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Shauntal has known Lucian for a better part of a year, spending occasional outings and conversations from time to time when she encountered him. She always felt like she was on Cloud Nine whenever they were together. Whenever she was left to her own devices, she would find herself crafting characters that more or less resembled qualities that he had.
She was crushing on him so terribly, even her ex - Grimsley, teased her for being attracted to someone like Lucian and that she could do so much better, obviously referring to himself. But she knew that they wouldn't work He had a terrible habit of flirting with multiple people while dating her. So she broke things off. If she wasn't his main focus in their relationship, she would leave. She didn't want to be added to the board of side pieces he had. Shauntal had a bit more self-respect than that.
Thus, why she had been avoiding every other advance from Grimsley. She admired Lucian. He was a respected scholar in the Sinnoh region. An esteemed elite and polite gentleman. Just thinking about the number of conversations she had with him in the past made her swoon in place. It wasn't until Caitlin pointed it out to her while she was gushing aloud during one of their girl nights that she was in love with the man. Caitlin urged her to confront him, express how she feels, and see how things go from there.
At the time, Shauntal was excited and full of gusto to confess to him. However, now that she had made her way all the way from Unova to Sinnoh, she was having doubts. Sitting near a desk with his legs crossed, he sped read a fairly large stack of books beside him while his partner Girafaig used his psychic powers to levitate finished books back to their proper shelves. She swallowed a dry breath, her usual crimson notebook clung to her chest.
What was she going to do? What was she going to say?!
She panicked a little. He was so close and she was feeling extremely self-conscious about herself. As she took one step after the other, she replayed the words Caitlin told her over and over in her head. 'You'll never know how he feels until to say something. The worse that can happen is that he declines your feelings. Better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.'
Shauntal stood a few feet from him, blanking out on how she should approach this particular situation. She didn't want to cross any possible boundaries but she needed to get his attention.
She whispered his name, hoping it was loud enough to get his attention. When that wasn't loud enough she stepped closer leaning forward a bit to tap his shoulder, "Lucian?"
Thankfully, that worked, as he turned to give her his attention.
"Yes? Ah..good evening Shauntal. Can I assist you?"
Shauntal clung to her notebook, giving a short nod. "If you have a moment, I'd like to talk with you. It's..sort of important."
His head tilted slightly, obviously curious as to what was on her mind. He stood from his seat, offering her an arm so he could escort her to one of the side reading rooms with a door. If it was important, he only assumed it would be best that they have privacy. Butterfree fluttered in the pit of her stomach as she reached for his arm, wrapping her own around his. Once she had a hold of him, he led her down a hall before opening a door for her. The light in the room showed a small room with a pair of chairs and a coffee table between the chairs.
She mutters a soft 'thank you' as she takes a seat. Shauntal waits for him to close the door behind him and take a seat before saying something.
"So..um.." She was so nervous. What if he didn't return her feelings? What if he did..?! Her mind was full of mental knots. Shauntal knew she needed to calm down. Taking a deep breath, she restarted, "I know you're busy here so I'll do my best to make this quick. We've known each other for about a year or so, right?"
He crossed a leg over the other, resting his left cheek with his hand as he focused his attention on her, "More or less."
A small smile crept over his lips, "Is there a relevance to how long we've known each other to what you need from me?"
Shauntal slowly nodded her head,"I-I've learned that, along with what we've shared with one another during our time together, that..I may have a crush on you. Actually..now that I think about it, I believe it's honestly gone beyond just a crush. I..I love you..and not in just a friend-like way."
His eyes grew wide for a moment, but his smile reached his eyes as he placed a hand over his heart, "I'm flattered. May I ask how long you've felt that way?"
She shifted awkwardly in her seat, "For a while, about five or so months. I felt the need to say something after so long. I don't just see you as a friend, or a fellow elite colleague. I see you as someone I want to spend..intimate time with.." her voice was soft, hoping she didn't sound desperate as she spoke.
"...." Lucian was silent for a moment, taking in what she said to heart. "That's...quite a long while, my dear. Hm. I have nothing but respect for you, Shauntal. However, I would like to ask if you would be alright if I take time to think this over so I can process this and tell you how I feel in return?"
