#lancexoc

His duties were piling up and Lance couldn’t focus on any of it during the meeting. One of the representatives from the Association was flirting with his best friend and it irked him to no end. Year two as an Elite Four member and past most of the drama with his flings, Lance has figured out where his feelings lie and it’s killing him. 

Since that night in Celadon, Serena hasn’t left his mind, the way she moved and felt around him... It was better than any woman he’d had since then. 

Now he’s not sure if he’s too late to say anything to her. He’s done so much to hurt her already, would she even give him the time of day? Remaining best friends would be the easier option for her, and he was okay with that; until now. 

“So, I assume you understand all that entails,” the rep, Gavin, smiles charmingly at Serena. His green eyes glitter when he looks at her, it makes Lance want to puke. “I've seen your work and you are amazing, Miss Serena.”

He hates the blush that appears on her light brown skin at the man’s words. Is he even really trying to be smooth?

“Thank you, Gavin,” she chuckles back. “I think I can handle it from here on the new policy. How about we call for a lunch everybody?”

“Sounds perfect,” he agrees, standing up and offering her his arm. “Care to join me?”

The other elites watch Lance with poorly hidden smiles as he burns under the anger of watching Serena accept the offer. She’s just being nice, right? She has to keep a good relationship with the council, it’s not a date. Right? 

Elijah keeps his smile tempered as he dismisses everyone and watches Lance make a beeline for the door right behind the other two. “Ah, young love. Am I right?”

“Hey!” Lance calls out, glad to see Serena stopping and turning around first. Her blue eyes always catch him in a wave and he usually forgets what he’s going to say. But now this time. “Can I join you?”

“I would rath-”

“Of course, silly,” Serena answers with a warm smile. 

Lance’s heart flutters at her look and he joins on her other side. Taking her arm and pulling her closer to him than to Gavin. The other man grunts at the lose of contact, but folds his hands behind his back as they walk to the cafeteria. Before Lance can interfere more, however, he strikes up a conversation about the League’s policy. Something Serena knows infinitely more about. 

From there, it’s clear to Lance he’s lost Serena’s attention and he tries not brood during lunch, wanting to be supportive in her side of the conversation. Gavin keeps her attention, practically gloating at Lance with every sideways glance and grasp of her hand. It makes his blood boil.

By the end, Gavin tries to walk her back to the meeting room, but she refuses. 

“I just, um, remembered,” she tugs at her hair. “Lance and I have to check on our father’s in HQ.”

Gavin frowns, but Lance perks up, knowing she’s lying out of discomfort. His heart soars when she passes him a serious look and then his usually smirk returns when Gavin splutters for an excuse to come with. “Surely, I can go with you? I’d love to see what your father does.”

“Sorry, special clearance,” Serena apologizes, taking Lance’s hand. “We’ll be back in the meeting room soon. Thank you for lunch!”

Lance glances back at Gavin, winking suggestively before they disappear around a corner and Serena stops and pulls him into a closet. Immediately, his heart rate speeds up and he tries to avoid looking at her. 

“What’s going on with you?” She demands, poking his chest. “You’ve been so agitated since the meeting started.”

“I...” he takes a deep breath. “Gavin is flirting with you, Rena.”

She frowns, confusion clear on her features. “He’s...? No, he’s not.”

Lance laughs. “Don’t be so blind. And how could he not?”

She flushes and chuckles nervously, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Well, he’s not my type, anyway. Thanks for looking out for me.”

Now’s his chance. Lance reaches up to pull the hair loose when she lifts up on her tip toes and kisses his cheek. He freezes, shocked but sees the dark look in her eyes she gets when she thinks of something negative and it kills him. 

“Better get going, don’t want to keep you too long,” she squeezes his hand before slipping out of the closet.