A Servant's Flame | Date Masamune x Jing Ke

Pressure lingers on my back. Darkness. Nothing but black fields my consciousness, but this wasn’t anything I wasn’t used to before. Yet, my head is swirling–spinning. An indescribable pain that festers deeper into my core and surrounds my stomach and protrudes my back. The same feeling branching up into my forehead. My head throbs like I just woke up from a heavy night of drinking.

The pressure on my back was now a stinging sensation. My head skids through–skids through what? It felt freshly watered, but it wasn’t mud. I hope it’s not mud.

I hear a voice echoing.

“...are you?”

“Who are you?”

“...get here?”

Broken lines trail through my thoughts.

In an instant, my consciousness brought forth soft lights behind my eyes. Bright dots and lines sway around as I move my head.

Something prods along my back and then a sharp sensation, seemingly a nail, pokes repeatedly against my upper back.

“I don’t think she’s waking up anytime soon,” a playful, high-pitched voice infers while their hand starts to roam around my back. “Hopefully the portal closes soon.”

Lights started to flood my eyes, but it was a struggle to rip apart my eyelids. Light? I don’t understand. A purple sky begins to flood my vision. I looked down and there it was, green grass and a multitude of flowers of many colors, like a vivid painting coming to life. My retinas were overwhelmed and I felt lines of tears slowly flow down my cheek.

I forgot what it was like to see. To be able to consume color and to truly cherish it. It was something I forgot to do before I lost my vision to my own mistake. But this? This was an experience I hadn’t had for a long time now.

“Whoa, I think she’s waking up!” I feel a body hover over me, probably roaming their gaze around me.

I let out a hefty groan while trying to sit myself up. A couple hands help support me and push me. I rub my temples as my other hand pushes against the soft terrain under me. Immediately, my mind goes blank and my forehead is met with the palm of my hand. The world keeps spinning as I try to regulate myself.

“Holy shit, my head,” I slur; my voice echoes into the empty abyss.

“Are you okay?” The same voice from before chirps. She rolls her hand over the back of my head, soothing the pain that continues to linger.

“Sorry, hold on…” Groggy, I hesitantly looked towards the elegant voice that aided me. I find myself gazing upon a youthful lady. What drew me in instantly was her eyepatch. It was a black leather with a blue glowing from the holes that seemed to be lazily stitched together. Next, her red hair frames her face perfectly. The longer parts of her hair highlight her figure along with the glow of her skin. The locks were mostly straight, yet some curved. A section of the hair though was tied to the side with ruffles that were tied down by a ribbon.

Her clothes were alien, just–nothing I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Maybe outlandish is the word I’m looking for. Her wardrobe was draped with oranges, reds, whites, and blacks. The base was a white vertically lined shirt that had ruffles layered with ruffles as an overskirt, especially the longed-sleeved cuffs that started towards her elbow and hid her hands entirely.

“Are you okay?” She asks again while I’m deep in my trance. Her eye darted around, still looking around my face and down to my legs.

“Apologies. Who are you?”

She meets my gaze before answering, “Oh. I guess I should introduce myself, huh. My name is Date! I’m one of the leaders of the Dark realm!” She extends her arms and hands the ends of her fingers with excitement. But after her demeanor drops. “...even call me that.” The first part I couldn’t make out. “Uhm, do you remember your name?” She forces a smile.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, actually. Do you know anything about me, perhaps?” I ask while surveying my surroundings. All I could see was an infinity of purple with warped colors swirling around stars and branching deeper into the dark. Its galaxy-like backdrop, oddly enough, made Date’s outline glow.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t gather anything about you.” Date’s face goes blank as she pushes a couple flyaway hairs behind her ear.

I naturally bring my gaze down to my hands. Raising them, I scrunch the joints of my fingers into my palms. As I push down harder, I focus on the intricate details of my skin. The lines, the dips, the curvature of my nails. I release the pressure and then examine my lap where my cheongsam lies.

My eyes welled up in tears. Instinctively, I bite my lip and run my fingers across the silky, red fabric. I let the pads of my fingertips take in every gold embellishment along with its respective rhinestones. It has been years since I’ve seen this dress. I remember…

I remember?

I don’t– who helped me put this on?

A flood of memories crash against my forehead and I recoil from the sudden pain. Pale fingers were braiding and pinning up my hair. In the mirror, her blonde hair was beautifully tied up in a ponytail and her top, a pure white, framed her legs perfectly.

“You’re safe now Jing. You’re okay now.”

“...okay?”

Date pokes my cheek.

“...you okay?”

I rapidly blink until Date comes into focus. “Are you okay?” Her voice sounded urgent this time with the prodding getting heavier.

“My apologies. I…” I furrow my brows, unable to explain exactly what I saw. “My name is Jing. That’s all that I can remember.” I watch Date pull her hand away with a defeated look on her face.

“So…” Her lips shift a couple times. “You really don’t remember anything? Like, anything at all?” She presses harder.

“No, nothing. And you still don’t know anything?”

“Usually people know how they die before coming here. Of course there’s cases like yours where they only remember a little bit, but I’ve never seen a severe case like this,” Date goes on to explain, but my heart sinks.

I take a moment to let it settle. With a chuckle I respond, “first my sight, now my death?” I try to make light of the situation, but my heavy grimace probably gives it away. I want to say that this isn’t possible at all, but fighting facts won’t solve anything.

An appalling surge of pain threads around my forehead, just like before, this time the pain marinades and orbits around my skull, striking intensely in certain areas.

The pain forces me to bundle over and land on Date’s hands, luckily she extended them towards me.

“Oh no! Jing, are you okay?!” She rushes to pull me up and starts to wave my face with her hands. “I’m sorry! I had no idea you didn’t know that you didn’t know that you were dead! Shit, how can I help?” Date scrambles to find the words as she darts her head around every which way.

Date snaps. “Aha! A subject change!” She points towards the sky with a smug look on her face, but just as quickly as it went up, her fingers rest on her chin as she goes deep in thought. “Uhm…?” She purses her lips as we both fall into a silence.

The only thing that could be heard was the natural hum that resonated with the world, like a slow whir of a ceiling fan in the middle of the night. In an odd sense, it was comforting. The grass felt nice against my hands and the air felt pure.

To try to relieve the headache, I run my hand over my forehead and push against the pressure points on my temples and near my eyes. It wasn’t completely effective, but it was enough for me to try to think back to the events that occurred before now. I replay back to the feeling of falling. Then, the thud, just trying to make sense of how and why.

