Disparate Youth

Finn Thedrick Reynolds.

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah could laugh at how perverted and far off his own vision of himself was. At how little faith he had in what she saw in him—in what she needed from him. What she’d known for a good long while now. Julius seemed to have elected himself as a form of protection and nothing more. But as the two had spent more time together and bonded, it had proven to be increasingly hard to stay within those defined, yet unspoken parameters.In the several months the two had known each other the air around them had seemed to have changed. It had consisted of millions of tiny whispers; heated secrets and forbidden desires that always remained just beyond earshot. Aspects far beyond the relationship of a protector and his protectee. 

"Julius," Delilah whispered, unable to get her voice to press clearly against the hoarseness in her throat, emotion effectively choking her up. "You are the most romantic man I think I’ve ever known." Delilah’s lips painted the sweet statement across the tender flesh of his neck at their proximity. She cocked her head boldly, gauging his sceptical expression, which spurred her to continue, to justify her belief. "The day I arrived in town.. You roared up in your service car like a knight in shining armour, and whisked me away from the scene, when the stress became too much. You saved my life          twice and despite your obligations to the town you have channelled all your time into me. You watch over me and protect me with everything you do. How can you say you aren’t romantic, Julius? It’s the furthest thing from true.”

Delilah drew closer to him, and outstretched a hand without so much as a flinch. “You’ve thrown so many romantic gestures at me during the couple of months I’ve been here.. Most of the time, I-I can’t even see straight.. from how much you’ve been the textbook, kind-of-man any woman would go giddy over.” Delilah let her fingers flutter down the side of his face and patter over his plumped bottom lip. “How much you’ve made me fall in love with you.” 

"Is this what you want?"

[julius-schafer]

"Ain't no lie?" 

Julius' gaze didn’t waver. He didn’t step away from or evade her touch. He didn’t evacuate the room and he didn’t dissolve into an angry rebuke like he might have done even months before. His experiences and his feelings towards Delilah had weathered his responses to so many situations but he never imagined this could have been one. 

"I want you," Julius confessed and something akin to electric static shot into his system and he was on high alert. "I want this," he said, sweeping a hand out and indicating their bed, "with you." His hand dropped and settled on her hip so he could pull her close, tugging her against him so the front of their bodies teased each other with potential. "I want every square inch of you..." his hand on her hip yanked her even closer so her pelvis met his with a small amount of friction. 

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

As Julius claimed her lips, his hand curled against the back of her head and twisted into her braid. Delilah’s arms slowly slowly coiled around his neck, as she kissed back. Physical proximity had never been Delilah’s forte and she had avoided it as much as possible with Alistair. But with Julius it had been different, spontaneous and spurred her on in a way she’d never known, even during the early years of her marriage.

It was his tongue that did it, shocked her into a surge of passion that struck her baser impulses dead and breath ran from her, leaving her lungs dry and heaving. Like a strike of lightening in a wet sky, her lips parted and he swept within and kissed the very life out of her. It broke something within in her, his own loud pants, gasping, groaning. But it seemed to snap inside him also, as the second his hand drifted and cupped her breast he hauled himself back, staring at her in shock. She could focus on little else but his shaking hands and her own trembling breath, so that when his voice broke through her fuzzy mind, she startled.

Unbeknownst to the couple, the elderly doctors daughter walked into the living room and froze, mesmerized by the way the two were writhing against each other. She cleared her throat loudly to announce her presence. Delilah’s lips left his, her hands uncoiled from his neck, and she tried to excuse her dishevelled state.  

"So should I tell daddy you’ll take the job?"

Delilah mustered a small glance at a just as flustered Julius, “Yeah.. I’ll take it.” 

The young woman nodded and retreated from the room once more. 

