• Makes You Fall •

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

It had been two weeks since the fundraiser on that magical ship floating through the Hudson, and Greyson had spent every moment since with a bright smile plastered to his face. Reconnecting with Audrey had happened completely by accident, but he couldn’t have asked for a better dance with fate that night. Flashes of her beautiful laugh and charming smirk had been floating through his head since they’d parted that evening and he couldn’t resist texting her the next morning, though every fiber of his brain told him it was far too forward. He wasn’t actively looking for love, but something had clicked with her even if they had consumed a bit too much alcohol, and he wasn’t going to pass up a chance at seeing her again just because texting her so soon went against society’s stupid rules.
Sadly, his rehearsal schedule made his life a living hell most weeks so he wasn’t presented with enough time to truly try sweeping Audrey off her feet. Greyson had every intention of romancing her; his romantic heart wouldn’t let him give up without at least attempting to see what the stars had in store with this unexpected twist. He tried to keep the conversation flowing as naturally as possible between them, texting her and working out a day where they could hopefully, potentially meet up. And then their schedules had gotten in the way once more. Living the life of a performer wasn’t easy, particularly when you were trying to have a social life, and Greyson understood that better than many people who roamed the streets of New York. He knew performing and the stage came first; it was the same way in his world.
But, he would be damned if time was the only thing keeping him and Audrey apart. Finally, after weaseling his way out of an extra rehearsal and post-show notes, Greyson had just enough energy left before he completely crashed to rush over to Times Square and catch Audrey at stage door after her show. He hoped to catch her, at least; he’d heard most of the actors came out stage door just like at Lincoln Center where the ballet was a permanent resident, but he was far from a Broadway expert. If he didn’t catch her, he’d have to do a little more innocent stalking and try to attend the show without his younger sisters clinging to his ankles. Either way, he was going to do this big; he was used to being dramatic, after all.
With his heart on his sleeve and a bouquet of flowers that had been slowly wilting in his dressing room since 7:00 a.m. that morning, Greyson zipped across the city and found himself in the small crowd gathered around the back of the theatre. It was strange to see the fans and others all dressed up while he was in his post-show joggers and a t-shirt he wished he would’ve checked to see was clean, but it was the effort that counted, right? And, if he didn’t do this now, he wasn’t sure he’d find enough time to try again in the near future.
After catching his breath and politely elbowing his way to the front of the throng, Greyson’s eyes lit up as the stage door creeped open. His heart was pounding in his throat like a nervous school boy, strong fingers nervously clutching the stems of the blue roses he’d brought.
He really, really hoped it was Audrey.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 580!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Life didn’t slow down for the ever active brunette. She stopped only to sleep some days, even eating while she was on the move. Audrey knew her life was non-stop, hectic, and a little awkward to plan around, but she loved it all the same. So many people could only dream about being in her position and yet she was one of the few who had put in those tiring hours, exhausting herself to prove her worth. Ever since the fundraiser, Audrey hadn’t felt that weariness seep into her bones though. She felt light on her feet, and more energetic than ever. It was an excellent thing, the timing coinciding perfectly with her move over to Wicked just a few days later. She wasn’t completely dense. She knew it had absolutely nothing to do with the spectacular show, and everything to do with the text message she woke up to late the morning after the trip along the Hudson. Greyson’s messages and their conversation had kept her smiling since, leaving her wondering what he might say next, if he would pick up on the friendly yet subtle flirtations in her replies, or if something was too forward.

Of course, she couldn’t spend every waking moment glued to her phone when the stage beckoned. Sometimes she missed messages, or got home and crashed in her king-sized pile of blankets before she had a chance to reply to another. Audrey’s life was not one that made room for romancing someone. She had been left broken hearted before, forced to learn that the hard way. She was a dreamer who fell too far, too fast, but this time she was deliberately holding herself back. Greyson was a performer just like her, who knew the long hours and the hard work. It was already proving difficult to make plans to catch up again, and their schedules seemed unkind to their desires. She was determined that this time she wasn’t going to pin all her hopes onto something that might not even make it to lift off, let alone the stars in the bright New York sky.

After coming off the stage, Audrey congratulated her co-stars, and the crew who worked damn hard behind the scene to make the show look as amazing as it did, and then she was in her dressing room, stripping away her character and turning herself back into Audrey. Her hair was brushed out, the heavy make-up removed until her face felt clean and fresh again. She changed into her own clothes, casual and decent enough for the off chance anyone invited her for drinks as they sometimes did. Audrey checked her phone, but so no reply to her last message to Greyson. She had sent it during her final interval minutes, but tried to push down the bitter feeling of disappointment. He was just as busy as she was, if not more. Stuffing everything into her bag, Audrey grabbed her water bottle, a glittery turquoise horror, from her table and then headed to the stage door.

