JULIAN CLARKE.

julian clarke. twenty-eight. failed forensic scientist turned grocery store supervisor. father of one three year old girl. previously engaged, recently separated since he came out. the nerdy classmate all grown up. gay. vers. limitless (mostly).

squinting, still not believing him but choosing to abide. leaning down and planting a quick kiss to his lips, before pulling away and turning around. “I’ll try to be quick. unless you’re secret plan needs more time to cook—?”

“. . . you suuuurrrree—?” he hummed, taking a step closer to gabe, lips forming a probing downward arc. “not even going to give me a kiss before I head to change?”

+ his undershirt. “but no, I haven’t eaten yet . . .” eyes scanning gabriel suspiciously. yet to have properly noticed where he’d hidden the box. “okay, somethings up—“

brows furrowing as he looked at the seated male, fingers nimbly working to undo the buttons of his shirt. “. . . . you’re acting weird— is something up?” he questioned, continuing with the last few buttons and removing the shirt fully, left only in his pants and +

hey, babe— kicking off his shoes, jacket already tossed aside. “yeah, daisy wanted to stay another night at her moms. more alone time for us, i guess… whattya got there?”

+ we can’t just stay in bed!”

“I . . . look, we’ll figure something out. okay? I know how much you wanted it, and I’m happy you got it. I’m proud of you, baby.” yes, it’ll probably cause issues for them— but julian’s had enough fighting and angst for the month. “well now we need to celebrate. +

gabe—??? arms wrapping around him and squeezing tightly— even managing to slightly lift gabe from the floor… by less than an inch. “that’s amazing, babe!”

. . . . . new uniform—?

in that case— why aren’t we in bed?

and you—?

me—? yeah, I’m good… just tired ‘s all. I don’t really like fighting with you— makes me all anxious and stressed.

I love you more—.

so then . . . oh— 🥹

you’re already forgiven—

+ whole hookup culture. don’t think I’m built for it.”

“. . . so you’ve never tried settling down—?” julian asked, probing a little. it was odd, both being the same age and their love lives being starkly different. well, other than them both currently being single. “when I came out a few years back, I tried the +

“they’re not exactly the easiest to date…” not for lack of trying on his part, of course. “what about you—? I don’t see the dozens of girls that usually followed you around . . .”

he opened his mouth as if to protest— but he’d already resigned himself to being stood up. “oh, right— I forget he’s working around here. I’m, uh, working at the police station. forensics.”

“pretty sure, yeah— what’re, uh, what’re you doing here?”