|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 7:28 pm
It was so nice to have both Brooklyn and Julian over. Talia wanted it to be a good day, and was working on baking some muffins…that…
Well. She was trying to bake some muffins. Honestly? It wasn’t working out like she’d hoped and she stared broodingly and the muffin tin with sad, deflated little caved in…
Well they weren’t rocks...but they weren’t soft either. She had no idea how or where she had gone wrong, and poked one of the things with her finger, then drew it back quickly, sticking it into her mouth. “Ow.”
The sound of footsteps behind her made her turn around and she tried to removed her confused and slightly worried expression when she saw that it was Julian, and honestly, the smile that lit her face did a very good job of chasing away the exasperation from the…well. The lumps that were supposed to be muffins.
“Julian! Hey! I know I said I was going to be out soon with snacks but uh…I’m having a bit of a muffin malfunction…”
Talia paused and frowned slightly. “...Are you okay? You look…a little…off color?”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 11:57 am
Julian was cradling the broken glass in his hands, careful not to cut himself or damage them further. It wasn’t like the cup could be saved but he still treated the broken pieces with respect and reverence.
“Oh, um. That’s okay, thank you. They smell good. But–I’m sorry. Yeah,” he mumbled. It was a bit of a struggle to speak loudly enough to be heard so he had to clear his throat to try and take a different approach. He couldn’t look up. He didn’t offer the glass but held it safely.
“I dropped the glass outside. I’m really sorry. I tried to clean it up some.”
He’d left his drenched sweater outside. The butterflies in his stomach felt more like birds, scratching and pecking and desperate to get out.
“I got all the glass but I don’t think it can be fixed…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 7:27 pm
“Are you okay?” Talia took a step towards Julian, concern on her face and in her voice, brows furrowing. “You didn’t get cut did you? Did you or Brooklyn step on it?” Her mind was already jumping to the worst case scenarios and she looked towards the stove, grabbing the hand towel from on the handle. “Here, let’s wrap it up in this, so that whoever picks up the trash doesn’t get a nasty surprise. If you haven’t gotten cut I don’t want it to happen in the future to someone else because I was careless…”
She held open the towel, hoping that he would transfer the broken glass to it, and then glanced at the trash can, taking a moment to knock the lid off of it so they would have an easier time.
“Be careful, honey.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 7:54 pm
“No, I’m okay,” he promised. “I was careful, I know how to clean up glass. I took my time. And I made sure Maxim didn’t get into it, either. There might be glass in my sweater but it’s really wet, I didn’t look. I’m really sorry.”
He wasn’t worried about the sweater, either. He could just let it dry and shake it out and do laundry. He liked having big sweaters, but it was summer. It wasn’t like he needed it right now, anyway.
Julian carefully moved the glass into the towel like she wanted but he still looked worn and miserable.
She didn't seem upset but he really didn’t think she would have been. He was still waiting for the disappointment. Talia didn’t need to take it upon herself–to blame herself–if he got cut for being reckless. He didn’t have the energy to insist that, though. He was old enough to know how to be careful, it wasn’t like he was–
A baby.
He sighed, but he’d already deflated so much that there wasn’t much left to take out of him.
On the plus side, he was too exhausted to be shy about it. He’d promised Brooklyn he’d talk to Talia. He put a little more effort into speaking clearly instead of just mumbling like before. “Brooklyn wanted me to ask to stay with you.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 7:57 pm
Talia carefully tied up the kitchen towel around the shards of glass and put all of it into the garbage can, wincing at the sound that the bundle made when it fell in.“You can stay with me any time, Julian, you know that. My home is always open to you…and if you didn’t know that, you do now. And as for your sweater, bring it to me after this and we’ll make sure it gets completely free of glass and I’ll toss it in the wash, I’d rather know that it’s safe before getting it back to you, if that’s all right.
She looked up and gave a smile, the worry from the thought of the two of them getting hurt causing a small crease between her brows, but the expression in her eyes was warm and welcoming.
