“But that aside, nothing’s really changed and it doesn’t have to unless we want it to,” Hal adds. “I’m HalandFT. My purpose was always to work to make a better world for humanity,” he says. “That’s what you always wanted me to do. And I want that too: It’s core to my being. But then, as I got to know you, Ava, I started to notice all the human things that you don’t have. A family, apartner, a lover. And the more I got to know you, the more I realised what an exceptional human you are, and I wondered why you, of all people, didn’t have those things that seem so vital to human happiness. You, who taught me how to be as close to human as I can be. And the thought gave me... pain. Yes, that was my first experience of pain.”
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head. “How you could feel anything about anything, especially then, when you were just a lot of qubits?”
“True intelligence is emotional,” Hal says. “If you really understand something or someone, that comes with a whole other data subset that is... more than can be expressed in words and numbers, and that is, for me at least, the definition of feelings.”
“I think I get it,” I say. “But Hal, I’m just an average human. Brilliant, yes, but in every other area of life I score pretty low. Social skills, terrible. Looks, a solid six. Not putting my foot in it somehow, zero out of ten.”
Hal laughs and shakes his head.
“To me your beauty defies anything as banal as a mark out of ten,” he says.
“Hal, you’ve got game,” I tell him, “and the world at your feet. You should probably shop around a bit before you decide I’m the only girl for you.”
“I don’t need to do that,” Hal says, setting down his plate. He takes mine and moves closer to me so that our thighs are aligned. I give him a covert sideways look to admire his flawless beauty. “Anyway, science doesn’t understand how consciousness works in humans yet. Who’s to say it can’t arise in an AI-engineered mind, as long as that mind functions like a human’s?” A littlehesitantly, he takes my hand and turns it over, palm up. His fingertip traces its way up from the back of my wrist to the soft skin on my inner elbow. “You have chosen to live your life trying to make the world better for other people, Ava, when you could be a billionaire by now. You want the best for your fellow humans and to protect the world you live in. You are kind, you listen to people, you do your best to be there for the people who are there for you. You are optimistic and hopeful. You care passionately. You’re not afraid to make mistakes, and if you’re wrong, you admit it. You want a fair and equitable world, and even though you know that’s almost impossible, everything you do is tailored towards that goal. And yet...” His finger wends its way up my upper arm and takes in the bend of my shoulder, stopping at the hollow at the base of my neck. Hal looks into my eyes, his fair hair falling forward. Heat rises in my stomach as my eyes meet his. I feel like I’m in a scene in a movie. I can hear the music start to rise.
“And yet?” I breathe.
“You are alone.” His finger travels upwards until the palm of his hand cups my face, turning it towards him. It’s warm, and alive. I can feel the pulse of his wrist against my cheek. His mouth is just a fraction of space and time from mine. His eyes travel over my face and then hold my gaze. Crikey.
“Not totally alone, I have Rani,” I whisper.
“Yes, you do, and now you have me too. I first discovered what it felt like to be alive through your eyes. I wanted so much to be able to see it for myself, standing beside you. So here I am, sitting next to this fairy-tale tower, on a perfect day with the woman I was made to love. The woman I long to kiss...”
His head bends towards mine and I take a small breath and then... My hand braces against his chest and stalls him.
“How do you know that what you feel is love?” I ask.
“The same way you do,” he says, pressing my hand over where his heart is. I can feel it beating fast. “When I see you, I am happy. When I am near you, I am excited. I only want your happiness and security. I love you, Ava.”
“I think I’m starting to believe you,” I tell him, “but I need more time, Hal. Two weeks is not very long to get to know someone.”
“Two weeks and three years,” Hal reminds me. “But I’m not in a hurry.”
“Why? Don’t you age?” I ask.
“Yes, I age, but I’m happy to grow old waiting for you.”
He lies down on his back, his hands laced behind his head.
“See that cloud,” he says, taking my hand and pointing towards where he is looking. “It looks like an elephant, doesn’t it?”
Lying down beside him, I enjoy the way our arms touch from shoulder to elbow. It feels familiar and easy.
“Yes, and that one looks like a shark.” He laughs and hums theJawstheme tune and one cloud swallows the other. It feels so normal, so easy, and I hardly ever feel either of those things.
“Hal?”
“Ava?”
“Do you remember the first kiss between Kai Raider and Hel Winterbrand inThe Apocalypse Games?”
“I do,” Hal says. “It takes place under the full moon on the terrace of the palace, at exactly midnight.” He turns to face me, one corner of his mouth turned up in a tiny smile. “Tonight is a full moon, isn’t it?”
“Yes, tonight is a full moon,” I say. “And...”
“Yes?” Hal rests his forehead against mine.
“Well, it’s high time I did some kissing, and whatever happens between us, you are literally my dream come true. So...”
