"Yeah. Not much to bring, isn't there?" She wrapped a loose curl around her index finger, trying to anchor herself in the moment instead of letting her fantasy run wild. He wasn't going to hurt her. That's what almost got you killed with Aaron. Be smarter than that. He could hurt you, he could not. Prepare for the worst.
Lucian chuckled again. He nodded his head at that. “I suppose not.” He switched the car into drive, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel as he drove out of the complex parking lot. “Oh, also. If you want to reach into the back seat, I-um, got you something.”
Morrigan's eyes went wide before she could stop them, her head turning to face him completely. "Oh– you did?" A gift? When was the last time she'd received once? Years ago, definitely. Was this some sort of cruel trick? Or was it sincere? Only one way to find out. She turned, doing as he'd instructed and reached into the backseat.
“Yeah,” Lucian hummed, a small smile playing on his lips. In the backseat, there was a bouquet of red roses, a few other types of flowers mixed in as well. And tied to it was a small stuffed animal- a pitbul, to be more specific.
(that's so adorable omfg)
Morrigan lifted the bouquet to the front seat, staring at it as if an angel had just descended from heaved and presented it to her. Her lips parted, giving way to a tiny "Oh.." Tentatively, almost afraid, she brought it up to her face, breathing in the heady, sweat scent. And for a moment, the mask was gone. It was just her, holding the bouquet and the plushie as if it was the most precious thing in the world. "Lucian– you didn't have to do this for me. Thank- Thank you."
Lucian had breifly glanced over at Morrigan for a short moment. He smiled a bit more at her reaction, which he took as a good one. “You’re right. I didn’t, but I wanted to,” he said. “It was nothing, really. I just thought it would be a nice, small thing,” he hummed.
"A small thing?" Morrigan's eyes flickered up to his, confusion passing beneath her expression. "I- thank you. I haven't- I haven't received a gift like this in a long time." Carefully, her fingers worked to untie the stuffed animal from the joined flower stems.
Lucian nodded his head. “Oh. Well I’m glad that you like it. I remembered that you wanted a pitbull, so that’s the closest I could do. I didn’t know what your favorite flowers were, so I hope those are okay..”
"Okay? Lucian, they're more than okay.." Morrigan smiled down at the flowers, suddenly very shy. "I'll put these in a vase when I get home."
Lucian’s smile widened. “I’m really glad that you like them. But what are your favorite flowers? Just for the future,” he hummed.
Morrigan paused, thinking. "I- I don't know, I've never gotten flowers before." She smiled down at the bouquet once more. "I guess my favourite flower is the rose, after today."
Lucian watched the smile come to Morrigan’s lips. Now that one looked real. “You haven’t? I’m surprised,” he commented. “And I’ll remember that.”
“Thank you,” she repeated quietly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry that I haven’t gotten you anything.”
“You didn’t need to get me anything at all,” Lucian said. “I just thought it would be sweet. Some beautiful roses for a beautiful girl,” he added. Beautiful even with her scars.
Morrigan’s eyes widened again. “O-Oh— you think I’m beautiful? Me? But- you’ve—“ You’ve seen my scars.
Lucian nodded his head. He knew what she was saying. “I know. I still think you’re beautiful,” he confirmed to her.
“Oh…” Conflict passed over her features. He really did? “Th-Thank you.” No one has ever said that to me before…
Lucian had pulled up to the coffee shop. He parked the car and turned it off. “You’re welcome, anytime,” he hummed.
She climbed out of the car, smiling bashfully. “Let me pay this time, okay?”
Lucian got out of the car as well, and locked the door. “Mm, alright,” he hummed. He went to the entrance and opened the door for her.
In those brief minutes, she'd dropped her walls completely, forgotten all about pretending. Now, she brought them back up, but put herself out on a limb, lowering them enough that he could climb over if he really wanted to. Caution was key, but after such a touching gift, it was a lot easier to believe that he didn't want to hurt her. Morrigan ducked through the doorway, looking back at Lucian.
Lucian stepped inside behind her. “What do you think you’re going to get?” He asked, looking at her as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
"Something light," she replied, before realizing that she'd said that to him almost every time they'd gone out, and hastened to add on. "I ate a snack at home, so I'm not very hungry. Probably- Probably just a latte. You?"
Lucian nodded his head at the repeated phrase. “I might just get a normal coffee,” he responded.
“Alright. Just tell me how much—“ She removed wallet from her back pocket. “— And I’ll pay.”
“It should be only about $3,” Lucian responded. He looked around for a table for them to sit at.
Morrigan paid, then led Lucian over to a nice window seat, surprised and extremely pleased at how relaxed she was. Well.. that’s new..
Lucian sat down across from her, picking up his cup to take a sip. He rested both hands on the table one he was done. See? My hands are right here. I won’t touch you.
Morrigan bit her lip, feeling a rush of gratitude for the gesture, however small. “So,” she started, trying to initiate conversation. “Anything exciting- anything exciting on the horizon?”
Lucian thought for a moment before speaking. “Well, tomorrow morning I have an interview for a more official position at the hosiptal,” he answered, a smile on his lips.