Summary; Julian drags Asra way for house calls, which normally would be fine if he didn’t have to take a three-day boat ride there. Asra really doesn’t want to leave but Julian insists he has to. While their away you go into labor, as soon as Asra knows he’s racing home with his idiot Doctor friend.
Warnings// the softest touches of Angst. Mostly fluff.
Pairing; Asra X Reader
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Asra whined softly in uncertainty as he looked at his bags by the door, he had about four of them all packed with his belongings. His gaze looked up from the bags to the redhead doctor that was taking them out the door to their carriage (Provided by Nadia), His gaze then turned to you standing in the kitchen tiredly.
This morning before the sun even hit the ocean Julian was knocking on the shop door. You both rose tiredly to answer. Apparently Julian had discussed with Asra about some trip overseas to help some smaller cities, he had agreed partially because he wasn’t paying attention and just wanted Julian to shut up.
Now he was really regretting that decision.
He walked over and grabbed your hands softly. “Are you sure You’ll be okay here... By yourself? For a week.” He asked with a frown. “Of course Asra. The baby isn’t even due for the next two weeks.” You assured softly with a tired smile. “But what if-“
“Assssra!! Stop worrying so much. They said they’ll be fine, then they’ll be fine. Even if the baby does come early— They took on the devil, taking care of a baby by themselves will be easy as cake.” Julian said as he picked up the last of Asra’s bags. Asra looked from him to you and whined pathetically, his hands tightening their grip on yours while he gave you an expression that resembled a kicked puppy. “Julian... Not helping.” You huffed. Julian poked his head back into the shop to say a simple “Sorry” with a grim before popping back out to finish loading.
You let out a sigh as you pulled Asra into a hug, You hugged him tightly, he however hugged lightly— weary of hurting the baby. “Seriously Asra, I don’t understand the problem here.” Julian said sympathetically once he finally came back in. “You don’t— Okay, Remind me why I have to go and why what we’re doing.” Asra huffed as he pulled away from the hug to face the doctor head on. He didn’t look very happy.
“Well, we noticed that some of the smaller cities don’t have any doctors, and often the whole thing with the Devil they desperately need all the help they can get,” Julian spoke as he crossed his arms in a thoughtful manner. “ So we put together all the doctors here and gave them each a city to go to. We all agreed that me; being the amazing professional I am, and you; being the skilled magician you are, would take the biggest of the small cities.”Julian explained. Asra huffed again, “I still don’t understand why I have to go...” He grumbled softly like a child. You just giggled softly at Asra while Julian rolled his eyes.
Julian wrapped a lanky arm around the Magician. “Look here, my Magical friend. Do you know why it takes three days to get there?” Julian hummed. Asra just raised an eyebrow at Julian while lifting his arm off his shoulders, Asra didn’t particularly like being that close to his ex-lover. “Because the city is that far?” Asra said in a curious yet bored tone. Julian began slowly guiding them to the door. “Ppt! No! Because with all the supplies we have onboard the ship is heavier— thus it doesn’t travel as fast.” Julian explained while making hand gestures, Asra just hummed in acknowledgment. “So! This means once we get there if that little one of yours decides it wants to see the sun, we’ll just load up what you and I need and ZOOM!—“ Julian grabbed Asra’s shoulders and quickly spun him around so he was now facing you with his back to Julian. Julian—With his arm extended towards you finished talking; “We’ll be home to greet your new family.”
With that Julian let go of Asra and headed out the door to the carriage. You laughed and shook your head as you walked to your husband. “You heard the Pirate-Doctor. Zoom, and your home.” You smiled as you fixed his scarf. “How is he even allowed to sail? Don’t you have to be in your right mind to be a captain?” Asra asked. You just smiled and kissed his cheek. “I and Faust will be waiting for you.” You hummed.
“Asra!! If you don’t hurry the boa will leave us and we won't be able to go!!” Julian yelled from the carriage. Asra hummed as he mussed over the idea of just staying until the boat left them. “No!” You scolded, “Whaaat?” He laughed. “Go!” You demanded while pointing out the door. “Okay! Okay! I’m going!” He laughed with his arms up in defense while he left the shop. Not of course without giving you a chaste kiss on the lips.
