-- written for @vesuviaweekly's prompt "splinters". enjoy some Julian fluff and comfort! :3 --
You knew that Julian was plenty experienced with sailing, but this was the first time you really understood why his go-to outfit was built for more than just "plague doctor".
It happened after dinner. You two had already retired to your quarters, leaving several of Mazelinka's deckhands to handle the ship for the night. Julian was airing himself out, shedding his double-breasted shirt and thick gloves, when there was a sudden call for help. It was only a ten to fifteen minute matter of wrangling some tangled rigging before you got to go back inside, but -
"Dammit."
You turn at the sound of his pained hiss. He's sitting on the bed, lanky legs splayed to help him keep his balance, and frowning at his palms.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah - nothing to concern yourself with, my dear, I er - seem to have brought some of the rigging back inside with me - nothing a rogue scoundrel like myself can't take -"
You take his perpetually cold hands in yours, hearing him sputter into a series of blushing mumbles as you look them over. Without his gloves or any callouses built up underneath, his hands had no protection against the rough ropes. They're full of fibrous splinters and wracked with rope burn.
"Julian -"
"It's nothing."
"Let me take care of you."
You've only been together for a few months now, but the way his grey eyes widen and his frame sags against yours speaks of a decades-deep yearning he's carried for this kind of love. "O-okay."
The task at hand is fairly straightforward (if time consuming). You spend the next forty five minutes with his hands open in your lap, held as close to the lantern as possible so you can see what you're doing. The longer you work, the more he's confronted with the situation, and the fewer apologies or distractions he has to deflect the meaning of the moment. By the time you've moved from his palms to his fingers, he looks like he's on the verge of tears.
"What's wrong, Julian?"
"Nothing," he mumbles hoarsely, "I didn't think - er, that is - I'd stopped hoping I could have something like this."
"Like what?"
You have to pause your work because his gaze at this point is too intense to look away from. He talks like he has to force his words past a lump in his throat. "Something real. Permanent. Something - ah - loving. Truly loving."
You turn back to his hands, carefully plucking another fiber from the soft skin in the crooks of his fingers. "I'm glad I get to love you like this, too."
He gives an awkward, wet chuckle as you fumble with a difficult spot. "Even full of splinters, aye?"
You finally clear one hand, lifting it to your lips to drop a kiss on his fingertip and watching the way he blushes and gulps, all wide eyes and stolen breath. "Even full of splinters."
Oddly Specific Romance Prompts Vol. 7: Theme Park Date
"I don't feel so good..." "I told you eating three turkey legs before the Tilt-a-Whirl was a bad idea. Here, I got you some water."
"Don't tell me you're scared of Ferris wheels." "I'm not scared of Ferris wheels. I'm scared of heights, which you get on Ferris wheels." "Then I guess I'll have to hold your hand all the way around, huh?"
"I don't care if it's rigged; I will win you that goddamned stuffed animal if it's the last thing I do."
"Will you protect me inside the haunted house?" "No, I fully intend to let the ghosts have you."
"The haunted house is supposed to be scary, so stay close to me." "Aw, are you just looking for an excuse to put your arm around me?"
"I don't know, wooden roller coasters freak me out. It's like they're asking to fall apart." "Well, if this one falls apart while we're on it, we'll go out screaming together. Romantic, right?"
"I-I know it's stupid, but I bought us some matching headbands. Y-you don't have to wear it, I just thought--" "Shut up and give me the stupid headband, cutie."
"Now I see why a lot of people hate theme parks. My feet are killing me." "Then I guess I see a piggyback ride in your future. Hop on."
"You...got me tickets to [theme park name]?" "Yeah. You said you've never been, so I wanted to take you myself."
"The fireworks are so pretty." "I agree. But, I think there's one thing in this park that's prettier." "And that is?" "You."
"Oh my god, I want that roller coaster picture." "No. No you don't." "But you look so cute."
"Winner of the ring toss gets to kiss the loser." "Oh, you're on."
"Dammit, I didn't think it was going to rain. I'm sorry, this was supposed to be a fun day, and--" "Hey. It's okay. I'm still having a great time. And you're here with me, so, bonus."
"These park tickets were a great investment." "You think so?" "Yeah. I've never seen you look so happy, so...worth it."
your f/o asking "would you peel an orange for me?" and bro. i would peel TEN oranges for you. i would plant an orange tree. i would monopolize the orange industry for you
here's a shoutout to people who feel a little alone in this community. it's a big place here so i understand how a lack of interaction or friends can feel discouraging but i promise notes on your post or how many followers you have does not equal your worth or how much you love your f/os (or how much they love you)
this is a reminder for selfshippers that its okay to make your f/os obsessed with you. so true they WOULD think about you all the time. so true they WOULD bring you up in every conversation. the world could be ending and your f/o would only mourn not getting to give you enough affection