Disclaimer: I don't One Tree Hill or any of it's characters.

AN: This is a just some Pulian drabble, fluff. Based on a shuffle of the iPod and inspiration from each song. If you recognize any of them, I don't own those either.

"Will it kill you to breathe?' he asked as though getting arrested were an everyday occurrence.

At this comment, Peyton sobbed loudly. She had been trying to hold in the shuddering cry since she'd been seated in the back of the car. It was never as easy as people thought between the two of them. Some days were tough, especially when she had to fake understanding why he needed to make a joke about everything.

"I mean, easy Peyton, only seventeen miles lay between you and me. I just google'd it," Julian said with his usual swagger, changing tactics as a result of her tears.

Peyton laughed involuntarily. The joke was comforting rather than annoying. The tears were beginning to dry. She felt silly for being arrested and actually crying about it. She wasn't used to breaking down this easily. But he hadn't been home in awhile, and she had needed his advice so badly. But here she was, in jail because of the tickets that had been forgotten and unpaid. They were mostly due to the new junior exec she was reporting to these days.

"Peyton, I love you, I'll be there soon," Julian promised.

"I love you too," Peyton whispered as she hung up and was escorted back to the holding cell. They had their issues, but Peyton knew Julian loved her, and that's all that mattered.

"Peyton!"

Turning she saw him standing there, waving the old shirt that had somehow come to mean more than just an old shirt in one hand while waving his arms to catch her attention.

He was always here to pick her up from the airport. He always brought that old shirt.

The smile that erupted on her face every time she saw him making an idiot out of himself for her benefit was always enough for him.

She understood, his love, his devotion and she was happy.

Peyton was sitting on their bed, her lip quivering. Julian had just told her that he was going to be out of town yet again. He would miss their anniversary, their first anniversary. Maybe she'd gotten too used to celebrating every moment with Lucas. Maybe this was what happened in the real world, outside of Tree Hill.

While she sat there processing the information, she hadn't noticed Julian scrutinizing her every facial expression.

"I'm not the one who broke you, " he said suddenly, startling her out of her reverie.

"What?" Peyton barely managed to ask.

"I'm not the one you should fear," Julian stated, as though it explained everything.

"I don't understand what you're saying," Peyton cried softly, his words were only distressing her more.

"I saw the look you had, the look you have whenever Lucas is on your mind," Julian clarified.

Peyton immediately looked up at him. He was coming to sit next to her.

"Peyton, talk to me. I want to be all you need," Julian pleaded as put his arm around her.

"I guess I just wanted to spend our first anniversary together," Peyton said quietly after sitting in his half embrace for several minutes.

"Peyton, I love you, an anniversary is just a day. We could say today is our anniversary, tomorrow, any day of the year. What matters is that you're with me and we're both happy," Julian said as he looked into her eyes and made sure she understood.

Peyton's eyes reflected the shock she felt at the explanation he provided. Julian always had a way of surprising her and making her fears go away. She felt silly for worrying about a day, when they had all their days ahead of them.

"You're right," she breathed as she fell back onto the bed with him.

"Of course I'm right," Julian said with a smirk. "Now let's see if feisty Peyton is around here somewhere, I'm leaving for at least a month tomorrow you know."

Peyton laughed heartily, and wrapped her leg around his. She was going to show him how much she appreciated his words, his understanding, and his love.

"Go away," Peyton yelled angrily at Julian who had been following her around on her errands all evening.

"I won't go away until you promise," Julian answered childishly, which as charming as it could be, was extremely annoying right now.

"I don't want to make any promises," Peyton said simply as she continued walking down the street.

"Why not?" Julian asked just as simply, falling into step with her.

"Just.. because," Peyton replied.

"I bet you would've promised Lucas," Julian said as he stopped walking.

Peyton slowed to a stop several feet away. She turned to face him, he was wearing an expression of practiced innocence, she saw through it. His lips were nearly quivering with the need to smirk, all this talk and it was only a game for him. A game they played well.

"Erase," Peyton said with a smile as she continued walking.

"Replace," Julian said as he came up behind her and pulled her into a kiss.

And again Lucas was forgotten.

"When are we going to admit it wasn't safe?" Julian questioned as nonchalantly as he could manage.

"I should've been a wreck," Peyton said as spoke to Julian on the phone.

