julienryan

[julienryan]

"Because I'm not overly keen on getting my ass thrown into a cell for the day and that's what would have happened." It was the reason Julien focused on boxing so much, needed somewhere to put the aggression so he didn't snap. He tended to stay away from fights as much as possible for the same reason.

" why didn't you just kick his entitled ass then ? he's right over there. unless you think you can't take him . " there was a certain satisfaction of antagonizing julien. of pushing buttons even when he shouldn't. maybe there'd also be something in it for him. like getting to join in on a fight that broke out within the gym. it had been a long time since he'd had a good one .

[julienryan]

"I'm not interested in loosing weight so I don't do much cardio. I'm all about the muscles as you can clearly see." Julien said, gesturing to his bare chest. "Anything really. There's something kind of nice about really greasy unhealthy food after a good work out."

Freddie shrugs at the comment “ I mean, yeah, probably. ” there's no point attempting to argue that very true fact. “ because it's fun, and it a pretty good workout you know, if you're more cardio-based. Anyway - food. Whatcha feeling? ”

[julienryan]

[julienryan]

LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT in This Time Next Year (2024)

[julienryan]

"Yeah and I'll bet the fact that it did made you ecstatic. You're so obvious, any chance to see me and you'll take it and run." Veronica was so predictable. She probably didn't even need to call him, he barely said anything useful anyway. There was no way his testimony tipped the scales at all. Julien walked around to her side of the desk, pinning her against it so she couldn't go anyway. "I know you want me to be but I'm not in any way intimidated by you."

FRANKLY, PISSING HIM OFF was just too easy. something about him was so sexy when he was angry -- that, coupled with their current standings was all too vindicating. it just so happened to be a serendipitous coincidence, when her client had dropped his name. the sly smile that appeared would send even the strongest of grown men running, crying for their mother's loving arms. but somehow, he continued to challenge her. claw at her sanity. the kind that would keep her awake at night, haunted by him -- not that he'd ever get an admittance out of her. not as long as she was still alive.

" i know it's the last thing you want to here -- but your name just so happened to fall into my lap. " veronica smirks. of course she wasn't going to give him any more information. by who, how, nothing. even if the case was over, her clients were still entitled to their secrets. " i'm not just a bitch, as i know you think of me -- but a smart one. i worked with what i was given. "

her eyes don't leave his. not just out of sincerity, but out of a challenge.

[julienryan]

"No I more so struggle with keeping my cool around arrogant entitled jackasses who think the world belongs to them." Or around most people really, it was an issue he was actively pretending to work on. In reality he didn't think it was the worst thing in the world. "Okay you do that."

" a feat you seemed incapable of. is it because you struggle with the big words ? " it wasn't often that sterling joked with others. most people didn't often get anything from him. perhaps a few spared words. when the anger wasn't kindling like a forest fire inside of him. that particular day had found him in the gym for nearly an hour already. something that helped to work off the feeling. " i'll keep your i.o.u. in my back pocket for now. save it for a rainy day . "

[julienryan]

"There's a difference between being bitter and just not liking you." Julien chucked, finishing off the liquid in his glass. "I didn't necessarily think you wouldn't be here. I know you own the place I'm not stupid but I did hope. It seems like sometimes dream do not in fact come true. I like the place despite the very obvious flaws." He shrugged that being all of the explanation he was willing to give.

" you're hoping i'm miserable. i'm hoping you're having a good time. but you're right, not bitter in the slightest . " a simple grin formed on his lips. before it was displaced by the shot he downed. empty glass soon replaced upon the bar counter, his hand lifted to whichever bartender kept him within their peripherals. " so you didn't come here to speak to me. you didn't even glance my way once. so tell me, jules ; why out of all the bars and clubs in new york. did you come to mine ? and don't give me that bullshit of thinking i wouldn't be here . "

[julienryan]

Lucien Laviscount

[julienryan]

LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT in This Time Next Year (2024)

[julienryan]

"Maybe don't have the clubhouse in your actual house and it would save you so many issues." He had never said it, but he thought that was pretty fucking stupid especially when his child lived there and they were at war. Did Zak think that would deter a gang like the serpents? "Fine." Julien said simply, turning and walking away from the argument that was sure to continue at a later date.

