I had a weak stomach as a child. Rollercoasters, waterslides, airplanes, road trips, even sometimes swings could be felt within the pit of my stomach in the worst way. As I grew older, airplane and car sickness were first to go. Rollercoasters and waterslides, I discovered at the age of 21 whilst being forced against my will by my nine year old niece, became manageable. Train rides however, which used to be of issue, had done a complete 180 from childhood. Quite literally. Riding backwards on the train used to unthought of. I never even considered taking the backwards seat until I was forced to one day among the peak hours of train riding, and ever since decided it was my favourite seat. By the window, of course, watching the place you'd just been disappear into the horizon until completely out of sight.
I had my over the ear headphones on, engulfing me in the falsetto of Bon Iver while simultaneously making me look like the oldest lady in existence at the age of 30. The fields of England were covered in snow as it was mid-December, and the corners of the train window were woven in intricate patterns of frost. I was tracing them with my index finger on the cold glass when I noticed a shadow approach from behind me. Turning my head I was met with one of today's fellow train riders a few paces away, a polite and slightly awkward smile etched among freckles. He waited patiently, eyes flitting across my movements as I lowered my headphones to rest around my neck and turned the volume down.
"Hi, terribly sorry- I was wondering if you could move your backpack? You see, all the other forward facing seats have been taken and my stomach, well, I'll, um, spare you the details but riding the train backwards doesn't fit too well with my lunch, if you know what I mean." he asked, blinking in succession with a slight redness creeping from his neck upwards, scratching an itch on the back of his neck. I nodded eagerly, returning the polite smile he offered me, and moved my backpack from the red plush seat to lean it on the ground against my seat.
"I can't believe I've become one of those jerks who take up seats with their backpacks. I'm so sorry. Don't worry, by the way - I get nauseous riding backwards too." I replied quickly, flustered by the way the hazel in his eyes turned so seamlessly into a kaleidoscope of blue and green. The stranger sat slowly, looking at me apprehensively. My eyes widened quickly. "Used to!" I exclaimed, "Used to get nauseous riding backwards, not anymore. Don't look so scared." I continued with a grin. The stranger, of whom I had come to the conclusion was decidedly attractive, and of whom I had already been an idiot in the presence of, relaxed and chuckled in relief.
"That's excellent news, really. My dad used to tease me endlessly about it, saying a man of 34 should be able to ride the train backwards and whatnot, but..." he trailed off with another nervous laugh and a fit of hand gesture, and I returned the laugh with the hint of a grimace.
"Well, I mean, I haven't gotten nauseous riding backwards on the train since I was 19, but..." I said to tease him. He laughed and shook his head.
"Alright, alright, I see. I thought you would understand, but I see now." he chuckled.
"I'm kidding - well, I did stop at 19, but I do understand. Don't worry." I laughed, making what my shy self deemed a big move by taking my headphones fully off, wrapping them up and tucking them in my bag, fully committing myself to conversation. "You are Eddie Redmayne, right? I'm not losing my marbles?" I said after a pause. Eddie glanced out the window and gave a nod that included his whole upper body, almost like a bow.
"I am. Also - the use of the expression losing your marbles? Another thing my dad teases me about, might I add." he said with the hint of a grin. I let out a laugh, causing the grin to widen.
"It is a bit of an old person expression, isn't it." I noted. "Worthy of teasing, really, but I'll use it anyway." Eddie seemed to relax in the knowledge that I had no intentions of fawning over the celebrity seated across from me, though I'd admit it wasn't an everyday thing. He had an Oscar, probably sitting proudly on a mantle among a trillion other awards. That wasn't something many people could say. (On our sixth date in his London flat, I'd discover that wasn't how Eddie did things. His awards were in his basement, save the Oscar that went on top of the piano along with a fresh bouquet of flowers and a framed photo of his parents. Of course Eddie wasn't the type to show off, even when merited.)
"I never asked your name." he stated afterwards. I smiled as I looked across to the neighbourhood that would eventually grow to be London as we kept going.
"You never did." I agreed, looking back at him. Eddie's wide lips broke into another grin as he rose his eyebrows.
"Well, won't you tell me?" he asked.
"We're almost at the station." I noted instead, but his eyes didn't waver from mine.
"I'm getting off at the next one." he said. I held his gaze for a moment longer before letting myself smile.
I found a scrap piece of paper shuffling through my bag, but was unable to find a pen as I kept rummaging. Eddie materialized one from his over the shoulder bag and offered it to me with what seemed to be a smirk. I returned the look and accepted the pen, using the shaky train window as a desk while I wrote out my name and 10 digit number, handing it to him before getting out from my seat and hoisting my backpack over my shoulder. The train came to a halt, and among a large flow of Londoners, I left the train with only a grin over the shoulder to Eddie.
Out on the platform as I followed the current, my phone buzzed. Pulling it out, I saw I got a text from an unknown number, immediately knowing who it was. I stopped my path and looked back towards the train to find Eddie. He met my eye with a grin.
I have to see you again, or I'll lose my marbles.
I'm on the verge of 10K. What the heck. xoxooxoxo
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kisses and freckles (eddie redmayne oneshots)
Fanfictioni love eddie redmayne (a lot)
