• Hearts will be Flooded •

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey didn’t want to do something stupid that would push Greyson away. She wasn’t a bad person at heart, but she was human, which meant she was prone to making mistakes from time to time. She just didn’t want one of those mistakes to cost her this developing relationship. Thankfully, Wicked and finding time to spend with Greyson had spared her the time in which she might fall down unsupervised rabbit holes. If she wasn’t at the theatre, she was typically on her way to meet him, or with old friends if they managed to make dinner plans. Otherwise, she was in her apartment, too exhausted and fatigued to do anything more than laze in a long, hot bath and enjoy a good book. There would come a time though when her stint as everyone’s favourite Wicked Witch would come to and end, and not knowing what the world would offer up next left her feeling anxious. It was that time that she feared ruining what she had with Greyson, saying or doing something that would make him see she wasn’t all he thought.

If she had any time at all to think about it, she’d realise that meeting his family tonight would heighten those fears eventually. More people would know if she fucked up. They’d ask questions, demand answers, and it wasn’t like Audrey could slip away in the night; her life was on stage, her name and photo on playbills. She just had to hope that Greyson could weather any storm she accidentally cast his way. She was prone to putting her foot in it, to upsetting someone and not knowing how to stop herself from talking it worse. She was a chatterbox, and it landed her in trouble a lot more than she cared to think about. Sometimes she wished she could have scripts and characters to play for every aspect of her life, but Audrey would never sacrifice who she was; she had come too far for that, even if there were times when she believed it might be easier.

“And you still are the perfect gentleman…when it suits you.” Audrey teased, nudging Greyson in the side with her quip. Teasing him always led to interesting places, fun memories made without even planning for it. She turned to Miranda, smiling sweetly. “That might be my fault. I’m always starving after a show and he barely gets a chance to choose where we eat. Typically there’s always something I’m craving, and I have a habit of dragging him along before he can suggest anything else.” Audrey’s stomach often dictated the after show. It always had done, even back when she was just on a high school stage still dreaming of the bright lights of Broadway.

Audrey raised her eyebrows at Greyson, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as she flipped through the menu. “You saying you don’t know my favourite pizza by now?” Audrey wasn’t shy when she came to food. In fact, there were plenty of times when she ought to have chosen a healthier option, but she was happiest after a full meal of something she loved. Rejecting a cheeseburger for a salad often led to snacking on junk food when she got home, just because she was in a foul mood for it. She figured if she kept working out and dancing as part of her career, then she was okay with indulging the food cravings every now and then. “Deep pan pepperoni with mushrooms and ham.” She said, as though she was reminding Greyson.

The bickering siblings didn’t faze Audrey, who remembered similar fights with her own sister whenever they were supposed to share. Most of the time it ended up with them settling for something different than what they had originally been arguing about. Grinning at the conversation that followed, she turned her attention to Miranda first. “I wouldn’t mind a glass or two. Unless you want in on the cocktail menu…” She jokingly slid the cocktail menu from the holder and over to Miranda. If she wasn’t up early, Audrey didn’t mind a drink or two, be it wine or her go-to-choice of margaritas. “I think I’ll stick with my favourite tonight; deep pan, pepperoni ham and mushrooms.” She closed the menu and leaned over Greyson to see what he was considering. “Live dangerously, Grey – order extra cheese.” She knew he often behaved far better than she did when it came to choosing food, but she still loved teasing him about it every now and then.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 770!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson strongly believed that the reason he and Audrey could communicate well was the fact that they had empathy for many of the mistakes that those outside of the performing world couldn’t understand. Those miscommunications often occurred with partners who couldn’t fathom the careers and expectations that being on stage involved, and they lashed out because of it. Constantly pushing your body, physically and mentally, on stage eight times a week could take a massive toll on life outside of work and sometimes there could be breakdown moments from the strain of it all. Greyson had seen his fair share of relationships crumble because of that and the conflicting schedules that never seemed to have enough hours in the day.

However, Greyson wasn’t upset if Audrey needed to cancel a date and spend a night recovering from a particularly rough performance; he didn’t complain when it took more than an hour to respond to a text, knowing that rehearsals and shows demanded more attention than the outside world. He had had those days where he didn’t want to talk to people anymore but wanted to lock his door and flop onto his bed without moving for the next eight hours so that he could face tomorrow’s shows with enough energy. Giving Audrey the space to be both an artist and an independent person was easy for him because he got the same in return; if they hadn’t set those boundaries, neither of them would have been surviving their careers. They could participate in conversations about work and empathize with the stories of harsh directors or audience interruptions without feeling like they were talking to a wall. Nothing was one-sided, and it made Greyson even more comfortable with her because of it. He didn’t feel judged for loving his job because he knew she got it; she knew why he chose to be on stage because that same passion pounded in her own heart.

Explaining that job to his family was something different, especially coming from a household of lawyers who usually saw the world in black and white, not the beautiful colors of the performing arts world. Greyson had always felt supported by his father and step-mother, but he knew that his father would have preferred a much different life for his only son. A phrase Greyson often heard growing up was “something stable would be better for you” and still Michael never missed a performance, even when the showcases at Julliard lasted an ungodly amount of time. He was constantly thankful for that support through the earlier part of his career where he hadn’t had a standing contract; landing his spot at the NYC Ballet had given his father enough tangible consistency to finally realize that this job was something Greyson wasn’t giving up anytime soon.

Miranda, on the other hand, had been Greyson’s biggest cheerleader for a long time. She was the first person that had felt like a mother to him, even though he was already well on his way through high school by the time she became a permanent part of his family. Greyson had never meant anyone as kind and welcoming as her, but he was reminded of her sharp side whenever she and his father disagreed on something and her lawyer instincts kicked in. She was relentlessly supportive of him in everything and made him truly feel like her son, something he hadn’t realized he’d missed out on until he finally experienced it. Now, they had loud family dinners and chaotic inside jokes that spanned across the many trips, locations, and afternoons at home. Greyson loved that the quiet house he had been so used to growing up was long gone, instead filled with laughter and more music than he could have ever dreamed of as a child. He was thankful for that escape and to have it close to his life in the city, being able to run home whenever he needed a reprieve from performing.

