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Deep in the night, in one of Fire Moth HQ’s many labs, when all other parts of the building were as black as ink, a solitary soul was still working. She had dark circles under her pinkish green eyes, yet her hand never wavered, writing rows upon rows of theories, calculations, conclusions and future experiments.
She reached for her cup, only to find it empty. As she was to put it back down, hot coffee was poured in it.
Without much thought, she answered.
“Thanks, Klein.”
But when a pair of hands covered her eyes, she knew it was an unexpected guest. One that had nothing to do here, and yet always come. An irritating presence she couldn’t get rid of, not that she truly wanted, although she wouldn’t ever say so.
In her ear, a soft whisper, a voice clear as crystal.
“Guess who?”
The answer was steady, yet her face was adorned with a smirk, the closest thing to a smile she could show.
“Isn’t it just you? Are you here to bother me again, Elysia?”
The pink haired girl released her hands, allowing her interlocutor to turn around and see her exaggerated pout.
“You’re so heartless. And here I thought my dear Mobius would play along for once.”
Knowing her disappointment was merely feigned, Mobius promptly chose to ignore it, rather opting to tease back.
“Should I rip my chest open to test your theory? That’d make for interesting data, don’t you think?”
Mimicking a strict teacher, Elysia wagged her finger. Yet her pretended severity was ruined by the sweet tone she used.
“Making jokes like that is no good, professor… Although that is just another part of your charm~”
It seemed Mobius lost this bout. Knowing it, she came back to the original topic.
“So, why are you wasting my time here? Shouldn’t you be with Eden? Or maybe bothering MEI with another one of your weird plans? What was it last time… Making everyone’s uniform pink?”
Some might be put away by the bluntness of Mobius’ words, but to Elysia, it was proof of their bond. After all, Mobius might try to maintain a minimum amount of decorum with others, but around Elysia, she let her guard down.
Even the venom of her words was due to her inability to be honest with her feelings. And if Elysia really wanted to hear Mobius’ true heart, she just add to ambush her in the doctor's room, show a bit of skin and the lovely snake would be turned into a blushing mess.
Still, she had to defend her wonderful ideas.
“But pink is such a pretty colour! I know you like it too, your closet is full of pink dresses after all!”
A vein threatened to pop on Mobius’ forehead.
“And who do you think filled it with those, you insufferable woman. Just because you might be a bit pretty doesn’t give you the right to slander me like that.
And it isn’t a matter of personal taste, pink uniforms would be utterly impractical on the battlefield.”
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to keep working in these conditions, Mobius put away her documents, but Elysia had managed to sneak a glance.
“‘Subliminal Weaponization & Artificing Of Reflex Arcs’... What’s this new project of yours?”
As it wasn’t something that was, in any way or form, ready to be published, Mobius shrugged off the question.
“Nothing that matters right now. You still haven’t answered my question.”
Unbothered by the refusal, Elysia smiled brightly, proving once more to Mobius why she was called ‘As beautiful as flowers’.
“Leaving my dear Mobius by her lonesome wouldn’t do at all! Especially tonight.”
Mobius gave her a questioning look.
“Is anything special going on? I don’t think any of our birthday is in winter.”
Elysia wouldn’t have any of it.
“Christmas Mobius, it’s Christmas. And don’t think I believe you don’t know, you even gave Klein time off today! By the way, Fuxi, Nuwa and her say hi, they’re having dinner as a couple… or is it called throuple? A harem? Anyway, they say hi!”
Seems like she had been found out. At least her subordinates were having fun.
“Is that so. And how does that explain your presence?”
Seemingly satisfied with her victory, Elysia finally answered.
“You’re working all alone on Christmas, obviously, it’s my duty as your sweet, charming, adorable girlfriend to come keep you company!”
Mobius raised an eyebrow.
“Is that so? Then you should know that on Christmas, you should offer me a present. And yet your hands seem empty and coffee wouldn’t cut it. Now, where’s your offering?”
Seeing Mobius’ smugness, Elysia was filled with the desire to tease a bit more.
“Shouldn’t you offer something before expecting a present? Don’t worry, I have something beautiful in store, but do you have anything, dear doctor?”
Pulling out a packet from her desk’s drawer, she nonchalantly threw it in Elysia’s hands.
“Here, open it when you’re- Hey! Listen to me before… Sigh, what will I do with you…”
Elysia had already opened the present. It was a small pile of Polaroid pictures sporting the green haired woman in various outfits, each a different shade of pink. Although an argument could be made about certain pictures where the pinkest element was not the clothes but her face.
“Mobius~ I knew you liked them after all! I love you! Come here!”
Elysia threw herself on Mobius, giving her a tight hug.
“Get off me!”
Despite the words, she made no move to get her off, instead, she positioned herself so that Elysia was more comfortable.
“I have the perfect present for you Mobi!”
The doctor’s curiosity intensified, but a certain amount of wariness remained.
“It better not be another dress or anything… like… that…
This…”
To say Mobius was taken aback would be a grave understatement. In fact, never in her life had she been so astonished.
The present was a small, white box adorned with a pink ribbon. Its content was obvious, but its meaning was all but ordinary.
“After we win, it’ll be your turn giving me a ring.
This will be a romantic story like none that has ever come before. You think so too, right?”
Elysia’s smile had never been so dazzling.
---
Mobius was never the same after the Final Banquet, despite not having attended. Soon after humanity entered hibernation, she disappeared, never to be seen again.
Or so it was, yet, after the Honkai was sealed on the Moon, witnesses report having seen a green haired figure burying a piece of jewelry amidst ruins of an unknown era.