ALEXANDER THE GREATEST

; 𝑖 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑖 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑬𝑳𝒀 ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ɪ ᴍᴇᴛ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ...

[4lexnilsen]

we  haven’t  spoke  since  you  went  away.  comfortable  silence  is  so  overrated.  why  won’t  you  ever  be  the  first  one  to  break?  even  my  phone  misses  your  call,  by  the  way.

i  saw  your  friend  that  you  know  from  work.  he  said  you  feel  just  fine.  i  see  you  gave  him  my  old  t-shirt,  more  of  what  was  once  mine…

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#           𝟒𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒏𝒊𝒍𝒔𝒆𝒏         ;           an   independent,   private &   selective   writing   blog   for   𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗 𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐍   of   emily henry’s  novel   —   𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.   book and headcanon based. written   by   olivia.   please,   read   my   carrd   before   interacting.

𝙰 𝚂𝚃𝚄𝙳𝚈 𝙸𝙽:   the oldest child syndrome. growing up motherless. life in a religious household. strained father-son relationship. friendship. wanderlust. trying to fit in. the power of love. grief. abandonment. learning how to accept the past and moving on from it. growing together. found family.

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[batheir]

eyes take in that look he's giving her, helena notices the smallest things, the way his gaze grows softer. she was expecting something indifferent, maybe disapproval? at her dressed up in his clothes and instead she's standing surprised, gauging him with this look on his face. and is he truly at a loss for words, too? why? it causes a shy smile to grace her features. she's suffering a major case of whiplash – just a few minutes ago he was being the kind of guy she's not into with those personality ticks he was throwing off & now here she is swooning at his cooking and being stared at that way. she doesn't remember harry looking at her like that. which reminds her... why is she even contemplating if alex is someone she's into, she can't be. it's just wrong and weird.

“wait, yeah, you can do that.” he can drop her off because she'd rather much do that than walk right now, since she still doesn't feel the best even thought she's feeling better. “thank you,” a happiness touches her voice at him pulling her chair out for her, more surprise lifting her brows, because he's acting a lot like the boy she liked in the beginning. “you really can be a cutie, alexander. when you're like this.” helena grins, tickling underneath his chin before sitting down. good god, she loves a gentleman.

“no, this is extra nice, don't downplay your talent.” that obviously he can possess on choosing outfits, when he wants to. when he looks so well dressed, putting up with his attitude is tolerable and the nice plate of food he made them makes her forget all about the attitude he was irking her with to begin with. there is nothing more attractive than a guy who can dress up and take control of the kitchen sometimes, instead of stand there acting clueless how to feed them unlike harry with his nonsense he had of not even understanding how to turn on a microwave. & then the act itself, it's so... oozing in attraction.

“oh, this? this is something i just found lying on the sidewalk somewhere.” she plays, glancing down at her shirt with a laugh. “really?” brows lift again, more surprise filling her tone. “me?” looks better on her? she nearly forgets the food exists in front of her – especially when it feels so nice while she's concealing how heartbroken she is over the reminder of harry and his treatment & eyes are lighting up once she comes back to earth, clapping and clasping her hands in a soar of excitement. “i already know i'm going to love it, thank you chef alex. this looks very gourmet and delicious... wait! i shall document this moment forever before we mess it all up,” scooting his plate over, she waits for him to sit too so she can fish for her phone out of his sweatpant's pocket and excitedly snaps a candid picture.

[4lexnilsen]

alex is thankful for the moment of silence that settles between them.   he needs it to gather his thoughts so he doesn’t sound like a stuttering mess next time he opens his mouth.   still,  he keeps glancing at her and smiling.   he just can’t help it,  not when she looks so soft and cozy.   one look at her,  dressed in his t-shirt and sweats,  and all he wants to do is wrap his arms around her waist,  bury his face in her curls and cuddle her.   which is strange because he usually doesn’t get attached easily.   if anything,  he’s withdrawn and emotionally closed-off,  so why is he acting like a smitten schoolboy and falling in love faster than ever?   this girl is unlike anyone he’s ever met.   she’s special,  exquisite in every way possible.   “yeah?   alright,  we have a plan then.   it’s real cold out there.   you’ll have to snatch one of my sweaters,  too,  i think,”   he offers,  setting his cup of coffee down but keeping his palms on it,  warming them up.   outside,  snow’s beginning to fall again,  little flurries dancing in the air,  making the morning seem even more magical.   “i’m glad we had the common sense to walk here last night instead of driving.   we got the tattoos,  at least we didn’t get a DUI as well.”   gotta focus on the positives,  he thinks.   

“why,  thank you.   i have my moments,  but i think you bring this side out of me.”   blushing when she compliments him,  calls him a cutie,  he doesn’t want to push her away.   he wishes they could spend all the mornings to come just like this.   and still he hurts her feelings every time she peers deeper and deeper into his mind and heart.   there’s a part of him that refuses to let her in,  that’s afraid of rejection and heartbreak.   “hey,  you’re making me melt,”   he laughs,  gently grasping her wrist as she tickles the spot under his chin,  squeezing affectionately before laying her hand back on the table.   “thanks.   i’ve got some experience.   it’s usually not this much fun,  though.”   cooking for one person gets boring,  is what he means.   “you should come over more often now that you know where i live.   stop by for dinner or lunch.”   stay for breakfast.   “i barely remember last night so it doesn’t count as a sleepover.   we have to redo it sometime.   hey,  maybe next week we’ll get our ears pierced?”   he jokes,  watching curiously as she moves the plates around,  only realizing what she’s doing once she picks up her phone.   his heart could just burst,  pride welling up deep inside his chest.   no one’s ever made him feel so appreciated.   