Those trips back to the Drozdov-Snowe home had been getting farther and farther apart as Audrey became Greyson’s favorite person to spend time with. Though they currently spent far too much time at the theatre together, even just lounging in her dressing room while she got ready for the show always make his day a little brighter. He was thankful to have her close, and hoped that this dinner would allow him to sneak her home to his family for even more quality time together.

Greyson chuckled as Miranda and Audrey looked over the cocktail menu, shaking his head at the pair of them. When they had dinner at the house, Miranda was usually trying out some new cocktail mixture or striving to have the perfect Pinterest charcuterie board laid out before a dinner party but, in the city, she had her favorite spots for expensive wine that always caused his father to roll his eyes. "I’ve got a physical therapy appointment in the morning that I would rather not be hungover for,” he countered when Miranda mentioned his disinterest in alcohol. He usually didn’t drink much and, if he did, he would have much rather been home on his comfortable sofa with his favorite whiskey than in a crowded pizza place. Besides, he wanted to enjoy his appointment in the morning and get his muscles stretched out the way he liked; he still snuck over to his home theatre to use their specialists and keep his body in tip-top shape for his return to ballet.

"Grey, are you liking Broadway better than Lincoln Center?” Annabeth chimed in, diverting his attention. "You’re way less tense than after your ballet shows. You seem… relaxed.”

"I’m sure she has something to do with that,” Annalise replied with a pointed look to Audrey, which earned her a disapproving glare from Greyson and an elbow to the ribs from her sister.

"I miss dancing,” he said with a slightly sad smile, quickly recovering as he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend. "But, being on stage and getting to see this beauty perform every night is definitely a worthwhile tradeoff. I’ll be back in tights soon enough.”

Before Greyson could apologize for his little sister, the waitress came up and started the taking drink orders.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 1049!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

In the past, Audrey had been impatient with her relationships, or confused why things weren’t moving at her pace. She fell hard and usually fast, too. Other people weren’t always ready to jump in with both feet when they didn’t know how deep the water was. Audrey did just that and it usually ended up with a broken heart. Greyson was different; their relationship was different. They always seemed to be in sync with each other, able to understand the tiring demands that came with the performing arts they loved so much. She understood that his tiredness was the same as her own exhaustion. There was no wondering how worn out someone could be from sitting in an office all day, or why they didn’t want to have dinner so late at night. Of course, to most people Audrey was the odd one in that situation, but her world ticked to a different clock, and Greyson’s did, too. Maybe that was why this relationship was working out so well. Or maybe it had something to do with knowing each other long before the spotlight was theirs.

Audrey was by no means the same starry-eyed girl she had been in Julliard. She made better fashion choices now, for starters. There had also been a lot of lessons learnt about being an adult – things they don’t teach in school amidst algebra classes and biased history lessons. Audrey didn’t enjoy them one bit, but if they gave classes on rent, budgeting, and how taxes work then she might have been a bit more thankful for them by now. She still had her enthusiasm for the arts, her passion for the stage, but she was also greatly aware of how much work went into the Broadway shows she had once only dreamt of. All the performances she had been a part of in school, or the theatre society she had grown up in had been simple compared to what she did now. They cut corners to make bigger shows work on a smaller scale, but there was no such thing on Broadway. Everything would be as it should be, and everyone would be pushed to be the best they could possibly be. Audrey loved the challenges thrown her way, the big numbers and powerful characters that she had the chance to bring to life, but she’d be the first to say that it was less glamourous than the bright lights and shiny programmes suggested.

She wasn’t going to complain or bore outsiders with the secrets that lay behind the lush curtain. No one needed to hear all the technical stuff unless they were interested in the technical stuff. In Audrey’s experience very few people fell into that category unless they worked in that area. Instead she talked cocktails with Miranda, sharing some favourites and the twists she had discovered on classic recipes. Audrey chuckled at Greyson being the responsible one. Out of the two of them he always would be better suited for that role than her, but it still amused her all the same. “Such a good boy. How on earth did the Wicked Witch find you?” She teased, knowing it wouldn’t be fun to force a drink on her boyfriend. They had their habits, their routines, and she knew he still wanted to stick to his own as best as he could while he was hanging around Broadway.

At Annalise’s odd remark, Audrey simply raised her eyebrows, not yet sure how to gauge such a comment. She didn’t think she had done anything to cause offense, and she could only assume his sister had disliked Wicked more than most. Greyson’s words brought a smile to her face, chasing away the confused thoughts winding through her mind. “I keep catching you eyeing up mine.” She said with a wide grin. “I’ve told you; they’ll be far too short in the leg for you.” She broke away from the conversation to order herself a Passionfruit Martini, smiling and thanking the waitress. She turned back to the table, resting her hand just above Greyson’s knee as she began to ask Miranda about her work, since it was something Audrey knew nothing about.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 703!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson had enjoyed learning the ins and outs of a Broadway show. They ran very differently than the perfectly disorganized chaos occurring at Lincoln Center and he had often found himself enjoying the change of pace. It was still intense and these performers worked as hard as any ballet dancer, but there was a freedom in being able to tell stories in a unique way every night. These artists got to take more ownership over their roles and tell the traditional stories with bits of their personal flare thrown in. Unless he was working on an entirely new project or something outside of the company’s usual schedule, Greyson wasn’t usually afforded that luxury. He had strict choreography he was to follow that dictated his every move, right down to the way his fingertips pointed or the placement of his hand on a certain musical note. He was used to rigid rules that made the taste of creative freedom even sweeter every time he got to experiment with it.

When he’d moved into his Principal position, it had taken him some time to adjust to the amount of freedom he was truly awarded. Principals got the fun parts; the ones with new choreographers who wanted to play with music and dancing to create something beautiful. Those were the rehearsals he was excited to get back to and bring back into his daily routine. They were collaborations and conversations as much as they were running sections of a ballet repeatedly until the right combination was found for everyone, and Grey enjoyed every moment of them. They exhausted him before a performance most of the time, but they also made him even more excited to return to a routine his muscles had memorized so well he could dance in his sleep.

