“This may surprise you, but I would honestly fucking love it if everyone else realized that.”

“Seems like there’s more to you then just cockiness---well unless that’s sarcasm and I’m off my game.”

“Well, I mean, I’d only cry a little bit.”

“I don’t know. I peg you for the type who’d need a box of tissues. Or two.”

❝ You worried about what I could be thinking about you? It’s all good things, all good things ❞ Her nails clicked against the bar as she looked upon Julian with nothing but amusement ❝ You still haven’t showed up at my work place for that free drink, does the place scare you? I know for a fact that female anatomy does not make you uncomfortable ❞

“--Could be bad and that’d just be  your opinion.” He replied, still jokingly. “Well, if you’re that worried you could always pay in on that free drink now.” Julian answered but shrugged, looking back at the Latina. “But no. It doesn’t scare me.”

❝ It’s an unfair thing. If I say I am, I become a horrible person and if I say I am not then I am a liar ❞ Her shoulders shrugged not so fond of the topic, as it hit so close to home ❝ Bourbon is okay, nothing fancy if you ask me but it suits you ❞ Her perfectly manicured hands picked up the glass and sipped on it. 

“Oh is that so---?” He asked, raising a brown once more in curiousness. A small smirk lingered. “Is this where you start labeling me?” Julian added teasingly as he too continued to sip on the drink in front of him.

“I don’t know, J; we may just find ourselves in the middle of a prank war.”

“Something tells me you’d be a sore loser.”

“Why advertise it? I’d rather they figure out as much for themselves. I’m a nine-hundred and fifty year old fae, exactly how do you suppose I should be worried about my speed?”

“That cockiness will leave you open for vulnerabilities. Nobody’s invincible besides a select few. You, me -- not included.”

With that they were walking out of the place and she realized just how good those ideas sounded. “Yeah. Good idea,” Lola confirmed softly once they were clear of the crowded place. Even just his being near was enough to make everything feel a bit less overwhelming. “Jules. You gotta be feeling some of this energy, right? It’s not just me?”

“I sense some of it but ----” Julian paused as he answered honestly, side eyeing his friend. Almost sensing that she was going through it more. For some odd reason. “Regardless. You’ve got me. You don’t have to be alone in this. Whatever it is. Alright.” He added giving her a just as much of a honest smile then his words.