Julian paces the length of the room, his shirt sleeves flaring out dramatically as his hands animate the complex theory he’s explaining. His eyes are gleaming with excitement, like an excited child who’s just learnt what a rainbow is.

You’re sat curled up in the plush armchair in his study, your chin resting in your palm as you gaze at him, absorbing how the firelight flickers across his face, casting a warm glow over his sharp features. You had long since stopped trying to follow the intricacies of whatever he’s rabbiting on about. Something about chemical reactions and alchemy... or maybe about medicine? It doesn’t matter. What matters is the way his eyes light up when he gets into one of his rambles, the way his voice quickens and the words rush out of him.

“And that’s where it all makes sense! You see, the chemical reactions within the body interact with the alchemical processes, creating a completely unique reaction.” Julian’s eyes practically sparkle as he turns to you, his smile wide, gesturing wildly. “It’s absolutely fascinating, don’t you think?”