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Something that Lucy often liked to do was watch the people around her.
Not in some invasive and stalkerish way, but she liked to imagine what those strangers' lives were like in the fleeting moments she got to see them. She found that she was often right on the mark when it came to guessing that stuff, but there were a few flukes at times.
Being as quiet as her meant that she was a bit more observant than most people. The sidelines was where she preferred to stay, and it helped her read people's intentions long before anyone came up to try and speak to her. It was all about the subtleties in one's expression. All of the small creases and lines that appeared on their faces, and their body language spoke volumes too. Whether they seemed tensed up or relaxed or ready to trade blows, Lucy never missed a thing.
For quite a while now, she'd been observing her companion from across the small table they were sitting at. It was something she always took a moment to do whenever they spent time together, regardless of the setting or occasion. But it wasn't out of any sort of distrust she might've felt towards him. Truth be told, she trusted him more than she trusted anyone else. He promised her that he'd keep her safe at all costs, and he always did exactly that whenever they were able to see each other during the warmer parts of the year. In her heart, she vowed to do the same for him even if she knew he'd deny her offer if she ever brought it up to him.
When it came to Giorno Giovanna, Lucy's observations came from a place of deep love and admiration for the boy. It was plain as day on her face, and anyone who watched her do so wouldn't be wrong if they pointed it out. Mista did every time he was in their general vicinity. Being the type of person she was, however, meant that she'd quickly look away once caught and give some convoluted wishy-washy excuse to get him off her back.
To her relief, Mista wasn't here to expose her true feelings today. So that's why she openly gazed upon Giorno's visage as if in awe of him. In some ways, she was.
He was a work of art in her eyes. The kind that went down in history for being an artist's best work. In some ways, it reminded her of the paintings and statues at the museum that her father Steven had taken her to see one year when she was a kid. While she was rather bored and a bit detached from staring blankly at pictures and stones at the time, she couldn't help but look back on that day a bit more fondly.
Lucy immediately averted her gaze from Giorno the moment she saw him begin to look back her way. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she did this, causing the bright red ladybug studs that adorned her earlobe to glint from the golden rays of the setting sun striking it. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the somewhat amused look he was giving her.
"Was there something on my face?" The simple fact that he asked meant he was well aware of her staring at him the entire time, he just decided not to say anything right away. She shouldn't have been so surprised. He was just as observant as her, perhaps even moreso.
"Nothing like that, I promise. I was just…" Lucy slowly turned to look back at Giorno, feeling her freckled cheeks heat up from embarrassment. The amusement on Giorno's face dissipated into something far more gentle and heartfelt, something she was used to when it came to him.
"I didn't mind it, if that's what you're worried about." Giorno said, tilting his head slightly. If Lucy didn't know any better, she would've automatically assumed that he was just saying that to be nice. But no. She knew him well enough to know that if he were uncomfortable with her constant observations, he would've outright told her.
"In that case, I was just admiring you." She admitted quietly, tracing a pattern into the table with a finger.
"I had a feeling it was something like that. I've noticed you doing it a few times in the past."
Again, she wasn't surprised. With Mista always pointing it out, it'd be near impossible for Giorno to miss that fact. Still, to be called out by her object of affection like this made her want to get swallowed up by the earth. With the way she was sinking herself down into her seat, she might've gotten her wish if it wasn't for Giorno standing up and reaching for her hand.
"Let's get going before Bucciarati and Mr. Steel come looking for us."
Lucy nodded, standing up and grabbing her purse from the seat beside her. With a small smile, she held onto Giorno's hand and let him lead her out. She was thankful he decided not to press her further on her little habit. Because if she did, she would be forced to admit to the fact that she had a crush on him. She was far from ready to do that at the moment. If she were to confess, Lucy wanted it to be nothing short of perfect.
Maybe she should tell him before she left for America again… or maybe online. She'd have to decide by the end of her summer vacation.