"I don't think I've ever been so excited about a library," Yang said while they approached the philosophy building.
Yang's words matched her tone and the hop in her step, reflecting her general joy that they were still spending time together or that they were still holding hands. Blake couldn't decide which it was - or if it was both - but felt every bit of Yang's outward excitement. She did her best to contain it, but that was hard when Yang squeezed her hand.
They were only holding hands, but it felt like something more than that. Blake didn't want to get too far ahead of herself, and she especially didn't want to assign feelings when Yang might not share them, but...they were holding hands, and she could levitate right off the ground from how nice it felt.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Blake asked for at least the seventh time since this idea sprang into being. "I mean, it's just a library…"
"Just a library?" Yang repeated before scoffing. "This isn't just a library, Blake. This is somewhere you spend a lot of time, and it's also where we first met - the second time."
Yang grinned at the irony of that statement while holding the door open, but Blake remained quiet and forced a small smile before walking inside. She understood why Yang brought it up, but each time served as a painful reminder that she still hadn't straightened out that unfortunate circumstance.
She had to tell Yang soon, but couldn't do it today. After what happened at the sorority fundraiser, with Mel auctioning off Yang's time without even asking permission, now wasn't the best time to add more potentially negative news. Plus, Blake needed to figure out what she wanted to say. Based on what she knew about Yang, it might be a difficult conversation...but it might also be fine.
"I didn't even know this library existed," Yang said as they headed upstairs together. "Had to ask directions when they told me they saw you here."
"That's why I like it so much - hardly anyone knows it's here."
"Like a secret hiding spot," Yang mused while they walked into the library, whose familiar stillness Blake found relaxing after such an untraditional morning. "But now I know where to find you," Yang whispered in Blake's ear, her nose brushing Blake's hair in a way that sent a shiver down Blake's spine.
Every little moment like that added to the growing desire rooted in Blake's chest. By this point, she knew she was very, very attracted to Yang. Now, if only she could communicate that in some way...and hope Yang felt even a fraction of it in return.
"Let's reserve a room," she suggested before her mind wandered too far. "That way we don't disturb anyone."
After getting Yang's nod of approval, she led them to the front desk, where a planner listed the rooms and times available for the day. Seeing as how the semester had just started, almost all of the rooms were empty.
"Wow, this place is quiet," Yang whispered while Blake wrote her name in one of the timeslots.
"It's a library." After giving Yang an amused look, Blake nodded towards their study room for the afternoon. "Libraries are supposed to be quiet."
"But some of them aren't!"
When Blake shut the door behind them, sealing them in a small room where they could speak in normal voices, she laughed and took one of the seats at the desk. "Let me guess - you study at the main library?"
"Uh, yes?" Grabbing a chair, Yang pulled it over so she could sit beside Blake. "That's where everyone always wants to study."
"Exactly."
Without elaborating, Blake watched realization dawn in Yang's eyes.
"Ok, you're right - again." Yang shook her head, but her eyes sparkled happily. Blake couldn't help feeling the same way - happy that they finally had this moment of peace together, where they could be each other's sole focus without interruption. How many people were fortunate to spend time with Yang like this, just one-on-one?
The thought hardly crossed Blake's mind before Yang's phone rang, reminding her that even though they were the only ones in the room, the outside world didn't stop. And, in the outside world, Yang was a highly sought-after commodity.
"Sorry." When Yang glanced at the screen, Blake expected her to answer. Instead, she silenced the call and set her phone face down on the desk. "He can leave a message," she told Blake before smiling. "So, now that we're here, what do we do?"
Now feeling exceptionally special, Blake managed a small scoff at the question.
"I thought you had a plan."
"I did. It was 'get Blake to the library.'"
"Well, you got me here." When Blake motioned at the library outside the window of their study room, Yang beamed.
"I did, and that's half the battle, right? Now I can ask you whatever I want."
"Hold on." Blake raised one hand, making Yang laugh and lean back in her chair. "I don't remember agreeing to that."
"You did when you walked into the room of questions, Blake."
When Yang spread her arms to reference the study room, Blake tried and failed to hide a smile. What was it about Yang's playfulness that made her so happy? Maybe what she loved most about it was that it felt genuine, like this was the real Yang. And Blake would do pretty much anything to see more of it.