A few people gathered after every show, regardless of the weather. Signing programmes and taking photos was still strange for Audrey, but she did it all with a wide smile. As she got there, a fellow cast member came out of his room and beat her to the door. He offered to let her go out before him, but she made a light joke about using him as a shield, and he chuckled before pushing open the stage door, and stepping through before her, holding it for Audrey to slide through behind him. She came out smiling, greeting the gathered crowd warmly with a wave of her free hand as she tucked her glitzy water bottle under her arm. Her blue eyes landed on the first little girl who reached up on tip-toes to hand her the programme and a pen, and Audrey grinned, going through the usual practice of signing the souvenir with a feminine hand. It was only after returning it to the gleeful girl that she spotted the last person she expected to see at the stage door. “Greyson? What are you doing here?” She asked in surprise, figuring that he would have told her if he was coming to see the show at all.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 717!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Dancing had shaped Greyson into the man he was today. Despite his father’s continuous pressure to choose anything but the profession of his late mother, Greyson knew that ballet was where his heart belonged and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. When he was young, it hadn’t seemed like a probable career path; it had just been a dream of a kid who’d probably end up as some stock broker or boring guy in a suit. But, as he’d got accepted into an arts school and pushed himself to be the best he could, Greyson knew he would sacrifice whatever it took to keep himself on the stage. It had given him more discipline than many people he’d known, especially throughout high school and into college, and he’d settled into his strict routines that allowed him to stay a great, lithe dancer with the muscles to prove it. Dancing dictated his eating choices, his workout routines, and, mainly, his free time. Even if he had a day off, he wasn’t lounging around or drinking the hours away; he still went to the gym, took his puppies for a run through Central Park, or found some other way to keep himself on top. It had been ground into his head for years now and, at a young age, he had found the drive to keep going even without parents to remind him to keep his head in the game.
After moving out of his father’s apartment and establishing himself as a “real” adult, Greyson was even more careful with his time. Ballet came first, always, and it would stay that way for years to come. Throughout his life, and certainly during college, he had worked tirelessly to earn his contract with the Company, spreading himself so thin between extra rehearsals, picking up lead roles, and trying to graduate with decent grades that on the day he’d finally seen the fancy packet with his name scrolled across the front, he was almost in tears. That had been his dream and even though he’d been a simple member of the corps back then, it had still felt like all his hard work had finally payed off. If he had known when he’d started with the company that the contract detailing his salary also sacrificed his entire life to ballet, Greyson probably still would’ve put pen to paper. He knew many people that had dropped out or given up because they feared the commitment, but he never had been; ballet ran through his blood and to leave it behind would be like cutting off a part of himself. Now, as he starred in shows and saw his photograph plastered on advertisements for various Company productions, Greyson felt even more pressure to keep himself dedicated to his career. He had to live up to the great dancers that had once graced the stage he now called home; to fail would be to disappoint them, and he would never be able to live with that.
Even that evening as he’d danced his way through another show for another audience, Greyson had blocked all outside thoughts to a small corner of his mind. He was excited about Audrey and the flowers sitting in his dressing room for her, but ballet ruled his heart while he was on stage. He didn’t let many things get in the way of that, ever. Greyson kept his blinders firmly in place most of the time, blocking out unnecessary distractions and keeping himself fully swept up in the beauty of the ballet he was performing.
As he retired back to his room, his stage presence was shed away and the thumping heart of a nervous guy about to ask out a stunning woman returned. He was Greyson once again, and he was out the door to hopefully catch the girl who’d captured his heart over the last few weeks.
He stood in the crowd of people outside the theatre that was foreign to him, nervously tapping his foot as the stage door opened to reveal some of the cast members. It was normally a tradition for the dancers to offer their audience the same courtesy of signing autographs and programs, but he’d been in too much of a rush to see Audrey to take time at stage door that evening. He’d snuck out through one of the loading dock entrances, using the flowers and his dance bag as a shield from the public eye.
Greyson wished he would’ve dressed up more. He looked like he felt after most shows; sweaty, exhausted, and with traces of leftover stage makeup smudged onto his face. He looked like a performer, even if he didn’t belong to the theatre he was standing outside of now. Despite his slightly ragged appearance, his entire face lit up as Audrey came out, a warm smile coming to his lips as he watched her interact with the little girl. He swore she was too beautiful for her own good.
When it was finally his turn to interact with the pretty star, he couldn’t hide the charming grin that was plastered on his face. Even with the butterflies rumbling in his stomach and the hours of dancing weighing on his limbs, seeing Audrey was enough to keep him happy for the rest of the week. At her words, a small chuckled rumbled through him. "My show got out early so I figured I’d come stop by,” he said, only lying a little and adjusting the duffle bag full of his usual theatre gear that was slung over his shoulder. Remembering the flowers in his other hand, he extended them out to her with his smile softening. "I know it’s a little late, but I’m sure we could both use a drink after a long day of rehearsals and the like,” he said as his eyes gazed down into hers. He took a deep breath before adding, "Would you like to go? I mean, we can get drinks or food or ice cream – whatever you want, really. Dancing always works up an appetite, you know.” Greyson bit his lip as he forced himself to stop talking, studying her face as he waited for an answer.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 1038!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

People had spent an awfully long time telling Audrey to be realistic. They wanted her to pick another career, to be serious when it came to her future. Teachers had wanted the dedicated brunette to have back-up plans or options that were more stable. Audrey wouldn’t listen to them though. She knew she was going to find herself on a stage, being paid to perform to an audience who wanted to be there, who dressed up and applauded when the curtain call came. She couldn’t picture herself in an office job, or a retail position, at least not beyond her college years when she had needed the extra money for rent and food. Audrey was born to perform, to have her name in lights on Broadway. She had been determined to prove wrong all those who had ever doubted her, and all those who had softly suggested that maybe, perhaps, the young brunette might want to consider another career option. The pamphlets they had extended to her then, pointing her down different paths had been hastily discarded without even being opened, and she knew she had made the right decision. She knew it every night she heard the applause, received the standing ovations, or simply just stepped onto the stage and took on the character she was playing.

Audrey might have been an emotional woman, and some people perceived emotional as weak, but they were wrong. She wore her heart on her sleeve, but she was stubborn and dedicated. If she set her mind to something, then she followed through with it. She had a strong heart, despite the number of times it had been broken. Nothing kept her down for long, and even if she was battered, bloody and bruised, she would carry on climbing up on that stage and putting every fibre of her soul into her performances. She came away exhausted, her whole body crying out for rest, but Audrey would not falter when it came to her commitment. Through blood, sweat and tears she would persevere, and she knew it was something her fellow actors believed in, too. They could break down in their dressing rooms when the night was done, crash out on their couches the moment they fell onto them, but the stage always got their best and more.