Greyson was happy dancing on Broadway and being near Audrey, yet he knew he was missing the part of himself that belonged to the ballet world. He liked being able to come home after his show and tell Audrey about the mishaps that had occurred that evening or keep her up to date on the latest bit of ballerina gossip he’d overheard being screamed down the hall. He liked being there to listen to Audrey’s stories without already knowing what had happened with her day or what had gone wrong on stage that night. They came from different worlds, but it was easy for Greyson to become invested in her career when she returned the favor for his. That was the other thing he was excited for; taking back their respective specialties and being the stars he knew they both were. Greyson would be there to encourage and support Audrey for as long as she would let him and he firmly believed he would be sneaking into dressing rooms for years to come. They both had exciting careers ahead of them, and he hoped they would get to enjoy them together.

The waitress walked off to get their drinks and Greyson pulled Audrey a bit closer to himself. He was comfortable with her in a way he had never been with anyone else, and he wanted her to feel the same, especially around his family. If tonight went well, it only reaffirmed his beliefs that they were on the track to something great together.

Miranda chatted with Audrey easily, telling her about her nonprofit work. She coordinated a law clinic specifically catering to women with lower socioeconomic standing, usually spending her days advocating in family court for needed divorces or child custody battles. It was by no means easy work, but it was something Miranda was passionate about after struggling with her own divorce and custody case. She knew how lonely that experience was, and she understood that women needed a qualified professional to stand up for what was right when they were being treated unfairly.

Annalise and Annabeth tuned her out, instead choosing to pester Greyson about his strange costumes and having to sing in the ensemble tracks. He didn’t miss a beat, teasing them like the older brother he was, and producing a smile from even the brooding Annalise who was less sour now that he’d turned his attention back to them. For as long as their families had been brought together, Greyson had always doted on the girls and been the best brother he could. Seeing him pouring that attention towards someone else made Annalise jealous; this stranger was stealing her Grey away and she didn’t like it at all.

"Alright, alright – get her off her tangent before she gives you the entire lawyer lecture. Believe me, we’ll be here long after dinner if she really gets going,” Michael finally cut in, giving his wife a loving smile as she rolled her eyes at his teasing. They may have met doing corporate law and he may have stayed in that world to help keep them financially stable, but he would support her in anything she chose to pursue, even if it did cost him a fortune to help her. They were a team and always would be. He just enjoyed teasing her, especially when most people’s eyes began glazing over the second she started throwing out law jargon. The waitress came back up with drinks, bringing their attention to her as Michael clapped his hands and said, "Are we ready to order then?”

After getting their drinks, they went around and ordered their food before letting the waitress get back to her other tables. This place was always busy on show nights, but they had avoided some of the initial rush while Greyson and Audrey cleaned up directly following the show.

"Alright, Audrey, I’ve talked quite enough about myself,” Miranda said with a kind smile, sipping her wine. "Tell us about you – Grey has insisted you can speak for yourself and refused to give us all the details, no matter how much I bothered him about it.”

"She tells stories for a living,” Greyson said, defending himself with a laugh, "I wasn’t about to take away her opportunity for a monologue.” He wrapped his arm tighter around his girlfriend, hoping she didn’t mind being in the spotlight again tonight. But really, this was all about her and he wasn’t going to take away her chance to shine.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 1054!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey knew things would go back to normal soon, with Greyson at the Lincoln Centre and her remaining on Broadway. She’d miss him, and the little moments they got to spend together now before and after shows. If she was the selfish sort she might have asked him to stay, but Audrey knew that Greyson loved dancing as much as she loved being on the stage herself. It wouldn’t be fair and she couldn’t imagine how she would feel if someone asked her to give up acting for them. In fact, she was pretty sure that would be the moment she told them it was over, that she couldn’t give up her dreams for theirs. It only made sense that she would never ask the same of someone else; Audrey didn’t want to feel like she was a hypocrite. And it wasn’t like she wouldn’t see Greyson again. They had a system before, ways of making time for each other, and it would simply work again when he did return to his own corner of the performing arts world. As her mother always said; things that are meant to be have a way of working out.

She was enjoying the evening so far. Grey’s family was nothing like hers. She knew little about the work Miranda did, but found it interesting to listen to all the same. Audrey had never been quite so academically minded, so jobs in law or even teaching had seemed like an out of this world concept to her. She could follow along if someone explained them, but she had always been more for the arts. Her parents would shrug and say they didn’t know where she got it from, but they were still remarkably proud of her – of her sister to – for the success they had made for themselves. It had been her sister, Megan, who had been enrolled in dance classes and the like as a child, but Audrey had begged and nagged to go along to, just because back then she wanted to be exactly like her older sister. Now she embraced their differences, and Megan had grown out of being jealous that Audrey had outshined her in hobbies Megan hadn’t really been too committed to.

After ordering, Audrey took a sip of her fruity cocktail and then smiled, rolling her eyes when Greyson spoke up. “I tell stories other people have written.” She corrected teasingly. Audrey could improvise good enough, but she had great admiration for the writers who could write a playscript and create the music and lyrics for a Broadway musical. She often thought actors like her had it easy compared to them. “Well, I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Spent my whole life there annoying my older sister and probably making my parents grey before their time. You all know I went to Julliard with Grey, and after that I went straight to Broadway. Did a lot of ensemble work, and then smaller speaking roles and three years ago I got my first lead with Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and the rest, as they say, is history.” Her life had been fairly normal, Audrey thought. She had gone to a normal school, had friends, broke her heart a few times, and still called home on Sundays since she couldn’t make the trip anywhere near as often as her mother and grandmother would like.

