Checking In (Julian)

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra had rolled over and accepted his version of their future too many times now. She would not go down without a fight. She pushed herself away from him, standing as God made her in front of him.

"Then let's go as far down that path as we can! Go on an adventure with me, Julian. It's better than locking yourself in your castle and painting Merlin knows what for weeks on end!"

[Julian Faust]

Julian stood after her challenge. Meeting her passionate plea with an intensity all his own. He wrapped an arm around her bringing her flush against him, "What is it you want from me Lyra? What is it you want in general? Marriage? Children? A future of your own? I can't! I can't give you any of those things! I made a vow, a promise to a woman beyond death and I won't forsake it! And I won't sit and watch us fall deeper and deeper still!"

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra wasn't sure what she wanted. She was supposed to get married and start her own family, and the idea sounded perfectly lovely to her. But did it sound appealing because it truly was what she wanted one day, or because it had been beaten into her that it was expected? She didn't know the answer.

Lyra was still young and despite her unfortunate circumstances after leaving school, she had very little exposure to the world. She'd hardly lived at all. Mason had promised to show her the world, to take her on adventures in foreign countries. Julian showed her there could be a life beyond what her parents expected from her. Not too long ago he had teased her with the idea learning more about muggles; a concept unheard of in her parents' home. Her foray into cooking had gone astray, but not because of any lack of interest. These were all things she wanted to explore further and when she pictured it she was with Julian.

"I don't know what I want, but whatever it is I want it with you. And I know you want something with me, too. I'm certainly not asking to be your wife, Julian but I don't see why we have to deny ourselves of everything." She raised herself on her toes enough to meet his lips with hers.

[Julian Faust]

He kissed her hard. Angry. Finally he pulled away, still angry. He ran a hand through his hair that had grown long and unkempt. It added to the dangerous look as well as attitude he had adopted.

"You would tempt a saint madame." he cursed turning back to her, "You would damn us both." he softened putting his arms around her.

[Lyra Newbury]

"I don't care," she responded gently. "I'm done going on without you. Whatever this is between us, I'm not hiding from it anymore. I'm done staying away, so you're going to have to figure out a way to rectify that with your vow." She kissed him again before she stepped out of his arms.

"And you're coming to my ball," she added with a confident smirk. It wasn't a question and she was making a request. Lyra demanded his attendance and Julian would comply because he loved her, even if it meant he would burn in Hell.

She turned her back on him and bent over, gathering her clothes from the floor. As she spoke she stepped into her skirt and pulled on her ripped blouse. "I have to go to the office tonight, Sam left me in charge while she's dealing with her family thing." Lyra had problems to manufacture so that she would have to call on Samantha for help. Her friend needed a distraction from her pain, just as Lyra and Julian had needed today's distraction from their own self-imposed agony.

[Julian Faust]

Julian watched as Lyra ordered him about, he was completely transfixed when she bent over to retrieve her clothes.

He came behind her and stilled her actions, "If you wanted to leave, you shouldn't have bent over." he whispered hoarsely in her ear. She had been demanding and now so was he.

"You're not leaving tonight." he moved his hand over her waist and pulled her against him, "If we're going to hell, we're going to enjoy the ride."