Audrey didn’t care that Greyson wasn’t as finely dressed as some of the people at the stage door. There were nights when she wanted to go straight from her perfectly fitted costumes straight to the comfy, coveted pyjamas. She knew that the life of a performer wasn’t as glamourous as it looked to an audience. It was lighting tricks, make-up tricks, and a lot of sweating and wishing that things were a little cosier. The only reason she didn’t always choose comfort over fashion at the end of the night was in case anyone invited her out for food, as the cast sometimes did. Sharing pizza and laughing about backstage embarrassments was a great way to wash away the stress and just unwind after a long week.
“If you sent me a text you could have come inside.” She told him, tucking her hair back behind her ear, and tipping her hat back a little further on her head. Audrey was suddenly conscious of how she looked, aware that their last reunion came with a lot more glitz and glamour. She blinked, surprised at his gift of the beautiful flowers, her smile spreading across her face. “For me?” She asked, feeling her heart pounding that little bit faster as she accepted the bright bouquet and brought them close to her face. “They’re stunning. You didn’t have to.” She ran her fingertips over the velvety petals, her big blue eyes looking up at him when he continued to speak, offering all the possible options for the rest of the night. Audrey stayed quiet for a moment longer, eyes drifting back down to the delicate flowers in her hand. She slipped her fingers into his, squeezing once, before tugging him out and away from the gathered crowd by the stage door. “I know the perfect place.” She promised, leading the way to her favourite late night café. It was always quiet, played old crooner music that Audrey had a soft spot for, and they served right up until 3am. For those nights when she wanted to hear her footsteps on Broadway, that was where she went before making her way back over to the quiet, empty theatres, famed for their bright lights and shining stars.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 766!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson had been dancing in the same theatre since he’d graduated Julliard. It had been his home for the entirety of his professional career now and he had learned all the tricks and hideaways the building could offer. He knew the best places to wait out intermission, and had all the shortcuts backstage memorized like the back of his hand. The Company did travelling tours and guest performances often enough, gracing some of the most well-known stages across the world, but he always came back. Those cities were fun to experience and Greyson loved being able to brag a little about all the great places he’d danced, yet he never felt like he performed the best there. Lincoln Center was where he felt the most comfortable; it was where he was in his element.
Throughout his time, he’d been in a variety of dressing rooms and still found himself being shuffled around at the beginning of most seasons. It’d been a climb up the hierarchy as he’d gone through the different pay grades and soloist positions until, finally, he’d obtained his principal role and been allowed one of the fancy spaces with the newer vanities and pretty views of New York. He currently shared a room with one of the other male principals and had for most of last season, but Greyson always loved seeing a performer’s personal space backstage. It was the small part of the theatre where they got to be themselves, filled with special photos, messy stage makeup, and any other comforts they could cram in. He didn’t keep much around his mirror besides the pictures of his family and his dogs, but even he had his little trinkets that made him feel more at home. Tucked in the upper corner of his mirror, he kept an old, yellowed scrap of paper with his Russian family crest printed on it; on his table in a bright red first-aid kit from his step mother, he stored a variety of teas and vitamins suited for any emergency illness; and, every show, he always got a new drawing from his little sisters taped somewhere on his space. He made it his home since he practically lived there anyway, though he spent most of his free time down in one of the girls’ rooms as they’d been jokingly voted the “party room” by the other dancers since they had a tiny sofa and never ending supply of sugary candy.
Through the crazy memories and hours spent together with sweat pouring down their faces, that theatre had become his family. Greyson gladly came in to work, excited to see his friends even if they’d only been apart for a few hours between the show the night before and rehearsal the next day. It didn’t feel like a job anymore; it was just what his life was, and he enjoyed every second of it.
Stepping outside the bounds of his dance family wasn’t common for him, but Audrey had swooped in with her pretty eyes and captivating smile and Greyson couldn’t help himself. Even with busy schedules, he’d been trying to keep up with her through their text conversations, using his breaks during rehearsals or down-time during shows to stay as connected as he could. They had a lot of catching up to do, after all, and, the more he talked with her, the more he realized how much they had in common. Despite their different performances on stage, there were a lot of similarities between their careers; they still went on stage, poured their hearts and souls into their show, then came back down to earth and returned to reality.
Greyson couldn’t hide his smile as he looked down at Audrey, happy to finally be reunited with her. Even if they’d been dolled up for the fundraiser dinner, he’d seen her in dance clothes before and she still looked as cute then. "Yeah, but what’s the fun in that?” he teased, smirking lightly. After handing over the flowers, he ran his hand through his messy hair, the smile widening on his face at her reaction. "You always deserve something beautiful,” he shrugged in response to her words, his gaze darting to his feet for a moment before he was suddenly pulled out of the crowd by her hand sliding into his.
He followed and easily fell into step with her, keeping his hand laced tightly through her tinier one. This had been a long time coming, and Greyson couldn’t hide his joy that he was finally holding hands with the girl who’d taken his heart in college and now was slowly reclaiming it once more. "How’d the show go? Sorry I haven’t been able to catch it again, but I’m trying to catch another matinee eventually,” he said, looking down with a sparkle in his light eyes. He loved hearing her talk about her acting, and he couldn’t think of a better way to spend his night than with her.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 830!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey took her story to each dressing room she got to call her own, whether it was crowded with other people who plumped up the chorus line, a cosy place she shared with one other person, their things neatly divided, or a grand space purely her own. She took the same four things with her, superstitious trinkets and charms that she couldn’t perform without having nearby. A photo of her first performance; a Snow White with a too big grin for her red lips, and who wasn’t much taller than the seven dwarves she was hiding out with. It reminded her where she had found her love of performing and how far she had come. The second was a postcard from her grandparents when they had visited New York fourteen years ago. The image was a shot of Broadway, and the shows on there at the time, but on the back was a loving message and “make it yours, sunshine” written in her grandfather’s cursive. He had passed away nine months ago, so Audrey had treasured it beyond anything else since then, dedicating at least one of her performances each week silently to him. Then she had a family photo framed and stuck between all the clutter her vanity gathered the longer she spent calling that space hers, smiling faces there and waiting for whenever she needed to see them. Finally, there was Kelvin. He was a bear with one eye who Audrey had rescued from the back of the prop room of the old theatre she had her drama classes in. He was old, teetering on tatty, but she loved him and considered him her good luck charm. His single, glass eye looked over her and kept her well, even if he was a bear with lumpy stuffing, his best days behind him, and a peculiar cardamom smell to his faded fur. A sentimental mix of things, but they were her tokens of luck that remained beyond cards and flowers, water bottles and the latest ‘in’ must have.

She knew she wasn’t the only one who carted memories around with her from theatre to theatre, cast to cast. Everyone she had met in the business was the same. Some asked and others didn’t. Audrey respected that, and understood that perhaps their good luck was upsetting as it was powerful. She was a curious dreamer, but she wasn’t the type to snoop and pry where she didn’t belong. Her big blue eyes knew when to look elsewhere, and most of time there was always something magical happening backstage in the theatre. There was something to celebrate, or something new to be giddy about. Between a large cast birthday fell almost weekly, and the excuse to have a glass of something sweet and bubbly. It usually came when everyone was in the various stages of returning to their normal selves, part out of costume, part stripped of make-up, some still heavy round the eyes with smudged lips. She had to triple check before leaving these days that there wasn’t any green pushed into her hairline still, or trapped in the pores around her nose.

Audrey blinked, feigning shock and horror. She knew Greyson had seen what backstage life was about, and she knew none of it would be a shock to him, but she opted to play for the idea that everyone wanted to see the costumes fade away and watch the actors lose their masks. “The fun is finding out all the secrets, obviously!” She joked, keeping that mortified expression on her face for a moment longer, until her mouth begged to smile again. His words left her speechless. All Audrey could do was stare at the lithe dancer with a soft, delicate smile on her lips as she held the roses close. The rest of the world vanished for that split second, and in that moment, Audrey pushed herself up on her toes and pressed a light kiss to Greyson’s cheek. “Thank you.” Her words were a whisper, and then everything else came zooming back into focus around her.

