Author's note : Finally an update, huh?

Happy reading~! How you'll enjoy this chapter~!

Chapter 18 - Lunch Box

Interrogation. That was the thing that happened the next morning when Lizette picked Eira up from her house.

"I didn't drag you there only to hear that you tasted his cooking. I want you to taste his d…"

"Yes. Stop there! Stop there!" Eira yelled before Lizette could continue her sentence. It must be a vulgar word, and Eira would be uncomfortable in hearing it.

"Aaaa!" Lizette groaned, not pleased by the story she just heard from the medic who was sitting in the back seat. "You pissed me off."

"Not my fault. You pissed off because of your expectation," Eira argued, not wanting to take the blame.

"Foolish Marshal. I sent a young lady to his home, and he didn't even touch her."

Well, he did touch me though.

Cheeks blushing, Eira bit her lower lips and glanced outside her car. She didn't tell Lizette about the weird event that happened after she healed the marshal. The moment when he gently caressed her head and tucked some strands of her hair behind her ear. And the way he looked at her at that time, Eira knew that it was desire that was hidden beneath those blue eyes. If only the marshal was unable to withstand it, probably…

"I wish I could just interrogate the marshal and forced him to kiss you in the infirmary," the brown haired young crownsguard murmured.

Eira gasped, "Come on Lizette! What's with this passion regarding the marshal and me?"

"I told you yesterday. I'm one hundred percent sure he likes you! No argument."

"I'm not arguing. I just…" Eira sighed, "Come one, just let it be. If we're going to happen, it will. If it won't, it's just the way it is."

"Okay." Lizette gave off a long sigh before lowering her voice, "Let's take it slowly. As slow as a snail."

"Don't mock the snail." Eira complained. Lizette chuckled and the two stopped talking until they arrived at the citadel.

.

.

.

Eira wasn't alone in the infirmary today because Stella had the same schedule as her. Citadel infirmary had three medics; Eira, Stella, and Raine. Three of them were still medic in training, Stella and Raine in college while Eira was with a private tutor in the citadel. Being a crownsguard medic in the citadel was something like internship, and just a first step to be a real crownsguard medic. Only selected fews could have a chance to work in the citadel, while others would be stationed in some hospital—especially the ones near the border—or in the training camp on the far East or North of Insomnia.

It looked like Eira was working in the citadel just because she was a daughter of a royal council member. But, if she didn't really have actual skill, her mother—the leader of crownsguard medic—would never allow her daughter to be a medic only to stain the name of House Heallint.

Having Stella in the same shift as her today was encouraging for Eira. She liked it when she wasn't the only one in the infirmary, and she would really appreciate a hand to help if there were some visitors at the same time. However, no one could predict how busy her day would be. Most days when she was alone in her shift, she would get many visitors. And when there were Stella or Raine, it would be rather quiet. But, q-word wasn't allowed in the infirmary for its jinx. So, just like today, without complaining about how quiet the infirmary was, Eira enjoyed her day only to chatter with Stella. The chatter was mostly consisting of the blonde woman's love story though. But, for Eira, it was fun listening to it. Then when there were no love stories to be told, they would discuss their research or assignment.

However, suddenly Raine caught the lunch bag next to Eira's desk on the floor and paused their discussion. "What's that?" she asked, curious about it.

"Um… Lunch box." Eira answered innocently, forgot to keep secret that one of the lunch boxes in her bag was for the marshal who told her that he would come to the citadel as usual starting from today. Now when she thought of it, she hadn't said anything about the lunch box to Cor. Right, she should tell him then asked whether he was busy or planning to have lunch outside. She hoped Cor would be able to receive the lunch box from her.

"Lunch box. When was the last time you made one?" There was a dubious look given by Stella.

"Um, five months ago."

Stella squinted her eyes, staring at Eira for a few seconds before rolling her eyes then scoffed. "Oh Bahamut. Is it for the Marshal?"

Eira's face reddened. Turning her head away to avoid Stella's gaze, she pretended to be busy with her documents. "W-Well..."

"Uuu… Look at the maiden in love." Stella left her seat then stood behind Eira only to pinch her cheeks.

"Aa! Stella!" Eira struggled to stop the fingers that were pinching her skin. It didn't hurt but Eira was just embarrassed being teased like this.

Stella laughed while pulling her hands away from Eira's cheeks. "Oh my… Lunch box? Get married already."

