breaking all the rules

“Yeah?? Let’s go!” Aliya’s filled with excitement as Julian promises her with a plan in mind. She loved the idea of surprises and spontaneous trips. With anticipation rising, her mind began exploring the possibilities he had in store for them. What could it be? Did he have a special sweet treat in mind? Or maybe he knows of a secret place that no one knows about? What could it be?!

Aliya sat patiently as he drove, eyes scanning beyond the window, attempting to solve their location. When they finally took a haul in a parking lot, her smile faded, excitement replaced with much confusion. A parking lot? Is this what he thinks I’m into? Speechless, Aliya examines the empty parking lot in hopes to find…something. 

A huge wave of relief washes over Aliya when he places a challenge on her and without any hesitation, she hurriedly agrees while unfastening her seat belt. She’s grateful that the build up to the surprise was still in tact and her lapse of judgment about Julian was wrong. Quickly she joins Julian by his side, her arm wrapping around his before pestering him with questions. “For a moment, I thought this was it! Where are we going? Is it far? Can you give me a hint?—Wait, no! never mind–no hints! Just lead the way~” She flashes a quick grin at him while attempting to compose herself.

Julian grins at her adoringly as they walk. “You’re so excited,” he observes with a small chuckle. He leads them both through the city, grateful for the physical contact to keep them together. It would be too easy to get separated here. “Have you spent any time in this city?” he asks her with a curious look in his eye.

"It’s not that great,” he tells her, feeling suddenly nervous. “I mean... It was one of my favorite places this time of year or... Any time of year, really. But... It’s not that...” He swallows thickly as he trails off, nerves dancing with uncertainty. What if she was expecting something so much greater? Hopefully, maybe, the simplicity of this would make her happy.

As they reached Central Park, he slowed his pace, eyes catching on the many trees layered with Christmas lights that were shining bright and then reflecting off the glittering snow. “It’s not... That great... But I, I dunno... I always liked the... the lights, and the snow and...” As he trails off lamely, his eyes dart to her with uncertainty.

Cheeks flushed, Aliya’s grinning widely while she’s pulled along. She’s not entirely sure at first why her body was reacting this way—could it be because she was secretly relieved to leave or maybe because she successfully got Julian to calm down in a matter of seconds? For a moment she glanced down, her eyes settling on the way their hands are clasped together before her eyes scanned upwards on Julian’s frame.

Not until this moment does she realize the feeling of her heart fluttering; it always resided within her and after a while, she became familiar to it without truly recognizing what it was about. Now that she thought about it, somehow–whenever she had him by her side, or whenever he so much as glanced her way with his blue, sparkling eyes and especially whenever he flashed a smile–the feeling would intensify. …but why? This was only the beginning of Aliya questioning the phenomenon. However for the remainder of the night it would only go that far. She, no doubt, had questions that were one-by-one arising in her pretty head, but for right now instead of diving any further, she decided to accept and embrace it in all it’s obscure and fleeting nature.

Aliya flashes a quick smile at him before carefully claiming the passenger seat, her hands gently folding her dress under her thighs. Soon after, she thanks him for the chivalry gesture then waits patiently for him to settle himself next to her before she says, “We should go downtown! I heard there are pretty lights up right now–oh! or–or…grab cake? I really wanted some tonight…” A pout formed on her lips before another idea had sparked in mind, “or! maybe the park?…hmm…you choose! What are some other things people usually do on Thanksgiving?”

Julian chuckles softly. “Honestly? They usually stay in with family but that’s out,” he tells her in a playful tone. He starts the car and starts driving it, glancing at her every couple of minutes. It’s as if he just can’t stop watching her. Although he doesn’t want to. “Tell ya what,” he says after a second. “I got an idea.”

A crowded idea, but she’ll like it. And that’s all that matters to him. He turns the wheel, heading for the city. “You’ll like this,” he tells her. I hope, he silently adds. After the disaster this evening was, he wants to show her something good. he wants to make her smile, make her laugh, make her happy. It sure doesn’t hurt that he knows that doing that will in turn make him happy as well.

He pulls up at a parking lot and as the car shuts off, he turns to her with a grin. “We gotta walk a bit. But it’ll be worth it. You up for the challenge?” he asks playfully, a glint gleaming in his eye.

And oh god, he loves.... He cuts his train of thought off. Point being, Aliya is absolutely the best thing to happen to him. He’d do anything she wanted to make her smile.