“The show is fantastic! I’m loving every moment of it.” She checked both ways before crossing the street and then continued on, keeping her hand in Greyson’s and staying close to his side. “It really is my dream role. I was so worried that I’d screw it up, or that I’d hate it. You know sometimes you think something is going to be incredible and then instead of this almighty thunder zap it’s more like a tiny static shock after putting a sweater in the dryer? I was afraid it would feel like that, and everything would be this huge disappointment, but it’s the thunder zap every single time I go up on that stage.” She realised she was still talking so passionately, and a scarlet wash flooded her cheeks. Audrey dipped her head, letting her hair hide the burning blush. “Sorry, I get carried away. You should know better, Greyson.” She laughed, slightly embarrassed. “Don’t apologise. I know you’re busy. And it’s not like I’ve been able to catch one of your shows either, so we’re still even.” She reminded him with a casual shrug, turning left up a street and then gesturing to a small café with dim lighting at this hour. “Here we are.” Audrey pushed open the stiff door and pulled Greyson inside, feeling the cold wrap around her hand when she let go of his to remove her hat and take a seat at a table near the window. She always liked to see the world going by, no matter where she was in it.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 953!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

It was easy to get caught up in the magic of the stage. The glittering costumes, stunningly intricate sets, larger than life performers; the entire ensemble was enough to take one’s breath away, and Greyson still found himself being swept away some nights as he looked on from the wings before he made his entrance. To not fall in love with it all should’ve been considered a crime, and he’d never understand those he “didn’t like” theatre. Watching the stage lights come up and seeing the performers breathe life into a story was one of the most rewarding experiences possible, and it was a personal kind of magic that fell over each member of the audience, cast, and crew. For a few hours, the outside world didn’t need to exist; only the dazzling fairy lands, characters, and drama being presented had to be real.
Being a part of that magic was one of Greyson’s favorite parts of his career. He got to see the little kids’ smiles after a show when the cast went out to meet them, and he got to see the adults even more enraptured than their children. Bringing those smiles, tears, and emotions to people was something they didn’t teach in school, but was one of the greatest things he’d learned throughout his dance years. He got to do something he loved while making people fall in love with it, too, and it was the most rewarding part of his job. Having people genuinely enjoy a show he’d poured his heart into was an amazing feeling, making him even more determined to keep himself in the best shape possible and continue bringing that happiness to even more people.
Greyson had seen his fair share of backstage magic, exposing his friends and family to it when he could. He didn’t often venture into the Broadway stages, however, usually keeping to his Lincoln Center and occasionally Carnegie Hall when they went to the symphony to catch some of the musicians from the Company’s orchestra. The Broadway world in general was a bit new for him, though he knew everything came down to the same principles, no matter what kind of performing you did. He was also sure he’d be spending more time there now, as his impromptu appearance tonight proved.
Greyson grinned down at Audrey, chuckling at her expression. "Doesn’t that spoil the fun, though? Besides, I’m sure my flowers would’ve gotten lost with the dozens of others you get. Much better to stay out here and hand them to you in person,” he joked in return, a smirk turning up the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t interested in the secrets of Broadway; he had plenty from his own theatre to fill his head. Besides, he knew how crazy backstage could be following a show, and he didn’t want to get caught up in the rush of her theatre when he’d narrowly escaped the chaos of his own. However, the feeling of her lips pressing to his cheek had his smile widening even more, a jolt of electricity coursing through him as her warm skin touched his. It was an innocent move, but he couldn’t have imagined a better thank you. "Of course,” he answered simply, eyes warm and sparkling as his gaze returned to her.
Walking down the street, Greyson kept his fingers laced through hers and let her lead the way through the part of the city she seemed to know best. It felt right to have her at his side; it felt easy and natural, and the exhaustion of his own show was receding from his mind as they fell into their conversation. He was well aware his question would set her off about her show, and it was the same with most artists, but he loved watching that gleam of passion come into her eyes as she talked about her acting. Greyson didn’t mind her rambling at all, and listened with a smile to every word that she spoke. He could hear her talk about the stage for hours, chiming in with his own experiences and enjoying himself without question because he understood her love for her job, a passion mirrored in his own heart with his own career, theatre, and characters. "I know what I’m getting myself into when I ask,” he laughed warmly as she stopped herself and he gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. He often got caught up in his dancing, too; it was just an artist thing. "We really need to get out of our theatres more,” he said, shaking his head at their busy lives. "Maybe even one day we’ll be free enough for a proper night out where your date doesn’t still have stage makeup on,” he joked once again, fully aware that he probably had eyeliner or something caked on his face yet. It never seemed to come off unless he scrubbed his face repeatedly, and he was in too much of a rush to care that night. Recently, there had been an obsession with some kind of highlighter that made the boys “glow,” and he found himself looking like a disco ball when he returned home because the damn stuff wouldn’t leave his skin.
Greyson took a moment to glance around the little café that Audrey had led them to, his eyes taking in the quaint charms of the place. He tucked his dance bag under the table as he took his seat, reminding himself once again that he needed to do laundry when he returned home before he went to bed, and turned his eyes out towards the lovely view, both inside and outside the restaurant. "So, what’s good around here?” he smiled at Audrey.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 958!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey knew – with every atom of her being – that she would never grow out of love with the stage. It could break her heart, hurt her in the worst possible ways, but she would always fight for those roles in her auditions and clamber to be up there again. She would give her life for Broadway, and maybe she had already sacrificed some personal chances because of how much that dream meant to her. She would never truly be sure how many people had walked out of her life who could have been someone important. They might have stuck around if she had only taken a step back, opted for a supporting role and not a lead. That wasn’t Audrey though; at least not right now. She wanted to be out there, making herself known, making sure that those who loved the theatre knew who she was. She told herself that there would be chances to live and make up for her mistakes later, when she felt like slowing down for a year, taking that step back, but it wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Right now she had a role she had once only dreamt about, and Audrey wanted to soak that up for as long as they would have her. It was an experience she wanted to enjoy, savour, and make the most of before passing the torch onto someone else who perhaps had dreamt for as long as she had about wearing that costume and singing those songs for an audience.