"Fine," she agreed, pretending to be annoyed even though she wasn't even close. "What's your first question?"
"'First' question," Yang repeated before winking. "I like it - implies I get more than one."
Blake already knew she would answer as many questions as Yang wanted to ask - anything to extend their time together - so there was no use denying it. "We'll see how generous I feel," she hedged anyway, only to smile at the sound of Yang's laughter.
"I'm hoping for 'very generous," Yang replied before settling in and thinking. "Let's see...I guess I'll start with...what are you studying so hard for? Classes just started, but you're already in like...midterm form. You have a big project or something?"
Somehow, Yang picked the question pertaining to one of the most important aspects of Blake's life.
"Basically, I have a huge report due at the end of the semester." That was the shortest, simplest answer Blake could offer, and she glanced at Yang to see how interested she was in hearing more.
"I'm guessing it's important in more than a 'getting good grades' type of way?"
"It is." Again, Blake glanced at Yang, and Yang nodded for her to continue. "Ok, it's...actually a little embarrassing, I guess…"
"More embarrassing than a model who wants to be a pediatrician?" Yang asked, succeeding in making Blake laugh.
"That's not embarrassing."
"And I doubt this is either."
Yang smiled at the response, either knowing or feeling that she just trapped Blake in a philosophical corner. Still, Blake gave her a long, searching look before explaining.
"Ok, well...ever since I was little, I've wanted to change the world - solve inequality, combat racism, that type of thing." She paused to check Yang's reaction, but Yang motioned for her to keep talking. "I figured out a way to help - a company that drafts policies and does studies about the state of society -"
"Wait," Yang cut in. "Do you mean that big firm downtown? The...uh, The Peace Center?"
"Exactly." Blake smiled at Yang's familiarity with the company, which was yet another pleasant surprise. "But they only hire the best and the brightest, so getting a job there is extremely competitive. One of the best ways in is through an internship, which our sociology program offers every year to the person who graduates at the top of the class."
"Wow." For a second, Yang leaned back and looked like she didn't know what else to say. She just gave Blake a small, unwavering smile before nodding. "I see why you study so hard then. You know what you want to do, and you're working towards it."
"I'm trying," Blake replied, more willing to talk now that Yang was participating in the conversation. "I have the grades, now all I need to do is write a great capstone and cross my fingers."
"'Capstone?'"
"It's a really long research report. An in-depth analysis on any topic relating to people and how they operate."
"Oh." After drumming her fingers on the desk for a couple of seconds, Yang grinned. "What's your topic?"
It was only after Yang asked that Blake realized how thorny this subject could be. Yang would see the connection to herself, or she should if she was half as observant as she'd proven to be. So, rather than try the 'what a coincidence' route, Blake told the truth.
"It's actually inspired by you," she admitted, watching Yang's eyes to see how she took the news - which was positively.
"Yeah?" Yang sat up taller and beamed, not at all put off by the idea of featuring in someone else's project. That response was good enough for Blake, who felt relieved but also excited to discuss this with the person she wanted to know so much more about.
"Yes," she replied with a nod. "In a nutshell, it's about popularity." When Blake paused, realization flickered through Yang's eyes. "I want to explore centers of influence and how other people approach them. Basically, how does popularity work and who gains from it? Who decides how popular someone is, and does their popularity expand to the people in their social sphere?"
"You mean, can a popular person make other people more popular?"
"Exactly." Blake nodded at the on-point question before adding more - she couldn't seem to talk enough about this topic. "Along with so many other questions about how people use that social status in their own lives, or why they seek it out in the first place."
After nodding along with Blake's observations, Yang smiled and ran a hand through her hair.
"Well, I can kind of see how it relates to me." She chuckled at that, having clearly seen the obvious parallels but downplaying it for Blake's sake. "But it sounds really interesting. And I'm sure you'll do a great job on it."
"Thank you," Blake said while leaning back in her seat. Now that it was out in the open, she didn't know why she ever worried that Yang would be offended. Yang wasn't that type of person. She was the type to be supportive, no matter what. That trait made Blake's smile a little bigger, and her heart grow a little fonder of the girl sitting beside her.
"So...any idea how you'll approach it?"
Blake smiled at the look in Yang's eyes, finding Yang almost as excited about it as she was.