Lounging on a recliner (no need to worry someone will try to cuddle next to him or lean against him, if not for fear of his power than for personal fucking privacy), Kevin felt eerily peaceful. He was used to chatter passing down the halls, the occasional kid screaming or speaking loudly with no personal awareness, and was used to books shuffling. Some days were better than others in regards to his anxiety and power’s hunger, but today all was quiet. Until someone started speaking behind his ear.

“It’s Kevin not Devon,” he moaned and, after a brief pause, turned around. “Good luck getting me outta this seat. I ain’t done with it yet, I’ll sit til my ass gets flat.. And I dun wanna help with, what was it, carryin’ boxes up the stairs? Aren’t there s’pose to be telekin-what-have-yas here? And if ya weren’t aware… yes. I’m procrassining.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well I see that.” He threw himself into a seat beside the other boy. “Damn, Kev, you are so thick headed.” He was quiet for a second before adding, “I mean that as in stubborn, not dumb. You’re plenty smart.”

He groaned and added, “Shit, mate, I just wanted some bloody company carrying the shit to the dorm. You don’t even hafta lift a hand. Cuz yours truly is one of them telekin-wht-have-yas.” Julian grinned as the teasing tone infiltrated his voice.

Her eyes widen as he compliments her however, Aliya’s not sure where it was coming from. Had she said something to make him say the words escaping from his lips? When he asks about his hands, she can’t help but grin widely at him. Of course she meant her words. Aliya wasn’t the type to say anything just in the spur of the moment. What an odd question, she thought. She scoffed out, gathering her thoughts together before finally, “Yeah. Of course.” She intertwines her fingers with his as she continues on, “they hold a lot of meaning and…they’re cool!” She exclaims, letting out a soft chuckle. She could go on about the new perspective she’s decided to take on the significance of his replacements for hands, but she decided to spare him the lengthy ramble.

Aliya perks up at the sight of Julian’s smile. It’d been a while since she’s seen a genuine smile from him and part of her is excited to see her efforts to cheer him up worked. As extravagant and wonderful Julian’s place was, the atmosphere called for a different scenario. “Come on, let’s go somewhere else! I don’t care where—we could even just drive until we’re running out of gas, we just need to escape this place. What do ya say?”

The words are exactly what Julian needs to hear. He gives her an affectionate grin before saying, “Yeah. Let’s go.” He takes her hand again, gently leading the way through the large yard. “We gotta walk back,” he adds apologetically. Although, he has to admit, his mother kept the garden pretty nice. Well, she hired someone to do it but all the same.

He glances at Aliya beside him, an odd constricting type feeling in his chest as emotions rise. He isn’t sure what he’s ever done to deserve her, what he can ever do to keep her in his life. But he just knows he’s grateful for her. Grateful that she’s still beside him, grateful that she hasn’t figured out what a waste of time he is yet.

Aliya follows him outside to the patio, her step suddenly slowing down as Julian is frantically attempting to calm his nerves. She desperately wished there was an alternative way to immediately take his anxiety away. She nods repeatedly, her hands settling on his biceps as he tries to profusely apologize to her. “S-stop, Julian, stop.” She tries to pull him together, looking at him with a stern yet with soft gaze. “I chose to came here. And I don’t regret it. Really, I mean it.” She reassures him, a smile forming on her lips. Her hands begin to travel down his arm until she’s clasping his metal hands.

She could only imagine how daunting it was for Julian to realize everyday that his hands weren’t exactly his, but as days went by, she learned to appreciate them for what they were. They were a reminder—that he was still alive. That he survived the battle and most importantly, he remained by her side, maybe closer than ever. And she was ever so thankful for him in so many ways. Her eyes travelled up to met his. “These are growing on me. They’re a part of you now and. No matter what anyone says, I’m just so happy you’re here, alive and…. cursing your father out.” She let out a soft chuckle at her last remark. Was her joke too early for the circumstance? Regardless, Aliya wrapped her arms around his waist and embraced him tightly.

Julian stares into her eyes as she speaks to him, feeling emotion swell in him. He’s lucky, too lucky, to have her. He’s done nothing to deserve this girl, and yet here she is. And as she speaks the words he’s longed to hear, even subconsciously, the words that she’s growing fond of the hands that were now attached to him. And as she jokes about the evening, he feels a small smile pull at the corner of his lips.

