[ WP ] Death , the loneliest guy in the world , tries online dating .

She seemed young. For a moment he doubted himself, his own ability to perceive age. Of course she'd seem young against him. But he was an expert in physiology, and she had smooth skin and a strong, if hesitant walk. No trauma in her past, none physical at least, nothing to touch her inside or out. She quickly spotted him at the only table on the roof. 
 
 `` Your bio never explained why you wear all that wrap. Is it a religious thing?'' He'd seen the costume in a movie, once, called the Invisible Man. Bandages over every inch, gloves, a fully covered mouth, even, and goggles that the children would call'steampunk' with thick, black lenses as wide as his eye sockets. A man had died in that theater; he had a heart attack while a female acquaintance entertained him. From what he heard later the end of the movie was n't worth sticking around for, anyway. 
 
 `` More physical,'' he said. `` I do n't like the light.'' 
 
 `` Well, it's evening now. If you feel comfortable, you can take them off.'' 
 
 `` I think I'll wait.'' He'd stuffed cotton under the wrappings in some places, entire pillows in others, and in others simply gone over the joint or bone ten times. 
 
 `` So you're an Ace?'' 
 
 `` I do not know that terminology.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, it's a kind of obscure online thing these days, still. Ace, it's short for asexual, as in someone who has a very low or no sex drive. That's what I am, anyway. A lot of us still like to cuddle. And low does n't necessarily mean no. It's all a spectrum.'' She stared into the goggles, looking for a blink or a twitch of the eye, but there was no light. `` I can take or leave cuddling, myself. But it's nice to live with someone who knows what they're talking about. I'm very interested in the idea of a best friend for life.'' 
 
 `` I suppose, by your definition, it would be fair to call myself'ace.' I'm less attached to the idea of a friend'for life,' specifically.'' 
 
 `` What, a one night stand on conversation?'' she asked. `` I do n't know whether to be insulted.'' She was smiling, but only a little. 
 
 `` Forgive me, I have n't been around people very much in a long time and the direct stimulation is a little overwhelming. I work in a complicated field,'' he'd rehearsed this line, `` sort of related to mortician. But I do n't want to talk about work today.'' 
 
 `` Okay, I get it. We could talk about *my* work, but, well, I'm on disability these days.'' He cocked his head a little. `` I know, right? I'm skinny, got both my legs, all of that. It's a story, though, and it can ruin entire months if I do n't plan right. The kind of story you'll only get on a second date. No one night stand conversations, you hear?'' 
 
 `` I understand,'' he said, trying to sound like he was smiling. `` So how do you fill your time?'' 
 
 `` I volunteer at an animal shelter a couple of times a week. It's good. Yesterday I got to help deliver a litter of puppies.'' Four live, one stillborn, he thought, suddenly recognizing her face. `` One came out wrong, but the other four did n't even seem to notice. Just minutes old and they already wanted to play! So full of life! It's great, you know? I spend a lot of the rest of my time reading, and the contrast is nice.'' 
 
 `` I know what you mean. I... arranged this date for contrast. From work. Have you read anything good, lately? I feel like I do n't read enough, and maybe if the right person gives me the right book...'' 
 
 `` I know exactly what you mean. This is going to sound insane, but I guess you could've guessed I'd be into this sort of thing from the pictures of me in the sugarskull mask from that costume party last winter. I just finished a book called *Necrophilia Variations* by Supervert. It was wild.'' 
 
 `` I'll find a copy tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` I can lend you mine.'' 
 
 
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 ^^^Not ^^^sure ^^^exactly ^^^how ^^^strict ^^^this ^^^sub ^^^is ^^^over ^^^NSFW ^^^references, ^^^but ^^^if ^^^you ^^^look ^^^for ^^^some ^^^hysterical ^^^lady ^^^reading ^^^that ^^^book ^^^on ^^^youtube, ^^^just ^^^search ^^^the ^^^title, ^^^yeah ^^^that's ^^^the ^^^reference. 