“ah,  right,  must have fallen out of a garbage truck or something,”   he laughs,  happy to play along.   in fact,  he’s so happy that he pulls the oldest trick out of them all and calls out.   “oh!   it’s a little dirty right here.”   he reaches over the table and gently presses his finger to the collar of her shirt,  trying to get her to look down so he can tap her nose and say gotcha!   “yeah,  really.”   confirming in all seriousness,  he even nods his head for emphasis.   she really does look beautiful in his t-shirt and should just keep it.   “don’t think i’ve ever seen you like this before.”   not all dolled up but domestic,  laid-back and soft and cuddly.   he likes this look on her.   “you’re very welcome,  miss wayne.   hope you like your yolk a little runny ‘cause that’s how i like mine so i thought…”   he trails off,  stunned by her beauty once more,  letting her take this picture in peace.   “hey,  give it to me for a second.   i want to show you how cute you look,”   he asks once she’s done,  reaching for her phone so he can take a picture of her.      

[batheir]

staring at him in disbelief, doe eyes narrow before features crease and then nothing else but amusement can spill up as a laugh involuntarily erupts, “oh, you are so full of it...” it's really just funny, purely funny at this point before helena points a finger & cocks her head, “so full of it i'm beginning to think you like me.” a smirk tugs at her lips, he's acting just like a case of: boys like to bully when they like a girl super well. she doesn't agree with that stupid logic, but apparently there's some twisted truth to it. “EWW, alex.” shutting him out with that loud protest of disgust and embarrassment, she doesn't want to think about his autonomy, then she'd be the weird pervert. that's so disrespectful and weird, right? it's weird. “you're so arrogant, nilsen. it'd probably kill you to gain an ounce of modesty.” saying behind the door, finally moving over to undress and slip into the shower after piling her hair up on top of her head since she just washed it yesterday and she figures she can wash out the hint of bar smell later tonight when she has time to tend to it.

finally after washing all the filth off her skin, she turns the water back off and finds a towel to dry off on then moves over to the mirror to fix herself with the makeup in her purse she grabs from his room and lets her dark waves fall back down. once she's back in session looking like a decent person again, teeth cleaned from the vomit, skin clean, presentable with mascara, blush & red lipstick that match her cherry nails– she arrives in the kitchen in alex's sweat pants and a soft t-shirt she stole.

“what about my car? i still have to find it off my iphone, too.” helena reminds after she creeps up behind him on silent feet, the thing she kept on her mind to tell him after he said he'd drop her off. though, she didn't expect whatever her eyes lands on now once her gaze finds him... a well dressed man and even the watch she notices on his wrist, barely anyone wears watches anymore, & she can't help but appreciate that fact about him and just how... ugh, dare she say? handsome he looks wearing it. while COOKING. “wow...” the wayne girl, speechless. “when you're dressed so nice, you actually look so tolerable.” or more like, she wants to tolerate him when he looks that attractive in a nice outfit, a dressed up man is always the way to her heart THEN adding the cooking and she's just a weakened wreck. helena doesn't let all of that slip, though. but she does compliment without letting him gain too much ego, surprise all over her face as she slowly sinks down in a chair. admiring how nice he looks is undeniable so she may as well discreetly admit it. plus, he deserves to know that too, she's stubborn & grudgy but she's not mean.

[4lexnilsen]

alex nilsen moves through the kitchen with the easy confidence of an experienced chef,  cracking eggs one-handed,  slicing avocados without casting as much as a glance at the knife,  toasting bagels until they’re just the right shade of golden.   back when he was a little boy,  fixing breakfast for himself and his baby brothers was more of a chore than anything.   at first,  all he could make was a bowl of cereal.   it had taken him some time to expand his skillset,  learn how to make oatmeal and scrambled eggs and pancakes.   his father was an incompetent man,  could barely pour himself a cup of coffee without spilling,  and as much as he loves that man,  he can’t quite get past the fact that a ten year old was a better cook than an adult…   anyway,  now it’s not really a chore.   he loves being in the kitchen,  making food for the ones who are dear to him.   he could fix breakfast for helena wayne every morning.   but a girl like her would never…   he cuts himself off,  focusing on spreading the mashed avocado evenly on their crispy bagels,  sprinkles some pepper and salts them by feel,  then crowns each one with a perfectly set egg,  yolks still tender because that’s how he likes it best and hopes she will,  too.

