Really awkwardly

"I... I admit, I was attracted to you from the moment we met," Wakeyo admitted, "It's just, you seemed so busy with your work and other commitments and didn't seem interested in a relationship, so I abstained from breaking the ice, so to speak."

Aviel could not deny Wakeyo's words; she was simply too committed to her work to pay any thought to romantic relationships. Being a daughter of a rich and powerful family meant that she could not simply flirt with anyone that caught her fancy, and she always faced pressure to be as successful as her parents were.

At the same time, she had to admit, she was just so razor-focused on maintaining her successful career in the IDF that she completely forgot about it.

I actually have to thank the Affection Multiplier for reminding me about spending time with someone, and not in just a casual context, Aviel thought to herself, And now that my family are gone or missing...

Aviel bit her lip, painful memories surfacing unbidden. Wakeyo, sensing this, placed a gentle hand on Aviel's, before he suddenly tensed and withdrew his hand slightly.

"I-I'm sorry, I-"

"I don't mind it," Aviel quickly blurted out.

"You don't?" Asked Wakeyo.

"No, I don't," Aviel said with a certainty that surprised her, "Now that we can't return home, I..."

Aviel took a few deep breaths, calming herself and processing her thoughts for a proper answer to Wakeyo, one that she realised she should have given earlier in the chaos of the Liberian political crisis.

"I hope we can get to know each other better, now that we're stuck through thick and thin with too few others to depend on and without a way home," Aviel answered, sounding half-convinced and half-awkward, "Oh God, I'm so bad at this..."

Wakeyo scratched the back of his head, offering a weak half-smile to Aviel.

"I'm also quite bad at this, Aviel," He admitted, "But at least now that we know, let's be straight with each other; what really drew you to me?"

"Well, you do have an excellent work ethic, and you've always been there for your trusted colleagues whether you liked it or not," Wakeyo began, his smile gradually widening, "And you've always tackled any challenges that came your way with a big, wide smile, as if you wouldn't let the world drag you down."

Wakeyo paused briefly, his smile fading away.

"You haven't been smiling at all, outside of that **** poker smile you do for political meetings and the cameras," He gently pointed out.

And they both knew why.

"I really haven't had much reason to smile lately," Aviel acknowledged with a hurt expression, her eyes closed and her lips taut, "I just..."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.

"Why did all this have to happen to my family?" Her voice was soft and hoarse, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, "My pa's gone, my ma's in hiding along with all my siblings, and now we're all but exiled from Israel. How can I possibly smile in the face of this fucking mess?"

"You have me, Aviel," Wakeyo said tenderly.

And that was all that needed to be said.

"Thank you, Wakeyo," Said Aviel, a smile of relief on her lips.

It was the first genuine smile she ever showed in months, and Wakeyo was determined to help her smile more in these tumultuous times.

Beat up 3 punks: (3/3)

Spend at least 1 hour with Wakeyo and Amos: (1/1)

Earn €1,000 (1,000/1,000)

Quests complete! Reward: 90 AD.

90 AD seemed like a paltry number, and while the app should have bumped up Wakeyo's affection score as befitting its namesake, Aviel knew that they had only just started taking the first steps. It was better to explore it in deeper depth, find out what they both liked and disliked about each other and work towards a stronger and more stable relationship before they commit wholeheartedly.

And besides, what was a game without long-ass grinding that sucked in their time?

That night, Aviel had the most enjoyable dinner she ever had.