First intimacy

That night,

After coming home from the bakery, Athena asked Asher to go to a small cinema on the edge of town. They sat somewhere in the middle row. The lights had already dimmed. The screen lit up, showing a random movie that Athena had picked.

But it wasn't the movie that caught Asher's attention that night. From the first minute, he looked restless. His shoulders tensed every time someone laughed too loudly, or when couples glanced in their direction.

Athena watched him from the corner of her eye. Asher looked down, fidgeting with his fingers, then looked around as if every gaze was a threat he needed to understand.

"Is something wrong?" Athena whispered amid the film's sound.

Asher just shook his head, but his breathing was fast. His eyes never really focused on the screen.

A few minutes later, he leaned toward Athena and whispered so softly it was barely audible, "Can we go home?"

Athena looked at him with concern.

"I... don't feel comfortable here," Asher whispered, even softer. "Too many thoughts. Too many noises. Too many stares... And I don't like movies like this," he added, glancing at the dramatic scene on the big screen, a man rescuing his kidnapped lover.

Athena lowered her gaze, understanding. Without protest, she nodded, then gently took Asher's hand and led him out of the theater, before the film even reached its conflict.

Outside, the cold air welcomed them. The night sky hung quiet, stars faintly blinking through the light mist.

They walked slowly along the sidewalk. No words were spoken. But their hands stayed clasped tightly. Tighter than before.

Athena didn't know what to say. But when she turned to look at Asher, seeing his eyes fixed once again on the sky as if searching for answers, she knew one thing, her husband didn't need entertainment. Happiness was just being with her.

Their journey home was quiet. Athena and Asher sat side by side on a train that occasionally jolted gently along the long tracks cutting through the night. City lights reflected in the windows, sometimes replaced by the shadows of trees and old buildings.

Next to them sat a heavily pregnant woman, graceful with long hair. Her body leaned wearily against the seat, occasionally stroking her round belly gently. A large bag sat on her lap, looking heavy and forcing her into an uncomfortable position.

Athena glanced at her silently. Her gaze lingered on the silhouette of the woman's pregnancy. For some reason, her thoughts drifted far… imagining if she really took that step, becoming Asher's sponsor, re-marrying to have photo evidence, and then getting pregnant. Just so Asher could stay in this country and get his new identity.

But that wasn't what made her so fixated. The woman was beautiful. Her face was tired, yet calm. She looked strong, like someone carrying a huge burden yet staying composed for the sake of what was growing inside her. There was courage in her eyes, something that made Athena feel so small.

She gathered the courage to speak.

"Excuse me, may I ask... how far along are you?"

The woman smiled kindly. "Seven months," she answered gently.

"Wow... you look so strong," Athena said, amazed. "Are you alone?"

The woman nodded. "My husband is deployed overseas. A country in conflict. He's a soldier."

Athena immediately showed a sad expression and asked, "He hasn't come home at all?"

"No. Since I found out I was pregnant... he hasn't seen the baby grow even once," the woman replied.

Athena looked down, imagining the loneliness that must visit the woman each night. "That must be really hard," she said softly. "Going through pregnancy without your husband by your side."

The woman looked out the window, then turned back and gave a small smile. "It's the risk I knew from the start. He serves the country. All I can do is pray... and accept whatever reality comes."

Suddenly Asher, who had been quiet all this time, spoke in a calm but certain tone, "He's going to be fine. He'll be home in two days."

Athena quickly turned. "Are you joking?" Her tone was unsure, almost nervous.

But Asher slowly shook his head. His eyes were locked on the pregnant woman. "I'm not joking. Your husband will return in two days... and after that, he won't have to leave you again."

The woman looked a bit confused, frowning slightly, but her lips curled into a faint smile. "If that's true... I'll be very grateful."

Asher smiled. "Trust me. I never lie. Just ask my wife."

Athena looked at Asher quickly, then gave an awkward smile. "Um, yeah! He really doesn't lie... but about things like this... he says stuff I don't even understand."

The woman chuckled softly, then gently stroked her belly as if holding onto hope that his words were true.

The train continued to move. But for Athena, time felt like it paused. She glanced at the man beside her, so calm, speaking words that seemed to know the future. Her heart stirred.

Who is this man, really?

When they arrived home.

Athena rested on the sofa with her legs stretched out, a thin blanket over her lap. Asher had just come out of the bathroom, hair still wet, wearing a loose t-shirt and looking calm as always. But ever since the conversation on the train, something had changed in the way Athena looked at him.

She followed every move he made—from the way he poured a glass of water, to the way he set down a small towel, then sat beside her, turning slightly toward her. Silent. Just silent for a moment.

"Asher..." Athena whispered suddenly.