"I have to do more research on the psychology behind popularity," she answered, furrowing her brow while recalling the laundry list of work to do. "Right now, I'm thinking about it like a solar system where everything revolves around a center of influence." When she unwittingly nodded at Yang - the center of influence in closest proximity - Yang blushed.
"Are you saying I'm the sun?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"...does that mean I can say people are attracted to me?"
Suddenly, Blake found herself blushing too, but she couldn't deny the obvious.
"Of course you can," she answered quietly. For a moment, the two of them just looked at each other - their gazes locked in that magnetic way they were falling into more and more frequently. Blake loved Yang's eyes, which were open and expressive in ways that made her heart feel light and happy. Butterflies appeared in her chest, however, when Yang bit her bottom lip and looked more nervous than she ought to be.
"Does that mean you're attracted to me?"
The question was, in a single word, ridiculous. Everyone was attracted to Yang - that's why she was named one of the world's most attractive people. In that sense, of course Blake found her attractive.
But that wasn't Yang's question. From the hope in her eyes, she didn't want to know if Blake agreed with the rest of the world. She wanted to know if, after getting to know each other like they had over the past few days, Blake was attracted to her in a way that ran deeper than appearances.
Considering how Blake wanted to spend as much time as possible together, and how her heart yearned for Yang's smile, and her body craved Yang's presence, there was only one way she could answer.
"Yes, I am."
Her heart fluttered when delight sprang in Yang's eyes, but an unwelcome pinprick of worry appeared in the back of her mind. That admission led them further down this road, and she knew where it headed, but she hadn't yet been honest enough to deserve to be there.
"Yeah?" Yang scooted closer, quickly replacing Blake's worry with tingling anticipation. "I don't mind being the sun if it brings you closer to me."
Blake's heart threatened to beat right out of her chest right now, but she moved closer too - close enough that their legs brushed underneath the table. Neither of them shied away, and the way Yang looked at her right now - so intently, so openly wanting - increased her expectation and desire.
Yang leaned forward, her lips parted and her gaze traveling between Blake's eyes and her mouth, and Blake's anticipation spiked with longing. Then Yang's phone broke the silence in the room, jarring them out of that moment.
Leaning away with a sigh, Yang grabbed her phone off the desk and glanced at the screen.
"Sorry...I should just turn this thing off."
"If you need to answer it..." Blake offered, but Yang shook her head and turned it off.
"It's ok. It's not important right now."
Multiple calls in a short period of time seemed important, but Blake took Yang's word for it and let it go. It wasn't her place to determine which of Yang's calls were important anyway. The sudden silence between them, however, worried her. Because either the call was important, or Yang was freaking out about what nearly happened.
They almost kissed. Yang nearly kissed her. She nearly kissed Yang. If they hadn't been interrupted, that's what would have happened - she was almost certain of that. God...she really wished it had. What she wanted now more than ever before was to feel Yang's lips on hers…
When Yang slouched in her seat, however, Blake focused on what prompted the interruption. And, more importantly, Yang's reaction to it.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just...my agent," Yang explained quietly. "He's working on a huge deal with a really big company."
"Oh."
With that limited information, Blake didn't know what else to say. That sounded like an important phone call. From Yang's posture and demeanor, however, something about this made her unsettled or...unhappy.
Determined to offer an ear to listen, Blake turned towards Yang and, though hesitant at first, set her hand over Yang's. She didn't say anything - she just waited for Yang to talk if she wanted.
First, Yang looked at Blake's hand, then turned hers over so their palms touched and their fingers intertwined. If that was all she did, Blake would have been happy, but then she opened her mouth to speak.
"It's...a big deal. A lot of money, a lot of publicity, and he's pushing me to take it."
To Blake, that sounded like a good thing. That sounded like something people dreamed about.
"Sounds like a career starter, right?" she asked gently, knowing that Yang didn't feel the same about this 'dream' life as many expected.
"That's exactly it." Looking over, Yang gave what could only be described as a sad smile. "It's a career. It's a lot of work, a lot of pressure, and I can't do it and finish school."
This time, Blake sat back in her seat.
"Oh."
The idea of Yang leaving school early hurt more than Blake would have expected. They hadn't known each other very long, but her heart ached at the thought of not being able to see each other anymore. How would she feel if Yang actually left?