Shauntal nods, and for some reason, her eyes begin to gloss as she fights back the urge to cry. In the back of her mind, she believes he just needs time to think of the kindest way to reject her without hurting her feelings. But she keeps her composure and gives him a small smile, "Of course! I wouldn't expect you to give me a response on the spot." Though that would certainly place her mind at ease quicker.
He studies her for a moment, "I take it that you are staying at a hotel?"
"Ah..y-yes. I'll be staying for a few days. I have some things I need to discuss with Cynthia, so I'll be here for at least five days on my own."
Lucian thought for a moment. For some reason, the idea of her staying alone at a hotel made him feel uneasy," If I may? Might I possibly convince you to stay with me instead? I have a guest bedroom you can use during your stay and you can speak with Champion Cynthia with ease. She comes to my home on occasion to discuss her new discoveries."
"Oh! I wouldn't want to impose. I'll only be here for a few days..."
"Please, I insist. A lady truly shouldn't be rooming on her own. I promise it's no inconvenience to me at all. Might I know the hotel you are staying at?"
A faint blush crept over her cheeks. She gives him the address of the hotel and he stands, giving her a low bow and a small smile, "If you will excuse me a moment. Ah, before I go, your hotel room key. Might I have it for a moment?"
She was a little confused as to why he would need it but she opened her notebook and handed him the keycard.
He then disappeared for about ten minutes, leaving her to her thoughts. When he returned, he had quite a smug grin on his lips, "Everything is settled. Your booking has been canceled, so you should have a refund at some point and I have your things waiting at the guest room. Would you like for me to escort you to your room?"
Lucian held a hand out to her, causing her to blush from ear to ear. This was really happening. Lucian was inviting her to his home! She slowly reached her hand out to his as she stood up. He wrapped an arm around her waist as he pulled her close against him, fingers laced together as he leans down a little to whisper to her, "Hold on tight. You might feel dizzy or lose your balance."
Giving him a nod, she clung to his shirt as best she could with her notebook and hand as he teleported the two of them to a seemingly plain white room with a full-size bed. Her luggage could be seen near the bed. She did feel dizzy, but she had a feeling that it was more than the psychic trip that made her feel that way.
She stumbled backward once he released her back, bracing the wall for a moment, "I-I'm okay. Thank you."
From then on, for about a month, Shauntal stayed with Lucian. She always hung on the edge of her seat whenever he started a conversation with her, though her hopes were always shot when the topic he would bring up was something other than them. She didn't want to pressure him but..days were turning to weeks and those weeks were adding up to a month. Every time she made the attempt to distract herself to think of something other than him, her mind went blank. She truly couldn't get him off of her mind.
This was getting ridiculous! A dramatic heavy sigh left her lips as she flopped over the desk, face embedded in her notebook.
"I can't do this anymore..."
Shauntal had to know how he felt. Stepping around the subject was just self-inflicted torture. If he wasn't going to tell her on his own, she'd get an answer out of him her way. Donning a Hisuian Zoroark outfit, and trading her velvet gloves and nylon leggings for silk gloves and fishnet stockings, Shauntal made her way to his study. It was tempting to use the perfume that Caitlin lent to her but she had a feeling that would be cheating. She wanted Lucian's honest thoughts on her, nothing persuaded by pheromones.
A woman on a mission, she places a small box of chocolates she carried on a small table near him before promptly taking a seat on his lap, straddling her legs upon either side of him, as she carefully took the book he was reading out of his hands, setting it beside them.
"I require your attention for a moment, Lucian." A seductive smile crept over her lips as the tips of her silk trailed up his chest, slowly leaning forward as she wrapped her arms lovingly around his neck. Oh, how she had been waiting to do that. Her thoughts always made her ponder how he would feel under her fingertips as she leaned into him. He did always look like the perfect gentleman to be her seat.
There was a low dip cut off for her cleavage, so she wouldn't be surprised if he caught more than a brief view of what was under her top - not that she minded. She'd be more than willing to give him a further glance if he was open to the idea.
Shauntal made sure that his eyes were focused on her as she spoke. This was a matter of her sanity. . .
"I need to know how you feel about me, right now. I've been a patient lady, waiting for your response but I can only wait for so long. The suspense has my mind buzzing. I can't think straight nor concentrate on any of my projects until you tell me how you feel. So..~"
She knew full well that his senses were going to be on overload by her on top of him like this. Curiosity ate at her on how he might react to her being so upfront with him.
