You, The Ocean, And Me.

[Chelsea Delano]

It had been half a year...

Chelsea's once perfectly platinum hair was now back to it's natural dark tone much to the dismay of her parents. Not that they particularly cared too much anyways. They had her little brother...a son...an heir. She was no longer necessary. She knew that her reluctance to tend to the blonde tone of hair and her refusal to select another husband was driving them insane.

Honestly she was wondering when she would be kicked out or disowned.

But today, at least, she had some peace.

Her parents had taken her brother out with them and with Jackson having fled after Vader's capture, she essentially had the manor to herself. The sun was beginning to set so Chelsea reluctantly pulled herself from her window where she usually sat. Trodding down the stairs, she ran into one of the men who worked for her father who took a moment to let her know that her family wouldn't be returning tonight.

Of course they weren't.

Nodding, Chelsea made her way into the kitchen to find herself something to eat. A night alone wouldn't be so bad. At least she wouldn't have to listen to her father run through a list of eligible bachelors. She knew who she wanted to marry. She didn't need anyone else.

But it was hard. Each day just cracked her heart a little more and she just wanted Julian to come home.

She was nibbling on a piece of bread and butter when she heard the knock at the door. She paused...wondering if she could get away without answering it. But something in her gut told her she needed to go. So she stood...shoving the plate away and making her way to the front door.

And when she opened it...she froze.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

Six months. Julian hadn't left this cave in six months. There had been a faint pop at the entrance, wand drawn, the serpent approached the mouth of the cave. "Killian?" His uncle hadn't visited him once since he brought him here six months ago. "What are you doing here?" As the Potions Master explained the situation, Tommy Darling and more importantly..."You're free kid." The Blackthorn wand he had clutched to his side for six months, never setting it down once, clattered to the ground. 

Free. He was free. The first thought on his mind was Chelsea. Not only were they apart for almost the entire school year last year but now six months on top of that. He hadn't seen her since Christmas and it was killing him. Julian had been a little scared to use magic, paranoid that the trace was still on him. He was dirty, even with the spare clothes that Ophelia had brought him, there was dirt and cave dust all over him. There was still dried blood on him, unsure what was his and what was Mickey's. On top of all that, he was in desperate need of a shave. Nevertheless, he apparated from the cave and right to the front steps of Delano Estate.

Knock Knock. Julian stepped back from the door as he waited. Unsure if he would be face to face with the love of his life or Mr. Delano. He should have cleaned up but there wasn't a second to spare. The door opened and it was Chelsea. His heart swelled and tears began to cloud his vision. "Hey..." it was all he could say. It was strange, all he thought about is what he would say to Chelsea the minute... no the second he saw her and now that the moment was here...he was completely blank. Overwhelmed with emotions. "I wanted to write. Every second of every day, it's all I thought about for so long. Killian told me not to. I'm so sorry Chelsea."

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

Hey…

There he was. He was absolutely filthy. He had the beginnings of a beard. She could smell him from where she was and it certainly wasn’t pleasant…but she didn’t give a damn.

Julian was here. He was back. She was right. He rambled about how he wanted to write. How Killian told him not to. And she let out a breath and reached for him. She didn’t care about how badly he needed a shower. She needed to hold him.

”They tried to tell me you were never coming back…”

Tears were streaming down her face as she looked up at him. A moment passed before she was pulling him into the house, locking the door behind them.

”You must be exhausted…come…we’ll get you a shower…I’ll get you some clean clothes and I’ll fix you something to eat…”

She placed a soft hand to the side of his face, gazing at him softly. Gods, she had missed him.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

When her hands reached for him, he fell right into her arms. Nuzzling his head to hers as his arms wrapped around Chelsea. He could stay here forever if he didn't smell so bad. Too soon, their arms dropped and the pair just starred into each others eyes. Julian was almost afraid to blink in case this was some horrid cruel dream. "I'd always come back for you...no matter what, no matter where." 

Tears were streaming down her face and they finally broke free and were falling down Julians. He wiped his thumb along her cheeks to clear the tears, as he was being pulled into the house. 

You must be exhausted…come…

Julian nodded and followed, letting her lead him anywhere. As her hand cupped his face, probably so filthy, he covered her hand hand with his and leaned into her touch. "I don't want to let you go but I really do smell..." he said bringing her along as he inched closer to the bathroom. 

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

His arms were home. She could withstand anything and everything with him here. But…he did smell like he had spent half a year in hiding. He assured her he would always return for her and Chelsea simply nodded. She knew that. It was the sole reason she had refused to select another husband.

Her heart was with Julian and she knew that he would return to claim it.

I don’t want to let you go but I really do smell…

Chelsea laughed softly, the tears still sliding down her face as she allowed him to pull her toward the bathroom. She slid her hand down his arm and took his hand in her own before leading him to the bathroom.

