Fitz is pretty good at avoiding bloodstains, as it's not fun to try to clean blood off and he puts on clothes he likes when Justine is coming over. Fitz is also pretty good at seeing signs of graduation. ...It doesn't require extensive detective work.
He wraps Justine in an embrace, actually lifting her in his delight.
She indulges in that kiss and puts a hand to his cheek, suddenly sad.
Suddenly heartbroken. "I know. But now you have to graduate so you can find
me and take me traveling."
"I will. I couldn't break my promise to you." Sometimes it can be hard to graduate when you haven't tortured anyone in a basement, even as it can be hard if you have.
She pouts a little, coming back down. She holds fast to him, her fingers in
his hair. "I'm sorry, my love. That I cannot bring you with me. What am I
to do without you?"
"It will be hard." It's the only downside to being such a delight!
He grows a little more serious, despite his giddy happiness over her return to life.
"I'll miss you. But I think it's worth loving someone, even if that makes it hurt when you can't see them." It's not the same as her offer to step back if he struggled over how she'd hurt him, but it's a similar track. "I know that you won't be alone. You'll make a fascinating life. It's a pretty good deal."
She sits heavily in a chair, thinks better of it, and then pulls him to the bed instead. "I want to write. And I want to paint. And I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Long enough for - Well, until Billy graduates. Max."
She kisses him. "He has a place for me in his life and I plan on taking
it." Justine can't go home. And Fitz...she was never going to be the person
in his life who could put her first. And that is something she came to
terms with months ago.
"Good." Fitz has no idea who that is, but he trusts that Justine has found the right person to share her life with.
Fitz has never offered anything but the truth to her. There is someone he puts before her - before anyone here, or anyone elsewhere in the universe - but that doesn't mean that he loves her any less.
He would go to great lengths to make her happy, and little makes him as happy as knowing that she has a good future waiting for her to seize.
She doesn't mind it. She never has. She only minds how he treats her, and he has been the softest, kindest love she has had. And she adores him. And she will miss him deeply.
"I love you," she mutters. "And I expect to see you so soon. Find me again."
“Good. Cos I’m gonna name a star after you. Maybe a small planet. Whichever you like better.” First seen, first named, is a well known principle.
“I love you.” She knows, just as he knows that she loves him. But he says it because it’s true, and he can. He says it because there’s no secret between them now and it’s still true.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 01:40 pm (UTC)When they arrive, the difference is glaring. A plate of cookies and a tub in her once small bathroom.
"Oh, that's what he meant..."
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Date: 2025-08-14 04:46 pm (UTC)He wraps Justine in an embrace, actually lifting her in his delight.
"You're free!"
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Date: 2025-08-14 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 06:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 06:43 pm (UTC)"You should have!"
She thinks a moment. "This wasn't like this when I left. It must have been - you did it, Fitz. You graduated me."
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Date: 2025-08-14 06:47 pm (UTC)"Now that's a gift to the whole universe. Really, I should graduate for being so helpful."
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Date: 2025-08-14 06:53 pm (UTC)She indulges in that kiss and puts a hand to his cheek, suddenly sad. Suddenly heartbroken. "I know. But now you have to graduate so you can find me and take me traveling."
no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 07:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 07:31 pm (UTC)She pouts a little, coming back down. She holds fast to him, her fingers in his hair. "I'm sorry, my love. That I cannot bring you with me. What am I to do without you?"
no subject
Date: 2025-08-14 07:39 pm (UTC)He grows a little more serious, despite his giddy happiness over her return to life.
"I'll miss you. But I think it's worth loving someone, even if that makes it hurt when you can't see them." It's not the same as her offer to step back if he struggled over how she'd hurt him, but it's a similar track. "I know that you won't be alone. You'll make a fascinating life. It's a pretty good deal."
no subject
Date: 2025-08-15 01:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-15 05:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-15 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-15 04:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-15 09:29 pm (UTC)She giggles. "Stop. I have to confirm for him. Wait a moment."
She pulls back so she can disappear into her new tub room to talk to him.
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Date: 2025-08-15 09:31 pm (UTC)He leans back on the bed as Justine goes to share the good news.
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Date: 2025-08-16 01:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-16 05:24 am (UTC)“How long are you planning on staying?” Is he saying he doesn’t think she’d be a warden? Yes, and it’s a compliment.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-16 01:44 pm (UTC)"Long enough for - Well, until Billy graduates. Max."
She kisses him. "He has a place for me in his life and I plan on taking it." Justine can't go home. And Fitz...she was never going to be the person in his life who could put her first. And that is something she came to terms with months ago.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-16 05:16 pm (UTC)Fitz has never offered anything but the truth to her. There is someone he puts before her - before anyone here, or anyone elsewhere in the universe - but that doesn't mean that he loves her any less.
He would go to great lengths to make her happy, and little makes him as happy as knowing that she has a good future waiting for her to seize.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-16 05:33 pm (UTC)"I love you," she mutters. "And I expect to see you so soon. Find me again."
no subject
Date: 2025-08-16 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-17 12:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-17 06:29 am (UTC)“I love you.” She knows, just as he knows that she loves him. But he says it because it’s true, and he can. He says it because there’s no secret between them now and it’s still true.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-17 01:48 pm (UTC)She curls up against him, memorizing him now. Now she knows their time apart will be - wide.
"Both. The star...and the most beautiful planet that circles it."
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