those were rose-coloured times on rides with your eyes closed

I did find myself at Decker's that night, where I got to meet a bunch of his friends. It was an interesting time. He and Chloe wound up fighting rather loud and drunkenly at a club, and after the argument, the night seemed to be over. Everyone went their separate ways. Chloe went to stay with someone else for the night, and Julian had convinced me to go back to his apartment with him and his friend Thom.

The next morning I awoke in Julian's bed. He lay on his side beside me and I had curled myself against him. I didn't remember how I had gotten there, but I was still fully clothed. I just hoped that Chloe wasn't going to walk in and find us like that.

Even though I was freaked out, I didn't want to move. Julian was warm and smelled great, like sandalwood. As I lifted my head to look up at his face, I smiled at how his hair, which had been gelled into little black spikes last night, was now sticking out at weird angles. He looked so young and so innocent. Before I could reach out to stroke his face, the phone rang.

Julian sat bolt upright and I skittered across the bed, away from him. He stared at me for a second before turning and picking up the phone.

"Hello?" As the person on the other end began to talk, he straightened up. "Yeah. I know." He ran his fingers through his hair. His face looked strained. It had to be Chloe.

I slowly got up and started searching for my shoes. Julian turned away from me and started speaking in softer, almost comforting tones. I found my shoes with my coat and bag in the living room. I didn't know whether I should say goodbye or just leave.

Before I made a decision, Julian came out of the bedroom and headed for the kitchen.

"I'm in desperate need of coffee," he said, not seeming to notice that I was getting ready to leave. "Would you like some?"

"I thought it would be best if I just, you know, left," I called.

He walked out of the kitchen and leaned against the hallway wall, staring at me. "So we sleep together and you run off? I feel so cheap." He smiled. "Stay and have some coffee first. Chloe won't be back for awhile."

I put my bag down and took off my coat, following him into the kitchen. "So that was her?"

He was busying himself with setting up the coffee machine. "Yeah. You know, had to do the apologizing thing."

"Oh. It's worked out, then?"

"Yeah. All better. Probably have to do a bit more making up later. You know how it is." He looked up at me and winked. "Do you want something to eat?"

"No thanks. Just coffee is fine," I said, leaning against the counter.

"You sure?"

I nodded. "So, um, how exactly did we wind up, um, sleeping together?"

Julian grinned, standing with his arms crossed against the refrigerator. "You don't remember? Huh. Well, I guess it'll just be my little secret then, won't it?"

"Tease."

"No, not normally. You, on the other hand..." he paused, looking me up and down. "You enjoy teasing."

I smiled sheepishly.

"Uh-huh. See?"

"Yeah. I know that, but how do YOU know that?"

Julian ignored the question. "I'm going to take a shower. Help yourself to the coffee. I'll be out in a second.

I nodded and watched him leave the room. When the coffee was done, I poured some into two mugs, and took one with me as I wandered out to the living room. I sat down on the couch and leaned my head back.

I just didn't know what to make of it. I could remember parts of last night, but not all of it. I hadn't even drank that much. Why couldn't I remember how Julian and I had wound up in bed together? Obviously, if we had done anything it had probably only been over-the-clothes activity. And I had to admit it had been nice waking up beside him. It had been a complete shock, but it had still felt completely comfortable.

I continued sipping my coffee and remembering what I could. Julian had stayed pretty close by all night, which hadn't made Chloe exactly happy. We started to realize how alike we thought. By the end of the night we could finish each other's sentences. If I didn't say something I was thinking, he would say it. At first it had weirded me out, but it was such a nice feeling that I hoped it didn't go away.

A little bit later, the bathroom door opened and Julian came out wearing a pair of black jeans and a wifebeater. His wet hair was still sticking up like before and he had glasses on. After getting his coffee, he came in and sat beside me.

"I feel much better."

Unsure of what to say, I just nodded and sipped my coffee.

"You should come out with us again sometime."

"I think I'll have to do that. I had a blast."

"Chloe and I don't normally have episodes like that. The nights are usually more fun when we don't. People don't always seem so quick to leave."

"They did get out of there pretty fast, didn't they?

"Yeah." He chuckled, pausing a moment before speaking again. "I guess maybe I lied. Now that I think about it, maybe we do have episodes like that a little too often. Everyone's gotten pretty good at making themselves scarce."

"Why do you fight?" I asked, hoping not to step into territory where I wasn't welcome.

Julian shrugged. "Chloe can get pretty possessive. She can get really jealous pretty easily."

"I can tell. She's not too hip on me, is she?"

"She knows my track record with women. I'm not very good about staying with just one for any length of time. She's afraid I'm going to leave her."

"How can you be with someone who doesn't seem to trust you?"

He just shrugged again and I took the hint.

"Hm. Well, I guess I'd better be going. Too much play and the work piles up."

I got my stuff and Julian walked me to do the door.

"You really should come and play with us again."

"I gave Rory my phone number last night. Just have her call me or something."

He nodded, looking thoughtful.

"Well, thanks for the coffee and inviting me along and everything. I hope it's all worked out with Chloe." I opened the door, ready to step outside.

"Eh... We'll see what happens." He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, remaining close in order to whisper in my ear. "I hope we can sleep together again soon."

I pulled away and stared into his eyes for a moment before turning unsteadily and walking away without another word.

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