[julius-schafer]

Julius felt a tremor course through his body at the victory. Not only had he convinced her to stay but he'd also, finally made his feelings clear to her. Julius tucked a stray tendril of wispy blonde hair behind her ear as he caught his breath. "I ain’t never had a partner before.. ya know," Julius admitted, his eyes barely lifting from the floor to stare intently at her chin. He shuffled from boot to boot, he really wasn't one for discussing his emotions or experiences, but Delilah had been nothing but open to him about hers. So he figured he owed it to her to at least try.

"Don’t know how to do all that romantic shit." Julius blue eyes trapped trapped her within his gaze — he was wary, which was a given. For if he didn't articulate this right, if he didn’t come up to some perceived expectation of hers of being a real man, a romantic one that knew how to woo her properly, that she’d leave as sporadically as she had come into his leave. Leaving his heart dangling, crushed and broken from his shattered ribcage.

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

  Delilah’s senses were overwhelmed with his closeness, with this intimacy they were allowing one another. Delilah felt her diaphragm start to pinch with her quick, shallow breaths as a gentle kiss grazed her neck. His face then blurred before her a little as he placed a gentle brush of his lips pressed against hers. It was so brief she feared she imagined it, but her lips still tingled as he drew back to reflect her reaction.

Delilah’s vision blurred and she felt such a contradictorily overwhelming rush of shame and desire almost scalding her insides. She could feel one of his rough, well-worked hands on her lower back and his palm burned through the fabric of her shirt and set off a scorching burn throughout her body. 

Delilah couldn’t seem to still her body against the onslaught of sensation, She gasped in shock as his hand tested the waters on her breast and her blue eyes shimmered with heat of desire as they clashed with his unusually intense stare. Delilah succumbed to tiny tremors of anticipation. She could not recall even in the early years of her marriage, yearning for a man’s touch to this extent. But to her dismay, Julius had remained still and this caused her to wonder if he was expecting some sort of indication of if he should proceed. Or more if this was something she actually wanted him to do.

Delilah cleared her throat, trying hard to dislodge the lump of fear that was stuck stubbornly in her windpipe. “You know,” she started, panting sharply at the husky sound of her voice. “I always had this one rule with men. Especially the ones that looked like they might be getting fresh.”

"I never let a man touch my breast until he’s kissed me breathless at least once." Delilah whispered fervently, and she was overcome with how being so bold made her feel high. She inwardly cheered her bravado at saying something so forward to a man who, until now had expected her to be so closed off. 

[julius-schafer]

"Oh yeah?" Julius croaked out, beginning to feel worried as though he'd crossed the line sometime between becoming a mere hairs-breath away from her and proclaiming his hold over her. He swallowed hard, preparing for a reprimand. But at her comment lay a new found permission and with it, his lips did more than brush against hers. He seized them in a rush, as if he feared they'd disappear if he hadn't claimed them on the spot. His hand curled against the back of her skull, twisting into the braid of wispy blonde hair. His tongue prodded her lips insistently and when she parted them he swept within. He could hear his own loud pants echoing in the cavern of her mouth as he drew back, before diving back in to seek her mouth feverishly. 

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah’s heartbeat galloped wildly, and goosebumps crested along the length of her body as he finally closed the distance. She could feel every line of his body against hers, and her lips part as she prepares to speak. But then her eyes drop to his lips, revealing her innermost thoughts. She internally admonished herself, but his body was so close and his lips so inviting. She almost moaned wispily in response. “Julius,”

[julius-schafer]

Her face was hovering a mere few inches from his, her breath tingling on his lips. It'd be such a simple act to lean forward and taste her kisses. But he decided to test the waters first. Julius leaned forward and involuntarily he nuzzled her cheek with his stubble as he placed a scorching kiss on her neck. He then stepped forward again, his hips pushing her into the wall, their pelvises pressed together by his weight. Julius leaned forward, his hand holding her in place, resting on her lower-back. The tip of her nose tingled against his as he placed a gentle brush of his lips against hers before he retracted his lips. 

