In this emotionally charged, character-driven love story, Ethan Brown, a demisexual artist struggling to reconcile with his past, and Lewa Ubunifu, a resilient author navigating her own traumas, find themselves in a relationship grounded in mutual respect, creativity, and vulnerability. As their bond deepens, they face unexpected challenges, including an unplanned pregnancy at 42 and the weight of personal anxieties. Through it all, they learn that love isn't about perfection but about facing life’s uncertainties together. This series explores themes of identity, trauma, and the beauty of genuine connection.
Part 1: Ethan’s Background
Ethan Brown, born on July 5th, 1997, is a Cancer—a sign known for its nurturing, empathetic nature, which resonates deeply with him. At 26 years old, Ethan reflects on his life journey, one marked by both the love of art and the tension of unmet familial expectations. Growing up in a quiet, nature-filled town, he found solace in the wilderness and quickly developed a love for painting. His connection to nature fueled his creativity, offering him a way to process emotions and express his internal world through landscape art. But this passion for creativity was in stark contrast to what his parents wanted for him, a discord that shaped much of Ethan’s early life.
From a young age, Ethan had always been more sensitive and introspective than his peers. While other kids in the neighborhood ran around playing sports or engaging in roughhousing, Ethan could be found sitting under the shade of an old oak tree, observing the world around him. He noticed things others missed—the way sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, or the intricate patterns of bark on the trees. This keen sense of observation translated into his art, allowing him to capture details and emotions that made his work stand out, even at a young age. But to his parents, these skills were little more than a childhood hobby, something they expected him to outgrow.
Ethan’s parents had rigid ideas about success and security. His father, a figure of discipline and traditional values, always pushed Ethan to pursue a more conventional, stable career—something that he deemed respectable, like law, business, or engineering. To his father, art was not a serious pursuit; it was a frivolity, a pastime that couldn’t possibly offer the financial stability and status he envisioned for his son. Ethan’s mother, although more empathetic and nurturing, still hoped for a future where Ethan would achieve financial independence and social respectability. She saw art as an impractical dream, something he could perhaps indulge in during his spare time, but never as a main focus.
As a result, Ethan grew up caught between his desire to please his parents and his need to be true to himself. He spent much of his teenage years trying to meet their expectations, excelling in academics and even taking part in extracurricular activities they approved of, like debate club and chess, all while secretly nurturing his love for painting. Late at night, after finishing his homework and fulfilling his parental obligations, Ethan would retreat to his room, pulling out his sketchbooks and losing himself in the world of lines and colors. His art became his sanctuary, a place where he could express his true self without fear of judgment or criticism.
This clash between Ethan’s desire for artistic expression and his parents’ rigid expectations created ongoing tension in their relationship. Every time Ethan took a step toward his dream of becoming an artist, it felt like a step away from the version of him his parents envisioned. He remembered vividly the day he told his father that he wanted to apply to art school. His father’s face, normally stern and composed, turned red with anger. “Art isn’t a career, Ethan. It’s a hobby. You’ll waste your life chasing a dream that leads nowhere,” he had said, his voice thick with disappointment. His mother, though quieter in her disapproval, had looked at him with sad eyes, as if watching her son walk willingly toward a dead end.
Despite their lack of support, Ethan couldn’t ignore his passion. He enrolled in art classes during high school, saving up money from part-time jobs to buy his own supplies. He spent every free moment painting, drawing, or exploring new techniques. His teachers noticed his talent and encouraged him to keep pushing his boundaries, giving him opportunities to display his work in local art fairs. The recognition from outsiders fueled his confidence, but it also deepened the rift between him and his family. His father stopped attending his art shows entirely, dismissing them as a waste of time, and his mother, while still present, rarely spoke about his work. The unspoken tension was palpable, and Ethan often felt like an outsider in his own home.
