She stood tall on her tiptoes, scanning every face. No luck, at least, not until a small group of passengers descended on the escalators and inch by glorious inch of Cassian came into view.
Her chest was heavy— almost full to bursting. Cassian was preoccupied with making sure his carry-on didn’t tumble down the steps and into his neighbors, and Nesta forced herself to be satisfied with his safe arrival for the time being rather than annoyed that she wasn’t yet pressed against him. He’d dressed for comfortable travel— t-shirt, hair half-up, and a pair of black joggers— and while she understood they were meant for Cassian’s physical comfort, she couldn’t help that he looked like the perfect, safe place to land at the end of any long day.
Feyre observed him, her shoulders rounding toward him as if compelled to pull him into a hug. “Cass,” she murmured, “you have to talk to her.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” he joked, leaning back in his chair. He felt raw after such a display of vulnerability, and he craved the levity he was known to bring to any situation. “I don’t want the pressure to freak her out.”
“It’s a risk you take. But she’s the only person who is in this with you and whose opinion really matters. If you’re both committed to this, a simple conversation shouldn’t derail everything. If it does, that’s another issue. I’m not saying it’ll be fun, but it’s necessary.”
Cassian groaned, dragging his hands over his stubbled cheeks. “I know that. You’re supposed to lie to me.”
Feyre’s head dropped back as she laughed, and it was so contagious that it managed to drag a chuckle from beneath the weight of Cassian’s ribs.
“You know,” Feyre said, her tone soft, “as quick as you are to defend Nesta, maybe it’s worth giving her a little more credit yourself.”
Hi anon! Yes, there's an overdue Somewhere update coming soon! I have a bit more to work out, but I'm planning to finish it up by the end of the long weekend!
In the meantime, here's a long-ish snippet of Part 21, Cassian POV:
He didn’t get a second to say much of anything before he found himself summoned to follow his boss to his office on the next floor. They made small talk on the way, but it did little to keep Cassian’s mind from imagining what the meeting would entail. For a moment, he considered that he may have missed a scheduled meeting on his calendar, but if that were the case, he figured he would have been summoned by the executive assistant.
Before he could succumb to the obsession, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He sneaked a glance at the screen while he eased himself into a plush leather chair and struggled to keep his smile in check at Nesta’s belated reply. Miss you, too.
His thumb was poised to lock his screen, but a second message gave him pause. He wished he’d been more swift. I just finished dinner. About to treat myself to a large glass of wine and a bubble bath.
The text was innocent enough. He could nearly hear the fatigue between her words, but the mental image was the last thing he could afford at the onset of a seemingly important meeting. His eyes slammed shut for a beat as he shoved his phone into the front pocket of his slacks.
It’s been a while since I shared a snippet, especially so soon after an update. Parts 18 and 19 were split because it would have been a monster otherwise, so a lot of Part 19 is already done. Hoping to get an update out soon!
Without further ado—
"Everything okay, Sweetheart?"
Her brow furrowed for a quarter of a second before she schooled her expression. He was nothing if not perceptive, and the implication made his chest tighten once more.
"I'm exhausted," she admitted, her form more languid in his hands than he realized initially.
"Let's go, then. I'll let the other know, and—"
"No," she interrupted, her tone sharp. She softened it, and finished, "No. You're having a good time. I needed a break, is all."
His eyes flew over her face, looking for any additional clues, but she gave him none. Had his heart been beating so fast already? He forced a casualness into his posture, an easy drawl into his voice.
"Well, Sweetheart, it may surprise you to know this, but most of the reason I'm enjoying myself is because of you."
Nesta huffed a laugh through her nose, and some critical part of him relaxed at the sound.
"I know. I'm having fun with you, too. Things got to be a lot after a while, but I'll be back inside in a second."
Her dismissal was clear, sending a bolt of lightning down his spine and igniting his temper. Although, if he was honest with himself, it wasn't his temper that felt inclined to swallow him whole. He was hurt.
I’m not asking for a timeline, but I just want you to know we all love Somewhere so so so so much and whenever you feel ready to publish more we will be very excited. It’s So. Fucking. Good.
Anon 🥺
Thank you so much! It's been a pretty chaotic couple of weeks, and this ask just brightened my whole mood. I owe you big for that alone!
I know you didn't ask for a timeline, but I think I can give you a vague one all the same? haha! And maybe a little snippet?
I've been working on the last bit of Part 20, so I'm hoping to have it out in the next several days! It's been fighting me a little, but I think things are back on track— finally!
Anyway, here's a snippet! Hope you enjoy ❤️
--
Somewhere, Part 20 [Nesta POV] - snippet
“You alright, Sweetheart?”
Concern was laced with a bit of amusement, and a blush rose to her cheeks at the idea that she’d been oblivious to his attempts to engage with her. She shook her head and blinked to focus on his handsome face. His scarred brow was raised in question, and Nesta wanted to press her lips over it, to the small creases near his eye.
“Yeah, fine. Just thinking about my flight tomorrow. I’ve checked in, I weighed my luggage, and I checked that all my toiletries are in my checked bag instead of my carry on. My ticket is—”
“Nes, you’ve checked it all twice over.” His hands landed on her shoulders, and she took a second to bask in his comforting warmth. “If you forget something, I’ll either ship it to you or bring it with me when I visit.”
“I know.” She heaved a breath. “I guess I’m nervous.”
A knowing look passed over his face, and he moved his hands to her face. His lips caressed hers slowly, softly before the bastard pulled away and left her wanting. His grin told her he knew it, too.
“Let’s make dinner, and we’ll watch a movie, yeah? Or, if you need to burn off that anxious energy in other ways, I’m happy to help.”
Nesta snorted despite herself. “Your generosity knows no bounds.”
“Anything for you,” he teased, tapping her chin with his knuckle and walking backward toward his kitchen.
