one step closer

tw: grief, death

Aylin’s so cute he might actually die because of it, and he does nothing for a moment except look at her --- the way he always does --- before he takes her hand and presses a kiss to the raised index finger. “I don’t want to find out. I’d be a colossal moron if I piss you off.” He’d actually hate himself for it. He keeps her close to him, arms firm around her as he slowly move to the music played. He lets out a chuckle at her words. “It’s a neat wardrobe,” he defends only lightly, but it’s no use. Aylin’s always been outspoken when it comes to his clothing style. “Hmm, maybe.” His tone is subtly playful. It’s not the first time he lets her pick his outfit for an event, but he’s still getting used to wearing something so outside his comfort zone. “Because I want to know.”

“Technically second. The first was the spring festival,” he tells her, reaching for a cupcake from the table. He does limit the quantity of dessert he eats, the cupcake being his first dessert of the night. If they weren’t made by Kass, he’d skip. Maybe he’s letting loose a bit tonight, but he’s still boring! He chuckles lightly, the shyness back. “Doing the most for her is the least she deserves,” he says, taking a bite. “She’s going to be in Turkey the entire summer, and I got accepted into an internship in England and one in Spain, so I just need to answer back with my choice. I’m flying to Los Angeles for a bit to see my family first.” And to visit Clara’s grave. “But yes, we will be seeing each other a few times.”

“Yeah, I am. No complaints here, either.” Parties and events are not his thing and he’d rather skip them, yet he has attended most of them this year (thanks to Aylin leaving him no choice and the fact that he can never say no to her), but he’s more noticeably in better spirits tonight, too, after everything that happened with her and coming together tonight. He’s actually going to let loose (only a little). He’s still Julian. Unfortunately. He nods. “She’s very cute. Thanks. She actually helped me pick up the blazer.” Anyone who knows Julian well knows he has the most basic ass clothing style. He reaches to take a good sip of his drink. “Did you come here with anyone?”

He gives her a small, dimpled smile. “It’s not that surprising.” It actually is, Julian. “What are you drinking?” he asks before he has to turn to the bartender to order for them both. “Yes, there’s a substantial number of people not coming back from what I have heard.” He doesn’t understand it, because it beats the point of coming to spy school in the first place. “It is weird. I don’t really understand it, but to each their own.”

“We’ve kissed, yes.” He’s a bit shy as he says that, so he chuckles lightly as an effect to that, and he moves his fingers in his dark hair. “Well, this can be counted as one.” Gallagher’s hardly a place for dates, there isn’t that many options. “We’re just seeing where it goes.” He hasn’t dated anyone since Kass, so this feels like it’s new to him. Kass, help him, he’s bad at this. He nods. “She’s probably talking to friends.” He missed her already, sue him, so he’s definitely going to find her after his conversation with Kass.

“I’ll admit I’m somewhat curious to see what a scary Aylin looks like, because I think it’s just as cute,” he teases, tugging her even closer and pressing his forehead to hers as he gives her a dimpled smile before he gives her another twirl. He’s definitely not going to do it, because why would he piss her off? All he wants to do all the time is see her as happy as she is right now, bright smile and bright eyes! Honestly, he can’t take his eyes off of her. “Thank you. It’s not something I’d usually wear.” And she knows very well how basic his style is. But he did get out of his comfort zone with this jacket. He keeps her close, arms firm around her especially given she’s wearing those heels (not surprising but Julian can’t imagine they’re comfortable!) and she’s been drinking. “I don’t know it.” No one is surprised.

“Of course I’ll want to get a drink with you,” he says with a slight chuckle. Though, Skylar is aware of his usual one glass rule. It’s obvious he isn’t abiding by it tonight. He hasn’t abided by it in half a year. “Yeah, they do.” He leads the way. “Are you enjoying your night?”

“I wonder if we will be getting a big number of newcomers,” he says, thinking to himself for a moment. He thinks the school’s reputation was dragged through the mud --- it won’t be motivating for people to enroll, which is a shame, because the education remains great. “Right, I doubt it gets better than what Gallagher offers. It’s good you are staying.”

If it were anyone else saying that, Julian would be affected by it, but because it’s Tigs, he remains neutral and stoic. “You’re full of jokes tonight, huh?” He moves to wipe his hands.

He’s expecting all these questions from Kass, but he welcomes them all, too, because she is one of the very few people he’s talked about what he feels for Aylin to. “Um, not as friends, but also we’re not official.” Whatever comes in the middle, he’s bad at this. “We’re taking this slow.” Mainly he’s following Aylin’s comfort and letting her lead this. He looks around to see if he can spot her from where he’s standing, but he doesn’t. “She looks very beautiful. Did you see her?”

He chuckles lightly, shaking his head. “I have not, no. I have only taken the intro S&F class,” he clarifies. “It’s okay, you don’t need to lead,” he begins, offering his hand, giving her a smile and standing up. “I’m not promising a great dance, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it.” Julian knows what he’s good at and what he’s not, he’s not a great dancer but he’s decent at best, and he thinks Chantal deserves a dance and he will try his best to make sure she enjoys it.

He blinks when she taps his nose before he chuckles lightly. “Now I’m wondering what your ‘worst’ is,” he teases lightly, because she’s so tiny and cute, he imagines she’ll still be adorable even when she’s attempting to be mad. “Last week, got it.” He nods. “Well, you look beautiful,” he adds, and it’s already something he’s told her tonight, but he’ll say it again and again! “Yeah? I think that’s a common sentiment among most students tonight. What’s your favorite song?” Though odds are, he might not know it. He actually knows... two or three of her songs, and it’s most famous ones. He moves to give her a twirl before he tugs her close to him again, arms around her. 

Julian reaches to brush loose strands of her hair behind her ear, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. Aylin’s definitely had a little too much to drink, but he’s glad she seems to be in high spirits. Of course, he’ll take care of her at the end of the night if she needs it. He gives her another dimpled smile as they intertwine their fingers together, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I promise you I won’t step on them. If I do, yes, you can hurt me and also, yell at me all night. Didn’t you have a different favorite pair last week?” he teases lightly, leading her away from the bar and towards the dance floor, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her closer. “Are you enjoying your night so far?”

“No worries at all,” he reassures her, waving his hand before he nods. “I am returning, yes.” He can’t imagine doing anything else but be a spy and the idea of switching schools is impossible to him. “Yes, a few are leaving, it’s been... a tough year to a lot.” An understatement. “I take it you’re returning?”