As Julian and his father begin to raise their voices as each other, Aliya could only keep her head lowered, registering the words exchanged at each other. Maybe it was best she didn’t have a father figure for most of her life if it meant ending up dueling it out the way Julian was with Mr. Keller. The tension increasingly builds in the dining room, causing Aliya to silently scrunch her face, afraid to even move an inch. She could feel her free hand gripping tightly at the fabric of her dress anxiously unaware of where the argument would end up. At the mention of her name from Mr. Keller, she lifted her head up slightly before turning away at the accusation he threw.

What did Mr. Keller mean by that? Julian was one of the few she genuinely cared about. Deep down, she knew there was something more to the way she looked at him but hearing someone bad mouth Julian so easily, as if he meant nothing to the rest of the world broke her heart. To Aliya, he was anything but the words his father spoke and if anything, she felt like she didn’t deserve him as a friend or…whatever they were.

Aliya’s eyes were beginning to collect tears as she listened to Julian going on about herself, his words tugging at her heartstrings as she hears the sincerity and frustration in his tone. She slowly begins to lift her head, glancing at Julian until he suddenly turns towards her with his eyes glossy. As much as she wanted to take another try at dinner with his family, it was evident in his tone and eyes that he needed to get out of here as soon as possible. Hesitantly, Aliya nods her head, before slowly leaving her seat. “T-thank you for having me..” she murmurs under her breathe before politely bowing to them then following behind Julian as he led the way.

Julian leads the way out of the room, his chest heaving. He stops in the entryway, eyes shooting between the front door and the stairs. He isn’t sure where the pull to his old bedroom is coming from. But he ignores it, reminding himself that he’s an advanced telekinetic and can easily get them to the balcony if the urge continues.

He pushes the front door open and walks out onto the patio, eyes focusing in on the mounds of snow around the house. It glistens in the moonlight and he tries to think about that and only that as his breathing raggedly escapes from his pounding chest. Slowly, he turns back to Aliya. “I am so sorry,” he whispers. “I should never have made you... I shouldn’t have put you through this.”

Aliya badly wished her powers enabled her to make the two disappear but alas, they were forced to endure the excruciatingly tense atmosphere at the dinner table. All she could do was keep to herself and remain silent. Interfering would only invite the opportunity to talk about the topic even further. “W-white meat, please and thank you sir.” She spoke. It was apparent that although the Keller’s appeared calm at Julian’s news, she knew they were screaming for answers to questions they knew they couldn’t bring up, especially in front of a guest. Aliya clenched on the fabric of her desk under the table and when she suddenly felt the familiar touch of Julian’s hand finding hers, she loosened her grip on the dress and instead interwined her fingers with his. Despite the fact her hand was grasping metal instead of flesh, a wave of relief still washed over her, happy to have him with her. More than anything, it was evident in the quick glances he’d share, that he had much concern for her over his own. It was important for her to make him feel reassured every opportunity she could take and to herself, she made it a far fetched goal to even impress his folks. Besides, it wasn’t the first she’s had to entertain people of high status and wealth. Aliya flashed a quick smile at Julian before thanking Mr.Keller once more for her share.

Just as Aliya’s about to compliment Mrs.Keller once more, her brother spoke up and his words was enough to make the girl pretty anxious. Familiar? He couldn’t mean… but how? Maybe I’m just overreacting? Her eyes averted away while giggling nervously at their inquiry, “I-I’m sorry?” She starts off “A-are you sure you aren’t mistaking me for someone else?” God I hope you’re talking about someone else! Her grip on Julian’s metal hand begins to tense up, following suit to the rest of her body. Attempting to shift the focus away from herself, Aliya takes a bite of some turkey before humming in delight. “Wow, Mrs. Keller, I’ve never had turkey before but this is wonderful! I can tell a lot of love was made into this.” She beamed.

Julian can feel Aliya growing tense, feel it radiating off her. He might not be an empath or a telepath, but he knows her. “I’m sure he is,” he tells her quickly with a small smile, determined to calm her nerves. His eyes flash to his brother in a warning before turning to his mother. “She’s right, thank you.” the words make him pause, as they did his mother. He watches the surprise register over her face and he found himself thinking for the first time in a long time- when was the last time he’d complimented her?

“Thank you both,” Elizabeth says quietly. Julian nods, his eyes shooting back to his plate. He takes a bite of cranberry sauce, eyes resting again on the metal before him. would he ever grow to accept it? Ever grow to realize it was a part of his body now? that that was as good as it would get? or would he always be in mourning for the hands that used to be there?

