The past is the past

Finally, Emi lifts her head, and smiles at you. “I had no idea it could be this good. Thank you, Andy.”

You smile back, gently stroking her hair. Emi purrs like a cat, leaning into your hand and closing her eyes. You slide your hand down, and stroke the scars on the side of her face. She sighs, and you sense a mix of emotions in that simple sound. Her mismatched eyes open again, and she puts her hand on yours gently.

“It’s…strange. I feel drawn to you, in a way I don’t understand completely. I feel strongly for you, more than I expected. I felt it from the moment you brought me here, brought me home.”

Her eyes grow distant. “I resisted at first. In the facility, the masters decided that the rejects were acceptable to be…used, by the staff. We could never be sold, so there was no need to protect us. I never enjoyed it. But now…”

She looks at you. “Now I feel…I don’t know. I feel warm. Safe. Even…happy. I never thought this could feel…so good. Not just what we did, but all of it. I feel like I’m wrapped in a warm blanket any time you’re near. I find myself watching you, just watching. What is happening?”

You smile at her, and kiss her gently on the lips. Emi returns the kiss, letting out a little purr as your lips separate. You stroke her scarred cheek again.

“Im no expert, Emi, but I’m feeling similar, but maybe slightly less dramatic. I hesitate to use the word love, since it’s only been a couple days, but…it sounds like you’re describing falling in love.”

Emi seems to think for a moment. She repeats your words as if tasting them, or trying them for the first time. “Love…falling in love. Maybe. I don’t…I have no way of knowing what it’s like. But it feels right. Love…it could be.”

She looks at you again, and simply stares for a while. You remain silent, staring into her strange eyes. Emi blinks, and a tear falls from the blue eye, rolling down her scarred cheek. You softly wipe it away, and she leans in to kiss you once again. Despite both of you being naked and in bed, there’s no lust in the kiss, simply affection.

Finally, she breaks the kiss, and she smiles at you, her eyes wet with tears. “Thank you. For everything.”

You shake your head, once again wiping her tears. “You don’t have to thank me, Emi. Im happy that you’re happy.”

She shakes her head as well. “I will never stop thanking you for what you’ve done. Never.”

You’re about to say more, when suddenly there’s a growling noise from Emi’s stomach. Emi’s eyes go wide, and then she giggles, burying her face into your chest. You laugh, rubbing her back

“I think someone might be a little hungry. Did you work up an appetite?”

Emi lifts her head, blushing furiously. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to…”

You chuckle. “It’s fine, Emi. We should eat! I’ll go see what we have.”

You give her another kiss, and she smiles widely, giving you one final squeeze.