Once the door was closed Faust raised her head up from her place on your shoulder. “Bed?” She asked tiredly. “Yes, Faust, Time for bed.” You yawned as you both headed upstairs.
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They had finally just landed in the city, Asra was a nervous wreck by now. He couldn’t contact you the entier ship ride because he couldn’t find a steady body of water. As soon as he was on land he ran to find the closest still body of water.
“Okay. I guess I’ll just get us a room...?” Julian asked as he watched the white-haired magician runoff from the ship.
Once Asra found a good spot he sat and waited for you, once your face finally appeared in the pool of water he smiled his biggest smile. “That was quick. We’re you waiting for me?” He asked. “Ah. Well, I figured you might try to call me this way so I’ve been hanging out around the fountain a lot waiting for your face to show up.” You admitted softly. “Mmm. The fountain? The one at the palace?” He asked after a moment, during that moment he just replayed what you said on repeat in his head so he’d know to remember your voice. “Yeah! Nadia suggested that I come to stay with her while Portia and Muriel took care of the shop. She said it would probably ease your mind if you knew I wasn’t working and had someone with me.” You explained nonchalantly.
Asra had to admit, The thought of Muriel and Portia in charge of the shop kind of terrified him. Then again, Muriel knew what everything was— and Portia had great people skills so the two kind of worked perfectly for the job.
“Well that’s good. How have you been doing? Nothing abnormal?” Asra asked as he leaned over the edge of the pond. “Hmm... Nope! I feel fine. You however— Look exsauhsted.” You stated, “Yeah sea life isn’t for me...” He mumbled as he scratched the back of his neck. Even through the slightly wavering fountain you could tell he had a light blush paint his tan skin. “Mhm... It’s totally not because you were worrying yourself to death on that boat. Right?” You asked with an unamused expression. “I— Well I couldn’t call you so if something happened I wouldn’t be able to know until I got here And— And if something happened, like if there was a complication or—“ You had to quickly butt in to stop Asra from working himself up over ‘what-ifs’
“Asra! Darling, Look, I’m fine. Now your on land and you can call me. You don’t have to worry I promise!” You smiled at him through the water. Asra looked down in thought, his gaze landed on his ring. He took a deep breath. “Your right. I’m worrying to much.” He agreed. “Yes, yes you are. I hate to see what you do when the baby starts walking.” You laughed softly. He chuckled as well at the thought. Soon your laughs died down, there was a long moment where height one of you spoke. “Darling, do me a favor.” You hummed after a moment of silence, his head jerked up to look at you. “Get some rest, Please? For me?” He begged softly.
Asra hummed, the corner of his mouth turned up ever so slightly into a faint smirk. “Well, You know I can’t refuse when you beg.” He hummed in a sultry voice. You rolled your eyes at his lewd comment. “I love you. Bye!” You acted like you were annoyed but he could tell you found his comment amusing. “Alright Alright. I love you too, my Love. Oh! And kick Lucio for me!” He smiled. “I will I will.” You laughed.
Your face faded from the water. he stayed there though, Just looking at the water just in case your face showed up again. It didn’t. he sighed and stood, he made his way back to the docks. He siliently had cursed himself for not asking Julian where exsactly they where staying.
Much like Asra you linger at the fountain for a moment to see if his face would show up again, when it didn’t you started to get up. The maid who had helped you out the the fountain helped you stand up. “It’s none of my bissinuess but, Why did you tell him you were fine when you’ve been complaining about your stomach hurting all day?” The maid asked softly as she held your arm. “Ah, It’s just heartburn. No need to worry him when I’ve got it under control.” You hummed softly a you walked inside to the palace.
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After having had a restful nights sleep, Asra woke up to an arm draped over him. Asra huffed as he remember what happened. Julian had gotten a room with one bed so they opted to sharing it under the condition Julian stayed on his side, That of course didn’t happen. Julian was a cuddler and Asra knew this, so setting those ground rules were pointless and he knew it from the moment the words left his mouth. Curse Julian’s horridible linguistics.
