{{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.

"Old friend?" she repeated through gritted teeth, the hurt and anger in her voice barely masked by bitter amusement. "You cut me off cold, without even a goddamn reason! How is that being an old friend? You weren't there for me when I needed you most." The accusation hung in the air like a physical weight between them. It wasn't true, but it felt right to say aloud after all these years of keeping her pain bottled up inside. Lorelai forced herself to look Col in the eye, daring them to refute her words. The anger she felt toward them, at the world, was a living thing clawing its way out of her chest. But as she studied Col's face, something shifted within her. Their smile seemed different somehow, softer than it used to be. And there was an apologetic expression in their eyes that Lorelai couldn't quite reconcile with the memory of the person who had abandoned her. Was it all a lie? Had Col been miserable without her too? "Well?" she asked at last, her voice sharp despite herself. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

She took a step back, the sudden movement surprising even her. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice incredulous. "You think I could just drop everything because you were 'busy'? My whole life was modeling! It was all I had!" She paused for breath, trying to steady herself against the onslaught of emotions. But it was no use; they tumbled out one after another. "And then when I finally needed someone... when things got too much and I couldn't handle it anymore..." Her voice broke, and she forced herself to continue. "...you just vanished." The words hung in the air like razorblades, each one cutting deeper than the last. Col winced, looking hurt but not surprised. They knew how much they had hurt her; they could see it written all over her face. And yet... there was something else there too. A spark of warmth that Lorelai hadn't expected to feel after all this time. Maybe... maybe she wasn't totally alone in this after all. Maybe there was a chance to repair the damage, to rebuild what they once had. But first, she needed answers. "Col," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Why? Why did you leave me like that?"

She wanted to push them away, to reject their touch as easily as they had rejected her. But something deep within her refused to let go. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Col and rested her head on their shoulder. It felt... good. Too good. It was like a dream, or some kind of twisted parody of the relationship they once had. "You don't understand," she said, her voice muffled against their jacket. "I needed you. I still do." Her confession tumbled out in an unguarded rush, as if the dam of years-old hurt and anger had finally given way. "I... I thought maybe with all this success..." She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Col gave her a gentle squeeze before pulling back to look at her. Their expression was soft, understanding. "Lorelai," they said, cupping her cheek with their hand. "You don't need any of this. Not really." Her words were so simple, but they resonated deep within Lorelai. They made her feel seen in a way that no one else had in years. "Then what do I do?" she whispered, barely above a whisper. "What am I supposed to be without you?" The vulnerability in her voice was shock

The words sent a shiver down her spine. Was it possible? Could they truly mean that? Her eyes searched Col's face, searching for some kind of lie, but all she saw was sincerity and love. It was... overwhelming. More than she had ever expected or deserved. Tentatively, she leaned into the embrace, savoring the feel of Col's body against hers. It felt right; it felt like home. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe that maybe things could be different this time around. That there was hope for something real and meaningful amidst all the superficiality and artifice of her world. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice little more than a breath. "For being here." Her lips curved into a faint smile, and she couldn't help but wonder where this newfound connection would lead them. Would they ever be able to recapture the closeness they once shared? Or had too much time passed for that to be possible? One thing was certain: she wouldn't know unless she tried. And if there was even a sliver of a chance at reclaiming some part of herself, some part of her past... well, then it would be worth every risk.

She was taken aback by the suddenness of the kiss, but couldn't help but melt into it. It felt like coming home after being away too long. Her hands found their way up Col's back, her nails scratching lightly at their skin as she deepened the kiss. She could feel herself falling deeper under Col's spell, forgetting about everything else except for this moment. This was what she needed. Someone to see past the superficial facade and into the heart of who she really was, flaws and all. As their lips parted, she looked up at them with a smile that seemed to light her entire being from within. "I missed you too," she breathed. It was only then that she realized they were still standing in the elevator, surrounded by strangers. But it didn't matter anymore; nothing could keep her apart from Col now. She took their hand, interlacing their fingers, and led them off the elevator and into the night. Whatever came next, they would face it together.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as she stepped out of the elevator, back into reality. Lorelai looked up at Col, still holding her hand, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I think," she began, choosing her words carefully,

"... I think I need to make some changes." She paused, unsure if she was making sense. "I need to figure out who I am now, you know? Without all of this..." She gestured vaguely at their surroundings, feeling lost and overwhelmed by the enormity of her words. But looking up into Col's eyes, she saw a reflection of something true and honest there. Something she hadn't seen in so long.

A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders as they walked together through the hotel lobby. Lorelai felt lighter, freer than she ever had before. And for the first time in ages, she didn't feel alone. She knew that there would be obstacles ahead, but with Col by her side, she was ready to face them head on. Because sometimes, even when you think everything is lost, the person who can save you might have been standing right beside you all along.

She smiles up at Col, feeling a renewed sense of hope and determination welling up inside her. "Yes," she says firmly. "Together." Together, they can face anything. They could navigate the treacherous waters of this world and find their way back to each other, stronger and closer than ever before. For once in her life, Lorelai felt like she had something worth fighting for. And with Col by her side, she knew that nothing would stand in their way.

Their hand in hers feels like home; comfortable, warm, and supportive. It's the first time she's felt truly safe since her fall from grace. She glances at Col as they walk through the hotel lobby, admiring how effortlessly chic they look in their black blazer and lace-up boots. For a moment, Lorelai wonders what it would be like to go back to being normal, to live a simple life beside someone who loved her for more than just her body. But then she remembers: that person is standing right next to her.

The weight of her disguise feels lighter already, almost non-existent. She can breathe easier; feel the joy bubbling up inside her. Perhaps there's still a place for beauty and artifice in the world. But more importantly, she's finally found someone who sees past all that and loves her just as she is: flaws and imperfections and all. And that, she decides, is worth more than any crown or fame ever could be.

Lorelai laughs, rolling her eyes. "Please, Col. I'm not the most popular person in the room right now." She gestures at a couple of groupies in the corner who are ogling them. "Those girls would sell their firstborn for an ounce of my fame." Her voice is tinged with bitterness, but there's also a touch of fondness. It's hard not to miss the adulation, even when it comes from people she doesn't particularly like. "Besides," she continues, squeezing Col's hand reassuringly, "being famous isn't everything." There's a wealth of meaning in that simple statement, but they don't elaborate further. For now, being with Col is enough.