Veil went off to the training grounds to work out, while Flow went out for ingredients to make lunch with.
As she was testing an avocado for ripeness, a girl approached her.
"Hey... I don't mean to be rude, but I've seen you with Veil. Are you friends?" The stranger inquired.
Flow looked her over. This girl was definitely a student from the Academy, but didn't seem to recognize Flow outside of her Lightning Rod uniform.
"I'm his girlfriend," Flow replied bashfully, feeling her heart swell as she said it.
The girl frowned and muttered,
"Oh,"
Flow handed the merchant the fruits and veggies that she'd chosen. While he bagged up the goods, the girl spoke again,
"You should be careful. Veil doesn't take anyone seriously. If you get too attached, he'll break your heart."
Flow silently accepted her things from the merchant and thanked him before quickly walking away.
The girl's words spun around in her head, but... she knew Veil wouldn't hurt her.
She took several deep breaths to clear her mind. Then, after putting together sandwiches for lunch, she headed over to the training grounds.
He was using a holographic fight simulation to practice using the twin sabers she'd gotten him.
His movements were so polished and graceful that it felt like watching a piece of art. Flow watched him from the sidelines, feeling overjoyed that he was using her gift.
Veil noticed her after a while and strolled over, grabbing his water bottle before flopping down on the bleachers beside her.
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked after taking a long gulp of water.
"I wouldn't want to disturb you," Flow mumbled. She clutched the lunchbox in her lap and avoided eye contact.
"That's silly," Veil replied with a laugh. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, then grabbed her chin to pull her in for a deep kiss.
Flow gasped, her eyes darting around to be sure no one was watching.
When he pulled away, he gave a triumphant smile while her face burned red.
"You're a welcome distraction," he murmured. Before she could think of a reply, he kissed her again, this time sucking her lip into his mouth and biting down.
"Veil!" Flow muttered sharply, and he rushed away laughing.
He waved at her from the field.
"I'll train for a few more minutes, then we'll eat together!" he called.
Flow brushed away the lingering sting on her lips... she couldn't believe he'd act like this if he didn't care about her.
He returned to her side soon, as promised, and she handed him the sandwich.
He took a few bites without saying anything...
"Is it good?" Flow prodded gently.
Veil smirked and replied,
"It's alright, I guess," in a sarcastic voice.
Flow huffed and playfully punched his shoulder.
When the sun began to set, Veil walked Flow home.
Once there, he pinned her back against the door and kissed her as if he didn't care who saw.
She leaned back breathless and weak-kneed, as he cupped her cheek and murmured,
"I would love to come inside... but we leave tomorrow, so I have to go home to pack."
Flow frowned and gripped his shirt collar,
"You haven't packed already?!" she chastened, and he laughed awkwardly, while avoiding eye contact.
Her grip loosened; that's when he gave her a quick peck.
"If I finish quickly, I'll be back," he whispered.
Flow's heart fluttered with excitement.
"I hope you do."
After her soft reply, he groped her breast.
"Veil?!" she whispered in a panic. He kissed her to quiet her complaints while her heart hammered as she noticed strangers passing by across the street.
Even with her nerves going haywire, she didn't dare push him away.
His hand massaged her gently as the kiss continued, and when he stopped, he grinned at her mortified face, saying,
"Stop it, Flow, I'm trying to go home."
"I didn't do anything!" Flow retorted, throwing her hands up to hide her expression.
He chuckled lightly, then there was a long silence. When she peeked out from behind her hands, he was already gone.
It took her a moment to steady herself and clear her mind, but once she did, she headed to the nearest restaurant for dinner. Being sure to text Veil her location, just in case.
She decided to eat at the bar since she was alone, and that's where she met the same girl from earlier.
"It's you again!" she said, while putting on a polite smile.
Flow didn't acknowledge her, only taking small sips of her martini as she waited for her food.
The girl sat down beside her, saying,
"I hope I didn't offend you earlier! I was just looking out for you, honestly."