he’s plating everything,  setting two cups of coffee (black with a pinch of cinnamon for himself and a well-balanced one for her) on the spotless counter,  when he hears footsteps approaching and can’t help the smile that blooms on his lips the second their eyes meet.   “hi there,”   he greets her,  his heart stuttering because she looks so soft and dreamlike in his sweats and t-shirt.   it will be one hell of a challenge,  pretending they’re strangers nowthatshe’s slipped herself into his life like this.    she looks awfully domestic.   he marvels at her for a moment too long and something in him settles,  deep and irreversible.   this,  he thinks,  is what he’s been dreaming of all along.   too scared to admit it even to himself.   “your what?   sorry,  i —”   he turns around swiftly,  putting the pan in the sink while hiding the rosiness that overtakes his visage.   he needs a moment to pull himself together.   there’s just something so very special about a girl you really like wearing your clothes…

“i forgot all about that.   we should check out where it’s parked and i’ll just drop you off there.”   or walk her there if it’s close by.   he circles around the counter to the small table by the window,  sets their plates there and pulls out a chair for her.   the view isn’t spectacular,  and maybe it’s for the best,  because even if it was the lake michigan itself out there,  he wouldn’t be able to admire it,  not with this beautiful girl sitting in front of him.   “why,  thank you.”   lord,  he’s blushing like a fucking schoolgirl just because she called his outfit tolerable.   this is insanity.   “i mastered the art of dressing myself in kindergarten and been doing fairly well ever since,”   he laughs,  figuring he should say something about her outfit but…   who knows what might come out of his mouth now?   “your t-shirt looks awfully familiar,”   is all he says,  bringing the cup of coffee to his lips to hide his smile.   on a second thought,  he quietly adds,   “you should keep it,  looks way better on you.”

[qverdia]

abilene's cheeks warmed as alex chased after her lips , pleading for another kiss even as he reluctantly set her down . there was something about how much he always wanted her that made her heart go silly , or how he always kissed her like it had been years even when only a few minutes had passed by . with his hand clasped in hers abilene led him towards the carousel with a wide , giddy , love struck grin .

❛ well , the sooner i can get my bag the sooner we can get to the privacy of the car . ❜ abilene whispered , cheeks nearly glowing as memories of their first kiss against her truck and all of the nights spent in the truck bed with alex filtered through her mind . ❛ well , i missed you however much you missed me plus one , alexander . so i win . ❜ she was teasing him in one of the ways that her brother used to get on her nerves as a child . so i win was a statement often heard in the hoover household , and often followed by a nuh uh and whatever clever insults could come to mind .

❛ i've never been ice skating before . . . ❜ abilene mused , letting alex take her hand and lead her towards the parking lot . she'd learned better than to insist on carrying her own suitcase when alex was around after their first trip together and didn't bother with insisting on it . ❛ breakfast first . ❜ she agreed , squeezing his hand in hers . ❛ then unpacking ? then maybe ice skating ? ❜ abilene leaned her head on his arm as they walked .

❛ oh , but what will i wear ?! ❜ she repeated the line from the grinch in an effort to make him laugh . ❛ i don't think i packed any ice skating attire . . . unless you can ice skate looking like ralphie's little brother in the snow ? ❜ a christmas story , her father's favorite of the christmas movies . ❛ do you want to get breakfast somewhere , or we could cook some up at your place ? ❜ as they opened the outside door to chicago the burst of cold air made abilene snuggle a little closer to alex . his hoodie , while certainly enough for most of the cold back home , felt like she was wearing a tee shirt or a tank top out here .

❛ not much , ❜ she admitted regarding the sleep part of his question . she let out a small gasp when her foot slid forward on a small bit of ice on the sidewalk . her hands clutched at alex's arm to catch herself and her cheeks flushed again . ❛ i was too excited , and too nervous . . . maybe we can take a quick nap after breakfast ? ❜

[4lexnilsen]

alex has always been a rather private,  reserved person,  definitely not the kind of man who makes out with his partner in the middle of a busy airport during the holiday season.   and yet here he is,  unable to refrain from stealing these sweet kisses from abi’s lips,  not giving a damn who’s looking.   when he’s with her,  the world just melts away and it feels like they’re locked inside their very own bubble of sheer happiness.   “the privacy of the car,  you say?   just how we like it.”   the blond lets out a soft,  sheepish laugh,  his cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson,  as though he wasn’t just kissing her like there’s no tomorrow a minute ago.   he does his best to try and focus on anything but the memories of her truck and those hot summer nights in texas,  the way his name sounded as it rolled off her tongue and echoed through the fields…   “oh,  have you seen our dinosaur?”   he blurts out,  talking about the massive dinosaur skeleton in terminal 1.   one of the things the o’hare airport is known for.   before they can head to the parking lot,  it’s only a minute or two away from where they’re standing and so he wants to take her there.   “look at it.   it’s a brachiosaurus.   they were herbivores and had really long necks,”   he explains,  pointing to the skeleton in the distance,  feeling like a giddy little boy again.

