On that very day, Vision passed Fenix in the market. He didn't bother offering a greeting, and neither did Fenix.
Clair, who was with him, tugged on his sleeve and whispered,
"Oh my God, is that Fenix?"
He looked at her, then frowned at her starstruck expression before snatching his arm out of her grasp.
"Hey, don't be upset!" she called as he stormed away.
Vision stopped walking at a fruit stand and leaned in to examine the apples. Clair was out of breath when she finally caught up to him, heaving and drenched in sweat.
"I'd like to buy five apples," he said, ignoring Clair as she slumped to the ground.
The merchant handed him a paper bag. He then tucked it under his arm and extended his hand to help Clair to her feet.
"I need a minute," she replied, waving his hand away.
Vision sighed before placing the bag of apples in her lap and then lifting her into his arms. Clair's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck for support.
Her heart raced as she rested her cheek against his shoulder.
He said nothing; he just carried her over to a nearby bench, carefully placing her there.
"... I was so surprised by seeing him that I didn't think before speaking," she explained. He rolled his eyes, then reached into the bag of apples on her lap, handing one to her and sitting at her side on the bench with another.
"I don't care about him," he corrected, while taking a bite of his.
"Then why were you upset?" she asked, preparing herself in case he became agitated.
"You... just looked really excited to see him. It was annoying," he muttered. A grin slowly spread across her face,
"You were jealous?"
Vision scowled, and he aggressively took another bite.
"You're starting to like me," she teased.
"Don't push it," Vision warned. Clair smiled softly and started eating her apple.
A gentle breeze swirled around them.
"Thanks for the apple,"
Vision smiled then and replied,
"I didn't plan to share, but changed my mind."
"Oh, how generous," she remarked sarcastically.
They disposed of the apple cores, and Vision walked Clair home.
Once they were in front of her door, he lightly patted her cheek and said,
"I got plans tomorrow, so we won't be meeting up."
She staggered before replying,
"You dropped that on me out of nowhere."
"Yep," he answered quickly, then he leaned in and kissed her forehead. Her body stiffened as his lips lingered on her skin.
"See you when I'm free," he murmured casually as he left her porch.
Clair stood frozen in a daze. Gradually, heat rose to her face, and she rushed inside.
She went to the fountain alone the next day. Before she met Vision, purifying the water was just an obligation that she was proud of.
After meeting him, it became something she could get excited about.
To pass the time before work and clear her mind, she went to Tinka's Shop.
Surprisingly, Vision was there. He was laughing beside a man with short, dark red hair, lavender eyes, and striking features resembling Vision's.
Vision looked up when the entrance door chimed, and when he saw her, he frowned.
She immediately turned to leave, but before she could take more than a step, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Where are you going?" he demanded coldly.
Clair stammered nervously.
"And what are you doing here?" he added, his voice heavy with accusation.
"Who's this?" the guy with him interjected. His voice was smooth and slightly deeper than Vision's.
Clair shrank as the stranger came closer. He examined her quietly, then a mischievous smirk crossed his lips.
"She's cute," he noted. The sudden compliment flustered her.
Vision groaned, turning to the man,
"Aren't you seeing someone?" he remarked, and the man shrugged, saying,
"Yeah, and it's serious this time, so don't worry."
Vision made an annoyed face, then poked Clair's forehead.
"Introduce yourself," he instructed.
She pushed past her anxiety and bowed her head.
"My name is Clair, and it's nice to meet you."
The stranger took her hand and lifted it to his lips. She stiffened on impact.
Vision clenched his jaw.
"I'm Veil. Are you dating my brother?" he asked while staring deeply into her eyes.
Clair blushed intensely from the question and the kiss.
"No," Vision stated, but then Clair cut in and said,
"Not yet."
Vision immediately looked unsettled and turned his back to them.
In a low voice, Veil replied,
"I like your confidence."
Vision grabbed Veil by the shoulder and pulled him away. Veil laughed, stepping backward and releasing Clair's hand.
"Your orders are ready!" Tinka shouted. She was struggling to carry a large box into the room. Vision moved to assist her. Clair was still too nervous to react properly. Veil stood to the side, watching carefully in case he was needed as well.
"You wanted two pairs of LoveNotes, a phone, wind earrings, and CoupleDoodler," Tinka said while reviewing her notepad. Vision sorted through the contents of the box, occasionally glancing in Clair's direction.
"Yes, I'm sorry for ordering so much when you're busy," he replied with a business-like grin. Tinka giggled and waved dismissively,
"Most of the residents already have these things. I'm happy to have so much work to do these days."
She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Thank you," he said, while lifting the box and carrying it over to Clair and his brother. He brushed past them both, pushing the door open with his foot. When they didn't follow right away, he yelled, "Come on!"
Clair jolted, and Veil laughed as they let Vision lead the way.
He brought them to the club where Clair works and sat at a secluded table near the back.
"Why are we here?" she whispered while sitting across from him.
"You have to work soon, right?" he replied coolly. At the same time, he moved into the chair next to hers, subtly forcing Veil to sit alone on the opposite side of the table.
