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Blonde hair hung off the side of Alisa's shoulder as she stared at Rean with a fond look in her eyes, Gaius watched her, and couldn't help but admire the sight.
She had grown into a beautiful and mature woman, that much was for sure. The way she carried herself, the way she moved and talked, it had all matured.
However for a reason Gaius couldn't understand, he felt a desire to be the one in Rean's place, to be the object of that fond expression, it felt odd. Since when had he started to look at her in such a way?
As much as they all grew and changed, Rean and Alisa's relationship remained the same. The almost impenetrable aura around them when they were together, the protectiveness they both emitted for the other, especially during times of danger.
Though it could be said that the two were that way for all their friends, Gaius was never certain. Alisa always worried about Rean, but Rean was technically a constant danger to himself, so he was someone who needed constant worrying.
Even still, Gaius couldn't help but feel a small tinge of envy towards him. It was silly when he thought about it, and yet he couldn't get rid of the feeling.
Caught up in his thoughts, he barely noticed her leave Rean's side and approach him. "Gaius, you've been at the bridge all day, do you want me to get you anything?" The question caught him off guard and his response ended up delayed. She got closer - too close. "Are you okay?"
He didn't know what his expression was like, but he tried to nod his head. "Tea would be nice," he managed. When he thought about it, he had been a bit thirsty.
Her smile soft and gentle, Alisa nodded her head. "Alright." She left the bridge after she said that, and Gaius placed his hand over his heart once he heard the door slide shut.
Kind, sweet and out of reach, that was how Gaius thought of her. She was close so often, and yet it felt like she was far away - untouchable like the wind.
He didn't know why he felt that way. Perhaps it was her fondness of Rean, or his own uncertainty about his feelings, if what he wanted was impure, or if perhaps he simply wanted her to smile at him in the way she did Rean.
If he wanted to cradle that small body in his arms and keep her by his side, or simply listen to her talk about work and all her troubles.
Gaius wasn't sure at the time and even now his own thoughts confused him. The only thing he was certain of was that he wanted to protect her. Even if he wasn't the person she cherished most.