Audrey loved showing people a glimpse of her world, even if they were already familiar with the world of performing. She was proud of it, and liked introducing those special to her to the people she saw all the time, who made her fly and who turned her into the wonderful characters she took to the stage to be. They were an extended family, and she adored every one of them and the work they did that maybe went forgotten by the audience only paying attention to the magic the actors put out there. Audrey scoffed at Greyson, waving his ideas away with a brush of her hand. “Please, the fun never ends.” She argued, believing so with every bit of her heart. She was passionate about what she did. “And for someone who hasn’t seen me perform, you think too highly of me.” She teased, lips twitching upwards. Audrey did receive flowers that she kept in her dressing room until they were wilting and ready to be tossed out, but it wasn’t so many that her space in the theatre resembled a florist. Plus, if Greyson had come and given her this pretty bouquet inside she would have certainly left with it. It was different when a gift came from someone she knew personally and had a connection with.

“It’s dangerous territory!” Audrey insisted, turning her head to look up at Greyson with wide blue eyes. “I forget my manners and everything! I haven’t even asked how you’ve been getting on!” She pointed out, very aware all of a sudden that she had only been talking about herself. Audrey might have enjoyed being centre stage, but when the curtain came down she wasn’t typically the sort to be all ‘me, me, me’. She liked to share her news, but at the same time hearing what everyone else was up to and doing with their lives was just as exciting for the small brunette. And she liked talking in person much more than with text messages, even if it was a repeated topic because there was more emotion there and everything just became real again. Passion did not belong on a phone screen, and thumbs did not convey excitement like eyes did. Her eyes were twinkling something mischievous and flirty when she inched just a tiny bit closer to Greyson. “So…this is a date?” She asked lowly, her voice just a tiny bit inviting as she called him out on his choice of words.

Audrey was smoothing her hair down when Greyson spoke, feeling the waves and kinks from where it had been pulled back and up for the night’s production before she let it down again. “I’ve yet to find something I don’t like.” She answered honestly, leaning forward on her elbows, causing one loose strap of her cami top to slip from her shoulder. She ignored it, used to it happening, and continued to peer at Greyson. “But I’m going for a ginger and lemon water, and the bacon mac ‘n’ cheese. They make it just like this place back home and it’s my biggest weakness.” She confessed, knowing that there were healthier options on the menu, but her stomach felt completely empty and she knew nothing would fill it if she tried to choose something light and calorie counting. She needed what her dad would call ‘real food’, as was often the case at this hour after a show.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 841!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson didn’t escape from work as much as he should’ve. His entire life revolved around what was happening for the Company and, even during the off season, he found himself doing tours or teaching classes to still keep himself immersed in the ballet world. All of his weeks consisted of being up at the crack of dawn and coming home long after the sun had set for the day, embracing the two little dogs who made his apartment a home. He loved that life and all of the crazy, chaotic mess that came with, but there was an entire life outside of his theatre that he didn’t explore as much as he sometimes wished he could. There were continuous offers from places around the world where he could’ve danced and, when he’d entered his last year at Julliard, the possibilities had seemed endless. Back then, he had been young blood with eyes wider than the ocean. There were countless people he could have joined, ranging all the way from London to Australia and back again, but he had ultimately chosen to stay.
New York held more artistic magic than any city he’d managed to travel to, whether it was dancing, music, or visual art. Being surrounded by that was a constant fuel for his own art form and it was easy to find inspiration everywhere. When he took the pups out for a walk, he often liked to wander through Central Park and see the collection of strangers sitting along the pathways; they held all sorts of things, from paintings to jazz solos to lover’s quarrels, and it never failed to spark emotions inside his chest that he knew he could save for a dance later. It was there that he found the passion that shone through brightly while he was on stage, bursting out of him as he told these stories through his body.
To leave all of that artistry, even if it was to explore the world, was a daunting idea for Greyson and it had been since college. He had remained in New York because of it, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere where he could push himself to the limit and still fall back on a familiar cushion.
Unlike the ballerinas he knew, the men often got neglected when it came to flowers or gifts being sent to their dressing rooms. He had had his fair share of bouquets sent jokingly by his father and step-mother and the occasional rose donated from one of the ladies’ flowers, but Greyson didn’t have endless admirers lining up outside his door. That side of the job had never been his focus; fame was not, and never would be, something he actively sought out. He only wanted to dance; he wanted his starring principal roles and to play the leading man in the ballets he cherished deep inside his heart. Anything beyond that was a side effect of the job.
Greyson couldn’t help chuckling as Audrey looked up at him. He didn’t mind her rambling at all; to hear her talk about Broadway and the amazing work she was doing was entertainment enough for him. Her eyes brightened in a way that made her entire being glow with the passion he found mirrored in his own soul and it stirred up feelings deep down inside himself that he wasn’t quite ready to place yet, but it made him want to keep her talking for as long as he could. ”It isn’t bad manners if I ask,” he smiled reassuringly, giving her hand a light squeeze as she turned the conversation on to him. With a shrug, he said, "We’ve got a guest choreographer in-house for a bit, so repertoire classes are kicking our asses this week but he’s done a lot of work with this company in Sydney so he’s got some interesting teaching styles.” Greyson tried to contain his excitement, but it glimmered brightly in his eyes as he spoke. "He’s got us doing these stretches that are even hard for us overly flexible people, but my partner says they’re helping with our pas de deux in the second act of this new show we’re starting rehearsals for. We made it through today without either of the choreographers or directors or this annoying new ballet mistress they hired stopping us, so we’re making progress even if we are still in the middle of the current show.” He took a breath, forcing himself to stop as he realized he’d rambled more than he probably should’ve. Playfully glaring down at Audrey, he bumped her shoulder and teased, "Now you’re making me lose my manners, too.”
He had been meaning to ask Audrey out since they’d met at the fundraiser dinner. There had just never been a right moment, or a time when he knew their schedules would open up and he could fully take her out like he wanted. He wanted to spoil her with more than wilted flowers and have a couple hours where they both weren’t exhausted or running late for rehearsal. At her words, Greyson could feel the light burning of a blush filling his cheeks as his eyes darted away from her and focused on the sidewalk in front of them as they walked. He pulled himself out of it and looked back down at her, turning on the charm and saying, "If this was a date, I promise I wouldn’t be wearing dance clothes and we’d be going to a far fancier place where you could look as beautiful as you did the other week.”
Inside the restaurant, Greyson’s eyes glanced over the menu and automatically went to the salad list that he knew he should be ordering off of. It was ingrained in his head that he needed to eat well, both for the security of his career and for the fact that he didn’t have extra time to spend in the gym, but it was a special night and he deserved to treat it as such. He looked up as Audrey spoke, smiling at her story. With the hunger grumbling in his stomach, his eyes turned towards the list of burgers that already had his mouth watering. "This hangover burger looks good,” he commented, solidifying a decision he knew he’d be regretting at the gym in the morning. Humor sparkling in his eyes, he added, "If it wasn’t a school night, I’d say we’d earned a bottle of wine, but I’ve got to be up for class in the morning.”