"You might've been a wreck," Julian replied.

"Might've been. I don't know, how long can my disillusionment last?" Peyton asked as she laid down in bed.

"I'm surprised it hasn't crashed already" Julian spoke quietly as well, Peyton wondered how many people he was working with today.

"Maybe my mind is just at a stalemate with coming to grips with situations like these," Peyton replied very jokingly.

"Well, given your past I'm not surprised," Julian almost teased, but there was a sense of seriousness also.

Peyton managed a polite giggle. They were both avoiding the fact that she had been part of a group, who had become hostages at a bank today. She was home now, her boss had insisted she leave work for once.

Julian had offered to come home immediately, but at Peyton's insistence had settled for calling every hour instead.

She knew the shock was wearing off, she was beginning to feel a little rattled now. She quickly drew in a shaky breath.

"Peyton, I'm going to come home now. No arguments," Julian said, as though he'd sensed her growing sense of dread and fear. "I love you, be home soon."

"Love you too," Peyton replied as she curled up in bed and wondered why it seemed she was always at the wrong place at the wrong time.

She walked down the street, and suddenly felt quite compelled to follow a young couple she'd just caught sight of. They were laughing as they made their way against a crowd. Seeming to find joy in going against the natural progression. There was something familiar about the man, and even more so about the woman.

Curious she continued to follow them. They made their way into one of the classy hotels. The woman waved at the doorman who seemed to know her, and they were again sharing a laugh.

They immediately took the elevator to the eighth floor, and Peyton took a second one soon after.

As she got out she heard their laughter, it was just before they slipped into the hotel room that she realized who they were.

Julian and Brooke. Her boyfriend and her best friend, it wasn't possible. She slumped down against the wall and began to sob quietly.

"Peyton."

"Peyton."

"Peyton!"

Peyton roused from the nightmare she'd just experienced. Dylan was staring at her.

"Uneasy dreams?" he asked.

"You could say that," she replied.

"Well, it's time to head home anyway," he said as he rolled up his pant leg and put on his helmet.

"See you tomorrow," she said lamely.

"Monday," he corrected as he rolled his bike out the door.

Peyton nodded her head and pondered the meaning of her dream. It was so strange, but the pain felt so real. Sighing, she looked down at the pile of paperwork she had fallen asleep on. There were forms that her boss had requested be done ASAP, but she didn't feel like working now. Besides ASAP meant Monday morning now.

As she grabbed her bag and her iPod she was struck by a recollection.

"Something's got to break you down," Peyton repeated the words someone had said to her today. It wasn't anyone she knew, just a guy who was muttering under his breath and she'd run into while rushing to attain the package her boss had wanted.

Maybe this dream was just her mind's way of unfolding what could actually break her down. Shrugging, she decided that dreams are dreams and she just needed to go home to Julian now.

Peyton hung up the telephone and sat down next to Julian. Her father had just given her a rather hurried explanation about how things had gotten mixed up and he was fine.

Noting Peyton's disconnection, Julian put his arm around Peyton's shoulders.

She didn't seem to notice, but instinctively made herself comfortable.

"Peyton, sometimes when fear strikes home, you feel like you have to hit it back harder, to prove it's wrong," Julian said in a rambling sort of way, not moving his eyes from the first edit of his movie.

"Why does it seem like drama follows me wherever I go?" Peyton sighed, tired of her life being one dramatic event after another.

"I don't know, but don't worry, I'll always be here, no matter what," Julian assured her as he kissed the top of her head.

"You're sweet, but don't make promises we can't be sure we'll keep," Peyton pessimistically replied.

"Well now, I thought our slates were wiped clean now that our eyes have been opened to a new level of love," Julian stated, the hint of hurt louder than the humor he'd attempted to spin it with.

"Julian, you're the sweetest," Peyton began before Julian interrupted.

"Look Peyton, I know that thinking your dad was dead because some idiot called the wrong family really sucks, but please don't throw yourself a pity party," Julian said after pausing his movie. Noticing the way she tensed up, he added, "Just push your pride in being the saddest girl in world away for a second, and let the bad feelings stop. You're dad is fine."

He felt her relax after seeming to debate with herself.

"There now, I know there is a lot of darkness in this world, in your world, but right now you have me, isn't that enough?" Julian joked.

