Okay, I'm starting to think this 100 stories by Valentine's Day thing might actually be doable. This is exciting.
I came up with this (and wrote it) while in my political econ class (yawn). The inspiration actually came from just ONE line from "This Is Your Life" by The Killers and it happens to be the title. The rest of the song has absolutely nothing to do with anything So yeah. Enjoy.
As always, I own nothing.
Addison's feet are constantly blistered. She wears heels that are too high for too long. As a child, she had always worn her shoes until they were tattered and worn—broken in, she would smile. But in reality she just hadn't wanted to admit that she had worn them for too long, that the toes were starting to pinch and she was getting blisters on her heels.
Actually, now that she thinks about it, she has carried that trait throughout her life. Take Derek, for example. Their relationship was a pair of shiny, new running shoes. At first slightly uncomfortable, but wonderful and exciting all the same. And once they were married, they were broken in—her favorite pair of shoes, worn and comfortable. Familiar. But, as usual, Addison had clung to them until she couldn't anymore because it just hurt too much. Even sleeping with Mark. That was just her trying to duct tape the sole back together. A temporary fix that backfired almost immediately. But still she hung on. She couldn't admit that maybe they had outgrown each other, that maybe the pain she felt wasn't just from all the walking that they had done, but because the shoes were just too damn small now.
And then Mark. That relationship was definitely a stiletto with an insane heel—sexy beyond belief, but never comfortable. There was too much baggage, too much pain to ever be comfortable. She loved Mark in the same way she loved her heels. They were her crutch—they made her feel sexy beyond belief. They gave her confidence. But at the end of the day, all she wants to do is go home, slip them off, and revel in the relief.
Addison bites her lip as she studies the body sleeping next to her. His face is almost boyish when he sleeps. It would freak her out if she were still worrying about the age thing. But after almost three months of sleeping next to him, she no longer cares. When he's awake, he proves that he's more than mature, that the baby face is just for show. Besides, when he's awake, the worry lines return. His face loses the boyishness and she can see the damage in his eyes. It puts them on the same level.
She hasn't decided what shoe Alex Karev is yet. She's gotten close though—narrowed it down to two possible choices. He's either her favorite pair of flip flops—casual and simple—or maybe her slippers—reassuring and warm. Either way, he's comfortable. But it's not just that he's comfortable. He's not comfortable in the way that Derek was at one time, in that running shoe sort of way. He's comfortable, but besides that, he makes her feel good about herself. Not sexy or important (though he makes her feel both of those things too, in a different sort of way than stilettos and Mark), but actually just plain, flat-out good about herself. It's more than she's felt in a very long time and she's glad. Because now that she's thinking about it, with Alex sleeping peacefully next to her, maybe, just maybe, her feet have stopped growing. Whatever pair of shoes he is, flip flops or slippers, no matter how old and tattered they may get, they will never give her blisters.
She smiles, wraps her arms around his waist, and kisses his shoulder. Then she closes her eyes and goes back to sleep, that same smile on her face. The perfect fit.
And as always, I'd love to hear thoughts! Hope you enjoyed it!
-Juli-