Neo took both of his hands before she spoke. The gesture wasn’t abrupt, but careful, almost afraid, as if she feared that letting go might undo everything they were.

—When I think about us…
Eric lowered his eyes to their joined hands. His thumbs stirred faintly, a nervous habit.
—I don’t think about today —Neo went on—. I think about ten years from now. Twenty.

She paused. Drew in a slow breath. She didn’t let go.
—I don’t age, Eric. I regenerate.

He lifted his gaze, slowly. Neo nodded once.

—Normal people wear down, they grow tired. They... break.

She swallowed.
—They wither and... then they die.

Silence stretched between them. Eric didn’t pull away. He didn’t retreat.

—That’s what we all do —he said at last, a sad half-smile touching his lips.

Neo tightened her hold, just a little.
—Just imagine having to watch that happen to someone you—

—What, Neo?

She stopped. The words hung between them, unfinished.
—Neo…
She looked up at him.
—You can spend the rest of your life with me.
Neo shook her head, very slowly, without letting go.
—…but I can’t spend the rest of mine with you.
Eric closed his eyes for a second. Only one. When he opened them, he was still there.
—You don’t want to outlive me
Neo rested her forehead against his.
—I don’t want to bury you.
Silence.

[!!! CONTINUES IN THE NEXT POST !!!]