“...is really pretty! Uhm, can you hear me?”

I shake my head slowly. I was so ingrained with my thoughts that I barely noticed Date’s attempts to make small talk.

“Has anyone told you how pretty your hair is? Like, your natural brown hair looks amazing through the dark maroon! I don’t know anyone who can do ombre colors like that, I always found it really difficult,” Date speaks passionately while swirling her hair around her slim finger.

I couldn’t help but smile at her efforts to break the awkwardness growing between us. A wave of comfort threads through my nerves. Though the soreness in my body and the headache was still prevalent, I did eventually ease the tension within myself.

“You do? My mistress helped me do it. Her and this lady, I think her name was Carmen, fixed up my hair and even found me this beautiful outfit! I’m beyond grateful for the two of them. They were by my side anytime I needed anything.” I glossed over Date’s attire once more, but my eyes fell on something rather intriguing. “Your eyepatch. It reminds me of a mask I used to wear. I find yours beautiful, where did you get it?”

Date’s complexion widens with a small spread of blush rushing into her cheeks. “Oh! Maybe we’re not so different after all!” She gleams. “I don’t know where my family got this. It’s been in my generation for many generations! I just said generations twice, whoops…”

I begin stretching my arms out. “You’re too cute, you know that?” I swallow a build up in my throat and then realize, “oh, I could use a drink about now, actually–”

“I KNOW A TEA PLACE!!!” Date jumps up onto her feet. Sparkles highlight the blue in her eye and her cheeks rise in the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. “I think you’d love it! Do you love boba?!” She presses her face closer towards mine, our noses only centimeters apart before she gracefully pulls away. “Oh, whoops. I mean, uh. I know a place!” She softens her grin; she was bad at holding back her excitement.

“I don’t mind boba at all! I’m only akin to regular black tea though. I wouldn’t mind expanding my palate. Besides, I’m curious what this place has to offer.” I push myself off from the ground. However, once I bring my head up I wince from the immediate whiplash.

“Oh no!” Date’s arms scramble themselves together before finally latching onto me into a secure embrace. “You shouldn’t stand up so fast! Take it easy will you?” Her forehead creased in worry.

“Sorry. I’m trying to fight this killer migraine. Is this normal for newcomers?”

Date looks away and thinks for a while before answering, “Traveling to another realm can take a massive toll on anyone, much more on someone who isn’t used to it, so. I would assume yes, but since you don’t have your memories like everyone else had, that could correlate to your headache being so prolonged.” Date’s tone shifts up a pitch along with a shrug. “Either way! I’m taking you to a place where you can fully relax and you don’t have to worry about a thing!”

I find myself oddly engrossed as she speaks. The way her lips move, the way she stresses certain words and syllables, and how she moves her hand with her facial expressions. It was strangely hypnotic. Only a feeling I’ve ever experienced with my mistress.

Date breaks this trance by pushing her fingers against mine and then leading into the vast expanse. Her pace kept sharp–focused on the destination rather than the trip. She would switch between skipping to speed-walking sporadically. It was difficult trying to keep up with someone so energetic.

We journey through the landscape and enter a semi-crowded city. It had a larger population than Tara Continent. Buildings had many different aesthetics along with its people who shared similar aesthetics to Date, wearing purples, oranges, and blacks. Many of the buildings had magnificent dècor and lighting, making some of the neighboring ones look bland and obsolete. Each building had a personality of its own, and it was difficult to take in the beauty with Date trying to drag me around.

I take a moment to stop, take a gaze along the horizon, and take in the wonderful air, it really did feel like we were in slow motion. Then I’m met with Date yanking me, making me snap out of my momentary rapture. As we continued, her fingers added pressure in between my knuckles.

A strange mix of happiness, yet regret, floods my mind. I’ve never seen people this happy before. Partying, yelling, having fun with each other, and just doing whatever made them smile. I couldn’t help but wonder what other marvels were hidden in this paradise. Could I possibly find contentment here?

With a grin as radiant as the sun, Date finally slows a bit to match my gaze, saying, “you know, most people here call this realm Hell. I think it was adopted because it seemed like unfortunate souls got tossed here for ill behavior, but I actually don’t think that at all.”

“Really?” I tilt my head in interest.

“Yup! I think people are sent here because it’s where souls can atone or repent for their deeds. Morals will always be a gray subject though. Even in the Light realm people have their differences and opinions,” she goes on to explain.

Her words definitely piqued my interest. “Is the Light realm considered a Heaven of sorts, then?”

Date nodded while swinging our arms in unison. “I think people in the Light realm don’t like the nickname. It’s a place for rule followers and their respective enforcers. For example, it’s people who can’t live without guidance. Souls don’t necessarily want to be there, but people will always find comfort in ‘God’.” She quotes God with her fingers. “This place, on the other hand,” she gestured around us, “is different. You can be whoever you wanna be and do whatever you want to do.” Realization dawns on Date’s face. “Within reason! Of course. Don’t try to kill people and uh, stuff. Very annoying to have to deal with., uhm…

“That makes sense.” I allow myself to float into my own thoughts for a moment. “Rule follower” really resonated with me. I feel like all my life that’s all I ever tried to do. But, did I truly love it? I wonder…

“If that’s the case though,” I bring my focus back to Date. “Why didn’t I make it to the Light realm?”

Date teeters her head, but she swiftly responds with, “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t attribute it to wrongdoing. Maybe you’re here because you challenged Gods instead of following them. Then again, who knows. Only the one in purgatory does!”

This only sparked a flurry of questions in my mind.

“Gods? Like, multiple? Purgatory? I’m not really understanding…” I never followed religions, especially enough to note that there’s multiple. I wasn’t one to decline the idea either, reality really could be anything.

“Oh yeah. There’s multiple. And that’s if you even wanna call her that,” she spat venom off her tongue. She scowls with disgust as she continues, “I don’t like a certain Angel. She pisses me off, ugh, such a day ruiner!” Her once fast pace then came to an aggravated stomp as the subject grew more grim.

A part of me was left unsatisfied and left wondering: Who were the gods? Who was this Angel? Before I could press further, Date’s face grew in excitement as we approached a vibrant section of neon lights.

“Look!” She points while swinging me around to her side. A sign flashes “Lü Bu’s Inn” and is adorned with fuchsia LEDs then surrounded with stars and dots flashing miscellaneous colors. The frame of the sign itself had a lacy border and sprouted out a logo of a lady with black and red hair.

