The massive portal gate loomed before them, a circular expanse filled with swirling purple plasma.

“Ready?” Jacob asked.

“Ready.” Alice replied.

Then, as was their tradition, they charged across it, sinking into the glowing energy, hands intertwined, and emerged out the other side.

They took a moment to stop and laugh, unheeding of the strange looks they received. When they finally managed to get their heads up, they were greeted by a kaleidoscope of multicolor lights lighting up the night. They were standing in a center lane, filled with restaurants and shops, occasionally interspersed with sprawling parks. The streets were packed with happy people, families and couples alike. The Entertainment District, or the ET as it was called, was actually a floating island, kept in the sky through massive anti-gravity arrays. It was the de-facto center for restaurants, clubs, stores, and similar establishments.

“Come on, Alice! We’re going to miss our reservation!”

“Ok! Ok!” Alice replied, still struggling to catch her breath, “Lead the way.”

When they finally arrived, they were both panting and laughing.

“Do you have any reservations here?” the server at the front desk questioned.

Jacob took a second to catch his breath. “Yes. Table for 2 for Jacob.”

The man took a second to check before motioning for them to follow him.

He led them to a private room with a table by the window, and Alice gasped. The window overlooked the entire city, a mile below. From up there the city looked small, despite the immense proportions of the skyscrapers.

They took seats across from each other.

“Jacob, how did you get such a good table?”

He looked back at her and smiled, “Anything for you, my love.”

She rolled her eyes, “Didn't answer the question.”

He smirked, “Not only a pretty face, huh.”

“Jacob!”

“Ok! Ok!” he laughed, “I have a friend that works here.”

“Huh. That would do it.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Soon they had slipped back into the flow of conversation, bantering and laughing. The food kept coming, sourced from all over the known universe. Sararish cream, heated in a red dwarf. Jarsen chicken, roasted in the core of a dying planet. Berek fawn, cooled in liquid nitrogen. One after the other, exotic dishes rushed in, providing a backdrop to the conversation.

Eventually, the food began to dwindle, noting the fullness of their customers.

Alice sighed, leaning back, “That was delicious. Thank you, Jacob, for finding this place.”

He smiled, somewhat nervously, “Don’t thank me yet.”

She squinted at him, “you ok?”

He laughed nervously, “Yeah just kinda hot.”

She leered at him, leaning across the table to whisper, “You know what else is hot?”

He couldn't take it. He spat out the water he was drinking and started laughing uncontrollably.

Alice sat back and smiled smugly.

Jacob finally managed to calm down. “I should never have doubted,” he said, half to himself.

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Then let's go! I want to go to Central Park!”

“Anything for you, my love”

Alice quickly got up and grabbed her stuff. She was walking to the door when a voice stopped her.

“Alice.”

She stopped and turned around. “Wha-.”

She froze.

Jacob, kneeling before her, was presenting her a ring. It was an archaic tradition, one few would understand. Jacob must have dug deep to find it.

“Alice,” he repeated, “I love you. More than you can know. I have been deliberating whether this was the right choice, but in the moment I see. I never should have hesitated.”

The lights seemed to dim.

“You are my light, my fire, my heart and so much more.” he continued, “So I beg of you, please, join me. Together we can be something. Together we can be nothing. Together we can be everything. Will you make me the happiest man in the universe, and marry me?”

Alice was still frozen, her emotions a confused mess.

She wanted to marry him more than anything, but how could she? She was nothing. He deserved better. Tears began to gather in her eyes, and not the happy type.

Jacob noticed immediately, and rushed to his feet to stabilize her.

“Alice, are you ok?”

“I want to, Jacob. I want to marry you so bad. I love you so much. But I am nothing. You deserve better. How could I claim you?”

“Alice, where are you getting this? You are everything to me! Must you be something to everyone?”

“Every time I see the grand map of history,” she whispered, “I am reminded anew, I am nothing.”

Jacob looked at her with worry, “I didn’t know it was this serious” he muttered underneath his breath.

Then, looking back at her, he made a decision, “...Let's go home.”

She was silent the whole trip back, the occasional tear rolling down her cheek. She didn’t even respond at the portal, remaining silent as they crossed it.

When they reached home, he helped her get ready for bed, changing her clothes and brushing her hair.

As they finally slipped into bed, Jacob pulled her close against him. She resisted for a second before giving in, turning to putty in his hands. She cried silently into his chest as he gently rocked her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Eventually, she drifted off, tear streaked face peaceful in sleep. Jacob sighed.

There was a lot of work to do.