Reaching out, you place a hand on Elle’s back and pull her close against your body. She offers no resistance, her body smoothly following your lead even as you tip your head down and brush your lips against hers. The warmth of her body seems that much greater up close, and she returns the kiss with a feverish intensity. Even so, there’s a part of your mind, your heart and soul, that remains cold and still. You can feel her yearning, but so too can you feel her vulnerability. Your life has been a destructive whirlpool from the moment you first met, and she’s finally succumbed to its pull.

“Isambard?” Elle whispers as you draw back from her, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just…” you hesitate, even as her hands stroke gently across your chest. She’s not quite clinging to you, but she’s close. “I’m not sure if we should be doing this,” you admit after a moment, “Here, of all places.”

“I really don’t think the Godhead cares what we do,” she replies, a flicker of pain darting across her face for a moment, “And neither of us knows what tomorrow might bring. So… let’s not let this moment go to waste, okay?”

You nod, your glib tongue suddenly failing you. Taking her hands, you guide Elle across towards the bed and allow her to sit. She crawls back and lies against the stack of pillows, then sits sharply back upright and starts to fumble clumsily at her shoes. “Sorry. I feel awfully silly wearing shoes in bed,” she remarks with a shaky laugh, “I really have no idea what I’m doing, do I?”

“It’s not as if I know any better,” you admit.

“Oh well,” Elle says, forcing a bright smile, “They say that the best way to learn is by doing.”

-

Later, as you’re lying in bed, you feel Elle stir against you. With one sluggish arm, she brushes back a sheet of hair and looks up. She wears a warm smile, but this one is unlike any you’ve ever seen. The entire shape of her face seems to have changed in some subtle way. Before, it had been the face of a girl. Now, she has the face of a woman. And what of you? How has your face changed?

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this,” Elle murmurs, “I’ve spent so long, not even admitting it to myself. I always thought there would be someone else. Ariel, perhaps. You share so many secrets with her. Or Juno, or...”

You say nothing, simply allowing your hand to stroke across her bare back. She crawls forwards, leaning closer to whisper into your ear.

“But even if our paths may one day diverge, I’m happy that it was me,” she breathes, “I’ll walk by your side for as long as I can, and keep these memories close if we should ever be parted.”

That won’t happen, you think to yourself.

“Shh,” she whispers, as if sensing your thoughts, “Neither of us knows what tomorrow may bring, remember?”

[1]