“impossible.   i missed you to the moon and back,  and then some!   i missed you so immensely that i couldn’t breathe or sleep or eat,”   he lightly argues,  laughing because he knows these games so well.   being the firstborn,  the eldest son,  he usually had to end such arguments so now it’s even more fun to engage in them.   “hey,  you taught me how to dance last time i was in texas,  now it’s my turn.   i’ll show you how to ice skate.”   about the dance classes…   he basically just stood there,  hypnotized,  studying her every move,  beaming.   he’s not the best dancer but he’s surprisingly decent when it comes to balancing on ice.   “that’s entirely up to you,  babe.”   whether she feels like stopping for breakfast downtown or prefers to go home and have it there.   “i make real good waffles and pancakes but then there’s this little cafe with the prettiest view of lake michigan.   they have every breakfast option under the sun.”   but they can always visit tomorrow or the day after that,  doesn’t have to be today,  he thinks,  smiling when he feels her nuzzle into him.   he kisses the top of her head.

“sounds like a plan to me.   breakfast,  nap,  ice skating,  hot chocolate and some snacks at the christmas market,  maybe a last minute target run,  and then we can go back home and watch christmas movies all night.”   or at least until netflix calls them out by asking whether they’re still watching.   “something warm,  multiple layers,  as long as you can move your legs,  you’ll be fine,”   he offers,  laughing when she brings up the famous scene from a christmas story.   it always makes him giggle,  regardless of how many times he’s seen it.   that red snowsuit,  the scarf,  the mother trying to zip the whining kid up…   “you know,  you kind of look like ralphie’s little brother now,  but at least you can put your arms down,”   he teases,  knowing she’s not used to this kind of weather.   “you can totally go skating looking like a tick ready to pop.”   is that the expression used in the movie?   he thinks so.   “oh,  careful there.   please,  don’t break your legs,  your brother would crucify me.”   catching her as she slips,  he guides her to his black toyota camry.   not the most beautiful car in the world,  but it does its job and it’s still fairly new.   he unlocks it and walks abi to the other side so she can get in and not freeze to death while he loads her luggage into the trunk.   “nervous?   thought you weren’t a nervous flyer.   any screaming kids?”

[batheir]

“absolutely not. no matter how many times you try to twist the narrative, when it was you who got us intoxicated, into some probably highly unhygienic tattoo parlor then it was probably your idea i sleep there just like all the above.” helena grumbles, crossing her arms and folding her leg over the other as she leans her back against the cold wall, feeling weird and out of place standing in just her undergarments around a boy. “it still doesn't excuse your perverted mind.” swatting his hand like an annoyed cat at his BOOP, “are you certain? perhaps you're lying, perhaps it's really eating you up inside. since you're so good at hiding things.”

“oh. well, then you could HAVE said that. you didn't have to be so rude and put me out in the cold.” saying with irritation still stinging her voice, even though now there is some logic in it but still. “but it's not as if i don't have places to be– i have to get home to ace. he needs a proper bathroom break, watered, fed, confirmation i haven't just abandoned him.” knowing her overly dramatic and sensitive german shepherd, he will think that and start worrying himself sick. ace is like a human wrapped in fur and pointy ears, plus they're always connected at the hip. “in your dreams, right?” since he apparently wants it to be a reality for himself so desperately.

“...why? are you trying to poison me now? what's the gimmick– why are you suddenly being so nice...” eyeing him skeptically, well his back, as eyes look him up and down. unwillingly to admit the muscles are disgustingly attractive. “i'm looking at the only allergen.” helena plays, “eggs and avocado are amazing. and i like my coffee iced or hot, i'm not really choosy with temperature unless it's summer then it's always iced. a splash of heavy cream and a little bit of sweetness so it's all well rounded. not too strong, not too sweet, a balance.” she informs, finally leaning up from the wall to push the door closed.

[4lexnilsen]

“twist the narrative?   oh,  come on,  you can just admit you have a crush on me.   the kind of crush that had you crawling into my bed last night.   you snuggled me,  all on your own,”   the blond teases,  looking her up and down.   it amuses him how shy she is,  how she’s trying to cover herself up even though she’s still wearing her undergarments.   has she never been to a public beach?   how’s lingerie any different from a bikini?   it doesn’t phase him one bit,  and he’s the one who grew up in an ultra-religious household.   ignoring her comments about the highly unhygienic tattoo parlor,  that’s the part that bothers him the most.   after all,  dirty needles can transmit diseases such as HIV or hepatitis or tetanus…   he gets chills just thinking about it.   “perverted mind?   hey,  you’re the one thinking about the size of my penis so…”   he points out,  laughing because she’s so easily annoyed.

“yeah,  well,  you didn’t give me room for explanation.”   besides,  he did say that she could join him.   she’s the one who turned down the offer.   “oh,  great,  just don’t tell him that you spent the night at my place.   he’ll hate me even more than he already does.”   there’s no denying that ace is a very smart dog,  smarter than most humans if he’s being honest.   he’s very protective of helena and wary of alex so if he learns she ditched his fury companion for a man…   the last thing he needs in his life is a jealous german shepherd.   “i’ll drop you off.”   on his way to the library.   “oh,  and i’m finishing up around seven if you want to get another tattoo?”   he jokingly suggests,  rolling his eyes.   “you’re suppressing these feelings now but…   you’ll come around.”   he walks out of the room,  making kissy sounds just to push her buttons some more.

