Living together turned out to be easier than either Mercury or Travis had expected. Their dynamic was effortless—they each understood the other’s need for personal space. If one wanted to hang out, the other was usually happy to join. If they needed a day to themselves, it was met with no complaints or hard feelings.
Mercury, however, was at a crossroads. After some soul-searching, she decided to quit her job as a criminal. It wasn’t just about the risk anymore; the lifestyle simply didn’t fit who she wanted to be. Her time on Earth was meant to be about growth and connection, and she realized she needed a career that didn’t conflict with those goals.
While searching for her next step, Mercury filled her days with quiet hobbies, brushing up on her chess skills. The game had become a soothing escape and a way to keep her mind sharp. Sometimes Travis joined her at the board, though his moves were often distracted by his work.
He was knee-deep in a massive programming project assigned by his company, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with moments of intense focus. Mercury would glance at him from across the room, hunched over his laptop, muttering strings of code under his breath. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to cheer her on during her chess games or ask about her day.
“I’ll never be as good as you at this,” he said one evening, moving a pawn before glancing back at his laptop. “But hey, if chess ever involves debugging, I’m your guy.”
Mercury laughed, capturing his queen with a knight. “You’re better than you think. But I’ll take you up on that offer if the rules ever change.”
Their shared moments, whether in silence or laughter, reminded Mercury that she’d made the right choice inviting Travis into her life. The future felt uncertain, but with him by her side, it was a little less daunting.