She moved toward the shower, turning the nobs and adjusting the temperature. Everything in her just wanted to take care of him. He had been alone and hiding for half of a year. She had missed so much time with him. As the water ran, she crossed back over to him…looking up at him fondly.

She had missed him so much. Her heart had hurt every day for the time that he was gone. And now he was here. Everything about their appearances was so different it they were still the same. They were Julian and Chelsea. He was the man she was going to marry.

And he was here.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

They were past words now, only eye contact and touches. A cheeky smile spread across his lips as she laughed through her tears. They inched closer and closer to the bathroom, until she was fiddling with nobs and he was struggling with shirt buttons. Noah really didn't have anything more simple? They were separated for only a moment but it had been too long. Looking down as she looked up, Julian leaned down to kiss her forehead. Gods how he had missed this...how he had missed her.

The tears had ceased and it was back to deep stares and gently touches. His shirt was unbuttoned lazily and he traced a finger down her arm. The hot water was steaming up the bathroom and Julian was pulling his forever girl closer to his chest, a small kiss here was leading to more and then gentle was out the window and steam filled the bathroom...

Running the towel through his dark locks, Julian was dressed in clean clothes, standing in the kitchen with Chelsea as something simmered on the stove. Jules was never a cook or anything but Nico had taught him something called a 'grilled cheese'. Thankfully it wasn't an overly complicated recipe and it didn't involve a ton of ingredients. 

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

Chelsea had had every intention of letting Julian enjoy the shower to himself. She would have gathered some clothes for him and began to prepare something for him to eat. But she should have known that neither of them would be able to tear themselves away from the other.

And as she stood in the kitchen, her damp hair hanging loosely around her shoulders, she watched him adoringly. Julian was the man of her dreams. She had known before that she would do things for him that she’d never do for another…but in this moment, it was clear to her that she would do anything for him.

If he ever needed to run again, she would eliminate any threat that kept him away. She would ensure that no danger ever befell him. Walking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his back.

She had never been particularly “cuddly”…but she just didn’t want to risk him vanishing again.

”I’m so happy you’re here,” she muttered softly.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

The warm cheese sandwich was giving him a fight but he managed to plate two of them for the lovebirds. As he lifted the plates, he felt his fiancé's delicate arms wrap around him. Smiling, he set the plates back down and turned around in her arms, wrapping his own around her waist. "Don't worry, love. I'm not going anywhere." It was a promise he was hoping to keep. He wasn't sure how long the charade Tommy Darling was putting on would hold but he had hope. There was no way he would let anything happen to Roxie, she was one of his best friends. 

Julian began to grab for his wand to send the plates to the table so he could still hold onto Chelsea, but hesitated. He shoved the Blackthorn wand back in his pocket and grabbed the plates. "You hungry?" he said, moving towards the table to set the plates down. It was odd that he was so hesitant to use magic now, he hoped it didn't last.

"How have things been here with Vader and Jackson?" Julian was out of the loop. He took a bite out of his sandwich, Nico made these much better. Hopefully the gang had made some progress to getting out of the clutches of Vader Allman.

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

He turned in her embrace and Chelsea gazed up at her fiancé. He assured her he wasn’t going anywhere and she did her best to accept that declaration. But something about the way he picked up his wand, hesitated, and then put it away…just didn’t sit well in her gut. It made her nervous.

He picked up the plates with the warm, cheesy sandwiches on them and moved toward the table. Chelsea nodded and followed him.

As they both sat, Julian asked about Vader and Jackson and for a moment…Chelsea just looked at him. Right. He didn’t know. Chelsea smiled and grabbed her wand, summoning the paper with Vadellia’s mug shots on it and held it out to him to see.

Jackson fled the morning after this dropped.”

She smiled at him a moment, waiting for his realization that they were free. Fully and officially. Vader was locked up. Jackson was gone. And now they had Tommy in custody for the crime they accused Julian of committing.

Things were looking up.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

The cheese was melting down his index finger when he set the sandwich down. His question seemed to perplex Chelsea, causing Julian's brow to raise. The mug shot flew across the room and into Chelsea's hands, holding it out for Julian to see Vader's face staring back at him. "No way." Well that was one problem solved. "That's amazing news! So we're ...free? That feels weird to say after the couple years we've had." It wasn't surprising that Jackson fled after that news broke loose. 

Reaching across the table, he took Chelsea's hand. For so long, he had seen their situation as doomed but things were finally coming up roses for the pair. They could finally work on their wedding and just focus on being together.    Julian was still shocked that Tommy Darling took the fall. He would ask one day but for now he was just so thankful to be able to spend the night with Chelsea, hoping nothing would change for them.  

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

No way.

