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After the match in the Games, the legends all gathered at their favorite bar to unwind and celebrate. It was a usual thing, nothing new, just a way to throw off some steam. The bar was alive with energy, the sounds of laughter and conversation mingling with the thumping bass of the music. The walls were adorned with neon lights and colorful graffiti, giving the place a vibrant, edgy feel. The bartenders were busy shaking up drinks, their movements fluid and practiced as they poured out shots and mixed cocktails.
The legends were scattered throughout the room, some dancing on the dance floor while others lounged on the plush couches and bar stools. Kairi had been chatting with Octane and Wattson when she decided to take a break and head to the bathroom. As she made her way through the crowd, she caught glimpses of Mirage doing a silly dance on top of a table and Pathfinder trying to keep up with the beat. When Kairi returned, she found that Loba had moved from her previous seat and was now sitting next to her. Kairi's heart skipped a beat as she caught Loba's eye and they both smiled at each other. The music was loud, but Kairi could still hear Loba's laughter as Octane shared some ridiculous storie about his last adventures.
As the night wore on, the party grew wilder, and the legends let loose. Some of them were playing drinking games, while others were taking turns at the karaoke machine. Kairi couldn't help but grin as she watched Bloodhound belting out a tune with surprising confidence.
Eventually, Kairi excused herself to go to the bathroom, and it was then that she realized Loba was nowhere to be found. She scanned the room, but couldn't see her anywhere, and that's when her worry began to set in. Had something happened to Loba? Why would she leave the party without saying a word?
It wasn't until Kairi reached the rooftop that she found Loba sitting alone, staring out at the cityscape and lost in thought. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the stuffy bar, and Kairi took a moment to just breathe in the fresh air before approaching Loba.
"Hey," Kairi said softly, taking a seat next to Loba. "What are you doing up here all by yourself?"
Loba shrugged. "Just needed some fresh air, I guess."
Kairi looked at her for a moment, taking in the tired lines around her eyes and the way her shoulders were hunched forward. "Are you okay?" she asked, reaching out to touch Loba's arm.
Loba flinched at the touch, and Kairi pulled her hand back. "Sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's not that," Loba said, turning to look at Kairi. "It's just...I've been acting strange lately, haven't I?"
Kairi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Loba sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know. I've just been feeling...different, I guess. Like something's changed, but I can't put my finger on what it is."
Kairi studied her for a moment, and then it clicked. "You mean you have feelings for someone," she said softly.
Loba's eyes widened, and she looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kairi chuckled. "Loba, you're a terrible liar. Or maybe I know you well better than you thinks, so I know when you lie. And besides, I think I know who you're talking about."
Loba's gaze snapped back to Kairi's. "You do?"
Kairi nodded, looking a little lost. “Isn’t it obvious? I think everyone in the bar knows who it is. ”
Now Andrade’s eye widened even more.
Kairi took a deep breath. “Oh come on. I see, how she looks at you. I saw how you looked at her, when she left with Rev. And I know you’re still mad at her and that things between two of you… well, complicated is the right word I guess. But you have to be blind to now see that she still has a thing for you.”
Loba looked at pilot, first filled with shock and then bursted with laugh.
Imahara blinked twice. “Is it THAT MUCH of a fun?”.
Loba's cheeks turned red, not from the embarrassment but from the hard laugh. When calmed down she wiped down the eye and let out a deep sigh. “So you went with the assumption that I still have the thing for Anita?”
“Duh, well, we already know answer for that.”
Loba chuckled.
“That train is long gone. I guess it would be much easier if it was Anita, but no. I… I fell for someone else. And I’d hate to admit it, but now looking back, I realize I was a goner almost the same moment I started to talk to her”.
Kairi sighed, trying to hide the sadness. “At least we know it’s a girl, so I wasn’t that far from the truth.”
Loba smiled. “Sure, a girl. And not just some girl, she is… beautiful. Smart. God, she is amazing fighter”.
Imahara was scanning the cityscape herself, trying to not look Loba in the eyes. She didn’t want to see the glow in beautiful eyes while listening to Loba declaring feelings to someone else, but most importantly she was scared that if she looks Andrade in the eyes, she will immediately expose her own regret and sadness.
When silence have started to already get awkward Kairi decided to speak, hoping she was able to hold the shakiness of her voice. “So what stops you? Loba, you are… One of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met, and oh, I’ve seen a lot, believe me. I hardly can imagine anyone being able to say “no” to you. Why don’t you just come and, you know, ask this girl out? If she is not beyond the edge stupid, she will for sure say yes.”
Loba shrugged. “I guess it’s not that simple. She means really a lot to me and I’d hate to loose her trust and her friendship. I don’t won’t to mess up and make things weird”.
“Why do you think it is going to make things weird? I mean, you are both adults. Or at least I hope so.”
Loba let a giggle out.
“Well, I thought of confessing to her for a while now. I was thinking about perfect moment, maybe after some party with the gang and several drinks, while we both are relaxed. Hopefully, find some place to be alone, to talk in silence. And while I am already halfway there…”
Kairi blinked. “Pardon me, but isn’t right now the perfect moment?... I mean, you can go downstairs and… get the girl of your dreams here, on the roof?”
“Did I mention the girl of my dreams is not only beautiful and smart, but also is terrible at understanding the hints?”
Kairi took a deep breath, suddenly stroked with realization. “You mean… Oh.”
Loba's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away again. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to make things weird."
Kairi took a deep breath. "You're not making things weird," she said. "In fact, I have something similar to tell you to... I guess, I am just not as brave as you are."
Loba looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. "You do?"
Kairi nodded, gathering all the confidence she had, and then leaned in to press a soft kiss against Loba's lips. Loba hesitated for a moment, and then responded, her lips parting as she deepened the kiss.
Kairi was scared the way her heart swelled with emotion. She had never felt this way before, not even with anyone else she had dated in the past. Loba was different - special - and she knew that this was just the beginning of something new and incredible.
They broke the kiss, their foreheads resting against each other's as they caught their breath. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time," Kairi admitted.
“I am glad you did”, Loba answered softly, her voice is still shacking from the kiss. “And I am glad I don’t have to be scared about it anymore”.
Kairi took Loba's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. "You don't have to be”, she says, before leaning in for another kiss.