Work Text:
The artificial light of the laboratory stung her eyes as soon as Annette entered the lab. Already working at his station was her friend, William.
He was most likely here before everyone else, always so dedicated to his research. It impressed Annette to finally meet someone with the same amount of work ethic as herself.
If her alarm hadn’t shorted out last night, she would’ve been here just as early. Instead, she accidentally slept in.
As the commotion near the doorway drew William’s previously undivided attention, for once that frown he always wore flipped into a cheery smile. He was thrilled to see Annette’s presence.
“Morning, Annie,” he greeted sleepily. A yawn followed afterwards.
“Good morning,” she greeted just as sleepily. Annette signed in before making her way towards her sleepy friend.
His eye-bags have gotten darker and that made Annette feel a sudden urge to lecture him about it, but she stayed silent. “How’s the research going?”
William’s smile grew wider. “I’m so happy you asked,” he started, before going on a long tangent about his findings. Annette followed along, leaning over his shoulder to peer down into the microscope as he rambled on, his hands gesturing wildly.
Annette was the only other person William knew that could easily keep up with him. Others tried and failed. It was lonely sometimes being such a genius but Annette always filled the void.
Sometimes, like now, Annette goes even a step further. She noticed an error in his notes and instead of being sneaky like their coworkers — always trying to one-up each other— she helped him out.
“You made an error,” she pointed at the spot in the notebook and before William could protest, she corrected it. Scribbled out the incorrect term, crossed out the incorrect equation, and fixed everything, like she always did.
Sure enough, when William looked down, he noticed his own error. This particular project has been stressing William out. He had spent hours, days, almost a full week on it! Even the prestigious Wesker children couldn’t figure it out. But for Annette? It was a simple error.
William realized all the long hours spent slaving over his research meant nothing now, because Annette figured it out.
He was so happy he could kiss her!
William paused.
Annette noticed his hesitation, his blushing cheeks, the way he suddenly got shy, looking away to furrow his eyebrows as he stared at the microscope in faux deep thought.
“Oh William,” Annette cooed, before yanking on his signature red tie and pressed their lips together.
His eyes widened but he did not hesitate to kiss back. He stood, cupping her cheek as tenderly as one as dangerous as himself could. Everything about himself was fading at the sensation of their lips moving together. He could taste her fruity chapstick and it made him break the kiss to smile.
“Thank you, Annie.”
“You’re welcome, darling.” She pecked at his lips one last time before settling in next to him to begin their dedicated hours of research.