“no reason at all,  just feel like i’ve tormented you enough for one morning.   and nah,  you’re not allergic to me.   the word you’re looking for is…   addicted.   addicted to me.”   laughing,  their voices carry easily through the thin wall.   “a well-balanced coffee,  can do,”   he muses,  shaking his head at how detailed her answer is.   most people would simply reply with something like black or with cream and two sugars.   he won’t admit it out loud but he finds helena’s personality even more attractive than her looks,  which might be hard to believe since she’s the most beautiful girl in the world but it is true.   he likes her sense of humor and how eloquent she is,  how witty.   shaking his head,  trying to focus on picking his clothes for the day rather than daydreaming,  he ends up going with black dress pants,  leather loafers,  and a thick,  warm sweater in a rich,  caramel tone.   all paired with a tweed jacket that he’ll slip into later on.   he rolls up the sleeves of his sweater and clasps an old-fashioned watch onto his left wrist.   giving helena some much needed privacy,  he heads to the kitchen to fix them each an avocado and egg bagel,  and some well-balanced coffee.   that still makes him laugh to himself.

[kctysha]

( accepting ! )ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ❛ someone who loves you wouldn't do this . ❜

❛ lisichka , ❜ her father's voice words slurred from exhaustion when he picked up the phone after the fourth time that yekaterina called him . the pet name only stoked the fire that was burning in her belly , and she ground her teeth together to keep from yelling . he continued in russian , ❛ did you get my message earlier ? ❜

she couldn't help herself and scoffed , one arm crossed over her chest as the other held the phone to her ear . ❛ your message ? about the $150 that left my account this morning ? that one ? ❜ her cheeks were burning , surely flushed red by now , as were her ears . her father yawned on the other side of the phone and she heard the rustle of him rising from his bed .

❛ i only borrowed it , dear . ❜ alexander ivanovich cleared his throat , his voice sounding as though it was no big deal . yekaterina clenched her fist and began to pace around her dorm in an effort to spend all of the furious energy that was brewing inside of her . ❛ i will pay you back when i get another job . . . besides , you always make it back quickly . rent was due and i was in a tight spot , katyusha ㅤ ❜

❛ you're always in a tight spot ! ❜ she yelled , throwing her free hand up . ❛ i needed that money for my own bills . what am i going to do now ? tell the school that my father took it from me for gambling ?! ❜ yekaterina felt the first tear , hot and angry , spill down her face as her father stayed silent on the other end of the call .

❛ look , it's not as bad as you're making it , lisichka ㅤ ❜ somewhere in the back of her mind , yekaterina thought that she heard a quiet knock on her door . a knot built in her throat until each breath hurt . she wiped at her face with the back of her hand .

❛ do not call me that . i'm taking you off of everything ! ❜ there was another tense silence , and that time yekaterina did her the second knock . she turned to face the door but hesitated in moving forward . her father was protesting , talking about how she had turned on him , how she needed to care for him , her father , when yekaterina hung up and tossed the phone on the plush chair that was far too big for the room .

she wiped at her face with both eyes and took a deep , shuddering breath before she cracked open the door . on the other side stood @4lexnilsen , the boy she'd met a few months ago from the library , his hand raised as though he was about to knock again . had he heard her yelling from his own room ? was that why he was here , or was he coming to study ? she tried to recall if they had made plans for alex to study with her today before she had checked her bank account , but everything prior to then seemed blurry .

❛ oh . . . were you . . . were we going to study today ? ❜ she asked , voice quiet and thick . she closed the door just to remove the chain and then opened it up a little wider . she looked an absolute mess , blotchy face and all . her cheeks flushed a deep red and she wiped at her face again . ❛ let me freshen up and i'll . . . i'll be right back . just put my phone on the charger if you sit in the chair ? ❜

[4lexnilsen]

if he’s being entirely honest,  alex had heard a lot more than he would have liked to.   he’d been standing at yekaterina’s doorstep for a while,  and these walls are awfully thin so voices carry…   he doesn’t speak russian but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the conversation he’d just overheard wasn’t a pleasant one.   his cheeks flush when the door swings open,  the smile that blooms on his lips never reaches his eyes.   a look of sheer awkwardness takes over his visage instead.   there’s so many things that he would like to say,  so many questions he would like to ask,  but doesn’t feel like he’s in the position to offer advice or make himself part of whatever family drama his friend is dealing with.   “is everything…   are you okay?   i’m sorry i —   i —   anything i could do?”   he stumbles over his words,  absently scratching the nape of his neck as he hesitantly walks into her room.   he’s got his laptop tucked under his arm,  a paper bag with two croissants in his hand.   “i just wanted to tell you that i signed up for that course we were talking about the other day,  introduction to the classics of russian literature,  and just got my first assignment.   i have to read two of pushkin’s belkin’s stories.   the shot and the undertaker.   we’ll discuss them on thursday and so i was wondering if you’d like to go to the library with me?   oh,  and i got us something sweet.”   he waves the paper bag,  closing the door behind himself.   “but you know what?   i’m sure they’re available online,  too.   we don’t have to go out,  we can stay here.”   if she’d like that better.   if she’d want to talk about what he’s just witnessed,  whatever it is that she’s going through.   he sets the bag and his laptop on her dresser,  looking around to locate her phone so he can plug it in as asked.   “do you —   do you want to talk?”   he offers shyly,  his chest constricting as he takes her in.   

