright, almost luminescent flowers that looked deceptively beautiful. But as they walked deeper in, the plants began to shift and sway, sprouting thorny vines and snapping their flower heads toward them with unexpected speed. The flower monsters had noticed their presence.
"Here they come," Lila called out, stepping forward with a determined expression. She raised her hand, and a warm, golden light began to glow at her fingertips. "I'll handle the first group."
With a graceful motion, Lila sent a beam of soft light toward the nearest flower monster, and it shriveled instantly, withering beneath her magic. She cast a quick glance back at Nico, clearly hoping for a reaction.
"Impressive," he said, admiring her spellwork. She looked almost radiant as she wielded the light magic, her face glowing with pride and excitement. He could feel his heart rate pick up, his admiration deepening.
"Thanks!" Lila said, flashing him a smile. "It's just basic light magic, but it gets the job done. Maybe one day I'll teach you if you're lucky."
Nico chuckled, but he couldn't shake the warm feeling in his chest. She's… actually really cute, he thought, recalling the way she'd looked that morning, laughing at his embarrassment.
More flower monsters surged toward them, thorny vines lashing out. Lila shot off another light spell, taking down a pair of monsters with ease, her movements quick and agile.
Not wanting to be outdone, Nico stepped forward. "Let me give it a try," he said, focusing his energy. He channeled the light magic he knew was within him, and a bright, intense glow began to build in his hand.
"Sun Beam!" Nico shouted, releasing a massive, radiant blast of light toward the remaining flower monsters. In an instant, the creatures disintegrated, their shriveled forms crumbling to dust under the sheer power of his spell. The light lingered for a moment, illuminating the entire meadow.
Lila didn't look as surprised as he'd expected—if anything, she looked more impressed than shocked. "I should've known," she said, hands on her hips, a wry smile on her lips. "You'd probably master every spell on your first try."
"Well, what can I say?" Nico shrugged, feigning modesty. But inside, he was thrilled at her reaction.
As they began the walk back, Lila sidled up beside him, her gaze drifting over his face as though seeing him anew. Without a word, she looped her arm around his and hugged it close, pulling him in with a bright smile. Nico's heart raced as he felt her press up against him—her soft warmth more noticeable than ever.
He went rigid, hyper-aware of the gentle weight pressing against his arm. So… this is what 'these' feel like, he realized, a mix of panic and awe hitting him all at once. He tried to keep his cool, to pretend his heart wasn't pounding and that his thoughts weren't swirling. But every step only reminded him more of her softness and closeness, and his face burned.
Lila glanced up at him, tilting her head with a mischievous smile. "You're awfully quiet, Nico. Something on your mind?"
"N-nope! All good," he replied, voice a bit higher than usual, earning a laugh from her that made him both flustered and happy.
The whole walk back, Nico couldn't shake the feeling of her warmth beside him, wondering if she could sense his heartbeat racing against his arm. It was a strange, thrilling feeling that stayed with him long after they returned to the village, and he couldn't help but think, for the first time, that maybe he'd found more than just a friend in Lila.