I used to believe in the concept of a soul mate - the eponymous concept of a soul, split into two parts and seeking the other throughout existence endlessly. I used to believe in that toxic version of romance, portrayed through fairy tales and Disney lies that so underwrote our social mythos regarding love since well before anyone currently alive was born. I think most of us do, at first. Of course, it can take a few whacks of the hammer called "Reality" to disabuse us of this notion and some lucky few who require only one or none to see the veil of nonsense pull back from their eyes; but there are always those who refuse to stop believing no matter how often and hard they get hit and perpetuate this silly fantasy forward to the next generations, to the detriment of those who follow.
What I believe now is rather different. Any relationship, any romance can be the "right" one (if we should even use such terminology regarding a thing with no real certainty) given it's healthy, and any person can be the "right" one given that healthy relationship and actually knowing and loving the other person in totality, flaws and all. Much like being a leader and making decisions in other aspects of life, here too the secret remains the same - the trick is to just make a decision, commit to it, and turn it into the right one by ensuring the outcome is worth the sacrifice of time and effort.
While that's good and all, what that manifests into in reality is a person reaching out to make any connections they can in search of someone willing to commit with them and sifting through this wide net to get rid of anyone expecting that old pernicious lie. And there's nothing wrong with the process for that except for how absolutely tiring it can be.
It almost always feels like a miracle to find those few with their heads removed from their asses and not unhealthily obsessed with the concept of soul mates. And even in situations where the relationship doesn't work out, it's good to make friends and chat with people of a like mind, so it's not like anything has been lost.
For me, you are one of those people. We might not have had the entire conversation about this yet, nor have I made you watch Daniel Sloss' Netflix special Jigsaw (who has an allegory for healthy relationships that is super fantastic, and funny) but generally speaking I'd put you in the category of the good ones - genuine people who most certainly don't have their heads up their asses. And while it may seem strange to say even if we don't ever end up in a real relationship (though that would be nice!) I will treasure every moment of time we spend together because after all life is just an accumulation of moments, and every moment spent in joy and happiness is another tally in the score column of having had a successful and fulfilling life.
All that being said I couldn't help myself but wonder what might be, should we ever meet. Preferably in a way you would enjoy... and what follows is one such possible emulation of what could be, maybe, and might well be and hopefully in a "tasteful"? kind of way you'd like.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey!" Said the bright, bubbly girl in front of me.
It was ironic I couldn't help but be a little nervous coming to pick you up at the airport. Sure, we had talked - a lot - and it's not like anything we already had was changed by being in physical proximity, but then again nerves aren't always based on logic and while it wasn't overwhelming it was definitely there.
I smiled and hugged you, pulling you tight in my arms. First of all my nervousness can go get fucked, and secondly, there was no way I wasn't going to make sure this was real. "Hey..." I whispered back in your ear, taking a moment to appreciate your warmth, and smell, and even the slight taste of shampoo from your hair.
If I put my mind to it I could write volumes of what happened next, entire tales of romance and courtship and discovering new things about each other now that we've met, but I think I'll leave most of it to your imagination. A true tale would be much too much to write for a short story and after all, I hardly wish to put words in your mouth and set some false set of expectations or idea of who you are in my own mind when I haven't discovered enough of you yet to really form an accurate image of your full being. Left unsaid will be much dialogue, but I think you won't mind over much - I'll give an outline.
Stopping at my place to drop all your stuff off, before our own wish to see the day continue pulls us back out - for a bit - for a light date. A meal, in a family style restaurant. A brief trip to a store for anything you might have forgotten, and some groceries for our home for the week. Much discussion regarding the insane population density of Long Island, our awful roads, and terrible drivers is a must. "Are you from Tennessee? 'Cause you're the only ten I see!" you've already heard me say it, but it takes on an extra punny status when said right to you. Or at least I'll pretend it does because it's my story and I want to. The return home to sit, lie on the couch, and spend time cuddling and watching stuff on [INSERT STREAMING PLATFORM].
However, somewhere in this meeting of two minds and hearts lies a promise to fulfill.
You hadn't owned your fursuit for long, though I helped you comb through potentials and discuss it many times. I don't even think you had worn it more than once or twice even. And so I was a little shocked when you revealed the surprise you brought with you, another thing we had discussed but I had dismissed as something for the future. A fursuit for me too, stealthily made by gathering information from me and keeping it a secret over the time we've known each other.