After the End (Julian and MC)

19

It's been a month since we faced off with the Devil. Asra's moved into the palace with his parents, and Julian's moved into the shop. He opened a clinic next door, and always comes to spend his breaks with me. He's just as messy as Asra had been, but I don't mind the mess. Julian still has nightmares about what the Devil put him through, and even I wake up in a cold sweat some nights, but we're there for each other when we wake up, and I know that the dreams will pass in time.

Julian's been talking about taking a trip back to Nevivon with Portia and Mazelinka, but he hasn't been able to convince me to get on a boat yet. Maybe in a few months' time we'll go, but I'm not settled enough to leave Vesuvia for any amount of time yet. We're happy enough as things are, and I'm not ready for a change.

Speaking of Julian, the front door to the shop swings open, and my auburn-haired lover steps over the threshold. I smile and walk over to greet him, closing my eyes and slipping an arm around his waist when he presses a kiss to my forehead.

"Good day, my love?" He asks me, smiling as he places his leather bag on the counter.

"Busy day." I answer with a smile, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a sweet kiss to his lips.

Julian moans into my lips and holds me close, grinning to himself as his fingers curl around the back of my neck. He slowly steps forward, pressing me into the counter and leaning over me. I break away with a soft giggle, shaking my head at him.

"Ready to go down to the Rowdy Raven?" Julian asks, arching an eyebrow as he takes my hands in his.

I nod and smile, slowly stepping past him to seal the back door. "Is Portia meeting us?" I ask, turning back to him and twirling a lock of my hair.

"No, no it's just us tonight." Julian answers, his cheeks flushing as he clears his throat.

There's an odd nervousness about him that I didn't notice before, and I arch an eyebrow as I walk back to him. "What's the matter?" I ask, a smile creeping across my face as I slide my hands up his chest.

Julian swallows hard and smiles nervously, placing his hands on my waist and shrugging. "I, uh... Listen, MC, before we go..." He looks as if he's about to pass out, and he stares down at the small gap between us as he lets out a shaky breath. "We've... We've been together for a long time, if you count when we were in the Hanged Raven... I... I love you, MC, and... Y-you don't have to say yes, if you don't want, but..." Julian slowly reaches into his pocket and holds up a trembling hand, a delicate silver ring between his thumb and forefinger. "Marry me? Please?" He asks, offering me the ring.

"Oh, Julian..." I gasp, tears brimming in my eyes as I cover my mouth. I close my eyes and nod enthusiastically, smiling sweetly as I throw my arms around his neck. "I love you." Tears roll down my cheeks as I hold Julian, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Is... Is that a yes?" Julian asks nervously, swallowing hard and daring to smile as he places a hand on my hip.

I laugh and nod, moving back and cupping his face as I press my lips to his. "Yes, yes, yes." I tell him eagerly, staring into his grey eye with my own teary ones.

Julian relaxes and presses his lips to mine, kissing me sweetly before taking my hand and slipping the ring onto my finger. "I was afraid you might say no." He confesses, chuckling nervously as he meets my eye.

I shake my head and smile, my heart fluttering in my chest. "Why would I have said no?" I ask, arching an eyebrow as I slip my arms around his torso.

"I don't know, I just thought you might've." Julian shrugs, cupping my face before he kisses me again. "Let's go celebrate, hmm? We can tell Portia and everyone else tomorrow." He smiles, sliding his hands down my body and taking my hands in his.

"I can't wait." I nod, letting him lead me out of the shop.

Julian and I love one another, and now we're going to be married. The thought fills me with overwhelming joy. Even if we're still haunted by the memories of our ordeals, we can overcome them together, just like we overcame the Devil. I smile up at Julian as we step out of the shop, my eyes softening when they meet his.

I pull the door shut and seal it behind us before we make our way down the street together, hand in hand.