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He rubs his jaw, not looking at me as he answers – although this time he’s not really looking at Jake either, so I don’t take it personally for once. ‘I really don’tknow. I just got talking to a couple of people, some OWAR fans who wanted to grab a photo because of my cosplay, and then he just walks up out of nowhere … I guess there’s a green room or something nearby. Hecame up to us– to me. He said he remembered me from the Worlds Beyond con and had meant to say hi because he liked my costume, thought it was impressive. And then all these other people started gathering around and … I think I blacked out a bit.’

Then he looks at Jake, a disbelieving laugh on his lips, and he grabs Jake by the shoulders, too, both of them tangled up and foreheads close.

‘Brayden effing Brownknows who we are!’

I watch them both freak out, and I can’t pinpoint what exactly causes the shift, but this time Jake’s excitement isn’t infectious. It’s like someone dropped a curtain between us, and I’m on the sidelines watching it happen, not part of it anymore. It leaves me deflated, robbed of my own joy at Jake finally making a move to kiss me on the cheek, and howgoodour day together was.

My eyes shift from Jake, chattering breathlessly and a mile a minute to Max as he recounts every moment of his interaction with Brayden Brown and his shock at us finding Max in the middle of it all.

The culprit. The interloper.

The reason me and Jake have had so many almost-moments and near-kisses lately that have led to nothing at all. Becausehe’salways there.

Ihaveto find a way to get rid of him, before I lose my chance with Jake for good.

Private chat with @silversmithhh

@silversmithhh

CERYS!!!!

@mythicwitch

!!!???

@silversmithhh

Cannot believe I missed you at Comic Con Saturday I was on the lookout for your fab cosplay but didn’t see you anywhere!

@mythicwitch

Oh I didn’t end up wearing it! To be honest I chickened out … Cosplay is NOT my usual sort of thing lol, it felt too weird. But at least I have it ready if I ever change my mind for the next one! I’m sorry. Thanks for the help with ideas to pull the look together though x

@silversmithhh

That’s totally fair enough, everyone approaches fandom differently and shows their love for it in different ways too! You don’t need to apologize to me haha, I had fun helping you search for ideas! My own Adanna di Silver cosplay is very much armour-focused

@silversmithhh sent 1 photo

@mythicwitch

You look BADASS!

@mythicwitch

Wait

@mythicwitch

This might sound really weird but did you see that selfie Brayden Brown took? And the guy dressed up as the Moonwalker?

@silversmithhh

DID I SEE IT

@silversmithhh

Honey I was IN IT