Chapter Text
Sameen has passed most of her day off occupying herself with mindless things. Her boots are polished, knives sharpened, and all the spare magazines are filled.
But if she’s being honest, most of that time was really spent watching Root work. It’s a rare opportunity for her to observe Root so unguarded, and without her teasing Sameen about staring.
Hunched over a laptop, her fingers dancing fluidly across the keys. Her nose buried in a book, mouthing a word, then looking back at the screen. The minute flex of the muscles in her forearm as she writes something in her notebook. Muttering to herself or the Machine. Occasionally sitting up straighter, stretching, and maybe glancing over at Sameen. Briefly smiling at her, then diving back into her work.
With just the two of the of them alone in their apartment, Root lets herself get so into her work she barely notices the outside world.
“Hey, Root,” Sameen says suddenly. Softly, but definitely loud enough for Root to hear her.
Root doesn’t respond immediately.
Sameen thinks to call again, or go over and poke her. But whatever she wanted to ask about seems vague and distant – something about their security system?
She watches Root. The slowly progressing furrow of her brow the only indication she may have noticed. She licks her lips and leans closer to the screen, tapping an arrow key a couple times.
Finally – it could be thirty seconds or five minutes later – she blinks several times, then looks at Sameen.
“Sameen? What is it?” she asks as if Sameen has just called her.
Sameen shakes her head. “Nothing. Never mind,” she says, smiling.
Root looks at her, concerned, for a moment longer, then smiles back and returns to her work.
Later, Sameen winks at the webcam on Root’s laptop before she sets a coffee on the table for Root and drops into the chair beside her. It’s ten minutes and almost half the mug gone before Root turns to her and says “Thanks, sweetie.”