As an ordinary genius

The air buzzed with excitement as the graduating class of the Computer Science department gathered for one last party. The venue was a cozy rooftop bar near the campus, decorated with twinkling string lights and balloons in the university colors. It was a night meant for celebration, laughter, and bittersweet goodbyes.

Ethan hesitated at the entrance, adjusting the collar of his shirt. He wasn't usually the type for parties, but Raj had dragged him along, insisting it was their last chance to let loose before everyone went their separate ways.

"Come on, man," Raj had said earlier. "You've been working your butt off all these years. One night won't kill you."

The rooftop was already packed with students, some laughing loudly, others taking group photos or dancing to the music playing in the background. Ethan spotted Felicity near a table, laughing with a few mutual friends. She looked radiant, her laughter lighting up the atmosphere. Ethan quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.

Raj handed him a drink. "Alright, Ethan, let's get this party started. No brooding in the corner tonight."

Ethan chuckled. "I'm not brooding. I'm just... observing."

"Sure you are," Raj said with a grin. "Drink up."

The night wore on, and the drinks kept coming. Ethan, who wasn't much of a drinker, quickly felt the effects of the alcohol. He found himself laughing at jokes he normally wouldn't find funny, dancing awkwardly to the music, and even chatting with people he'd barely spoken to during university.

"Ethan!" Felicity's voice cut through the noise. She appeared beside him, a playful smile on her face.

"Felicity!" Ethan said, a little too loudly, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "You're here!"

"Of course I'm here. It's the last party," she said, tilting her head. "Are you... drunk?"

"Me? Nooo," Ethan said, waving his hand dismissively. "Okay, maybe a little."

Felicity laughed. "You're funny when you're drunk."

"I'm funny all the time," Ethan declared, earning another laugh from her.

As the night wound down, the crowd began to thin out. Ethan and Felicity found themselves sitting on a bench at the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the city lights.

"You know," Ethan began, his words slightly slurred, "I've always thought you were amazing."

"Thanks, Ethan," Felicity said softly, her gaze fixed on the skyline.

"No, I mean it," Ethan said, turning to face her. "You're brilliant, kind, and just... perfect."

Felicity looked at him, her expression unreadable.

"And I think I might love you," Ethan blurted out before he could stop himself.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, to Ethan's surprise, Felicity leaned in and kissed him gently.

Ethan froze, his heart racing, before instinctively kissing her back. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them under the starry night sky.

When they finally pulled apart, Felicity smiled faintly. "You're drunk, Ethan."

"And you didn't stop me," he murmured, a goofy grin spreading across his face.

"Let's get you home," Felicity said, shaking her head with a soft laugh.

Ethan woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and no memory of how he'd gotten back to his apartment.

"Ugh," he groaned, rubbing his temples. "What happened last night?"

Raj walked into the room, holding a cup of coffee. "You were a riot, man. Dancing, confessing your love, the works."

Ethan sat up, alarmed. "Confessing my love? To who?"

Raj smirked. "Oh, just Felicity Smoak."

Ethan's eyes widened. "What?! No, no, no. You're messing with me."

Raj laughed. "Am I? Ask her yourself. She walked you home."

Ethan buried his face in his hands. "Oh, God. I'm doomed."

Later that day, Ethan's phone buzzed with a message. It was from Felicity.

Felicity: Hey, hope you're feeling okay. Don't worry about last night—it's our little secret.

Ethan stared at the screen, his heart pounding. He couldn't decide if he felt relieved or more embarrassed.

Ethan: Thanks... and sorry if I made things awkward.

Felicity: You didn't. Get some rest, Ethan.

Ethan sighed, flopping back onto his bed. "What did I do?"