HELLION

[ Txt - Jules ]:  less like the living dead. at least i cut it off before it was a full on coma

[ Txt - Jules ]: maybe you could’ve played Prince Charming instead of yelling me awake tho. too bad.

When Josh had used his abilities to cause harm for the first time, it had left him in a state he’d been unable to fully recover from on his own. Well, maybe he’d just been unwilling. Either way, he and Julian had been in the throes of their childish rivalry at the time, yet he’d still managed to snap him out of it. Everyone else had tried, and nobody got through until Julian and Laura had needed him. He’d tried to avoid slipping into that state again, but sometimes he pushed himself too far.

[ Txt - Jules ]: where are you

Julian snorted at the series of texts. He was sure he looked the sight — half-tucked t-shirt, bedhead and smirking to himself as he trudged around the gardens with phone glued to his face. He probably looked like an idiot, smiling at his phone like that, something of which he blamed Josh for wholeheartedly. It was stupid how easy it was to make him smile, even if it was a stupid, teasing comment. Ugh. 

[ TEXT - JOSH ]: good. saves me from being by your bedside. those little chairs are NOT comfortable to sleep in, yknow

[ TEXT - JOSH ]: there’s always next time

When: Present Day Where: Star City - City Park With: Open to all! :D 

“And that is why I hope this planned charitable event will help to foster relations between vigilantes, heroes and the everyday citizens of this city that has been so welcoming to me and my cause. Thank you.” Chou nodded softly as the assembled crowd applauded. 

He didn’t usually try and book out such large spaces as the city park, but the turnout had been decent and announcing he planned on throwing a charity gala deserved as wide an audience as possible.  

Stepping down from the podium he walked towards the crowd, happy to speak to all. “I do hope you don’t think my adding that small gala announcement to my usual speech was somewhat crass.” he chuckled quietly, “But it does seem to have got people talking.” 

Every now and then Julian ventured out into the city. While the District certainly had everything they could need, it felt more like an off brand version to everything else. He would never talk badly about the construction and setup — at least, not out loud — but there was only so much of its lukewarmness he could take, and now that the gates were open, he took it upon himself to venture out more.

Already Julian didn’t care for the guy and his speech and his hopes for togetherness, or whatever else bullshit he was spewing. He was pretty sure he zoned out a few times. Keeping to himself, Julian stayed close enough to hear the rest once the park meeting was over and nearly rolled his eyes into the back of his head.

“ fucking hell, when did the x - men get involved with this. i wasn’t taaking anything. just wanted to hide for a few minutes. i’m not that much of an asshole. ” a sigh, fingers moving to pinch the bridge of her nose. “ i know, kinda. i know its hard here. i’m .. not used to seeing this type of thing yet. ” theres a pause, thining over her options. “ i need to lay low for a while .. i’m not going to take anything, if you’re worried about that part of my job. ”

Julian was sorry he even bothered leaving his studio apartment in the first place. If all he was going to get was attitude, maybe he should just leave her to her vices and see how that turns out for her — but that would be a shitty thing to do, especially to someone who could potentially use the help.

“Don’t worry, it’s a bit of a shock for everyone, us included.” It seemed like too long since his mutation first manifested, and though it was quite the shock considering no one else in the family had it, Julian was thrilled. After her request, he took that second to think about it. He didn’t know who’s apartment they were in currently, and he didn’t really want to find out.

“Yeah, well…” he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, an absurdly expensive garment that could not have been more different than the t-shirt he wore beneath it, “all it made me do was remember how fucking dumb teams are in the first place. If you let somebody else make the calls then guess who pays for it when they screw up?” And oh, someone had screwed up. “I’m guessing you still don’t agree.” Julian had always been up the X-Men’s ass, trying to wear the uniform.

He shook his head and looked back toward the gate. It was standing open, maybe for the first time he’d seen, no doubt in response to NOVA’s absence and the end of the SRP. “That won’t last.” 

Julian knew how blind he’d been before. He knew how wordlessly he wanted to follow the X-Men’s ideals so badly. He wanted to be a leader, he wanted a team, he wanted the recognition and the power and the friends to back him him up and be there for him. He wanted so much more than the hand he’d been dealt all because he shacked up with the X-Men. As much as he still wanted to try - maybe this time would be different? - Quentin was right. “No.. no, you’re right.” He hated saying it, but it was true. “Since I lost these puppies,” Julian lifted what was left of his arms, “I’ve been seeing more and more of the bullshit.” His gut twisted. All he knew was from the X-Men, though.