To place a little icing on the cake, she brushed her lips along his neck, a sighing moan slipping from her lips as she pressed herself against him as she whispered into his ear, "..tell me how you feel, please?~"
She could see that his cheeks were easily matching the shade of his jacket and the way his hands shook as they slowly rested on her hips told her how nervous he was. Perhaps her upfront idea was a bit much?
"Shauntal..." his voice was strained as he spoke, "..I-I do apologize for making you wait. I just haven't truly..thought of the proper words that describe how I feel about you."
She pouted. Well, that wouldn't do. It was a yes or no answer she wanted. No extra dramatic explanation. Just a simple yes I like you or no, but let's be friends. She was prepared to be rejected. Why else did he think she brought the chocolate with her?
"I just need a yes or no, Lucian. That's all." Shauntal traced the collar of his neck and moved up to cup his cheeks, "Do you love me too?"
A sigh leaves his lips. He looked like he was struggling with his own emotions. His eyes closed for a moment, followed by the removal of his glasses. She learned that he only ever took them off for brief moments when he needed to collect his thoughts. He folded them and placed his glasses on the side table beside his book and her chocolate.
"You wish for a simple answer? Then you'll have it. My answer is yes. I do love you. However, I felt that a simple answer was more than you deserved. I've been thinking..of the best way to describe how I feel about you that wouldn't belittle your beauty, your intelligence..your brilliant smile..everything about you. You must forgive me for taking so long in giving you an answer. You deserve far better than being left in the dark about how I felt about you."
She leans her forehead against his, "That's all I needed to hear..Thank you." Shauntal was beaming from ear to ear.
He loved her back! She could jump for joy if she wasn't so content in his arms.
"No, my dear Shauntal, I believe it is I who should be thanking you. You've been so patient with me. You deserve at least some sort of reward for waiting on me. Lady's choice. Name it and it's yours."
Her mind wandered to a number of places. She could ask anything from him but there was one thing she has always wanted. After knowing him for so long, she bit her bottom lip, her confidence slowly retracting as she uttered her request carefully.
"A kiss, if you don't mind?"
She could hear him give a bemused chuckle as he tucked a few stray locks away from her face behind her ear.
"You could have anything I have to offer and all you want in return is a kiss? Once again you've proven to be quite the modest woman, Shauntal. I suppose I could humor your request," he teased.
Hooking a pair of digits under her chin, he drew her closer to him as the distance closed in a matter of seconds. Shauntal felt an electric chill wash over her as she sighed into their kiss. She could taste the wine they had with dinner on his lips in the mix, causing her to melt further into his arms. Her lips parted wider for a moment, daring to nudge her tongue against his as her eager nature rose to the occasion. She wasn't sure if he would go that far with her, oh - but she was pleasantly surprised when she felt his brush over her own as he pulled her closer to him as his other hand rested on the small of her back. Their kiss was slow, but never lacking in interest as they shared their first kiss together.
When he finally pulled back, he licked her lips, "Not a terrible first kiss. Now then. ." a brief glance down at her outfit caused him to feel warmth over his own cheeks, "Care to explain your...ravishing attire?"
"Oohh..well, if I'm to be honest, it was to get your attention. Since you didn't really want to say anything when I was in my usual clothing so I just wore something else that might. Do you like it?"
A soft hum left his lips, his hand that rested on the small of her back slowly trailed upward as he admired the garment she wore, "I believe 'like' is a weak word to describe how I feel about your outfit. Your mission is certainly a success but I think..enthralled, is a better word. I love it."
"Yay!" Shauntal giggles with joy as she reaches over to retrieve his glasses, carefully placing them back on his handsome face, "Thank you for finally giving me an answer. I'll let you get back to your reading."
As she tried to slip off of his lap, she noticed that his hand was still on her back, "Unless...you'd like for me to keep you company?"
"You can stay on my lap and keep me company if you'd like. I don't mind."
A soft excited squeal left her lips as she shifted a bit so that she was laying on her side, head against his chest as she intertwined their fingers while he lifted his book once more. She would give him occasional kisses against his neck as she cuddled in his arms. Shauntal's mind was finally at peace, knowing that her love was returned by someone she admired from afar for many months. Her patience was rewarded by the soft embrace of the psychic gentleman beside her.
She had a feeling things would only become far more exciting from here as she settled in a particular place in his arms, falling fast asleep.