Our Fantasy World (Lilacs Story)

I Miss You

"Lil, you did a good job.” Warren murmurs, looking around. Lilac can’t help but blush with pride. Giving a glance about the apartment, she can’t say it looks that nice, but she did what she could on short notice to make this place livable. The bedroom has a mattress now. Not a bedframe, but a mattress. Better than nothing. She's got some more cooking supplies, too, as well as necessities like towels for the bathroom. She's put up some pictures and posters on the wall, put a soft rug down in front of the couch, and bought a small table. Before Lilac had gone out to get furniture and set up, she had picked a color palette. Blue, white, and purple. Her dark wood floors went with it rather well, too. She'd bought some paint, too, but she had decided to put that up at a later date. It was the best Lilac could do, so she would have to go back and clean up some spots later. Warren seems impressed, though. That’s good. She feels herself smiling as he wanders around the apartment, inspecting things without touching them. “Much cleaner than my room,” he remarks. Lilac laughs. She's seen his room—trash everywhere. And fire. Green fire surrounding everything. Floating. Burning—Warren seems to realize the line he almost crossed, and looks at Lilac sadly.
'So, do you want anything to eat?' She changes the subject quickly, trying to avoid the darker part of her mind. As if on cue, his stomach growls. He gives Lilac a sheepish grin.

Warren wanders into the bedroom section. He looks back at Lilac for permission, who shrugs and waves him on inside. Turning on the light, he sees a mattress on the floor, some posters on the walls, and a little potted plant in the corner. It’s much less decorated than the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, but he assumes that the stuff in here is newly bought. Warren's eyes are drawn to a cardboard box in the corner of the room. Slowly, he walks over and opens the top. Pulling out the treasures inside, he glances back at her for permission. She smiles encouragingly.

Warren walked right over to the box holding her books and had pulled out a science book from when she was in school. Now, he flips through the book, sitting on the floor next to the box, his eyes wide and pupils darting across each page. A thought occurs to Lilac, and she walks past him towards the cardboard box. Rummaging through it, she digs through the box, placing books on the ground and drawing Warren's attention. She pulls out a constellation book triumphantly, flourishing it in the air. Sitting down next to Warren, she licks her thumb and flips through the pages, trying to find the right story. He watches her, entranced, and sets his book to the side. Lilac finally lands on the story of Peter Pan. She turns to Warren, eyes sparkling.
'May you read me this story?' His expression is just like the one when she first mentioned stars at the bar—melting, a light flush across his cheeks. A hopeful expression, she thinks to herself. She wishes he would be like that more often.
“Of course,” he whispers, then clears his throat and adjusts himself on the floor. “Yeah, i’d love to read the story.” Lilac smiles, then hands him the book and he begins to read.

The way he reads, Lilac wonders. It’s… like the story is coming to life. Like he’s creating the universe anew. The way his face lights up, and changes with the characters, and the emotions…Lilac fights the urge to hug him. Do… something foolish. It’s all she can do to sit still and listen to the story.
“When Peter was certain that Hook was gone forever, he and Tinker Bell set off for London with Wendy and the boys..” Warren’s words carry through the air, giving Lilac a sense of flying. Kind of like in the story. “Wendy’s parents were happy to see their children again. Mr. and Mrs. Darling hugged Wendy, John, and Michael, and agreed to adopt the lost boys. They asked Peter to stay with them also, but he said, “I’m going to stay in Neverland where I never have to grow up.” “Goodbye then, Peter. We’ll miss you,” everyone called. Peter Pan and Tinker Bell waved goodbye and flew home to Neverland."

Lilac’s face sank. Warren finished the story and looked at Lilac, shell-shocked, to see her holding back tears. Not knowing how to comfort her, he hesitantly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She smiled at Warren, letting a tear fall down her cheek. Warren closed the book. Only then did Warren realize he too was crying. Blushing furiously, he wiped away his tears with his free hand, the other arm still wrapped around Lilac’s shoulders. Was it possible for his face to go more red?

Lilac's face felt hot. Warren's arm around her was nice—but it was also… weird? She liked Warren. She… knew that, at least. This situation was awkward, though. She liked it, but did he like it? Was this embarrassing? The whole… crying thing was over. Which she still haven’t explained. Or did she? Her whole mind is a mess…
'The whole crying thing earlier…I really get into stories, I love this one...'
“Heh. You and me both, Lil.” Warren looks away, and Lilac wonders if she could make him any more red. He doesn’t remove his arm, though. So does that mean he’s… okay with it? You hold out the book to Warren.
'I saw you liked… stars at the bar… so…'
“Yeah.” Warren takes the book gingerly with his free hand, as if it’s precious beyond gold or gems.
'You can borrow it, if you want…' Lilac trails off, watching his expression as he tries to flip through the book with one hand. 'I mean, I’m going to want it back, but…' He looks up at her and gives her a genuine smile, his face melting her heart.
“Thank you, Lilac. I couldn’t ask for anything else.” Lilac starts up her phone and looks at the time.
'Hey, it’s 4:30, if you need to be somewhere.'
"Oh! crap,” Warren mutters, removing his hand from her shoulders. The place where it had been is cold now. “I’ve gotta go. I can teleport myself out.”
'Okay,' Lilac replies. He looks at her, debating with himself. He’s clutching the astronomy books in his hands.
"You- you're a really good listener...thank you" Lilac blushes as he teleports himself away.