Disclaimer: I don't own one tree hill

Author's note: I haven't done anything like this before, at least not in a long time. This will be a short fic, of four chapters (each chapter representing a day, as Julian said something about 'four days' in the finale?) It takes place between the end of 6x23 to the beginning of 6x24. Basically it's what we didn't see of Brooke and Julian during Peyton's coma.

Day One

She doesn't even have to open her eyes, or flutter those long lashes, to feel his presence, uncertain yet strong. He's been there, really, since before it started, and she can't say that she's surprised, it's what he does, pushes and retreats, forces and eventually settles, because he's Julian Baker, and he knows her.

She hasn't slept since last night, since Lucas called with the news. But now, as the events of the past hours finally made it's way to her eyes, combined with the uncomfortable plastic hospital chair, she found herself dozing off for five minutes, or was it an hour? Julian's cologne radiates off him, kind of like his grin,she decided. In his hand is a large cup of coffee, she may be exhausted, and not looking her best, and worried as hell, amongst other things, but she's still able to distinguish between a gourmet cup of creamy latte, extra foam, and a cheap polystyrene, mass produced horror that is the hospital coffee shop.

'You look like you could use some coffee, the real kind', and she knows that she should smile and utter a word of thanks, but somehow with him, it's best not to say anything at all. It isn't because he doesn't deserve it, but maybe, if she's honest with herself, because if she does, everything else will come pouring out.

She knows he feels out of place here, closely trapped in the hospital with her closest friends; her family. But as always, he's here with her, for her, because of her. He's admitted to being worried about Peyton, and despite the sinking feeling that he really does care about her, she knows, like she always does, that he's more here for her.

As she quietly sips her coffee, he sits with her, but even if his presence is calm and comforting, she can't help but shiver whenever his arm brushes against hers. That's the thing, amidst them being a bit in between, Julian never hides his attraction to her, and never apologizes for the force that is perhaps strong enough to make her run a thousand miles away.

Haley doesn't ask questions, and she's thankful, Nathan knows it's not any of his business, but she feels Lucas' s eyes on them sometimes. During numerous short conversations and Julian's easy smiles and touches, she feels like he doesn't quite understand. Then again, she shouldn't really be surprised, he never did fully understand her. Lucas claimed to know and love her two contradicting sides, but really, figuring out Peyton became his obsession, his fixation, that he somehow got tired of understanding her; she who begs to be saved from herself, to be loved, but always shields it away and rejects any type of permanence.

This is why, she muses, Julian and her works so well. Although she knows they're no longer a 'they', his little smirks, lazy glances and soft, soothing touches that don't quite overstep their new found boundary, but intimate enough to be considered as barely platonic, suggests otherwise. They still move in sync with each other; when she gets up to talk to Peyton's doctor, he's already charming the nurse for an unsupervised visit; for her. When she contemplates whether to ask him if he wants to head back to the hotel for a shower and some food, he turns off his constantly vibrating blackberry and casually asks her if she wants to check out the canteen. Always a step ahead of her, Julian, as if he can sense her every thought and beats her to it, just to ease her tension.

By 9pm, Lucas doesn't look so good, he's nervous and stressed, and tired and understandably angry. It's just him and them in the waiting room now. She knows what he's thinking, god, she always does; his squint and frown buried in place, as if he's trying to distract himself by dissecting them.

'Julian, man, thanks for being here, but you really don't have to hang out all night, I know you're busy with work, and everything. It's okay, really'.

She can almost hear Julian chuckle at the blonde's cluelessness, he doesn't know that he's actually here for her, and that he'll stay until he's not needed.

Because as much as she won't say, or show it, she'd be breaking down without him here.

'Luke, it's fine, I'll keep Brooke company, you should go get some sleep, you look horrible', and the grin is firmly in its place, an indication that he, by no means, intends to be cruel.

She can feel the blonde relenting slightly, and as she nods to encourage him, resulting in him walking away, she knows he still doesn't really understand. Their love is possibly even more complicated than his and Peyton's ever were, yet it's so understated and simple, that people like him, wrapped up in the idea of epic fantasies, will never fully comprehend.

It's just the two of them now, with the halls darkening slightly and only flashes of people, doctors, nurses, anxious families pass them by. Her fresh coffee cup lies solidly on the ground next to her feet, it's so silent, almost peaceful, that it doesn't take her by surprise as his foot gently nudges hers, his lips curving into a playful, yet gentle smile. She'll deny this, of course, but as his right hand makes its way to her jean clad thigh, stroking her leg, whispering that it'll be okay, she actually breathes normally again, like she hasn't since she had gotten the call, and lets herself, despite her many attempts to do otherwise, believe him.

Haley stops by around 11pm, with Nathan rubbing his tired eyes behind her. Just as they were approaching the waiting area, intending to head straight to Lucas, two sets of brunette locks catches their eye. They were both sound asleep, his hand clutching hers, her head was buried in his chest, and his other arm, flung to appear casual, but is indeed protectively shielding her shoulder.

The married couple share a soft smile, they would know, this indeed, screams permanence.

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