"And even then, it's a lofty goal at this point," he mused. Would the humans of his Earth be able to survive as they had been? Would they be able to recover?

If Zouichi had been privy to Ildraniath's thoughts, he would no doubt have concluded that it didn't matter at all. Could he bring himself to care how long it had been since she'd last cared for someone else? Or about their differences in age? Or even that she came from a world so far different from his own?

No. Probably not.

He closed his eyes briefly as she moved forward to kiss his temple, couldn't help smiling a little as her bangs tickled his face. Then he leaned upward to return the favor, first brushing his lips lightly against hers and then, on a whim, kissing the smooth upswept curve of her left ear.