Audrey smiled at Greyson, placing her hand softly on his knee. “I’m afraid it doesn’t get any more exciting than that.” Had she wanted to, Audrey could have gone on about the individual shows she had been a part of, but she didn’t have any notion of how interested his family would be in musicals. She knew they weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Her father came to each show she was in once at least, but she knew if it wasn’t his daughter up on the stage then he would need a million good reasons to step foot inside the theatre. Her father was a sports man, and as much as he loved seeing Audrey on the stage, she knew he’d be asleep during any other show on Broadway. For that reason, she only gushed about her career when specifically asked for it. Audrey hated the idea that someone might find her boring.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 724!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson had long ago mastered telling his story when people asked where he came from. He never gave them the complicated answer, the one involving his true birthplace and the mountains of paperwork it had taken his father to get custody of him. He didn’t mention that he was technically as Russian as he was American, and that he hadn’t been born in the city he called his home. Everyone got the easy version, carefully worded so that it wasn’t a lie, but it also wasn’t the entire truth. He was raised in New York, his mother had died, and his father had been young when he’d been born; it was snippets, pieced together to create a believable story without revealing parts of himself he didn’t want other’s sympathy for.

It had taken Greyson and Michael a few years to finally explain to Miranda the full history. If anything, it only made her want to be more of a mother in Greyson’s life. The girls were still not read into the story in detail, and Miranda had respected their choice to keep it that way. Michael wasn’t ashamed of the actions he had taken back then, but he it had not been a pleasant part of his life and he still carried guilt for the death of Elena Petrov, though they’d parted ways months before she passed. Greyson had worked his entire life to be strong and independent, pulling away from the tragedy of a suicidal mother to define his own career. He didn’t want her influence seeping into the rest of his life, especially as he continued to climb the ranks of the ballet industry. Her career had been cut short by alcohol abuse and unchecked mental illness pushed to the breaking point by a relentless manager; he wanted none of that connected to his world. He would support the charities and speak up when he saw someone struggling; he would continue to be an activist for fair treatment and representation in his historically biased industry. But he would never claim himself as the only son of Elena Petrov, possibly destined to the same tragic fate she had found.

Greyson didn’t know how he would tell Audrey when the time came. He hadn’t lied to her when they were getting to know each other, but he had omitted those pieces of his history that explained many of his current lifestyle choices. His slightly obsessive need to be monitoring his health, both mental and physically, no matter what show season it was. The small snippets of Russian heritage carefully placed throughout his life, subtle enough to be missed but still present to remind him that he was not only the son of his father. The way he skillfully maneuvered conversations about his birth mother and turned it to Miranda instead, who had really only been in his life for the last decade. One day, Greyson knew Audrey would ask a question he couldn’t avoid any longer and he would tell her where he really came from; he would explain that his chance of being diagnosed with the same illness as his mother was higher than he would ever care to discover. He would explain that he had grandparents he’d never met in a country he had no interest in returning to. He would reveal the last part of his heart that he had learned how to hide away so he could be the fearless dancer everyone else saw out on stage.

Greyson kept his arm around Audrey as she teased him back, his smile not faltering as he pressed a kiss to her temple. Miranda couldn’t hide her delighted grin at the show of affection, reveling in the fact that Greyson finally had someone special in his life. He was always so dedicated to his career that finding a romantic partner wasn’t a priority for him, though he’d had a few brief relationships in the past that had never made it home to a family dinner. Audrey being at dinner and meeting the group was a big step for everyone, and she was quickly winning over the hearts of the people Greyson loved the most.

"You studied musical theatre right? At Julliard? Grey has mentioned a few of your old dance classes to us, though I’ll always prefer him at the ballet,” Miranda chimed in, sipping at her own drink and giving her stepson a fond smile.

"She’s had a very exciting career since then,” Greyson added as Audrey tried to downplay her accomplishments. He was proud of her and the career she had made for herself, even if he hadn’t been there for all of it. He had the privilege of being there to see the awkward college years at Julliard and the polished time on Broadway now that they were adults, and he firmly believed she deserved to celebrate the growth she’d experienced since those early days. She was incredible, on and off the stage, and he was proud to love her.

"What other shows have you been in? Grey takes us to see them sometimes when he isn’t working,” Annabeth chimed in, her eyes bright with excitement. She was still in the stage of determining her future as she concluded her high school years, so hearing about anyone’s journey into adulthood enthralled her. She’d interrogated Greyson about his life enough to tell the story herself, but hearing from someone new was a delight.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 909!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey had memorised answers for the few times she was interviewed for her career; answers that were detailed enough without giving away too much personal information. It was rare she had to sit in front of someone and answer their questions, but there were blogs and magazines built around Broadway and the world of the stage actors who were lesser known than those in Hollywood, but who were still famous amongst keen theatre goers. Audrey had never wanted to talk too heavily about her family and friends, because they deserved their privacy and she didn’t want to be the reason something bad happened to them – especially not because of something she said in a barely read article. The likes of stalkers weren’t common in her world, but she had known one actress who had suffered under an unsavoury admirer who would wait by the stage door and send overly personal love letters to the theatre where they were performing. Audrey hadn’t been the best of friends with her, so she hadn’t been privy to all the details, but she did know that a restraining order had been whispered about.

Audrey was certain nothing she said tonight would lead to anything so dark – after all, this was just dinner with her boyfriend’s family – but that wariness had lingered whenever she talked about herself. Maybe it was because of how social media consumed the world now that she felt like she revealed even less than she once had. She didn’t spend hours on them herself, but she had friends who would frequently post their every move to Facebook, and tag everyone in an Instagram snap. She had also seen some of the same friends end up in trouble with work or loved ones over the stuff they posted online and made available to anyone who wanted to see. Audrey had grown up a lot in the last few years and maybe it was that which had made her act more consciously when she was talking about herself or others. Ultimately, she wanted to hold onto her privacy, at least as much as she possibly could.

There was only one dark secret in Audrey’s life. Only one choice that could undo a lot of relationships and damage her reputation likely beyond repair. It was the affair she had with another actor, one that had broken her heart when she had done the right thing and called quits on the relationship. He was never going to leave his wife for her, and she didn’t want to be the ‘other woman’. It had been a mistake, someone she never should have gotten involved with, but at the time she had been caught up in the chemistry that existed both on and off the stage. There was every chance Audrey would share the stage with Christian again, and the thought of having that conversation with Greyson left a horrible taste in her mouth and knotted her stomach in a way that made her feel queasy. If it was at all possible, that whole relationship was something she wished to forget, but such wishes didn’t ever come true.

