Chapter Text
The rooftops of Imperium were their haven. High above the strict order of the city, it felt alive, untethered, like they could fly if they let themselves.
The hum of energy conduits and the faint glow of neon yellows and oranges illuminated the sprawling cityscape, their light catching on the metallic edges of buildings and streets below.
“C’mon!” The pink-haired girl’s laugh carried on the wind, bright and fearless, as she darted ahead. Her black techwear hugged her frame, the lightweight fabric practically shimmering as she vaulted over a narrow gap between rooftops.
“Keep your voice down,” Jordana hissed, the sharpness of her tone undercut by the way she moved in sync with her companion. Jordana’s matching outfit blended seamlessly into the night, the maroon color of her hair hidden beneath a hood.
Behind them, the distant clatter of guards grew louder. The two of them had taken too long this time. Sneaking into restricted areas was one thing; escaping undetected was another.
“This way!” the pink-haired girl called, veering sharply left toward a narrow ledge. Her boots skidded slightly, sending sparks against the metal. She turned just enough to flash Jordana a grin, her blue eyes bright with the thrill of the chase.
Jordana followed without hesitation, though her movements were precise, efficient. She didn’t share the other’s reckless, swift movements, but there was something in the way she kept close matching her pace, ensuring no gap between them.
“Are you trying to get us caught?” Jordana muttered when they paused behind a vent, the shouts of guards echoing somewhere below.
The pink-haired girl shrugged, her grin widening. “What’s the point of sneaking out if there’s no adventure in it?”
Jordana’s lips pressed into a thin line, her maroon bangs falling into her eyes as she scanned their surroundings. “You’re insane.”
“You’ll learn to love it,” she teased, nudging Jordana’s shoulder.
“Not when it gets us killed.” Jordana shot back, though there was no real venom in her words.
The sound of footsteps drew closer, and Jordana yanked her arm, pulling her toward the next rooftop. Together, they sprinted, their breath fogging in the cool night air. Their feet barely made a sound on the sleek surfaces, but every leap, every sudden turn, sent a fresh burst of adrenaline through them.
Finally, they reached their sanctuary—a rooftop high above the rest of Imperium, where the guards never bothered to look. The pink-haired girl collapsed against the railing, her laughter spilling out in bright bursts. “That… was amazing!”
Jordana, by contrast, leaned against the wall, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Her hood fell back, revealing her sharp features, half-shadowed by the neon glow of the city. “It was reckless,” she sighed, quieter this time.
“But fun,” the other added, her smile widening. She turned toward Jordana, her pink hair sticking to her damp forehead. “You can’t tell me you didn’t feel it—that… that rush.”
Jordana’s gaze flicked to her, maroon eyes unreadable. For a long moment, she said nothing, her expression guarded as always.
The pink-haired girl tilted her head, amusement in her features as she mimicked the other. “You’re doing that thing again. The ‘serious thinking’ face.”
“Or you’re just constipated—” she added offhandedly, barely holding back a laugh.
Jordana rolled her eyes, but the faintest ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. “I was thinking about how we’re alive because of luck.”
“Luck, skill—it’s all the same,” the other said, waving a hand dismissively. She leaned over the railing, her gaze drifting toward the endless lights of Imperium. “It feels alive up here, doesn’t it? Like the city has a pulse.”
Jordana moved closer, standing beside her. “I guess.” Her voice was quieter now, more introspective. “But do you ever wonder what’s beyond all this?”
“All the time.”
came the reply without hesitation. She glanced at Jordana, her grin softening. “But I also think… if we’re here, maybe it’s for a reason. Maybe we’re supposed to fix it.
"Make it better.”
Jordana exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing against the railing. “You always want to fix things,” she murmured, the faintest trace of amusement in her tone.
“And you always want to figure everything out,” the other countered, her voice light. She turned, studying Jordana’s face with warmth. “You’re like a puzzle. All sharp edges, but when you look closer, there’s so much more.”
Jordana’s brown eyes met hers, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to fade. The city below was distant, the chaos forgotten. There was only the comfortable silence between them.
She broke the quietness, her voice softer now. “I like you this way, Jordana. Even if you’re all serious and grumpy sometimes.”
“And I love you for the way you are too,” Jordana said, her voice steady but tinged with something deeper. Her gaze lingered on her companion, her expression softening in a way she rarely allowed herself.
Jordana reached into her pocket, her movements deliberate. She pulled out a small folded note and placed it in her hand. “Here. Open this later. When you’re not running into trouble.”
The pink-haired girl laughed, tucking it into her jacket. “You’re so dramatic.”
“Just promise me, Ana–” Jordana said, her tone serious again.
“I promise,” came the bright reply, though her curiosity was already piqued.
“Good.” Jordana tugged her hood back up, her maroon hair disappearing beneath the fabric. “Please stop trying to break all the rules, okay?”
“I’m not planning on it,” she replied with a mischievous grin.
As the glow of the city surrounded them, they stood side by side, the pulse of Imperium thrumming beneath their feet. For that moment, nothing else mattered.