darker_london | OMG! (Julian, Joe, Jordan)

"Dad!" Julian said, practically skipping into Joe's hospital room. Joe looked up from the newspaper he was reading and the frown that was affixed to his features slowly slid into a smile. Seeing Julian so happy was still a bit of a novelty. Hell...it might always be that way, now. Joe wouldn't ever tire of seeing it.

"Jules!" Joe called back, though his voice was still quite hoarse.

Julian crawled up on Joe's bed and he bounced a little, until he realised Joe was looking a little green. "Sorry. I have a date! With a boy! Well...that you probably figured." The fact that Julian was a teenage boy who could tell his father he had a date with another boy without fear of being ridiculed, insulted or beaten up, knowing he wouldn't have to suffer anything that Spectre had suffered...that meant so much to Julian. He knew Joe would be happy for him, which was priceless.

"I did, indeed." Joe's lips broke into a grin. Despite the horror going on in London right now, there was still happiness to be found, even in a hospital of all places. "Kiddo...I'm really happy for you, Son."

"And you don't even have to give me the safe sex talk, hey?" Julian widened his eyes and nodded because winking and nudging might make Joe even greener. Getting gonorrhea was certainly a life lesson in that respect. Never again, oh hell no.

"Oh, Julian!" Joe shook his head in lament. "Sometimes you're more like your grandmother than she is.

"Well it's true!" Julian smiled and he settled down in his perch at the end of the bed. "He makes me really happy, Dad. He said he found me attractive and that he'd make sure I didn't get hurt while we were outside...and I believe him. Uhm...Dad? It's okay if I leave the hospital to go on a date, right?"

Joe took a deep breath, which belied the inward war that was going on in his head. The though of having Julian running about outside the hospital still scared Joe to death. And letting him go out with Spectre and Thomas was different, specifically because both of them would rather lop their appendages off before allowing Julian to run away again. But Damon had save Julian from the fucker who had slit Joe's throat. And he did seem like he desperately wanted to protect his son. And anyone who wanted to protect Julian was good in Joe's books. "Yes. I mean, I'd like to spend more time with him as well...get to know him, but yes." Joe finally said. "Julian...I don't want to keep you locked up, especially since that is only going to ensure that you feel like leaving again eventually. But I won't tell you it doesn't scare me. It does. And not because I think you'll leave again. I don't think you will. I'm just afraid you will."

Julian reached out for Joe's hand and he held it then, looking straight into Joe's eyes. "I know, Dad. I have given you absolutely no reason to trust me. The fact that you still kind of do...that means a lot to me. And I won't betray your trust again, Dad."

"Well...you just keep that up, and everything will be just fine." Joe gave Julian's hand a gentle squeeze. "I really do think this is wonderful, Kiddo."

"And you don't mind that he's a demon?"

"Well, your dead uncle is dating an angel rock star and a dead woman. So who am I to judge...?"

Julian grinned and he nodded. "That is a good point... And he's really nice. And he said I have nice lips!"

Joe giggled, which was quite a pleasant little sound, all in all. "You you a boy crush!" And he poked Julian in the side.

"Eeek! Dad, stop!"

"No! Too cute, can't stop!"

"Dad, I'm seventeen, not twelve!" Julian shrieked, trying to squirm away.

"Hah, this is where you learn you'll always be my little boy. Read it and weep, Kiddo!"

"Nooooooooo!!"

Julian was still squealing when Jordan walked in. She shook her head in dismay. "You boys. Always misbehaving."

"It's him!" Julian pointed at Joe who poked him again and then tried to appear innocent.

"I rather think it's both of you." Jordan smiled, pulling up a chair.

"Jules has a date!" Joe informed his wife with a huge smile. "With a boy!" And he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, Darling, that's fantastic! What are you going to wear!"

"Ooh!" Julian sat up and he turned to his mother, immediately immersing himself in the topic of clothes. And suddenly Joe found himself without much to contribute to the conversation. But he really didn't mind. He was happy enough just to be there to experience it.