And right now, with the question asked, it wasn’t something Audrey was allowed to forget. Christian had been in the shows with her, and while she had other fond memories of them, he was like a dark shadow that came along, a memory waiting for when she was at her most vulnerable. Still, she battled those memories away and answered with a modest smile. “Yeah, well, dancing is probably my weakest area so Grey puts me to shame even when he’s doing the funky chicken in the kitchen.” She started, laughing lightly as she patted her boyfriend’s knee playfully. “I was in the chorus line of a few before I managed to get any kind of main role. I did Mamma Mia!, Les Mis, and Hairspray before I had my first major role as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Magenta in Rocky Horror, and then I found myself being painted green several times a week!” Her list of work wasn’t long, but Audrey had stuck with a role for a good while, getting comfortable and making the most of the opportunities granted to her. “Each role is so different, which I love, since I like rising to the challenge of something that contrasts what I’ve gotten used to.” She didn’t know where she’d end up next, but she’d hope for something just as challenging as, but also completely different from, Elphaba.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 758!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson enjoyed maintaining as much privacy as he could when it came to his personal life. Being in the spotlight, no matter how dim, brought more attention to him off-stage than he was sometimes comfortable with. He could command a stage easily when he was performing and would soak up every ounce of attention but, when the curtains closed and the costumes were peeled away, he craved being human. He didn’t want the scrutiny and judging gossip permeating his real life; he didn’t want to concern himself with how gracefully his fingers were placed or if his toes were pointed perfectly. He wanted to be messy and imperfect and to enjoy life as a person rather than a beloved character playing a role for audiences to enjoy. That pressure was one of the hardest parts of being a performer, especially in the age of audiences feeling more entitled to the personal lives of all artists thanks to social media and updated technologies.

Greyson steered away from those kinds of outlets most of the time, choosing to save his self-expression for his dancing rather than posting photos online, but even he fell into the trap occasionally. He would give snippets of insight into his life and nothing more, choosing to savor the best parts and live in the moment rather than behind a screen. It didn’t mean the photos didn’t exist; on the contrary, he was a big fan of taking pictures to capture memories, especially having grown up in a house where family photos only consisted of him and his father. Now, he jumped at the chance to have big group pictures and happy smiling faces placed into picture frames around his apartment, and he loved being able to recall a fond memory when he’d had a particularly bad day. Those photos didn’t make it online or onto popular timelines; he saved them for his friends and family, trying to keep his private life somewhat to himself.

He couldn’t keep the smile off his face as Audrey gave the run down of her career. He was proud of everything she had accomplished and was still amazed at the wonderful actress she had become. Getting to see her perform was breathtaking for him and getting to kiss her when she walked off stage was even more exciting. She could play every character or role on her bucket list and make herself an A-list star, but he would always prefer the her that came home after a show. The woman who laughed with him in dressing rooms or got up at ungodly hours to help walk his dogs before they parted ways for the day; the partner who made even mundane tasks like grocery shopping or cooking dinner into an adventure just by being with him. That was the Audrey that made his heartbeat quicker; that was the one he was proud to call his girlfriend.

"That’s quite the career there! I wish we had been able to catch you in those – I’m sure you were wonderful,” Miranda chimed in with a smile as she sipped her wine.

Annabeth nodded with her mother, adding with a smirk, "I think you did a great job tonight. We’ve been to see it before but I liked your Elphaba better. Plus, Greyson dressed up as a monkey was something I’ll never forget.” She laughed as Greyson rolled his eyes jokingly at her teasing.

"I’ll be leaving that behind sooner than later, so you better get your jibes in while you can,” he joked with a shake of his head.

Putting a stop to their sibling banter, Michael chimed in, "Where are you living in the city, Audrey? Greyson seemed to bounce around a lot before settling on his current place – have you found somewhere you’re happy with?”

"I think Grey was more concerned about finding somewhere suitable for the dogs than for himself,” Miranda corrected with a laugh. "Do you have any pets too? Have Boris and Sasha driven you mad yet with their constant need for attention?”

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 679!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey was proud of what she had achieved; there were a few of her old Julliard classmates who had yet to make their dream a reality. Some had simply gotten stuck and comfortable in their low paying jobs – the ones that were only supposed to be temporary before they broke into stardom. Others had settled for other dreams of family, of love, moving across the country to states they never even thought they’d call home. Seeing their updates on Facebook always reminded Audrey of one of their first classes at Julliard. One of the teachers – who Audrey suspiciously had never seen since that first address – had told them how very few would achieve the level of success as some of Julliard’s more famous alumni. He went on to say that is was okay – that some could be happy without those ambitions – but that for those who would claim their own sliver of fame in their respective arts, they would face a life of hard work, of people forever belittling their talents, and of those who would happily break their leg – literally – to get ahead of them.

Audrey had never been vindictive in her quest for the shining lights of Broadway. Those who topped the bill had earned their place, and she felt as though they deserved the recognition, the chances that came when doors opened. She had a friend who had taken a show on a global tour, playing the leading lady over and over until her face was known by theatre loves around the world. Audrey didn’t know what she would do if she had such a chance – a chance that she had only heard of twice since entering the world of Broadway. She grew homesick easily enough, and she only lived a short train journey away from her family. If she was having a bad time then she could always spend a large portion of her day off catching trains and have her worries erased with her mom’s cooking and dad’s constant grumbles of work and life. Lately, however, there had been very few bad days and all of her days off had been spent doing the usual errands and with Greyson.

She was modest when complimented. Audrey never really knew what to say when someone praised her performances. She would thank them, feel the heat of a blush, but never felt truly comfortable. It was something she found strange, given that she put a lot of work in to make sure her performances were always stellar, and that she practically radiated confidence while she was on the stage. Thankfully, what Annabeth said left Audrey with the perfect response – and a mischievous smirk to accompany it. “Well, I have plenty of photos of that if you’d like me to send you some.” Audrey had immensely enjoyed seeing Greyson after his first costume fitting, and had spent quite a bit of time between her giggles snapping shots of him on her phone. They were somewhere in the middle of the hundred or more photos she had taken since joining the production. She enjoyed reliving the memories through snapshots of costumes, of goofing around in dressing rooms, and of the friendships often difficult to maintain when a show ends, and people scatter to new roles and new challenges.