The inn building itself was encased with tangled vines and tentacle like flowers growing from them. Iron fencing also twisted around the area, enriched with potted plants in every corner. Overall, it gave a charming and earthy appeal, one that I was quite fond of.

“C’monnn! Let’s go inside, hurry!” Date giggles and rushes us in while bouncing around on the balls of her feet. She leads me inside and a chee rful bell rings greets us as the both of us enter.

The white brick walls of the room are embellished with lush vines that have grown through the cracks. White flowers sprout along the vines, giving the inside a nice floral smell. In front of us lies a long bar with a marbled countertop, lined with black and red bar stools. Behind the bar stools, there are several tables of varying sizes and their corresponding chairs.

“Holy shit Date, you weren’t kidding. This place is absolutely divine!” I gape, taking in every miniscule detail the interior had to offer. “Also, you called this a café earlier, but the sign says that this is an inn.”

Date purses her lips innocently. “It’s a café, hotel, bar, lounge all rolled into one! Really convenient for those who get a bit too tipsy and want a place to stay!” She blinks a few times before retracting, “not that I would know! I don’t drink. Except the boba. What’s not to love?”

“Welcome in!” A silvery, boisterous voice greets us from a hallway behind the counter. A man with purple tinted hair appears from behind a curtain. The edge of his lip was smudged with a glossy red.

He picks up a wine glass along with a rag, as he approaches us, and he begins to clean the glass. “How can I help you beautiful ladies tonight, hm? I have tea, coffee, juice, and even sandwiches.”

I wait to see if Date would respond. As I peer over, a frozen, stuttering Date appears before me. “B-B-Boba… B-” She stammers while her head is basically facing the ground.

I whisper, “what’s wrong?” I walk in front of her to hopefully ease the anxiety.

“I-I’m-!” Date shakes her head. “Scared of men!” She confesses with a turned lip.

I take a hold of Date’s unoccupied hand and squeeze mine into her palm so I could hopefully ground her. “I see. Would me ordering for the both of us help aid your anxiety?”

She rapidly nodded her head, showing her pleading, but she kept her head low. “Would you really do that for me?”

“Of course. Doesn’t bother me, none.”

“Okay…” Date glances at the menu and then says, “Can you order two Rose milk teas with Strawberry popping boba, please?” Her face finally begins to relax.

“Alright, Hun. Just stay put, okay?” I flash her a smile before letting our hands naturally part, but Date still grasped at the tips of my fingers.

I walk up to the counter, scanning the menu just to review what I was supposed to order.

“Is your girlfriend okay?” The guy behind the counter asks with a vexatious smirk.

I cock an eyebrow in confusion. “Uhm.” I kinda squint, unsure of how to respond. “What? Sure, uh, nevermind, she’s fine. I’d like two Rose milk teas with Strawberry popping boba. Both in medium cups, please.”

“Gotcha. That will be fourteen thousand Tala coins,” he sizes me up and the smirk only grows wider.

Shit. Do I still have any…?

As I’m lost in thought trying to rummage through my pockets, and in general looking around for any kind of currency, a velvet, purple pouch flies over my head and lands in front of me on the counter. The guy doesn’t question it and naturally picks it up. He begins to open the pouch and spread the coins out to count them.

I turn around only to see Date with a mischievous grin on her face. “I got it covered!” She mouths with a thumbs up and a wink.

Following a titter, I turn around to face the bartender again.

He continues to count the coins, but then he kinda shrugs and places the coins back into the pouch. He nonchalantly stashes it into his pocket while he rings the payment through.

“Thank you! I hope you enjoy your drinks, ladies!” He coos and walks back into the curtain, disappearing from our sight.

I bow from the shoulders. “Thank you.” I bring myself back up and start heading back towards Date. However, she had other plans.

She grips onto my arm and instantly drags me over into the back of the café. I’m faced with mahogany wood tables with purple booths. On top of the table lay a candle, paper towels, and pre-wrapped silverware.

Date lets go of my arm; she settles into her seat and extends her hand to the other side of the booth. I take this as a notion to sit down, so I take a seat as well. As I adjusted myself, I couldn’t help but to glance towards Date. She had her usual smile back, it was like the atmosphere finally shifted back to comfort and familiarity.

Her head started to shift down though, as if she was deep in thought about something. “...heard that before. Jing definitely… familiar… which book?” She murmurs unconnected pieces of sentences while rolling her index finger over the lines of the wood.

“What about me?” I gently ask her, being careful not to disturb her.

“Oh! Whoops.” Date snaps back to reality. “I was just thinkin’s out loud.” She sinks into her seat with her forehead downcast.

“Oh. My apologies.” I lay my hands comfortably on the table, but make sure to avoid setting my elbows onto it.

We exchange a few glances as a silence falls between the two of us.

Date increasingly becomes more shaky while fidgeting more and more. Eventually, she chews on her lip while widening her eye at me. The aura between us gradually becomes more intense.

I tilt my head, wondering what she wants from–

“Well! Since you’ve asked so politely, I suppose I’ll tell you,” She says while straightening her back, seemingly getting ready for a lengthy storytime. “I was trying to recall which book I read your name in. It’s been stuck in my head since you’ve said it! Ah, I guess for some context, I should explain.

“Each of us represents a piece of unfathomable history. Ancient books and items from thousands of years ago. Our great great great great great grandparents probably couldn’t keep track of the historical documents!

“Now, you’re probably wondering: What piece of history do I represent? Which piece of history do I have? Well. We were important historical markers and leaders. We created art, fought against oppression, or maybe even both. We all walked a line of fame and ingenuity. In short? We’re historical figures.” Date ultimately shrugs. “That’s my guess though. From the research I’ve conducted.”

“There’s no way…” I cross my arms and fidget with the loose ends of my dress.

“I could tell you a bit of my history! My full name is Date Masamune. I replicate a leader, a Japanese fighter, a samurai from the Edo period. He contracted smallpox and lost an eye, earning the nickname ’One-Eyed Dragon,’” she says, her eye glowing with enthusiasm as she gestures to her eyepatch with her finger. “Doesn’t that sound familiar?! I think it’s super cool. I also found common findings for Loki and even–” She stops herself. She flashes a grimace, but she goes back to grinning.

“That’s really impressive. This must have taken you a long time to learn, much more to memorize, right?” I admire. “How did you learn all this anyway?”

“I did spend countless hours reading, translating, understanding, and then hypothesizing,” she replies with a tinge of embarrassment. “I can tell you about Jing Ke. If you dare!” She wiggles her fingers towards me with a smirk.

“You have made me curious, I will admit.”