But this wasn't about her. This was about Yang's future happiness.
"Right," Yang continued, looking lost and unhappy while staring at their hands. "He said it'd be stupid to pass this up. He used nicer terms, but...that's what he meant. 'Imagine what you could do with that money - you'll be the brightest star of this era - no one would pass this opportunity up.'" After mimicking her agent's voice, she shook her head and sighed. "Maybe it is stupid to finish school..."
Unable to bear the melancholy filling the room, Blake reached over and gently brushed her fingers across Yang's cheek. The simple touch brought Yang's gaze snapping back to her, but Blake didn't move away.
"It's not stupid," she whispered, offering a smile while tucking a strand of hair behind Yang's ear. Yang subtly leaned into the touch, so Blake left her hand there, gently caressing Yang's cheek while waiting for her to speak more of her thoughts.
"I just…" Briefly giving up, Yang hung her head and sighed. "I feel crazy sometimes. The money's great, but there's so much pressure. Always watching the scale. Always have to look perfect. Then there's the environment...everyone smiles to your face but stabs you in the back. It's horrible. It's...really horrible."
Just like that, Blake adored Yang twice as much. And, as she set her hand on Yang's shoulder, she wished that the people using Yang for her popularity could see how much conflict she held inside. How much she tried to figure out what she wanted while everyone else told her what they wanted. If they could see what those expectations were doing to her...maybe they wouldn't push her so hard. Maybe they would give her the chance to choose her own path.
"What does your sister think?" Blake asked, recognizing that Ruby held a special place in Yang's heart and, hopefully, a less self-centered point-of-view. Before responding, Yang sighed and squeezed Blake's hand.
"She just wants me to be happy…"
"She's not the only one." Catching Yang's gaze, Blake smiled and sincerely hoped that Yang took her sister's advice to heart. She deserved to be happy, even if that meant giving up a life of glamor. "Choose what's right for you, Yang. Not what everyone else wants for you."
Even though Blake wasn't sure that her opinion mattered much, she had to voice it. She needed Yang to know that not everyone thought being a supermodel sounded like a dream come true. She needed Yang to know that choosing to be happy wasn't a bad decision.
When Yang shifted closer and let her gaze drop to Blake's lips, Blake cleared her throat and felt another blush creep onto her cheeks.
"Plus, graduation's only a few months away," she added while turning away, unable to resist the look in Yang's eyes any longer. "I'm sure you could still sign a good deal then, if that's what you want to do."
Blake hoped Yang didn't choose that path, but she stared into the library rather than come right out and say it. When a hand lightly brushed her cheek, however, she turned back and found herself lost in soft, grateful eyes.
"You know…" Yang whispered, letting her fingertips trail down Blake's jaw before dropping to the table. "You make me feel like I can do anything."
"I'm always willing to talk," Blake replied. Flattered couldn't begin to describe how that comment made Blake feel. Honored? Appreciated? Or maybe just...special.
And again, she found herself locked in Yang's gaze, wishing to cross that line and become more, but neither of them made the first move. Just when she thought that she should do it - that she should close the last few inches between their lips - a knock erased that bit of daring. Moving away from Yang, she turned towards the door as it opened and another student poked their head inside.
"Sorry to bother…" the younger boy said before motioning to the whiteboard. "Can I snag some pens?"
"Oh." After glancing at Yang, who smiled, Blake said, "Sure, we're not using them."
"Cool. Thanks!"
The boy quickly grabbed several of the whiteboard markers and left the room, but the moment had already passed. And, after checking the time, Blake realized that it had gotten late.
"We should probably get going…"
"Can I walk you home?" Yang immediately asked.
"I'd love the company," Blake replied, earning a smile as the two of them stood and left the library behind. Their time had been surprisingly insightful. Now, she felt closer to Yang than ever before. She also liked Yang more than ever before, which she wouldn't have thought possible after something as simple as a trip to the library.
"Thanks for humoring me today," Yang said as they walked outside. Her hand brushed against Blake's as they headed down the front steps, and their fingers seamlessly intertwined.
"I had a great time," Blake managed to say while her heart did all sorts of flips and jumps in her chest. Holding hands with Yang in public attracted even more attention than normal, but Blake didn't care. It felt so natural, and so exhilarating, she wouldn't stop.