Audrey sipped at her drink before answering another question. She didn’t remember the last time she had spoken to much about herself. “I live in Manhattan – have done for two years now. Before that I was roommates with one of our old Julliard classmates – Samantha Belgrave.” She threw in the name for Greyson, though this was a conversation they had shared before tonight. “She left when she got engaged and one of the women in Rocky Horror introduced me to her friend in real estate and I got a good deal on a small space with a glimpsing view of Central Park if you stand on a chair and look hard enough.” She chuckled, smoothing out the skirt of her dress where it had gathered around her thighs. “And Finley is rather fond of it too – although he’s less attention seeking than Boris and Sasha.” She chuckled, knowing the poor terrier had little time for Greyson’s two dogs. He was far more content with the quiet, with the solace of long afternoons napping in the sun on Audrey’s favourite chair.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 736!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

If Greyson had followed the path his father envisioned, he would have been a far different person than the smiling dancer proudly strolling around New York with Audrey. He would have had much more money, of that he was certain, and probably an office close to his father’s. They would joke about clients and spend summer weekends out at the golf course rubbing elbows with potential businessmen, all while wearing uncomfortable suits and carrying the even more uncomfortable weight of a 9-5 office building existence. He saw that version of himself every time Miranda dragged him to a work function or fundraiser, often being forced to mingle with the prodigal sons of other firm partners who got so lost in becoming their parents’ expectations that they never learned how to develop a thought for themselves. It was always amusing to watch the shocked looks on their faces as Greyson explained his job and how far removed it was from the long list of acceptable positions many kids were raised to choose from. He had been supported in his choice to pursue dancing and it had led him to success, even more so than the men following exactly in their fathers’ footsteps. He had his freedom and his passion, both of which contributed to his currently happy state, and none of it had his family’s name attached to it.

He knew he was lucky to have his family close by and to have their support in everything he did. While they were by no means the picture-perfect unit, Greyson was thankful for the blended group they had become. Miranda was one of the only consistent mother figures in his life and had taken over that role permanently, even though she’d never raised a son before meeting his father. Annabeth and Annalise, while as annoying as little sisters could be, were siblings he’d always wished for when he’d been that young. Having them this close while he continued to chase his dreams was an amazing and comforting feeling after years of looking into audiences to only see his father and aunt present. His peers usually had big groups, filled with loud relatives and gushingly proud parents, and a part of him had always envied that. Now he got to have all his favorite people both on and off stage, and it made performing even more fulfilling to catch their faces in the crowd as the house lights went up.

The second the word “engaged” left Audrey’s lips, Greyson shot a very pointed look at Miranda that had her hiding a smile in her drink. Ever since graduating college, the second he brought a girl home and the very whisper of any marriage potential was brought up, Miranda was making big plans for grand weddings and happily ever after. It was far, far too soon for anything like that with Audrey and he didn’t want his family scaring the girl off after one dinner. They were both still young and chasing careers that often pushed them apart; settling down was never going to be a quick process for either of them.

One day, he’d get married and probably have one of those expensive affairs that had families whispering over too-proper catered dinners. He was in no rush for that, despite the seemingly endless wedding invitations that seemed to roll in during the summer months. Between his peers from Julliard and the countless people rolling through the Company, someone was almost always marrying someone else. Greyson wanted to be sure before he went that deep in with a partner; he wanted to be positive that she was the one before he started thinking about happily ever after. He’d seen how the wrong woman had nearly ruined his father’s life, and he’d seen how the right one had completely changed it, so before he put a ring on anyone he wanted to be as sure as humanly possible that she was the one.

Greyson put his arm along the back of Audrey’s chair, his full attention on her as she spoke. He’d been to her place more times than he could possibly count by now, but he really had no preference for where he ended his night. They weren’t together all the time like some of his friends with their partners, but he would admit that having her close by was much nicer than video calling after a show to say goodnight.

"I’ve always wanted to live by the park,” Annalise sighed dramatically, earning an eye roll from her older siblings.

"The Village is way cooler,” Annabeth retorted proudly. "Besides, you’ll never be famous enough to live that close to the park unless Greyson makes it big and you coerce him into letting you live there.”

"Good luck with that one,” Greyson added with a laugh as the girls launched into an argument about which parts of the city were really better to live in.

"You must come out to the house for family dinner soon,” Miranda said with a smile, pulling the attention away from them. "The city is exhausting, especially with you both running around at all hours after your shows get out. You need homecooked food and some quiet.”

"Some people like living in the city, Miranda,” Michael countered, chuckling as he looked at Greyson. "When is your lease up again, Grey? Are you staying in the building or looking somewhere new again?”

Miranda interjected, "There’s a wonderful little complex out by us-“

"That would be a ridiculous commute and not at all reasonable with work,” Greyson finished for her. They had had the debate plenty of times, but he was content living in the city and would be for a long time. New York was home, with all of its chaos and honking horns; leaving it anytime soon was out of the question. "You’re not supposed to be interrogating me – you seen me enough,” he laughed, giving Audrey’s shoulders a light squeeze.

The waitress was their saving grace, bringing out the food before Miranda could sign a lease for her stepson. The food smelled delicious and Greyson was reminded of how hungry he always was after the show. He filled his plate without question, ready to dig in and hopefully avoid further questions from his parents.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 1056!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

Audrey’s family had always been supportive of her dreams. They had been concerned of what might happen if she didn’t reach the bright lights of Broadway, and had encouraged the aspiring actress to have a back-up plan, a safety net to catch her in case she fell. Audrey had tried to run away from that idea at first, firmly believing that to think of a back-up plan would jinx her dreams, put some kind of curse on her attempt to make it to the top of that bill in the first place. As she got older though she began to understand that there was some importance to it though. An accident could steal her career from her, sickness could claim her voice, or eventually she could age out from those starring roles and she still didn’t know how she would feel about that day. A back-up plan, a second option was always needed when you worked in the arts and didn’t always know where the next year would take you. Audrey had never shared hers with anyone, still a little nervous that if she talked about it that she would jinx what was shaping up to be a promising life on Broadway. She had reassured her parents, produced a few certificates from online courses she had fitted in around quiet spells when she had been between roles and when her time on stage had been limited to smaller parts that took up less of her time.