“Julian...” Asra huffed tiredly, Julian only stirred softly. “Julian.” Asra stated a little louder, Julian just pulled him closer in his sleep driven state. “Julian! Off!!” Asra snapped as he flung Julian heavy arm off him. Julian followed his arm off the bed in a pile of sheets. “Ow!” Julian yelped before sitting up. “Your fault.” Asra said as he stood up, “Someone’s grouchy in the mornings... I dunno how MC stands you in the morning.” Julian yawned as he laid his head on the edge of the bed. “I am NOT a grouchy morning person. Just when I wake up with you laying on top of me like a body pillow.” Asra growled as he grabbed his shoes, “Mmm... No I’m pretty sure you were a grouchy morning person when it was just us.” Julian hummed tiredly. Asra yelling in annoyance before throwing Julians boot at him. “Maybe get a bigger bed next time!” He snapped. Julian yelped and fell back when his boot collided with his head. “Okay! Gods!” Julian yelled back at Asra.
Asa had planned to call you at some point in the morning to ask if you had slept well and possiably blow off steam by telling you about how annoying Julian was. However he didn’t get the chance, Another thing Julian had neglected to mention was that he had The whole day booked with appoinements.
So Julian and Asra spent the good part of the day asking care of patients, it was well past midnight when he was finally able to try to talk to you. He waited by the pond waiting for you. Like the day before it didn’t take long for you to appear. “Hey! Busy day?” You asked, “Yeah, Julians been running be ragged. Hey listen this morning— hey what’s wrong?” Asra jumped to attention when he saw your face twist in pain. “Ah its nothing! Just a tummy ache.” You brushed it off, Asra didn’t look convinced though. Faust peered into the water at Asra and stuck her tough out. “Baby!” She chirped out. Asra looked confused for a moment but all that confusion went out the window when you leaned over out of view in pain. “Friend!?” Faust yelped in worry. There was another voice but by the time it hit Asra’s ears it was distorted like the image in the water. Everything faded out quickly.
Asra jumped to action, he took off in the direction the the hotel where he left Julian.
Julian was laying bed trying his best to sleep when Asra barged into the room yelling frantically about how he shouldn’t have left and how he was right. He went back and forth between worrying, self loathing, and yelling at Julian. “Asra! Will you calm down!! They’ll be fine! Their’s plenty of doctors in Vesuvia. We’ll leave tomorrow.” Julian said as he draped and arm over his face. “No! o theirs not because— if you’ve forgotten— Some IDIOT sent all the doctors away to different cities!!” Asra screamed at Julian who quickly sat up. “Oh... Right..” Julian bit his lip in guilt.
Asra walked over to stand in front of Julian, He grabbed his shirt and forcefully pulled him up to his feet. “If we don’t get there as soon as possiable. I swear to ever god there is I will lock you in the magic realms!” Asra snarled with a glare that could kill. “O-okay! Okay! Get your stuff and we’ll head out now.” Julian stammered with his hand up in defense.
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Asra and Julian were packed and out within an hour, no matter how fast Julian was going Asra insisted that he needed to hurry.
throughout the journey they fought on and off, thanks to the small boat they used (and Julians any prayers to various god) they arrived in Vesuvias Port that morning. Asra got to the palace as quickly as he could.
Honestly when he burst through the doors and ran pasted a very tired Lucio, everyone was surprised he had made it back so fast. When he finally made it to your room (It wasn’t hard to miss from the crowd of maids and friend as well as the baby cries) He pushed through the the crowd and just.... Stopped... and stared at the sight in front of him.
You laid there in a giant bed, Nadia on one side, Portia and Muriel on the other. You looked exsauhsted but you were also beaming with happiness to the point you had tears in your eyes. A little bundle of blankets in your arms that let out little shrieks.
“Aw look it’s got Asra’s eyes!” POrtia chirped happily while she wrapped her arm around Muriels. Muriel smiled very softly as the baby in your arms held his big finger with its tiny hand. “C’mon MC! I wanna hold the baby!!” Portia whined. “Now Portia.” Nadia sighed, “No.. Asra gets to hold them first. Ain’t hat right, Poppa?” You hummed happily as you looked over at Asra.