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 1091!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey grew bored when she was between shows or taking a break from the stage. It was why she didn’t make a habit of it. She was young, and with no other commitments in her life Audrey didn’t feel like she had to focus on anything else. The stage was her love, and when sitting at home or running errands lost the charm all too fast for her, Audrey didn’t see the harm in pushing herself to be there more. She’d explored New York and ticked all the boxes on her tourist checklist when she had been a Julliard student. She knew her favourite places by now, had her shortcuts for when she was in a hurry, and had figured out the best places to eat without needing to wait hours for a table, if not months. Audrey was at home in New York City, but her magic would always be on Broadway, which is why she saw no problem in dedicating her heart to the stage when she had nothing else waiting for her, or arguing with her about being second best.

Her love for the stage was overwhelming for some people to comprehend. She knew that a banker on Wall Street might never be able to understand why she was so passionate about the music or the lines she memorised. However, Audrey couldn’t spend her life with someone who didn’t understand. It had taken her a while to realise that, and even though she was still only in her twenties, she already had a chain of relationships that had failed because she had tried to look beyond that. If they didn’t see something special in Broadway, they couldn’t possibly be the one for her though. Broadway was her dream, it was what she bled and cried for. She didn’t want a meagre pat on the back whenever she missed out on a role, or someone to question if it was really such a big deal when she landed a part. She needed someone who could celebrate with her, and who would support her through every audition that didn’t go so well.

However, Audrey’s only foray into dating someone from her world of bright lights and theatrics, was misguided from the start. So many people could have ended up hurt, and in the end her heart had been shattered. She had lost track of how many mistakes she had made when it came to love, how many times her heart had been broken. Audrey had a bad habit of falling for the wrong guys, making the worst choices, and then finding herself at home with a tub of ice cream and a box of tissues when it all went wrong. It was always her who ended up hurt and alone, too.

As Greyson began to share his tales, Audrey continued to walk close beside him, her head turned slightly so she could study the excitement on his face, watching it change and grow as he spoke. She loved seeing people talk about their passions, even if it was something she wasn’t interested in or knew nothing about. She found it attractive, and beautiful. No one should be ashamed to let it show, to burst forth from their being for all to see. “Well, I guess we can be rude and bad mannered together.” She chuckled, though she wouldn’t have minded at all if Greyson continued and told her every last detail about his day from the moment he woke up until right now. She liked how his voice sounded, it both excited and soothed her, making her stomach swirl and her heart race. “I won’t tell if you won’t.” She added playfully in a loud whisper, winking conspiratorially like they were naughty schoolkids ten years younger than they actually were.

Audrey saw how her question had an effect on Greyson. She bit her lip to fend off the wicked grin, and then met his eyes when he looked back at her. Suddenly, she dropped his hand. “Maybe I don’t need fancy places.” She shrugged, before slipping her arm around Greyson’s and moving in closer, taking a bold choice to curl in beside him as they walked. “Maybe I think this is just right.” Her smile widened to reveal her whitened teeth, and Audrey blushed softly. She didn’t care that both of them were fatigued from their shows, or probably still speckled with costume make-up. Sure, she loved getting dolled up and feeling amazing, but when all that was gone she was simply the girl she was right now; denim and comfort, loosened curls and faded lipstick.

She knew how to behave when it came to work and her body, but at the same time Audrey like to treat herself. She wasn’t going to go into overkill mode when she was doing well, but she wouldn’t go crazy and lose control either. She’d been around long enough to know how to look after herself, and despite how much ‘junk’ people saw her eat, it wasn’t a full representation of her diet on a whole. Still, Audrey laughed it off when anyone said anything or made a joke. “Ooh, it is. But I can never finish it.” She laughed, leaning back in her chair as a waitress she recognised from her frequent visits came over to take their order. Audrey asked how she was doing, and then told the girl what she wanted before turning her attention back to Greyson. “If you got me on wine you wouldn’t be leaving here until about 3am, and then you’d have to carry me home.” She told him, only exaggerating a little. She already suspected that with Greyson’s company tonight would end late, but Audrey was not about to complain about that.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 970!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson needed to surround himself with people that understood what dance meant to him. He had gone to arts schools for a long time, choosing to keep a small circle of people that could sympathize with the sacrifice they were all making in order to keep bringing culture to the world. Those schools had shaped his education in ways he couldn’t even fathom and he knew he wouldn’t have made it without the support of his professors, peers, and the faculty there. They had immersed themselves in a world where creativity and artistry were celebrated above all else, and he wouldn’t have known what to do in a traditional setting. Those schools had helped give him the optimism that ruled his life, a trait he surely would’ve struggled without in the harsh world the arts could sometimes present. Feeding off the great vibes of others made his school years so much better, and they made him cherish them that much more.
He needed that support in his romantic life. Greyson craved a person who wouldn’t mind the fact that his entire life revolved around dancing, or that he lived at the theatre almost as much as his apartment. He needed someone who would be there at the shows when they could, or would be okay with coming to cast parties after a late opening night. Having that support was what he looked for in a partner above all other things, and it remained the most vital trait he sought after in a partner when he had a spare moment to look.
He had never really had a “type” for himself, like some other guys liked to do. He had certain qualities he knew he needed in a partner in order for things to work, a theory that carried over from his dancing more than he realized. Partnering for dance gave him a lot of experience in creating relationships on and off stage. In order for a good match to work, there needed to be an unwavering amount of trust, and it was one of the first things Greyson tried to establish when he knew he’d be with someone new. People flitted in and out of the Company all the time, so he had a rotating list of his favorite ballerinas and it was always easy to tell when they enjoyed working together. The performance came across that much more genuine when they were having a good time as opposed to faking it for the crowds. He wanted a real relationship that flowed as easily as those dances, where both parties felt comfortable and could let their true selves shine through. If there had been anything he could apply from dancing to the real world, it was that theory.
Greyson had never thought about dating one of the ballerinas. They were all the epitome of beauty with their slender limbs and graceful movements, but he had never had anything beyond a stage romance with the stars of his Company. He was sure it would’ve been convenient; at least they would certainly see each other around and maybe even have the chance to dance together as a living. But, what happened if something went wrong? Would he trade Companies to avoid the awkward runes of a broken love?
No; he was positive he would never be attracted to those girls if it meant risking his career. The only thing he fell in love with was their dancing, and it was then that he showed his preference for the women. Dancing with a strong, confident ballerina made his job that much more fun since they could explore more complicated lifts and routines, creating even more magic as they pranced around the stage.
Audrey, however, presented a whole new challenge for Greyson. She was more beautiful than any of the lanky ballet girls and, as they sat in the little diner, he couldn’t help smiling at her. Even if this wasn’t the date she deserved, he was happy to see her in person. Being around her made his stomach tighten in ways it hadn’t since college, and it was a feeling he wanted more of. He wanted more of her.
Greyson ordered his food and a glass of water, choosing to behave at least a little, before turning his attention back to the pretty girl sitting across from him. Whatever he had done that the universe had seen fit to bring them back together, he would eternally be thanking his lucky stars for it. "That sounds much more fun than going home to do laundry,” he teased back with a small smirk, his eyes sparkling with humor as he met her gaze. "When handsome men aren’t whisking you off for dinner, what do you usually do after a show? I know all artists have their little routines,” Greyson said, genuinely curious as his smirk softened into a smile. He wanted to get her talking again; he could listen to her talk for hours without getting the slightest bit bored.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 837!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

