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You let out a huff as your head hits the picnic table. Akari winces.
"Listen, listen—" you try to explain your thoughts, but you feel your face heating up the more you speak. You've never had a crush in your life, and you know damn well you're past a crush at this point. You let out a small scoff. "It should be illegal for him to be this pretty."
Akari tilts her head, snacking on the rice crackers Beni brought out. You both hang out here quite a lot after expitditions, although this time Rei didn't join in (busy trying to help out Cyllene). You view them as… little siblings. Close friends, with a lot of bickering and pranks. Sure, the age gap is definitely there, but you're yet another 'stray' adopted by Laventon (according to Cyllene), so who cares.
Yet another sigh leaves your lips. "…Illegal. Like, on the level of theft. Pretty bastard needs to leave some beauty to the rest of us. I mean, he's stupid handsome! Again, it should not be allowed."
She has to stifle a chuckle, but you don't really pay attention to what she's doing now, continuing to ramble. "I mean, he's so charming! He really shouldn't be. He can't. He shouldn't be able to do what he does. I-.. he-…. argh!" You lift your head, taking one of the rice crackers, eating it and savoring the crunch for a moment of thought. Once you swallow, you state, "I'm offically unwell. Like, I think way too much about that man. He—
"Why hello there, my favorite customer~."
You feel your heart leap into your throat, face heating up. You rest your forehead on the table with a groan. "Volo, you bastard…." You force a smile as you glance up at the very object of your affections. "…any particular reason you want to ruin my evening this time around? That desperate for me to buy something so you can reach quota?"
He laughs. Damnit, that laugh. How is it so pretty? So cute? His smile causes the corner of his visible eye to crinkle. You rarely get to see that particular smile, but whenever you do, it's pure bliss…. "I just overheard a pretty interesting conversation, that's all! It's a merchant's duty to catch up on the latest news. That, and I can't help but be invested in the lives of my patrons."
Akari glances away, eating a handful of rice crackers in an attempt to make her stifled giggles less obvious. It doesn't work, instead doing the opposite.
"So… you've taken an interest in someone, huh?" He tilts his head. Fuck. Why is he so cute. It should be illegal for a man to be this pretty.
"…yeah. A… another Galaxy Team member." You shrug, trying to play off your lie as you look away. Eye contact is too much right now.
Volo chuckles, the sly jerk. "Oh~…? And here I thought it would be about me…"
"You want to kiss me sooooo bad, it makes you look stupid."
Akari doubles down in a fit of laughter, and you look up to see Volo's face heating up. You fight back a smirk, and fail as you start to laugh yourself.
"S-.. sorry…" You swear you only chuckle this much when you're in Volo's presence. It's an almost giddy feeling, this… affection. "I just had to tease! I just had to. You're always teasing me, and… and..."
Volo takes a moment to compose himself, something playing in his visible eye, before he asks in an eerily calm voice for him… "…and if I do?"
Arceus, your heart just stops then and there. Are you dead? Is this heaven? Have you finally been relieved of your burdens? Why does he sound so calm? So… so honest??
"…then.. d'… uh…" Clearly, your plan backfired. Volo smirks as you glance away in a blush. Were you looking at his lips? Honestly, you weren't even paying attention where you were looking. Just.. admiring him. He's so damn pretty. Fuck. You're doomed. "Asshole…."
A gentle chuckle. One that makes your face heat up even more. Then you feel as he places two fingers under your chin, tilting your head so you're looking towards his face. You let him. "…if I do want to kiss you…?" He brings his face closer. You can feel his breath. Sweet Arceus.
Before you completely throw away your dignity, you just lift your hand and cover his mouth, pushing his face away from yours as you let out an indignant, "Not in public, you fucking jerk..! Leave me be!"
He freezes for a moment, before... he takes your hand in his, and presses a small kiss to your palm. Arceus. Fuck. That… it feels unbearably intimate. Before you can start sputtering, he murmurs, "…as you wish. I'll see you another day, my dear customer."
And he just…. leaves.
He just walks away, giving you a wink, and leaving you on the verge of begging for him to give more. It was just a glimpse into what you two could be, and it was oh so tantalising
You flinch at the sudden sharp noise of Akari devolving into damn cackles. You know she's going to have the entire village aware of the scandal within the week.
"That fucker!" You groan again, burying your face in your hands. Now you're flustered and embarrassed.
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The next evening, when you were in your barrack, starting the rice for both dinner and your lunches for the next few days, you heard a knock on your door. You don't know how, but you knew exactly who it is.
The following morning, you woke up sore.