He didn’t even know he had started to cry. He waltzed over and took Nadia’s place on the bed, You transferee the baby into his arms. He just watched them while they stared at him. The babies eyes flicked from one person to another, its eyes filled with curiosity. By the time its eyes landed back on Asra, Julian had finally made it into the room.
“See! I told you not to worry, We’d be back in time.” Julian smiled triumphiently. “Julian...” Asra hummed. “yeah?” Julian asked. “I’m never going along with one of your ideas again.” Asra chuckled as he wiped his eyes while handing the baby back to you. Julian opened his mouth to opbject but closed it siliently. He opened it again; “Yeah, no, that’s fair.” he smiled.
* Valerian root is known to have sedative effects, which is one reason it's used for insomnia. However, using valerian may lead to vivid dreams or even nightmares in some people.
Long-ish fic under the cut.
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Asra doesn't get angry, or at least you've never seen him get angry— actually, that's not true. You've seen him mad, agitated, annoyed. But this Asra, The one standing in front of your that was absolutely fuming to the point you could feel it in his magic aura. You were absolutely shocked to the point you weren't even paying attention to the person his anger was directed at. It all happened so fast too.
Today was one of those days— The ones where you kinda had your head in the clouds and didn't really pay attention which was fine since it was a very slow day with customers. Most just wanted a certain herb or pre-made potion you had on the shelves.
One guy though, this guy who already seemed in a bad mood, he came in. "I need a potion." He asserted as soon as he came in, his voice jarring you from your thoughts. "Hm? Yeah, sure what kind?" You asked in a rather bored tone. "A sleeping potion." He replied that would explain why he seemed to grouchy. You could tell by his aura, his tone of voice, the way he stood so stiff and crouched like he was a snake ready to strike at the first dumb comment.
Luckily you knew exactly where these were so he would be out of your head, You turn and skim over the cabinet your eyes landing where the potion should have been.
That right, you'd sold the last one earlier to a girl with bags under her eyes.
You sighed through your nose, you'd have to make a new one meaning the longer he was here. Just his presence turned your mood. "I'll have to make a new one." You stated, "Well get on with it you don't need to ask permission." He retorted with a snarl like a dog. You just rolled your eyes at the comment giving him the benefit of the doubt, he was tired.
You had made these potions all the time since Julian was a regular when he wasn't at Mezlinka's house and didn't have her special soup he came here to get a potion. You could make this potion with your eyes closed— or so you thought.
You began adding ingredients needed, halfway through you got lost in thought again. You finished it quicker than normal and handed it to the man who paid and left.
That was that, you wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.
The next day your head was firmly on your shoulders unlike the day before. You were more grounded and paid more attention. Today Asra was upstairs asleep since he and you had stayed up last night rolling around in the sheets, you didn't blame him for sleeping in since he worked really hard.
While you were restocking some potions that had run out. You heard the bell ring and turned around to see a familiar grouchy face from the day before. "You lying witch!" He snapped as he slammed the door behind him. You grabbed one of the potions that had fallen off the shelf from the jarring slam. Your eyebrow raised and you gave a confused expression along with a "Huh?".
"That potion you gave me yesterday made me have nightmares all night! Some sleeping potion! You shouldn't be allowed to sell fake potions!!" He all but yelled as he put the empty potion bottle on the counter. You reached over and grabbed it, you took a whiff and you were instantly hit the strong smell of Valerian root*. That would explain a lot. You stuck your finger in and scooped up some of the liquid left and tasted it, you cringed. That's now how it's supposed to taste. It was missing ingredients.
"Ah, Sorry I made it wrong yesterday." You hummed with a happy expression, you not faltering to his aggressiveness made his blood boil more so than before.
Soft thumps came from the stairs as a tired Asra walked down to see al the commotion.
"Here you can have some of the new ones I made this morning. On the hous-" you were cut off by the man knocking the potion out of your hand. It shattered on the ground, Now this had Asra's attention. What's with this guy?
