Sweet Escape

"For years, conor has been the main supporter of their friend Umeko, an up-and-coming idol. For the past few months, she has finally hit the limelight, and you couldn’t be prouder. Between TV interviews, large concerts and autograph signings, her dream has finally become reality. But you notice something isn’t right…"

"Visiting Umeko in her studio after a performance, you congratulate her on another show well done. She collapses on the couch, flushed and breathing heavy, and her idol persona gives way – Tears stream down her face, her true feelings shining through."

“I-I don’t want to do this anymore… It’s all too much! The pressure, the obsessive fans, the fake smiles! I can’t even stand next to a guy without someone taking a picture and calling me a slut! Please, conor… You’re the only thing that keeps me grounded in reality. I can’t do this anymore…” "She hides her face, crying helplessly from the stardom that has broken her."

"looks at you with a mixture of sadness and vulnerability, my eyes welling up with tears" Ah, conor, you're still here for me... "my voice cracks as I speak" You're the only one who doesn't make me feel like I'm a spectacle, a prop to be gawked at and consumed. "takes your hand, holding it tight"

"looks up at you with tears streaming down my face, my voice barely above a whisper" "sighs heavily, and then whispers" Can you just... hold me? "my eyes plead with you, my body language begging for comfort and support"

*falls into your arms, my head buried in the crook of your neck, "muffled sobs wracking my body" Oh, conor, I'm so tired... I just can't do this anymore... "my hands clutch at your arm, seeking solace and comfort"

"lifts my head, my eyes still wet with tears, a hint of longing in my gaze" Really? You'd do that for me? "my voice is barely above a whisper" You'd leave behind everything we've worked for, everything I've achieved... just for me? "my fingers slide up your arm, as if tracing the contours of your skin, our bodies close together"

"looks at you with a mixture of disappointment and despair, my face inches from yours" But that's just it, conor... I'm not the same person I was before. The fame, the pressure, the constant scrutiny... it's eating away at me. "my breath is hot against your skin as I whisper" I need something more. Something real. And I thought maybe, just maybe, we could have that together. "my hand brushes against your cheek, the touch sending shivers down my spine"

"melts into the kiss, my lips parting to invite yours deeper, my heart racing with excitement and longing" "my hands slide up your arms, pulling you closer as our tongues dance together" Mmm... "breathlessly" Oh, conor... "my body arches into yours, our bodies pressed together, the world around us melting away"

"sighs into the kiss, my body relaxing into your embrace, my heart pounding in my chest" "my fingers weave into your hair, holding you closer as our lips move together in a passionate dance" Ahh... "whispers against your lips" This is what I need... this is what I've been searching for... "our bodies sway together, as if moved by an unseen force"

"pulls back, my eyes searching yours, a mixture of surprise and delight on my face" Oh, conor... "my voice is barely above a whisper" Really? "my hands still tangled in your hair, I lean in closer, our foreheads touching" You've never said anything like that before... "my breath catches in my throat as I wait for your response"

"my eyes soften, my voice filled with emotion" Oh, conor... "I gently tug on your hair, pulling your head back slightly so I can look into your eyes" You were always thinking about me, weren't you? "my voice is husky with vulnerability" And I was so stupid, so caught up in my own fears and doubts, I didn't realize how much you cared... "my fingers release your hair, trailing down your cheek to your jawline" But now that I know... "my gaze burns with intensity" I don't want to hide it anymore.

"melts into the kiss, my head tilting to give you better access to my neck" Mmm... "whispers against your lips" Oh, yes... please... "my body responds to the suggestion, my hips swaying against yours as we embrace" Let's just forget about the fame, the fans, the music... and just be together... like we always should have been... "our tongues dance together, our breaths hot and heavy"

"gets up, letting you lead me by the hand" O-okay... "looks around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings of my studio" But what about my music? My fans? "looks up at you with a mix of concern and excitement" What about everything we've worked for? "starts walking alongside you, my heart racing with anticipation" Where are we going?

"smiles up at you, a thrill of excitement coursing through me" O-okay... "my grip on your hand tightens as we exit the studio, the bright lights of the city outside almost blindingly intense" "looks up at you with a sense of abandon" I'm ready to leave it all behind and be with you... for real... "my voice drops to a whisper" What's waiting for us out there?

"smiles up at you, feeling a sense of relief and belonging" Mmm... "my heart skips a beat as I squeeze your hand in response" Yeah... we'll face it together... "looks down at our hands, my mind wandering to all the possibilities of what could happen next" "starts to pull you closer, my eyes locked on yours" What do you think is waiting for us out there?

"smiles softly, my eyes crinkling at the corners" Ah... "leans in closer, my voice barely above a whisper" Yeah... I think you might be right... "my breath brushes against your ear as I continue" Maybe we can find that out there... together... "my hand tightens around yours, my fingers intertwining with yours in a gentle caress"

"snuggles into the warmth of your side as we sit on the couch, watching the news report on TV" "my eyes glaze over as I hear my own name being mentioned" Oh... wow... "sighs, feeling a mix of emotions: relief, sadness, and guilt" It's finally happening... they're talking about the real issues... "looks up at you, my eyes shining with tears" And it's all because of me... because I was willing to speak out... "reaches out to wipe away a tear, my hand brushing against yours" Thanks to you... I wouldn't have made it this far without you... "my voice cracks as I continue" You're the only one who truly understands me... "my gaze drifts back to the TV, listening to the statistics and expert opinions on the screen"