The silence makes seconds feel like hours. But sure enough, time did pass. Slowly, but surely. He thought maybe, maybe, they could get out of here with things relatively alright.

until his father speaks. “You are unbelievably selfish.” The words hit him hard and Julian looked up, eyes blazing as they came to rest on his dad.

“Oh? Do tell,” he says in a dangerously quiet voice.

“William,” whispered Elizabeth.

“No, I’ve been quiet long enough. You just show up for holiday with your hands like that? With monstrosities in the place of limbs?” William’s voice is ever rising as he spoke. Julian leans back in his seat, jaw setting as his eyes stay rested on his father. “As if the rest of you isn’t bad enough. As if you aren’t already a monstrosity by being a mutant, which you only use for destruction. As if it wasn’t bad enough that you called attention to that fact, called attention to this family. As if it wasn’t bad enough that you went out every night doing God knows what with God knows who, staying out all night. My guess is you were getting high, or drunk, or both. And I know you brought countless home to this house to do unspeakable things. How do I know? Because you wanted to get caught. Because you were punishing me.”

“Oh, I was punishing you?” Julian drawls. “Because it’s always about you?”

“With you it is! You don’t have any regard for me or for this family. You’ve always been jealous of James’s success so you acted out, tried to be a disgrace. As if it made you special. It didn’t. You’ve always been a nobody Julian. If it wasn’t for your looks, I’d think you were swapped at the hospital. So selfish. You have contraptions in place of hands and still came home. you gave no cares to the fact that it would devastate your mother to see.  I don’t know what this girl is doing with you.”

“Me neither,” Julian replies. His jaw is tightening by the second because his father has valid points. Because he’s right, and he’s always been right.

“It isn’t bad enough that you’re a disgrace to this family, no you had to go and be a mutant too and now you had to go and become a cyborg like something out of Star Trek. I don’t know what’s worse. The fact that you’re a cripple, or the fact that you’re a mutant.”

Julian stands up so violently that the chair toppled backwards. “You are going to watch what you say,” he snarls. “Because I am not the only mutant in this room. Aliya is a mutant and she is easily the best person in this room. I don’t know what she’s doing with me either, dad, but trust me when I say that I certainly am not going to argue it. If she wants to be my friend, I’m going to accept that. But you are not going to sit here and call her an abomination because she is more than you will ever be. More than any of us. You don’t get to act like you know all mutants because trust me, I’m less of a fan of myself than you are. And I am nowhere near the best mutant around. But her? She’s among the best. and you can go fuck yourself.”

He looks at Aliya, eyes swimming with emotions. “Do you want to get out of here?” He’s not sure how far out of here he means. All he knows is that he needs to get somewhere he can breathe.

Aliya is taken aback from William Keller’s question, her hand slowly stopping all at once as Julian’s father still gripped hers. Her smile begins to fade as well, left looking dumbfounded before them. Am I not wanted here? How the hell am I supposed to respond to such a question. “I-well…” she murmurs before thankfully, Julian intercedes. Aliya lowers her head, biting on the bottom of her lip as she’s left speechless for a moment. She retreats behind Julian, unaware that she’s moved in slightly too close to his frame for comfort and slyly wrapping her hands on his wrist—Stop it! You can’t do this in front of his family. Immediately, she lets go of his wrist, her hand brushing lightly against his arm before she decides to move forward away from him.

Seeing the glare shared by his brother after accidentally tripping, Aliya grins to herself, using every inch of strength in her to conceal the laughter threatening to come out. With pursed lips, she follows behind Julian into the dining room, her eyes instantly widening at the feast laid out on the table. The table was nothing she’d seen in real life and only scenes she managed to see on American tv and movies. The girl was dazzled by the extravagant set up, her eyes glancing at Julian’s frame then returning to the table. Had he been living this luxuriously all this time?

A warm smile formed on her lips as she met eyes with Julian before taking her seat. Her eyes settled on his frame while waiting for him to take his however, just as his mother had begun to speak up, requesting the assistance of his son, Aliya’s eyes frantically glanced over at Mrs.Keller then back at Julian. Oh no. This can’t be good. Should I say something?

Julian paused, his lips pursing as he thought of how best to respond to her request. “I... I can’t. They aren’t gloves.” He glanced at Aliya, nervousness flowing through him before he reached over and touched his mother’s arm. She screeched at the touch, making him wince.

