“Love me?” I ask, and he nods.
“Yes. I love you. You’re it for me. I don’t want anyone else. Is that okay?”
I press my forehead against his and let my hand rest above his fragile heart. “Yes. I love you, too,” I whisper, my voice a hum. I make sure to send the feeling I have for him through our connection, and he shudders in my arms. His head tilts, and he arches his mouth over mine, our tongues tangling as we kiss.
In front of the water, in front of this wild, untamed force.
Just like my love for him, it cannot be contained. Cannot be controlled. It is impossible, and yet it is mine.
No. It isours.
When we pull away, I cradle him in my arms, and we stand there on the shore, watching the water, the waves lapping at the sand, until the sun begins to set. The colors the sky makes are glorious. Purples, pinks, and oranges, just like the Eretharian sky.
It makes my eyes fill with water and my hearts beat in uneven rhythms. It is peaceful here. I would like to live near this lake for the rest of my days, to sit outside and watch the waves as I drink my lattes.
With my Dante.
The same Dante who is now dozing in my arms. I cradle him gently as I carry him back to the car, waking him only when he must stop his slumber. I cannot drive and would not fit behind that odd wheel even if I tried.
I touch his cheek tenderly.
His eyes blink open lazily, and he yawns. “Oh shit. I fell asleep. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
I shake my head and set him in the driver’s seat.“I did not wish to wake you, but I cannot operate the machine.”
Dante’s eyes sparkle as he rubs at them. “No worries. I can totally do that. I just nodded off from the sound of the waves and being all warm against you.” I crouch down and help him buckle in.
His fingers touch my cheek and move up to my ear, touching the broken skin there. “I love you. I said that, right? It wasn’t a dream?”
I hum. “No dreeem. It’s reeeal.”
He sighs happily, his fingers rubbing that tender spot softly. “Do these hurt?”
I shake my head, feeling an ache in my chest, then I take a breath and send to him in our minds,“I would have them again, if you would give them to me.”
His eyes meet mine. “You…wantmeto pierce them? You know I’ve never done that, right?”
I don’t quite know how to explain to a human how important the adornments are, and what they mean to us, but I try. I send him the feeling of when mine were first done—of the affection I felt for my brothers, and the pride I felt in my commander when I was promoted. I show him images of myself looking at my reflection—and then I show him a fantasy I have held.
Of him holding the bone needle to my ear, of him piercing my flesh and leaving his mark behind for everyone to know that I was chosen. That I am his.
He swallows heavily. “And I won’t hurt you?”
“No, my Dante.”
“Then I want to do it. I want to mark you as mine.” He leans toward me, and I meet him halfway, the safety strap inhibiting his movement. His lips meet mine, and we kiss again.
I will never grow tired of this. Of touching him, tasting him.
We finally pull away, and I fold into the passenger seat, letting him drive us home. As we pull out of the parking lot, I crane my neck to see the lake until it is no longer visible. It is glorious, even in the night sky. I wish to sit beneath the earthen stars and listen to the waves hit the shore.
“We’ll come back. As often as you’d like. And one day, I’ll take you to the ocean, but that will be a trek. We could even go whale watching.”
“Wheeel?”
“Whales. Yeah, like huge creatures in the ocean. You’ll love it. Oh, and dolphins. And if we go to Florida, I can show you manatees. Talk about a spirit animal. They are like ocean potatoes.”
“Pooo-tatos.”