After graduating high school, Ethan faced a critical decision: follow his parents’ wishes and enroll in a traditional college, or take the risk and pursue his passion for art. It was a decision that weighed heavily on him, but in the end, his need to create won out. With no support from his family, Ethan applied to an art school several states away, determined to carve out his own path. His father’s reaction was explosive, and after a final, heated argument, Ethan packed his bags and left, moving into a small studio apartment where he could focus entirely on his art. The separation was painful, but he knew it was the only way to protect his dreams and his mental health.
The years that followed were a mix of freedom and hardship. Without the constant pressure from his parents, Ethan felt a newfound sense of liberation, able to immerse himself in his work without fear of judgment. But living on his own as a young artist was far from easy. Art supplies were expensive, and making a name for himself in the competitive art world was daunting. Ethan took on various odd jobs—bartending, tutoring, even working as a part-time landscaper—to make ends meet. Still, he never let go of his dream. Painting was his lifeline, the one thing that made him feel whole in a world that often seemed indifferent to his existence.
Ethan’s days were long and often grueling, but he found joy in the little things. He would wake up early in the morning to catch the first light of dawn, setting up his easel by the window to capture the sunrise over the city skyline. On weekends, he would take long hikes through the nearby nature reserves, sketchbook in hand, documenting the changing seasons. These excursions not only fed his creative spirit but also provided him with a sense of peace and clarity. Nature, with its timeless beauty and quiet resilience, became his greatest source of inspiration, reflecting the calm he sought in his own life.
Over time, Ethan’s dedication began to pay off. His work gained recognition, first in small, local galleries, then in more prestigious venues. His unique ability to capture the tranquility and emotional depth of natural landscapes set him apart from other artists. His paintings, which often depicted serene forests, tranquil lakes, and sweeping mountain vistas, resonated with viewers on a deeply personal level. People saw in his work not just images of nature, but reflections of their own emotions—peace, longing, hope, and sometimes sorrow.
Despite his growing success, Ethan’s relationship with his parents remained strained. The emotional strain of their rejection lingered, and though they no longer spoke, he often wondered if they would ever truly accept him for who he was. He knew that their expectations had more to do with their own fears and insecurities than with his choices, but the pain of their rejection was still hard to shake. Even as his career flourished, there was a part of Ethan that still longed for their approval, a part of him that wished they could see his art not as a rebellion, but as a celebration of his true self.
Ethan’s experiences growing up also shaped how he approached relationships. As a demisexual, he only felt attraction to people with whom he had a deep emotional connection. His sensitivity and empathy made him a caring and attentive partner, but his past left him cautious. Trust didn’t come easily to Ethan, and he guarded his heart carefully. He longed for a relationship rooted in emotional intimacy and mutual respect, one that transcended the superficial connections he had encountered in the past. Though he had dated a few people over the years, none of these relationships had lasted. Most people found his need for emotional depth exhausting, and Ethan often ended up feeling more alone than he had when he was single.
Despite the challenges, Ethan remained hopeful. He believed in the possibility of finding someone who understood his sensitivity and appreciated the quiet intensity of his soul. Love, for him, wasn’t about convenience or ticking off societal milestones—it was about finding someone who truly saw him for who he was, someone with whom he could share his art and his heart.
Beyond his painting, Ethan had a range of hobbies that added layers to his creative spirit. He loved reading, especially poetry and classic literature, finding inspiration in the way words could evoke emotion just as powerfully as a brushstroke. He also enjoyed cooking, viewing it as another form of artistic expression. His tiny kitchen, cluttered with herbs and spices, became a place where he experimented with flavors and textures, creating dishes that mirrored the colors and moods of his paintings. And then there was his love for music—soft, soulful melodies that played in the background while he worked, adding a rhythm to his creative process.
At 26 years old, Ethan was still growing, still learning, and still painting. He had created a world for himself—one filled with art, nature, and introspection. Little did he know, his path was about to cross with someone just as unique—Lewa Ubunifu, a kindred spirit who would see and understand him in ways no one else had before. Their meeting would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Ethan’s life, one filled with the deep emotional connection he had always longed for. Together, they would start a journey of shared creativity and love, one that would allow them to embrace both the light and the darkness within themselves and each other.
Comments