"Ahem. Back to how I felt. To put it to words for you - I've been yours for a long while now. I'm not the kind of person that talks of love just when it's easy. Even some galaxies' distance and change of lifestyle wasn't going to rattle that out of me. You're just as much mine and you know it."
He glanced at the engagement gift he'd given directly behind me. I hadn't really meant to float slowly off towards it when I pushed away from him, but - lucky coincidences!
"Yes, I think I have come to realize some of the influence you hold on me. I'm afraid I failed to mention the kind of political waves that *gift* will make, if you ever show it off. Many will want to have it destroyed. Though I am of the opinion that it should be shown quickly if you intend to keep it - so we can get any expense, tariff, and embargos over its very existence out of the way."
"Destroying Presio is out of the question!"
I don't think he actually expects I would ever choose that option, but I've been dying to tease him again for bringing it up. He'd have to adamantly renege on the engagement to even *move* my heart a little when it comes to losing this gift.
I hugged at the side of its giant neck while I had the opportunity in the zero-grav - and may have even blown a raspberry his way.
"As you have well and often declared while I explained all of the illegalities around what I did. If I had to hazard a guess, the InfoSea will likely coin you as the 'Barbarian Princess' or something equally droll. A being from a species of 'war-first children that know nothing of the universe'."
"Sounds like your internet is just like ours. Filled with arm-chair psychology majors, or other collegiate field pseudo-intellectuals. And they wouldn't be wrong, really. With that definition you gave. About my species, at least. Uhm. Would it…"
I grew quiet for effect. Or just because I wasn't sure whether I actually wanted to know the answer to the thing I didn't get around to asking him before. Everything had moved quickly.
"What?"
"Would it hurt you any? What they might say about you. For marrying someone like me."
"Financially and Politically - without a doubt. In the short term. Personally?"
He floated easily towards us and placed his palm on my robot's head. How did he control his position so easily in this situation? Well, alien reasons, I'd imagine. If I let go at that speed I'm sure I'd just float around bumping into the corners of the hangar like a DVD player screensaver.
"Your world has its thoughts on anonymity and how it makes 'those behind the keyboard' act. Understanding that facet of my own people better now, it reinforces my view of it not bothering me at all what they'd say - regarding me."
"Let them be empowered by the distance between us to speak their mind freely in the InfoSea - it is the point of it. Truth as well as Ideas intermingling, until more Truth remains for all to find."
He shifted his gaze from the metal effigy back into my own. I suppose it is a politician's calling to pontificate, though I'd never have known his occasional 'speeches' were because of his societal position until today.
I was always too wrapped up in just enjoying him talk smart as if it were easy - his voice this timbre that I just enjoyed paying attention to since the day we met.
"But frankly, I'm also amazed that they will be willing to speak ill of you. It is true there will be discord among the princes for a time… and other factions will not approve of you outright on their own. That may make them think it is okay to voice conjecture instead of seeking verifications. I understand that logically."
"But how would they say it on Earth… benign neglect? Let sleeping giants lie. Do not poke the bear, nor tickle the dragon's tail. It does not seem wise to me to risk destabilizing the emotions of one who has already proven willing to break long existing laws for you… and who is no longer certain there are logical lines that exist in that regard."
I tried to hold it in but failed. I burst out laughing for a good little bit. As always he just looked on curiously until I explained myself.
"That was just a very smart, stoic, and strange form of 'I'd make an enemy of the world for you, babe'. And with no clear hesitation that you'd come out the winner! Very 'Bonnie and Clyde' or something like it, haha."
"That movie was very fanciful of the otherwise recorded truths, but I see the point of your mirth."
I sighed out with a chuckle or two left in me.
"Protecting me is fine. I'm not confident at all that I can protect myself in a place I know nothing about. Seriously, it's pretty amazing that you came to Earth alone like that… but I guess superior technology and knowledge *would* tend to make you less wary. After all, you gave me *this* and I easily jumped planet!"
I tapped on my big beautiful bot for good measure, then leapt at my boyfr- my fiance's face.
Our short terrific past that brought me hope for the most wondrous of futures, even before this massive 'space royalty' reveal - it almost swam in my eyes as he caught me and I caressed his cheeks. He stared back while slipping a hand against the side of my neck, as usual. An intimate comfort I really like.
"But my 'honor' or reputation or something like that? I don't need you reacting to any problems that don't exist, Soren. Your old world isn't my new world, yet."
"If others want to talk and gossip, then we'll give them things to talk about while our figurative worlds collide. If you need me to be a perfect dainty flower in public for them… or even their pretend vicious barbarian, just let me know. I'd do either for you happily to make things just as you'd need them."
I booped his nose before running my hand through his hair. I guess I can get a little long winded too, when he's involved. I don't get tired of listening to myself define just how attached I am while he listens intently.
"Because in the end, what they see doesn't have to be what we really are. It just has to benefit us for them to see it. Forgetting that distinction ruins lives - of those around you and your own."
"The kind of pride we put on display for others to see isn't ever, *ever* more important than our own inner compass… and you are definitely my 'Magnetic North', Soren. Everything of mine is yours, because I know you'd also give your everything for me."
"Presio helps prove just that. That's why I'll gladly be their princess - because I know for you, I'm your queen."
I didn't give that mouth of his any room for potential argument, should he have had one. He usually had quite good ones!