Work Text:
You had just finished up the work you needed to do for the night and had an ample amount of time on your hands. You got up from your desk, took a big stretch and left your dorm for a walk, taking in a deep breath of the crisp evening air as you went. You walked through the tranquil halls and your mind wandered as you thought what you could do. Should I get a snack at the dining hall? Maybe I could read something in the library. Then, your eyes lit up as you remembered something. Julian! He should be on his shift at the ward right about now. I should visit him. A little bounce made its way into your step as you turned in the direction of the mender ward.
~
When you made it to the ward you take a peek inside. Thankfully, by a stroke of luck, the ward is empty currently, a light breeze ruffling the curtains as it flows through the open windows. Such peace was a rarity this time of year as tinkers start their final projects and constantly injure themselves. On closer inspection, you could see Julian in the back corner, seemingly doing something. You gave a gentle knock on the door frame. Without turning around, Julian called out, “I’ll be there in a moment, just situate yourself on a bed for now unless it’s urgent.” He didn’t turn around but he seemed almost finished with his task. You didn’t feel like letting him do that.
You giggled to yourself as a grin made its way onto your face. “Awww, but those aren’t comfy!” There was an instant change in demeanor as Julian perked up at the sound of your voice. He whirled around to meet your gaze and his entire face brightened.
“Darling! I haven’t seen you in what feels like ages with how busy we’ve been.” To keep his grade up, Julian had been volunteering for extra shifts at the ward on top of each of you having extra assignments to worry about due to mid-terms coming up. He made his way to you to take your face in his hands and gave you a quick kiss as greeting after you met in the middle of the ward. “What are you doing here though? Please don’t say you’re hurt.” His eyes looked worried.
You waved off his concerns, “No, I’m fine. I just wanted to pay you a visit.” The relief in his face was evident. You looked in the corner where he was earlier. “Say, what were messing with before I got here.” You curiously made your way over.
Julian followed behind and pointed out the jars of herbs strewn all over the counter. “Well, there was a new shipment of herbs last shift but someone was too busy flirting with patients to do it.” He scoffed and rolls his eyes while recounting Elias just casually leaving him with the organizing work before suddenly disappearing to who knows where. “I’ve just been putting them in their respective containers.”
You pick up a jar and fidgeted with the label. “I mean, I did come over because I had some free time. I could just help you.” You shrugged casually. “Any sort of time together is nice.”
Julian’s expression warms and he leans on the counter as he gives you a soft smile. “Very well, love. If that’s what you wish.” He then situated himself next to you to start working, your shoulders brushing up against each other.
~
At the same time, Puk stumbled on their way to the mender ward, still dazed and with sleeves singed from the explosion. “Oof,” they thought aloud, “Should have definitely been checking on the power levels as I was testing, stupid mistake” Puk had been readjusting the control panel for their ship and had forgotten to lower the power before opening it up. They nicked a wire on accident which had led to the explosion. Puk winced as they cradled their right hand closer to their chest, an angry red from the burn, laughing over themselves and their mistake.
Puk turned the corner into the ward. Their eyes landed on you, their childhood friend, and Julian. Puk’s already bad mood worsened at the sight of Julian’s face and him talking to you. Puk understands that you grew up with both of them and are equally close to each, but Puk just holds the belief that you’re too cool to still be hanging out with him.
Puk began to try and get both of your attentions when they paused and narrowed their eyes. Wait… they’re standing much closer to each other than usual. Puk stayed silent and watched you guys work together, exchanging soft smiles and laughing quietly between yourselves. They’re awfully touchy. And blushy too- Just in that moment, the realization dawned on them and Puk’s face contorted in absolute dismay and betrayal.
~
Puk’s jaw was on the ground. “No actual way……” They couldn’t fathom the sight in front of them.
You realized Puk’s presence when they spoke. You subtly sidestepped away from Julian while he fully turned his attention onto his task. You grinned brightly as you approached Puk. “Hey! It’s nice to see you again, Puk! It’s been a bit.” Your smile dropped when your eyes landed on their hand and you hissed at the sight. “Oh no, that looks bad. Take it to Julian, he’s on shift right now. …Why are you looking at me like that?”
Your question shook Puk out of their stupor. “No. No, no, no, I don’t even care about this anymore. Tell me how long.”
You looked at Puk questioningly. “How long what? How long Julian’s been working? I don’t know.” You shrugged the question off.
Puk looked absolutely exasperated out of their mind. “No, you idiot! How long you and Julian have been dating!” They gestured wildly despite the burned hand in their pure disbelief.
You froze in shock and heard Julian choke behind you. He didn’t turn around but you could hear his hands still. “Aha… ha.. what are you talking about..? We’re friends like we’ve always been.” A strained smile plastered itself across your face, a nervous sweat down your back. You never brought up your relationship with Julian to Puk because you knew they didn’t like Julian and were rather protective of you. You two grew up together after all.
Growing up together also unfortunately meant they can read you like a book. At your horrible denial Puk just got angrier. “Seriously?! Don’t even try that with me, I know you’re lying. I just walked in on you guys being so nauseatingly-“ Puk gagged “lovey dovey I’m actually sick. Why didn’t you say anything before?!” Puk threw their hands in the air in resignation. All you could do was sheepishly stand where you were until they finished talking. “Why’d they’d have to go and fall for this toadstool of a man.” Puk grumbled the thought under their breath. “Ok. Ok, just at least tell me when it started.” Julian has now discreetly turned around to hear what you’d say.
You shifted your weight on your feet. “Uh, about one or two years ago now.” You smiled nervously.
Puk stared at you incredulously. “One or two- you don’t even have a DATE? How do you get with someone and not even know when?!” Puk has now found another thing to drill you on.
You pinched your nose in frustration now that you could hear Julian snickering behind you at Puk’s reaction. “Oh, I don’t know. It was more of a… continuous change than a sudden development.” You just wanted to get out of there at that point.
Then, you felt Julian snaking his arm around your waist, saw how Puk physically cringed and knew it was about to get worse. He smirked down at his cousin, provoking them further. “Hm. And why should you care? Last I checked they don’t have to explain themselves.” He grinned, glad at having the upper hand. You just resigned yourself to being a bystander in this spite-fueled argument.
Puk shifted their stance into a confrontational one and pointed their ever present lollipop at Julian. “Oh, shut up you know exactly why I care. Who in their right mind would ever want to be with you?” Puk gestured up and down at him with the same lollipop.
Julian scoffed, “Oh I assure you, there are many-“ You cut Julian off abruptly.
You separated from Julian and stood between them. “Ok, dial it back. First, Puk, he’s a good guy I swear. Despite his flaws he’s still the guy I grew up. So don’t worry about me and just let this go please.” Puk glared at you pettily but didn’t argue. You pretty much always ended up the mediator in your little trio. “And Julian, using our relationship to mess with Puk is petty and pretty stupid.”
He mellowed out at your words. “You have a point, dear.” Julian turned to shoot a glare at Puk. “I guess.” He and Puk stared each other down for a few seconds
You just sighed at their childish games. “Alright, I can’t do this anymore I’m just going to go.” Before you could, however, Puk spun around and stomped out of the ward, grumbling. You just stared at their back as they walked away. Then, you turned to Julian with a deadpan expression. “Their hand is still burned.”
Julian just sighed and turned around to walk back toward they jars he left behind. “Im sure they’ll just find some other mender and pester them to heal them instead of me.”
You shrugged and went over the the counter as well to continue helping, but not before grabbing some pain relief herbs to hand over to Puk later just in case.