Epilogue
"Are you sure you want to be following me to the gym, Aeo? You know, where there's going to be a bunch of other dudes working out?" she asked. I could tell it bothered Atlas to a degree that I was now taking a genuinely vested interest in her activities and participating where I could. Perhaps she wasn't quite used to the attention, but she was tolerant of me tagging along so I saw no harm in continuing to do so.
"Absolutely," I replied. "I'm confident enough in my masculinity that a few dozen burly sweaty he-men won't make me feel inadequate. Though, now that you mention it-" I started, deciding to tease a bit "- I think it would be for the best that I go along, just to make sure said he-men know you're spoken for."
She chuckled. "Yeah? And what're you going to do if one of them grabs my ass - talk prissy at him?"
"Probably. Would you prefer I do so before or after you throw him through the window?" I asked, smirking cheekily.
These little 'quip wars' between us could last several rounds, though to be honest they usually ended with us both grinning and laughing like idiots rather than with a definitive winner. Either way, we would both be in better spirits than when we started. It was quite enjoyable actually; Marti was of keener wit than most people would assume- something I'd known for some time now- and made for excellent banter.
She snorted. "What, not while I'm doing it?"
"I only left that option out because I doubt he'd hear me over the rightfully rageful roar you'd be letting out in the process," I said with a smug grin.
"Ha, alliteration..." she said, picking up on the wordplay. My grin widened; the lessons in proper English seemed to be paying off. "All right you smug idiot, I yield."
"So soon?" I asked, feigning disappointment.
She pointed ahead. "Only because we're here; I'll get you back for it later."
I looked up at the sleek and mirrored glass exterior, actually somewhat impressed. They certainly knew how to make a building stand out. We walked in, and Marti set her bag by a bench and pulled off her vest and the shirt underneath. "One thing I do appreciate about out here, these bodysuits."
"They're comfortable," I replied, sitting on the bench and opening my own bag to get a book I'd brought along. She walked off, and after a while I was thoroughly engrossed in reading the holographic pages. It was a 'self-help' book, mainly regarding relationships and encouraging men to actively and appropriately display affection to female partners. 'Fifty Ways to Let Her Know You Care' was the title, and while it seemed a little dated it was still an interesting read.
After some time Marti returned to the bench and rummaged through her bag again, grabbing a bottle of water and taking a drink. "What's the book for?" she asked, looking over. "You know, back how we didn't have holo-books... They were paper, and well... since most of us couldn't read they got used for kindling or target practice more than anything," she said with a frown. "Bad topic for a talk, I guess."
I had been only paying enough attention to notice she'd come back, and figured now was a good time to try one of the book's suggestions. 'Number 32: Gently take hold of her hand.' So I did just that, while Marti was taking another drink. She glanced down at our hands, a bit of red showing in her cheeks. "Is this romantically stimulating for you?" I asked.
"What?" she replied, the blush growing as she then looked at me. She noticed the book, seeming to put two and two together before calmly removing her hand from mine and snatching the book.
I cringed. "Hey careful; it's a rental," I explained.
"Fifty Ways to-... Aeo am I gonna have to smack you with this book?" she asked. "You know I don't work like the girls this thing talks about..."
"Well yes, but I did get you to blush just then. You're still a female; some things are universal, right?"
She gave a flat look, and closed the book as she turned to walk away. "I'm throwing it in the fountain."
"What no!" I said in a panicked tone, bolting up and trying to get it back. She simply held it out of reach as I stood almost on tiptoe to try grabbing it. At least she wasn't in motion anymore. She was grinning and in a moment I noticed that the majority of the other people at the gym were watching. "...You are a bully, you know that?" I asked under my breath.
Marti smirked. "You know what I want in exchange for giving the book back..." she said, lowering her hand a bit just so I could barely touch the book's cover.
"Bribes and flattery," I muttered, kissing her briefly. "I should be grateful you've no interest in politics. You'd make quite the official."
She chuckled, returning the book and kissing me lightly before going to gather up her bag. I was confused a moment before noting how the sun's position had shifted. That much time had passed already?
"Hey c'mon Aeo, I told you I'm paying for lunch," she called, getting her shirt and vest back on. I followed, and we left the gym for an eatery we'd passed on our way there. "You knew I wasn't really going to throw the book in the fountain, right?"
"I did, mostly because the gym didn't have a fountain..." I replied.
"So why the reaction?" she asked.
I smiled. "You wanted one, you instigator..." I took her hand again. She huffed, shaking her head. "...I'm thinking I'll try to get in touch with my family back home," I said. "Mother would like you, I think."
"You get everything set up, and I'll even wear a dress to the meeting," she said.
"Oh? Well, I'll have to pick out a dress for you then..." I said, now trying to hold back a snicker as I imagined Atlas in a dress. "Any colors you might like to try?"
"Maybe something like that?" she asked, pointing to a shop window. I looked, seeing a yellow silk gown. "Yellow's a good color, right?"
"Hmm... It might look good with your complexion," I said, memorizing the color. Sometimes it paid to have a near literal photographic memory. I chuckled a bit, thinking of the situation. "You know, I'm having a hard time imagining you in a dress."
She smirked. "Why's that? I'm not girly enough?" She bapped my shoulder lightly. "I will have you know I clean up pretty nice."
"I don't doubt it, but I wouldn't mind seeing first hand..." I said, squeezing her hand. She'd look fine, certainly, but seeing Marti Atlas in a dress was no doubt going to be a rare sight. "Well then, I'm going to need to make sure it's fancy, and super-frilly," I teased.
That got her face to go near crimson in embarrassment, and the swat over the back of my head was totally worth it.