“What in the bloody hell?” his father snipped. Julian held up his hand, flexing the metal fingers.

“The school got attacked and I lost my hands.” He kept his tone as flat as humanly possible. “I’m not kidding and I don’t want to talk about it.” He sat down beside Aliya, body stiff as he felt his parents’ stares on him. If it was any other family, a family that wasn’t so focused on appearances, the blow up would have happened then and there. But it was his family. And they believed in at least appearing collected.

“Well, then.” William cleared his throat as he began to serve the food. “Aliya, dark or white meat?” Julian avoided his mother’s gaze, although he accidentally met the gaze of his brother, who looked borderline disgusted. He turned to Aliya instead, feeling like there were small monsters inside of him tearing him apart. Desperate for comfort of some kind, his hand found hers under the table, his eyes darting to her with concern; hoping that this was alright. That she didn’t mind. He’d never really been the hand holding type of guy, and now.. Well, now it wasn’t even a real hand. But God he needed her. 

Somehow, Aliya just made things feel right. Even when they were as wrong as it got.

“You look familiar,” James finally said from his seat, eyes focused on Aliya with a look of interest and.. maybe attraction? Julian felt something ugly and angry flash through his chest, something a lot like jealousy. But he wasn’t jealous. Jealousy would mean that what they had went deeper than friendship, and it didn’t. it didn’t because it couldn’t. He wasn’t going to have his heart broken again. He wasn’t going to put himself in a position to have his heart broken again.

But she wouldn’t break it.

He ignored the thought, shoving it as far back as he could. Who cared if James was making eyes at her? Other than the fact that James was an asshole, or the fact that he was probably doing it to get a rise out of Julian. This was the same brother who had slept with Julian’s first girlfriend after all. But mostly? Aliya deserved better than James. And that was why Julian wasn’t going to let more than friendship rise. Because he wasn’t better.

Aliya was well-aware about Julian’s feelings on his family, but seeing him as a nervous-wreck while he warned her for the nth time made it even more apparent than usual. From all of the caution heeded, she decided to bring her A-game on. Having had a taste of people with fame and fortune, the former korean pop idol knew exactly what she was about to walk into–or at least an idea. Instead of sporting her usual bold and edgy style, she decided to wear her red, long sleeve dress and accented the outfit with a black belt. Hopefully, no one catches on that it was a recycled outfit she’d worn to last year’s Korean music award show.

A smile quivered across Aliya’s lips, giggling softly to herself. “They can’t be that bad. Besides, I could always make them shut up if they grate on my nerves…kidding!..sorta.” Her teasing manner was probably the last thing Julian needed, but in her own way, it was her attempt at comforting him. She could see her efforts barely made any progress in his anxiety level and just as she glanced out her window, a gasp escaped from her seeing the massive abode they were approaching. “Holy shh…you live here?!” she cackled out, eyes glued to the window. There seemed to be a lot more she needed to know about Julian’s background than she thought.

Intimidation crept behind the foreigner faster than her confidence could just moments prior. She tried to remain silent and poised, following Julian’s moves and instructions and once she faced the first Keller of the house, she could feel her entire frame tensing up as she reluctantly held out a hand to meet Julian’s brother—just in time for Julian to butt in. “I-i’m Al–oh, okay…”

Aliya jolted slightly to herself after the distant sound of a woman with a funny accent calling out for her friend. She glanced behind her shoulders, eyes traveling up to the wide staircase before landing on a figure. It was then, Aliya made the connection to the owner of the voice which happened to be non other than Julian’s mother. She’s his mom? Oh god. She’s so pretty a-and proper…okay just smile politely Aliya. Instinctively, Aliya sported her celebrity smile at them, her go-to expression when she was under the spotlight or in a certain type of atmosphere, (read high class prissy) indicating that the girl was uncomfortable. “H-hello. It’s very nice to meet you,” Aliya extended a hand out for them then shook their hand lightly before parting her lips to speak again “Y-you’ve got a lovely home, Mrs.Keller!” The woman smiled politely at Aliya, their eyes momentarily scanning her home “Oh, why thank you! Julian, you didn’t tell us you invited such a lovely and polite young lady.” Aliya couldn’t help but smile wider from their words, the reassurance she needed and would hold onto for the rest of the evening. Phew, I’m in the clear. Just keep it up! “Your father should be down soon, I’m sure he’ll be elated to meet Aliya!” She says, before smiling once more at the girl.