Date’s eyebrows twitch and a devilish smirk etches itself wider across her face.

“What? Go on then!” I push eagerly, waiting for her response.

“Okay, okay. Jing Ke is very similar to my story. Differences? He was a Chinese fighter, an assassin of sorts.”

Something clicked in me as she said assassin. A rush of adrenaline courses through my nerves and my heart begins to pound against my chest.

It’s hard to breathe.

I can’t breathe.

Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed by a series of flashbacks, my consciousness flickering in and out.

Images of my mistress flood my head. I could hear my own voice, trying to warn… someone? Ugh, but who? She’s blonde and scared, wearing a tiara, one that looks so familiar.

“Princess Richard!” I attempt to grasp towards her, trying to grab onto her. Her blue eyes were huge, but she also reached out towards me.

“Don Quixote! She’s coming to…” I keep trying to urge her, but then a large protruding feeling inserts itself through my back and impels me through my stomach.

In due time, my vision finally returns back to normal, but the lingering headache from before only grows in resilience.

“He actually attempted to assassinate his emperor at the time. Because of it, he became infamous for it! Regardless, he was a brilliant worker,” Date was still explaining, her hands moving with each verb.

I spring my hands outwards. A weird feeling dwells in my core. How could I have betrayed my mistress? It’s impossible. She– She saved me. She took care of me. Why…

“Fuck, my head…” I’m able to mutter as I groan in agony. I rub my throbbing temples, yet nothing is soothing the pain that continues to sting.

“Oh god!” Date’s voice rises with concern. “A-Are you okay?” She was about to bring herself on the table, but a masculine voice was approaching behind us..

The server comes to our side, holding two drinks in his hand. “Here’s your drink ladies!” He says with a sleazy tone. After, he begins sliding the two drinks onto the middle of the table.

Even though I was focused on my pain, I couldn’t help but pivot to the clear, pink boba balls that settled at the bottom of the pink drink. A beautiful white foam rests at the top with a striped straw going through it.

Date, on the other hand, recoils in fear and avoids eye contact as the server approaches, her hands fidgeting and her foot tapping nervously against the leg of the table. She was obviously uncomfortable during the entire exchange.

“If you need anything, just let me know! My name is Rex,” the server says with a suggestive wink before sauntering off.

Within seconds after he’s gone, Date jumps onto the table, her hands frantically examining my face. “What’s wrong? What happened? I’m sorry if I said something wrong!” Despite the anxiety inscribed into her lapis eye, it still twinkled with concern.

“I... can’t even.” My voice quivers as the memories press against my forehead. “I think... I think I was killed by my mistress? I’m not sure, it’s all so hazy.” I trail off–still overwhelmed by the flood of emotions and images.

“Huh? Murdered!?” Date scrunches her eyebrows; her eye squint.

“I was trying to warn Princess Richard of the Tara Continent,” I continued, squinting as I tried to remember. “My mistress was after her, trying to kill her. Then she ended up killing me. Octavius and… Ugh.” I ball my hands into fists, my nails digging into my skin and drawing blood. “I just can’t remember!”

“Sounds like the princess pissed off the wrong group of people,” Date says while running her fingers through my hair. The tingles in my scalp actually helping the headache.

“I want to go back. I need to help the princess!” I grasp onto Date, but her face drops.

“So that’s why you’re not in the Light realm…” Date mumbles. “You can’t. I’m sorry,” she replies with compassion.

“What? If I came here, then there has to be a way back, right?”

“Technically, yes. However, you need to be able to harbor Dark and/or Light matter to cross the threshold of this realm. In fact, I doubt you have any Dark matter in you at all. Even if you did, it would strain you way too much, just look at you!”

An aggressive “nothing” comes out of either of us. I take a moment to let her words sink in. As I do so, Date retreats back onto her side of the table, and I slump back into my own seat, feeling a new wave of defeat.

“I’m jealous of people like you. I envy you all with every atom of my being.” Date finally breaks the thread between us. “You’re lucky.”

“How? Why? You’re a ruler of a realm, isn’t that beneficial within itself?” I crinkle my nose.

“No, you don’t understand! I never got a life like yours, I was never really alive. I was born here. I have to watch over this realm for the rest of my eternal life and fight for those who can’t.”

I soften my face. A pang of guilt forms in my chest and spirals to my core. “Really?”

“Remember when you first noticed my eyepatch?” Date’s voice wavers slightly as she speaks, and she fidgets with her fingers, her head hanging in embarrassment. “It actually houses the Demon King himself. Whenever we’re summoned, I have to share a piece of my personality with him. When my mother was pregnant and she conceived me, he passed onto me.”

“Why?” My past frustration was replaced with genuine curiosity.

“Because without him, I’m nothing. I’m weak and powerless, and everyone in this realm knows that.” Date’s voice rises with emotion, her eye widening. She bites down on her bottom lip in irritation.

“Who else could be summoned when the surface needs help?” I ask softly, reaching across the table to take her hand in mine.

“The Gods of both realms. They’re probably the last to go unless it’s super serious. Like, when the people in Guild league take it too far. Doesn’t happen often though,” Date’s anger flattens into a sadness.

I give her hand a gentle squeeze, and she looks up to meet my gaze. I intertwine my fingers with hers, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles, trying to ease her anxiety in any way I can.

Her expression begins to relax, and her breathing becomes less erratic. However, her lips remain downturned, indicating that she is still troubled by the topic at hand.

“Can you tell me more about the Gods?” I ask, hoping to redirect her thoughts. She always got excited anytime she got to explain anything.

Like I predicted, Date’s lips finally curve up. “Well, there are technically only two of them, although Saints and Archdemons also exist and are fairly common. However, I wouldn’t classify myself as an Archdemon, either,” Date explains. “Loki is the Chief of the Demon realm, but one of the princesses, Caesar, helps carry out most of the orders. Then there’s Lü Bu who’s basically a celebrity here.” Date licks her lips and her eye direct themselves upwards in thought. “Sima Yi is a well known Archdemon, along with Dante. Usually I work along Sima Yi, she’s very kind.”

I nod, absorbing the new information. “What about their counterparts?” I inquired, happy that distracting her is actually working.

“I’m not very knowledgeable about the Angelic realm,” she responds. “However, I do know that their leader is Thor, and she’s not someone to mess with unless you’re serious about it. Although, there are a pair of twins who have crazy rehabilitation magic, like, I mean crazy, insane, bonkers kinda healing stuff. Er, I wouldn’t say healing.” Date taps her lips, letting her gaze float around naturally while in thought. “You said your Princess was Princess Richard, right?”