"I’m such a coward," Julius' voice rasped out, though he hadn't moved a single inch. "Been wantin’ to do it since the day we met…The way you looked at me, I knew you were already mine." Julius' hand slid further up her lower-back, stopping at her waist though his restless fingers rubbed against the fabric. His gaze was hooked on hers menacingly, as his hand, he skimmed up her ribs until his fingers clasped around her ribcage, his thumb just brushing the underside of her breast.

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah could feel the rapid thrum of her heart harmonizing with the quick sounds of her breathing. Her fingers twitch with the ache to touch him but remain stilled with no means of permission to proceed. Delilah blinks, pressing her lips together to deny her desire to press her lips to his. ”Julius,” Delilah finally announced in a soft, tender voice. Her pulse quickened, as her eyes met his. 

[julius-schafer]

Julius pushed her tighter into the corner, this time by stepping closer to her. He could feel every inch of her body pressed flush against his and every nerve in his body screamed in protest for him to stop before he crossed the line. His breath caught as his hand glided to the small of her back, and the unexpected heat of her skin met his palm. “Say it again.”

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

A tiny smile plays along the corners of her mouth, one of great gratitude at the offer from the humble doctor but the afterthought of endangering his family tips the smile to one side. Stubborn as ever, Delilah shakes her head, before clarifying. “As much as I would love to do that and how kind the offer is, I can’t put your family in danger. He will come here for me. I can’t see either of your daughters get hurt… b-because of me.” Delilah declines his offer earnestly, a soft-lipped smile still in place though it appears a lot less convincing. 

Delilah retreats with wide-frightened cerulean eyes as Julius proffers that he wants to speak alone with her. She couldn’t discuss the matter with him, she couldn’t allow him to convince her into staying which was what she assumed he was intending to do. She couldn’t allow anyone else to be hurt at the hands of Alistair, not after experiencing it first hand. She couldn’t lead him to an innocent family and let him leave them in shambles.

"Sheriff, I need to go. There’s nothing keeping me here. I cant let the girls get hurt." Delilah answers, a little defensively, lowering her eyes to estimate the distance between them. It did abandon the fabricated distance, she’d usually keep from people. But despite consciously having to remind herself to breath, it hadn’t spun her into a panic like she’d imagined it would. "Please         Don’t make this any harder than it has to be. I’m going to need to stand on my own two feet at some point.”

[julius-schafer]

Attracted like a moth to a flame, he could feel her melt in surprise at the invasion of her personal space but he'd called it a victory as she'd yet to retreat. Julius placed his hands on either side of her head and flattened his hands against the wall, bracing himself. “What did I tell you to call me?” Julius reproached, half-formed thoughts forming in the far corner of his conciousness, as his heart pounded out in a hasty, disjointed tempo. 

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah drops her chin, a serve frown of displeasure marring her face, though no one appears to notice. Her subconscious had been fearful of this for the longest time but she was aware it wasn’t outside the realm of probability. If she were to be frank, she’d have foretold her expectancy for this event to happen sooner. The justice system had broken and Alistair’s connection with the county judge had enabled him to avoid adequate punishment for his crime many times before. 

Delilah’s mind had erupted with frenetic questions, tendrils of thoughts brushing against her perception. Would he come for her? What would he do when he finally got his hands on her? And most of all would her presence in this house put the doctor, his two daughters and Julius in harms way? It was of utmost importance to Delilah not to put those in danger who had done so much for her. Which is why she knew exactly what this meant.  

Delilah jerked her blanket-swathed in the chair with discomfort, “His uncle is a county judge. I’m sure he bribed someone to do something.” she injects in a low gentle voice, closing her book and setting it on the table. “I was hoping it would take a little bit longer.. Give me a little time to gather my bearings, you know?” Delilah prepared to stand on her feet, “If someone could give me a ride, to the bus station, I would appreciate it.”

