Olek X Ling Yi - Tumblr Posts

There's just something about the way that Olek is so class-conscious when he first encounters Ling Yi.

He frees her from the box but then backs away, giving her space and deliberately not touching her. He sees that she's shivering and offers her his jacket ("it's dirty, but it's warm"), only taking one step closer with an outstretched arm. He glances at her out of curiosity and concern, but keeps lowering his gaze because he knows (despite the strange circumstances) this is a first-class passenger and he shouldn't be making direct eye contact with her.

Something shifts, though, when he tells her his name, and suddenly they're looking at each other the way that a first-class girl and a soot-covered boy from the engine room are not supposed to look at each other.

Even though he offers her his hand as they escape off the fog-covered deck, the knowledge of the divide between them is still there when they reach the open-air compartment. ("I know it's not first class," he acknowledges.) Olek's eyes are downcast again, only for him to grow a little bolder and lift his gaze up to her face. Still, he doesn't get any closer or try to touch her, not even when he returns with food and finds her on her knees, sobbing and struggling to breathe. His eyes are wide, searching hers, as he listens to her tearful words, but it's Ling Yi who steps closer in search of comfort, clutching at him, her arms circled around his back. There's such hesitancy in the way he touches her — he's not allowed to be holding her like this, is he? — but then comes the moment when he finally gives in and wraps his arms over her shoulders, pulling her into his (dirty, but warm) embrace while she cries.

1899 + couples who instantly connected (2/4): Olek & Ling Yi

nobody:

maciej musiał: now about olek and ling yi—

1899 + immediate connection/recognition