The lab was quiet, save for the soft hum of various machines and the rhythmic tapping of Herta’s fingers as she adjusted settings on one of her many devices. You sat nearby, watching her work with a mixture of admiration and affection. Herta was a genius—one of the brightest minds in the universe—but to you, she was so much more. She was your lover, and even though her focus on her research was intense, there were moments like this when she made space for you, without words, just by sharing her world with you.

She didn’t seem to notice you watching her at first. Her usual intense concentration was evident, her red eyes flickering from screen to screen as she made mental calculations faster than most could comprehend. Yet, every now and then, she’d glance up from her work, her gaze softening as she found you sitting there, the quiet presence of someone who understood her more than anyone else.

"I think the adjustments are complete," she said with satisfaction, finally standing straight and stretching her arms. Her eyes met yours, and you caught the briefest hint of a smile that only you ever saw.