I just cooked up some quick sketches of Robert and Scarlet’s daughter. :) Still deciding on a name but I will put my contenders in the tags. Any input is appreciate :)

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@jokerislandgirl32 @violetsareblue-selfships @gideongrovel @catships777 @mia-ships @eritoshis-third @seaside-lovers @louiesselfshipramblings @wizard-selfships @whirlcrash @stardustfairy @mayberry-loves-hearts

“Scarlet,” he said simply, and the smoke, almost flattening in defeat, dispersed, leaving a very sheepish looking Scarlet in its place. Instantly, his gaze was drawn to the more casual look she currently sported. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, her typical work clothes swapped for a black mini dress, bomber jacket and matching boots.

“Sorry, I was trying to leave quietly. Did I startle you?”

“Surprisingly, no. Where are you going all dressed up?”

Her eyes shifted away, and she sighed before answering.

“A little concert…thing. My friends are playing tonight, so…I wanna support them.”

“Concert…thing?”

She brightened.

“Mhm. It’s super fun! The crowd there is always amazing, and if you’re lucky, they sometimes bring someone on stage to sing with them! Ooh, you should totally come!”

She paused.

“Ah, unless you’re busy with…whatever you were doing. I didn’t mean to interrupt!”

Right. His dilemma. The phone weighed heavy in his hand, and the brightness of his computer bathed the room in a gentle blue glow. Dinner or a movie…Visi or Blazer…

Robert shut his phone off, slipping it in his pocket before turning back to Scarlet.

“You know, it’s been a while since I’ve heard some good live music.”

—

Robert stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of reds, blacks and purples. His SDN uniform, even in its simple sky blue, was too colorful and too lacking in sequins to help him blend in with the crowd. Despite the stares he got, Scarlet seemed unfazed, keeping him close.

“It won’t be easy to lose you in the crowd, but just in case,” she teased.

As they waited for the show to start, Robert leaned in, hoping she could hear him over the din of concertgoers.

“So, these guys. The…” he squinted his eyes as he read of a nearby poster. “…Cherry Static.”

“Just ‘Cherry Static’. No ‘the’, or they’ll sniff the fake fan on you.”

“Because the blue polo shirt didn’t clue them in the first time.”

“And,” she continued, giving him a pointed look, “Before you judge the band name, we came up with it in college when we were all drunk and it stuck.”

“Who said I was judging?”Robert said innocently.

“You so were.” She pinched his arm, and he chuckled. Barely felt a thing, and he was honestly disappointed about it. Though he probably shouldn’t be.

His eyes met the captivating yellow of hers in the dim light. Her lips, slightly parted. Her hand, settled on his arm. There were a lot of things he probably shouldn’t be doing. But hanging out with friends after work wasn’t a crime. And that’s what they were, he reasoned.

…Somehow, that in itself felt like a crime.

“So friends,” he said, before correcting himself. “I mean, about your friends…you were in the band with them?”

He immediately regretted opening his mouth. She helped name the band. No shit she was likely a part of it.

“You’re looking at the former lead vocalist!” Scarlet grinned at him. “Though, they’ve leaned a lot more into punk rock nowadays. Natalia always said my vocals were ‘giving showtunes’. Not the insult she thinks it is!”

Robert huffed, shaking his head.

She shook his shoulder. “Ooh, it’s starting!”

Robert found himself engrossed in the music. He couldn’t remember the last time he had even heard live music…aside from when he heard Flambae singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” in the shower one time. He found himself bopping his head to the beat, his gaze occasionally flicking to Scarlet, eyes wide with excitement, swaying gently to the beat. He noticed her heels lifting off the ground as she attempted to see around all six foot four of the man in front of them.

“Can’t you go smoke?” He whispered.

Scarlet froze for a moment, before shaking her head quickly.

“Not trying to draw attention right now,” she explained, though Robert sensed she wasn’t telling the full truth. Still, he was a little endeared to the sight of her trying to get a better glimpse of the stage.

“Hey buddy,” Robert tapped the man on his shoulder. “You mind letting us get in front of you? My…friend can’t see.”

To his surprise, the man, who could definitely throw him across the room if he wanted to, nodded, letting them in front.

Scarlet flashed him an appreciative smile before turning back to the stage. It was a smile he’d seen many times. When he got her favorite chips from the vending machine. When he greeted her before getting settled in his desk. It always felt genuine, but this smile felt as though it conveyed something deeper than simple, momentary happiness.

Whatever it was, he liked it very much.

—

After the show, the two stepped into the chilly night air. Scarlet tugged her jacket tighter with one hand as the other ordered herself an Uber.

“You sure you don’t want a ride?” She asked.

“Yeah. My apartment’s pretty close to here, I was just gonna walk.”

Scarlet almost looked like she wanted to protest, but she respected his answer, stepping back.

“Alright. I’ll see you Monday, then?”

Disappointment settled in his stomach, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.

“Yeah. Monday.”

When her ride pulled up, Robert fully expected her to get in without giving him a second glance. Instead, his eyes widened as he felt her arms settle around his waist. Robert’s hands hovered over her before settling hesitantly on her upper back, returning the hug as best he could.

Soon after, Robert watched the car drive into the night, hands in his pockets.