/ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐗 ;

lucian did not consider himself an easy prey in that type of situation, mostly because he was usually really good at keeping his emotions under control. however, he was still just human and didn’t feel he could win over the confidence of that beautiful smile of hers. so, he busied himself with another sip of his drink after accepting her response with a little nose scrunch. “ i thought it would be good for me to just be alone, but your idea is definitely better. i appreciate you being here now, ” he said, offering a sincere but small smile. “ how are you, lana? how’s your day? how have you been? ” there was a soft pause between each question, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the surrounding noise.

location :  the salty sailor bar

human behavior was definitely interesting to observe. lucian actually took good fun out of it whenever something caught his attention just like that view in front of his eyes did. that's why he ended up giving up on trying to get the woman's attention and just stood there watching her in return, waiting for her to notice his presence, more or less. it would be pitiful to interrupt whatever it was that took that kind of laugh out of her, right? yes, but he actually didn't have that much free time, so he tried to get her attention one more time.

he was not expecting to be put to evaluate the situation, but his eyes went to the screen, seeing that rather normal picture of a man on the beach. her next words gave him the needed clarity on the situation, and a soft oh left his lips. " or maybe he just likes the spot," he said, shrugging. it was the way the corner of his lips lifted a little that was giving away he was just trying to mess with her. " you're giving him the attention he wanted, you know that, right? " he added on a slightly more serious note now. " and i would like just a ranch water, please. "

camden doesn’t get out much. for a thirty year old, his social life is far from booming. though it’s not something he entirely minds. it isn’t like he ever really had one in the first place, and truthfully he would much rather be spending time with his son that at a party. but it’s one of his oldest friends birthday celebrations, so here he is anyway, slightly tipsy and with his mind elsewhere.

so there he was, a few drinks later, needing to step outside the bar to catch a little fresh air, hoping it would make that tipsy feeling settle down. noticing he was not alone there, lucian returned that half-smile, slightly shy. but that gesture grew into a chuckle upon his words. “ oh, i’m not the one to judge you, ” he said, because he was also a smoker. not a heavy smoker, but sometimes he just needed a cigarette. “ your secret is safe with me. ” he added, nodding once. that question took one or two seconds to get an answer: “ i am, actually. slightly different from my usual plans for a friday night, but i’m having fun. ” the feeling of satisfaction that took over after realizing it was very good, too. “ what about you? having fun? ”

one of the reasons lucian has not once regretted his decision to move countries again was the beach. even though he lived not so far from one during his years in england, the weather always made the experience not as pleasurable as it was in palmview. and he loved the sea, adored that soothing feeling it always brought to his heart. so, every chance he gets, he goes for a walk on the beach. barefoot, sinking his feet into the sand, enjoying the sensation.

his thoughts were a little far away, but everything slipped away when he spotted emma. “ a hello would be a much more appropriate way to start a conversation, ” he stated with a slightly teasing tone. “ but i’ll take a please to begin with. ”

after a long and particularly stressful day at work, he felt in his bones that he needed a drink before heading back home—reason why he was alone there. as much as he was okay with his own company, there were a few places he liked to spare himself from attending alone, and bars were on the list.

spacing out a little after a short sip of his drink, lucian was brought back to earth by the female figure sitting beside him, eyebrows raising in clear surprise caused by that approach. but the question following that gesture made him look away, biting his lip to avoid smiling so easily. unfortunately, the pale skin gave him away when his cheeks flushed. “ do i look this bad? ” he asked in a light tone, with a chuckle. “ that you had to come all the way here trying to make me smile? ”