Flashback

"Well, I'm off! Stirred Kiros. I know a great place where we can have a drink for free. Who's on?

"I guess I see what you're talking about. Isn't it the piano bar of the Deling City hotel, by any chance?" said Ward winking at Laguna.

"Guys are you trying to piss me off, because if you're not, it's starting to get seriously on my nerves!"

"Well, you were so brilliant last night. I mean, having a cramp just by talking to a girl is quite unusual!

"Shut up, Kiros! I was just...

"And what happened next? Oh yeah, she had to invite you, because you could only stammer.

Gosh, Laguna you're a fun man to be with!" Puffed Kiros.

Ward couldn't hold his laugh. Trying to stop it with his hand on his mouth, he then broke into a loud laughter, almost crying, remembering the last evening adventure.

"Will you stop that? I couldn't say a word because I didn't know what to say! And that's not my fault if I had this cramp! You two are exasperating" he answered putting his hand to his forehead.

"Okay, so tell us what happened in her room? Don't tell me you just had a nice little chat all night through, because I won't believe you!" Stated Kiros

"Well, we just..."

"Come on, spit it out!" urged Ward

"We only talked, talked and... talked" said Laguna looking at each one in their turn.

"Laggy, you're joking! Right?" Ward stared at him as if it was an unbearable suspense.

"Come on, Laguna! Not a single man on earth could stay with a beautiful girl in a room without tempting something!" added Kiros.

"What you think of never happened! I am not as pervert as you guys can be! Now please excuse me, I have things to do" he left the office banging the door.

The other two watched towards the door, still laughing, before they ran after him. Soon enough they reached him and all three went to the piano bar.

Right after her show, Julia stood up and went straight to Laguna. She gave him her hand to shake and managed to slide in his own a piece of paper. Confused, he brushed his head and started to unfold the message to discover a lovely writing saying "meet me in an hour at the dining room". When he raised his head she was gone.

One hour and a half later, he was pacing into the great dining room. As it was getting late, people were leaving for their home. The few left, didn't even cared much of is presence, though it was irritating to see someone walking back and forth, watching his watch every minute.

Then she came, all dressed in a very long black coat.

"Sorry for being late. You know, I am so glad you came to see me. It's good to feel that someone cares for you! She said softly

He looked at her. He took off her coat to reveal a black shining dress. He then felt completely captivate by her aura. They both sat in the lounge area. He ordered two glasses of red wine. None of them dared to say a word, so, to break the ice, Julia started it.

"You seem in better shape than yesterday! I saw Ward and Kiros laughing at you. What was it about? She tilted her head.

"No...nothing, absolutely, nothing." He said confused.

"Okay. I have something to tell you." she settled deeper into the armchair.

"Go for it, I'm listening!"

"I'm leaving tomorrow; I have to go back to Timber." She said sadly.

He gave her a puzzled look; he wasn't prepared for such a statement. She didn't dare watching him. He leant forward, put his glass on the table and grabbed her hand. She blushed and her eyes met his. She didn't even try to retrieve her hand from his grasp.

"Oh! So I guess we won't see us again." he whispered

"No, no! You're welcome to come to Timber anytime you want. I can arrange you accommodation. You know I am powerful over there...

"Like if you were some very important person?"

"Kind of..."she said slowly.

"Listen! I would be glad to pay you a visit, however I'm a soldier, and I have orders to follow. I can't disappear like that. But if troops are send to a mission over there I promise to come and see you!"

She smiled. For the first time in her lonely life, she really felt confident and she knew she could count on him. It was such a relief for her mind, to escape the world of politicians, the world of corrupted noblemen. Thinking of anything but her truly duty: princess of Timber. However she didn't tell him who she really was, she was too afraid of his reaction, she didn't want him to go away from her.

"Ok! It's a deal then. Now let's talk of something else. First I'm starving, so let's get something to eat."

"What! Do you know what time is it? Every restaurant is closed now! He stated firmly.

"Don't worry; I have a better idea than a restaurant. Let's have fun; follow me!"

She stood up and waved her hand at him, asking him to join her. Wondering what she was planning he decided not to think of it and he followed her.

She spied around every corner making sure no one could see them. Then they arrived to her target: the kitchen.

She turned to him, grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. She started to open the fridges, gathered fruits and vegetables here and there and put everything down on a work table. Seeing her rummaging every drawer, he decided to move. He opened a large closet and found two bottles of wine. It took them half an hour to prepare and eat everything they found.

"I'm full; I think I am going to explode! She said sighing with pleasure

"Hey, look what I've just found! Here are cherries and strawberries! They're my favourites!"

"Oh! Tell me, is there any wine left? I need a drink!"

He grabbed the bottles that were lying on the floor. They were both empty.

"Nope! He said, but I...I can find some." He opened a big fridge door and took a bottle of champagne.

He came back and sat close to her side. He poured the champagne in the glasses. Then he grabbed the fruit basket and started with the cherries. As he was going to put one to his mouth, she stole it from his fingers and ate it.

"Okay, you want to play, so let's play!"

Standing up, he took a handful of fruits. He was much taller than her so she couldn't manage to reach his hand that he'd put in the air to avoid her from stealing his fruits. As she jumped to catch them, she slipped. He caught her and she fell into his arms. They stopped playing. Saying nothing, they were lost in each other eyes. They leant closer and kissed.

She withdrew herself from the tight, gasping for air. This kiss had sobered them both.

"I'm... sorry, she said watching the floor, I shouldn't have..."

"No. That's fine. In fact, I liked it, and I just want some more." As he said that he drew her to him and kissed her deeply. She felt something warm inside of her; she let herself fall into this grace.

The next day she travelled back to Timber her head full of images of happiness and hope.

They continued to see each other when they could escape from their duty. These moments of happiness lasted for a year before the unthinkable happen: Centra had declared war to the kingdom of Galbadia.

I decided to split this chapter in two not to make it too long to read. So the following one is still about the flashback. Please R I need some feedback!