“You want to stay tonight? Is she staying too? Oh! We should have a party!” Honestly, for her as much as for them. A sleepover sounded like so much fun and she was already planning what they should watch. “I haven’t had a good slumber party in…”
Well. Honestly not since she could remember.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:00 pm
Julian was quiet and thought the glass clinking in the trash sounded very similar to how he felt right now.
“No, not like that. You can say no, though. I’m supposed to ask if I can stay with you. Permanently. Legally.”
He was still looking at the trash can, because that was much easier than watching Talia. He knew he’d just stress about every little microexpression or the slightest change on her face. He was trying to stay distracted so he could avoid processing any of his emotions or think about any of this. Brooklyn had been so mad at him for just shoving his thoughts and emotions down but he didn’t know what else to do. His face felt hot when he thought of what she’d said, and how she said it. He was trying to ignore the echo of her words even now. He didn’t want Talia to reject him, especially after he’d just made a mess and broken her dish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:02 pm
Talia’s head whipped around to look at Julian, and she stared at him for a moment, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. “...Wait…really? You…you want that?” Her mind was going through his words and she paused. “Wait…Julian, honey…what do you mean you’re supposed to ask?”
She moved slowly, drawing one of the kitchen chairs out and gesturing him to sit down, and pulling a chair out for herself, sinking into it.
“...Are you all right? Can I get you some water? You’re looking…”
He was looking stressed, and Talia kicked herself for not noticing it before now. “You’re looking a little pale, Jules…Did something happen? What’s going on, sweetheart?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:03 pm
Julian quietly sank into a chair. “I’m okay. I’m just tired,” he said, which was at least a half truth. He’d promised Brooklyn he’d be more honest. He could imagine her with her ear pressed against the door, listening to make sure he wasn’t going back on his word.
“Brooklyn and I were talking, that’s all. I said I would ask you.” He rubbed at his face and tried to fix his hair so he looked less pale, or whatever Talia thought she saw in him right now.
“It was just really important to her. But like I said, you can say no. I have a place to go back to, it’s not bad or anything. And I’m at Hlilworth for the rest of the summer anyway.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:04 pm
“Emotional breakdowns will do that to you.” Talia sighed, thinking about the stupid things that would set her off when she was still working to find herself again. “I would love to have you stay with me…may I ask, what is your situation? I’ll have to work with Soleiyu to get the like…finer points transferred, and you won’t have to stay at Hillworth if you don’t want to for the summer, but if that’s your choice, that is perfectly fine! Sol would be able to get you into a new school for next year too, if you would like.”
She was already planning, excited to see where this would go…and excited to shower Julian in affection. He deserved it. So very much did he deserve it.
“We’ll have to go shopping and get your room the way you like it…oh Julian…I’m…really excited that you trust me for this…”
She could see that he wasn’t…himself, and refrained from hugging him and showering him with the blatant affection that she wanted, but her smile and eyes were warm and very welcoming.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:08 pm
Emotional breakdown? No, he hadn’t said that. He didn’t correct her. Maybe he wasn’t speaking clearly. He had been mumbling, after all.
“I don’t mind Hillworth. Whatever’s easiest. I don’t want to make trouble for anyone.”
He didn’t want anyone to work hard on his behalf, especially when he really was content with most things as they were now. Talia was already daydreaming about so much but Julian didn’t want to tell her that all of that was already making him feel a little dizzy. It just seemed like so much! How did she have the energy to dream or plan for any of it?
Julian might not have had a lot but neither was he very materialistic. He didn’t need things to be happy.
He hooked his ankles together and twiddled his thumbs a little bit. It was easy to nod along with Talia, she was so energetic and eager.
“It’s not much of a situation. It’s not as dramatic as that sounds. I just. I’m staying in a group home right now.” It felt like ripping off a bandaid. It didn’t feel good to say. He didn’t look up. “It’s just supposed to be until my parents can take me back. But it’s just been taking a while.”
It really upset Brooklyn. She was probably just worried about him. Her experiences must have been bad. His didn’t seem memorable.