[julius-schafer]

"Ya knew?" Julius retorts, his voice flaring with mistrust, on how she could have left out such a crucial detail. Though the anger in his voice instead flares to agony as he is confronted with the possibility of Delilah taking off on her own and fending for herself. He didn't condone it one bit and winced guiltily at his selfish reaction.

"Now, Delilah rose.. You aren't running away from here." the elderly doctor insists, openly gauging her reaction, as he stands and takes half a dozen steps towards her. "You can stay here, work here, earn your keep by cooking for the guests here." his tone resolute, he offered a hand to woman who he imagined must have the fright of her life right now. 

Julius cleared his throat loudly and rounded Delilah with a pivot of his heel, his incredulous eyes flicker to the elderly doctor and his daughter, "Give us a second, please?" Julius pleaded, and the doctor and daughter glance at one another, an unspoken exchange that Julius and Delilah are oblivious to, before retreating from the room. Delilah however attempts to join the two and retreats for the door herself, but Julius sped up his stride and blocked her way, cornering her in the living room. He inexplicably noticed the quickening of her breath and feared she may have another panic attack, at his calculated block. But damn she was intoxicating. 

"Delilah, You aren't going anywhere... Please."

[delilah-beckett]

+Julius-Schafer

Delilah was safely and comfortably tucked in one of the arm chairs, a blanket draped over her lap and a book in hand. She hadn’t had much time for leisure reading during her marriage. But that was due to the fact her time was channelled into satisfying her husband in all the aspects of their marriage. It had become tedious, a chore, but even if Alistair was a bitter pill to swallow, Delilah made certain she did everything in her will to be an amiable wife. Looking back on it, she couldn’t understand what she’d done to deserve all the pain she’d sustained. 

Delilah puckered an intrigued brow, questioning his motives with her eyes. He was taking the seventh odd pace of the floor with obvious trepidation. It was unsettling her to a degree but she had a niggling on what it was that had him acting so uncharacteristically. Delilah set down her book and stood with fluid ease, “Sheriff, just tell me what it is you have to say. It can’t be that bad,” 

[julius-schafer]

Julius sucked in a sharp breath, and gritted his teeth to concentrate, dispelling the horrific thoughts of his failure to keep her safe. A silent snarl contorted his lips at her insistent pry and he quit his pacing, stalking closer to her. "I told you, call me Julius. Sides' just waiting for doc to get here. He needs to hear this too." Julius answered, abstracted, though he willed it to be true. Perhaps he just needed the doctor to be near for aid, in case she didn't take too kindly to the news. Not that he imagined under any circumstances that she would.

A young woman walked in, followed by the doctor her father, who was an elderly man, with an aged face but a kind heart. The doctor seated himself on the couch, wiping his brow thoughtfully with a handkerchief. “Alright, now, Sheriff, what's up? Gotta get cleaned up before I examine Alison Jentry. Poor woman can hardly walk with those twins she's carryin' around.”

Julius doesn't hesitate to take a seat, as the young woman seats herself next to her father. “Well... Here's the news.. and it ain't pleasant..  Alistair.. was released this morning and his sentence was already decided. Community service, fine, no jail time.”

The elderly doctor offered a heavy sigh. “Damn. That was way too fast, wasnt it?”

[bethdaryl]

[delilah-beckett]

“I know… But I’m really tired of everyone treating me like I’m made out of glass… especially you.” Delilah rested her head reluctantly against his vest, and the smell of cologne tickled her nostrils, and along with it a tantalizing underlying hint of sandalwood. Using the last ounce of her frail strength she curled herself into his body to further the embrace. “Thank you,” Delilah’s barley audible whisper rumbles from her chest, as she raised her head ever so slightly, “          For saving me. I am grateful.” 

