Chapter Text
David Fucking Reed looked about how Zari had expected, somehow. White man, mid-fifties, receding hairline. A visibly Cincinnati soul, in the absolute worst way possible.
Zari gave Charlie a shy but excited grin as the Cincinnati Liquor Board moved on to the last item on the meeting schedule. She rested her left hand on Charlie’s bouncing knee while her right moved to touch the small patch of blue hair, which was visible now since she was sporting a bun.
“And now we open up to public comments,” David Reed announced. Before that old geezer in the corner could try to say something, Zari stood up, just as they had practiced. Charlie gave an encouraging smile to the timid woman.
“F-fuck you David Reed!” Zari shouted. Her voice was giddy with surprise that she had managed to make the statement.
Charlie jumped up next to her, pumping their fist into the air. “Hell yeah!” they yelled.
Euphoria.
And then came the getaway. They raced out of the room, giggling as they scrambled over the empty plastic seats, fleeing the scene before David had a chance to even process what had just happened. Zari threw open the glass doors of the drab building, and they sprinted to her blue Prius.
(No, they would not be taking criticism. Yes, their getaway vehicle was a Prius, but hey, Charlie’s bandmate needed to borrow the van, and parking that monstrosity would have been a nightmare anyways.)
“Charlie!” Zari panted, out of breath as they reached the far end of the lot where the Prius sat. “I don't think they’re following us.”
“Fuck, you must’ve just intimidated David too much. Hey, I don’t blame him,” Charlie answered smoothly, catching up to Zari. They leaned against the side of the car, Zari soon joining them.
“This whole rebellion thing is exhilarating.”
Charlie opened their mouth to respond, but in a breathless rush, Zari cut them off. “Hey, can I kiss you now?”
“God, I thought you’d never ask—”
---
“Didn’t think you to be the type who would make out with me in the parking lot of a municipal government building.” Charlie pressed another quick kiss to Zari’s lips. “But I’m not complaining.”
The sun was beginning to set behind the beige architecture, and the streetlamps began to power on. The only sounds in the moment were Charlie and Zari's breathing and the occasional car a few streets over.
Zari hummed with a gentle smirk. “My first time making out with someone in the parking lot of a municipal government building, yes. But the parking lot of a formerly covert federal agency-slash-bureau…”
“If this is your way of telling me you’ve been working for David this whole time, I—”