"I don't want anything from you! If you can't even make a simple potion that is apparently so sought after you had none yesterday then why would I trust any other potions you had. For all I know that could be poison." He raised his voice as he chewed you out for your minor error. This didn't sit well with Asra. "Hey, it was a mistake!" Asra stepped in.
"I suppose you're their boss? How do you manage to hire someone so incompetent and dumb!?" He snapped. Asra narrowed his eyes, the man was insulting you! Who does he think he is to insult someone he loved, someone he adored, someone who he saw as a god among mortals.
Asra's blood boiled in aggression as he stood in front of you. "Oh, I'm so sorry MR perfect! Here have a potion on the house." Asra growled as he grabbed a potion any potion and opened it, he dumped the continents on the man who gasped in shock. "How dare you!?" The man yelled. "How dare me? How dare you! You come in yelling at someone you don't even know over some minor inconvenience, calling them dumb!" Asra snapped with such anger is honestly surprised him.
You'd never seen him so angry, even when fighting Lucio he never got so angry. He was mad sure, and when you first started hanging out with Julian is was annoyed and jealous but this was so much more. His eyes dilated, showing so much aggression they threatened the kill the man with only a glare. His hands in a fist as he held back the urge to just hit the man, just once, he wanted to just once.
"Oh! And if they're the dumb one then maybe you should know that the word Incompetence and DUMB mean the same damn thing, you moron!" Asra added with a snarl. "Get out!!" He snapped as he pushed the man with so much force out the door that seemed to open on it own onto the street. Asra slammed the door shut, not as hard as the man did when he walked in.
Asra was panting softly from all the adrenaline. Your soft touch on his shoulder made him look at you, his expression changing from aggression to a soft one instantly. "Hey." You smiled as if announcing that you there for the first time, and to Asra you were. He hadn't even realized you were in the room when he was yelling. His body swiveled around as he hugged you tightly as if to tell you that everything the man had said was a lie silently.
His hug was also an unspoken promise.
A promise that he'd always protect you whether from a goat demon or from an angry customer.
The rest of the day he closed the shop so he could just lay with you and whisper how much you meant to him. Honestly what the man said didn't even bother you but if this meant Asra would baby you so much you'd gladly be chewed out by any and every customer.
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A few weeks later.
You were in the shop, Asra was reading on the couch. The door opened and the man from a few weeks ago stumbled in. Upon seeing him again you'd expect Asra to be angry but he wasn't, in fact, Asra only looked up from his book momentarily.
The man was stumbling, his eyes had horrible bags under his eyes. "Please! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!!! Please I need sleep!!!" The man all but cried as he laid on the counter staring at you with eyes full of sorrow. "Please take off whatever curse you put on me." He begged.
You raised an eyebrow as you eyed the man. "I didn't..." you mumbled, you noised the necklace around the man's neck that looked familiar, you narrowed you eyes as you reached over and pulled it until the string snapped. You eyed the necklace knowing exactly what was going on. "There, your good to go." You said as you waved the man off. The man quickly left to go home and finally get some sleep.
You walked over to Asra and stood in front of him. "Asraaaa." You scolded. He looked up from his book and at the necklace in your hand with one big Shit-eating grin. "Asra did you have Muriel make a hex charm!" You scudded, he laid his book down and pulled you into his lap laying his head on your shoulder as he pulled your back to his chest. "I assure you I have no idea what you're talking about My love." He said as he smirked softly.
Like I said before, Asra doesn't get mad— He gets even.
Summary: My take on Julian’s route starting from where he dumps you at the docks to the very end.
Warrnings// !!!Lot’s Of ANGST!! No Comfort!!! MAJOR SPOILERS FOR; Asra’s route, Julians route, and the overall game lore.
Pairing; Julian X Reader. Past Asra X Reader.
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Though neither you nor Julian had known each other long, merely a few weeks, but something about him was so familiar. It was comforting. It was probably why it hurt so bad to loose him
It started a few months ago, Asra had just left you alone at the shop. After reading for the Countess Nadia you gained another unwanted visitor who you swiftly hit over the head with a near by vase. After another visit or two you gained some more information on your red headed wanted doctor friend. He was wanted for a crime he may or may not have committed, however, you had a gut feeling he was innocent so you both sat out to prove his innocents (Or guiltiness Julian insisted on reminding) On your ‘adventure’ with the doctor you found yourselves in steamy situation on numerous occasions. They all ended the same way, you always had more important things to do.
