xp_logs | Bowler Realized : Backdated to 11/28

Julian and Tandy kiss and make up.

Julian marched up the stairs; finishing them two at a time as he made his way to the apartment that Jessica had rented for them. Tandy would be there- or at least, he hoped she would be. His conversation with Rogue had been illuminating- it had finally dawned on him that she liked him, in more t the platonic-fake-girlfriend-boyfriend relationship they had established weeks before. Stopping in front of the closed door, he caught his breath and straightened his hair, then- despite having a key in his pocket- knocked lightly.

She had been doing her best of avoiding Julian for most of the trip and it was working pretty well. She was sitting on the couch playing on her DS when she heard a knock on the front door. Lowering her screen she looked at the door before sitting up. Did someone order a pizza? Putting down her DS and walked over to the door and opened. "Forget your key?" Seeing that it was Julian on the other side, so much for avoiding him. "Do I smell scotch?" Stepping away to allow him through.

Blowing into his hand, Julian stepped inside, "No...I just, didn't want to barge in." Shutting the door behind him, he stood awkwardly in the bedroom/parlor, enjoying the sort-of-working air conditioning. "We...um..." how was he supposed to start this?

"Ah." She said as she moved away from him and back to the couch. She picked up her DS and went to being silent.

Her ignoring him brought renewed anger to the surface, so he just went for it, "How long have you liked me?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." The blonde closed her DS again and got up to walk away from him.

Unsure of how to handle her leaving the room, Julian resisted the urge to toss up a telekinetic barrier in the doorway, letting her slip around the corner before he called out, "I like you too!"

Tandy stopped walking and looked at him. Did he say too? "No you don't." She was pretty sure he was saying that to keep her from leaving.

He took a hesitant step forward, "Dude- I know, okay? I get it...I'm fake." Julian stopped and held up his hands, his face placidly serious, "You have every right to be mad at me. I've made mistakes, been a jerk...and there was that fight," he lost track of what he was trying to say. "But I'm not lying to you right now...and if you don't feel the same way, then just...say so...and I'll leave you alone, forever." The cards were played; it was up to Tandy now.

Tandy turned to face him, "You aren't fake. And I am not mad at you. I am mad at myself. " Tucking a blonde lock behind her ear. "I don't want you to leave...forever can be kind of lonely."

Not sure what to say next, he stood there silently for a moment, processing her words. Then, "Wait...why are you mad at yourself?"

The blonde started to play with the ends of her shirt and looked down. "I didn't handle it right. I was so hurt by a simple kiss when we weren't really dating and I am not used to that kind of feeling. I don't get jealous. I shouldn't have gotten jealous and yet - I did. I just started to like you before the Halloween and when I saw the picture I just wanted the hurting to stop."

"You have so much more emotional depth than I do." he took a couple more steps forward. "Why didn't you want to like me?"

"I am a Pisces. Emotions are kind of my thing. And I don't know. Forever single remember?" Tandy shrugged but looked at him. "Plus you are a friends ex boyfriend." They were stupid reasons.

Which friend was she referring too? Julian reached out and tried to take her hand in his, "I know you weren't looking for this- and I know it's kind of weird and everything, but...I like you, and I'd like to see where this goes." He paused a beat, and then smirked, "For real this time."

"What?" Tandy wasn't sure if her nervousness was showing because she felt like her whole body was shaking. "Are - are you asking me.... to be your girlfriend for real?"

His smile faltered as he put his other hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her, "Yes...is...is that something you'd want?"

Tandy didn't answer him with words and instead she straight up kissed him.

Shocked, Julian tensed for a moment, nearly pulling back before his brain kicked in and he realized that this was something he wanted. He squeezed her hand and closed his eyes, returning the kiss.

"Yes." She said once she pulled away. "We can try it for reals. But please don't hit on my best friend."

Julian laughed, his eyes still closed as he slowly opened them, grinning ear to ear, "I swear, and I mean this with all my heart, that you never-ever have to worry about Sue and I." In truth, while he'd been initially attracted to Sue, she was far too uptight for his tastes. He paused, "And if I see Lohan again, I'll punch her in the face." He chuckled; his lips curling into a smile, "I'd ask you not to hit on my best friend...but...." he shrugged, realizing that in this moment of his life, Tandy was his best friend.

Tandy smirked. She wouldn't tell him that if it came down between him and Sue, her friendship with Sue meant too much to her. "Promise. Okay now I feel like the weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

"Same," he smiled and took her other hand with his free one. "No more feeding the paparazzi?"

"Oh thank god." Tandy sighed as she looked down to see both of her hands were in his. "Paparazzi suck. No more bad ideas, okay?"

Chuckling, he whispered, "No terribly bad ones," and kissed her again.