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Dreaming of a Family Christmas

Christmas was always the one time of year that wasn't chaotic for Julian. He would go home every year to his parents, and then once she got her own home, to River. He always went to River above anyone else, and much preferred to stay in the spare room in her home rather than the one he'd grown up in in his parents house. He loved his parents dearly, and their loss had devastated him, but it didn't compare to the love he had for his sister. She was there for him in a way nobody else had been, and though his parents had supported him after he had been bitten, they had loved him still and offered him all the help he could need, he felt like only River had actually not changed at all in the way she treated him. Even though it was a subtle change in his mum and dad, it was still there, though River just loved him blindly, like she always had, and that had made his mind up when it came to his regular but unpredictable visits, and he had decided that going to her and not them was what he wanted. Plus, Bert was a real laugh, which made things fun each time he returned.

Christmas was easy, light, a time to escape all of his troubles, but this year had rained horror down upon him so much that he had thought it would be a turning point for that happy tradition, a time for it to turn sour and become a nightmare, rather than something to cherish and look forward to. This year he had no parents, no sister, no brother in law, and no visit to his son, since Tristan's mother had plans with friends for Christmas day, and Jules wasn't welcome, which he understood. He would not get in the way of Scarlett's life, he had promised her that, and in return she allowed him to see his son and trusted him with the boy, which meant a lot to Julian. He had visited a few days ago, taking presents and staying overnight to he could spend two days with Tristan and make actual memories with him, knowing he would start to remember these things soon enough now that he was two. That left Julian alone for Christmas day, though, which was unusual and a rather strange feeling. He had told himself it would be fine, he'd just get drunk and paint all day, but then a week before Christmas he had headed down the hall to his brother's apartment on the off chance of catching Dorian home to see Ariel. As it was, Dorian wasn't home, but the woman who looked after Ariel while he worked was there. He'd seen her coming and going from the building quite a bit, and she turned out to be quite the friendly sort, chatting away and eventually inviting him to join her family for Christmas.

It seemed odd to Jules at the time, but the more he had thought about it, the more he had smiled at the thought of actually getting to have some sort of family Christmas after all. He didn't really know Dorian's girlfriend's family at all, but they were kind enough to invite him along just because he was related to Dorian, so he would go with that, what could it hurt? They had access to Ariel far more than he did, and if he could get them on side, get them to think of him in a good light, it would only help his cause, wouldn't it. Dorian would look at him playing his part in the happy family dynamic and maybe think of him as someone who might be able to offer something to Ariel. Not that he wanted Dorian's approval. Not at all. Well, he really did, but he'd never admit it. This was all self serving and nothing more. So he got himself dressed on Christmas morning, and apparated to the address he had been given, a small gift for the hosts wrapped in festive paper - nothing more fancy than matching slippers with reindeer on, the noses lit up when it got dark, which Jules thought was quite the entertaining touch, and he'd guessed at the sizes, buying a cheap card to accompany it, in which he thanked the couple for being so kind and wished them all the happiness for Christmas and the new year. It was small, but it was effort when he could afford little more. He had given Dorian some gifts for Ariel the night before, so she would have them to open on Christmas morning, and passed in a card for his brother, too, which had been awkward, but it was done. Crunching up the newly cleared path, he rang the bell by the door and waited, listening to the cheery ding-a-ling sound and hoping that he was in the right place.



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tag: Emily Jane Meadowes , André Daniel Meadowes , Dorcas Amilie Meadowes , Dorian Michael Humbert and Geralina Amara Drake
notes: Outfit. <3

The Gift

Julian didn't work weekends. It shouldn't have irked him so much, hearing that Dorian took Ariel to see the animals in the Magical Menagerie at weekends sometimes, but it did. It pissed him off on some level, that that meant he'd miss out on being visited at work at some stage, because they only went at weekends when he wouldn't be there. It should have made him smile to think of her enjoying the cats, smiling, huge eyes fascinated, but selfishness wanted to take the spotlight, and so it did. "I know what to get her when she's a bit older, then. How do you feel about having a pet cat?" he asked Dorian, forcing a smile and nearly dying on the inside at the fact that he'd just made himself insinuate that Ariel would still be living with Dorian when she was old enough for a pet. She certainly would not, she'd be with Jules, and he'd get her a whole litter of kittens if it made her happy, but roles needed to be played for now, and so the conversation went where it went. He hoped Dorian had some sort of aversion to cats, something that might make Ariel dislike him when she was older, something to push her into Julian's arms. "Uncle Dorian won't let me get a cat, Uncle Jules," she would cry, and he would hug her tight, and tell her he would get a cat for her that could live with him, and she could visit whenever she liked. Of course, that was again going with the ridiculous notion that she might still be living with Dorian. Which she wouldn't.