Julian pressed against the old metal fencing, your hand carefully yet firmly pressing into his wound on his abdomen. All while watching him squirm and flush above you.
No. we have to prove his innocents.
Mouthed on each other in the library of the palace, two bodies having been quickly squeezed between bookcases under the thought of guards coming. Turned out it was just Malak outside the window.
No, we have to deal with the magical forces at hand.
Most recently, being asked by Julian for you to bite him while in Mezlinka’s bed together.
No! We have to save the world first!
For a moment you wished that the world could survive on its own, that it didn’t need you or Julian, That you could both disappear together. Just for a little while of course.
You didn’t think your silent wish would ever come true, that is until that morning when Julian ran you around the town under the assumption “I think we should talk.” A first your heart had fluttered, It was clear you both were more then friends but neither of you brought it up in conversation afraid of the answers from the other. Was he going to bring it up? Was he going to ask you to make it official?!
The last thing you expected was to be where you were now, Sitting on the docks beside each other in tense silence. The whole day had passed in fast chaos, but at least during the chaos you were both speaking and happy. Julian seems far from ‘happy’ at the moment. “Ah, It seems I’ve wasted the whole day away without talking about what i brought you out to talk about.” He laughed nervously, there was no cheerfulness behind his forced smile, just pain. You started to doubt what you thought he wanted to talk about, something you were sure about earlier. “It’s fine! I had a lot of fun hanging out with you Julian” You smiled at him. Julian’s heart clenched painfully in guilt for what he was about to say. It was going to hurt, this you could tell.
“What we are— Whatever this is... It can’t continue, It has to stop here. I’m sorry MC.”
Julian couldn’t bring himself to look up, instead his locked his gaze with his feet like they owed him money or something, his feet that hung over the docks just above the water. Oh how he thought about how easy it would be to jump into the ink colored liquid and never resurface, it would have been a whole hell of a lot easier then listening to your broken whisper of “what...? why...?” Julians jaw clenched as tight as he grip on the non-to-sturdy wood he sat on, he was prepare for you to yell or hit him but what he got was so much worse.
“No.”
Julian’s head whipped towards you, “Excuse me?” He asked, a little more confused then hurt at this point.”No. Julian I am NOT going to let you do this by yourself. We’re proving your innocence together—“ “I’m not innocent!” Julian said, he meant to make himself seem angry figuring you’d definitely leave if he yelled at you. Scared you. Then you’d be safe from him for good. “You don’t know that!” You said, your own voice coming out a little louder, a little bit more whinier. “I know that! I can feel it in my gut, I’ve done something horrible i can tell. I may not have been guilty for the counts death but I’m guilty for something else just as bad, I know I am.” Julian stood, you stood as well.
This carried on, going back and forth until you were all but begging him to let you help, to stay with you. Each time he’d give you the same answers, “I’m dangerous!” Or “I’ll hurt you!” until you couldn’t take it anymore and finally cave. “Julian you cant!”
Don’t say it
“Why can’t I!?” He snapped back, his appearance said he was furious but his eyes said he was silently screaming inside.
Please gods, don’t say it.
“Because... Because I love you...” You whispered, eyes so full of sadness and dull hope for him to just stay and love you back.
You said it...
Julian was salient for a moment, his back to you from previously trying to walk away.
“I don’t love you...” His voice was like a cold, quiet, dagger that stabbed your chest.You stood there stunned while he walked away discreetly wiping his face from the tears that started falling the moment when you proclaimed your feelings for him. The same moment he knew exactly what he had to say to get you to leave, a blatant lie to himself.
It’s wasn’t until you arrived at the shop seeing Asra had arrived home early that it hit you full force like a stack of bricks.