She hoped there would be no need to put those skills to use any time soon. The certificates lived in a black, leather folder on the top shelf of her wardrobe and for the most part they remained forgotten. Her blue eyes never darted to them when she opened the doors, wondering what she’d wear each morning, or whenever she began digging around for a pair of shoes, or a lost pair of gloves she hadn’t needed since the last time it had snowed in the city. They were as forgotten as she wished some of her high school fashion choices could be – alas, there always seemed to be a camera around back then and Social Media was just in its prime, so Audrey didn’t think she could ever escape those terrible crop tops, jelly bracelets, and low rise jeans.

“The park isn’t that close, unfortunately.” Audrey admitted with a smile. “It was one of the older, smaller buildings and since it had no historic value that buyers and renters deemed interesting enough to fork out big money for they were trying to get people in there to compete with the high rises and penthouses surrounding the place.” She shrugged, running her finger around the rim of her glass, talking absentmindedly now. Audrey lived in Manhattan, but compared to most people who lived in Manhattan she might as well have lived in a back alley and a cardboard box. She was proud of her apartment, loved it to bits, but sometimes she felt a sense of embarrassment that people got the wrong idea about her apartment and thought it was some luxury pad like they saw in the movies or on TV. “It’s cosy, and sometimes in the winter the pipes groan like they’ve had enough of the city, but maintenance are fantastic if there’s a problem, and there’s a quality to the place that you just don’t see anywhere else. I love it there.” She realised she was still talking and cast her eyes around the table, a nervous laugh bubbling up from her stomach. “Sorry. Sometimes my internal monologue makes it outside my head.” She took a gulp of her drink to stop it from happening again and sank back into her seat.

She grinned at the exchange, enjoying Greyson’s family grilling him. It made her miss her own, and she resolved to call her parents in the morning before she had to run back to the theatre for another busy day. She might even try to squeeze in a chat with her sister before the evening performance. It wasn’t always easy to see them, and sometimes life could get away from them all between texts and calls, but Audrey knew that if she needed them they’d be in the car and driving to New York in a heartbeat. She curled into Greyson’s hold for a moment before the waitress appeared with the food, pulling away only because she really wanted to grab a slice of pizza. She took a bite, her stomach immediately thankful for something more than the fruity cocktail. “Dinner does sound wonderful though. I’d love to come with Greyson sometime. Though I’m not sure how I’d handle the quiet – I’m much too used to the noise of the city after all this time!” She admitted, knowing that without the background noises of the city she often struggled to relax, or drift off to sleep at night.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 828!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Growing up in such an exciting place, Greyson cringed every time someone brought up moving away from the bustle of New York. He’d lived in many parts of the city throughout his short life, each with their own personalities and quirks, so stepping out from that seemed like an impossible feat. He understood the reasons and respected the choice, but this was where he found his passion and he couldn’t imagine leaving that behind right now. The pulse of the city made him feel alive, from the crazy traffic to obnoxious tourists. It was brimming with artists and dreams that made almost anything feel possible, even when he was sitting exhausted on a fire escape after a long day of shows.

That being said, he loved going to visit his family on the outskirts of New York. Michael had once shared Greyson’s opinion of never leaving the city limits, but Miranda had coaxed him away pretty easily. Their house was a sanctuary for the busy dancer when even he felt the skyscrapers closing in around him. Having the ability to escape, even for a few hours, was a luxury he was more thankful for than he ever let on. He could be Greyson there, without having to worry about seeing old friends or colleagues out around the city. He could chase his sisters around the yard and debate the local wines with his stepmother; he could talk with his father about the latest political scandals and watch the old man’s eyes light up with excitement as they played chess together. It was it’s own kind of therapy, being able to go home for family dinner; it was made even more special by the fact that childhood Greyson would have killed to have these experiences 15 years ago. Family had looked much different back then, so it made the current situation all the sweeter.

Greyson dug into his food quickly, the grumbling from his stomach reminding him that it was far past the normal time he’d eat dinner. He hated eating too much before a show, especially when he was dancing, and paid dearly for it once he’d taken his final bows and his adrenaline started to fade away. The girls teased him for it as he ate but followed suit as they started listing their favorite pizza spots in the city, a conversation that Greyson gladly participated in as he’d been the one to take them to half of the places.

"Oh please come to dinner soon,” Miranda smiled as Michael slid some pizza onto her plate. She picked up her knife and fork continuing, "We’d love to have you and Grey out to the house, especially as the weather gets warmer. It’s the perfect escape from this place.”

Greyson turned back to the adult half of the table, catching the end of his stepmother’s words. "You’re just saying that because you miss Manhattan,” he teased, earning a smirk from his father and an eye role from Miranda. "The quiet is deafening, but it never stays that way for long with these two screaming in the house,” he added with a playful glare to his stepsisters.

"Did you grow up with a big family, Audrey? Grey and I were never the loud type so I’m afraid he’s making up for it now with these troublemakers,” Michael said with a small smile at the younger girls. He had never imagined having more kids after Greyson yet had happily stepped into the role of father figure for the two little ladies that had stolen his heart just as much as their mother. Bringing Greyson into the world, and into the states for that matter, had about done it for him and he’d never reconsidered it until he met Miranda. Now, their loud house full of laughter and drama was something he’d wished he could have given to his son back then, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud.

The smile on Greyson’s lips didn’t falter at his father’s question, but he was thankful he’d met a girl who brought laughter and loudness into his own life. Before Audrey, he’d always had a tendency to stay quiet and focused, pouring his heart into dancing and the career he continued to build. Now, he found himself dashing around the city to see her after shows and staying up late so they could spend more time together. When he was alone, he felt that silence deeper than ever before and it made reuniting with his girlfriend even more special every time.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 762!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[audrey juniper carver]

It wasn’t quite so easy for Audrey to go home. Even when she had been in college there had been jobs to work, classes to rehearse for, and scripts to study. She had missed a few celebrations for friends and family, having to apologise over video calls while she promised to make it up to them as soon as she could, usually once the semester was over and she could afford to take the few days out of the city to return to her hometown. There had been times when she had wanted nothing more than the comfort of the house she grew up in, her mother’s cooking, and her sister’s “I told you so”, but couldn’t have any of them. She supposed that was part of growing up, and never admitted to the homesickness that gnarled her insides. There were times even now when she felt it, but these days she could displace the feeling with an evening with Greyson. He made her feel better, even if all they did was eat after a show and then lazily curl up together until they passed out.

