Gally- Julia had been here ten days now, had a trial with every Keeper, and now it was time to assign her to one. We all sat in Council Hall, Julia was leaning against a pillar, glancing around at us. "Okay, little lady; it's time to assign you to a Keeper. However, your situation is different, and we really could just put you with anyone. You excelled at every job we gave you, so Newt and I think it's only fair to let you choose your job." I sat up straight, glancing at Alby in shock. Julia smiled at him, nodding her head in thanks. "So, what are you thinking, love?" Newt asked her. She pondered a moment, then her eyes locked on me a split second, then back to Newt and Alby. "Do I have to pick just one?" she asked. Alby laughed, "You want more work?" She nodded. "I just don't want to be useless or restless is all." Alby and Newt looked at each other, having a silent communication, then nodded. "Okay then, what'd you have in mind?"
"I want to work the gardens and with the Builders," she said, and I nearly whooped in victory. I remembered our talk three days ago, when she said she'd choose me as a Keeper, looks like she was serious. "Odd choices, really. Can we ask why?" Alby said, bringing me back to the here and now. "I like the contrast; Building keeps my mind busy, but Gardening is peaceful, even if it can be hard work." Alby nodded. "Zart, any problems?" Zart shook his head, smiling. "None, she's a hard worker. She can stay." "I second that," Newt added. Then Alby looked at me, "Well, Gally?" Everyone turned towards me, and I could see the slight smirk on Julia's face. I shrugged, trying to seem aloof, but my heart was pounding in my chest. "She wants to work, I'm all for it. She fits right in, and I didn't have any issues with her." I saw Newt laugh under his breath and glance at Julia. They shared the same look, and I didn't like it; it's like they were plotting something.
"Hold on, Miss Ma'am! You're still gonna be helping me in the kitchen though, right?" Fry blurted out, making us all laugh. "You know it!" Julia assured him, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Alright then, it's settled. Zart, Gally, from this day forward, you'll be the Keepers of our little Princess. Julia, you can go have breakfast now, everyone not needed can go too." Julia thanked Alby, tussled Newt's hair, then nudged Minho out of her way to get out the door first. "You two are going to have to think of a schedule for her. Either she goes with one Keeper each day or figure out how to split her through the day. And make sure to ask her opinion too," Alby told us. "She could help me in the mornings, then spend the rest of the day with you guys, or just as needed," Zart offered. "We'll get with her later and figure it out," I told him. "Meetings over; everyone go eat and start the day," Alby told us, and we followed him out.
**Time Skip**
Sitting in my favorite spot in the woods, I breathed in the night air, letting the cool wind blow against my face. I sometimes forget to appreciate the peace of the Glade, of our home. I've found myself actually enjoying my breaks when I got them, probably because of Julia. She loved to sit and enjoy nature, draw under the light of the sun, or play on her swing. I think that's why everyone likes her; she brings life to this place. She's not worried about surviving; she's trying to live. "Boo!" I heard behind me, making me jump and fall over. "Julia, what the shucking hell is wrong with you?" I yelped, trying to slow my heart down. "Sorry boss," she said, plopping down next to me. "You got to stop calling me that, it's weird," I told her. "Well, I'm not calling you Captain Gally because that is DUUUUUUUMB!" she sang into my ear. I pushed her, playfully. She'd been told the story of where the joke came from, and I remember her laughing until her lungs hurt. It was embarrassing.
"So, I never asked; but are you and Newt…" I trailed off. She looked at me and snorted, then started giggling which made me snicker until she sobered up and gave me a serious look. "We're not a thing if that's what you're implying. He's just cuddly and sweet, and I like that, it's nice." I nodded and tried to keep a natural tone when I spoke next, "Figured you'd go for someone like him, is all. You share a lot of the same traits." She smiled and shook her head. "He's cute, but I'm not interested. We're just friends." Thank shucking God! I mentally cheered. Then she rested her head on my shoulder and glanced up at the moon. I froze for a split second, then smiled and wrapped my arm lazily around her shoulders. I'm not sure how much time passed, seconds, minutes, until she moved her head to look at me. My breath caught when I met her eyes; they were dark, and not just from lack of light. "You know, Gally, I think I thought of something to call you," she said in that low, soft purr that drove me crazy.
"Oh, yeah? What's that, Princess?" She sat up and moved as close as my body let her, peering into my eyes. She leaned into me, and I felt her lips brush my ear, then she spoke, "How about "mine"." I inhaled sharply, my heart stopped, and any control I had vanished. I grabbed her body and dragged her into my lap, breathing in the sight of her. A mischievous smirk danced on her lips, her hands were on my chest, steadying herself instead of pushing away. "No, Princess," I whispered, our lips inches away from each other's, "I think I'm supposed to call you mine." She closed her eyes and wrapped her hands around my neck. "Please," she breathed out in a whisper. I smirked and smashed our lips together. Our kiss was slow, but deep, and I moaned against her lips. She pulled me to her, and I gripped her hips, needing to be closer. It felt like hours had gone by when we finally broke away to breathe. "Guess I ended up with you after all," she smirked, and I laughed, remembering that day. "Yep. I might have to share you, Princess. But when all is said and done," I paused to trace her lips with my finger, "you're mine," and I kissed her again and again, until I scooped her up, brought her to my hammock, and laid her in my arms. And that's where she'll stay, for as long as I have her. Kissing her head, we fell asleep in each other's arms. And that was that.