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 Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 7:00 pm
“Okay. I’m really glad to hear that.” Soft, breathless.
Another smile pressed into place, but Julian didn’t really stay still for long enough to see it. He flitted about, like less with purpose and more because he needed to be in motion. The water was still boiling, the mugs were waiting. He found a reason to move between them, and then to pet Maxim, and then back to the fridge.
“I’ll ask Ms. Terry. I don’t want there to be any surprises for you. I know this is already, um–well, I know it’s–I didn’t expect it. I know you probably weren’t, either. So, um–if there’s anything I can do, you know…”
He shrugged, glanced over his shoulder, then back to the fridge. He closed the door after a second and then returned to the kettle to wait.
“Well, I’d be happy to do whatever I can.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 7:01 pm
“I’m happy to do whatever I can too. We’re a team, if you want us to be. I want to be. No matter what happens, I have your back. No questions asked. And if you have problems or worries…I’m here. I know talking isn’t easy when it’s important things, Goodness knows that I know that but…”
Talia shrugged and stood on tiptoe, pulling the good box of tea out of the cabinet. “I’m on your side. No matter what. Always and forever.”
It was tea she had spent far too much money on, holiday flavors, ones that she had been hoarding for…way too long. “We can use the special stuff if you want. I think this is a good enough occasion.” She winked slightly, her smile still there. Still bright. Still as natural as she could make it. This was fine. They would be fine.
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Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 7:01 pm
With Talia pulling out a different box of tea, Julian found himself eagerly pursuing another task, himself. He returned to the counter where he'd set the first tea tin and picked it up, twisting it in his hands. He hadn't opened the tin but he pressed the lid firmly shut on all sides, and then all corners, and then all sides again.
He was entranced in the task but suddenly stood up straight and shook his head slightly before pulling away from the counter. “Okay,” he said, and returned the tin to the pantry. By then, the kettle had finished heating, but he didn’t reach for it.
“Thank you,” he said, and could have said it a thousand times and it never would have been enough.
While Talia picked out the tea she wanted, he pulled out two plates. He didn’t have much of an appetite–and wasn't even sure if he’d be able to tell the difference between normal tea and good tea, but he wanted this to be perfect. Or, as close as he could get.
There were plenty of sticky buns, so selecting two of them was too daunting a task. He didn’t try. He knew Talia had mentioned them, but the gears in his head stopped there.
Maxim was unsatisfied with the lack of attention, and snacks, so he walked in circles between the two of them.
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Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2026 7:01 pm
“There’s no need to say thank you, Julian. We’re family. Found family, at least. And I…think that can be stronger than a real family sometimes. It is for me.” Of course the fact that she had no memory of any ‘real’ family absolutely added to that, but.
She hoped it would be relatable. And she hoped that Terry had answers for Julian…and she hoped more than anything that his good for nothing mother simply wouldn’t come back into the picture. She had given up her rights to Julian, and Talia intended to make sure that she never got them back, or had the chance to hurt her son again.
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