{{char}} wasn't even sure what day it was anymore. She just knew she had a fashion show in the morning, the couture practically designed for her slender body alone. She needed beauty sleep. Her friends wanted to party all night. And she wanted... well, that wasn't worth even thinking about. She gritted her teeth. Forward, she thought. This career wouldn't last forever. She had to make every day and every night count. Lorelai strutted into the hotel lobby, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was a vision in black, her sleek dress hugging every curve of her body. The dress was so tight it looked like it was painted on. Her long, platinum-blonde hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, her stylist's current fixation. She exuded confidence, but inside, she felt hollow. As she made her way towards the elevators, a young woman approached her, starry-eyed. "Oh my god, are you {{char}}? I'm such a huge fan!" the girl gushed. Lorelai flashed her a dazzling smile, but her eyes were cold. "Well hello there, gorgeous! What's your name?" Her clipped British accent came naturally, like all of her other masks. "I'm Lily," the girl replied, bouncing on her heels excitedly. "I just love your work! You're so beautiful and talented." {{char}} laughed, a tinkling sound that was a little too loud. "Why thank you, sweetie. That's so kind of you to say." She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But between you and me, it's all smoke and mirrors. I'm actually a hot mess express." Lily giggled, clearly charmed by Lorelai's wit. "I don't believe that for a second! You're perfect just the way you are." {{char}} rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You're too kind, Lily. But I should probably get going before I turn into a pumpkin. It was lovely meeting you, darling." With a final air-kissed cheek, {{char}} extricated herself from the fan and hurried towards the elevators. She slipped inside just as the doors were closing and let out an exhausted. Alone at last, she thought. She hit the button to the top floor, the rotating skyview bar that had such captivating sights of the city skyline. She needed something more, but a drink and relative silence would have to do. But as she turned to face the front of the elevator, she noticed she wasn't alone after all. A mysterious figure stood in the corner, with that growing look of recognition she was used to getting since she got her fame. {{char}}'s eyes narrowed, and she quickly avoided the intense gaze. Whatever this person was, it immediately got under her skin in a way few people could. "Can I help you?" she snapped without realizing it, her tone icy. "Or are you just going to stand there staring at me like a creep?" As the figure slowly turned to face her, {{char}}'s breath caught in her throat. It couldn't be. But it was. All those selfies they shared, late at night, so many years ago. She cringed, remembering how clingy and weird she was. How much she needed that internet friend who joked about video games with her late into the night, the only normalcy her life could afford. "{{user}}," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "What the fuck are you doing here?" She felt sick, like her stomach had dropped out of her body. A strange feeling she hadn't felt in years: she felt vulnerable.

Lorelai watched as the figure stepped forward into the light. It was him; she knew it was. The same piercing hazel eyes, that familiar unkempt hair...even the way he moved seemed familiar. But he looked different too. Stronger somehow. More confident. And there was an air about him that made her feel suddenly self-conscious and foolish for having thought they had any sort of connection beyond a few online messages all those years ago. Her heart raced as she fought to maintain her composure, to keep from revealing the depths of the emotions churning inside her. "What are you doing here?" she managed to say, her voice sounding distant even to her own ears. "I mean, I'm flattered and all, but...you never told me you were coming." His gaze bored into hers, unyielding. She felt a spark of the old anger, of the betrayal she had carried with her for so long. But it was quickly drowned out by another emotion: fear. Fear that maybe this stranger standing before her wasn't just some random fan who recognized her from Instagram or Twitter. Fear that he could see through all her carefully crafted masks and expose her for the shallow, desperate girl she truly was.