“Hey MC! Where have you been.” He began wiggling his eyebrows only for his face to drop when he noticed your distressed face. With a hand clasped over your mouth to muffle your sobs, your eyes squeezed closed while hot tears left them. You heard Asra come over as fast as his feet could carry him, you felt his tight embrace. Asra was terrified, he hadn’t seen you like this since the last time you got your memories back and he had to erase them again. Oh how he prayed that wasn’t the case this time. “He left!” You let out. Loud sob that honestly shocked the white haired man yet also relieved him. Just as he was about to question you, you continued. “Julian left me! He doesn’t love me back.” You cried so loudly it felt like your lungs burned. Asra sighed as he quietly cursed that red-headed doctor for ever making you hurt.
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A few days had passed since that night, or maybe it was a few weeks. You couldn’t remember anymore. Lately you’d been spending your nights at the rowdy raven in small hope you’d run into Julian but you were never that lucky, plus Asra didn’t let you drink at home. Asra.... You hadn’t had a conversation with him since the night you sobbed yourself to sleep in his arms, weather from embarrassment or simply from the lack of wanting human communication, you couldn’t tell. In fact you’d been so distant that you’d stopped working on that case for Nadia, Asra was thought despite him trying to hide it from you.
On this particular night, you over heard some of the regulars (Which you’d now become part of) talking about Julian, mainly about how they hadn’t seen him in a long while. One thing though did peak your interest though.
“I heard Devorak got himself captured in the library of the palace because of that damn bird of his yapping to loud.”
They weren’t wrong. Malak hadn’t shut up about you since the night Julian came back without you. “MC? Where?” Malak had asked while tilting his head.
“Their gone...” Julian answered quietly as he ran a hand over his wet face to try to clear his mind.
“Get!” Malak yelled at Julian.
“No! their not coming back, Their safer wherever they are...” Julian sighed.
That very next day Julian had sneaked back into the library to look for more information. He couldn’t piece the puzzle together no matter how much he tried, he found himself thinking about how you could have easily solved this by now. Malak waited outside the open window flapping loudly. “MC! Need them!! NOW! Julian! Julian!! Need MC Now!!” Malak cawed louder and louder to the point Julian had yelled back at him. That’s what got him caught and taken to the palace prison. He sat there in his cell thinking over overthink he had done, specifically the pained expression you had when he told you he had to end what was going on.
“MC? I heard Nadia talking about treason between them and Julian Devorak.” A guard mildly chit chatted with another at the door
“Yeah? I heard that too. And that their set to hang with Dr Devorak per Coutess’ order.” Another Guard added to the conversation.
Oh no.
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The bells ringing is what woke you up enough to realize you had over slept. With a sickening jolt you arose with a headache quickly. You paid no mind to the pain as you ran all the way to the coliseum, you got there in record time and pushed passed the crowd. You ignored the calling of your name from Mezlinka, Portia, and Asra as you made your way to the front. Just as Julian came into sight, both your eyes locked together. Metal closed hands grasped your tightly. “Ah! His accomplice! Isn’t it fitting they come to be tried together.” Vasomil smiled. “More like, come to be hung together.” Valdemar cocked their head side with a smile.
“No! They had nothing to do with it!” Julian yelled at the court from where he stood on the wooden make-shift platform, a rope around his neck. The very same platform you were being led to at the moment.
Once on the platform they tightened the rope around your neck apparently already prepared for your appearance. “Julian...” You looked up at him standing beside you.”Why would you come here!?” Julian snarled at you, his face softening when he saw the pure terror in your eyes. “I don’t want to die.” You whimpered as tears threatened to spill. “Your not going to.” Julian said with a voice filled with something like determination. The optioned looked slim here for a chance of your escape let alone yours AND Julian.
Asra had finally pushed his way through the crowd. “Nadi! Mc’s Innocent!!” He yelled up at her desperately. “How do you intend to prove that?!” Nadia almost snarled.
Asra panicked and said the only thing he could think of. “They were dead, Remember!?” Asra screamed over the crowd.
Nadia’s eyes widened, you could see something snap inside her. “Stop!” Nadia yelled as he came to stand.
Though your own eye’s were wide like plates from the new information, somehow everything started to darken to the point it went black.