[qverdia]

abilene's smile grew as alex ran towards her , only having enough time to open up her arms before his were wrapped around her waist and her feet left the tiled floor . she giggled and her legs wrapped around his waist followed shortly by her arms around his broad shoulders . any worry that she had had moments before washed away as alex drew her close , and they all felt so silly . of course she was welcome , and how could any of this be too much for a man who had practically told her he loved her on their fourth date ?

❛ you were supposed to be here at six , ❜ she teased him . ❛ your gift wasn't ready quite yet , she was going to get you some flowers or something before you got here . ❜ she wasn't upset , she couldn't be upset at alex when he was clinging to her like a lifeline in the middle of an airport , and she laughed again . she pulled away from him just enough to see those bright blue eyes , two dimples showing in her cheeks from her smile .

❛ i wasn't going to let you spend christmas alone , alex . ❜ not on his favorite holiday . ❛ and i missed you , a lot . ❜ over the speakers there was a loud buzz and slowly the carousel began to move . abilene hadn't packed much , after all she intended for this to be a relatively short trip , and only had the one small , hardsided yellow suitcase . she unwound her legs from around him and felt the floor under her feet once more . with her fingers intertwined with his , abilene pulled alex with her towards the bags beginning to roll past .

❛ do you have any plans ? ❜ she asked , stretching up on her toes to look over the shoulder of someone and watch for her bag . ❛ i did some work for paloma and i've been saving it up to take you to dinner . somewhere nice ! ❜ he always spoiled her , after all . ❛ what do you think ? maybe tonight ? or tomorrow ? how have you oh , i think that one's mine ! ❜

[4lexnilsen]

“well,  in my defense,  i didn’t want to be late!”   he muses playfully,  hugging her tightly as her arms and legs curl around his body.   he doesn’t think he knew half of his soul was missing until he met her…   now the only time when he feels truly complete is when he’s with her.   “you did say it was a very special gift and i didn’t want to get held up in traffic.   oh,  baby,  who needs flowers when i have you?   no flower could compete with your beauty anyway.”   he pulls back just enough to look at her face,  her cheeks sun-kissed and warm as the pad of his thumb touches one of them,  strokes the adorable little dimple he finds there.   she’s gorgeous.   a supermodel.   a heartbeat passes.   he marvels at her long enough to commit this image to his memory,  to immortalize it,  before kissing her.   weeks of missing her,  of late-night calls,  of wanting,  pouring out all at once.   her lips soft and sweet and real,  and he swears his knees almost give out alongside his lungs.   still,  he refuses to come up for air or set her down even if only for a second,  afraid she’s going to vanish the moment he blinks.

“impossible.   i missed you the most-est,”   he insists,  chasing after her lips even as she attempts to untangle herself from him,  strong arms reluctant to let go.   “mm,  no,  forget the bag,”   he pleads,  kissing the corner of her mouth before gently setting her down.   “who needs clothes anyway?”   he laughs sheepishly and takes her hand,  following her like a lost puppy,  so completely enamored that she could be dragging him to the gates of hell and he wouldn’t notice or mind.   “my plans?   well,  i was planning to get chinese for dinner since every other restaurant will probably be closed and watch the grinch,”   the one with jim carrey,  that is,   “but now that you’re here…   whatever you want to do,  sunshine.   we can do whatever you want.”   watching the suitcases roll out,  he spots the yellow one and just as abi’s confirming it’s in fact hers,  he lets go of her hand and reaches down to take it off the carousel.   “would you like to check out our christmas tree?   the one in millennium park?   we could go ice skating there.   oh,  and there’s a christmas market downtown?   wait,  but first things first.   breakfast.   let’s get breakfast first.   bet you’re hungry.   did you get any sleep at all?”   he bombards her with questions,  keeping his left hand on the handle of the suitcase and using the right one to reach for hers.   

[welcometounicornworlds]

TOM BLYTH doing press for PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION (December 09, 2025, Chicago).

[qverdia]

abilene's phone buzzed in her hand again , and again , and again . every time she tried to type her message to alexander another five seemed to come across her screen . they came from tanner , paloma , her father , colt , even tía iñes with messages from her abuela . they all collectively seemed to jump on the you're-going-to-die train , with messages every couple of seconds as abilene walked through the airport about where she was going to be staying , if she'd found alex , if she was going to rent a car it was all mildly frustrating but she supposed that she couldn't fault them for worrying . . . after all , she'd never travelled on her own before .

[ TO : VIEJO ] i just got a text that the package arrived ! it says that you can pick it up by the counter by carousel one .

after a moment she typed out another message , eyes entirely focused on her phone with only a quick glance to ensure she wasn't going to run into a wall or something .

