He was walking Colette home in Iselia. It was the night after they had said their goodbyes to Emil and Marta. The first night of a well deserved vacation for Lloyd.
“Lloyd….what you said in Flanoir….Did you meant it?”
He could feel his cheeks growing warmer.
“O…of course Colette! I wouldn’t lie to you! Dwarven law number…humph…”
Her hug knocked the air out of him, cutting him mid-sentence. As the petite blonde buried her face in his chest, he closed his arms around her small frame, leaning his cheek against her hair.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it…..” he whispered.
Colette shifted her head so that she could look up to him.
“I’m just happy you did…”
He could feel her lean up on her toes to get closer to him. Her warm breath tickled his face and he couldn’t help but think that she looked amazingly cute with her eyes half-closed. He leaned over, so that they could meet halfway, and barely heard the door of the house opening over his frantic heartbeat.
“Colette? Is that you? You’re back!”
They pulled apart in time to see Colette’s grandmother looking at them with a small smile.
“I should go. Dad is going to kill me if he learns I stopped somewhere before getting home.” He chuckled, clearly embarrassed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Lloyd?”
He nodded and Colette smiled that smile he loves for much. The one that seemed to chase away darkness itself…
*wakes up and sighs happily….before putting the blanket over his reddening face*