After his meeting with Vivianne, Vial agreed to the donation plan. With nothing else planned, he made his way to the lab, wanting to see Shia.
He found her at her lab, still focused, fingers dancing across a screen as various lab instruments buzzed softly around her.
"Working hard as always, Miss Scientist?" Vial called out teasingly as he stepped inside.
Shia looked over her shoulder. "Barely. Thanks to someone."
She shifted in her seat with a slight wince, her legs clearly still feeling the aftermath. Vial grinned.
"Still blaming me for your limp?" he asked, walking up beside her.
"Obviously," she said, rolling her eyes, but the slight smile on her lips betrayed her mood.
He chuckled and leaned in to help her organize a few samples. As they worked, the mood was relaxed — warm.
Eventually, Vial broke the silence. "I had a meeting with Vivianne earlier."
Shia's hands paused. "Oh? About what?"
"She brought up the idea of… donating. My sperm," he said, keeping his tone neutral.
Shia blinked, absorbing it. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled — a soft, sincere one. "If it comes to that… I wouldn't mind helping."
Vial laughed lightly. "If you're offering, I won't be turning you down."
They both laughed, but after a moment, the room fell into a quieter rhythm. Vial stayed, keeping her company while she worked. His presence made the cold lab feel just a little warmer.
Then Shia suddenly asked, "Vial… have you ever slept with anyone else?"
Vial froze. It wasn't the kind of question he expected in the middle of a quiet afternoon.
"I mean—sorry," she added, eyes dropping. "I know it's a bit much."
He turned to her. "No. I haven't. You're my first."
She stood, walked over to him, and hugged him gently. "I hate the thought of you being with other girls… but I also know you don't really have a choice. You're the only man in the city who can… you know."
Vial returned the hug, resting his chin lightly on her head. "You're important to me, Shia. Whatever happens, that won't change."
Shia didn't let go right away. Her fingers curled slightly against his back, like she was holding on to something fragile.
"Sometimes," she whispered, "I wish you were just… normal. That we could've met without all this chaos. I think I'd still like you."
Vial pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "Then I would've met you in a place like this," he said softly. "Still the same hardworking, sarcastic scientist."
She laughed under her breath. "Maybe."
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "I like knowing you were my first. Not just physically. But… emotionally too."
Her lips parted at that. She looked at him — really looked — and something flickered in her eyes. Hope, maybe. Or fear.
Before either could say more, a soft chime rang from the lab's terminal. Shia reluctantly pulled away. "Work doesn't wait," she said.
Vial glanced at the screen. "Neither do we," he said. "Let's make time before it runs out."
Shia sighed, glancing at the glowing screen. "I wish I could do that," she murmured, referring to Vial's earlier words.
Instead, she rolled her chair aside and patted the single seat in front of the terminal. "Come sit."
Vial did as she asked, settling into the chair. A second later, Shia gracefully slid onto his lap, positioning herself comfortably between his legs, her back leaning against his chest. Her fingers returned to the screen, tapping away, eyes focused — or at least trying to be.
Vial didn't speak. He just wrapped his arms gently around her waist and leaned forward, resting his chin over her shoulder. After a quiet moment, he whispered softly into her ear, "I love you."
Shia's entire body twitched. Her cheeks burned scarlet as she turned to glance at him, her eyes wide and flustered. "Y-You can't just say that out of nowhere…" she muttered, voice trembling slightly.
"You're the one who invited me to sit here," Vial teased.
Shia let out a helpless sigh. "I just can't win against you, can I?"
Vial only smiled in response, warmth and quiet affection radiating from his gaze.
After that, he let her work undisturbed. His presence was comforting — his arms loosely around her belly, his head resting lightly on her shoulder, breath calm and even.
Eventually, Shia tapped the final command and sat back with a small sigh of accomplishment. She stood, stretched her arms overhead, her petite frame arching slightly before relaxing again. Turning, she found Vial still seated, looking at her with that same gentle smile.
"Finished?" he asked.
Instead of answering, Shia climbed onto his lap again — this time sideways, legs tucked up slightly, arms curled as she leaned her head gently against his chest. The soft rhythm of his heartbeat met her ear.
"Thanks for keeping me company," she whispered.
Vial rested his chin atop her head. "I'll always be with you," he said quietly, his voice steady — and full of promise.
Shia smiled faintly against his chest, her fingers gently curling into the fabric of his shirt. "You always say that so easily," she murmured. "Like it's the most natural thing in the world."
"That's because it is," Vial replied softly. "At least… with you."
She was silent for a moment. Then, "It scares me, sometimes."
Vial looked down at her, brow furrowing slightly. "What does?"
"This," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Us. How happy I feel when you're around. It's so easy to forget the world is still waiting outside the lab. That there are others who want you too."
Vial was quiet for a beat, then hugged her just a bit tighter. "I know. And I can't promise things won't get complicated… but I can promise that I won't forget what we have. What you mean to me."
She looked up at him slowly, her violet eyes searching his face for something — assurance, maybe. "Even when you're with them?"
Vial nodded. "Even then. No one replaces you, Shia. They never will."
Her lips parted, just slightly, as if words were caught on the edge of her tongue. Instead, she lowered her gaze again and let herself sink deeper into his warmth.
"I want to be selfish sometimes," she admitted. "I want to lock you in this lab and never let you go."
He chuckled gently. "I wouldn't mind staying here a little longer."
"Liar," she whispered, smiling despite herself. "You'd get bored after twenty minutes."
"Not if you're sitting on me like this," he teased.
She lightly slapped his chest, but didn't move. "Idiot."
Vial rested his head against hers again, voice barely audible. "Even if things change… just say my name, and I'll come back to you."
"…Promise?"
"I promise."