"Stella," Eira pouted and turned around her head to glare at the blonde woman.

"So I will eat lunch by myself."

"Hei, I just need to hand him the lunch box. I'll be back after that and we'll have lunch together."

"No." Stella pinched Eira's nose, making the younger medic yell at her. After giving a soft chuckle, Stella continued, "You go eat with him. By the way, does he know that you brought him lunch? Oh no, don't tell me he's the one who asked you to?"

"Right. I haven't told him that I made lunch for him." Eira rubbed her reddened nose while her other hand took the phone on her desk. "...and no. He didn't ask for it, of course. I offered myself."

"I hope you'll confess to him today."

"Stella," Eira scowled, gaining a soft chuckle from her friend who returned to her seat. The raven haired woman glanced at Stella who gave her a smirk before she opened the messaging app on her phone. Biting her lower lips, Eira typed an email for Cor and sent it afterwards with her trembling finger.

[ What's the plan for lunch? If you're not going to the cafeteria or eating outside, I got something for you. (≧◡≦) ]

Cor rubbed his temple as he read the documents in his hand. His day was started by attending the meeting with the King, his Shield, and the rest of Royal Council. And now it was already past the eleven and he just read two reports. Seeing the pile of documents on another side of his desk, the man sighed. It seemed he would be unable to go to the training room today. His wounds weren't fully healed anyway, and if he went to the training room he would only supervise the crownsguard training since he couldn't join them. He was sure that Gladio was doing well in training them and he shouldn't be concerned about it. His attendance wasn't really necessary. But his main concern wasn't actually about the crownsguard training course. It was the inability to see a figure of a young medic in the infirmary when he walked in the hallway toward the training room.

Eira…

His mind now wandered to the memory of the last night. Remembering his foolish act, Cor cursed himself. For the fuck's sake, he touched her. He touched her hair and his fingers brushed her soft cheek. He almost lost his mind and wanted to lustfully kiss her lips, pin her against the wall, and taste her warmth. Which he actually did in his dream after that.

Fuck.

He dreamt about her. About doing something to her which should never ever be done in reality. Perhaps, he spent too much time with her. He should try to find another woman to be with, who wasn't too young for him. But, no, the idea of him being with another woman didn't please him anymore.

A sigh escaped his throat. Shaking his head, he hoped he would stop thinking about her. Yet he could feel the throbbing from his heart. Fuck. And just by thinking about her was already enough to create a turmoil in his chest.

He should focus. He should work. He should study all of these documents, and not think about a young woman who often invaded his mind.

But suddenly his phone beeped, just after he tried to refocus his mind and forced his brain not to think about that particular young medic. Unfortunately, she now had returned to his head because apparently Cor had just received an email from her.

[ What's the plan for lunch? If you're not going to the cafeteria or eating outside, I got something for you. (≧◡≦) ]

"Oh… Fuck," he cursed again. Just how many times he cursed today?

From the content of the message, he could guess that it was about the lunch box she offered last night. Oh the Astral, he didn't expect that she would really make it … not today. Staring at his phone for a while, instead of replying Cor exitted the messaging app and went over to the contact app and called her instead.

The man wasn't patient enough to wait for her reply if he sent her the email. This one was quicker. Also, he hated waiting for the reply from her and certainly it would disturb his concentration as he scanned the reports.

He just waited for a second before Eira picked the phone.

"Eh? Ah… M-Marshal?" she was stuttering on the other side.

Hearing her voice brought the pleasant warmth in his heart.

"Don't tell me it's about the lunch box?" Cor quickly cut off the small talk and the greetings and just directly went to the main subject.

"Um… Yes," she replied, her voice was almost a whisper.

A wide smile passed over his face. Oh, how happy he was right now. "Really?"

"Yes," she answered, giving a slight pause before gasping, "Ah… Are you planning to eat outside? Or are you bringing your own lunch box? If that is so, don't mind me. I-I'm going to give it to a friend, or keep it for my dinner."

"No, don't," he quickly replied. "I would be very happy to receive it. Thanks."

"Oh… Ehehehe," she giggled, "Happy to know it. I'll bring it to your office, then."

Cor blinked in surprise, "Hey, it's okay. I'm gonna pick it in the infirmary."

"No. No. It's fine. You must be busy after days not coming to your office. A lot of paperworks, I guess?"