Chelsea grinned, pulling a piece off of her own sandwich and popping it in her mouth as she watched Julian read, digest, and react. She nodded as he spoke. They were indeed free. It was...the best feeling. All she wanted was to plan her wedding with Julian...live a long happy life with him...raise a couple children someday.

She squeezed his hand softly as he took her own and smiled at him.

All the anxiety and misery she had felt a couple hours ago was gone. He was here and she just felt so much better. Her parents were gone for the evening and they could just be together. For the first time in their relationship...it was just the two of them and nothing was hanging over them.

"Everything is going to be okay," she voiced...watching him with a smile.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

Julian wasn't exactly sure how to feel. Obviously being free from Vader and the Ministry was a relief, and being back with Chelsea was a dream but there was something so foreign about it. It had been so long since there was nothing really to worry about that he wasn't exactly sure how to not worry about something. 

Everything is going to be okay,

"I just wish I knew what was next, you know?" Ah, the young snake had found something to worry about after all. "It's going to be impossible to get a job with my record now unless..." It was an option but one that Julian wasn't keen on entertaining. "Darling Enterprises? The Ministry won't take me and Quidditch drafts are over..." This was a problem for the new year. He wasn't about to bring the holiday moods down. "Sorry, I never even asked, how are you? I can't imagine things have been easy here." Julian was familiar with the Delano's lack of care for their eldest and only daughter. One day they would move out together and their home would be the epicenter of warmth and love.

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

Chelsea was more than happy to have Julian back. Every day he had been gone had hurt her heart. But he was here…Jackson and Vader were gone…and the promise of leaving this life behind to begin a new one with her love was on the horizon.

But Julian, it seemed, was still finding a way to worry. And hells…maybe he should. Their track record was definitely spotty. And as he talked about trying to find a job, Chelsea listened…chewing on her lip slightly.

Darling Enterprises…

Not many people knew about the brief dalliances Chelsea had had with Roxanne…but it wasn’t exactly a big deal. Chelsea still very much cared for the witch.

”You won’t be convicted of anything, love. The world knows that Tommy grabbed your wand to defend himself when Mickey attacked you all…”

She smiled softly.

”But if you want to work with Roxanne, I support you.”

Chelsea, despite being much better than her folks, was still a very morally grey woman. And if he got in good with Roxanne, Chelsea knew he would be well off. But Julian turned the conversation to her and she sighed softly.

”Things will be better now that you’re home,” she offered softly, reaching out and squeezing his hand gently. She didn’t want to burden him with the way her life was…especially when he already knew.

[Julian Blackthorn]

No matter what. No matter where. 

It was an irrational fear, maybe paranoia but Julian couldn't help but worry. He had been a worrier all his life. Worried about Emma and his family, Nico and Vader, and now him and Chelsea. The serpent was secure and confident in their relationship. He knew that even though this had started a little rocky, they were meant for each other. It was fate but he wanted the best for her.

Chelsea went over the details again. Since Julian had only heard them once in a vague description from his uncle, this more in-depth version was very reassuring and he felt his shoulders relax. "That's good I suppose...I guess, I can't believe that Tommy would take the fall for me. He didn't give off the warm and fuzzy vibe when we spoke." Julian was waiting for the other shoe to drop, there was something so easy about this whole situation that unsettled him.

Julian nodded. His fiance's soft smile was enough to reassure him that everything was going to be okay. Jules smiled, squeezing her hand ba. "We should visit Roxie sometime soon, I'm sure she's devastated." Roxie had become one of his best friends, aside from Nico of course, and Julian knew that she was quite close with her brother. It couldn't have been easy on her.

Tagged;;Chelsea Delano

[Chelsea Delano]

Chelsea, in all her years of knowing Julian, had never really expected him of being capable of murder. She'd realized he was darker than she had initially thought during that night that Vader had made them watch her torture Jackson. But murder? She had never been convinced. But something about the way that Julian said Tommy had "taken the fall for him", caused her to raise a brow slightly.

Truthfully, she'd never care if it came to light that Julian had had a hand in killing that man. Mickey Darling was a vile man. He didn't treat his family well...he treated Mona-Lisa like a slab of meat...and he had no class or respect. He didn't much deserve to live. But...had Julian really been capable of it? It was an...alluring thought.

All Chelsea knew was that she would never let anything happen to Julian anymore. From this point forward, they were in everything together. If he ran, she would be on his heels. So as he mentioned visiting Roxie, Chelsea just nodded. He had a point. Everyone knew how close Thomas and Roxanne were. This couldn't have been easy on her.

"We can go tomorrow if you'd like...I have absolutely no plans on going into the office tomorrow." she smiled softly at him, her thumb sweeping softly over the skin of his hand. "But for tonight...I'd like to be a little selfish..."