Making her Joyful Again || RF Julie x FEM reader || L1TTL3_R0TT3N

- Ch. 9: A Bee to a Flower -

The house was silent when they walked inside. There was a small echo when they both removed their shoes, that single echo proving to [Name] how big the house really was. Fancy houses always had an echo to them and a cold chill to show that they were more houses than homes.

It was quite luxurious inside. Warm lighting bounced off of the marble countertops, and the long sofa paired with twin seats. There wasn't much color besides the array of drawings on the refrigerator and the rainbow flower vases on the counter.

"It's...really pretty here." [Name] felt like she was in a museum. She looked down at their intertwined hands, realizing Julie hadn't let yet go. But the way she smiled told her that maybe it would feel nicer to stay like this. For both of them. 

Julie's grin grew. "Thank you. It's not much, really. I miss my old house a lot more." She guided her deeper into the house, walking up the stairs. "Let me show you. Gosh, it was gorgeous." She let her thoughts run wild. 

They walked past a room, the white panel door slightly open. [Name] looked inside from what she could see while walking in the hallway. A colorful bedroom, completely opposed to the coldness of the rest of the house. A child's room.

They both reached the wide double doors at the end of the hallway. Julie's hand finally parted from [Name]'s, but surprisingly, it hurt her a bit more than she thought.

 She pushed the doors open to reveal a large master bedroom. The bed was lined with pristine sheets and linens, the pillows fluffed and comfortably tucked against the headboard.

Again, a museum. 

Julie kneeled under the bed, digging around beneath it. She pulled out a small pink box that was decorated with dried flowers. She sat herself and the box on the bed. She patted the space beside her, inviting [Name] towards her.

She did as she was told and sat down. She noticed the differences in how they sat, too. Julie sat with her ankles crossed and her back straight. [Name]'s legs were spread, and when they weren't, they weren't planted on the ground and were instead beside her on her seat as if she were an animal.

She opened the box. Inside, there was a pile of unorganized photographs along with small trinkets. A small piece of pottery, made by either an amateur adult or a dense toddler, a ring, and a dried flower that was identical to the one in the vase downstairs. 

Julie rummaged in the pile of photos, their clear finish flashing in the light. She picked up one small photograph, the back of it having writing on it. 'Julie-Julianne 19XX' She handed the photo to [Name], not even seeming to notice the writing written on the back. But it left [Name] a little confused.

The house in the photo was a small cottage with worn yellow paint and white trim. It was surrounded and caged by flowers and vines, making it look like an oil painting scenery. 

In front of the house was a Julie. She smiled brightly, brighter than she had ever seen her smile. "I lived there before I married Walden, back in college after I left my parents." There was a small, sorrowful smile on her face. It was a polar opposite to the smile she had on her face in the photo.

'Maybe she could use some loving'

Faintly remembering Thymia's words, [Name] put a hand over hers. "It's beautiful." When she spoke, she sounded like she referred to the cottage. But no, instead, she referred to the woman beside her.