"How did you know... about that woman's husband?"

Asher turned slowly. "I don't really know. But... I just knew. Like... something whispered it into my head."

Athena nodded, trying to understand. "You're... not an ordinary person, are you?"

Asher didn't answer. His eyes simply looked out the dark window. "I don't know. But I feel like... you're the only thing that makes me feel human."

That sentence made Athena's heart beat slow but hard. She looked down, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket. Silence again. But that night, silence wasn't fear, it was warmth.

"Asher..." Athena took a deep breath. "If you could choose to live forever, but alone... or live as an ordinary human, but build a family... what would you choose?"

Asher turned, a little confused. "I... want to live with you. That's all. However it looks."

Athena looked at him for a long time. Then slowly leaned over, resting her head on Asher's shoulder. They didn't speak for a while, only the ticking clock on the wall accompanied them.

"I used to think... having a child wasn't something I could consider right now," Athena murmured, almost inaudibly. "But earlier... when I saw that woman... I felt... maybe it's not because I want a child. Maybe it's because I want... something that grows from love."

Asher didn't respond right away. But he reached out and gently held Athena's slightly trembling hand.

"If you're ready," he said softly, "I'll be the kind of father you want. Not out of obligation. But because I want to see you smile every time you look at that child."

Athena lifted her face. Her eyes shimmered but didn't cry. She smiled.

"Crazy," she said quietly, letting out a soft laugh. "A child should come from love. But... would you still love me even if we weren't under the pressure of deportation? It's kinda ridiculous when we haven't even been together that long and now we're thinking about having a child? We... we haven't even had sex!" she said, half-joking, though behind her words was hope that Asher would break the awkwardness between them.

Asher smiled faintly, then lifted Athena's hand and looked at their wedding rings.

"When we got married, it meant I loved you—even before I knew I'd be deported just because I don't have an identity," he said, glancing at Athena, his eyes locking with hers. "Love can come at any time, even in the shortest time."

Athena was quiet, Asher's gaze, every word he said felt like it carried her toward a conviction that they were truly meant to be together. She couldn't even imagine him gone from her life.

"I just realized… that all this time I was afraid of losing you. Maybe not because I was scared you'd get lost, but…" She sighed, gently caressing Asher's cheek. "But because I love you. I don't want to live life without you. From the moment I found you, I just wanted you to stay with me."

Asher gently stroked her cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I live for you," he whispered.

Asher moved closer without a sound. He looked at Athena for a long time, as if he already knew her mind was spinning. But he didn't say anything. He simply reached for her fingers, tracing the lines of her hand with his thumb.

"I know you're scared," Asher said softly. "You just need to trust me, and everything will be alright. No one can take me away from you."

Athena didn't reply. She just stared at him… then, without thinking twice, she shifted and sat on his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and her lips gently kissed his.

That kiss wasn't just about desire. It was about trust. Acceptance.

Asher kissed her back slowly, carefully, as if afraid to break the fragile yet precious moment. Then without a word, he lifted Athena in his arms like a koala clinging tightly carrying her into the bedroom, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp.

As soon as her body touched the bed, that awkward feeling returned. She looked up at Asher, now hovering above her, calm, eyes full of questions.

"For what it's worth," Asher murmured gently, brushing her cheek, "I'll only do this if you really want to. Out of love. Not out of obligation… or fear of losing me."

Athena stared into his eyes, her own welling with tears, yet filled with determination. She nodded slowly, speechless, because her body had already answered before her mouth could.

Asher reached for her hand and kissed it softly. "You won't regret this," he whispered.

His lips touched her forehead, her cheeks, and finally returned to her mouth, deeper, more connected.

They opened themselves to each other. Slowly. As if stripping away their fears, one by one. And as the night enveloped them, the world outside faded into nothing. It was only them now.

But as their bodies began to move together, something shifted. Asher's body changed, not in form, but in strength. His breaths grew deeper, his movements carried a force Athena had never felt before.

His hands were strong, yet never harsh. His embrace wrapped around her with unwavering security. Even as their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, Athena felt as if she were dancing with a storm, so intense, yet so safe.

Athena bit her lip, trembling from the overwhelming sensations. She tried to keep up, to match his pace, but Asher's presence dominated in silence, with a precision that didn't feel like human.

"Asher…" she whispered, breathless.

Asher opened his eyes and looked at her. The soft light from the bedside lamp reflected a golden hue in his irises, a color Athena had never seen before. Those eyes didn't belong to an ordinary man.

And in that unbreakable embrace, Athena felt herself being swept into something far greater than love. Something she couldn't explain. And she didn't dare ask. Asking would only break the sacredness of the moment.