Julian thought of a dozen things to say by the time they'd walked one block, but he couldn't seem to say the words. Was he supposed to pretend he was drunker than he was? Should he apologize for not going to her these past weeks? Should he ask about her day? Though he did indeed already know about her day since he'd been paying the street urchins for a daily report.

He stared lovingly down at the top of her head as they paused for a carriage to pass.

"I missed you."

Stella's head popped up and only then did Julian realize that he might have said that out loud. He covered his mouth with a gloved hand. "Ah, did I...say something just now?"

Stella opened her mouth to tell him that she'd missed him too, then stopped. He was drunk. She would not take advantage of his state to hear all the words she longed for. To make their destiny move faster.

The reason she'd been able to endure these weeks was because the cards, the Arcana, had told her of his torment, his nightmares, but also of his love for her. Her own fortunes told her to be patient with her love, to help him when he was in need, and that happiness and healing could be theirs if she just let Asra, of all people, work his wiles.

So she ignored his blushes and his ridiculously alluring smell and tilted her head in question. "No. Why?" She repositioned his arm around her shoulders with a shrug. "Tell me if you need to throw up, won't you. I might push you away at that point, but I won't push you into the path of a carriage."

Maybe he could hug her and blame it on the alcohol. "That is only fair and right. But no fear, my sweet one, I'm doing quite well."

Of course, that was the moment that Asra's hex kicked in once again and his knees gave out. Luckily he just plopped straight down and not on his face. The cobblestones though were not so forgiving on his knees. "Ow." A few more choice words were for both the hard streets and the magician.

"I always learn new words and phrases when I'm with you, my good Doctor."

Julian ceased his mutterings at her amused words, whispered close to his ear. He realized his nose was now buried in her neck, blyagy, in her hair. He hadn't dragged the apprentice down, thanks to their height difference, but the arm around his waist was now around his underarms and she held him close, likely so he wouldn't pitch forward like a true drunkard.

"I'm so sorry." Or at least he would be tomorrow. Maybe. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held on as he drank in her scent. "I guess I do need one small moment."

This was simply the best night, Stella thought and fought not to just tip his head up and rain his face with kisses. She changed her grip so that she could brush her fingers through his hair, down his neck, and across his endless shoulders. She'd done the same thing for all of her friends at some point, whether they were sad, angry, or simply drunk and in need of comfort. She found it soothing when it was done for her and oh, but she wanted to soothe him.

But this was for her as much as it was for him. A touch on his hair made him sigh against her neck and she felt her own knees grow weak. A hand around his nape made him tighten his arms in reflex before he'd consciously loosen them once again, making her breath quicken.

She rested her cheek on the top of his head for a moment and closed her eyes. "Did you hurt your knees?" She'd heard the crack as he went down. His nod against her skin made her smile, even as she winced in sympathy. "I have a potion for that, too, you know."

"I know," Julian sighed and pulled back, his conscience finally loud enough to work through the haze her scent had cast on his brain. He pushed himself back up to his feet and tucked her under his arm once again. "I want to officially say," he put a dramatic hand to his chest, "that as a physician, I am not a little jealous and envious of your spells and concoctions that can simply melt away an ailment... or a self-inflicted hangover."

"I don't know," Stella took a hold of the hand that hung over her shoulder. "I've grown increasingly impressed with physicians and the medicinal arts of late." He cared about people. He helped everyone, regardless of their status, while her shop ran on coins and not a little on the goodwill of nobles.

Julian stopped walking and she braced herself for him to go down again, but instead, he simply cupped her face, holding it up to his gaze as he smiled at her in pure delight. "You are simply amazing, my heart. But your words are too kind for the likes of me."

The named organ jumped at his words, but she moved her chin a bit and he let go. They started walking again in silence.

Those words were pure Julian Devorak. His befuddled delight and doubt at true praise bruised her heart so that she wanted to hex everyone who had ever hurt him. But he... he was always lavish with his praise to her, all of which rang with sincerity and respect.

She could not wait until she had the time and the right to fill his ears and his heart with all the words she had for him.