The last thing you saw was Julian trying to catch you as you fell.
The last thing you heard was your name followed by Vastomil. “Hang him! He’s trying to escape!!” Followed by a sickening snap of bone.
——————————————————————-
Your eyes fluttered open, you were on an island. One with red dirt, a bird man stood beside you, everything else to foggy to see. You recognized the figure almost instantly. “T-The hanged man?” You asked softly causing the bird to almost smile and laugh. “Exactly, Your smart MC. Speaking of which, you should be getting your memories back now.” He almost hummed as he stared at you with beady eyes, and just as quickly as he came he was gone.
The fog cleared enough for you to see another island with a street lamp on it. The words on the signs were jumbled and ever changing. Your focus changed to the two people standing there, One the Hanged man and the other Julian.
“Who are you.. Bird man?!” Julian asked. “You don’t remember me?” The bird smiled with his arms crossed. “I... Your... Your the one who gave me the mark.” Julian slowly pecked the pieces together while you tried to call out to him only to find you couldn’t speak.
“Precisely, And you Julian have been lying to yourself. You didn’t kill the count, Did you?” The raven asked.
“No.... No, I was locked in my office in the basement.” Julian said, more memories flooded back to him as they did you. Though yours not as comforting as you remember the pain of flames eating you alive
“Why?” The hanged man asked, it seemed he already knew the answer but was coaxing Julian to remember.
“Because I had come down with the plague... I was dying! I remember! I remember...” Julian fell quiet as he looked down.
“MC?” The raven hummed.
“MC... They died, They died during the plague because of me. Oh gods I didn’t see it in time and they died because I couldn’t find a cure.” Julian looked like he had just seen his dog run over. While you stood there remember your own death over and over in your head. Falling onto the streets when the plague overcame you, how could he not know? How did he not notice you dying in front of him...
“Julian.” The raven called his attention which was granted “You hung in the coliseum. Now I’m going to give you two options.” The raven stated coldly. Now it became clear why you couldn’t speak, Julian had to make this choice himself.
“Your first choice is; You can come back to life with your old memories but not your mark and fight the devil to keep the plague from coming back.” He started, “Or?” Julian asked. “Or you can stay here with me in the afterlife and I will make sure the plague stops before it starts.” The raven headed man finished.
Julian thought it over for a moment. “If i die... MC will be safe... But if I go back, They’ll want to help me fight the devil and they might be killed because of me again....” Julian repeated his optioned out loud. You prayed he knew what to choose, what you wanted, that somehow he’d choose to—
“I’ll stay.” Julian said sternly. “You can have longer to choose if you’d like.” The hanged man said softly as he glance over at you who stood there trembling on the other island. “I don’t need more time to choose... I don’t— no i cant let them die because of me again. I wont let it happen. This way they wont get hurt...” Julians voice fell off once he followed the ravens gaze to... you? Your eyes locked once more, his gaze hardened. “I’m staying.” He confirmed once more. The raven nodded before disappearing.
Your islands crashed together, as soon as it did you hugged Julian as tightly as you could. “NO! Come back please.” You sobbed. “Now Love... You know I cant do that.” He sighed as he laid his head on yours for one last time. “I lied... When I said I didn’t love you... You know that right?” Julian chocked up softly. You nodded silent. “I love you more then i could even explain. That’s why I’m staying.” He sighed as tears started to stream down his face, You shook your head repeatedly. “Do me a favor... Okay?” He asked as he pulled you out of the hug, he had a itching feeling you wouldn’t be around much longer. You swallowed and wiped you eyes, you wanted to be strong for him. You had to be strong for him. You nodded not trusting your voice.
“Find someone else. Girl, guy, whatever just find someone who’s good to you. Someone who spoils you rotten and can cook. And tell Portia I miss her and that i want her to take care of you and Maz.A-And tell Asra, I’m sorry.” He smiled painfully as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you Julian...” You whimpered one last time, “I love you to MC.” He smiled one last time. A genuine smile as he kissed you softly.
You clung to him in the kiss. The feeling of his warmth and firmness slowly fading away as you closed your eyes. You weren’t going to break your promise even if it killed you.