Peyton rolled her eyes, but snuggled closer and took the remote. Resuming the movie she felt content with her life once more. Resigning to call her dad again tomorrow to find out the whole story. And also to find out how many Larry Sawyer's there were on his boat.

"Peyton Sawyer, the saddest girl in the world," Julian said as he walked up behind her at the airport. Choosing this time to wear the old shirt and surprise her.

"Julian!" she shouted as she turned around, and jumped onto him.

"I missed you too," he said honestly.

"I can't believe how little time we get to spend with each other," Peyton sighed as she let herself back onto the ground.

"Well movies don't produce themselves, and the music industry needs it's minions," Julian smiled, arm around Peyton as they walked through the airport.

"Minion, slave, whatever," Peyton laughed, her own arm wrapped around his waist.

"You know the industry will be revolutionized when you're the boss," Julian assured her.

"Oh yes, I'll make so many changes and everyone will be running around to make sure my coffee is just so," Peyton giggled.

"Oh and surely you'll never sign any commercial, recycled pop acts to your label."

"Heavens no!" Peyton exaggerated her shock.

"And where will we be living?" Julian asked.

"Does that really matter?" Peyton responded quickly.

"Well big shot producers, and big shot label owners generally live in Hollywood," Julian smirked.

"Or we could throw them all off and move to… Minnesota?" Peyton half stated, half asked.

"Minnesota? Really? What about someplace warm like New Mexico?" Julian offered.

"Then again, I don't think I could deal with not being near the ocean," Peyton mused.

"Well then we could move to, One Tree?" Julian asked.

"What?" Peyton asked as she nearly stopped in her tracks.

"It's off the map, you grew up there, I'm curious about it," Julian said as casually as he could.

"Well we could visit it I suppose, I mean my dad sold the house there… I don't really know anyone there now," Peyton rambled.

"Forget I mentioned it," Julian said defeatedly.

"Julian, I'm sorry, it's just Tree Hill sometimes seems like my own personal hell," Peyton admitted.

Julian's look of concern prodded her on, "I spent a good deal of my high school years partying, living alone, trying to forget my mom was gone. Plus there was the shooting, the stalker, the heartache."

Julian nodded, he understood her comment now.

"But you're right, we should go there. When I think about it, there are definitely a lot of good memories as well," Peyton conceded.

"We don't have to go right now, just promise me someday we will," Julian asked.

"I promise."

"Good, now let's go I have a surprise," Julian stated as they got into the vehicle.

"A surprise for little ol' me?" Peyton smiled.

"Yep."

"Can I open my eyes yet?" Peyton asked as she stood in the middle of their apartment.

"Not yet," Julian said from somewhere on her left.

"Now?" Peyton asked moments later.

"Yep," Julian answered.

Peyton opened her eyes.

The room was lit by candles, and there were rose petals everywhere.

"Sorry, I didn't pay for the electricity and threw the petals out hoping you wouldn't notice the new awful smell of the rotting food," Julian joked.

"You really are the sweetest guy, you know that right," Peyton said while wiping away the tears that had sprung up suddenly.

"Not many people would agree with that," Julian said with his trademark smirk.

"Does their opinion matter more than mine?" she questioned with her own grin.

"No," he answered before moving toward her. As he wrapped his arms around her waist he said, "I know this is all very cheesy romantic movie, but I wanted to do something for you."

"Don't apologize, it's sweet," Peyton said as she looked up into his eyes. She saw the love his gaze held for her. She kissed his lips softly. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said as he lifted her and carried her to their bed.

"Have you ever wished for an endless night?" Peyton asked as they lay together after their lovemaking.

"Every night I spend laying next to you," Julian replied.

"Funny. But seriously, I don't think anything can be better than tonight," Peyton said as she snuggled up to his bare chest.

"Is this where I offer to lasso the moon and stars for you?"

"If you feel so inclined," Peyton said drowsily.

"I'd do anything for you," Julian whispered as he heard her breathing tell of her slumber. Putting his arm around her, he closed his eyes and fell asleep knowing his life had never been better.

AN: So there it is. I love Leyton, but there's something striking about Julian and Peyton. They have awesome chemistry. This is kind of my baby, and I've keeping it hidden away. But... New Year, new opportunities. I've decided to release all the stories I've written. So let me know what you think, reviews are highly appreciated. I'll do my best to reply to you.