Marriage-Pilled
The air was thick with unspoken words as Hannah and Bo sat in the couples therapist's office. Dr. Coleman, a kind woman, sat across from them. The couple's once-vibrant love story had frayed at the edges. Their silences spoke volumes, louder than any insult they could sling at each other.
Hannah, a botanist specializing in vertical farming, fidgeted with a stray leaf on her moss-green overalls. Bo meanwhile was an architect, who spent long hours carefully crafting sustainable buildings. Their marriage, once a lush garden, seemed fated for demolition.
"Bo, you mentioned feeling disconnected from Hannah. You said last time you're living parallel live with her rather than sharing a single one."
Bo nodded. He tried to speak, his throat dry and his words heavy. "It's like we're two ships passing each other in the night, each in different directions to different destinations."
Hannah agreed. "I miss the intimacy we once had. We laughed together. We shared dreams. But now that all feels like the past."
Dr. Coleman scribbled more notes down on her tablet. She spoke slowly, choosing her next words carefully. "I understand your pain. It's clear that both of you long to reconnect, to rekindle the affection that you once shared. I'd like to recommend a new oxytocin supplement. It's called Nouveau Coeur."
She reached down to a small compartment in her desk and pulled out what looked to be an ordinary pill bottle.
"It's a new pharmaceutical. It is designed to enhance the natural production of oxytocin in your brains. It's commonly called the 'love hormone'. It's not magic. But over time that feeling of closeness between two people can fade away. It's natural. We can often get so used to each other we stop appreciating each other."
Hannah and Bo exchanged glances. Both were hesitant to trust this new drug. It all sounded too good to be true. It seemed like a simple fix for a complex problem. Still, they had run out of options.
"Remember, the Nouveau Coeur is just a tool to enhance what already exists. It's like using a magnifying glass to amplify the feelings you already have. The real work lies in your willingness to open your hearts and communicate. Are you ready to take this step together?"
Hannah and Bo, with a sense of trepidation, reached for the capsules. Each took one and swallowed. A silent promise hung in the air: a promise to fight for their love and bridge the growing chasm. The journey to rediscovery had started.
They arrived at the hotel the next weekend, their silence interrupted by the mighty roar of Niagara Falls. Both Hannah and Bo stood on the building's rooftop, looking out at the raw power of nature. The crisp autumn air was full of mist. It clung to their faces.
Hannah held the small purple capsule in her hand. Her heart was pounding heavily.
"Are you sure about this Bo? It all feels a bit... artificial..."
Bo squeezed her hand.
"It is unconventional, but we have to try something unconventional. Besides, if nothing else, we're already in a romantic spot."
Together, each swallowed the pill. A minute later, they already began to feel its effects. A wave of warmth spread through their bodies, a subtle shift in their perception. The world seemed softer and the colors more vibrant.
Bo looked over at Hannah and felt his whole body growing flush. He knew this was an effect of the oxytocin, a simple set of chemicals creating this philological response. Yet his romantic affection seemed to be seeping deeper into his brain.
He took her hand and went downstairs. They walked along the riverbank, hand-in-hand, stepping in sync with the rhythm of the falls. He began to recall their honeymoon. Once again they were stealing glances, whispering things to one another, and felt a sense of bliss.
Their walk continued until sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon, with the sky in bright hues of orange, Bo and Hannah sat on a bench overlooking the falls. They had stopped speaking, but this time there was an unspoken understanding.
Hannah then turned to Bo, her eyes sparkling.
"Thank you for bringing me here. It feels like we're finally seeing each other again," she whispered.
"And it feels like we're falling in love all over again. Just like our sophomore year," he replied, taking her hand into his.
They leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that they had done many times before. Yet enhanced by the oxytocin, it felt new and passionate.
"Come on, let's get back to the hotel," Hannah said, giggling like she was twenty again.
Bo found himself drawn to her, not just physically, but emotionally. He found himself yearning for her to the depths of her soul.
"Hannah, I want to apologize to you. I have been so consumed by my work. I was distant and neglectful. I forgot to cherish the most precious thing in the world -- you."
Back in their city townhouse, the afterglow of Niagara lingered. There was a soft hum from the hydroponic garden. Bo, rather than retreating to his drafting table as he always did, found himself drawn to her side. He watched her tend to the delicate ferns with a feeling of envy and lust.
"They look beautiful Hannah," he murmured. "Just like you."
She smiled, her eyes still as warm as he witnessed at the falls. "Thank you. They're like us, I suppose. Needing constant care, a bit of sunlight, and able to regrow after a storm."
He chuckled. "I think I finally understand. I've been neglecting to water the garden, haven't I?"
She nodded. "But it's not too late to nurture it back to life."
In the weeks that followed, they made a conscious effort to prioritize their relationship. Though the pills had faded from their system, their effect lasted much longer. It was an unorthodox idea, but they never needed a radical change to their lives. They just needed a little nudge to rebuild their neural pathways.