"Yessss…Yessss…"
Stein loomed over his latest project, the dissection of a burned cadaver, and chuckled as he slid a scalpel across its chest's ash-caked skin. There was nothing like peeling a crusted body, hearing the slight crackle of epidermis leaving the muscles like a pineapple being divested of spines.
"Beautiful."
He wouldn't have noticed Marie's presence if it weren't for the sudden spike in her soul wavelength. Anger. And she was right behind him.
He turned around quickly, spreading his hands defensively in a supplicating gesture.
"I wasn't doing anything. Honest."
Marie glared at the corpse behind him, rage glowing in her single eye. A marriage rant was coming.
"Marie?"
"Why…are you treating…a body like that?"
Perceiving the jealousy within her aura, Stein was quick to make amends.
"It's not like I don't want to do it to you sometime. I'm sure you have some scars on your body I could-"
She huffed and turned around, a tear struggling within her eye socket. Stein put a hand on her shoulder. She tensed.
"What is it, Marie?"
She sniffled. "You don't think I'm pretty, do you?"
Stein's mouth opened widely, unable to express his confusion. "Wha-?"
"I'm not pretty enough for you. The only things you want are good specimens."
"That's not true, Marie." It was hard to say it, but it was true. He did care for her. He just had other things on his mind.
"Then why is it that the only thing you mention is my scarring?" The blonde's throat made a small gulp, alerting Stein to the seriousness of the situation. He tried to hug her, but she backed away.
"Marie…"
"I want you to want me."
His eyebrows raised in curiosity about her desire. "In what way?"
She averted her gaze a little. He didn't need her to continue her answer. He moved towards her slowly, placing his hand on her collarbone gently.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his lips grazing her ear, "but I prefer you this way."
His tongue brushed against her cheek and his hands moved down her face. Lowering her gently, he stared at her body, now below him. He chuckled nervously.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to have you properly. Without the scalpel."
Stein preferred being gentle with Marie.