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Day 031: Stronger

“Julian,” Hearing Graeme call her by her name and not some form of nickname, made her hands fidget. She closed her eyes but didn’t turn around. She bit her lip, trying her best to slow and sift through her racing thoughts. He never called her by her full name, it was always ‘Jules’. It's been like that for months now. Then again, that's exactly how she knew that she had messed up and sensing that disappointment caused her stomach to sink.

“Julian, please don’t ignore me,” His tone lightened but the stern air never left. When she still didn't turn around he continued. “Listen, I know everything is a lot. Finding out about me, about the world around you,” he paused, then breathed out, “about you.”

Julian swallowed the lump that grew in her throat, her hands reached up to wrap around herself, gripping at her arms. She picked her words carefully, “I am afraid of what my powers can do, Graeme,” His name felt weird on her tongue but she was determined to get her thoughts out, “I hold back every time I use my powers near you, the pack, even the vampires. I’m in a constant state of fear. Fear of what might happen if they go awry,” She dropped her hands and turned to him and met his eyes, looking between them. “My sole intention for going out there by myself was to try and use my powers full force. I wanted to see what I could do, no pressure, no worries or consequences. No one would get hurt. To see if I really was this powerhouse everyone keeps saying I’m supposed to –” The words hung in the air between them. A silence stretched on as both searched for their next words.

“Even if your powers disappeared tomorrow,” Graeme moved to stand in front of her. He wanted to hug her but hesitated. He continued, “You are still important. You are part of this now, as much as any of us. An asset to our pack no matter if you have powers or not. You see things from a different perspective. If we had lost you, if I hadn’t got there in time–” her heart dropped as his tone fell to a whisper. Of course he had been upset with her. It was never her intention, but would she not have been angry, frustrated, or felt helpless if he had run off without her? If he had been hurt trying to be stronger? Trying to protect everyone by himself?

He let out an ‘ouf’ as Julian collided with his chest. She hid her face in his shirt and mumbled into the fabric. He had barely deciphered her noises, but he understood enough that the tension in his body began to release. She could feel his arms mirror her embrace, tucking his head down and into her neck. His grip tightened. All the fears he had washed away knowing she was here now, alive and safe.