Zak was getting frustrated and he wasn't in any shape to do so. He needed to bite back his words and walk away. "It's not like that at all but if you want to act like a child and think that way fine." He said as he took a step away. "Then don't talk. Get out of my house and we will revisit this later." Zak said before he turned on his foot and walked away before he said something he would regret.

[julienryan]

Julien watched as the interaction took place, happy someone else was dealing with it as he was in no mood to fight somebody. Usually he'd welcome a fight but he was still recovering from his bullet wound. "Wow thanks buddy." Julien grinned, putting Caio on the shoulder. "Yeah yeah sure I owe you one. Let me know when you know what you want or whatever. Nothing too big all you did was tell a guy to move."

beneath the sarcasm, nestled that rarely contained anger. the emotion that far too often found him in a spot of trouble. a fact that could nearly be made obvious in that moment. but instead, caio simply rolled his eyes with a laugh. as he stood from the machine he had been using. and stepped over to the one that julien had his eyes set on. " listen, my friend has some trouble with his words. too many punches to the head, you know ? " a laugh was forced out, an attempt at keeping it easy. " but see, it'd be best for us all if you found a different machine. maybe one on the other side of the room . " after a beat, the man lifted himself up from the machine. with some choice words grumbled out. which had caio's muscles tensed with the anger that rippled through him. but he breathed. in and out. before he forced his gaze to julien , " there, now you owe me . "

[julienryan]

"Of course I've forgotten, must not have been that memorable." Julien chuckled humourlessly, folding his arms across his chest. the last thing he ever needed or wanted to remember were his trysts with the man in front of him. Some things were best left far far in the past where they belonged. "Oh you think I'm bitter? That's hilarious. Not once have I tried to speak to you or even glanced in your direction, I don't know how you consider that bitter. I just truly hope you're miserable."

there would be no denying how luciano loved this. the banter that seemed to fall so easily. if julien thought he were driving in some knife. with all intentions of hurting lucky. then the man had better sharpen his attempts. " you've clearly forgotten what babylon is for . " the words came accompanied with a click of tongue against the back of his front teeth. " if i was on my knees for you, then i would have hardly had to do much begging. or have you forgotten how easily i made your eyes roll to the back of your skull ? " the question clipped from his tongue just as the bartender brought forth the drinks. luciano plucked one up with ease. glass brought to his lips, " bitter isn't a good look for you, julien . "

[julienryan]

"It's probably boring for you because you'd have no idea what to do if you tried but some of us enjoy working out." Plus, Julien had a certain level of muscle he liked to keep at all times. It helped with his boxing. Plus, part of him just enjoyed looking good. "Why would I want to run around in a field kicking a ball around?"

“ boo. ” he says in mock annoyance, laying down on the floor to kill the time with some stretches or whatever it is that gym bros do. “ it’s just so fucking boring here. I can’t believe you do this shit for fun. Wouldn’t you rather be out playing soccer or something? Now that shits fucking fun. ”

[julienryan]

The urge to cuss Zak out and not listen to a word he said was strong but Julien had too much respect for the patch on his back for that. Even though he might not agree with the choices the man made he was still his president, he needed to have a baseline of respect for him or there was no point being part of the MC in general. "Oh he stepped up did he? That's nice for him, I guess that means you can get whatever you want if you don't get shot. I'll make sure to dodge the bullets better next time then maybe I'll be considered." He muttered, rolling his eyes. "I didn't want to talk to you right now anyway, you came over to me." Julien needed time to calm down about the whole situation before they had a proper conversation.

