In Another Life ▻ Fiona Gallagher

11. chapter eleven

FLASHBACK

Fiona made her way into Julian's room slowly, and he followed, allowing her to take everything in. Her eyes moved over the different décor, the sports memorabilia, and even to the picture of him and his mother in the frame on his desk.

Closing the door behind them, Julian smiled a little as he saw her looking at the picture. Walking to stand behind her, he placed his hands against her sides, resting his chin on her shoulder. "What do you think?" he asked, thumbs brushing absent-mindedly along her hips.

"I like it," Fiona replied almost immediately, nodding. "When was this picture taken?" she asked, gesturing to it.

Julian turned his eyes back to the photo in the frame, smiling a bit fondly at the memories that came to his mind. "We were just about to see the Disney movie Tarzan in theaters.. for the second time. We both really liked it. I had mentioned that I wanted to watch it again, and my grandparents told me I'd have to wait until it came out on video. My mom said no, and she took me again later that week. I think that part of her just wanted to spite them, but it was still really cool."

Fiona glanced over her shoulder as he spoke, smiling as he described the time that he'd had with his mom with such a sentiment behind his words. "You seem like the two of you are really close," she spoke.

He nodded to agree, smiling, "Yeah. As stupid as it sounds, she's probably one of my best friends."

Fiona turned in his grasp, arms circling around his neck as she shook her head. "It doesn't sound stupid. I think it's great. I wish I had as good of a relationship with either of my parents."

Julian leaned in, resting his forehead against hers as he lifted his hand, caressing her cheek gently. "I wish you could too. You deserve so much more," he said quietly.

Fiona felt a pang in her chest at his words, unable to help but smile. He was so kind, and caring, and so, so good to her. At times, she didn't feel like she deserved it.

Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips, her fingers threading into the back of his hair as her lips moved against his.

Julian let out a small, content groan at the feel of her lips against his, his arms moving around her waist, holding her close to him as he returned her kiss. He parted his lips after a few moments to deepen it, fingertips teasing just underneath the back of her shirt.

As his fingers began to move further up along her back, the two of them startled slightly as they heard a knock against the door.

"Hey kids, dinner's ready when you want to come down," Emilia called out from the other side of the door.

Fiona bit down on the inside of her cheek, stifling a laugh as she and Julian stepped back from one another.

"Alright, mom. We'll be down soon, thanks," he replied after a moment, smirking down at Fiona, seeing the way that she was stifling her laughter.

Once they heard Emilia make her way back downstairs, Fiona allowed herself to laugh, Julian grinning wide and shaking his head at her. "Does this count as you corrupting me, or the other way around?" he joked. "I just need to know who's the bad influence here."

Fiona hummed, pretending to think about it. "I think you're corrupting me. I've been nothing but an angel since we got here," she teased.

Julian arched his brow as he laughed. "Oh, is that right?" Reaching forward, he tickled her sides, causing her to squeal and squirm away before he wrapped an arm around her waist, using his other hand to continue tickling her.

"Julian!" she squeaked out, trying her best to get away, though she could barely think from how hard that she was laughing.

He chuckled softly at her attempts to get away, lightening up and eventually stopping the tickling after a few more moments. "Alright, alright," he spoke, kissing the side of her head. "Let's get downstairs before my mom thinks we were making out in my room or something," he smirked.