Sometime in the Future - Part 2

By: David Seo

"I have a habit of biting my nails," Callisto was saying.

"Uh-huh," Gilead answered.

"And I play with my hair an awful lot."

"That is a minus? Personally, I think it’s cute when girls do that."

Callisto smiled shyly, punched Gilead, and continued.

"I get really crabby when I have my period."

"You’ll get used to it (hopefully)."

"And I snore."

"And?"

"I can’t live forever."

"Neither can I. Any more?"

"That’s it for the negatives."

Gilead caressed Callisto’s hair. "Oh."

"Now for the positives…I am shorter than you."

"A plus indeed."

"I’m blond."

"A big plus."

Smiling, she continued: "I’m a virgin."

Gilead chuckled. "Thank you."

"I’m…pretty."

Gilead lifted Callisto’s chin and looked into her face. "Indeed." She blushed.

"And I’m a warm-hearted person, or at least I’m trying really hard to be. Now it’s your turn. What are the negatives and positives about your personality?"

"I don’t think I have any negatives."

"Don’t do that. We’re trying to be serious here."

"Okay, sorry. Um…I am over a thousand years old."

Callisto smiled again; she reached back and touched Gilead’s face. "So am I."

"I loved another woman in the past."

"Forgiven."

"I don’t get out much."

"I’ll change that (you’ll see)."

"I can’t dance."

"I can teach you."

"Now for the positives: I am a man."

"Duh!"

"I’m handsome."

"Plus."

"I can protect you against any danger."

"Another plus."

"I’m taller than you."

"And?"

"I never get sick."

"Great plus."

"I am Xena’s son."

"What? Now what does that have to do with—"

Gilead silenced Callisto by kissing her, smack on the lips. Callisto, taken by surprise, tried to jump up, but he held her in place. After a couple of seconds Callisto relaxed, and allowed his hands to explore her body.

They were lying on Gilead’s bed, receiving the sunlight coming in through the window. Callisto lay to Gilead’s left, using his arm as a pillow. She fingered Gilead’s hard jaw, his scar, and unshaven face, while her other hand lay on his shirtless chest.

Gilead ran his free hand down Callisto’s face and chin, then caressed her hair. "Well, we’ve spent a week together, and we’ve seen and done everything we could do for fun around here. What do you wanna do today?"

"Um…get married?"

Gilead’s laughter rang in the air, followed by Callisto’s giggle.

"Gilead?"

"Hmm?"

"Let’s stay in today."

"Ah, come on. We shouldn’t blow a Saturday staying in."

"I know; every day you rush home from work and take me out somewhere. It’s been a magical week, but I didn’t get much sleep last night."

"Oh, sorry. I forgot that you need your rest."

"It’s all right. By the way…"

"Yes?"

"I think you need a haircut."

Gilead laughed. "First time in more than a millenium."

Callisto leaned closer and gave Gilead a kiss on the cheek. "I expect you’ll be saying that a lot."