She was positive her palm was sweating far more than usual, but, fortunately, Yang didn't seem to notice or care. Rather, she wore a small, content smile as they headed towards Blake's apartment.
"Next time I invite you somewhere, it won't be lame - promise."
"I wouldn't say either was lame," Blake said as they left campus behind. "But I'll look forward to whatever you come up with next."
"At least there was good food, right?"
Laughing at the common refrain, Blake motioned to the left so Yang followed her down the right street.
"There was good food."
"Did your roommate eat everything you brought home for him?"
"He did," Blake replied with another laugh and shake of her head. "Pretty sure it didn't last a day."
"He can eat, huh."
"He sure can." Thinking about Sun reminded Blake of the dumb question he'd asked her to ask Yang. Ordinarily, she wouldn't, but it was such an absurd question that she knew it would make Yang laugh. And she loved making Yang laugh.
"Oh, so, he wants to know if you'll make out with him."
After looking at Blake with wide eyes, Yang laughed in disbelief.
"Uh...no?"
"So you can say 'no,'" Blake teased, smiling when Yang laughed again.
"Hey, saying 'no' to an event is a little different from saying 'no' to hooking up with a stranger." After thinking about that for a second, Yang grinned. "Obviously, you're the exception, but you know what I mean."
Blake felt a twinge of guilt at the comment, but she played it off with a small smile.
"I understand. But he wanted me to ask."
"Fulfilling your friend duties?"
"Exactly."
"Well, my official answer is 'no, thank you.'" After a brief pause, Yang sent Blake a hesitant look. "But uh, would you even want me to make out with him?"
"No," she answered honestly, her heart fluttering at the implication. "I wouldn't." Yang's responding smile filled her with even more butterflies.
"I wouldn't want you to either," Yang replied as they resumed walking. "I mean, not that you were even asking, but - I just mean, I don't like the idea of you making out with anyone else."
Blake smiled at the adorable rambling, which probably gave away far more than Yang intended.
"Don't worry. That's not exactly something I do."
"Except with me, right? Because I'm special?"
Blake's guilt immediately returned, but she smiled, squeezed Yang's hand, and said, "You are."
The answer made Yang hum happily, but Blake turned away and tried to loosen the vice around her heart. Yang was special - that wasn't a lie. The issue was that Yang was referring to some imaginary spark that brought them together - a spark that Blake honestly felt now. But now wasn't the same as at some party at the beginning of the semester.
Fortunately for her burgeoning guilt, they'd finally reached her building.
"This is it." Stepping off to the side so they didn't block the entryway, Blake motioned at the tall apartment building behind her. Yang looked up at it with thoughtful eyes, as if commiting it to memory.
"So this is where you live."
"Yup. Right up there." When Blake pointed out the window, Yang looked even closer before nodding once.
"It looks nice."
"It does the job," Blake replied. "Thanks for walking me home."
"It's the least I could do after you kept me company all day, and went to the Kappa thing with me."
"It was fun." When Yang's brow rose, Blake corrected her response. "I mean, it was interesting. I don't know much about sororities, so I enjoyed learning more about them."
"Another silver lining, huh?"
"I'm full of them today," Blake replied with a smile. Unfortunately, it felt like their time together had finally reached an end. That made her more disappointed than she would like, but she couldn't monopolize Yang's time forever.
"So, uh…" Still holding Blake's hand, Yang inched closer and cleared her throat. "I'm not sure what my schedule's like, but maybe I can see you again? Sometime soon?"
"Of course." Blake also had schoolwork to do but had no problem making time for Yang. If anything, she couldn't wait for the opportunity to spend time together again. "You have my number," she pointed out, feeling like she needed to remind Yang so that she would actually text.
"Right. I do. So I'll just...message you."
"Seriously," Blake added with a small laugh. "You can message me anytime."
"Ok." Finally, Yang smiled and seemed to believe she wasn't imposing on Blake in some way. "Ok, then I will."
"Good."
Still amused that it was so difficult to get things through Yang's head sometimes, Blake smiled and waited for the inevitable 'goodbye.' When Yang inched closer though, forcing Blake to tilt her chin up to hold that gorgeous lilac gaze, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Picking up the sensation, Blake's breaths slowed in anticipation. Her skin tingled when Yang edged closer - close enough that Blake saw every speck of royal purple in her eyes and felt the subtle warmth radiating from her skin.