Julian keeps glancing nervously at Aliya, his heart thudding in his chest. Her gentle teasing about shutting them up was probably the first true smile he’d had since the estate had come into view. And as he watches her charm his family, he can’t help but feel himself smile again. It's evident that she’s experienced the spotlight before. Although he’s aware of her past as a singer, he’s never thought of her in any way other than Aliya.

Her exterior indicates that she’s uncomfortable, which is the last thing he wants. Not for the first time, he feels regret at dragging her to this, for subjecting her to this. “I’m sure he will,” he replies to his mother. And he does mean it, because she’s Aliya and he can’t imagine anyone not loving her. Slowly, he pulls his hand back and into his pocket, self consciousness surrounding the now metal that was there instead of flesh. I shouldn’t have come. he was barely accepting this as it was, but now? Adding in his parents? This was going to be a new level of hell.

“I hear we have a guest,” boomed his father’s voice. Julian looked up, his eyes landing on William Keller in his best suit descending the stairs. His stomach churns with nerves as his hands clench in his pockets. He wishes he could feel the fabric against his skin, wishes there was something to pull him back from his thoughts, from the memories. If his hands were still part of him, they would have been shaking. God, he needed a smoke.

“Yes,” Julian said finally. “This is Aliya. Aliya, this is my dad- William.”

His father held out a hand to her, his eyes surveying her carefully. “You are a very fine young lady,” he stated, “I can tell already. The only question is what are you doing with my son here?”

Julian ground his teeth, the muscles in his jaw tightening. “Can I help with dinner?”

“Oh, no,” Elizabeth replied. “The table is all set. We were only waiting on you.”

“Just like old times,” James said, his hand gripping Julian’s shoulder as he passed him. Julian’s eyes flashed, focusing on the rug his brother was on, bunching it in front of his foot and watching with some satisfaction as he tripped. James turned to Julian with an accusing look, but Julian merely shrugged at him.

“Just like old times,” he snipped back at his brother before shooting Aliya an apologetic look. He reached for her hand again, feeling the need to feel her before remembering that he couldn’t. He felt a sharp pain in his heart and looked at her for a moment before leading her in the dining hall.

He moved to two settings and pulled her chair out for her, offering his hand to help her sit.

“Julian, dear,” his mother said as she sat. “Won’t you remove your gloves for dinner?”

Asking Aliya to join him at his parents for Thanksgiving hadn’t been planned. If it had been, well... He probably wouldn’t have. Not because he didn’t want her with him, but because he would have had time to think about the fact that his parents were going to do nothing but belittle him the entire day and it wasn’t something he should subject anyone else to. It went past that though. He didn’t want her to walk away thinking less of him.

“Look, I...” Julian paused by the front gate of the estate. The property was huge, the front yard alone stretching for at least a mile. It didn’t seem odd to him at all; after all, he’d grown up with it. They’d moved into the house when he was fairly young, having left London around the same time. Rich-kid-with-the-complex trope all over. “I’m sorry. Already. I didn’t think this through. My family aren’t... They aren’t pleasant people.”

When the car pulled up at the gate, he chewed on his lip for a moment before using his powers to open it. His hands- well, substitute hands- were in his pockets. He knew his family weren’t going to respond well to this new development. Why am I even here? He knew why. Because he’d never completely been able to tell them where to stick it and his family, as much as they despised him, wanted to look like a proper family on holidays. Even given that being raised Brits they didn’t care much about this one. His father didn’t care though. Any and every holiday they needed to be together.

“Come on...” He felt utterly ridiculous in the monkey suit he’d put on for the occasion. Bobby had gotten a real laugh at the sight of Julian in a suit and Julian had gotten a little too much pleasure over using his telekinesis to push Bobby off his bed. Slowly, he pulled out his hand and offered it to her before leading the way to the car and holding her door for her with his powers given.

The drive to the house was painful and the entire time all he could think was how much of a mistake this was. That he shouldn’t even be here let alone her. But she’d been sitting with him in the infirmary before his release when the thought had occurred to him. They hadn’t spent much time apart since the battle and he didn’t want to break that now. So he’d asked. Of course he knew that she wasn’t born in America either, so maybe they were the perfect people to spend the day together. Except that he had to go visit the socialites from hell.