[ TO : VIEJO ] i know you're upset about not making it home for christmas , so i hope you like it ! i'm done with chores if you want to call me on your ride home ?

was that too much ? was it too suspicious ? her thumb hovered over the send button . was this all a bad idea ? surprising him like this ? her mind was beginning to wander , pushed by another text from her brother promising to come get her if this didn't work out . she hit send , and then typed out a message to colt while she waited by the carousel for her yellow suitcase . she'd made good enough time that abilene was hoping she could stop by one of the little stores opening up for some flowers or something for alex before he got there .

from the bag slung over her shoulder abilene pulled out the hoodie alex had let her steal after their first date at the fair . it was so damn cold here . . . the snow had been pretty through the window of the plane but she couldn't understand how people managed to keep all of their fingers and toes in this kind of weather . abilene pulled her hair out from under the hoodie and finally let her eyes wander around the terminal .

that was when she finally saw him . a navy blue sweater and his blue eyes wide once their eyes connected . her heart was hammering in her chest and a red flush overtook her cheeks . what if this was all a bad idea ? that little voice in the back of her head said , what if he didn't want her here ? sheepishly , awkwardly , abilene waved , not sure yet if she should run up to him .

[4lexnilsen]

alex’s phone buzzes in his hand just as he’s finishing his coffee.   he tosses the empty paper cup into the nearest trash can,  straightens up and looks at the lit-up screen.   his heart skips a beat.   abilene.   he smiles to himself,  growing more and more giddy.   he put her number under the name ‘sunshine girl ☀️’,  figuring it’s the only suitable one.   after all,  she’s his personal ray of sunshine.   thumbs skimming over the keyboard,  he wants to ask her what she’s doing up at five in the morning but if there’s one thing that he’s learned during his trips to texas,  it’s that life on a farm usually begins at the crack of dawn,  and so he deletes the very first message and retypes it.   god,  he’s still so nervous around her,  butterflies fluttering in his belly every time he gets to text her.

[ TO : sunshine girl ☀️ ] headed over there!   better be good bc i skipped my morning workout for this ;)  [ TO : sunshine girl ☀️ ] david’s not coming either.   he told me the other day they’re spending christmas with tham’s mom.   and cam’s kids got the flu.   so no regrets.     [ TO : sunshine girl ☀️ ] well,  one regret!   i do miss you and wish we could spend christmas together.   next year :)   will call for sure!   love you to the moon and back 💖

he slips his phone into the pocket of his pants and heads toward carousel one,  expecting a cardboard box,  maybe something handmade,  something sweet.   what he does not expect is the universe rearranging itself right before his eyes.   instead of a package,  he sees her.   and for a split second wonders if his eyes are playing tricks on him.   it can’t be.   but it is!  her face,  tilted up as she scans the crowd,  the terminal lights dancing in her hair as though she walked straight out of some dream he’s been clinging to all winter.   and the hoodie.   his hoodie.   he nearly melts into a puddle at the mere sight of her.   and when her eyes find his?   he stops breathing.   fully,  entirely.   his heart stutters,  then slams painfully against his ribs,  like it’s trying to break its way out and launch itself toward her.   shock hits first but it transforms almost instantly into something warmer.   she’s here.   she came to be with him on christmas!   

she lifts her hand in this shy,  uncertain wave that absolutely wrecks him,  like she’s not sure she’s welcome,  like she doesn’t know she’s the best thing that’s happened to him in forever.   “abilene!”   he calls out,  and then his feet are moving on their own accord.   not walking.  running.   he weaves through travelers,  ignoring annoyed looks,  ignoring everything except the magnetic pull that draws him to her.   “abi?   abi,  my goodness,  what are you doing here,  baby?”   he lets out a soft laugh when he reaches her,  his strong arms coiling tightly around her waist,  lifting her clean off the ground.   god,  she smells so good and she’s warm against him despite the cold outside.  “my baby,”   he breathes into her hair,  voice cracking with how much he feels.   “you’re really here.   i’ve missed you so much!”   

[4lexnilsen]

semi-plotted christmas starter for @qverdia !

alex shows up early.   of course,  he does.   @qverdia’s asked him to be at the airport at exactly six in the morning,  which is why he’s standing in the arrivals hall at five-twenty,  clutching a cup of black coffee.   the place still has that pre-dawn hush,  the kind that makes everything seem like it’s moving a bit slower,  in a slightly more enchanted way.   though,  maybe it’s just the christmas decorations that have everyone in awe,  or the way his heart keeps tripping over itself every time he rereads abilene’s last text.   what kind of special package requires an in-person pick up?   isn’t fedex supposed to handle all kinds of cargo,  regardless how precious it might be?   and why would she make him wait in terminal one?   when there’s a whole other section of the airport dedicated to carriers and packages?   

just as these questions keep tumbling over one another in his head,  his eyes flicker up to the board above.   the flight from dallas landed about ten minutes ago.   bags arriving.   great,  he thinks,  wondering how he’s supposed to spot the right suitcase,  assuming said special gift will be delivered in a suitcase.   he shifts his weight from one foot to the other,  scanning the slow-moving trickle of travelers.   he checks his watch.   two minutes have passed since he last looked.   time has never moved slower in the entire history of time.   he tries to act casual and fails immediately.   his foot taps.   his fingers absently pick on a loose thread at of his navy blue sweater.  a new wave of passengers spills out of the jet bridge doors.   alex straightens up,  heartbeat thudding for a reason he can’t explain.   he doesn’t know what,  who,  he’s looking for,  but he finds himself holding his breath anyway… 

