xmutanthigh | [open threads] because julian's a social creature and crystal misses him.

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[open threads] because julian's a social creature and crystal misses him.

Characters: Julian and YOU.
Setting: The kitchen.
Content: Julian Keller is consistently a hot BAMF. Tonight is probably no exception.
Status: Open and incomplete.

[Julian's just coming through the sliding doors from outside. He's in a nice suit and tie, looking a little worse for wear. Yeah, he was playing Mr. Grown Up in the city, kicking ass and taking names. He didn't tell anyone he'd not be around at all today, in true Julian fashion. And he just got off the phone with another riveting and lovely conversation with his rather pissed off, pushy father.

So he's tired, rubbing one of his eyes with the heel of his hand and loosening his tie with the other, popping the top button of his shirt undone.

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[He's mid-swallow as she asks the question, dropping his eyes to the ground with quite the hefty exhale as he walks over to the island to sit. He doesn't want to get into it, not really. It would involve explaining a lot of shit, but he doesn't want to lie, either. He lifts his eyes to her.]

Remember that uh boring business shit with my dad? That's what the suit was for today.

Oh okay. [She remembers the "boring business shit" but she doesn't exactly know what he's talking about. Her gaze flicks downwards as she silently debates whether or not to ask him more about it. Talking about actual issues is still uncharted territory between the new them. She bites her lip, still mentally debating.]

[Well, he doesn't like that face. He doesn't want to be the reason she makes that face, the reason she looks so uncertain. He swallows a little, looks down himself. And then smiles a little sadly, peers back up to gesture to her with his head.]

C'mere.

[She's mentally kicking herself for being such an open book with this sort of stuff. The last thing she wants to do is make him feel pressured into telling her anything. But she takes those last few steps so she's right in front of him again and looking up at him with carefully school curiosity.] Yeah?

[He licks his lips a little, looks down at her hands before reaching to take one in his own. He can feel the warmth of her fingers even through the glove, and he let out his breath slowly, looking back up to her. This is what relationships are about, right? Maybe he doesn't have to hold everything so close. It won't kill him.] You can ask.

I uhhh... okay. [She's a bit thrown by his words. Not what she was expecting. Her teeth pull at her lower lip for a moment as she looks down at their entwined hands before looking back at him again.] What do you mean by business stuff?

[He holds her eyes for a moment, and maybe she can see the passing vulnerability in them before he looks down at their hands in much the same way she had, steeling himself before lifting his head again.] When my brother died... [He stops, pauses so soon. His eyes fall to the ground again and stay there for a quiet moment.] When he was alive, he owned a company. He took care of hotels in the city and along the east coast. [He smiles in anticipation of his next words, quite lamely. But he needs to inject some humor into this, enough to be able to look up at her again, which he does.] And I say this with the confidence you're not a gold-digger, sweetheart, but uh... They're mine now. Or they will be all mine once I graduate.

So... [He lets out a deep breath, his next words cut and dry, the look in his eyes heavy and guarded from the anger and weariness he feels.] Some asshole accountant has been stealing from me, the company, after James died. That's what I've been dealing with. That's what this is.

[Rogue listens as he explains, expression sober. Neither one of them are very good at this sharing business and she fully appreciates what him telling her means. She doesn't say anything for a moment as he finishes speaking, instead pulling her hand free from his and setting both their mugs aside. She wants to kiss him but a hug is the next best thing.] I'm sorry, sugah. [The words are murmured softly in his ear as she hugs him.]

[A hug's almost better. It's... nicer. Can last as long as they want it to, with no limitations. He closes his eyes as she presses against him, warm and comforting and solid. He can't remember the last time someone wrapped their arms around him like this. His face drops to her shoulder, and a moment later he lifts his arms to encircle her, his fingers curling a little against the fabric of her shirt. For the first time in awhile, he relaxes, just breathing her in, letting the moment stretch and last.]

[She's glad that he told her. It makes this start to really feel like more of a relationship than before. Sharing... that's a part of these things. Maybe one day, she'll find herself doing the same but for now, she's just glad he trusts her enough to tell her about this. None of this gets said though. There's just hugging.]

[And some more hugging. Maybe he should feel afraid of this, of her and how this feels, but he doesn't let it get to him, not right now. Not when everything is so incredibly peaceful that all he can decide to do is hold her a little tighter and closer. This does make this real. More real than it had been before. He smiles, turns his head towards her neck and blinks his eyes open, his voice soft and whispered and playful.]

So I think I like you a little.

I should hope so. [Her voice is equally hushed and playful as she pulls away just enough so she can look at him and grin a bit with amusement.] But only a little?

[He'll play along, his arms loosening from around her and pulling back, his hands holding onto her slim waist. A smirk finds his lips, but mostly his eyes are doing all the smiling.] Just a little, sweetheart.

[She sighs a bit theatrically. She can play along right back.] Well, I guess that I like you just a little too then, sugah.

That's a shame. [His smile pulls into a grin and he tugs at her waist a little.] Maybe I shouldn't ask you out someplace really nice this weekend.

What happened to you only liking me a little? [Her grin morphs into feigned innocence.] Do you take all the girls you only kinda like nice places?

Edited 2010-11-19 04:38 (UTC)

If it means I'd get laid. [He lifts a hand to gently tuck her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering in the soft locks.] But considering I've put those days behind me, maybe I'll reconsider how much I like you.

Edited 2010-11-19 04:45 (UTC)

I feel so special, sugah. [She raises an eyebrow at him with amusement. If it's a game they're playing, she's fairly sure he's going to end up winning.]

You are special. [He leans in, licking his lips as he raises a brow at her in mirrored amusement.] And you should let me take you out Saturday and show you just how special you are.

[She gives him a mock-wary look, tapping him lightly on the chest with one hand.] Will there be tricky metal chopsticks involved?

[He lets out a soft laugh at that.] Cross my heart, beautiful. I don't want you embarrassing me like that again.

[The tap turns into a light hit (Light by Rogue's standards, that is) and she glares at him.] Hey, I know how to use chopsticks! Those ones were just... tricky.

[He flinches a little at the hit, but he settles back towards her, his shoulders shaking a little with laughter.] Sure, sweetheart. I believe you. And I promise only forks on Saturday.

[She gives him an appraising look before smiling again, hand settling and flattening against his chest.] Okay. So Saturday then.

[His eyes fall to her smile for a moment, maybe linger a second too long on her lips. His smile lingers as he looks down and away from the temptation; he reaches to take a drink of his now lukewarm coffee.] I won't disappoint. Dress nice.

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[open threads] because julian's a social creature and crystal misses him.

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