I cock my head to the side.

“I’m pretty sure she has connections to Heaven, but I guess she relies heavily on Arthur for that one…”

I furrow my brow in thought. “Didn’t you mention her assistant before?”

Suddenly, Date’s grip on my hand tightens, and her lips tremble with a mix of frustration and hurt. Tears begin to form in her eyes, and she immediately holds her head down.

“Her name is Reginleif. They call her ‘Angel’. She’s my direct counterpart,” Date’s voice wavers with misery. “She’s Thor’s right-hand gal. They’re always together. I still can’t believe she would betray me for that… that… fool.”

“What happened between the Dark and Light realms? What made you so scared of—” I begin to ask.

“It was an altercation between the Dark and Light realms,” she huffs. “We went through a Great divide and that’s how the ‘Split’ happened.” She rolls her eye.

I’m stunned. “Like a Holy war?” My voice cracks in shock.

“You could describe it as such. But it’s more like a Holy ‘grudge’,” she strains.

I take this moment to use my other hand to lift the drink, still keeping my hand intertwined with hers.

The drink is a stunning shade of pink. Finally, I could take a closer look. A strawberry and mint garnish sits on the sugar rim, adding to its visual appeal. However, the aroma is cloyingly sweet, making it almost impossible to not make my nose scrunch up.

I take a sip of the drink through the pink and white striped straw, and the overpowering sweetness instantly coats my tongue. Despite this, I take a few more sips out of courtesy, aware of Date’s watchful eye.

“It’s a bit too sweet for my liking, unfortunately,” I comment, placing the drink back down on the table. “I think the drink itself is very appealing to the eye though. It shows this place truly cares about their craft.”

Date’s eye drop. “Bitter,” she suddenly says with pressure on her tongue.

“Pardon?”

“You like your coffee without creamer, don’t you?” She accuses me, leaning closer with a finger extended towards me. “I love sweet things–” she places her hand down–“I have a major sweet tooth!” Date smiles, and a small giggle escapes her lips. I grin without knowing it. “Huh. Sweet, just like you.”

Date’s face lights up with a thick pink blush blooming across her cheeks and connecting on her nose bridge. “Well, you know what they say, opposites attract,” she says, stumbling over her words.

I smile sheepishly, feeling a light blush of my own form. I hadn’t realized the implications of my words, but I suppose there’s no taking it back now.

“W-Wait!” Date covers her face with her long sleeve-cuffs upon realizing what both she and I had just insinuated. “Wh-what?! Hey! Sorry, I didn’t fully grasp what that meant…”

“I meant that you have a sweet personality, as in you’re kind and dependable,” I clarify, trying to ease the tension.

Date’s eye twitches. She brings her glass to her lips but takes a deep breath before guzzling it down with surprising speed. Her eye squish together as she tilts the glass back, and a droplet overflows from the corner of her lip, lining her chin which she quickly wipes away with the back of her hand after she takes a very short break.

Trying to ease the tension in the air, I quickly take a few sips from my own drink, but my eyes remain fixed on her. I can’t help but be impressed by her ability to down her drink in such an impressive manner.

After a heavy breath, Date’s empty glass clinks onto the table, breaking the awkward silence that I, probably, only felt.

She then clasps her free hand onto mine, a wide grin spreading across her face. “I suppose that was quite the lore dump! Let’s head over to my place,” she proposes.

I raise an eyebrow. “Why?”

Date rolls her eye. “You always ask that. It’s getting late, and I don’t want you to get lost. Plus, it’s more comfortable at my place. Don’t worry, I won’t bite,” she sings.

“Is there a daytime/nighttime system here?” I mostly ask as a joke.

Date shrugs. “Technically, yes. But it’s more like a suggestion than a rule. Just go with the flow and don’t think about it too much.” She purses her lips, then stands up, tugging at my arm to follow her. “C’mon! Let’s go.”

“I hope I’m not being too presumptuous by accepting your invitation to your living quarters, considering we don’t know each other that well,” I express my concerns.

“What are you, British? There’s no need to be so formal. Besides, I don’t mind at all. Actually...” She hesitates for a moment, looking down. “I would like to get to know you better, if you would be willing. I wanna have you at my house.”

I pondered the thought. Is this truly appropriate for someone who just met today? Barely even hours ago? “Well, I wouldn’t want to decline an invitation from a charming lady like yourself,” I responded and I gave her a gentle squeeze.

“Oh, good!” Date begins to stand up from the table, but she does a sudden double take. “What?” I watch her eye widen. “What did you say? Towards the end?”

I chuckle with a wave. “Nothing! Let’s go,” I say while standing up and joining her side. She magnetizes herself around me and she points to the door.

The same bell from us entering leads us out once we exit the building. The sky did seem deeper and its people retired to their homes. Lights still glisten against the galaxies, but a good few were muted in the distance.

I tighten my arm around Date’s waist, enjoying the warmth of her body as she leads us down a grandiose path lined with rocks of varying sizes. The rocks are arranged in an intricate pattern, almost as if the colors were akin to a chess board. The path leads both of us to two large iron gateways with detailed engravings and designs that must have taken countless hours of craftsmanship to complete.

As we both approach the gates, Date reaches towards them. A ball of dark purples and highlights of blue manifest from her palm. The gates retract with a low rumbling sound, revealing a stunning garden full of vibrant flowers and a resounding orchid.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure if Date wanted to lead the way, but after a few seconds of her standing still, I took the lead and guided us through the gates and into the garden. The fragrance of the flowers fill my nostrils with sweet and fruity tones. I find the swaying of the tree branches relaxing as we go through the tall bodies of bark.

We arrived shortly to a simple tower whose bricks were similar in color to the path. My eyes couldn’t tear away from the fresh and newly put-together bricks, at least, they looked new. It’s clear that someone has put a lot of effort into creating this place, as well as maintaining it.

“It feels like a labyrinth in here, I don’t know how you navigate this every single day,” I brought up small talk, but my comments were true. My eyes couldn’t stop roaming every which way.

Date chuckles, her eye sparkling. “So, like a Lost Garden of sorts?” Her lips curl into a playful grin, perhaps hinting at something. “You get used to it when you’re here for long enough. I would hopefully know, too, since I was the one who grew all this!”

“Funny way of putting it, but essentially, yeah,” I reply to her earlier comment.

“Wait until you get inside–don’t expect too much though! It’s a lot smaller than it actually looks.” Date’s fingers ignite with purple flames as she opens the tower’s door.

