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Another eight years passed by. Within that time, Atmospheric adopted a number of Harmonic's mannerisms and hobbies, as well as a few of her own. She regularly studied survival techniques and kept a close eye on her health. In addition, she taught herself sign language and lip reading: skills which allowed her to more effectively communicate with Harmonic's apparition.

While the few friends she made at school attended parties and dances, Atmospheric was content spending her time at home where she could refine her developing abilities. Of course, bonding with the man she was destined to wed was another contributing factor.

"You should hang out with everybody soon. They're probably getting worried about you."

"I will, but we need to have a serious conversation."

"Huh...?"

Atmospheric closed the door to her room. The air grew tense, almost frightening.

"I know who you are."

"How did you-"

"It took me a while, but when I started piecing everything together, it all made sense in some weird way. Everything you've done told me what I wanted to know. The kisses, the way you articulated your words: it was no coincidence."

"When did you figure it out?"

"It started three years ago. I noticed over the years that my mind began to slow down in a certain sense. I could critically examine the world around me in a way I wasn't able to before. My perception began to increase at an accelerating rate. When I was little, I accepted your appearance as something beyond my understanding. It's not every day someone gets to talk to a time traveler."

"That's true."

"I suspected you were my boyfriend at first, but something about that theory didn't hold up. Your behavior suggested a deeper understanding of reality. Your level of focus exceeded everyone around me: even mom and dad. The ease with which you told me everything about myself...Only the person I was closest to would be able to pull that off."

"Your closest friend..."

"You're my husband, aren't you?"

Harmonic smiled.

"Guilty as charged."

"The stories about our meetings filled in the blanks. The way we stumbled across each other seemed typical on the surface, but only we know the truth."

"There's something I still don't understand. How can you see me?"

"Because I was the reason you came back to this time."

"I guess that makes sense, but I feel like that's not the only reason."

"Maybe there's something to the concept of second sight."

"Seeing beyond the physical plane..."

"It's worth looking into."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Are you angry with me for interfering?"

"Why would I be?"

"The changes I made were minor, but they were still changes."

"You were trying to help me, weren't you?"

"Something about you felt incomplete, like you were missing a piece of your vitality. You never told me much about yourself beyond the standard line."

"Why would I hide the truth from you?"

"You didn't. That's the weird part. Everything is as you told me."

"I remember what you told me when I was little, about how silence becomes empty and hollow over time. Is that why you came here?"

"That's the best reason I can come up with, aside from wanting to see what you were like."

"You didn't want me to be alone: in this time or yours..."

"You deserve better than that."

"Now I understand why I fell in love with you..."

"Do you feel the same way now?"

"I do...Maybe even more than before..."

"That's good to hear."

"I've felt a growing sense of strength in you, too. Neither of us have anything left to fear anymore."

"Because we can see through the farce of reality. We were bound to cross paths sooner or later."

"That's how it looks, isn't it?"

"What do you say we hold off on going anywhere for the night and watch a movie?"

"I'll make us something to eat."

"Sounds good."

"It'll be nice to hear your voice one of these days..."

"As long as I hear yours, I'll never need anything else."