Silent Love

There was a faint scent of unfamiliar blood on Jere - something that mingled uneasily with the familiar musk of pig. Ylfa noticed it, but didn’t ask. Instead, she smiled as he stepped into the lounge, her hands already signing.

Busy day?

He nodded, standing in the doorway. His eyes flicked around the room, scanning automatically. She knew what he was thinking before his gaze returned to her.

Eny’s out with Effie.

Another nod. Finally, his hands moved.

What did you want to talk to me about?

She patted the couch beside her.
Come sit.

He obeyed, lowering himself beside her - close, but not too close. The cushion beneath her shifted with his weight, lifting her slightly. He looked at her; she smiled and signed again.

I’m nearly fluent, apparently.

He nodded once.
Any news on your healing?

Her head shook, hair swaying like silk.
Nothing.

He nodded again. There wasn’t much either of them could do. His processors, always practical, reminded him that the most efficient way to confirm whether a healer who could fix Ylfa’s ears even existed was through force. But the last time he’d tried that against Chav, Ylfa had held him back. He still didn’t understand why - but he’d obeyed.

She shifted closer, until their shoulders almost brushed. Her smile returned.
What do you see in the future, darling?

He hesitated, his organic mind forming an answer while his processors translated it into sign language, each motion borrowed from her own recorded gestures.

I can’t see the future. I can only predict it.

She chuckled - a soft, wheezing sound that carried a ghost of her old laughter.
Okay then, what do you predict?

He lowered his gaze.
It’s uncertain.

She grinned.
Come on, tell me something.

Suddenly, he straightened.
This is not what you wanted to talk to me about.

Her smile faltered. He’d seen right through her. She fidgeted, unable to meet his eyes.
Yeah.

He tilted his head slightly.
Then what was it?

Her gaze lifted, locking on his lips. Something in her expression trembled - conflict, hesitation. Her hands began to form words but faltered halfway through. Her face flushed faintly. Jere still couldn’t piece it together.

Are you alright?

She nodded, though her eyes stayed fixed on his mouth. Her tongue darted over her lips as she leaned closer - hesitated - and then drew back again, frustration flickering across her face. His processors noted it: third time performing that movement pattern.

Finally, her hands began to move.
Darling… I was thinking…

She stopped again, searching for the right words.
Do you know what a kiss is?

He nodded. He’d seen people do it before - though not often. It seemed to be something reserved for privacy, something sacred.

Ylfa’s stare deepened, growing slightly more frustrated when she realized she had to be direct.
I want to kiss.

Only now, with the words out in the open, did Jere realize how obvious it had been. Embarrassment rushed through him - partly from his obliviousness, partly from the act itself. He nodded slowly, his hands shaping careful signs.

Why?

In his mind, it was a perfectly valid question. But it only made her more irritated.

Because I’m your wife.

He looked at her blankly.
I thought you were just pretending.

Her jaw tightened. If she could have growled, she would have.
Even if I am, I’m still your girlfriend. And…

Her face softened suddenly.
I’ve had enough of pretending. It’d be easier if it were real.

His heart pounded, his signs growing sloppy as his organic mind screamed louder than his processors.
Real?

She nodded, a small, trembling smile forming.
Yeah. Darling. I want to get married.

He swallowed air - the second time it had happened without his direction. So many emotions were rushing through him that it was hard to discern one from another. His head began to heat up as his processors tried to sort them all.

I don’t know much about marriage.

She smiled wider.
That’s simple.

She reached into her top and fished out two small objects - rings, each adorned with flat gemstones buried in their surfaces. Heat rose in Jere’s cheeks; there was only one place she could’ve been storing those. She handed him one, and he noted how warm it was, further confirming what he suspected. Her hands moved again.

We put these on each other. And then we’re done.

He looked surprised.
That’s it?

She shuffled her shoulders.
Well, there’s normally a lot more. Like getting engaged and having a ceremony. But we don’t have to do that.

She smiled warmly.
And then we don’t have to lie anymore. And we can do lots more stuff.

He wasn’t sure what “stuff” was, but he was even less sure where she’d found the rings. Still, Ylfa wasn’t finished.

So, what do you say?

He raised his hands slowly, trying to separate his thoughts - and failing miserably as his fingers moved clumsily.
Yes.

A huge grin lit up her face. She quickly signed again.
Now you put the ring on my ring finger.

She held out her left hand, eyes sparkling with delight. Not quite sure what exactly was going on, Jere did as he was told, carefully sliding the shining object onto her finger. She raised it up, her face alive with joy. But she quickly remembered what she was doing and signed again.
Now I put one on you.

He held up his left hand, and she slid the ring on. The sensation was an odd one - the warm metal gliding along his skin until it stopped naturally at the base joint. But she didn’t let go of his hand. Instead, she reached out and grasped his other one too, her eyes focused on his. She couldn’t sign, but her intentions were clear. She started to lean forward, her eyelids flickering as she pulled him closer.

Hundreds of videos rushed through his mind as he tried to recall exactly how a kiss was meant to work. The act confused him - he couldn’t really see the purpose. But something told him that this was one of the most intimate things a person could do, and that he shouldn’t withhold it even if he didn’t understand it. So he followed her lead as their faces drew nearer. Her eyes closed, so he did the same. They were close enough to feel each other’s breath, mouths slightly open.

Then their lips touched.

Explosions of feeling raced through Jere. His processors screamed, his mind yelled - and yet he felt utterly at peace. The nerves quieted as he settled, the soft warmth of her lips more enjoyable than he could ever have imagined. Her breath mingled with his, fresh and cooling. He wondered what his tasted like. He was aware of her hands in his, her grip tightening as she struggled to keep going. He didn’t need to breathe, but it was clear that she - despite being one hundred and seventy-six years old - was completely inexperienced. Still, she stayed pressed to him, eager to make her first kiss as memorable as possible.

When she finally broke away, breathing heavily, they remained in each other’s grasp, simply staring into each other’s eyes. A moment passed. Then she smiled, letting go as her hands came up.
Thank you. I love you.

He smiled back, nodding.
I love you too.

His mind was alive with questions - about what being married meant, what it would bring, and what new things he would have to learn. But he was also at peace. Nothing else mattered to him but Ylfa.

And to Ylfa, who had managed to go centuries without ever finding love, the moment was monumental. Her relationship with Jere was finally solidified, and she was slowly crossing off the list of things she wanted to do with him. Sure, they had eternity ahead of them - but she wanted to experience everything as soon as possible, so they could continue to enjoy each other for as long as possible.

And deep in her heart, she hoped it would never end.