He chuckled, "Not wrong."

"I'll bring it there. You can just continue working."

"I feel bad."

"No, no need to. It's not a big deal. Will go there, soon."

"Okay if you insist. Thanks."

"No problem."

The two of them went silent for a few seconds before finally Eira excused herself, "W-Well then. See you later."

"Later."

Giving off a huff, Cor threw his back against his seat. He stared at the ceiling, being enveloped by happiness while at the same time being tortured by the guilt.

This feeling was unbearable.

Eira's mind stopped working after the phone call ended. She didn't even blink and just stared at Stella in wonderment. Mouth agape, Eira didn't believe in what just happened. Cor called her again. He called her instead of replying with email.

Meanwhile Stella jumped and hugged the medic who apparently hadn't returned to the Eos, yet. "Eira delivery service. Go eat with him."

"No. How could I?" Eira's cheeks were burning.

"So you just want to hand him the lunch box and return here to eat with me?"

"That's my plan."

Stella scowled, "No. I'm going to eat with Wells. That's why you should eat with the marshal. Yes, and now there's no single among three of us. We should do a triple date."

The heat crept to Eira's ears. "No. Marshal and I won't be like you and Wells or like Raine and Theo. It's impossible."

"Confess to him and let's see." Stella smirked.

Eira pouted. Why were all of her friends so supportive in impossible matters like this? Yes, she liked Cor. And it was a lie if she said that she didn't want to be his lover. But it was just impossible. The matter of age, status, and everything. They weren't destined to be together. Therefore, just being able to spend some little time with her crush was enough for her.

Taking her lunch bag, Eira stood up and fixed her hair. "Am I good?"

"I'm sure you're always perfect in his eyes."

"I wonder where the confidence comes from? You, Raine, Lizette… All of you should know that Marshal and I would never be like the one you hope to be."

"Such a pessimistic." Stella scoffed.

Rolling her eyes, Eira walked out from the infirmary. But at the entrance, she bit her lower lips and looked back at Stella.

"I'm wishing you good luck." Stella chuckled as she waved her hand.

Eira closed her eyes when she took a deep breathe then she strode in the hallway after that.

.

.

.

The sound of her heels echoed throughout the quiet hallway when she walked out from the elevator. Biting her lower lips, she looked around while bringing his feet to the Marshal's room. Twenty first floor of the citadel's west building was crownsguard office. There was not only the marshal's room here but other elite members of crownsguard, except for the King's Shield whose office was on the same floor as the King's. There were also other crownsguard divisions here, accounting dept and purchasing dept, and hopefully none of those people would recognize a certain medic who didn't belong here now was visiting the marshal.

Ah, right, she could use Cor's wound as an excuse if someone asked her why was she here.

Looking at the directory—Marshal's office wasn't written there, but she knew its position and she checked the map only to confirm it—, she walked into a certain hallway which led her to his room. Of course she knew where Cor room was, she visited him for a few times the first time she became a medic here. But it was a long time ago, and she didn't clearly remember it now.

Good thing that the floor was rather quiet as the crownsguard staff were certainly busy in their rooms. Thus, no one saw her until she arrived in front of the tall wooden door with Cor's name written on it.

Her heart was beating in a thunderous rhythm, knocking her harshly as if it wanted to break her bones. She gulped, lidding her eyes to deeply inhale the cold air of the hallway in hoping that it would calm the ruckus in her chest. Letting out a long sigh, Eira lifted her right hand and gently knocked the door.

"Come in."

And when she heard the hoarse voice of the marshal answering her, it felt like she was going to lose her consciousness.

How to focus on work? Cor couldn't find its answer anymore since the call with a certain medic was over. The man didn't stop glancing at the clock on his table, wondering when Eira would come to his office. He was unable to regain his focus even though he tried to. And when he stared at the sea of words on the paper before his eyes, it seemed like they were dancing, spinning, and floating.

Knock, knock.

He jolted when he heard a sudden knocking from the door. Clearing his throat, he then raised his voice, "Come in."

Oh, shit.

The man was nervous. Heart pounding roughly as he watched the door being opened and revealing an adorable figure of a young woman he fell in love with, Cor gulped and tried to maintain his stern expression. He didn't want to let his face show that he was currently flustered.

"Hi," Eira smiled. Oh, how sweet her smile was.