“There’s only me and my sister, Megan.” Audrey began, pausing to reach for her drink, a smile tugging at her lips as she thought of her sister. They could be alike in so many ways and at the same time Megan was nothing like Audrey. “Although we were probably as loud as a family of six. We drove each other crazy – still do, if it’s the holidays.” As much as Audrey loved her sister, there were times when the two of them clashed something ridiculous. When they were younger, they could blame hormones. As adults, they blamed alcohol. However, should Megan ever need her Audrey would be there in a heartbeat for her sister, and knew she would do the same for her. They caught up weekly with text messages and phone calls, even if they’d been screaming at each other the last time they’d been together in person. It was never serious, never meant to be taken to heart, but just…the way sisters were. Or so Audrey told any poor soul who had to witness it. She might even find herself giving Greyson that very speech one day.

Shaking her head, Audrey reached for another slice of pizza. “Honestly, my life was pretty boring before I came to New York.” She shrugged softly glancing at Grey and smiling. “I was just another theatre kid who likely gave her family a headache with all the singing and dancing on the bare floorboards in her room trying to perfect that tap routine.” She waved a hand at Greyson, cutting him off before he could speak. “Say nothing, I know I never managed it.” Her coordination was questionable while walking sometimes, but at least in character she found a balance she lacked as Audrey. Dancing took even more effort and although she could pull it off eventually, the more complicated pieces were best left to those who trained as extensively as her boyfriend. Audrey was best sticking to the big songs where she could showcase her vocal range and acting capabilities.

• • •

TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov
WORDS! 535!
LYRICS! Don’t Come Down - - - The Maine
NOTES! <3

[Greyson Wesley Drozdov]

Greyson knew he was lucky to have his people, career, and life in New York. So many others came alone to the city looking for their big break; whether that be finding love, chasing applause, or selling their artwork to survive. It was often a place full of homesick dreamers who didn’t mind living in shoebox-sized apartments if it meant they could change their address to a NYC zip code. His family and friend group may not have been large, especially compared to those he grew up with, but it was comforting to know that his world truly existed here in the city. He could meet his father and step-mother for dinner after a show, or run out to their place for a family dinner whenever he needed a little escape. He could escort his stepsisters into the city and treat them to giant pizza slices with a trip around Central Park to see the statues. The hardest part of seeing them was often finding time in a busy work schedule, but Greyson took great comfort in being able to have a taste of home without too much fuss.

He hoped he’d get to explore Audrey’s hometown someday and have her play tour guide for him. He wanted to meet her parents and sister and get the chance to experience the people that had helped shape her into the woman he loved today. Even though they lived in the same city now and had since college, Greyson loved being able to take Audrey to some of his old favorite haunts or tell her stories about places that held poignant memories for him. He hoped she could do the same one day, touring him through the places that held those same kinds of memories for her and opening even more of herself to him. He loved getting to know all of the little quirks and idiosyncrasies that made Audrey the hilarious, beautiful person that kept him smiling every day.

After growing up in a quiet apartment with just his father, Greyson had developed a tendency of gravitating towards people who could be loud and bring a bit of chaos into his life. He never minded listening to Audrey talk about her day or the things she was passionate about, just thankful to have someone there to ward off the loneliness that used to sink in around him. It was part of the reason he’d gotten two dogs, ensuring he’d always have something to come home to rather than an empty apartment. Now that often included the lovely woman at his side who brightened up every space he had the privilege of sharing with her and, while he’d never admit it aloud, he definitely missed her when they weren’t together.

He couldn’t help smiling as Audrey spoke up her move to New York, shaking his head and feigning offense as she cut him off. "I think you dance beautifully for someone who is often challenged by gravity and clumsiness,” he teased back, knowing how many times he’d personally had to employ quick reflexes to offer out a saving hand while they’d been walking through the city together. It was just another thing that made them laugh together, though he would admit that reuniting with her under the stars during a charming dance would forever be one of the most perfect moments of his life.

From the opposite end of the table, Annalise piped in "At least you didn’t fall tonight. That ending looks scary.” It earned her an eyeroll from Annabeth and a stern look from Miranda, who expertly redirected the conversation once again.

"Grey – when are you headed back to the Company? Not that I don’t love a good Broadway show, but I do miss the ballet already,” Miranda asked, sipping at her wine again while Annabeth whispered at her sister to shut up before their mother got mad. She was immensely proud of her stepson and secretly took pleasure in being able to brag to her fancy lawyer friends about his success.

Greyson ignored the girls with the skill of an older brother, giving his girlfriend a reassuring smile as they continued their meal. The sisters were used to being the favorites in his life, getting all of his attention when they were together. Especially with the large age gap between them, most of his time with them was spent spoiling with shows or engaging in whatever sibling banter and chaos they requested. This was the first time he had ever brought a romantic partner into the mix, and he was sincerely hoping their teenage pettiness didn’t drive her away. Answering his stepmother, he said, "Only a few shows left. I’ll be jumping back over to Lincoln Center in no time and you can enjoy all the classical music your heart desires.”

"We’ll do another dinner then? Audrey included, of course, to celebrate with us,” Michael said, more a statement than a question. Miranda gave him a surprised look, usually being the one to encourage family outings, but it quickly turned into a smile that she shared with Greyson. Michael wasn’t one to express lots of feelings, through words or actions, but that simple invitation was indication that he approved of Audrey.

"If she’s okay putting up with the entire brood of you again and isn’t busy doing scary Broadway things,” Greyson countered, his wide smile turning to Audrey at his side.

• • •

TAG: audrey juniper carver
WORDS: 908!
LOCATION: At the Theatre, Broadway
LYRICS: Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran
NOTES: <3 <3 <3