After the End (Julian and MC)

4

While Julian grabs at the feathers where his hair used to be, I slump to the floor from the effort of unbinding him. I close my eyes and fold my arms over Julian's knee, resting my forehead on my forearms and sighing as I breathe heavily. After a long moment, he hesitantly lifts my head, his fingers brushing against my cheek as he cups my face.

"MC..." He breathes, his voice making me open my eyes to look at him.

I gasp in shock and shuffle back, stunned to see the black feathers that had been attached to his body moments ago molting off of him and floating to the floor. His wavy auburn hair begins to shine through the feathers, his legs shifting and returning to normal.

As I watch him transform, I'm unable to tear my eyes away. Slowly, he changes from the demon I've been with into my Julian, the Julian I fell in love with. He slumps to the floor in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders as he lets his head drop. I place my hands over his, staring at him with widened eyes.

"J-Julian?" I ask, swallowing hard and lifting his head with my fingertips under his chin.

He lifts his head and smiles, my heart fluttering in my chest as I look back at him. "MC... How do I look?" He wonders, slipping his fingers through his auburn curls.

Without a word, I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him sweetly, holding him close when he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into himself. He meets my lips eagerly, a low moan rumbling in the back of his throat.

I had no idea unbinding him would change him back, I was preparing to explain to Asra and Portia what had happened to him, but, this man in front of me... It's my Julian, the Julian that made a deal with the Devil to keep me safe...

And now I've broken that deal.

"We need to go." I tell him quickly, pulling away and helping him to his feet as I stand and look to the door. "Before he realises what's happened." I explain when Julian arches a confused eyebrow at me.

He nods and dives behind the bar, dressing himself as quickly as he can manage. "Did you know that would happen? That I would... Change back?" Julian wonders hesitantly as he pulls his boots on.

"No, I thought you'd still have feathers. I was wondering how we were going to explain it to Portia." I answer honestly, watching as he pops up from behind the bar while pulling his gloves on. I look him over and manage a soft smile, my heart lightening at the fond expression on his face.

I can hear the distant sound of thunder, and I recognise it as the same sound that warned us of the Devil's presence all that time ago back in the Magician's realm. "We need to go." I frown, taking his hand and pulling him towards the door.

Julian follows along without hesitation, stepping out of the door and into the Hanged Man's realm with me. Together, we venture out into the unknown, our fingers laced together as we walk to the lamppost in the centre of our little island. I turn to Julian and open my mouth to ask him something, but a familiar bark drowns out my words before I even begin to speak.

That bark... I haven't heard it in so long.

"Scout!" I call out, turning to see the little guide bounding over to us.

She barks happily and bobs her head as she stops beside us, closing her eyes when I gently pat her on the head.

"How long have you been waiting?" I wonder, arching an eyebrow at her.

Scout looks back at me, giving me a confused look.

Maybe time works differently in the Hanged Raven, maybe I've only been gone a few moments to her. "Scout, do you think you could help us find Asra and the others?" I ask her hopefully, smiling down at her as Julian gently squeezes my hand.

She huffs a sigh and nods, waving her paw and indicating for us to follow. I glance nervously at Julian when I notice the red lightning up in the sky, and smile anxiously when I notice the fear in his expression.

"Two is better than one, and three is better than two. Once we find Asra, it'll be easy to find the others." I assure him despite my hidden fears.

A relaxed expression crosses his expression, and he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's go, we've got a goat to beat." Julian smiles, a dashing grin crossing his face as he nods.

I don't remember the last time I saw him smile like that, but I sincerely hope it isn't the last time.