Hearing Dorian open up slightly - really, truly, slightly - about his work as an Auror was interesting enough, but it was the snippet about finding family that really interested Julian. He had known that River was looking for their brother, and told her it was likely futile and a waste of time, he could be anywhere in the world by now and possibly even dead, but she had insisted, and not been swayed by any negativity that had stemmed from a place of jealousy in her brother. Jules had been jealous, and he wouldn't deny it to River, though she didn't care, she made it clear that she loved Julian and that nothing would change that, and he'd felt bad for wanting to deprive her of more family, but he knew it wouldn't stop her. He would just have to deal with it when the time came, and he figured that time would be a long, long way away, if ever. Little did he know it would be months and land him in his current predicament. "River was a nosy one, for lack of a better word," Jules let out a laugh, half amusement at his sisters limitless curiosity, half bitterness at what her nosiness had brought to Jules' lap. "Once she set her mind to something, there was no changing it, she'd have found you if you lived in Timbuktu." He paused, glancing up at the waitress as Dorian politely ordered something to drink. "I'll have the same, please," he nodded, eyes glancing sideways at his brother. "Thank you." Merlin, it hurt to say that, but truth be told, he didn't have much money on him until the end of the month, so buying drinks in a cafe wasn't what he needed to be doing just then, but he'd survive. Come the end of December, he'd have more money than he'd had in a long while, thanks to the new job, and he was sure he wouldn't know what to do with it.



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tag: Dorian Michael Humbert
notes: <3

The Gift

Julian's teeth clenched at the mention of his lifestyle. Clever choice of words though it was, it still struck a nerve in the wolf, and his gaze dropped to the table as he straightened himself back into his chair, trying to compose himself and squash down his temper which threatened to flare. Who the hell did this man think he was to judge Dorian's lifestyle? Was he as prejudiced as all of those You Know Who arse kissers, looking down at Julian because of an unfortunate mishap that happened years ago? Was this how little Ariel was to be raised, thinking people with blood that was different, tainted, were no good? His instinct was to react, to stand up and shout in Dorian's face that he had a cheek to utter such words and if he thought he'd be keeping Ariel in his clutches then he had another thing coming. Of course, it wouldn't benefit the tiny person beside them if Jules gave in to instinct, and she was all that mattered. He wouldn't upset Ariel, and he wouldn't give Dorian any reason to think that he should be pushed further from the tots life.

Forcing a smile onto his face, Julian once again made himself to look at his brother. Half brother. Unwanted bastard child of his mother. Whatever he was. "That is a fair point," he allowed, words a little clipped but slowly conforming to the at ease manner he was trying to project. "And she shall have better. I've got a job in Diagon Alley now, and a place to live, nearby. I will see my promises through for this little one," he gestured to Ariel, meaning every word this time. "I may have gone against my word with River, but it's time to turn my life around." He glanced at Ariel, expression warm if not slightly arrogant to the highly perceptive. "There are people that need me now more than ever."

And, oh, what a wonderful feeling that was, to be needed. Dorian might argue otherwise, but Ariel needed Julian and he knew it. She needed the love, the memories, the family connection that Jules could provide. She had a cousin close enough in age to her to be her friend, she had belongings of her mother and father that had been left to Julian. Dorian could not give her all of that, and she would without a shadow of a doubt place importance on all of it when she was older. Yes, Ariel needed him... but Jules needed her, too. Loathe as he was to admit that he needed anybody in life, he could not deny his hankering to be close to his niece, to do right by her, and to shower her with the love her mother could not give her. It was a relationship that would benefit them both equally, as far as Julian was concerned, though he wouldn't be saying that out loud any time soon. He eyed Dorian carefully. "You're an Auror, I believe?" A man who actually made something of himself. Of course.



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tag: Dorian Michael Humbert
notes: <3

The Gift

Julian felt like quite the idiot standing out there in the hallway, though Dorian left the front door to his apartment slightly ajar, probably so as not to seem rude shutting Jules out, but it only enabled the werewolf to pick up on snippets of conversation between his brother and their niece. How sweet. It would have warmed his heart if Julian wasn't so dead set on the fact that Dorian was a thieving so and so with no right to shove his nose into Julian's family and take control of the only precious piece of it that was left. It seemed like an eternity of leaning against the wall facing that front door before the man reappeared, little Ariel in her pram looking like a beautiful little angel with those big blue eyes. She looked nothing like Dorian, in fact, she looked everything like Julian's own son, who also had blue eyes and blonde curls. It pleased Jules to no end to see the strong family resemblance, and Dorian having none of it. Well, except for the fact that he was their mother's double.