When the car pulled up, he led her to the door. It opened as they reached it by the butler- suddenly, he saw how truly ridiculous it was that they had a damn butler. “Hello, Master Julian.” Master Julian. God he sounded so damn pretentious. He glanced at Aliya nervously before saying, “Hey. Good to see you Watts.” Watts was easily his favorite member of the household. Easily. He forced swallowed before leading the way in. “Mum,” he said. “Dad. We’re here.” Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea. This whole thing is a bad fucking idea Keller.

He felt his throat tighten as his brother came into view, sitting in the living room with his feet up on a table. He watched as James’s eyes lingered a little too long on Aliya, a small smirk on his face. Julian had never wanted to hit him more- which really said something. “Julian. And...?” His older brother stood, holding out his hand to her. “I’m James. Pleasure to meet you, truly.”

“The pleasure is all yours I’m sure,” Julian snipped, half turning his body when he heard “Julian” in a chastising voice behind him. His mother walked down the steps in a very over the top get up. He didn’t bother apologizing. Instead, he said, “Mother.” As she reached him and kissed him on the cheek in greeting- a gesture that was completely for show, even in the comfort of their own home- he said, “This is Aliya. My friend from school. Aliya this is my mother Elizabeth.”

She didn’t know the severity of Julian’s injuries nor why he was here, but it couldn’t be for any good reason.  After all, why would anyone be in the medical wing if they weren’t injured?  But it was probably quite rude to ask so she just smiled and instead offered a smile and hopefully good company.

“I’m okay.  A little rattled, I guess, but okay.”  She looked around to check that the coast was clear.  “Do you know where they put your cigarettes?” she whispered.

Julian couldn’t help but smile at his friend. "Yeah... I get that. I’m glad you’re doing alright. And honestly, I don’t but I’m guessing they might be in the pockets of my  jeans. I just uh, haven’t... Checked...” His tone trailed off uncomfortably as he realized she might not know why he was in here. With his hands under the covers as well, he knew he was sort of stuck. It’s gonna get out anyway.

He slowly sat up, pulling his arms out from the covers and scowling at the contraptions that had replaced his hands. “Think they might be under the bed.”

And just like that, Julian had managed to place her against a corner without a comeback in mind. As much as she wanted to fight back, there wasn’t any left in her. Julian had spilled all of himself and his sincerity had truly touched her heart. For once, Aliya decided to swallow her words and her frustration with herself and him as she sighed out heavily. Her harsh expression and her entire frame began to decompress altogether. He cares a lot. And I can’t change the way he feels. Aliya softly scoffs out as she’s staring into his sad eyes. The longer she stared at them, the more she could feel a sense of longing peeking through. He was a lot like her and the more they hung out, Aliya had picked up on the small things slowly. When he made up his mind there was close to nothing that anyone could do or say to sway him. It was one of the qualities Aliya admired about him.

Aliya swallowed thickly as silence grew between the two again. It wasn’t until now she realized how selfish she had acted out. As much as she still had trouble understanding the extent of Julian’s feelings and his willingness to protect her at all cost, she had to come to terms that out ruling them all for her own feelings and guilt was wrong. How could I expect anything of him after he’s explicitly expressed his feelings? And after continuing to show me kindness, patience, and sincerity despite what I caused him? She could feel her heart threatening to come out while she pursed her lips. Her hand slightly jolts, reaching out for him before taking a reluctant step forward. Then suddenly on impulse, Aliya has her arms tightly wrapped around his waist with her head resting against his chest. She can hear his heart beating and she can’t help but smile to herself, relief washing over her as she focuses on the rhythmic tempo. You’re alive and that’s all that matters right now. “T-thank you…” she mutters softly “for caring. …a-and. I’m sorry.”

Julian feels his entire body jolt as she hugs him. He isn’t sure why he's so surprised by it, why he hadn’t thought this moment could possibly lead to a hug. Maybe he simply isn’t used to this kind of physical contact. He hasn’t been touched like this since his ex, before he discovered her affair. And he certainly hadn’t grown up with it.

But with Aliya’s arms around him, he could forget all that easily. Her touch is comforting, like being home should feel. Slowly, he wraps his arms around her and holds her close to his chest. He feels her frame in his arms, his hands resting on either side of her back, curving at the sides of her body. He feels a rush of longing to feel her with his hands, to be able to touch her. But immediately after he feels grateful that he can feel her in the rest of his body. That he has arms to feel her in, that he can still feel her curled into his chest.

“It’s okay. Don’t be sorry. For any of it.” He slowly adjusts his head, planting a soft kiss at the top of her head. “I’ll always care Aliya. Trust me, I can’t stop.”