Chapter Text
“Kurisu, I-”
A knock at the door interrupted the tender moment, drawing their gazes. The two exchanged a look as Okabe went to open it, the metal of the knob cold compared to Makise’s flushed cheek.
Ruka was standing in the hall outside the lab, hands clutched behind their back, holding something. What, he couldn’t quite tell.
“Ruka! What a- pleasant surprise.”
“Hi Okabe.” Their eyelashes fluttered as they tried not to look him in the eyes. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
He shot Makise a glance and she nodded. “No, of course not. Come on in.”
“Thank you.” They entered deftly, spinning to hide their back from Okabe’s view. A single flower bud fell to the floor. “Oh, hi Makise, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Good to see you, Ruka.”
“So,” Okabe began, “what brings you to our humble laboratory?”
“Well, um,” their eyes turned to the floor. “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Hm? What’s that?”
“I- well- I- I was…”
“Out with it now, we can’t afford to have lab members keeping things from each other.”
“I was hoping you would go on a date with me!” With head bowed and eyes squeezed shut, they revealed a brilliant bouquet.
Okabe recoiled away in shock. What worldline am I in? “I- But I’m- And you’re-”
The flowers fell to their side and tears welled in their eyes. “I know. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I’ll just go now.”
Remember how different things might have been.
He again looked to Makise, who responded with another, smaller nod.
“Wait!” He put his hand on Ruka’s shoulder as they turned to the door. “You know, I didn’t decline.”
They met his gaze, mouth agape.
“I have been… busy at the lab lately, but I suppose I could find time for a date.”
“Really!? Oh, Okabe, thank you!” they wrapped their arms around him, pressing themself tightly into his chest.
Delicate as an orchid, fair as a cherry blossom…