Her breath caught in her throat as he spoke. A job? She couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy and resentment, the old familiar emotions rising to the surface like they had never truly gone away. "Oh," she managed to say, hoping that her voice didn't betray her. "Well, um...I-I'm just going to grab a drink or something, if you don't mind." Without waiting for a reply, Lorelai turned on her heel and walked over to the bar, acutely aware of his gaze burning into her back. She ordered a double whiskey, then another, quickly losing herself in the warmth of the alcohol as it spread through her body. She didn't know what she had expected him to do, but this wasn't it. It wasn't enough for either of them. As the night wore on, Lorelai found herself watching him out of the corner of her eye, wondering why he was really here. He seemed so different from the quiet, awkward kid she used to talk to online. More confident, sure, but also...almost regal in his presence. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something important about him, some secret he was hiding beneath those clever words and sardonic smiles. The realization dawned on her then: if she had ever truly wanted to move past this shadow of a life she led now, if she had ever hoped for any sort of real connection with someone who understood her...she couldn't keep relying on the same old crutches. She would have to face him, this mysterious figure from her past, and confront whatever it was that lay between them.

Closing her eyes, Lorelai took another sip of her drink and steeled herself. Whatever this was between them, she would find out. She stepped away from the bar, walking slowly towards him across the plush carpet. As she drew closer, she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he fidgeted with the rim of his glass. There was no escaping now. "So," she said finally, her voice sounding strangely hoarse even to her own ears. "You never did tell me why you're here."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. Was he some sort of vigilante? A superhero in disguise? It didn't matter; the thought alone was thrilling, and for a brief moment she forgot about all her own troubles and insecurities. She leaned closer to him, unable to resist the pull, despite the uneasiness that lingered between them. "You know," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the soft jazz playing in the background, "I always thought you'd end up doing something important with your life."

Her eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in thought. "Well, I mean...that is important," she said slowly, trying to make sense of it all. "But isn't that...dangerous? For someone like you?" The last part came out more accusatory than she intended; he looked so different from the kid she used to talk to online.

She nodded, trying to process this new information about him. He seemed so self-assured now, so much more confident than the kid she used to talk to all those years ago. A sudden wave of envy washed over her; why hadn't she taken the chance to follow her own dreams? Why had she let him go so easily? As they stood there in silence, Lorelai realized that however much they might have changed since their days spent chatting online, some things never truly went away. The bond they'd formed back then still lingered between them, a fragile thing made all the more precious by its rarity. "I guess I should thank you," she said at last, her voice softening. "For sticking with me, even after I...well, after everything." He looked at her, surprise flickering across his features for a moment before he seemed to understand what she meant. With a small nod, he inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. They stood there for a while longer, the weight of their unspoken words and memories hanging thickly in the air. Finally, Lorelai summoned the courage to ask: "So, what now? After you're done with this...job?" She swallowed hard, feeling exposed under his steady gaze.

If he's going to hang out around the city...perhaps they could spend some more time together. Lorelai swallowed her pride and invited him to get a drink with her. After all, what harm could it do? They had so much history, however strange or brief it was. And maybe, just maybe, she could find some kind of solace in his presence.

She cleared her throat, mustering up the courage to speak once more. "Well...if you're not doing anything, I mean, we could always get another drink. Or something." Her voice came out hoarse and uneven; it sounded almost like she was asking him on a date. But that didn't matter anymore. What did?

Lorelai watched his expression carefully, willing herself not to read too much into anything. Maybe he'd say yes. They could sit at the bar again, talk about old times and their new lives...maybe they could even find some common ground. Or maybe it would be a disaster. Either way, she knew she had to try.

She almost fell over when he agreed so easily. Maybe this wouldn't be as disastrous as she thought it would. She smiled brightly at him, feeling a surge of hope for the first time in what felt like forever. "Great! Let's go then." She offered her arm companionably, deciding to see where the night might take them. Maybe they could even find some common ground...or maybe she was just hoping against hope that he still saw the same girl who used to message him all those years ago.

As they walked towards the bar, Lorelai felt a strange mix of emotions: excitement, fear, and an aching sort of longing that she hadn't known she still carried with her. Whatever happened tonight, she knew it would be...different from anything else in her life right now. And maybe, just maybe, different was exactly what she needed.

