The laboratory is empty, the clock is almost midnight. You’re the last ones there.

You finalize the protocol annotation. Adam closes the computer.

Silence. Only the low buzzing of the devices.

“Do you always stay up late?”, you ask.

“Only when someone insists on using the spectrophotometer improperly.”

You let out a laugh. He smiles too. Kind of unintentionally.

You watch him for a moment. The strong jaw. The way he leans back on the bench. The dress shirt with rolled up sleeves, revealing absurdly well-defined forearms.

“Are you always like this?”, you ask again. “Full of opinions. Silent. Arrogant.”

“Are you always like this?”, he returns. “Full of answers. Challenging. Annoying.”

“You love it.”

“Maybe.”

You shorten the distance. He doesn’t even move. The dark look holds yours, firm.

“So kiss me soon,” you whisper.

He pulls her by the waist. And kiss. Firm, decided. As if you’ve been waiting for a long time.