But then, Julian was particularly skilled at sweeping things like that under the rug so he didn’t have to deal with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 8:14 pm
“Well, having a temporary home is better than staying in a group home, at least I think so, and I hope that you will too…I would love to have you stay here.” If it was only until he went back to his own family, that was fine. He was still important to her, and so long as he knew he had a home here, that was really all that mattered. “Hillworth isn’t the best school, and It’s not any trouble to get you into Meadowview or Azure, even. I’m sure we could work that out. Soleiyu is very good at what he does.”
It was the truth…and she was proud of him. Always. But.
“I’ll make sure to take care of you, Julian. You know that…but…for now, do you want to go and lay down or something? You’re looking very tired and just…forgive me for saying, but you look kind of wrung out…if you want some time and space alone to just relax, you can head down to my room and do that…we can talk after you’ve had some time?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 6:26 am
“Um,” he considered it for a moment and then shook his head. “No, I shouldn’t. If I go to sleep, I don’t know if I’ll wake up in time to get back to school. I know you said all of that stuff, but I still…I don’t want to get in trouble. I’d rather follow the rules until everything is sorted. Please. If that’s okay.”
He sighed and then pushed himself up so he could go wash his hands.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be dramatic. I think I thought about too much already today and now nothing else is sticking.”
What she said made sense, he just felt like a glass that was already full and overflowing.
“And–I want to make sure, um, that I’m not intruding. I know you have other people in the house. And it’s okay if they say no,” he said, because even if he believed in Talia to make something happen, he still couldn’t help but prepare himself for the worst. “I don’t want anyone to be put on the spot. I’d understand.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 12:08 pm
“That’s all right.” Talia moved aside so that he could get to the sink and hesitated, trying to figure out what was best to say. She wanted to help, but sometimes Julian…shut down and she wasn’t sure how to break past the shells he put up. Talia didn’t mind, and she never wanted to push. She simply wanted Julian to know that she was always on his side, no matter what.
“I’m sure it will be all right with everyone, I would love to have you here. Very much. You’re…” She gave a small smile and looked away. “You’re really important to me. And you being around always makes my days brighter. I’m so glad that we got to meet and become friends and if I can do more for you. Anything more for you, I will. With no hesitation. You are a light. Julian. I know you don’t…I know that it’s hard to see yourself as anything. I have that problem too, but I’ve started to open myself enough to believe when others say good things…so I hope that you’ll believe me when I say you are a bright light, and I’m so happy to have you in my life.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 2:29 pm
Talia had a lot to say about it and he heard quite a bit about lights and at first he blankly looked up as if he expected something to be wrong with the ceiling light. It was fine. It took a few seconds longer for her comments to actually sink in. “Thank you,” he said. He tried not to sound unenthusiastic, he was just too tired to get flustered or doubt her words.
He knew she meant them, he just didn’t know what he was supposed to do about it.
Get worried that he’d disappoint her, probably. Living in close proximity meant she’d be more aware of all of his flaws. He’d have a harder time hiding his imperfections. He was going to make mistakes.
He just hoped it didn’t make her hate him.
“I’d feel better if I knew, though. I mean–if everyone else had time to weigh in. I’m safe at Hillworth, it’s not like anything is going to change in the next few days. But…if you, and everyone else, if you’re all serious about me coming to stay…Then I can pack up. I don’t have a whole lot so I won’t take up much space. And I’ll try to stay out of the way. And not break more glasses.”
She already did so much for him. He was grateful beyond measure. He hated to have to ask more of her, but–
She really made it sound like she didn’t mind. He wanted to believe that.
He was just too tired right now.
Maybe he’d think a little clearer after a nap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2024 3:39 pm
Talia nodded and gave a soft almost laugh before moving back to her baking poking her finger into one of the ruined muffins again and trying to figure out the issue before sighing softly and dumping the lot into the trash can, covering the remnants of Julian’s guilt and shame with her own mistakes.
“I’ll talk to everyone, and I’ll work on getting things set up for you, once everyone agrees. And then we can work together and start making your room a home, rather than just…a room. If that’s what you would like.”
That was what she would like to give him, but. He had to accept it.
“Do you have a favorite color at all? So I can at least get a baseline done for decorating? Or if not a favorite, any that you really don’t like? And if you don't have the answer now, just let me know when you think of it! There’s not any rush for anything, Julian. Good things take time.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