I follow her inside and immediately notice the unique trinkets and curios scattered throughout the room.

“This is my humble abode!” Date twirls around the room with outstretched arms. “It’s a bit cramped, but I find it cozy.

“Also, sorry! I didn’t prepare for guests today, so the place is kinda unorganized. Just try to watch your step!”

“Well I love it, you obviously take interior design seriously. You have a knack for it,” I reply, taking in the vibrant purple-to-roseate ombre curtains and the shelves lining the walls that were highlighted with books, bottles, and various mystical items that any witch could aid from. I even spotted a quill with a matching ink set; papers lied underneath them with ink lines and splotches.

Suddenly, Date beckons me over by waving her arm. “Psst! Come over here! I have a secret passageway! It’s honestly the coolest thing that I have,” she sings while pulling back a rack of clothes, and a circular door emerges. She flips a couple of notches beside it and crawls inside as she giggles.

Hesitantly, I follow her through the clothes and a small bedroom appears.

Her bed is halloween themed with orange, purple, and black bedding. It’s framed by a stunning canopy. Next to her bed is a nightstand holding candles and a book with a bookmark protruding its side. Against the wall sits a desk cluttered with papers and a stamping set, some papers looked half done and some were left completely blank.

“If your living room was anything to go by, then your bedroom is more than astonishing.” I comment, admiring the vibrant colors and ornate details of her bedding. “It smells like you, right down to the color of your walls.”

“Right!? Although, I would hope I smell like my house.” Date cannonballs onto her bed and lands criss-crossed. She then pats the spot beside her. “Come sit with me!”

I took up her offer and sat next to her, feeling the luxurious texture of her sheets against my palm, along with a nice bounce as I sat down. As we sit there, I notice a subtle shift in the air between us. A weird nervousness sparks within me. Everything was fine up until now, so what’s going on?

Date’s hand lies on mine and she scoots closer to me. This was fine before, but why is my heart throbbing so vigorously? Again, emotions that didn’t occur before was just—

I looked towards her; her eye was searching through mine. Fear crossed her face as she got closer. For some reason, this felt different. I felt the heat boil through my cheeks.

“Are you okay?” She tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “You look a bit pale.” Date’s hands were softer than normal. They had a graceful and delicate undertone, one that I hadn’t noticed before. She was always diligent with her actions. She was more than just smart; she was good at maintaining a bubbly environment, and she always brought a smile to my face.

Her face flashes with an idea. She reaches over and grabs a stuffed dragon that was next to her pillows. She holds it close to her chest while cradling it, and for a moment, I’m completely mesmerized by her every movement. Maybe I have been this entire time, but I notice the way her hair falls gently on her shoulders, framing her face, and how her eye sparkle in the light. I notice the way she blinks after her eye flickers from one side to the other. The way she moves her fingers while she’s speaking, and how she plays with the frills on her outfit when she’s nervous.

I shake my head and pat my cheek with a bit of force. Realizing that I’ve been staring for too long, I finally respond. “I’m fine, how about you?” I tried to bring the conversation back to her, but my voice kinda wavered.

Date’s eye shifts away, and her lips curve slightly down, hinting at a tinge of sadness as she scratches her neck.

“Actually,” she begins, her voice barely above a whisper, “you’re the first person I’ve ever gotten along with so well. Being around you makes me feel different. Not in a bad way or anything! It’s just, uhm, I’m not sure if it’s platonic? I guess?” She pauses, and her eye meet mine. The usual sparkles were dull, revealing her vulnerability. “I suppose people would assume I’m a lesbian because of my fear of men, but I’m not actually sure. Like, I have feelings for you, and I don’t know how to explain it other than that, that I’m, I don’t know? A lesbian? I guess? Fuck, I’m sorry, this is probably super weird to bring up out of nowhere.” She fidgets with the dragon’s arms, making them touch and go apart. She purposely avoids eye contact, keeping her head low.

I reach over and quickly grasp her hand into mine. “There’s no need to apologize, Date. I appreciate your honesty. And, to be honest myself, I actually feel the same way; I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, either. Except my mistress, I suppose.” My voice is soft to hopefully keep the tension at bay. My heart races with excitement, yet nervousness warms my stomach.

I wait for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts before responding. “I had a great day with you today,” I finally say. “And I think I might be developing romantic feelings or thoughts towards you. I think so, anyway. I’m not even sure, but if these feelings are real…” I attempt to continue. No words came to mind.

Date shuffles herself around, finally lifting her head. “Do you speak Chinese or Cantonese?” Date changes the subject abruptly.

I’m a bit taken aback by the sudden change, but I also understand the pressure she was probably feeling. “Why do you ask?” I tilt my head and squint my eyes.

“Remember when I was talking about our past? About the–Yeah, anyway. Huntresses with a special soul have similar connections of their past-reincarnated selves. For example, I can speak Japanese and wield a scythe. I may not be a samurai now, but I do align with a fighter’s spirit.”

“You said that in my past, Jing Ke was an assassin, right? I think that’s what you said.”

“Indeed! One of stealth and passion. He was good at his job. Maybe not in good health, but he ultimately stayed loyal to those he gave his promise to. He was an incredible assassin, but his fame only occurred because he failed to assassinate his leader. The fact he tried though is already badass within itself, so.”

I felt the rampage again. The burst of energy surging through me. I close my eyes tightly, trying to stop the onslaught of memories that threaten to consume me once more. The room felt like it was closing in on me, and my breaths came in short gasps. I’m acutely aware of the weight of my body as it sways unsteadily.

Date’s voice cuts through the fog of my distress, and I could hear her cry out in concern. I couldn’t tell what exactly she was saying; her tone is laced with worry, and her hand steadies itself on my shoulder, trying to balance me. It felt comforting being with her. I felt this way this entire time we’ve been together.

I try to focus on her voice, to ground myself in the present, but my mind is stubbornly stuck in the past. My thoughts are a jumble of images and sensations, and I can’t seem to shake them loose.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper as I finally regain my vision. Date’s face was dull and her forehead was creased. A remorse surrounds my chest for making her worry. I take a deep breath and try to steady myself on my own, but the pain in my head persists, like a constant thrumming.

