Bright Star, Would I Were As Steadfast As Thou Art

by Tara-yomitorika

Nikola and Helen share a long and complicated history, almost as complicated as the feelings they have for each other. Goal is to get caught up to the present, no idea how long it's going to be. Enjoy!

1. Rosebud Beginnings

Bright Star, Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art

Chapter 1

Title: Rosebud Beginnings

Rating: K

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art —

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like Nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask Of snow upon the mountains and the moors —

No — yet still stedfast, still unchangeable, Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft swell and fall,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever — or else swoon to death

-John Keats-

It had been, all in all, a terrible day. Which is why, when an unexpected hand touched him on the shoulder as he was exiting the nearly empty classroom, Nikola Tesla replied in a manner quite unlike his disdainfully polite norm.

"Do you always feel welcome to take such liberties with people-" he started, turning around ferociously while simultaneously shrugging off the hand that had so offended him. He was stopped short of his biting retort as he met with bright blue eyes and beautifully curled blond hair instead of the scruffy student he was expecting.

"Do you always feel welcome to shout at people who are merely trying to catch your attention?" replied the woman, obviously not very put off by his less than pleasant attitude, "I did try speaking to you, but it appears your mind was occupied by other things."

Nikola couldn't help but feel slightly disarmed by her cheerful, yet witty manner. She didn't seem too put off by the less than polite greeting, but still wasn't afraid to show that it wasn't entirely acceptable either. He was jerked out of his contemplation by the sudden thrust of a hand towards him.

"I'm Helen Magnus." Nikola gazed directly into the blue eyes that so looked unapologetically back. He took the hand, bypassing the proffered shake and placing a gentle kiss on the knuckles.

"Nikola Tesla." A smirk spread over her face as he straightened.

"I know."