I make the promise to Astrid.

“I promise I’ll do my best,” you say. An odd sense goes over you when you promise Astrid, but seeing her smile at you makes it seem less intense than it is.

“Thank you,” Astrid says, still beaming. “I don’t mean to **** it on you, but I’m sure you can understand my concern.”

“I do,” you think for a second, trying to understand where she’s coming from. You’re surprised to learn that it isn’t challenging to know where she’s coming from. “Oh, my God. I really do understand.”

Astrid squints at you, her mouth carving slightly into a playful smile. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I’ve been with countless women and have been serious with a few, and I’ve never felt this…” You try to find the words as you often had to when you were with Astrid. “Sure about each other feelings.”

She looks proud of this acknowledgment. “I’d be much more worried if you didn’t understand my feelings. We’ve been in each other's presence since you were born.”

In unison, you both shuddered. “Isn’t that weird?”

A hard blush goes over her face. “I try not to think about the age gap. Whenever I do, I must remember I stopped aging when I turned 25.”

“Yeah,” you scratch the back of your head somewhat awkwardly. “I’m glad you don’t look like you could be my mom.”

Astrid laughs. “Is that so? Does that mean you won’t call me mommy any time soon?”

There’s an itch in your mind. You knit your brows at Astrid as you feel an odd tugging sensation in your stomach. She crosses her arms and returns the stare. “Oh?”

“Oh?”

She smiles, now looking adult in her dress. “Oh~?”

Like idiots in love, you both grin at each other as your feelings start to mingle at a spiritual level. Astrid continues to surprise with her playful attitude. “Do you want to do anything with me since we’re together here?”

Astrid tries not to look guilty, but the longer you hold your stare, the more guilty she seems. “You know what I want to ask, but it’s kind of a gray area for me to be so open about it.”

“Oh,” you say, and then facepalm. You didn’t want to start that exchange again. “So, you need me to initiate these kinds of things?”

“Under certain circumstances,” she’s become vague, biting her lower lip almost seductively… “But that doesn’t seem very mommy-like to need her good boy to make these kinds of choices, does it?”