Heart to Heart

Hima bit her lip. "Is it that really what it looks like?"

Geale chuckled. "Does he know that you like him?"

Hima nodded.

"And he's still not asking you to be in a relationship with him?"

"It's because of me. I told him I'm not…ready. I don't think I can give him what he needs."

"What does he need?"

Hima took a deep breath and looked warily at Geale. "I think I'm…um…asexual."

Geale could only blink at her. "You reproduce on your own?" That wasn't exactly odd for merfolk, but he didn't realize it happened to humans too.

"No! No, that's not what I mean. I um…I don't get…sexually attracted to people. I like Ken, but I don't see myself having…um…you know..."

"What do I know?"

"That...thing couples do."

"Hold hands?"

"Yes, but not just that. The other thing."

"Kiss?"

"That too, but the other more...intimate thing."

"Share stuff? Live together?"

"You're teasing me, aren't you?"

"I'm trying to guess what you mean."