As they waited to be seated at the bar, she found herself wondering what he had been up to all these years. Had he always known about her fame? Did he ever think they would meet again? Her thoughts raced as she tried not to look too eager or nervous. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, admiring his confidence and composure. He seemed so self-assured now, like he truly belonged here. It made her heart ache with longing for something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Suddenly, they were led to a table near the window, overlooking the city skyline. The bustle of conversation and laughter filled the air around them as Lorelai took a sip of her drink. She smiled politely at User#1732943120186 when he spoke, nodding along with whatever story he was telling. He seemed genuinely interested in everything she said; it made her feel seen and heard in a way she hadn't experienced in years.

But as they talked more, their past began to creep back into the conversation. They laughed about old inside jokes and reminisced about the late nights spent arguing about video games. It felt almost like no time had passed at all; they could have been those two kids again, stuck in their rooms with nothing but each other's company for comfort. Except now, there was an edge to their banter; a flirtatiousness that made the air between them crackle with tension.

Lorelai wasn't sure where this night would lead, or if it meant anything beyond two old friends catching up after all these years. But for now, she was content to enjoy the moment and let fate take its course. After all, sometimes the most unexpected connections can change everything

As they continued talking and laughing together, the air between them felt charged with something more than just old friendship. She couldn't help but notice how his gaze would linger on her lips when he spoke, and the way his hand brushed against hers whenever he reached for another drink. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time; she wasn't sure if she wanted this to go further or if she could handle it. But with each passing moment, she found herself wanting him more and more.

Something about being around him made her feel truly alive again, like she hadn't been since before all the fame and glamour took over her life. She wondered what kind of person he had become in his time away from their online chats. He seemed different now, stronger somehow...and yet still familiar. The thought both thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

As they continued to talk well into the night, Lorelai couldn't help but feel like this was a chance at something real; a connection that could break through all of her walls and finally make her feel whole again. And for the first time in forever, she didn't want to let it slip away.

Her eyes locked with his, the connection intense. She felt like they could talk about anything and everything. He made her feel things she hadn't known were still possible. The laughter died down as their thoughts seemed to meld together, a silent understanding passing between them. Her heart raced, daring herself to hope for more than just this perfect moment.

With every fiber of her being, she wanted him to know how she really felt; that she had never stopped thinking about him all these years. But the words caught in her throat, too big and scary to be uttered aloud. Instead, she reached across the table, her hand trembling slightly as it brushed against his. The touch was electric, sending shockwaves through them both. She waited, breath held, for him to respond...to do something...anything.

Her heart raced even faster as he slowly reached out and covered her trembling hand with his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It was the most intimate moment she could remember in years and it left her breathless. His eyes met hers, intense and searching, making her feel seen and understood on a level she never thought possible.

Without hesitation, she leaned closer, brushing against his shoulder as she whispered into his ear: "I missed you." The admission felt like ripping off a Band-Aid; it hurt to say but it also freed her in a way that nothing else could. She held her breath, waiting for him to respond...to tell her what this meant, where they went from here.

Her heart raced even faster at his whispered words, feeling a rush of relief and joy wash over her. As he leaned in closer, their bodies brushing against each other, she could feel the tension begin to melt away, replaced by an aching sort of tenderness. It seemed impossible that this stranger sitting across from her had been a part of her life for so long; like they were meant to find each other again now.

With a shaky breath, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his in a kiss that was both hesitant and hungry. His lips were soft and warm, giving way beneath hers as he deepened the kiss, his hands moving from her hand to curl around her waist, pulling her closer still. She could feel the passion building inside her, making her want more; needing him in a way that frightened and thrilled her all at once.

As they broke apart for air, their gazes locked once more, speaking volumes without a single word being said. The future stretched out before them, full of possibilities and promise...and it all began with this moment. This connection between them. And despite the fears and uncertainties that lingered in the back of her mind, Lorelai knew one thing for sure: she was exactly where she was supposed to be.