[julius-schafer]

"There's a difference 'tween caring bout' ya and treating ya like glass." Julius stilled as Delilah took the incentive to close what little space was left between them. He hovered his face at the top of her braid and allowed her scent to fill his flared nostrils. She smelled of vanilla. Her hair, her skin, her clothes, they all smelled like vanilla. "Ain't nothing,"

[delilah-beckett]

"It’s only a matter of time… before he finds me.. a-and finishes what he started. I just wanted my death to be quick… painless. It was supposed to be a mercy killing." Delilah offered a brief glance, unnerved by the harsh lines still formed around his mouth and eyes. She wills the tears away welling up in her eyes as she speaks and sighs, appearing weary. Delilah stares at the blank spot at her bedside, he had vacated and struggles to extend hand out to beacon him back over. "          W-Wait. S-Sheriff” Delilah’s rounded eyes grow panic-stricken and her cheeks drain of all colour at the prospect of being alone. “P-please don’t leave me!” she swallowed the lump wedged in her throat as her tiny hand reaches to seize his, bucking at it’s restraints. “I-I’m scared.”

[julius-schafer]

"He can't hurt ya none. He's 'n jail, Delilah. Look'n at'a life sentence." Julius injects slowly as a weak smile flitted across his lips, he offered the barest hint of a shrug. "Sides, I ain't gonna let'm hurt ya," he declares with a short, indignant nod. He offers a fleeting glance in the direction of the door and increases his stride, returning to her bedside. "Ain't nothing t'be afraid'o" Julius hesitated before his lips grazed her forehead with a chaste kiss to her temple. He then maneuvered to the four bedposts and unfastened the restraints before the mattress dipped under his weight and he settled in beside her on the bed. "C'Mere" Julius encircled one arm around her petite waist, allowing her to burrow her head into his chest, while the other hand hovered, lingering at the crook of her elbow. 

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah’s cerulean icy blue eyes welled up with limpid tears, as his enraged eyes transfixed on her. He approached her at a rapid pace with his fists furled and she reeled at the prospect. Delilah flinched in terror as she prepared herself for impact, bucking her wrists up against the restraints in an attempt to shield her form. When the strike was afflicted to either side of her mattress, she cracked. “Yes!” Delilah’s insides twist in uncomfortable knots as she repeats the word once more for good measure. “I know          That suicide is an unpardonable sin. But it’s better than what fate has set out for me.”

[julius-schafer]

Julius' shoulders slump, when Delilah's demeanour changes and she's instantly on defence. From what he could tell it was her primary sense of action, to curl up in a ball and receive any kind of pain her husband chose to inflict on her. It curdled his blood. "What d'ya mean?" he unfurled his fists and instead he rubbed his temples forcefully with his forefinger and thumb. He willed himself to calm down, and to swallow his pride. He didn't like to see her distressed and it didn't help when he was the one causing it. "Hey now... Yanno, I-I would never hurt ya. Righ?" Julius concentrates mightily to avoid stepping closer and offering reassurance. It was the closest thing to an apology he could offer at this time. "I'll go get ya doc," 

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah cast aside the sensation of pain throbbing at her wrist from tugging against the restraints and she peered up at him gallantly, levelling his stare with her bewilderment filled rounded orbs. She could make out the concern clouding his features as well as the fury. The two had grown fond of one another in the short length of time that they’d known each other. But Delilah couldn’t rely on his protection for the rest of her days. 

Delilah drifted her gaze sideways at his question, taken aback. She tucked her lower-lip between her teeth, expression void of any inflection. She lost herself in her silent thoughts, a tiny V marred her forehead as she stares at him, uncomprehending. It was none of his concern, she was none of his concern. He was the sheriff of an entire town, yet these days the only thing he had time for was nursing her back to health and protecting her. ”D-Does it matter?” Delilah finally whispered in a quivering voice, it was an unavoidable fact. 

[julius-schafer]

Julius attempts to force his jaw to work, as if forcing his gritted teeth apart. But the thin threads restraining his hair-trigger temper, snaps at her statement, and he grits his teeth. He fumed as he approached her, slamming his fists on the bed, either side of her. "O'course it matters!" Julius' ribs vibrate as he growls before he clamps his teeth shut, still hovering closely by her bedside. "Did ya' try ta' kill yaself?!" he demands tersely, his index finger pointing at her in accusation. 