Zak rolled his eyes, he didn't like the disrespect but in his physical state, he couldn't do much about it. "Watch your mouth Ryan." He demanded. "Ah, so it's about Jay." He said with a laugh. "Did you know Jay has been my right-hand man for years now? The enforcer works directly under and with the sergeant of arms, the role he will be taking over. That means he has spent all this time building a working, functional, and trusted relationship with Oxana. She trusts him to do his part. I trust him to do what is needed. That doesn't mean I don't trust you. But I didn't have to tell him to step up while I was in a coma for four days, and neither did Oxana. He just did it on his own. He took command, he got people out, he helped with the clean up, he took care of my damn child and he also has great relations with the society. His uncle is a member and his girlfriend is the leader's sister. While he may have just been an enforcer, before, that does not mean he doesn't have the abilities and qualities needed to do the damn job. And even if I choose you, he wouldn't be sitting here crying about it either." Zak took a beat, "There are things going on that you don't even know about. He performed a successful hit on the serpents with the Society. And besides, you have a recovery of your own to focus on. It's fucking temporary. Few more days till I'm back anyway. This had nothing to do with you. If I had died, Julien, I know in my soul Jason would do whatever is needed for the group of the club. He would learn, he would sacrifice, he would do anything. And I mean anything to protect his family because god damn, this is all he got besides Nico. So yes. Jason is my acting VP. And it's not just because I trust the man with my life and my child. Because he fucking earned it. Now get the fuck out of my sight."

[julienryan]

Every time Julien saw the woman she ended up pissing him off in some way or another, this time it was by dragging him to court. As a Ghost Rider he was no way a stranger to the legal process but the last place he ever wanted to be was in a court room. He also didn't care either way what the outcome of the trial was which just made being there even more annoying.

It didn't take him long to locate his office and walk straight inside without bothering to knock. She should have expected him to show up. "Why would I ever want to listen to you gloat? I rarely want to listen to anything from you as it is. What I want is for you to explain why the fuck you dragged me here and for you to ensure it never happens again."

@julienryan

LOCATION: her office, late evening. FOR: julien ryan.

VERONICA KNEW IT WAS risky, questioning julien. considering their history. then again, both knew better than to divulge too much, for the safety of their respective allegiances. even so, she couldn't deny her surprise when she saw him on the witness list for the prosecution. nothing she couldn't handle, right? regardless, she treads carefully. doesn't accost, but doesn't go gently either. if he reacts with anger, it will likely look like he's hiding something -- leading the prosecution to fall in the favor of the jury. veronica has tried enough cases now to know that the courtroom was like a chessboard, and she was a grand master player. as expected, she came out with the win. whether the stories she spun were true or false was up for a jury to decide -- and they clearly decided her client deserved to be a free man. reasonable doubt, always the killer.

despite one case coming to a quick resolution, veronica finds herself diligently at work on another. she doesn't even have to look up to know the interruption is coming, and of course, who it is. she's studied his silhouette enough times to know. " if you've come to listen to me gloat, julien -- you've picked quite the interesting time. but, perhaps it's smart you've waited until i don't have an audience. " the smirk comes, the one she knows he despises so much as she removes her glasses from the bridge of her nose. " there's also officers planted right down the hall. so doing anything stupid won't end well for you either. "

[julienryan]

"Well we both know you're not exactly the working type so I don't see what you'd possibly be doing here besides lowering the class of the place." Not that it had much class in the first place. All Julien had to do was look at the owner for proof of that. "Did dick for brains break your heart again? Because I don't see any other reason you'd be over here talking to me. You looking for a rebound? No thanks. Sad, lonely and pathetic isn't really my thing any more so you'll have to find someone else to get on your knees for and beg for their attention."

there hadn't been any particular reason for him to be there. luciano had people to handle the business. to do what needed to be done without him spending every minute surveying. ensuring that all was going smoothly. but that night had been a distraction. from that which was happening in the city. to what continued to go through his head. he had simply needed the few hours to decompress, to dispose of all those thoughts in some of the only ways he knew how. which had been out in the crowd, until he'd needed a refill. to which he had excused himself to the bar, where he had caught his attention .

the voice had sent an electric shock down the curve of his spine. exposed, in the outfit that he had donned for the evening. and though the less than pleasant memories returned like an old movie in his mind. the smirk that caught his lips was ever teasing. " at my own club ? how scandalous of me . " he mused as he settled into the space just beside julien. elbow pressed to the counter as he leaned against it. his gaze settled on the other, for a moment. before he sought out his bartender, ordering two drinks. " is this really just a ploy to see me ? you know, all you had to do was call me . "

[julienryan]

LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT This Time Next Year (2024)