Pushing himself away from the wall, he smiled down at Ariel at the news that she had put up a fight over getting her coat on. "With a face like that she can be as much trouble as she likes," he said fondly, knowing that he would give her the world if she asked, and more. A fighting spirit ran in her veins, Blackthorne's did not shy away from a battle, and though Julian was struggling to win his own five year long battle with life, he had no doubt that he would come out on the other side soon enough and get control of his life again. Wasn't he already taking steps towards that? Maybe now was just the right time for it. It was terrible that his sister's death was the catalyst of change for him, and Julian would never forgive himself for not keeping his promises to do it sooner for River, she likely would still be alive today if he'd been a more permanent presence in her life, but he knew in his heart that she would be pleased with his efforts now, even if they were too late to save her.

Small talk was easy enough, awkward, but easy, as they made the short journey out of the building and to the end of the street. Julian had passed the cafe a few days ago, but not bothered to go inside, he had no reason to sit and people watch to pass the time. He had his easel in the apartment and plenty of paints to keep him occupied for a long time, his intention being to decorate his small living space with all of his own paintings. That was a much more pleasant way to pass the time, especially with the full moon coming up next week, his health would be deteriorating over the next few days, and hiding away from the public eye was always best. For now, though, he could stand the other customers, and he even offered a smile to the people who greeted them enthusiastically, mistaking the brothers for a couple with a child of their own. Julian, brows raised in intrigue, put a hand on Dorian's shoulder to fuel the story the husband and wife had built. "She is a lucky angel, indeed," he smiled, taking point with the conversation and ending it smoothly. "We're just having a nice family stroll, thought we'd pop in for some tea and a quiet chat, so if you don't mind..." His smile was so charming, tone so warm, that they could not take offence at him trying to get rid of them. The woman merely gushed a bit more and wished them a lovely day, fussing at the pram another moment longer before moving out of their way.

"Shall we?" Julian asked, making eye contact with Dorian and leading the way across the room to a table in the corner with a window view for little Ariel to gaze out of. He moved chairs out of the way as they went, making sure there was a path clear for the pram to fit through, and rearranged the seats at the table so that Ariel would be between the two men, directly facing the rather uninteresting view of the street outside. It would be sufficiently entertaining for a four month old, though Julian rather hoped he would get to hold her at some stage, which would be far more interesting for her. Of course there was always the possibility that she would cry at being held by a stranger, but he didn't allow himself to think of that, she seemed like a content baby, it may not even be an issue. He sat down at the table and ignored the menu in front of him, not really interested in drinking tea or having whatever else they had on offer. He would, for show, but not yet. "Shall we cut to the chase and discuss the fact that we share a mother and a sister, or shall we exchange some more small talk first?" he asked, blue eyes steady on Dorian.



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tag: Dorian Michael Humbert
notes: <3

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The Gift

It took a minute for anything to happen, but sure enough, the sound of footsteps on the other side of the door caught Julian's sensitive ears, and he tensed his jaw, hearing a hand taking hold of the door handle inside. It was time. Tilting his chin up to the man who appeared in the doorway, Julian halted for a second. Up close Dorian was the image of their mother, the same warm eyes and dark hair, it was like a slap in the face from the past, and he swallowed, eyes automatically moving to the baby in Dorian's arms. She was beautiful. Julian had never seen a baby girl more enchanting and perfect, and he felt a lump rise in his throat as his feelings for River rushed into his chest all at once, threatening to overwhelm him and cause him to have to walk away without a word. No. This needed to go as planned. He couldn't mess this up. The gift gripped tightly in his hand, he tore his eyes away from his niece, and met the gaze of his brother. He had never had a brother, and he had never imagined that this was what he would look like, but here they were, chalk and cheese. Best get on with it.

"Hello brother," he said softly, trying to tone down his usual arrogance in a bid to keep Dorian from slamming the door in his face. If Julian went for a smoother tactic, he'd have much better luck. "I'm here to see my niece." His blue eyes returned to the baby, and he held up the pink parcel so that she could see it, a soft smile on his face. "I brought you a gift," he murmured to her. Glancing back to Dorian for a reaction. He didn't really want to say anything else, feeling that his words so far were enough to make the desired impact. He knew River had spoken of him to this man, she had told him on one of his last visits to her before she died. Plus there were the letters that Dorian had sent after River's death, the man had had the courtesy to try and let Julian know he had lost his sister. Julian had not been able to bring himself to reply to those letters, he had sunk into his sadness with an unsettling silence for many weeks, and the thought of writing to his long lost brother was not a welcome one. What would he have said anyway? There had been nothing to say at the time. Now, now was different, now he had had enough time to clear his head and figure things out.



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tag: Dorian Michael Humbert
notes: <3