ACCIDENTAL | lyney [✔︎]

ii.

as she read, she felt time ticking by slowly. her father was preparing dinner, which meant lyney would be showing up at anytime. anxiously, she fiddled with the page of her book, finding herself glancing at the clock. time was passing agonizingly slow. a sudden knock at the door had her leaping to her feet.

"i'll get the door." closing her book and setting it down, she hurried to the front door, gently opening it. there stood lyney, dressed in his usual outfit, minus the hat. she hummed, stepping back to let him in.

as he entered, her father came around the corner, his eyes narrowed. "so this is him?"

"yes, father."

"it is a pleasure to meet you, monsieur." [name] nervously played with the hem of her dress, watching silently as her father scrutinized her "lover." after several minutes of awkward silence, he nodded in approval and went back to the kitchen. the two teens released a sigh of relief.

"well, now that that's settled, should we go over a few things?" she asked quietly. the blond nodded, causing her to inhale sharply. "i'm fine with lingering touches or endearments to sell the story properly."

lyney hummed in response. "shall we go eat then, ma chérie?"

instantly, heat rushed to her face. flustered (she had never been called in such a way, okay?), she nodded, quietly leading him towards the dining room. the boy let out a chuckle at her reaction, following behind her.

"what did he make?"

"salmon en papillote. it's really good."

"never heard of it."

"it's...not cheap to make, but i'm sure you'll enjoy it." she sat down at the dining table, humming a song to herself. "sit wherever..."

having thought ahead, lyney sat down next to her. not long after, her father entered the dining room with plates of food in hand. he narrowed his eyes at how close the two were sat, but decided not to speak on it. he set the plates down and disappeared into the kitchen once more before returning with utensils.

as soon as the man sat down, [name] began to quietly eat. an awkward silence filled the air as the three ate. her father cleared his throat before beginning to speak.

"so...you're a magician, correct?"

"that's correct, monsieur."

"may i ask why?"

"i enjoy the spotlight. it pleases me when the audience is amazed," lyney responded coolly, glancing at [name], who was picking at her food. she huffed slightly as her salmon fell off her fork. sticking her tongue out in concentration, she picked it back up, successfully putting it in her mouth. he found her determination quite adorable.

"and what do you like about my darling daughter? surely you are not using her for personal gain."

lyney hummed in thought. "i assure you i am not using her for personal gain, monsieur. quite the opposite, actually. i rather enjoy her company."

a hand crept onto her thigh and she glanced down at her leg in surprise, tensing at the touch. upon realizing it was lyney's hand, she forced herself to relax and continued eating. her father grunted in reply, shoving a bite of salmon in his mouth.

"and why should i allow you to stay with my daughter when she has a perfectly good suitor?" he questioned, causing the ash blond to stiffen. he had forgotten about that...

"well you see, monsieur, we've been together for a few months, and i love her dearly." he paused, thinking on what else to add. "surely that should be reason enough?"

the man sighed. "and do you plan on marrying her?"

"yes," the magician replied without hesitation. [name] stared at her supposed lover, rather shocked by what he just declared. he gave her thigh a gentle pat, causing her to snap out of her surprise.

"very well. i will break off the engagement, but on one condition." the two teens shared a glance, panic evident. "you must prove that you are worthy enough to marry my daughter."

"father, you can't be serious! he's clearly worthy," she protested.

"i said what i said, [name]."

"but-"

"silence. that is my condition. if you refuse it, then you best break up."

"yes, father..." a silence falls over the table and lyney gives a concerned glance to the girl next to her. not long after, the man stands, taking his plate to the kitchen.

"archons, what're we going to do...?" she questioned, eyes watery.

"we'll figure something out, ma chérie."

"a-ah, don't call me that when my father isn't around. it's embarrassing."

"of course," he paused, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "ma chérie."

"lyney!" she hissed quietly, gently slapping his arm. he laughed, causing her to huff indignantly. "can i ask you something?"

"hmm?"

"why did you agree to do this?"

"i'm not sure, honestly. i suppose i found you interesting. it's not everyday a random girl tells you that she told her father she's dating you."

as she was about to respond, her father came back, holding two bowls of crème brûlée. he set the bowls down carefully in front of the teens before leaving. the girl hummed in delight, picking up her spoon and taking a bite of her's. her eyes brightened, a clear sign of her enjoyment of the dish.

lyney stared at his own, unsure what it was. "what is this?"

"crème brûlée. have you never had it?"

"no..."

"try it. it's good." he nodded, gently putting a spoonful of it in his mouth. almost immediately, his expression turned into shock before he took another bite. she giggled at his reaction. "like it?"

"it's amazing...how do you make this?"

"no idea. i don't bake. that was what my mother did."

"your mother?"

"mm." she fell silent, staring sadly at her dessert before shaking her head with a sigh. "it's getting late. you should probably head home."

"you're right." he stood, having finished his crème brûlée. she followed his lead before heading for the front door. the two teens both left the house, standing on the porch.

"thank you for doing this," she mumbled, staring down at her feet.

"you're very welcome. don't forget your end of the deal~"

"i won't. have a good night." with that, she turned to re-enter the house.

lyney pouted, crossing his arms and teasingly saying, "no goodbye kiss?"

heating up, she spun around, glaring at him only to freeze. he was smugly holding out a bouquet of flowers. she blinked in confusion. where had he gotten a bouquet of flowers? he laughed at her frowning expression, finding her confusion amusing.

"i'm a magician, remember?" he stated, watching as she huffed. "are you gonna take them or not?"

"i'll take them! they're pretty. romaritimes mean loyalty and unswerving oaths. an interesting choice for a bouquet." she gently took the flowers from his hand, only to pause as he grabbed her outstretched hand and pressed a kiss to it, grinning cheekily. he released his hold, tucked a flower behind her ear, and began walking off, waving as he did so. she stared after him, holding the bouquet and frowning in surprised confusion.