He could distinctly remember the days he knew her as his boss and superior rather than his significant other. “I definitely prefer the you right now… on a second thought, but you did kind of flirt with me a lot at work whenever you had the chance though.” That part, he liked. But the part where he had to go up to her and explain why certain things had to be put on back order, not so much. 

“I do miss Ms Nordstroem strutting up to me with those heels and looking up, telling me to do things when I kind of stopped hearing what needs to be said and started hearing what could have been.” He was a loverboy for sure. Then there’s that situation if people were to find out they were dating. “I don’t mind what comes my way… but if it’s more comfortable for you, then we’ll keep it lowkey.” He could imagine the hurdles that would come his way should people figure out they have been together. 

“I didn’t even say a word-” he protested, he was getting defensive because how did she know exactly what he would suggest. “But on that note, why not” he whined, he was pointing towards the sea turtle in excitement, people would have thought he’s the child she’s babysitting instead. “I’ll get you churros” and then comes the persuasion, or in another code; bribery. 

She had a playful smile on her lips “Well I might have gone a little easier on you because you were cute” she commented and shrugged slightly in response “But I agree…what we have now is even better” she added, she was glad to be free to just…express herself, even if it all felt somewhat unfamiliar throughout this whole journey.

She knew he was weak when it came to her and she couldn’t complain, she enjoyed knowing that she was on his mind so much, that she could have that impact on him because he did the same to her, whenever she caught him looking at her a certain way she swore her heart did stupid flips in her chest “I don’t want you to think it’s because I’m worried to show people I care about you” she commented as she brought her hand to pull on his jacket so he would look at her “I’m not ashamed…I just don’t want to cause you trouble”. She was absolutely sure people would treat him differently and that he might not get the same opportunities within the workplace as he would if they were to keep things down.

She gave him a disapproving look when he started defending he didn’t say anything and then immediately u-turned on it and asked her why she didn’t want to meet the mascot “Becauseeeee…” she dragged out her response like a whiny child because she could tell he was going to press this “I’m not a kid…” she pouted but his face was already beating her to it and he was damn good at it.

She huffed softly “Just one photo” she mumbled grumpily “And we’re getting the dipping sauce too” she bargained further.

Julian scoffed when she said she went a little bit easy on him because of the circumstances. “Aight, sure I guess” Whatever she says. It wasn’t like him to go on and start picking a petty fight with her. The nephilim is surprisingly level-headed despite not looking like he does. And his girlfriend is surprisingly easier to compromise with too. He realized the whole part about not judging a book by its cover is truly right. 

Julian stroked her hair and sighed “Don’t worry about it… I know that’s not what you are doing. Besides, I… am sort of your employee, working under you so if people know I’m dating my boss and that I have given you a private tour in the barracks, then that’s going to be quite scandalous. One that will not die down until we have the next big thing.” Which normally never happens. 

“You don’t look like a kid but you sure act like one. Like look at that pout you’re sporting right now, see-” He pointed to her pouty lips and chuckled, “It wouldn’t hurt, besides, the mascot’s cute.” When she bargained to get the dipping sauce too, Julian couldn’t help but laugh, of course she wanted to add another thing to their deal “As long as it’s not caramel, you know that thing’s way too sweet than it should be” He distinctly remembered they used to have a whole 6 minute debate on why caramel is not needed in the household. 

He brought her over to the sea turtle mascot and took a picture. It was done fast. “See, you’re alive. The sea turtle didn’t eat you.” He whispered and poked her side as they walked towards the churros stand. “You don’t seem to like stuffed animals or… anything that resembles one that big in mascot costumes, why? Did our Ms Nordstroem get traumatized as a kid? Or are they just annoying?”