Lance "woke up" and shifted back into his human form, just needing to walk. He saw Tempest–and her brothers–and stopped to stare at her from the shadows. He tried to convince himself it was because he was just worried about another attack from the gods. It wasn't very convincing.
Climbing out of the ocean, Tempest shook the water from herself and walked towards the house, oblivious to the attention.
"I think Hera is still upset," Lance said as she walked past, cursing himself for not biting his tongue and letting her walk by.
Tempest started, turning towards the voice. She relaxed when she saw who it was, then tensed up as she remembered the dream. "Still?" She asked.
"Mhm," he nodded. "You've heard the myths about her temper. How she holds grudges. Aurae basically said she's not important enough to warrant listening to."
Tempest winced. "That probably wasn't the smartest move."
He shrugged, then bit the inside of his lip. Why did I bother talking to her? This isn't going to go anywhere, and it's awkward. "Aurae is a very independent and strong-willed woman. Leon learned that the hard way."
Tempest snickered, though she felt a twinge of jealousy. Strong willed and independent were compliments, right?
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I should go. You need your sleep anyways."
As he walked away, Tempest said, "Wait!" She reached out and grabbed his arm before blushing, not knowing why she did it.
He turned, lips parting in surprise from her actions.
Tempest looked down at her feet, embarrassed, and let go of his arm. "I, uh… I just wanted to say thank you. For what you did today. Helping me not focus on the pain. It helped."
"Oh–Er–" He rubbed the back of his neck again. "My pleasure–I mean–" He shook his head. "You're welcome. It was the least I could do."
Tempest wished she had never grabbed him. "Uh… that's it, really. T-thank you." Before she knew what she was doing, she reached up and kissed his cheek before blushing, moving away, and starting to walk to the house.
Lance froze at the action, a blush of his own creeping up. He remember what Levi had suggested. "I say you forge a more permanent bond with her. You're better at communicating telepathically. Spill your thoughts more. And less formal."
Maybe…?
He jogged over to her, stepping her her way. "Tempest."
Tempest glanced at him, then to the ground, not meeting his eyes. "Y-yeah?"
He sighed and shifted nervously. "I know I'm not the… best at communicating with others," he started, not really sure how he'd ask her to agree to what Levi proposed.
She tilted her head, looking up into his face. "So?"
"Well… I… We can…" He sighed and hooked his hands around the back of his head. "Oh my gods, I can't talk." He refused to meet her gaze as he blurted, "So you want to forge a more permanent telepathic bond?" Pink definitely stained his cheeks now. "I-I want to get to know you, and…" he sighed again, rubbing his hands over his face.
Tempest's face was red. She stared at him. Was he serious. "Yes!"
His eyes went wide as he stared at her, his hands dropping to his sides. Did she really want to?! He hadn't expected her to say yes so quickly. "Wait… Really?" Was Levi actually right? Though he was the smartest of the group…
She blushed. "I mean, you don't have to, I just… thought it would be nice."
"I do," he said a little too quickly, then he bit his lip.
Tempest felt like she had never blushed so much. "G-good."
He stepped up to her and gently cupped her face, bringing his own close. "I'm sorry," he muttered, averting his eyes shyly. "But our minds must be connected."