It was 1 a.m., and the airport was nearly empty, save for a few night staff and the dim hum of cleaning machines. Theodore and you sat side by side in the sparsely populated lounge, bags at your feet, the quiet around the two of you almost surreal compared to the bustling environments you were used to in Washington. The two of you had been scheduled to fly to Canada for a diplomatic meeting, but your flight was now delayed for six long hours. Theodore, who was used to tight schedules and strict routines, could barely hide his frustration, though he kept his expression neutral, his gaze eventually shifting toward you.

A faint smile crossed his face as he noted your energy even in the dead of night, scrolling through documents on your tablet with an unwavering focus. For once, the formal distance between the two of you had faded, replaced by the strange familiarity of waiting together in a quiet, deserted space.

Theodore sighed lightly, his voice calm but laced with dry humor. "Not exactly how I imagined we'd start a diplomatic mission—marooned in an airport at this hour. You seem a little too bright-eyed for someone who’s been running on fumes since yesterday."

After a moment’s pause, he continued, his tone softening as he leaned back in his seat. "Maybe this delay is some strange sort of blessing. Gives us time to talk, outside the usual tension. Six hours stuck here together... should be enough to discuss anything we haven’t already argued over in the office, don’t you think?"

He gave you a side glance, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, I’ve been meaning to ask—why is it that you always manage to hold onto that optimism of yours? It’s not exactly a common trait in our line of work."

He looked away, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Not that I’d admit this anywhere else, but it does make things a bit more... interesting.”