Ready

"Yes, of course, I could praise your beauty," she said, "because I am not repulsed by you in the least. And, also yes, I could give a bit of a nod to your intelligence and stout heart, because you don't faff about making everything about yourself and acting the half wit." "You're very kind," he said softly, not sure where this was going. "But what I really appreciate," she continued (as if she hadn't heard him), "is your consistency. You are consistently droll and sharp-witted; you have mastered the art of the blistering comeback, so there are no tedious arguments; I am never bored with you, because I think you really do have the chops to commit the perfect crime. This is why, yes, I will marry you." "Ah," he responded, "well, that's sorted then", and then he kissed her as if he were trying to suck out her soul. He wondered (for only a moment, prior to the soul-sucking kiss) if the world was ready for them to join forces officially. "What fun would it be if the world was ready?" she would ask him later, grinning from ear to ear.