#julien x joy.oo1

[ofwishfulthinking]

who: joy @florald4ze where: Julien's office

Julien was in the midst of finalizing the details for the town's annual Spring Festival. It was a hectic time, but so far, he'd found himself enjoying it. It was infinitely better than spending hours pouring over the town's financials. Still, being busy was time consuming whether or not he found himself enjoying the work, and being busy meant that he hadn't seen his daughter in days. Julien missed the days when their schedules matched up, but now that Joy was an adult, her interests and obligations often took her in a different direction than her father's. "Hey, kiddo," he greeted, a smile tugging at his lips. "I just have to wrap a few more things here and then we can head out. If you'd like, you can choose what we have for dinner tonight. I'm so hungry, I could eat just about anything."

[ofwishfulthinking]

Julien, himself, had never much given thought to being a parent, but then he'd met and fallen in love with Claudia, and it had seemed like the most natural progression in their relationship. Sadly, parenthood had not come easily for them. Joy, though, was the culmination of that journey. She may not have been biologically theirs, but she was their child in all the ways that mattered. It was the greatest pleasure of Julien's life to watch her grow and become her own woman. He just wished that he'd been able to do that with Claudia.

"No, no. I have to set this aside," he replied. If given the chance, Julien would work late into the night. "I'd much rather spend time with you." He closed his laptop and set his aside. Anything else would have to wait until tomorrow. His time with his daughter was limited as is and Jules was not willing to sacrifice even a moment of it working. "So, what are we feeling like today? Want to go to a restaurant or get take out and head home?"

             there's a skip in her step as she ventures through the familiar building, ensuring she greets everyone she comes in contact with on her way to her favorite person's office. it's been much too long since the pair have had any father-daughter time―getting her own business off the ground is hard work, especially with her habit of wanting to give the world to anyone who asks... as is being, you know, the mayor, but she's ecstatic that they've been able to make time for each other now. when she finally pokes her head into his space, a familiar warmth spreads through her chest, a grin of her own blooming wide at his greeting.    ❝  hey yourself, stranger!  ❞    her naturally long gait eats away at the space between them quickly and she places a kiss to his cheek before showing off her gift:  a small bouquet of gerbera daisies, tucked safely in a mason jar.    ❝  i chose orange for encouragement, purple for elegance and affection, and white for good health and inspiration.  ❞    though joy has never had an issue voicing her affection to others, she's always found that using the language of flowers is much more effective. after all, they can be left in easy to view places, serving as a reminder for when she can't be around to do so herself. after she deposits them on his desk, she continues,    ❝  anyway. not that i want you overworking yourself because i'll have your head and everyone else's in this town, but are you sure you can cut out for dinner? i can go pick something up and bring it back? i don't mind helping, even! if i'm able to, of course.  ❞