Cor stood up in a bit awkward manner then pointed at the sofas in his room, "Hi. Please have a seat."

"Eh? Ah… Okay," she nodded then sat on the nearest sofa.

The marshal strode to one of the sofas and took a seat. "I really didn't expect that you'll really make lunch for me."

"Why should I lie?" she giggled then placed the lunch bag on the coffee table. Funny, yesterday she placed a paper bag with fruits and coffee jellies on the coffee table in Cor's house, now she was placing a lunch bag with her cooking on the coffee table in his office.

"No, I know you won't lie. But, on the next day after you offered it? I'm astonished." Cor lifted the corners of his lips, unable to hold his smile any longer.

"Think of it as a welcome gift after a long time not coming to the citadel."

He chuckled, "Okay."

Eira opened her soft pink lunch bag and took a lunch box from it. From the size of the bag and its form, he noticed that there were two boxes in it. It could be assumed that she also made one for herself.

"I hope you'll like it." Eira placed the pink lunch box in front of Cor. Giving a pause as she stared at him, she then giggled, "It's funny imagining the marshal eating from a pink lunch box."

"You chose pink on purpose." Cor was amused.

"Probably?" she grinned, teasing him.

The smile was still there on his face as he looked at the pink lunch box. Pulling it closer, he then took off the lid and gasped in surprise when he saw the lunch she made for him. Grilled salmon for the main dish, accompanied with rolled egg, sauteed seaweed with mushroom, and carrot, and blanched spinach with sesame dressing. She sprinkled the rice with goma-shio, and in the center of it, there was umeboshi. Oh the Six, he wished to have this kind of lunch everyday.

"Tell me how long you spent making this?" Cor asked, impressed by the varieties of the side dish in the box.

"Let it be a secret."

"Using some spell to cook?" Cor asked jokingly.

"Yes, I might be cast one of few spells on it," she chuckled.

Oh, how happy Cor was listening to her voice.

"But, really. I'm surprised. I was just kidding yesterday."

"It's okay. I'm in a mood for cooking anyway. Also, I'm inspired by the marshal's cooking."

"I'm flattered." Cor smiled. Turning his head to look at the clock on the wall, he said, "It's a bit early, though. Shall we eat?"

"Eh?" Eira blinked in surprise.

Cor slightly tilted his head, "Hmm?"

"Eh... Ah... Yes. Sure." Blushing, she took out her lunch box. It was the same color as him. The only difference was hers had white flower pattern on it.

"Okay, I'm going to eat it." Cor took the chopsticks prepared for him. It was also pink. Oh the Six, he forgot to lock the door to his office. He hoped no one would enter the room and caught him eating from a pink lunch box and pink chopsticks. Well, it wasn't a big deal, though. His biggest concern was Eira's presence. If someone found him eating lunch from her like this, he was sure that the rumour about them would spread out and certainly reach her parent's ears.

"Dig in." Eira looked at him in excitement.

Giving a quick smile, Cor took a piece of the grilled salmon into his mouth. Fuck. He cursed again. It was so delicious. Well, it was partially because he loved her and now having the chance to taste her handmade cooking, Cor was too happy and it added lusciousness into her lunch box.

"Hmm," he munched, looking at Eira whose eyes were sparkling in impatience about his comment. Unfortunately Cor should maintain his composure. Gulping, he said, "Hei, it's good."

"Really?"

Oh, Cor really loved the way she smiled widely like that.

"Yes. It's amazing." He took another bite. "My dishes were nothing compared to this."

"You're exaggerating it."

Damn. Cursing his head again, the marshal was struggling not to say how much he loved her and wanted her to be his lover.

Her cheeks were so hot when Eira heard how the marshal praised her food. She tried hard not to grin too wide and maintained her composure. Gulping, the young medic took off the lid of her lunch box and picked her chopsticks.

"Should I make you lunch everyday?" she giggled, half joking and half serious.

Cor stopped chewing for a while before quickly gulping his food and replying, "No. No." The man wiped the corner of his lips with the back of his hand.

Noticing it, Eira quickly took a clean napkin from her lunch bag and handed him to Cor. Gaining her a smile and a nod from the man.

"No, of course you shouldn't." A smile passed over his face as he wiped the back of his hand and his lips. "I don't want to burden you."

"Well, it's not a burden. It's not really different between cooking just for my share and cooking for two people. They take the same amount of time."

