The elevator dinged softly, and Nyra stepped onto the ValeTech rooftop like she owned the night. Not that she did, exactly but it felt like hers for the moment: the city lights stretched out, humming quietly, no deadlines, no pressure, just… air.
Elias was already there, leaning casually against the railing, laptop tucked under one arm. His hair was messy, sleeves rolled up, sneakers scuffed in the way that made him look low-key effortless. He smiled when he saw her.
"Finally," he said. "I thought you were gonna disappear into coding forever."
Nyra smirked, kicking the ledge lightly. "Thought I'd let you enjoy some peace without me correcting your logic."
He laughed, genuine and easy, and shook his head. "No chance. You ruin peace. It's a talent."
They settled on the floor against the railing, knees up, backs resting against the wall. The city glittered beneath them like it was alive for them alone.
"So… Zurich," Elias said after a beat, gesturing toward the lights. "How was it?"
Nyra rolled her eyes. "Europe is nice if you like quiet people and glass buildings. Clean streets, polite trams, and everyone pretending like no one breaks a rule. Boring."
Elias laughed. "Boring for you, maybe. You're from the Eastside—rules are more like suggestions anyway."
She smirked, lighting a cigarette. "Exactly. And you know it. Nothing humbles me more than quiet efficiency, except… maybe rich boys with control issues."
He raised an eyebrow. "Rich boys? Did I miss something?"
"Just a stranger at a lounge," she said casually. "Cute, normal-ish. But… someone else freaked out."
Elias chuckled, leaning back. "Let me guess… Mr. Suit-and-Authority?"
Nyra nearly snorted smoke. "Bingo. Tried to drag me out of the lounge like I was a meeting agenda."
He laughed louder this time, shaking his head. "That's insane."
"Insane, yes. Entertaining, even more so," Nyra said, exhaling slowly, a smile tugging at her lips. "I almost choked laughing at him."
"You're impossible," Elias said fondly. "And I mean that in the best way."
The air was light, the smoke curling around them like a shared secret. But beneath it all, Nyra's eyes softened slightly hers, and only a little.
"Thanks for… this," she said quietly. "For not treating me like a project or a case study. Not everyone at ValeTech does that."
Elias shrugged. "Can't help it. I actually like people." He glanced at her, smirk lingering. "Even smartasses who smoke too much and make fun of rich men."
Nyra rolled her eyes but laughed. The sound echoed over the rooftops, loose and free.
For a few minutes, there was no Zurich. No Adrian. No Shark. Just the rooftop, the night, the city, and their laughter.
The mood shifted slightly when Elias's expression darkened not for her, but instinctively cautious.
"Don't get too comfortable," he said gently. "I don't know what's brewing, but… something's always brewing."
Nyra smirked, shaking her head. "Always the drama, huh? I'll handle it."
He nodded, but his eyes betrayed awareness he was protective without being overbearing.
And for the first time in days, Nyra let herself just… be.
Rooftop, smoke, city lights. Safe. Calm. Recharge.