He fell asleep.
Just as he was about to kiss me he slumped over. I nearly had a heart attack thinking that something terrible happened to him until I heard his light snoring. I struggle to move the enormous load unable to make him even budge. He somehow balanced himself perfectly before crashing, lying over me to restrict my movements and in a way so he won't slip off the desk and onto the floor.
Aw man ... this sucks! His breath came in slow and somewhat shaky, unintentionally shoving against my internal organ with each breath. Ow ... ow ... ow ... ow ... How am I supposed to get out of this one? I lightly tug on Julius's hair making him grumble something in his sleep.
"Julius, wake up. You're crushing me." I loudly complain in his ear. He merely squirms pressing himself closer as he deeply breathes in.
"Hrmmmm ... love you ...," he slurs in his sleep pressing his red hot forehead against my throat. A sharp pang of heat ripples through my neck as I gently grasp the man's shoulders, one half of me wanting to hold him closer and the other half wanting to throw him across the room. L-loves me...that's the second time he's said that.
"J-Julius ... I think you need to get up." I choke out still smothering the last of my tears. He ever so slightly lifts his head before plopping it heavily back onto my chest. He tries again, meeting the same result.
"... It's too troublesome ... ," He stubbornly pouts, shutting his eyes as his light snoring yet again resumes. I smack my head against the desk, irritably rolling my eyes. Ugh ... I'm so frustrated!
But I'm also so happy.
Is this what 'love' feels like? In its early stages, I mean? Here he is, the man I 'think' I love, lying in my embrace and coolly slumbering with his head against my chest. My heart is pounding so hard I swear even Griffin can hear it all the way back in his coliseum. I hesitate before gently stroking his hair. The feather soft fibers smoothly slide between my fingers, teasing me as it slips from my grasp.
Julius lightly hums in his sleep as my hands fall over his shoulders, lightly rubbing the muscles as I busy myself. I can't let myself think too much right now. I need a distraction. Even through the clothes it is easy to pick out and even feel his hard muscles relaxing and straining according to the pressure I apply in my hands. Wow ... even though the man sits in his office all day he's got some pretty good muscle tone going on.
"Oh ho~ and what might this be? Did Julius attack my little worker?" Gowland asks. I tilt my head back spying my boss with his fully loaded shotgun in hand, clicking it into place. My heart jumps in my chest as I begin to panic.
"N-No! I mean, yes, but it wasn't forceful!" I poorly argue eyeing up his weapon. "I-It's fine ... p-put away the gun, Gowland and help me get Julius to his bed." Gowland dangerously drifts his eyes over the clockmaker before heavily sighing.
"If it were anyone else I would have shot them dead already." He merrily hums. I remain silent as he returns his weapons to his little horse belts, striding up to us as he pulls on Julius's arm.
"I love you." Julius quietly whispers in my ear. I stiffen as a light shiver shoots down my spine, shooting my gaze over his half cracked eyes and slight smile before he clears his face. It take a moment before Julius budges in the slightest, leaning all of his weight onto Gowland. I remain glued to the desk, unable to move. He said ... he said it. Again.
" ... are you alright, Jackie?" Gowland asks, looking over me for any injuries.
"H-He...Julius, he said ... he said he loves me." I breathlessly stutter, hardly able to really believe it. No matter how many times he tells me it's ... it's still shocking, either way.
"Hah? Did he now? Well, it seems I've underestimated him!" Gowland boisterously cries dragging the 'sleeping' Julius with him.
"Underestimated him?"
"I'll explain another time, dear." My senses snap together as I quickly follow them, watching as Gowland gently eases Julius into bed. Gowland sighs and covers Julius up with the blanket trying to get some heat on the man's body.
"Jeez ... going off and getting sick like that ... honestly, Julius you should know better!" He scolds. Gowland pauses for a moment before rubbing his head. "Ugh, this man is out."
"Uh, y-yeah ... ," did he not see Julius open his eyes before? Or hear him? I slide beside Julius's bed patting my hand over his cheeks and such. He's still pretty hot. Ugh ... and we kissed too. I have a feeling I might come down with what he has soon.
"Alright then we should leave Julius be for now. I'll come back and check on him in the morning." Gowland says eager to be off. He turns on his heels heading towards the door and out the hallway. "You should come and get some rest too. You've had a rough week."
"Ah, yeah ... ," I agree turning around to follow him. I pause as something tugs on my hand, keeping me from leaving. I glance back spying Julius's wide and fully aware eyes staring right through me. I faintly blush trapped inside his beautiful bright grey blue eyes. Oh man ...
"Are you coming?" I jump, torn between Julius and reality.
"Uh ... ," I hesitate once again catching sight of his eyes. Ugh fine. I give up. I lean forward gently pecking his grasping fingers. "I'll be right back."
I quickly turn and bound out of the room finding Gowland putting his jacket back on.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Uh, I'm actually going to s-stay here ... with Julius. In case, you know, he needs something in the middle of the night." Immediately a metaphorical flower pops to life on his head as he grins. Oh gosh no.
"Oh ho~ alrighty then. You two enjoy yourselves now~," He sings hoping down the stairs. Ah ... ah, who cares at this point. I anxiously wait on top of the stairs, waiting until the door shuts before sprinting back to Julius's room, spying his bright eyes which lock onto me in an instant. My heart flutters as I hesitantly enter the room. Great, now I'm staying. But ... what now? I didn't even think it through. I nervously stand by the door unable to make myself move.
I perk up as Julius brings up his hand, waving me towards him. I hesitate before coming beside him. Does he want some water? He reaches out, taking my hand and firmly grasps the limb making sure that fleeing is an impossibility as he immediately connects our lips. An electric jolt shoots down my spine as his soft mouth teasingly pulls back, lingering by my lips. H-He's so forward ... that startled me. I didn't expect him to be so surprisingly touchy. His hand remains locked to my arm ensuring I can't flee from his loving fingers.
"J-Julius ...,"
"Hush." He coos pulling me in for another kiss. My heart begins to race as my amateur digits find themselves tangled in his long soft hair. H-Huh? Why did I react like that? Shouldn't I be a little more reserved? He immediately responds in kind pulling me into a tight embrace as he flips me onto the bed, breaking our tight kiss with a gasp for air. My lungs ache as I greedily suck down the oxygen. W-Wow ... I was so distracted I forgot to even breath. A surprised laugh slips past his lips as he pulls me in for a tight hug, closing his eyes.
"Julius ... ?" How am I supposed to react? I can't push him away because he's sick; plus I don't want to. My body feels smaller while in his large comforting embrace. Red colors my entire face as I burrow my head into his shoulder grasping his clothes in my fists. This is ... strangely comforting.
"Stay quiet, troublesome woman." Julius purrs, kissing my forehead. A shiver runs up my spine as I remain deathly quiet.
Tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock -
Huh? Oh ... his close. I lean against his broad chest listening to the light ticking. It sounds a little fast. I unconsciously smile at the thought of his 'heart' racing. I guess he's pretty nervous too. A quick glance at his pink face only confirms my thoughts.
Heh ... Julius is so cute.
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Well, this is probably the last chapter for this arc. Look forward to the next one! 10 REVIEWS will let me know if I should continue or not. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have ~