[delilah-beckett]

Beep. Beep. Beep.

It was a constant, repetitive, incessant noise, one that invaded Delilah’s consciousness. Her first instinct was to retreat. Delilah lunged forward to haul herself onto her feet, but her arms were restrained and a jolt of pain shot at her left wrist. Her eyelids fluttered open, clearing the fog in a jolt of pain. Her vision began to clear the fog and she realized, she wasn’t in the shower any-more. Delilah shuddered as chills racked up her spine and her blonde curls clung, framing her face.

"W-What?" Her voice was hoarse and scratchy like sandpaper, she found herself uncharacteristically at a loss. 

Julius was at her side before she’d even finished the word and a heavy silence encompassed the room. Delilah gathered her bearings for a short eternity before she plucked up the courage to speak again. 

"W-What d-did y-you d-do. W-What a-am I d-doing in t-the h-hospital              and w-why am I s-strapped d-down."

[julius-schafer]

The rotted wooden floorboards creaked beneath Julius' feet as he paced the length of the floor uneasily. It was hard to reconcile this mysterious and deceptive woman with the innocent, selfless and compassionate medic for nurturing others that he knew before. She had broken, after years of abuse and mistreatment, her husband had finally got what he'd desired most. 

Julius paced for a few more seconds morosely as Delilah awoke before he approached her bedside. "You dun know?" Julius spat vehemently, crossing his arms above his ribcage. "I saved ya' life.. Be grateful. At least." Julius resumed his pacing, distancing himself and pacing back and forth, before he pivoted sharply and seethed in her direction, "Was it'n acciden? Ya' at least owe it ta me, ta tell me that."

[julius-schafer]

+Delilah-Beckett

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah dropped her chin to her palm and heaved a sigh, her expression irked as he left. Delilah leaped gracefully to her feet, and shuffled towards the door, locking herself in the bedroom. Her exquisite, cerulean orbs clouded over with tears that freely flowed at the newly found confinement. She needed an escape she had decided, an exit, she needed… relief. Delilah’s hand began to tremble, her breathing erratic as she clutched onto the blade that had made it’s way into her bathroom like it was a lifeline. A small amount of blood oozed from her palm, trickling down the delicate flesh of her wrist and her forearm. It was a shocking contrast to her ivory pale skin. But the pain was barely president. She needed more.

An audible knock brought back to reality and she allowed to blade to slip from her grip. 

"Delilah… M’ leaving some fresh towels by the door. An’, I’ll be in the living room if’n you be need’n me."

"Thank you…"

"Ain’t nothing,"

Delilah listened intently to his descending footsteps, as they padded their way downstairs. She then jarred the door, picking up the towels and shutting it again. She stepped into the bathroom, locking it, and ran the shower. She wrenched the clothes gingerly from her lithe frame, and gazed at herself in the mirror, taking in the sight of the harm that had encompassed her. She had sustained a bruised cheekbone, split lip and a light bruising to her jaw. As well as the lacerations to her scalp and thigh. She appeared a fright.

Delilah stepped into the shower. The hot water creating a sheen over her numb body, causing goosebumps to form on her skin. She tugged her hair out of it’s braid, letting the matted blonde hair cascade down her back. She then tilted her head back allowing the water to travel down her back and through her hair. Her eyes fluttered closed in contentment, at the brief ease the water supplied. Delilah pealed open her eyes again and watched the sheen of steaming surrounding the ceiling. She needed relief.. It would be a pittance, a mercy kill if she were to end it all at this instant. She would suffer a far worse death at the hands of Alistair given the chance and he would find her. He always did.

Delilah’s back slid against the tiled shower wall, and she knelled, allowing the water to generously stream down the rest of her gaunt frame. She angled her head against the wall and clamped her eyes shut. Her hand blindly reaching into the soap hold, coming into contact with a sharp, cold surface.

