Page 16 of You. Me. Us.

Before they could engage in any more conversation, the first group of fans was ushered in, their excitement palpable. They lined up, clutching their photo op slips or cell phone confirmations, their eyes wide with anticipation. Julius, Ethan, and Rebecca fell into their well-practiced roles, posing for photos and engaging in brief exchanges with each fan.

The room buzzed with energy as the flashes of cameras illuminated their faces. Fans gushed over their favoritecharacters, sharing stories of how the films had touched their lives in the short sixty-seconds they spent in the photo area. Julius listened intently, his heart swelling with gratitude for the impact his work had on others.

As the minutes ticked by, the line of fans seemed endless. Julius, along with Ethan and Rebecca, moved through the motions, their smiles never faltering despite the growing fatigue. They posed for countless photos, each one a cherished memory for the fans who had waited so long to meet them.

In the fleeting moments between shots, Julius tried to catch Ethan’s eye, hoping for a chance to chat, but the constant flow of fans made it nearly impossible. He resigned himself to focusing on the task at hand, determined to give each fan the best possible experience.

The room was a whirlwind of activity, with staff members efficiently guiding fans through the process. The air hummed with the excited chatter of fans comparing their photos and gushing over the actors’ kindness and charm. Julius felt a sense of pride in being part of something that brought so much joy to so many people.

A woman in line with her head down and notebook out drew every iota of attention he had away from the fans walking toward him. Her brown hair was too short, but it hadn’t stopped his heart from speeding up for just a moment.

The woman was dressed as Lois Lane, iconic reporter from the Superman comics. Her fitted purple suit hugged her curves, the skirt ending just above her knees. A small fedora sat atop her head, a nod to the character’s classic look. She carried a small notebook and pen, ready to jot down any important detail. But she wasn’t the real reporter he had hoped found her way in here.

As she stepped up for her photo, Julius couldn’t help but be reminded of Hillary. The way she carried herself with a quiet confidence, the intensity in her eyes as she observed the worldaround her. It was as if Lois Lane herself had stepped out of the pages of a comic book and into the convention hall.

Julius posed with the woman, his arm draped casually over her shoulder after gesturing for approval, and they smiled for the camera. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine it was Hillary standing beside him, her warmth seeping into his skin, her scent enveloping him like a comforting embrace.

As the woman thanked him and moved on, Julius found himself lost in his thoughts once more. He pictured Hillary sitting across from him on the sofa, her pen scratching across the pages of her notebook as she interviewed him. He could almost hear the soft lilt of her voice, the way she carefully crafted each question to draw out the most interesting answers.

He imagined them walking through the convention hall together, Hillary’s eyes wide with wonder as she took in the colorful displays and intricate costumes.

She was under his skin in ways that shouldn’t be possible for someone so used to female attention.

“Julius, are you ready for the next group?” Ethan’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he nodded, pushing thoughts of Hillary to the back of his mind as he turned to greet the next cluster of excited fans. The show must go on, after all, even if his heart wasn’t entirely in it today.

“Hey, you okay?” Rebecca whispered between fans right after Ethan snapped at him, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “You seem a bit... distracted.”

Julius shook his head, trying to brush off her worry with a casual shrug. “It’s nothing, really. Just... just a woman on my mind, that’s all.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them, and guilt twisted in his gut. He shouldn’t be thinking about Hillary, not when he had a job to do and fans counting on him. But even ashe posed for the next photo, he couldn’t shake the image of her sparkling eyes and quick wit from his thoughts.

“A woman, huh?” Rebecca elbowed him playfully. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you caught up on a woman. What’s she like?”

“Focus you two,” Ethan hissed. “Do not remind these humans of why I am superior when you cannot focus.”

As if scripted, Julius fell into banter with Ethan as if they were elf and human, discussing the merits of war.

Julius grinned as he slipped into character, his posture straightening and his voice taking on a regal tone. “Ah, but you forget, dear human, that we elves have centuries of wisdom and experience to draw upon. Our methods may seem foreign to you, but they have served us well through countless battles and trials.”

Ethan scoffed, his eyes glinting with mischief as he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Wisdom and experience? What good are those when faced with the raw strength and determination of the human spirit? We may not have your fancy magic or eternal youth, but we have something far more valuable—the will to fight for what we believe in, no matter the odds.”

The fans watched with rapt attention, their cameras flashing as they captured every moment of the impromptu performance. Julius and Ethan circled each other, their movements fluid and graceful, as if they were engaged in an intricate dance.

“You speak of the human spirit as if it were some great virtue,” Julius countered, his lips curling into a smirk. “But what of the destruction and chaos that your kind leave in their wake? How many wars have been fought, how much blood spilled, in the name of your so-called determination?”

Ethan’s face grew serious, his voice dropping to a low, intense whisper. “And what of the elves’ isolation and indifference to the suffering of others? You hide away in yourenchanted forests, content to watch the world burn as long as your own lands remain untouched. At least we humans are willing to stand up and fight for what is right, even if it means sacrificing everything we hold dear.”

The room fell silent, the faux tension palpable as the two actors starred each other down. Then, as if on cue, they both broke into wide grins, the spell broken as they clasped hands and bowed to the cheering crowd.

“Well played, my friend,” Julius chuckled, patting Ethan on the back. “You almost had me convinced there for a moment.”

“What can I say? Only you think I’m second best,” Ethan winked, gesturing to Julius with a flourish.

Rebecca rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “If you two are quite finished with your little display, we have fans waiting for their photos.”

Julius and Ethan exchanged sheepish looks before turning back to the line of eager fans, their smiles bright and their energy renewed. As they posed for photo after photo, Julius couldn’t help but marvel at the magic of the moment—the way that a simple exchange of words could transport them all to another world, even if only for a few fleeting minutes.

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