"Aww, you're so considerate," she cooed.
He grumbled to himself while handing a pink LoveNote book to her and a black one to Veil.
"This is for me?" She murmured, pointing to herself. He didn't respond and instead glanced over to Veil,
"This notebook allows us to exchange private two-way messages. Whenever you write something in it, I'll see it in real-time and vice versa."
Veil lifted the notebook and frowned,
"Cool, I don't like the name though," he commented, staring at the word "LoveNote" engraved in bright gold letters on the cover.
"It's untraceable and private because only the owners can open it." Vision explained. He pulled another black notebook from the box and flipped it open to the back cover. The word "verify" was printed there, and Vision placed his palm against it. The book began glowing faintly. "Now you," he instructed while putting that book back into the box and pulling out a pink one, identical to the one he'd given Clair.
She knew what a LoveNote was, but was still in disbelief that Vision had given her one.
Did he want to exchange secret messages with her? Why?
She and Veil verified their identities, confirming ownership of their books.
Vision smiled, putting in emerald-studded earrings.
"Thanks, it was fun hanging out, but I have to go now," Veil said while rising from his seat.
"Wait, I'll walk you out," Vision said, getting up as well. He then turned to Clair and added, "Don't move, I'll be right back."
She nodded and hugged her gift closely.
Vision returned after a few minutes and sat back down.
"Tell me honestly," he began, "Did you follow me?"
Clair's heart twinged. She squeezed her eyes closed, and she shook her head vehemently,
"Of course not!" she shouted.
Vision chuckled at her reaction. He then lightly flicked her nose. Clair's eyes popped open.
"Good..." he said with a soft smile, "I didn't want you to meet him," he admitted softly.
Clair blinked in confusion, then asked,
"Why not?"
"... I wanted to keep you apart as long as possible... because... You might find him more interesting than me."
"Oh, that makes sense," she replied without thinking.
He glared at her.
"But I don't!" Clair added in a panic.
He studied her silently, frown deepening. She averted her eyes, hands gripping her knees.
An awkward silence stretched between them. Vision broke it with a soft laugh,
"Fine, I believe you."
Her lips parted as she started to reply, but Vision cut her off, saying,
"Isn't it time for your shift?" He was clearly flustered.
Clair didn't notice, since she was pulling out her phone and gasping at the time.
"You're right!" she shouted, scurrying away in a panic.
Once she was changed and clocked in, she found Vision seated at her bar.
"...I'm surprised you're still here," she commented.
"I want to order a drink and some chips. I'll be here until you get off."
Clair stared at him too long before realizing it.
She then shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
She wordlessly prepared him a drink along with a bowl of chips.
He took a sip, and afterward he smiled, saying,
"It's tart this time."
"Is that okay?" she asked, nervousness clear on her face.
"Yeah, it's my favorite thing you've made for me. Today is a great day."
His compliment warmed her heart. He drank silently.
Clair attended to other guests, only returning on occasion to give him a refill.
It was late when her shift ended, but Vision waited, standing near the exit when it was time to go.
He had discarded his box, with his phone and the new contraption stuffed in his pocket. The notebook was tucked under his arm.
"I'll walk you home," he offered.
She nodded, being hyper aware of his presence at her side.
She cradled his gift carefully, the entire way, and once they were at her door, he said,
"Let's exchange contact information."
Butterflies flittered around in her stomach as she put her notebook into her bag and hurriedly rummaged for her cellphone.
He smiled at her fondly, while she held out her phone to him with shaky hands.
After the exchange was made, Vision put his phone away and brushed his fingers across her cheek, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Would it be alright..." he paused, hesitating to withdraw his hand, "to kiss you before I go?"
Clair's eyes widened, her body tensed, but on the inside, she was screaming.
"Do you mean my lips?" she asked after several seconds of deliberation.
He chuckled,
"Would I need to ask, otherwise?"
Clair swallowed hard.
"... Does that mean you like me?" she muttered. He leaned in, mouth only a few inches from hers.
"I'm starting to."
His tone was low and amorous, and he looked into her eyes with a gaze that didn't waver.
"Kiss me," she breathed, and without any hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers. Then he pulled her into an embrace so tight, she could feel his heartbeat racing in sync with hers.
After the kiss ended, she looked up at him expectantly. Her cheeks flushed, and her breathing was unsteady.
Vision closed his eyes, resting his forehead on hers.
Clair tilted her head slightly, brushing her nose against his. He understood her message and initiated another kiss, more passionate and deeper than before.
Vision turned away, scowling but blushing at the same time,
"I'm new to this... so it's okay to tell me if you didn't like it. I'll improve."
Clair was gazing at him starry-eyed, but when she heard his confession, she gasped, saying,
"That was your first kiss?!"
He didn't respond, but his blushing worsened, spreading to his ears and neck.
Clair steadied her racing heart and took a breath before cupping his cheeks and saying,
"You're an amazing kisser, Vision."
His lips twitched, then he hid them behind his hand and quickly turned away from her.
"I'll text you when I get home," he mumbled.
He then activated his Wind Earrings, causing pearly-white wings to form on his back, and flew away.