"I really love spending time with you," Yang whispered while lightly setting a hand on Blake's hip, sending a shiver down Blake's spine while her heart pounded in her ears.
"I love spending time with you too."
Suddenly, a car horn blared in the distance, drawing Yang's eyes away. Just like that, the moment flitted away, and Yang stepped back while a blush lit her cheeks and the tips of her ears.
"Uh, I'll see you later, then?"
Whiplashed by the change of events, Blake managed to nod and say, "Sure."
"Great." Glancing at the window of Blake's apartment one more time, Yang stuck out her hand. "Thanks for coming with me today."
For a second, Blake stared at Yang's outstretched hand and fought the urge to laugh. A second ago, it felt like they might kiss - now, Yang wanted a handshake.
"You're welcome."
When Blake shook Yang's hand, Yang looked both relieved and mortified.
"Uh, well, I hope you have a good afternoon!" she said before rushing away, leaving Blake standing outside her building with a perplexed and surprised smile.
When Yang jogged across the street, shaking her head all the while, Blake couldn't help but laugh at what just happened. Yang was so adorably sweet and awkward about those types of situations - no wonder she was so surprised that she made out with a stranger at a party.
Blake's smile faded at that thought, but she quickly pushed the underlying guilt away in favor of remembering the moment when they'd been so close to one another. Just a couple of inches and their lips would have touched. Again, it felt like Yang wanted to kiss her, and she wished it had happened.
Rather than dwell on that desire while standing on the front steps, she rushed upstairs and let herself into her apartment.
"Hey!" Sun greeted her from the kitchen.
"Hey Sun."
After setting her bag on the table, she glanced at the door and felt her heart do another somersault.
"What's with the smile?"
"What smile?"
"That one." He pointed at her lips and laughed when she swatted his hand away. "You had a great time with her, didn't you?"
"Shut up."
"You did! You totally did. You have that look on your face."
She had no idea what that 'look' was, but she imagined it looked like someone who just had a fantastic time with someone they had a very large and quickly growing crush on.
"Maybe I did."
"You've got it bad," he teased before jumping onto the sofa and patting the cushion beside him. "But you have to tell me about Kappa House!"
"Sun…"
"Please." When he clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, she sighed in pretend exasperation and sat down.
"Fine." Remembering the photo, she pulled out her phone and gave him a coy smile. "I have something for you."
"I knew being your friend would pay off!" he replied, practically buzzing with excitement at what he was about to see.
"Behold." After brandishing her phone with a flourish, she handed it over. "Kappa House."
While she and Yang took up the center of the photo, the background still showed the entryway in all its glory. Double staircases, chandelier, flowers everywhere.
"Damn."
"I know," she said while leaning towards him. "It was really fancy."
"No, I mean, damn, you two look great together."
"What?" Taking her phone back, she studied the picture more closely. "You think so?"
"Yeah! And you both look all, you know, happy."
The word filled Blake with butterflies. They did look happy while absconding from the event Yang hadn't wanted to go to. Turns out, it was a pretty good time. And then those moments in the library...
"You're totally dating now!" Sun added. "Right? You're dating?"
Thinking about the question, Blake looked at the screen and remembered what she felt in the library and again on the front steps today. Physical attraction wasn't an issue - for her at least. And Yang had made several comments claiming Blake was also beautiful, so she was reasonably confident that Yang was attracted to her too. And emotionally…she'd never met someone who made her feel the way Yang did. Even her capstone, which should be her sole focus at the moment, fell to second place whenever Yang entered her thoughts.
But how did Yang feel about her? Did she feel the same, or was this just a normal friendship to her?
"I...honestly don't know."
What Blake did know was that she loved every second they shared, and that this all-encompassing feeling in her heart grew with each passing moment. She had to tell Yang the truth before things got messy. But she was worried...what would Yang do once she knew? Could they go on like this, or would it ruin this budding...whatever this was...between them?
Just like the idea of Yang leaving school, Blake couldn't stand the thought of not seeing each other anymore, for any reason. She would tell the truth, eventually, but she needed to pick the right moment, and she needed the right words to say.
The perfect moment would appear eventually. Until then, she would look forward to whenever they saw each other next. And dwell on those almost-kisses...