Chapter Text
“Would you want to go out with someone like me?” Edega asks.
There’s a hint of sadness in his voice, almost as if he’s challenging Ada to even consider the proposition. She fiddles with the can in her hand, fingers tapping rhythmically against cold aluminum.
“...I’m not against the idea, I guess.”
She glances over to Edega who remains stoic as usual. He continues looking out the balcony to the cityscape.
“...But you’re not entirely for the idea either though, are you?”
“Well...”
A period of quiet falls over the two, with only the sounds of cars honking in the distance to break the silence.
“It’s fine, I am aware I would make for a poor partner.”
“N-no um,”
Ada tries to think of something to refute that, but ultimately, he is kind of right… Edega is selfish, greedy, and doesn't have the most pleasant disposition. He’s failed the evaluation check in her mind, easy.
But even so-
“I think I’d want to at least try.”
Edega twitches at those words. He sneaks a peek from behind his bangs at Ada, who is currently staring into the depths of her empty beer can. Her cheeks- a bit flushed from just the alcohol, Surely.
“I mean, if you were my boyfriend… You would at least make an effort to try and be a good one, right?”
“Of course.”
Ada doesn't look back at Edega, the immediate response from him gives away everything, and she can't help but let a small smile slip through. She decides now would be a really funny time to tease him.
“Okay then, test time. Do something boyfriend-like.”
“...Right now?”
“No, when we’re 90… YES, right now!”
Edega pauses to think, really think. What would Ada consider romantic? Sure, he had a girlfriend for about a month in college, but she was the one who always made the move. Showing your love… Maybe he could do something special that he’d never do for anyone else
Offer to do paperwork in the same office tomorrow?
‘I doubt she would feel any passion from reading thousands of reports and asking for my approval on certain papers that’d require my signature.’
‘Too tedious.’
Conducting surgery as a couple next time there’s an emergency?
‘What if we start arguing during the operation and accidentally kill someone? ‘
‘Too risky.’
He scavenged the recesses of his mind palace.
‘There might have been something in the past I’ve done with someone… Something romantic I can use…’
Suddenly it dawned on him. Though he wasn't particularly excited about the idea. Edega rose to his feet, and stood in front of Ada. He extended his hand out, urging her to place it in his.
‘Well if this doesn't bring up bad memories-’
Ada wore a nervous look. She hesitantly placed her hand on his palm, and was surprised when it wasn't a harsh pull like he had done before in the past. Instead, he gently wrapped his hand around hers, and guided her up out of her seat. He positions her other arm on his shoulder, and finally wraps his other arm around her waist.
The two stood on the balcony in a ballroom dance position. The setting sun envelops them both in a warm fuzzy glow. Ada gulps and looks up at Edega, who doesn't seem fazed at all. His feet start the motion and she follows suit. They begin swaying in place and adjusting their feet and accounting for the amount of room the balcony does not have.
“Dancing?”
“Yes.”
Edega spins them slowly so that Ada is now on the opposite side.
“When did you learn to do that?”
“...To spin you?”
“N-no. Dance. I mean- like, when did you have to learn to dance?”
And why are you so good at it? Ada thought to herself.
“I was invited to an event in the past.”
“And you had to learn to dance like this?”
“Yes.”
He doesn't expand any more, instead he pulls Ada closer and lets out a sigh. Her heart is beating out of her chest, and she’s praying that Edega can't feel it.
They continue swaying together in place, the sounds of the city below them serve as their music, and the birds flying by- their audience. Eventually, Edega’s feet come to a stop, and Ada didn't even notice she had her head against his chest halfway through their dance. She blushes and backs away from him.
“That was nice…”
“That’s good to hear.”
Still in each other’s arms, neither knows if now is the appropriate time to pull away. Eventually, Edega’s hand slips from Ada’s waist and back into his pocket. The hand that’s still holding hers remains though.
“Well?”
“Huh?”
“Your test.”
“What? OH! Ohh… It uh...”
Ada stuttered as she slipped her hand away from his and sat back down. She tries to compose herself while Edega returns to his spot as well. They sat in silence again while Ada attempted to find the words. Luckily, Edega is the one who speaks up first.
“It was a poor choice on my part,” Edega starts. “A million other men could dance with you like I did just now. What I did was nothing special.”
Ada looks back at Edega, expression still unreadable. She blushes and runs her fingers through her hair.
“Maybe the dance itself wasn't special, but coming from someone like you well-” She darts her eyes back and forth before blurting out the last part. “I thought it was a romantic gesture…”
“Someone like me?”
Edega raises an eyebrow at that somewhat backhanded compliment.
“I mean…!! Um… No like- well I mean- y’know, you’re so- aloof… And standoff-ish normally. No offense”
Ada nervously looks back at her boss who doesn't seem particularly irritated by what she just said. Probably because he knows it to be true.
“None taken.”
“Anyways- you failed. One-on-one dancing isn't exclusively a ‘boyfriend’ thing, y’know?”
“...That makes sense.”
Even though Ada had failed him, she gave Edega a sincere smile and inched her seat closer to him, leaning on his shoulder.
—---------------
After cracking open a few more cold conversations, and talking some beers, the sun vanishes completely. Replaced in the sky with an iridescent crescent moon and a few stars to make up for the blank spots. Ada is the first to speak up.
“Inside?”
“Let’s.”
The two bid goodbye to the city’s view and close the sliding door shut. They make their way to the island in the kitchen. Edega pulls out a chair, and Ada stands across from him with a leftover beer.
“What time are you planning on going home?”
“Hm?”
Ada suddenly feels awkward for asking that. It sounds like she’s trying to get rid of him. Edega pauses, he checks his phone’s clock and slowly gets up out of his chair.
“...It is rather late. I suppose I’ll leave now-”
“NONO- i’m sorry um…” She taps the island and folds her hands together. “I just didn't know if you had any other plans.”
She glances back at Edega who is still standing away from his seat.
“If you’d rather go home you're more than welcome to but-”
“It's not that I’d rather be home, I just don't know if I should stay so late when I’m not…” He trails off, hinting at the next words. Ada understands without him needing to say them.“…Perhaps it’d be best if I left.”
“...O-okay.”
Ada follows Edega as he makes his way to the entrance. He swiftly equips himself with his jacket and pats it in place. She watches with pursed lips. He’s about to put his hand on the door handle until-
Edega feels something grab at his jacket, and he looks towards Ada. She's clinging to it with a pinch of her fingers.
“Ah- uh…” Ada realizes she’s subconsciously stopped him from leaving and quickly lets go. She tries to find an excuse while he looks at her bewildered. “It’s a nice jacket, looks warm.”
Enamored by her cute gesture, he closes the gap between them and gives her an unexpected embrace.
“If you were cold, you should have said so.”
Ada ironically freezes, a warm blush heats her face and she can't help but hug back. They stay like that for a minute or two, just basking in the warmth until Edega is the first to pull away. He gives her one last look before opening the apartment door.
“I’ll see you at work. Don't oversleep.”
Ada smirks and walks up quickly to peck his cheek. Now it was Edega’s turn to freeze in place. She steps back and sticks her tongue out just to tease him.
“I know- Just go already since you’re in such a rush to leave!”
He gives her a small smile in return and shuts the door.