Cor didn't look at her eyes. He softly chuckled, "No. I'll feel bad about it."

"You often take me to eat dinner together. It's not really different, right?" Eira began to take a bite of her lunch.

"No. No. I feel bad. And it's different. Moreover, it's not that I invite you to dinner everyday."

Eira replied with a chuckle. Staring at Cor's face as he munched his food again, she noticed how his face slightly reddened.

…

Um? What? Is he blushing?

…?!

Eira blinked for a few times to make sure that it wasn't a mere imagination. But how many times she looked at it, she saw red tint on his cheeks. It was almost unnoticeable, but she was sure that her eyes didn't fail her.

Gulping her food, Eira spoke, "What if it's once a week?"

Cor moved his eyes to look at her. After he gulped, he answered, "No. It's still too often. You're not my chef."

Eira giggled. "Okay. How about… once a month?"

Another chuckle escaped Cor's throat, "Seems like you're insisting."

"I am."

Cor rubbed his temple, looked down to let out a soft chuckle, then raised his head again.

Thump.

Oh the Astral, she really loved the way he softly gazed at her right now. And that tender smile he made... It felt like the stern marshal never existed as the one in front of her was completely different like what people believed all this time.

"Once a month is not a bad deal."

Eira grinned, very pleased that Cor agreed to receive her dish. It felt like they were a couple… But, no. No. Impossible. She knew that they wouldn't be a couple. But, just being there with him, talking to him like this, listening to his voice, and admiring his smile… It was already enough for her.

Their conversation then met its temporary end. The two of them ate while looking at their own lunch box and sometimes glancing at each other.

Until suddenly Cor gulped and said, "Hei, do you want to go to the shooting range?"

Cor didn't think much when he suddenly invited Eira to the shooting range. When he chewed his meal, his mind wandered then recalled some information he got from the meeting this morning. Apparently, the prince's friend applied to be a retinue, which meant he needed to join the crownsguard. While thinking about what kind of weapons that probably suited him, Cor remembered that the young lady in front of him always brought her gun everywhere.

"Hei, do you want to go to the shooting range?" he asked. The man then wondered why he suddenly had the courage to invite a woman for something related to crownsguard training.

"Eh?" Eira blinked in surprise. Quickly gulping her food, she replied, "Does the marshal want to change his weapon?"

She asked it innocently, which made Cor chuckle in amusement. He shook his head, "No. Of course no."

"Oh, then why do you want to go to the shooting range?" she asked, before she continued to take a bite of her salmon.

Clearing his throat, Cor explained, "Well… There's a newcomer and I'd like him to try many weapons and let him choose what fits him best before he applies for the basic training. Most crownsguard here trained since they were kids, but he just started now. I think a ranged weapon will suit him. But, you know there's no shooting range in the citadel training room."

Eira giggled, "If there's one, the workers will complain about how noisy their workplace is."

Cor smiled. Oh, how fun this lunch was.

"So, what do you say?" he asked. And as he waited, he realized how fast his heartbeat had become. Thumping, throbbing, loudly, harshly. Something that he didn't experience even on the battlefield. Probably because when he slayed those daemons, monsters, or the Nif, there were no fluttering butterflies in his stomach—obviously, duh.

"Of course I'll be very happy to join! It will be the first time for me to go to the shooting range with someone who's not my mom, or Lizette. And Lizette isn't really fond of firearms so she prefers to wait outside and let me alone there."

"G-great." Cor stuttered. The marshal was stuttering. His hands were cold, and he was so nervous. Trying hard to hide his restlessness, he added, "It will be next week, on Saturday if you won't mind it."

"Sure. Which shooting range?" she asked.

"Any recommendation?" Cor answered with a question instead.

"Eh? Not going to the crownsguard shooting range?"

"I think of bringing him to a casual place first."

"Oh…Um… Well... My favorite is the one in district fourteen. Only four lanes per one range. It's suitable for newcomers. I mean, it will be easy for you to give instruction to him without noise from other shooters."

"Good. It's settled then. I'll email you for the details." Cor raised his chopsticks again, hoping that his hand didn't tremble as he ate. Good. It was not trembling. Perhaps just a slight tremble, but it was unnoticeable. He was sure about it.

Cor was struggling not to smile when he ate. The marshal was so excited to see a certain medic holding a firearm...