Delilah slowly but divinely brought the razor down the inside of her left wrist, watching with a morbid curiosity as she drags the thin, silver blade through her skin, unscathed. Disgruntled, but not at all deterred. She glides the blade over the tender flesh of her wrist once more, making another incision, across her pale, ivory skin. Delilah watches in fascination at the crimson that seeped from her wrist, mixing like ink in the water drains, where a gentle whirlpool like current brought it down slowly. A mercy killing, a mere pittance. Delilah winced as the blade plunged into her wrist, a little deeper than intended and she feels herself begin to lose consciousness.

[julius-schafer]

"Delilah?" Julius called as he knocked once on the large oak door of the bedroom. He didn't receive a response but his ears detected the shower, and he stepped inside to wait for her. He allowed his eyes to travel around the room as he waited. At the base of every wall rested the same oak trim, chipped and rotted with age though most would determine it untidy. He believed these flaws, gave the small farm house character. Julius halted in his tracks as cornered around the bed of her guest room. Blood.. a moderate amount of it. Small driblets of blood that had likely trickled down from the silver edge of the blade that was also on the floorboards, stained crimson with dried blood. Julius was riddled with panic and the adrenaline coursed through his veins, clouding his vision with white fear. 

Julius swiftly pivoted, three-hundred-and-sixty degrees, his legs spurring forward. He jiggled the door knob of the bathroom door frantically, despite the fact he was certain it would be locked. Julius slammed his fist against the heavy oak door, a rush of buzzing energy keeping his body on edge. "Don' you dare give up on me, Delilah, don' you dare!" Julius warned, seething through his gritted teeth with malcontent, he dug into his pocket and used his pocket knife to chip away at the lock, leaving enough give-way for him to ram the door open with his shoulder. "You ain't leavin! Ya hear me?!" Julius roared as he eyed the door with malicious intent and charged forward, approaching the door at full speed, he could practically hear the old oak door hinges and lock breaking like elastic. "I won' let ya!" 

Wisps of vapour rose from the scalding water, creating a luminous haze as charged inside on impact. The air was thick and wet with steam but this didn't deter Julius. He guided himself past the sink and roughly caught hold of the shower curtain, tugging it across on the side of the shower. Delilah was unconscious on the floor of the large tiled shower, the scalding water sluiced over her bare form. The water was tainted red from the fiery cuts on her wrist. His first natural inclination was to step into the shower fully clothed to retrieve her and that was what he made priority. He looped one arm behind Delilah's back as he hooked his other arm behind her knees and stood, deftly picking her up. "You don' get to die on me, Delilah. Please, don' die." Julius attempted to ignore the burning tears in his own eyes as he set her down onto the bed, draping a blanket over her bare form. He held a gauze to the incisions on her pale wrist, trying to stop the bleeding. "Delilah!" 

[julius-schafer]

[julius-schafer]

+Delilah-Beckett

[delilah-beckett]

Delilah frets at the tightness of her frame, and the rigid set of her spine. The air shudders in her lungs when she exhales, her chest constricting with anxiety. “I’m sorry.. I just constantly.. s-see him.” Delilah’s voice quivers, scarcely louder than a whisper. She stiffened as calloused fingertips grazed through the strands of her matted blonde hair and than trailed to the bruise blooming over her cheek. “And I don’t want to live in constant fear any more,” Delilah’s eyes fluttered closed, bringing a tiny hand up to cover his where it cradled her cheek. “W-Would it be asking too much for you to give me a little time?” 

[julius-schafer]

Julius nodded his head gruffly, his hand flicking dismissively in the direction on the bathroom. "Take'n all the time y'need" Julius answered in an obstinate tone, retracting his hand as his contrite blue eyes shifted from her. He could not bear to watch her suffer, his heart writhing with grief at the sight. "Ya' know where I'll be and I'll drop ya some towels in a bit."