L and Julian released hands as they made it to Julian's flat, and he pulled out his keys. He flipped on the dim lights, immediately embarrassed of the sight of his living room as she stepped in while he secured the door behind her.
"Sorry," he quickly apologized, both of their eyes scanning over the numerous beer bottles littering the coffee table. Though pleased with seeing the guitar taking up the couch, she turned to look up at him, silently wanting an explanation of why he drank so much. She didn't imagine she'd be confronted with such sadness. "Wasn't expecting company," he said bashfully, consequently letting her know how truly alone he was.
She followed him into the kitchen where more beer bottles spotted the counters. As soon as the coffee machine started whirring, L wrapped her arms around Julian tightly as he leaned back against the counter from the force. He let out an adoring laugh as he held her close, feeling as though she couldn't contain her affection after they were this close earlier at the beach.
But, it wasn't that. L wanted him to know he wasn't alone. She didn't want to see him continue through his obvious downward spiral. He was such a delicate soul, and she could tell there was nothing else and no one else for him to turn to. She wanted to be there for him. She didn't want him to feel alone again.
They pulled away as the coffee maker started gurgling with the last of the boiling water. He took out a couple of mugs from the cupboard and poured a cup for each of them. They walked out onto the small balcony as the sun rose, casting rays of golden beams over the city. After finishing her cigarette and half of her coffee, she tore her eyes away from the city.
Julian had already finished, and he was hunched over on the railing, his eyes never leaving the profile of her face as it seemed as though she was seeing the city for the first time. He was still in amazement that someone like her truly saw him, and he was content with the possibility that he was the only one who truly saw her, too.
L blushed at Julian's gaze. "I've never seen the city like this," she said, looking back out at the cityscape surrounding them. "I'm always just down there, rushing around," her eyes narrowed as she watched the streets start filling with cabs and the sidewalks growing busy with people. He stepped over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing his body to hers. He nuzzled his head into her shoulder, burying his face into her neck. He smiled at the mixture of perfume, shampoo, and cigarette smoke that lingered in her hair. He'd never smelled anything more intoxicating.
L felt at home in his arms. With the mug in one hand, she placed the other on the back of Julian's head on her shoulder, not wanting them to leave the intimate position. She wanted so badly to wake up to this every morning instead of a lonely hotel room every few days. She was sick of the strange bedsheets and free hotel dinners. She wanted to leave everything and just stay with Julian. She momentarily caught herself in how invested and attached she'd become to him, for he must have thought she was crazy had she said any of her thoughts aloud.
"I saw that you play guitar," she squirmed out of his arms and spun around, subtly distancing herself physically, hoping her thoughts would trail after her actions.
Julian was slightly hurt by the gesture of her stepping away but surprised she mentioned his passion. Every now and again, he'd hit rock bottom and find himself picking up a random girl from a bar. He'd never gotten this close to anyone, and not one had ever mentioned the guitar, yet L was quick to point it out.
"Maybe you could play something for me," she suggested, hoping they could just sit apart on the couch, and he'd be too preoccupied with the guitar in his hands to mesmerize her with his touch.
Julian couldn't believe it. No one had ever taken an interest in his music before — let alone go as far as wanting to hear it, and she had no idea how much it meant to him.