With another deep breath, I bring my head up and try to lighten the mood. “No need to worry about me, I’ll be okay,” I try to convince Date. “To answer your question, I can understand Mandarin but unfortunately, I can’t speak, read, or write it.” with a chuckle, I say, “I guess you’re right about the history thing. I used to be an assassin, and I used to be on the wrong side of the triangle, though, Don saved me, but I don’t understand why I...?” I turn to Date, my eyebrows furrowed and my eyes searching for answers.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now,” Date says reassuringly. “You didn’t betray her. Maybe you knew subconsciously that you wanted the greater good and she happened to not align with those ideals anymore, but she got her hands dirty–probably too dirty–driven by greed or being misled.”

I couldn’t believe what I was considering. Was it possible that my mistress, the person I had pledged my eternal allegiance to: did I really betray her? Did she really betray me? The thought was unsettling, yet it made sense. If it wasn’t true, why else would I be here?

Date moves herself closer to me. “Actually, there was something I wanted to share with you. Do you mind?” She lies herself down, placing her head on my lap like an adorable kitten getting ready to take a nap.

“Of course, Love. I adore your voice and anything that comes with it,” I respond oddly poetically. Completely accidental.

Date’s fingers fiddled with the strands of her side ponytail as she spoke. “I don’t usually open up to people. I typically direct lost souls to Loki and let her take care of them, but I chose to trust you. I don’t know why. It’s not easy for me to trust anyone, but something in my gut told me that you were different.” I hear her swallow a lump in her throat. “And, I trust you. I trust you with all my heart and it scares me…”

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m honored that you trust me, Date.” I lay my hand on her head and rub my fingertips into her scalp.

Warning: Implied sexual assault & abuse

“I’ve had problems with men in the past. They tormented my family in so many ways. They made personal attacks on me because I was the newest offspring. They wouldn’t stop,” her eye started to well up. “They would just keep going!” Her voice scratches against her throat. “I just… I can’t believe how selfish and gross they are.”

My heart sinks as her tears trail down to her chin. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Date,” I bring my hand onto her cheek and softly brush my fingers against her.

I understood what she was implying. I, too, went through something similar, being used and passed around. Maybe I never noticed before, but I didn’t enjoy my time around men either. I guess I didn’t have to think about it since I was always around women.

“Actually? I’ve had experiences with men that have brought pain to me as well. It probably wasn’t as severe as yours, but, you know.” I grin to try and comfort her, but it quickly fades. “I can’t say that I completely trust you–or if I ever can. However, my heart is telling me that you’re different from most people I know. You’re obviously caring and you tried extremely hard to make me feel welcomed here. I couldn’t thank you more.”

Warning: Implied sexual assault & abuse END

Date fell silent. Her eye was still glossy; her breathing still heavy and full of sorrow.

“My body keeps telling me to stay away from you. From everyone.” She pauses to roll onto her other side. “To fight back. Too isolate myself again. If this feeling is so prevalent, I beg, why does my heart burn so bright for you? I’ve never felt this way with lost souls before. I’ve never felt this way with anyone until now. But why now?” Date frowns in frustration, her voice strained and out of breath. “Is it because you showed me a little bit of kindness? Because you didn’t push me around?”

I let my mind wander for a bit. “I’ll be honest. I can’t piece together why you would have feelings before me either. I can’t explain the way I feel either, but that’s how emotions are. Love and attraction are very complex emotions that never follow logic and seem to occur at the weirdest moments.

“What I do know is that I care about you. You’re someone who’s precious to me and I’m grateful to have you here as a guide. If there’s any way that I can help, then I would love to. You deserve to be the happy one for once.”

It looks like, for a second, something clicked in Date’s mind.

“I don’t want to bear my burden alone.” She pushes her head into my stomach, grasping onto my dress as she does. “I don’t want to harbor the Demon king on my own. I can’t! I know it’s selfish because it’s my duty to, and if anything, I should be grateful that I get to harbor such power, but Jing…” Her voice wavers through my dress. “Please. Don’t leave me.”

I wrap my arms around her petite figure gently. It was loose, but hopefully it gave her some comfort.

“You don’t have to face this alone,” I reassured her. “In fact, you’re not selfish for wanting company. Not wanting to be alone is a normal thing to experience. It’s good that you want to be around people.

“However, I cannot guarantee that I can fill that empty space in your heart. I probably can’t promise to stay here forever either. I would be honored if you allowed me to at least try–to give me a chance.”

“What?” Date pulls her face away from my stomach and sits herself up. “You askin’ me out?” Her attempt at humor fell flat, but we both started giggling.

“You really mean it though?” She asks after we recover from our laugh fest.

“Assassin’s promise. Besides, I owe it to you. Being with you has been a source of comfort and security for me. I want to return the favor, Date. I want to help you get through your challenges and make you feel safe and loved. I never back down on my word–especially something as serious as this.”

Her face finally relaxed and the tears seemed to halt, yet it still seemed like something was troubling her. “I’m glad,” she says weakly. Luckily, a grin begins to form though.

“Can you tell me more about your ancestry? Maybe that would help me get to know your situation,” I suggest, truly wanting to understand her better.

Date takes a deep breath. “He’s always been with me, since I was born,” she begins, her voice staggers as she tries to explain. “I used to think he was just an imaginary friend, but as I got older, he became more...real. He spoke to me, he urged me to do things, and sometimes it was hard to resist.” She fidgets with her sleeves. “Keeping him behind this eyepatch is the only way to keep him at bay.”

“Have you ever tried to get rid of him?”

Date shakes her head. “I wouldn’t know how. I’m afraid that he would fight against me and hurt me in the process. I don’t want to lose control, not again, not ever again. I like my body, Jing…”

I grasp onto both of her hands, making sure our fingers intertwine. “You won’t lose control. I’ll fight with you to make sure that doesn’t happen. We can do this together, I promise.”

“This happens every time,” she murmurs, her lip tucked between her teeth. “I feel like a burden to everyone I meet. First it was my mom, then after she passed away, it was my grandmother, and now...” She blinks rapidly, trying to stop the tears from escaping her eye again. “Even Loki doesn’t like me. It feels like I can’t get along with anyone!” Her frustration crescendos.

I instantly grab her arm and whip her towards me. I hold her in a tight hug, but she doesn’t reciprocate. I only held her tighter, trying to reassure her that I was here to stay. That I wanted to take on her hardships.

“You’re not a burden,” I say firmly. “You’ve only brought joy into my life thus far. You’ve tried to understand me more than anyone else ever has. Trust me when I say you won’t be a burden to me.” I pull away, looking into her alluring eye. “I speak from experience.”

Date remains quiet, her eye losing its usual sparkle.

She actively tries to avoid my gaze. “I have another confession,” she says in a resolute voice.

“What is it?” I ask, feeling a lump form in my throat.