If someone didn’t understand the theatre, then Audrey knew the chances of her changing their perspective was slim. She wouldn’t force her world on someone else if it wasn’t what they wanted. She couldn’t stand it if someone tried to drag her into a lifestyle that she just wasn’t made for. Plus, it couldn’t be enjoyable for her to have to pull someone kicking and screaming into everything she loved so much. She imagined it would be tiring, argumentative, and just troublesome from the very start. A lifetime of that couldn’t be worth it. At the same time her luck with romance in the theatre community hadn’t proven too successful either. The arts world was fickle, fast, and no one seemed to be settled long enough when they needed to be. Still, Audrey wasn’t the type to give up hope. She was still young, and there was every chance that the Prince Charming she had longed for was right around the corner; just one more wrong frog kiss away.

She wasn’t ashamed to admit that she had stumbled through life, making mistakes as she went. Some were stupid when she ought to have known better, and that was why she kept details to herself, but Audrey would never be the type to claim she was perfect. She had humble beginnings and had worked hard, very hard, to get to where she was. She had been made to prove that drama workshops, and classes weren’t a waste of time or some fleeting fancy that she’d grow out of when she was a teenager and boys came into the picture. She had to prove her commitment to fight her way out of chorus lines, and earn herself the spots she wanted as a role that could be remembered. She didn’t particularly like those who acted like the world was simply handed to them. No, she was attracted to hard work, and that passion that she had striven to her whole life, even when it had cost her relationships or friendships. She needed people in her life who at the very least could understand her drive if they couldn’t share it.

Audrey smiled fondly, a very faint blush dusting her cheeks when she thought about telling Greyson her routine. It wasn’t embarrassing or scandalous, but it was hers; it was something she did alone in the privacy of her modern New York apartment. “I like to read. I have a small library of hardback books in my home. By now I’d have my pyjamas on and be settled in my favourite chair with a book and a hot fruity tea, or a hot chocolate – depends how cold it is. I usually have to give in and have something sweet before I go to bed, too. If I’m behaving it’s a fruit salad, but more often it’s a cookie or a small slice of chocolate cake. Just a slither.” She laughed softly and pushed her hair back behind her ear. “I’m not very exciting, I’m afraid. The wildest thing I might do is make a mojito and take a bath, but only if it’s been a long week. She smiled, thankful that there weren’t too many of them to worry about. Audrey enjoyed her chilled evenings though, since she started her days with workouts and routines, errands and chores. The nights were to unwind and relax. “I like falling asleep to the sounds of the city though. Even with sirens and cat fights it’s soothing.” She added, hiding ever so slightly behind her drink before taking a gulp.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 600!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson never told people he was born in Russia. It would’ve made a great random fact for those stupid ice breakers professors were so fond of at the beginning of a school term, but he had never used it. When people asked, he always said he was from New York. It wasn’t a lie; he spent less than a few months of his life in Russia and then he’d grown up as a true New Yorker. But he never brought it up, not even with his family.
He knew the story of how he was brought into the world; he’d finally drawn it out of his father after years of only receiving tidbits of information about the woman who was his mother. He knew he had been an accident and, while his father never complained about him even in the slightest, Greyson knew he had been the product of carelessness. If his father hadn’t stood up for him, his life could’ve turned out very different and he knew he wouldn’t have been the strong man he was now. He probably would’ve been on the streets somewhere in Russia, a ragamuffin begging for crusts.
Greyson owed a lot to his father. It was why he didn’t embrace his Russian roots as openly as some people might have, especially in the dance world. Having ballet royalty in one’s genes was usually a point of bragging, and many dancers he knew traced their lineage back just to be able to find an extremely distant cousin who had once held some position in a company. But Greyson only paid homage to his roots in the subtlest of ways. His dogs, his tattoo, a trinket on his dressing room mirror; they were small things, but if one looked closely they were extremely evident. However, he kept them close to his heart, a tribute to the dance world more than his own mother. Russian ballet was an artform of its own and he could only hope to be good enough one day to toe the line with some of those dancers.
He spent more time working to make his father and step-mother proud than he ever did thinking about the woman who had given birth to him. Greyson’s father had dedicated his life to making sure his son was comfortable and able to achieve every dream that passed through his blonde head, and Greyson’s success was the best thank you he ever could have given back. It was why he worked hard without complaint, and why he was usually at the theatre before everyone else to use the extra rehearsal time even when others claimed he didn’t need it. His father had been in endless hours to keep a roof over his head, and now Greyson was working to make sure the man was comfortable when he finally retired and it was his son’s turn to return the favor of caregiving.
Greyson couldn’t keep the warm smile off his lips as he looked across the table at Audrey. He saw the same passion for art that glowed in his heart reflected brightly back at him in her eyes and it made his heart beat just a little faster. He had seen it back in college and it made him so happy to know that life hadn’t knocked the sunshine out of her like he had seen happen with many others. The performing arts world could be vicious and it took a lot of strength to become successful. It also made him fall even more head over heels for the woman sitting before him.
He laughed quietly with her at the confession of her post-show routine. All artists had their quirks; he usually came home to his dogs, took a hot shower, and crashed into his bed for the night just to start it all over again the next day. Greyson’s free time was usually nonexistent, but he tried to make time for the things that kept him sane, like visiting his favorite book stores or taking his dogs for a long walk in order to enjoy the city he called home. If he didn’t take care of himself, he knew his dancing would suffer and, in the long run, it was worth it to take the extra ten minutes when he needed it. It paid off when he wasn’t sick or dragging through rehearsals.
"It makes everywhere else seem too quiet to sleep,” he replied, meeting her gaze. "When we go on tour, I never get enough sleep unless the hotel is bustling with rowdy tourists,” Greyson chuckled. He took a sip of his water, trying to remind himself to keep hydrated for tomorrow. He was constantly drinking water, but he especially liked to at night to refresh himself after performances.
Greyson’s phone beeped from the pocket of his sweatpants and he had to suppress the groan that threatened to escape his throat. He knew it was notes from the show and the rehearsal schedule for the next day; he also knew he wasn’t entirely ready to deal with that yet and he would much rather focus on Audrey than fixing choreography. He took another drink of water, pushing reality from his mind. That was for tomorrow; tonight was for Audrey.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 877!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey didn’t want to build her career on the back of someone else’s. Thankfully, she didn’t have that choice with her family. None of them were artsy, and so had never delved into the realm of acting or performing before her. They were all hard workers though, which was where Audrey got her ethic from. She understood that there was no such thing as an easy ride, and those who did sail through eventually had to pay a price sooner or later for taking the easy route. Audrey worked hard, and could remember nights when she barely made it through her front door before she passed out from sheer exhaustion. She had ran lines in her dreams, danced until her tiny feet burnt, and it all paid off in the end. Tears came before the reward though, but she knew in the end she had made the right decision. She was meant to be on the stage, and knowing how hard she had worked to get there made it feel even more rewarding when she heard the applause at the end of a show.

