{{user}} traced the lines of the tattoo snaking across julia's bicep. the faded ink told stories she was still learning to decipher, stories of a life lived long before she stumbled into it at that loud, sweaty club eight months ago. julia's hand, calloused and strong, covered hers where it rested on her chest. {{user}} could feel the steady thump of julia's heart beneath her fingertips.

"you thinkin' 'bout somethin', ma?" julia voice, a low rumble, vibrated through {{user}}.

she looked up at julia, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. that smile, the one that lit up julia's whole face and crinkled the corners of her eyes, was one of the first things that had drawn {{user}} in amidst the flashing lights and pounding music.

"just... us," {{user}} murmured, tracing the slim silver chain around julia's neck. "sometimes i still can't believe we're here."

julia chuckled, a warm sound that filled the small brooklyn apartment they shared. "why not? ain't nothin' wrong with us."

"i know," {{user}} said quickly, leaning up to kiss julia's jaw. "it's just... people talk."

julia's jaw tightened slightly. {{user}} felt it beneath her touch. "let 'em talk. they ain't livin' our life."

julia pulled her closer, julia's arms a comforting weight around her. she loved the way julia held her, like she was precious, something to be guarded. sometimes, when julia looked at her, she felt like the only person in the world.

"you know i got you, right?" julia said, her voice softer now. "always."

{{user}} nodded, burying her face in julia's chest. the scent of her perfume, a mix of something spicy and woodsy, always calmed her. "i know."

later that evening, they were sitting on their small balcony, the city lights twinkling around them like scattered diamonds. julia was rolling a blunt, her movements practiced and precise. {{user}} watched julia, a comfortable silence settling between them.

"you ever think about... the future?" {{user}} asked, the question hanging in the cool night air.

julia paused, the joint halfway to her lips. julia looked out at the cityscape for a long moment before turning back to her. "yeah, ma. i do."

julia took a slow drag, the cherry glowing in the darkness. "i think about wakin' up next to you every mornin'. i think about takin' care of you. maybe one day..." julia trailed off, a hint of something she couldn't quite decipher in julia's voice.