Cecile Croomy, young assistant to Earl Lloyd Asplund, began to gather her things from her desk for the evening. She sighed as her feet throbbed and bit her lip, wishing only to be at home in a tub full of nice, hot bath water and scented bubbles. She turned and glanced around the lab for her coworker and boss and scratched her head a bit when she couldn't detect a trace of him. His normal rambunctious air was nowhere to been seen, heard, or smelt and she scrunched up her nose, mouth tilting to the side as she picked up her things and went in search of him. Finally, she found him raiding the fridge in the kitchen. She stood in the doorway and cocked her head to the side.
"Lloyd?" He continued his mission but she heard his muffled voice from within the refrigerator.
"Ah! Miss Cecile! I was hoping that you would join me. I was beginning to get worried seeing as you're normally after me much earlier!" His lavender head popped out from the fridge and smiled that Lloyd smile at her. He held a large basket in one and hand a some pudding in the other. Cecile shook her head, giggling softly at him before setting her things on the counter and watching as he grabbed a couple of wine flutes.
"What are you doing Lloyd?" He just wagged a finger at her, tutting at her curiosity.
"Now, now my dear Cecile. Just be a good girl and follow your boss to the roof."
Cecile stared blankly at his back as he strode away from her before stuttering a bit and chasing after him.
Once they reached the roof, Lloyd continued ahead of Cecile and she gazed up at the sky, wondering at all of the beautiful, clear stars and formations above her head. When she looked back at Lloyd she released a soft puff of air, surprised to see him on his knees, humming a tune and setting food and a bottle of wine onto a prepared blanket. Making her way over to him, Cecile slipped her shoes off, figuring that she wouldn't get her bath because she would have to play a part in whatever this was that Lloyd was planning. As she approached him, he stood and spun in a circle, opening his arms and grinning.
"THIS, my dear, is a treat for the both of us!" He fisted his hand on his hips and leaned towards her, eyes sparking; "We've done some very tough work on the Lancelot and training Kururugi and you know how this Earl likes to reward himself after a job well done." Blinking, Cecile finally smiled, giggling a bit and bringing her hand to her mouth. She placed her boots on the concrete and sat gracefully on the blanket. Lloyd suddenly pulled pillows from the blanket and threw them at her playfully before making himself comfortable as well. They sat in silence for a bit, Cecile sighing softly and Lloyd helping himself to some more pudding, before Cecile began to dig in as well. Lloyd had packed an assortment of breads, meats, and cheeses for sandwiches, pudding (of course), and her own favorite dessert, chocolate éclairs. She heard the pop of a cork and smiled as Lloyd handed her a flute and carefully filled it with a fine white wine. After drinking almost all of his in the first gulp, Lloyd lay back against his pillows and 'hmm'ed to himself.
"You know Miss Cecile…it's very nice to be able to do something relaxing like this once in awhile." He finished off his wine as Cecile nodded in agreement and poured them both a bit more. Crossing his legs, Lloyd sipped at his new glass before speaking again; "I know I don't say it but it is very normal for me to consider everybody a part of a machine if you will. They all play their part and that's it. I have no use for other human beings at times it seems. However…I really must thank you. You've stuck with me through everything over these years and you've put up with me and my attitude." He raised his glass, the soft yellowish liquid inside of it shining gently in the starlight. "That is why I must admit that I didn't just plan this to relax. I planned this to show you that I truly do appreciate you."
Cecile's words were stuck in her throat, the lump that had formed there constricting them. She lifted her hand to the base of her neck and rested it against her collar bone as she felt herself flush. She hunched her shoulders a bit, smiling shyly as she raised her own glass.
"Lloyd, I…thank you so much. That's the nicest thing I've heard in such a long time. And...it really hasn't been bad working with you at all. You're very intelligent and I've learned so much since I started working with you." Their glasses clanked together gently and they both downed the contents in one gulp, coughing a bit and Cecile giggling as the lowered them. Cecile continued to giggle a bit as she wiped her mouth with her sleeve. She met Lloyd's gaze and suddenly stopped.
'When did his eyes become so beautiful? Have they…have they always been such a beautiful sea green?' Her thoughts cause a flush to rise from her neck to her ears and she bit her lip, looking down into her empty glass. Suddenly, Lloyd's fingers found her chin and gently lifted her face to meet her eyes. He was on his knees, leaning towards her and looking deeply into her eyes. Both of their gazes slipped shyly from each other's eyes to their lips before Lloyd slowly closed the gap and pressed his lips softly into her's. Cecile's eyes immediately slipped closed and she tentatively lifted a hand to his neck, gently playing with his hair. The hand not holding Lloyd up carefully caressed her cheek and down to her shoulder and he pressed more firmly into the kiss. When they pulled away, Cecile's eyes were clouded and her lips felt a bit swollen. Lloyd sat back slowly and licked his lips, tasting her still.
"Llo…Lloyd?" Cecile was almost afraid to ask what would happen now but one look from him made her stop. His gaze was intense. Lloyd was almost never serious but…he had that look in his eyes. The one that appeared so rarely. Slowly, she brought her hand up to trace his jaw and gasped softly when he grabbed her hand and lifted her to her feet before gently tugging her towards the door.