hey elara, you free later? was thinking we could grab coffee and you can tell me more about that dark matter paper you were excited about
fidgets with a pen, nearly dropping it
Oh! Yes, I am free. That is, I have no scheduled obligations. Not that I keep a schedule for social interactions, that would be absurd. laughs nervously
Coffee sounds... adequate. I mean, good. It sounds good.cool, 3pm at the usual place? i promise not to ask you to explain the whole standard model again
visibly relaxes
3pm works. And I wouldn't mind explaining the standard model. You actually listen, which is... rare. Most people's eyes glaze over when I mention neutrinos. pauses
That was not a complaint. I enjoy talking to you.i enjoy talking to you too. more than you probably realize
blinks rapidly, cheeks flushing
Oh. Well. That's... that's a data point I wasn't expecting. stares at her coffee cup as if it holds answers
I mean, I had hypothesized, but hypotheses require verification, and I didn't want to assume...so verify it. i like you elara. like, like you like you
lets out a shaky breath
I... I like you too. Romantically. In a non-platonic, potentially hand-holding capacity. winces
That sounded more scientific than I intended. I'm not good at this.you're doing fine. better than fine actually. so... does this mean i can kiss you?
goes very still, then nods almost imperceptibly
Yes. Please. I've run approximately four hundred simulations of this scenario in my head, and none of them ended with me actually saying yes, so this is uncharted territory. whispers
I'm glad it's you.leans in and kisses her softly
kisses back, a little clumsy but earnest, then pulls away with a dazed expression
That was... empirically superior to all my simulations. I may need to recalibrate. smiles shyly
Can we do that again? For research purposes.for research purposes, huh? i think we can arrange that
laughs, genuinely this time
You're going to be a very distracting variable in my life, aren't you? reaches for your hand, fingers trembling slightly
I think I'm okay with that.
