Word Count: 772
Rating: PG
Summary: A doctor and his assistant work into the night to transcribe his notes.
Vesuvia Weekly Prompt: Midnight Deadlines
Tonight was the night, the monthly reading and transcribing of Julian’s notes which are many and in great need of organization. Like so many things in his life, Julian was a bit…disorganized. That’s not to say that he was a complete mess, but there was some room for improvement especially with just how many notes he could take in a day (being both a doctor and a man of science). At first, he had taken it upon himself to do the work, putting only himself in danger of not getting enough sleep. But Sparrow was quick to point out that one, she was his assistant, and it was her job to assist, and two, that it was also her job to see that he didn’t fall into old habits, like not getting enough sleep. They could get through twice as many notes with two heads than they could with one. So began the tradition of Sparrow making tea, Julian making coffee, and the both of them settling in his office to begin some much-needed work under candlelight.
Julian settled behind his desk while Sparrow settled on the sofa behind him, both having their own piles to deal with as they settled into a comfortable work silence. Of course, as hard as Julian tried to work, he couldn’t help stealing a moment to watch Sparrow work. He loved how her green eyes almost looked aflame with focus in the light from the lantern above, the way she brushed a bit of errant hair from her face back up behind her ear. Though they were working and usually when she worked it would be up, these late evenings she would decide to be more comfortable and let it down. Julian loved to run his hair through the long dark gentle curls of hair which were very well maintained. He also loved the way she carefully moved her hand to make that cute little loopy handwriting of hers. He almost wished that she could dot her alphabet with hearts like she did in her many love letters, but then again that wasn’t professional (and he secretly enjoyed that she only did it for him). She was a great assistant, probably the best he had ever had, which was good because she was really the only one, he had ever had.
“Julian,” Sparrow said suddenly, not looking up, “you are getting distracted.”
Julian jumped to attention. “Yes, mam,” he said turning quickly back around his chair again. He began to scratch out notes again but felt a set of familiar lips kiss his cheek. He smiled. “Now who’s getting distracted?”
“Just taking a bit of break,” Sparrow answered, one hand coming up to play with his hair. “I’m going to make some more tea, do you want some?”
“No thank you, but I will take some more coffee.”
“Fine but only one more cup sir,” she warned. “You are jittery enough, plus we don’t want to cause you any more ulcers, got me?”
“Yes mam,” Julian said with a slight grin, shivering a little as she played a little with the sensitive hair on his neck.
She was right, he knew that, but he had managed years on coffee alone (which he knew wasn’t healthy, but he had been deep in the hole then), so the addiction was a little hard to break. Still, she brought him more coffee and he was happy. They again settled into a content silence, which stretched for a long while. Julian couldn’t be sure how long, a few hours maybe. Luckily, he managed to finish his piles, which meant it was probably time for bed. He turned to ask if Sparrow was ready but instead, he found her sweetly curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. He smiled softly as he looked at her peaceful form. There were still a couple of piles around her, a testament to the fact that she was still not as used to the insomnia as he was. Julian rose quietly from his desk and grabbed his coat from where it hung, draping it over Sparrow like a blanket. He then knelt beside her, kissing her forehead gently. He looked at her face lovingly, brushing away a bit of hair behind her ear before settling at his desk again to finish. In the end he probably would end up sleeping on the floor beside her, which, of course, would make Sparrow cross with him (because why would you not just wake her up or at least get some kind of pillow rather than breaking your back), but in the end it would be worth it.
