home ,

[Deleted]

Despite how he came across, there were so many things Julian wanted to say. I'm sorry that I made you feel like you couldn't be open with me. I'm sorry that I put the burden of our relationship on you. I loved you very much, you enriched my life more than I can say. I'll always be grateful. Whilst every single one of those sentiments was easy to think and feel, when it came to voicing them it was like someone had taken a knife to his vocal chords and he was spluttering blood. Opening his mouth and hoping that at least something would come out, he gives his best effort: "Uh." That was it. Sighing again out of frustration with himself, he looked over her shoulder at the house he usually averted his gaze from, feeling yet another pang of nostalgia. He laughs at the asshole comment. "You're too good a person, no wonder it didn't work out."

[athena mccarthy]

Coming across the McCarthy's home base, Athena turns her back to it and leans up against the driveway pillar. "I'm an okay person at best," she frowns and reassures herself with a nod. Looking down at her sneaker clad feet, she thinks of things to say. Though she tried to run away from it ages ago, she's not ready to end their evening now. "I'm not really a good person. Look at how it ended, look at why we're here. It's not good at all."

[Deleted]

He shrugs at the suggestion that she was responsible for any wrongdoing in the ending of their relationship. It's then that he realizes the remnants of bitterness he'd been holding on to for all these years were no longer there, poisoning his will towards her. "Things end. Relationships, childhoods... pregnancies," he says, forcing himself to say the last one. "It's not worth dwelling on the why or the how."

[athena mccarthy]

He talks and she frowns. Julian was never open and she couldn't expect him to be now. She gives a sharp nod, "you're right." She pushes herself off the brick pillar and releases the tightly knit frown from her face. Her features turn bright and commercial, "well, anyway. Thanks for walking a girl home, huh? I'm in California till the shitstorm that is winter is over. But I'll give you a call when I'm back in New York."

[Deleted]

It had been a weird interaction, with some breakthroughs but perhaps even more questions posed. Julian had no idea how to feel about it all and would no doubt dwell on this for weeks to come. "Always am," he said with a half-smile. She instantly slips into bright and breezy mode, and any semblance of vulnerability disappears before his eyes. He stiffens up in turn, retreating back within himself. "Nice for some. Sure, I'm sure I'll see you around Meatpacking."