“You were supposed to go to Heaven,” she says bluntly.

“What?” My voice cracks with disbelief. “What...do you mean?”

“I couldn’t keep a lie of that magnitude, not with someone I may spend eternity with,” Date bites her lip, lost in thought. “I don’t know all the details, but we didn’t plan for a soul to come. Yet a golden portal appeared, and I came as fast as I could. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.

“I wish I knew more details than that. I don’t run purgatory! I even asked Loki if there was supposed to be someone, and she said no. Yet, there you were!” Her voice gets louder.

“Date–”

“It’s better here! You wouldn’t like Thor. You wouldn’t like her angel. You have to believe me!” Her voice continued to accelerate. “Up there all they care about is righteousness and integrity and and! They’re ALL hypocrites!” She brings herself closer to me with a desperate look in her eye. “Here you can be anything! Stay loyal to Loki and you’re fine. No repercussions! I promise!”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I struggle to process them. A mix of emotions swirl within me: anxiety, disgust, and most prevalent was hurt. But I know deep down that it wasn’t Date who betrayed me, then who was? Maybe Date was right, it was better to be here–

“The Light realm wouldn’t have cared about you, not with your past. They would turn you into army meat. They would use you for your strength and nothing more. You just to–”

“Calm down,” I whisper and place my finger over her lips. “I’m not upset at you. I’m glad you told me instead of waiting later. It was a very mature thing to do.”

Date relaxes and holds her hand against my cheek. “I promise to protect you too. If you need me for anything then you got it. I pinky promise, demon promise.” She titters.

I lean my weight into her head, feeling a gentle wave of drowsiness. “Thank you. I appreciate your efforts.”

“No one ever listened to me like you have. Everyone tells me to go away because I’m annoying and immature, that I’m a ‘smartass’ and no one cares about my wit. But with you, you actually listened to me. You even brought up past conversations we had, no one’s done that for me before.”

This time, it was my turn to caress her cheek. Just like I did, she leans her head into my palm. “I love listening to you. I love hearing what you have to say! The people who insult you are childish themselves. Who doesn’t like to learn?”

“Jing.” Date’s lips part slowly.

I brace myself for the sudden impact.

“I love you.” She grins sheepishly. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this in. I adore every aspect of you.”

“I admire everything about you as well. I’m not sure about my feelings,” I explain, not wanting to rush into things. “For now, we should probably take things slow and try to figure it out as we get to know each other more, you know?”

Date nods and her eyelashes brush against my fingers. “I understand, Jing. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable,” she said sincerely. “I don’t want to mess up this wonderful feeling. I also don’t wanna hold back my love either!” She pulls both her head and hand away. “I am a very expressive person, as you can see!” She says matter-of-factly while moving her hand around.

I chortle. “I’m glad that we agree! If we’re going to be together, then I want to do it right. Taking it day by day would be ideal, I think. However, if the time comes where we can’t help ourselves, then perhaps we can make an exception.”

A hopeful expression crosses over her complextion. “Then let’s date!” She raises her hands above her head. “Heh, get it?” She lets them fall and scoots closer to me. “’Cause of my name? In English it looks like date,” she awkwardly chuckles at her own joke.

My heart swells with wholesomeness and a newfound happiness. This was an experience I never got to experience while I was alive. Maybe fate aligns after death as well. Who would have thought.

“Of course we can date, Date.” I pull her into a hug again, already missing her warmth and weight against me. “Did you know Date is also a fruit?” I also giggle at my own joke.

“Jing?” Date’s lips inch closer. “I can’t hold it back anymore. Can I kiss you?”

My face burns a deep red. “Already?”

Date only gets closer. “It’ll be fast. I promise…”

Naturally, our lips clasp together like they’re a key to a lock.

Date was eager and passionate as she pushed her body against mine. Shivers drag down my spine. I tried to hold her up, but I wanted to focus on savoring the intensity of this moment. Our lips instinctively meld together and I melt into the sudden rush of ecstasy.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pull away from the kiss–her saliva stained on my edges. I pick her up and place her on my lap. She follows my lead and wraps her legs around my waist, tightening the grip around me. Our breathing gets heavier as we latch onto each other again.

Her arms wrap around my neck and her hands rest on the back of my head. In return, I encircle her waist with my arms, rubbing and grasping at her back, almost clawing. Our bodies pressed together as we yearned to get closer and entangle ourselves in each other’s warmth.

Date brushes her tongue over the bottom of my lip. Hesitantly, I met mine with hers. It didn’t take long for both of us to try to overtake the other. In the heat of the moment, I absentmindedly bring my hand over Date’s chest and start unbuttoning her overskirt, revealing her white, frilly shirt.

Date matches me. Her fingers seductively dance from my shoulder and down to the side of my hip. She eventually found the ties on the edge of my qipao. She pulls the strings and I feel the ties get looser.

I gently pulled away from the kiss, realizing where we were heading.

We stare at each other, both of us a blushing mess with no courage to speak. It was obvious what we both wanted, no, needed from each other. But, I couldn’t help but think back to how we first met, when we first met, and it was all only a handful of hours ago. Yet, it felt like a lifetime.

But as we sat together, our bodies still entwined, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. We were definitely moving too quickly. Were we rushing into something that we weren’t ready for? No, we want it though, is that so wrong? But what if–

Date’s playful giggle broke me out of my thoughts, and I couldn’t help but smile with her. She was infectious in that kind of way.

“Are you okay?” She smugly smirks.

“I stopped because I was worried that we were taking things too fast, and we didn’t really think about it, nor did we discuss it, so. I don’t know,” I shrugged following a slow exhale.

Date’s expression softened, and she leaned in to kiss me gently. “We can take things at your pace, if that’s what you need. I don’t mind at all,” she said softly.

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, knowing that she truly cared about my feelings. She was the perfect partner for me–kind, caring, and always ready for an adventure. I’m not sure how she developed feelings for me. Compared to her, I’m an empty vessel that barely has any memories, but I’m happy regardless.

“Wanna talk about our hopes and fears?” Date asks. “I have a list of icebreaker questions that would let us get to know each other faster! Stronger…” She averts her gaze momentarily.

As we settled into each other’s arms, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. This may not have been the passionate moment that I had envisioned, but it was a moment that was just as special in its own way. We were taking the time to truly get to know each other, and that was something that I knew would be valuable in the long run.

We ranted to each other for the whole night. Asking about niche things that no one else could care about, but I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the woman lying next to me. Together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that we had each other’s love and support to guide us through. Nothing could replace perfection.