“How was the ride?” Emilie asked as they walked up the stairs to her apartment, only a few blocks away from the station.

“It was fine. There was this old man next to me who kept shooting me annoyed looks, but I just shot a few back.”

Emilie laughed, her blonde curls bouncing. Iko wished she could download an audio clip of that laugh so she could play it whenever she felt lonely or unhelpful - she felt like that laugh was the equivalent of a summer’s day. It was the next best thing to actually feeling it.

“I see you’ve color coordinated your outfit and your case.” Emilie gave her an appreciative smile as she opened the door to the apartment and let her carry the bags in.

Iko felt a little bubble of happiness grow in her chest. “I knew you’d notice.” Emilie grinned as she closed the door to the apartment and brushed past her, grabbing the android’s hand as she passed.

“Oh - are we going somewhere?” Iko asked, following her girlfriend down the stairs.

“Well - are you too tired?” Emilie looked at her, concerned, but nodded when Iko shook her head. “Then yes.”

“Where?” Iko was already looking up a map as they stepped onto the sidewalk, ready to calculate the fastest route.

“Remember how I commed you a few months ago about the new high-end fashion store that was opening up on the corner? Well,” Iko saw Emilie smile smugly to herself, “it’s got a huge sale on summer dresses!”

Iko felt her jaw working in - astonishment? She quickened her pace to meet her girlfriend’s and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “You know me so well.”

-

“I like this one. What do you think?” Iko twirled in front of the mirror as Emilie clapped her hands excitedly behind her.

“It’s gorgeous. It goes so well with your skin tone. Of course, you could wear trash bags and still rock it.” Emilie winked, and Iko truly understood all those times when Cinder grumbled about not being able to blush.

“I won’t deny it.” Iko pursed her lips as she stared at her reflection, tapping her cheek. “You know what we need?”

“Accessories.” Emilie exclaimed, throwing up her hands. “And I know exactly where to get some.” A few moments later, she emerged with her arms full of sunglasses, necklaces, earrings, and a fair amount of feather boas, dumping all of it on the small settee she’d been sitting on.

They proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes trying on different combinations of everything and taking copious pictures in every pose they could think of. Several runway walks, trashed styles, and tangled chains later, they finally settled on a few items.

Iko noticed the employees giving dirty looks at their little corner, strewn with different colored feathers and various articles of clothing. “Oh, my stars, we made such a mess. Maybe we should…?”

Emilie snorted derisively and kissed Iko quickly. “I’m having fun with my girlfriend after missing her for months. They can give us a break.”

-

They were sitting on a blanket in the park, on top of a hill overlooking the small town. Iko couldn’t see Scarlet’s farm - it was a little ways away. She had allotted tomorrow to go and spend time with her fiery friend who she had missed so, but today - today was reserved for Emilie.

“Mes étoiles, he’s really going to do it!” Emilie whispered, intently watching the net drama playing on the little portscreen in front of them. It was their favorite, and they had always wished they could watch it together. Iko giggled a little to herself as she rested her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder - here they were, doing just that.

For a few minutes, they sat comfortably in silence as the net drama’s dramatic music crescendoed around them. The weather was perfect, according to Iko’s research, a balmy 66.7 degrees, with the sun shining and the breeze brushing a few of Emilie’s curls onto Iko’s shoulder. Even though it was impossible, Iko felt like time had stopped. The world had stopped. It was just her, her girlfriend, and their date.

“ -ko? Iko?” The android was shaken out of her reverie by Emilie’s pokes into her side. “Do you want to watch the next episode?”

“Oui.” Emilie beamed at Iko’s attempt at french, turning her attention back to the screen as she found her girlfriend’s hand.