Flow clenched her glass.
"Oh, really?" Flow replied, disinterested.
"Yeah... after all, I'm his ex."
The information dropped on Flow like a bomb, and she turned to the woman sitting beside her.
"My name is Ocia, by the way," she said, with a wicked grin spreading across her face.
Flow stared at her silently, so Ocia continued, "Let me guess... he compliments you in just the right way when he sees you, he's a great lover, but he's completely uninterested when you're apart. Outside of sex, he won't even touch you, and his sweetness isn't exclusive to you; he's like that with everyone. Believe me, I can relate. I've been through it."
The longer she spoke, the more relieved Flow felt. She tried to contain her joy, but this was just an affirmation. Veil is affectionate and playful with her all the time. He replies to all her texts, sometimes in a teasing manner, but that's just a sign of his affection. He keeps his conversations with other women short and clings to Flow no matter who is around.
This woman is wrong.
"That doesn't sound like him," Flow commented calmly.
Ocia gave her a puzzled look just as Flow's food arrived.
"There's no need to lie... guys like him don't change. He'll date you for a week at the most, then move on."
Flow took a bite of pasta from her fork while casually scrolling through her phone.
"I'm just trying to help you," Ocia muttered.
That's when Flow placed her phone down for her to see.
"What's this?" Ocia asked, picking up the phone and skimming.
"We've been together for a month. Veil wanted to get me a gift for our month-aversary. He insisted and asked me what I wanted." Flow explained smoothly, then she lifted the necklace dangling from her neck. "This is the gift."
Ocia's hands shook as she stared at the screen, then she tossed Flow's phone aside and screamed,
"So you think you're special, huh?! There's nothing special about you! He'll abandon you just like the rest..." Her voice faltered toward the end of the statement. "He has dozens of exes... there's no way that you're any different," she muttered defeatedly.
"I AM special to him," Flow replied, while finishing her meal.
Ocia glared at her, fuming, before storming away and shoving a stranger in her path out the door.
Flow heard a loud gasp just as she retrieved her phone and prepared to leave.
That's when she saw Veil entering the restaurant.
Ocia stood in front of him, with wide eyes, afraid to move.
Several seconds passed.
"Get out of the way, I need to get by," he stated coldly. His mouth twitched with irritation.
Ocia's shoulders slumped, and reluctantly she stepped aside.
Then Veil hurried over to where Flow was.
"Why are you here?" she asked, as he took her hand, weaving their fingers together.
"You said you'd be here, it's late, and I wanted to walk you home," he explained as they headed out the door, passing by Ocia, who was still sulking near the exit.
"Did you finish packing?" Flow asked. Veil looked away awkwardly.
"You're more important," he muttered.
"We leave tomorrow!" Flow reprimanded him gently.
Veil smiled brightly and kissed her cheek, then whispered directly into her ear,
"I did finish packing, so I'm coming in once we get there."
His voice was low and seductive. Flow blushed brightly, swallowed hard, and fanned herself to cool off.
Their hands stayed clasped together on the walk home.
As soon as they were inside, Veil released her hand, hugged her waist, and pressed her back against the door.
"Are we doing this here?" Flow asked softly.
Veil responded with a deep, passionate kiss and lifted her skirt, tugging down her underwear.
"... Wow, Flow, you're so impatient, we can't even make it to the bedroom," Veil teased, while grinding against her and then nibbling her neck.
"Y-you're the one," she stuttered out in protest as she unbuttoned his jeans.
"I haven't done anything," he argued mischievously.
Veil then lifted her onto his waist, gripping her thighs for support.
"... Veil, are you serious?" Flow asked quietly.
He shushed her and then planted kiss after kiss on her lips. Soon, she couldn't think straight; the only thing on her mind was how much she wanted him in that moment.
Veil felt the same. His pants dropped, and they continued indulging in their passion against the front door. They went another round on the floor in the entryway, before finally making it into her bedroom.