Ultimately, she did this for herself. Her family were supportive, but they couldn’t quite understand the appeal behind what Audrey did. She was so grateful that they had allowed her to go to the classes and perform both in school and outside of school, but they had still raised a few eyebrows when she had mentioned Julliard. Audrey knew they only worried about her not having a back up plan, something to fall back on if her dreams were dashed and she never made it on Broadway. They had nothing to fear though. She had picked up on their lessons about hard work, commitment, and striving to be the best. She understood that nothing was going to be given to her, but that she had to earn all that she achieved.

She liked to think spending time with Greyson was a nice little reward. Something good to go with all the hard work she had given to her career. Audrey knew her life couldn’t be solely given to the stage; there was a world outside the theatre, too, and she had dreams for it. The way she had been reunited with Greyson seemed magical in itself, and she wasn’t just under that impression because she had spent too long under the stage lights, reading scripts with happy endings and filled with glittery tricks and wonders. A wide, bright grin lit up her face. “You should get a soundscape of the city to take with you and play in your room.” She suggested, reaching out for her glass before she continued. “I used to have a roomie back at Julliard who insisted she couldn’t sleep without the sound of a thunderstorm. The amount of times I woke up at 5am for those early morning classes we had thinking that it was pouring down outside, only to step into sunshine was ridiculous.” She rolled her blue eyes and then laughed. “But I think you can get everything like that for sleep therapy now. I even have one of those pillows with speakers in that I don’t use anymore. My sister bought me it as a gift when I complained about my old noisy neighbours.” She realised she was talking about nothing, rambling when she shouldn’t have been. An apologetic smile crossed her lips and she sipped at her infused water again, hoping for something that could silence her tongue. She always turned into a chatterbox when she was comfortable around someone, but there were times when she just couldn’t shut up.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 609!
OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty!
LYRICS! Electric Love - - - BØRNS
NOTES!

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Unlike some of the dancers he knew, Greyson liked doing the extra volunteer opportunities the New York Ballet offered. He often heard his coworkers complaining about having to come in early or fake more smiles for kids, but he didn’t mind it one bit. When he was young, anyone associated with dance had automatically become one of his heroes and he jumped at any chance to give that opportunity to another child. Teaching master classes, helping with junior school choreography, and even just doing the education sessions before weekday performances turned into some of Greyson’s favorite moments. It was always a unique experience to hear thoughts on a show or on ballet in general from kids in the ballet schools he had once attended. Seeing the world of dance through young eyes again brought back the magic he had fallen in love with when he was that age and, if anything, it made him even more energetic to continue doing his job for as long as he could. He wanted to keep that magic alive in generations to come, no matter how many pairs of dance shoes he went through along the way.
For as dedicated as he was to his family, Greyson hadn’t put much thought into starting one of his own. He didn’t have the time to and, if he was honest, he still felt more like a college kid than someone who should’ve been starting to settle down. His step-mother joked about it with him from time to time, saying he should be giving his father grandkids before the poor man retired, but Greyson couldn’t fathom the idea of having kids to look after. With his insane schedule, he had a hard enough time making sure his dogs were well cared for and between tours, rehearsals, shows, and everything else that came with being a dancer, he honestly didn’t think there was enough time in the day for all that right now. Plus, he really didn’t want to put a kid through the trials of eating the far too healthy diet that Greyson tried to keep himself to in order to maintain his strength for his job.
He tried to make time for the things that were the most important to him, no matter how thin he stretched himself. It was both one of his greatest qualities and his weaknesses; he loved to be there for the people he loved or to hang out with his friends, but he also needed to prioritize himself more than he did. His self-care usually came in the form of extra rehearsal hours or taking a longer walk with the dogs, both of which weren’t really relaxing. Maybe it was the dancer in him, but Greyson liked to constantly be moving. He never sat still for too long.
But, all of that went out the window when he was looking at Audrey. She rooted him to the spot with her enchanting gaze, and he would sit as still as she liked if she’d only keep smiling at him like that. He couldn’t help chuckling as she rambled, finding the habit more endearing than she probably realized, but he paid attention to every word that left her lips. "Headphones work just as well for tour weeks,” he smirked back, "Besides, it’s always more fun to hear the craziness going on in the other dancer’s rooms. You’d be surprised what we get up to when we aren’t prancing around in tutus and leotards.” His eyes twinkled as he joked with her and Greyson could hear his stomach grumbling as the waitress appeared with their food. Audrey was distracting him from how hungry he really was, though he wasn’t complaining at all.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 620!
OUTFIT: Dancer Boy!
LOCATION: Stage Door, Broadway Theatre
LYRICS: Wanna Be That Song by Brett Eldrege
NOTES: <3 <3 <3