[screenzicons-deactivated2025122]

— alex nilsen

[4lexnilsen]

[percyfraser]

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION 2026 — dir. Brett Haley

[welcometounicornworlds]

Tom Blyth and Emily Bader as Alex Nilsen and Poppy Wright

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION 2026 — dir. Brett Haley

[batheir]

"of course it's getting serious," she counters then she stalls for a second at his next comment before big brown eyes roll, "you'll know when it's domestic, dramatic baby." not as if he doesn't done EVERYTHING to deserve at that. "ew, WHAT?" the pun would almost make her laugh if it didn't make her absolutely anguished in embarrassment all until she composes herself, of course. "throwing up in my mouth as we speak. PLEASE.. keep the perverted dad puns to yourself." small hand covers her mouth, thinking she might be nauseous all over again and it has nothing to do with the alcohol. "besides... what psychotic accusations. what would i stare at exactly?" she'd never dare look down there and she doesn't care about shaming men for their body functions and parts... but she's implying he's small since he wants to accuse her of looking.

grabbing his cloth, she slaps him over the shoulder with it before letting it hang off him. "sounds like you're trying to make me feel bad for things out of my control. how shameful of you." it hits personally, because she's never fit in all due to being born to a billionaire so the comment really rubs her the wrong way. "at least i chose a job to do. instead of sitting back, doing nothing and contributing to nothing, being absolutely no help to the world." she points out, her jaw clenching. and he doesn't even realize how much money her family pours into helping those in need, but she doesn't find a reason to prove that.

"i got it tattooed because i was drunk? i BARELY remember it." she corrects, he's truly insane and utterly full of himself if he thinks it's anything more. backing up against the wall as soon as he's finished and he comes pushing his way through out of the shower naked, closing her eyes and looking the other way. "hm." it didn't offend him? when it looks entirely like offense, she contemplates. which is even more strange and bewildering because why. "again, because i was intoxicated." opening her eyes, she moves back towards the shower and turns the water back on since he wasn't considerate enough to leave it on for her, too.

[4lexnilsen]

“ah,  it’s getting serious but we’re just two strangers,  makes sense,”   the blond teases,  wrapping one towel around his hips so she can stop making a scene and using the other to dry his curls,  stifling a smirk that’s beginning to form at the corner of his lips.   amusement bright in his eyes.   “we woke up in the same bed,  aren’t things already domestic?”   he can’t help but chuckle,  finding some serious pleasure in the idea that he’s annoying her.   “oh,  come on,  helena…   you were kind of asking for it.   you brought up the subject of hard things first.   can’t expect me to miss an opportunity like that.”   he won’t admit it out loud but he really likes the sound of her laugh,  almost as much as he likes the sight of her flushed cheeks and furrowed brows —   she looks so cute when she’s annoyed with him!   he only rolls his eyes when she makes the comment,  implying he’s small.   “trying to rile me up,  huh?   too bad i’m not insecure enough to fall for this,  but nice try.”   he gently taps her nose,  mouthing boop before laughing and turning back around to put deodorant under his arms and pat some cologne into his skin.

“no,  i’m not trying to make you feel bad,  just explaining why i’m kind of in a rush and pointing out why you don’t have to be,”   he sighs,  realizing he might have sounded a little too harsh,  contemplating whether he owes her an apology and deciding against it.   it would make her ego skyrocket.   “alright,  fine,  fine…”   throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation,  he can’t really argue with the point she’s making so he simply ignores it and changes the subject.   “you can shower now.   i’ll go get dressed and fix us some breakfast.”   he isn’t really hungry,  not with his head still throbbing and the taste of alcohol lingering on his tongue regardless of how thoroughly he’s brushed his teeth,  but advil shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach.   “keep telling yourself that.   you got it tattooed because you have a big,  fat crush on me,  stranger,”   he teases with a laugh,  trailing to the door.   he wants to give her the privacy that she’s so desperately fought for and so he doesn’t turn around while adding,   “you allergic to anything?   eggs?   avocado?   and how you like your coffee?”   

[batheir]

"i wasn't doing it on purpose, just to get that clear because i'm not that sadistic. but– i still openly claim to enjoy you were having a panic attack without me in your life. i can't believe it, though... you wearing a deftones hoodie AND taking me to the concert? ...you really are in love with me."

[4lexnilsen]

“sadistic?   you?   pft,  yeah,  no way!   not my helena.”

“nothing like a panic attack to prove you’re madly in love,  am i right?   but with all seriousness,  i really am in love with you.   i will go to every deftones concert with you and wear this hoodie with pride.   we need to get you a matching one.”

[batheir]

i’ll wear that stupid deftones hoodie and take you to their concert just stop ignoring me 😩

"needy man is getting this desperate? never thought i'd see the day. keep going... i like it."

[4lexnilsen]

“ah, when her love language is torture! this right here is proof of my undying love for you. deftones out of all bands... the ultimate sacrifice.”